Then spake Kriemhild the lovely: "My lord is such a knight That beneath him all these kingdoms might well be bowed as of right." Answered the Lady Brunhild: "Tush! how may such thing be? If there lived on the earth no mortal save only thou and he, Then haply might this kingdom be subject to Siegmund's son; But so long as Gunther liveth, may such thing never be done." Thereto made answer Kriemhild: "Dost mark how stands he there? With the princely pride of his presence none other knight may compare, As the full moon in her brightness doth all the stars outshine. Wherefore for good cause ever glad heart and proud is mine." But again made answer Brunhild: "Be he goodly as ye will, And stately and noble-hearted, one standeth above him still, Gunther, the flower of knighthood, thine high-born brother: in sooth, High stands he above all earth-kings, and this thou knowest for truth." But again made answer Kriemhild: "My lord is of such high worth, That with fullest right have I praised him for the mightiest man on earth. {P. 112} In many a thing is he worthy of honour's chiefest meed. Doth thine heart not tell thee, Brunhild, he is Gunther's peer indeed?" "Now this my word, O Kriemhild, take not as said in despite, In that I say that my boasting is made of fullest right. This said they both--I heard it, when first these twain I beheld In the day when in my contests my will by the King's was quelled, When he won my love, in fashion so knightly triumphing, Siegfried himself said, 'Vassal am I unto Gunther the King.' Therefore I hold him his liegeman: of himself I heard it confessed." Made answer Kriemhild the lovely: "For me 'twere a bitter jest! How like were my noble brethren so to have dealt with me That they should abase me ever the bride of a vassal to be! Therefore will I, O Brunhild, entreat thee even as a friend-- For courtesy's sake, and my love's sake, let this thy babble have end." Made answer the Queen: "I may not refrain me from this my claim. Am I like to renounce the service of all these knights of fame Which, even as thine, be bounden to homage unto my lord?" Then the anger of Kriemhild the lovely leapt into flame at the word: "This boast, thou must needs forego it, that my lord ever on earth Hath rendered thee aught of homage! Mine hero is more of worth Than thy lord, my brother Gunther, be he never so noble a king. Thou therefore shalt spare me the hearing of thy fond imagining. Yea, needs must I marvel ever, if he be thy vassal-thane, And thou be exalted so highly in worship above us twain, Wherefore so long all tribute to thee hath of him been denied! Of right I demand to be pestered no more with thine arrogant pride." "Too high dost thou exalt thee," Queen Brunhild made reply: "Now will I prove of a surety if folk account thee as high In royal esteem and honour as they hold the Queen, even me!" By this was the two Queens' anger kindled unquenchably. {P. 113}