One day, before vespers, there arose in the court of the castle a mighty din of knights that tilted for pastime, and the folk ran to see them. The queens sat together there, thinking each on a doughty warrior. Then said fair Kriemhild, “I have a husband of such might that all these lands might well be his.” But Brunhild answered, “How so? If there lived none other save thou and he, our kingdom might haply be his, but while Gunther is alive it could never be.” But Kriemhild said, “See him there. How he surpasseth the other knights, as the bright moon the stars! My heart is uplifted with cause.” Whereupon Brunhild answered, “Howso valiant thy husband, comely and fair, thy brother Gunther excelleth him, for know that he is the first among kings.” But Kriemhild said, “My praise was not idle; for worshipful is my husband in many things. Trow it, Brunhild. He is, at the least, thy husband’s equal.” “Mistake me not in thine anger, Kriemhild. Neither is my word idle; for they both said, when I saw them first, and the king vanquished me in the sports, and on knightly wise won my love, that Siegfried was his man. Wherefore I hold him for a vassal, since I heard him say it.” Then Kriemhild cried, “Evil were my lot if that were true. How had my brothers given me to a vassal to wife? Prithee, of thy courtesy, cease from such discourse.” “That will I not,” answered Brunhild. “Thereby should I lose many knights that, with him, owe us homage.” Whereat fair Kriemhild waxed very wroth. “Lose them thou must, for any service he will do thee. He is nobler even than Gunther, my noble brother. Wherefore, spare me thy foolish words. I wonder, since he is thy vassal, and thou art so much mightier than we, that for so long time he hath failed to pay tribute. Of a truth thine arrogancy irketh me.” “Thou vauntest thyself too high,” cried the queen; “I would see now whether thy body be holden in like honour with mine.” Both the women were angry. Kriemhild answered, “That shalt thou see straightway. Since thou hast called Siegfried thy vassal, the knights of both kings shall see this day whether I dare enter the minster before thee, the queen. For I would have thee know that I am noble and free, and that my husband is of more worship than thine. Nor will I be chidden by thee. To-day thou shalt see thy vassals go at court before the Burgundian knights, and me more honoured than any queen that ever wore a crown.” Fierce was the wrath of the women. “If thou art no vassal,” said Brunhild, “thou and thy women shall walk separate from my train when we go to the minster.” And Kriemhild answered, “Be it so.” “Now adorn ye, my maidens,” said Siegfried’s wife, “that I be not shamed. If ye have rich apparel, show it this day. She shall take back what her mouth hath spoken.” She needed not to bid twice; they sought out their richest vesture, and dames and damsels were soon arrayed.