“If only thou winnest her not for thyself. She is my dear wife. Otherwise I rejoice. Do to her what thou wilt. If thou tookest her life, I would bear it. She is a terrible woman.” “I vow to thee on mine honour that I will have naught to do with her. Thy dear sister is more to me than any I have ever seen.” And Gunther believed Siegfried’s word. Meanwhile the guests rode at the tourney with fortune good and bad, but, when it was time for the women to go to the hall, they stopped the tilting and the din, and the chamberlains bade the folk void the way. And now the courtyard was empty of horses and men. A bishop led each queen before the kings to table, and many proud knights followed them to their seats. The king sat beside his wife in good hope, for he minded Siegfried’s promise. The one day seemed to him as thirty, for he thought only on Brunhild. Scarce could he wait till they rose from the table. Fair Kriemhild and also Brunhild were led to their chambers. Ha! what bold knights went before the queens! Joyful and without hate Siegfried the knight sat sweetly beside his beautiful wife. With her white hand she caressed his, till, she knew not how, he vanished from before her eyes. When she played with him and saw him no longer, she said to her maidens, “I marvel much where the king is gone. Who took his hands out of mine?” And so the matter dropped. He had gone where he found the chamberlains with the lights, which he began to put out. By this sign Gunther perceived that it was Siegfried. He knew well what he wanted, and he sent away the women and maidens. When that was done, the king himself locked the door, and shot two strong bolts before it. He hid the light quickly behind the bed curtain, and the struggle that had to come began between stark Siegfried and the beautiful maiden. King Gunther was both glad and sorry. Siegfried lay down by the queen, but she said, “Stop, Gunther, lest thou suffer as afore. Thou mayest again receive a hurt at my hand.” Siegfried concealed his voice and spake not. Gunther heard well all that passed, albeit he saw nothing. There was little ease for the twain. Siegfried feigned that he was Gunther, and put his arm round the valiant maiden. She threw him on to a bench, that his head rang loud against a foot-stool. The bold man sprang up undaunted, but evil befell him. Such defence from a woman I ween the world will never see more. Because he would not let her be, Brunhild rose up. “It is unseemly of thee,” said the brave maiden. “Thou wilt tear my beautiful gown. Thou art churlish and must suffer for it. Thou shalt see!” She caught the good knight in her arms, and would have bound him as she had done to the king, that she might have peace. Grimly she avenged her torn raiment. What availed him then his strength and his prowess? She proved to him the mastery of her body, and carried him by force, since there was no other way, and squeezed him hard against a press that stood by the bed.