So soon as the words had been spoken, straightway that Amazon-maid Commanded, as meet she deemed it, that the trial be not delayed; And she caused them to bring her armour, and array for the contest grim, Even a golden hauberk and a shield of ample rim. A silk-lined battle-tunic about her that maiden drew-- Nor point nor edge of weapon in fight might pierce it through-- Of fine-dressed fells of lions from the land of Libya brought, With broidery round its borders flashing radiant-wrought. Meanwhile her knights were galling those guests with threat and jeer: And there stood Dankwart and Hagen exceeding heavy of cheer; For their souls foreboded the issue that might to their lord betide; And they said in their hearts: "This journey shall we knights dearly abide!" But Siegfried the while, the resourceful, hath hasted swiftly away, Ere any was ware of his going, unto where the galley lay; And he found the Hood of Darkness in its secret hiding-place there, And with speed he did it upon him, and none thereof was ware. With speed he returned: of her warriors found he a great array In the place by the Queen appointed for the wooer's perilous play: {P. 59} But he passed through the midst of them stealthwise, and still was beheld of none Of the multitude there thronging: by magic thus was it done. For the lists a wide ring drew they where that grim sport should be In the presence of knights of Brunhild, that the trial all might see, Bold warriors full seven hundred; and their weapons of war all bare; And whoso prevailed in the contest, the truth should these declare. Now in the lists stood Brunhild, in her mail of the adamant rings, As though she would straight do battle for the land of all earth's kings. And all her silken vesture was with gold bands lapped about; But thereunder the lilies and roses of her lovely flesh shone out. Now came to the lists her henchmen, and unto her hands they brought A goodly shield of battle: of the ruddy gold was it wrought With bands of steel hard-welded, a thing for a giant to sway: And under that mighty heart-fence would the fair one play the play. From left unto right within it did a goodly arm-brace pass With emeralds set thereover, green as the lealand grass; And their sight-bewildering sparklings flashed o'er the gold thereof. Sooth, valour he needed and prowess who would win that maiden's love! Stood a boss out in front of the buckler, as the olden bard hath sung; It was three whole spans in thickness, yet lightly its mass she swung. With burnished steel and with gleaming gold full rich was the shield; And scarce could her chamberlain, holpen of three, bear this to the field. Now soon as Hagen the stalwart beheld that Targe of Dread, Muttered the Lord of Troneg sorely disquieted: "How is it with thee, King Gunther?--thou hazardest limb and life! She whom thou fain wouldst be wooing were a very demon-wife!"