Now telleth the song of the raiment of that fair-clad Amazon. With glistering silk of the Orient her battle-doublet shone-- Ah, it was costly and queenly!--flashed in beholders' eyes From the vest of that Daughter of Princes full many a stone of price. {P. 60} A mighty spear broad-headed then brought they unto the Queen, Which she hurled evermore in the Contest of Wooers, a javelin keen, Gigantic, stubborn-shafted, heavy and long, and wide Were the fierce death-whetted edges thereof on either side. Of the weight of that fearful javelin be marvellous stories told. Of five-score pounds of iron was forged its massy mould: Three of the warriors of Brunhild staggering bare that spear. Then the heart of the noble Gunther grew heavy with his fear. Under his breath he whispered: "What task have I now in hand? Though the Foul Fiend rose out of Hell's Pit, against her how should he stand? Were I, with my life delivered, once more beside the Rhine, Long should she bide untroubled by any wooing of mine!" (C) Well may ye deem what burden of disquiet his spirit bare. Then all his harness of battle they set before him there: And soon the mighty Rhine-lord lapped in his war-mail stood. But the spirit of Hagen was darkened, and he chafed in bitter mood. Then out spake Hagen's brother. Dankwart the valiant: "I rue-- Yea, my inmost soul repenteth that hither we came to woo! Good knights, time was, men called us! Shall we tamely yield our breath? Here in the land of the stranger shall a woman do us to death? Sore vexed am I for our folly, that ever we came to her land! Ha, if that my brother Hagen but grasped his sword in hand, And I had also my war-glaive, soon these should abate their pride, And should droop the eyes of scorning, yon vassals at Brunhild's side! I would teach them to go softly, full well I ween!--O yea, Though oaths had I sworn a thousand to keep the peace this day!-- Ere I saw my belovèd liege-lord lie trapped in a foul death-snare, Doomed to forsake life--quotha!--because this woman is fair!" "Ay, and we would unshackled from this land win forth clear," Answered his brother Hagen, "had we but the armour here That we lack for the clash of the onset, and the trusty battle-blade; Then soon should the pride be humbled of yonder stalwart maid!" {P. 61} Full well overheard were his murmurs of the Lady royally born. She cast back over her shoulder a smile of careless scorn:-- "And he deemeth himself so valiant?--e'en bring them hitherward Their armour, and give to the heroes each his keen-edged sword! (C) As little I reck of them whether their harness and swords they bear," Spake that Daughter of Princes, "or weaponless stand there. I fear the strength of no man that is known of me unto this day; Yea, and I look to o'ermaster yon king in the battle-play." When, after the Maid's commandment, unto these were their weapons brought,