Now over the Rhine came a story of none heard theretofore, A tale of the marvellous beauty of maids on a far-away shore. Then stirred was the spirit of Gunther to win such an one for his bride: In the hope thereof uplifted was his heart in kingly pride. There was a Queen of Beauty enthroned beyond the sea; Through all the world's wide compass was none so fair as she. In loveliness was she peerless, and of measureless bodily might; For she matched her with champions that wooed her in speeding the lance's flight, And in hurling the stone, and in leaping far as it flew through the air. Whosoever to wife would win her, that terrible test must dare, And in contests three overcome her, that champion-maid high-born. Let him fail in but one of the trials, and his head from his shoulders was shorn. Full oft that Daughter of Princes had done this ruthless thing: But now by the Rhine her rumour came to a knightly king, And he turned his whole heart's longing to win that fair one to wife. --Ah, many a knight thereafter for her sake lost his life! (C) As once in the midst of his people the noble Gunther sat, Much question arose, as the speech-tide flowed swiftly this way and that, What queen among women was worthy that the King should choose her for bride, Who should be Queen of Burgundia, and sit enthroned at his side. Then spake the Lord of Rhineland: "I will take ship down to the sea, And will sail to the Lady Brunhild, howsoever it fare with me. For the love of that Queen of Women will I venture limb and life: Yea, ready I stand to lose them, an I win her not to my wife." {P. 45} "I give my counsel against it," cried Siegfried with earnest mien; "Such deadly-ruthless customs be practised of that dread queen, That whoever is her love's suitor, his head he imperilleth. Well mayst thou advise thee rather to turn from this path of death." (C) Answered and spake King Gunther: "Never was woman born So strong and so fierce of spirit, but her might were by mine outworn Lightly, in any contest, by my single hand alone!" "Ah hush!" made answer Siegfried, "unto thee is this woman unknown. (C) Though four such as thou withstood her, the strength of them all were as nought Against her terrible fury: thou therefore renounce that thought; In loyal faith I advise thee. If with death thou be not in love, Travail not thou to win her, for nought can come thereof." (C) "Be she as strong as she may be, on that journey I needs must fare Hence unto Brunhild, befall me what may befall me there! For the sake of her peerless beauty no peril will I decline. Peradventure may God yet move her to follow us to the Rhine."