Then, then that royal maiden hurled across the field With her uttermost strength the javelin at the mighty and broad new shield Which braced on his left arm firmly the son of Siegelind bore: Leapt sparks from the steel, as the wind-blast sweepeth the chaff from a floor. The fang of the mighty javelin through the shield's whole thickness crashed; And it glanced from the warrior's armour, that the fire from the ring-mail flashed. Back from the shock went reeling either stalwart thane:-- Except for the Hood of Darkness, of a surety had both been slain! Yea, from the mouth of Siegfried the valiant burst forth blood; But he sprang full-height in a moment; then gripped that war-thane good The selfsame spear which the maiden through the rim of the shield had sped. Then Siegfried's strong hand backward swung it above his head. But he said in his heart: "I will pierce not the maiden sweet to see." Backward therefore the deadly point of the lance turned he; Then hurled he the spear butt-foremost full at the rings of her mail: Loudly they rang at the smiting of the hand that was strong to prevail. Flashed out the fire from her hauberk, as flies dust caught by the wind. Ha, that was a cast most mighty of the son of Siegelind! For all her strength, she prevailed not against that shock to stand. In veriest truth, such spear-cast came never from Gunther's hand! {P. 63} But the Fairest of fair ones, Brunhild, leapt to her feet forthright:-- "For thy good spear-cast I thank thee, O Gunther, noble knight!" She cried; for she weened that the hero by his own strength this had done, Nor dreamed she how that behind him had stolen a mightier one. Sped she from that place swiftly, for her fury stung her as flame: She grasped the stone, she upheaved it, that royal Amazon dame. Far thence from her hand that boulder with her uttermost might she swung, Then after the cast far leapt she, that her mail-rings clashed and rung. Twelve fathoms away from the caster crashed that stone to the ground; But farther yet than the quoit-flight did the high-born maiden bound. Then strode that swift war-helper, Siegfried, where lay the stone:-- Men saw but the arm of Gunther, the speeder thereof saw none. Mighty of limb was Siegfried, valiant and tall was he; Farther than Brunhild he hurled it, he leapt yet farther than she; And he added thereto a marvel, a deed of magic might, That he bore in his leap King Gunther, by the power of the Hood of Night. Lo, now is the great leap taken; behind on the earth lay the stone. Gunther it was, the war-thane, whom men saw there alone. Then the face of Brunhild the lovely with helpless anger burned. --Lo, Siegfried from King Gunther the imminent death hath turned!