Far other than Gunther's anguish was Siegfried's happy mood; Well he divined what ailed him, that noble knight and good. So to the King hath he hied him, and questioneth lovingly: "How fared with you twain the night-tide? I pray thee tell unto me." {P. 88} And the host to the guest made answer: "My portion is scathe and shame! To mine house a very demon have I brought for wedded dame! When I thought to embrace her, swiftly my limbs into bonds she flung: To an iron staple she bare me, and against the wall she hung. There swung I sore in torment the long night through till the day Or ever she deigned to unbind me--and she all restfully lay! Lo, this is my bitter secret--O true friend, pity thou me!" Made answer Siegfried the mighty: "Of a truth I sorrow for thee. Yea, this will I prove, if for thy part thou count not the deed for despite. I will bring to pass her submission to couch by thy side this night; And she shall not spurn thine embraces from this time forth again." After all his anguish the war-king for the word was exceeding fain. (C) "Look on mine hands, and mark them, how bruised and swollen are they: Her grip thereon was so mighty, as a babe in her arms I lay: From beneath my nails was bursting the blood, and earthward dripped. No whit in that hour I doubted that my throat by death was gripped." Answered him Siegfried the stalwart: "Fear not, all yet shall be well. Far other was my well-faring from thine when the darkness fell. Unto me is Kriemhild thy sister dear as limb and life! Yea, also to-night must Brunhild become in truth thy wife. I will come when the daylight endeth unto thy bridal bower So veiled in my Hood of Darkness, the screen of magic power, That of these my cunning devices no man on earth may be ware. First bid thou thy lords of the chamber that unto their lodging they fare. The lights in the hands of the pages will I darken suddenly, And that same manifest token shall then be a sign unto thee That I have entered the chamber. I will surely tame thy wife: 'Neath the yoke of love shall she bow her--or forfeited be my life!" "But not 'neath the yoke of _thy_ love!" cried the King in sudden fear. "Be all the rest as thou sayest; but she still is my wife most dear. Yet--though in the grapple thou slay her, if it may not better be, Even so could I hold thee guiltless, for a fearful bride is she!" {P. 89} "Thereunto I plight me," said Siegfried; "be mine honour the pledge thereof. For me shall she still be virgin. Thy sister hath all my love: She far above all earth's daughters that mine eyes have seen is preferred." Then with all his heart King Gunther gave credence to Siegfried's word.