The face of the valiant Dankwart for very joy flushed hot. "Play now what play ye be minded!" he cried, that goodly thane; "Unfettered now is Gunther: we have our swords again!" Once more of the might of Brunhild terrible proof is shown: Men into the ring come bearing an exceeding massy stone, Most huge, a quoit for a Titan, broad withal and round. Scarce twelve of her thanes could bear it into love's strange battle-ground. Even this ever hurled she in contest, when the flight had been sped of the spear. Thereat were the lords Burgundian thrilled with foreboding fear. "Who is this that my lord would be wooing?--Beshrew her!" Hagen cried: "In the nethermost hell might she fitly be plighted the Foul Fiend's bride!" On her snow-white arms the Maiden her tunic-sleeves uprolled, And she stretched forth her hand to the arm-brace of the shield, and took fast hold: She hath swung up on high the javelin--lo, the banners of battle unfold!-- Then the hearts of those two heroes at the fire in her eyes waxed cold. And except in that moment Siegfried to his friend's help had drawn nigh, She had reft the life from Gunther the King right certainly: But he stole to his side all viewless, and softly touched his hand; Then, as at a spirit's presence, well-nigh was the King unmanned; For the bold knight thought: "Who touched me?--do I stand on enchanted ground?" For, look as he would all round him, no man thereby he found. {P. 62} Then a whisper came--"It is Siegfried: I, thy companion, am here. Thou therefore in yon Queen's presence be wholly void of fear. Yield up from thy grasp the buckler, and let me bear it for thee, And lay up in thine heart the counsel which now thou hearest of me:-- Be thine all feigning of action, by me shall the work be done." Then leapt his heart for gladness, when he knew it was Siegmund's son. "Ever hide thou my cunning devices, speak word thereof unto none: So by the proud King's Daughter shall little enow be won, Through thee and thine overthrowing, of the glory she thinketh to glean. Behold her, how yonder she standeth with scornful-arrogant mien!"