The rapture and travail of jousting went on without surcease, Till over the clangour and clamour the marshal's voice cried "Peace!" For now would the ladies be passing to the hall where the feast was dight: And the chamberlains bade all people avoid from their path forthright. Cleared was the castle courtyard of armèd knight and steed. Then each fair Queen to the feast-hall did the hand of a bishop lead, As these passed in to the banquet before those war-kings twain: And after them thronged to the high-seats many a chosen thane. In high-wrought expectation by his wife's side sat the King, For aye did the promise of Siegfried within the heart of him sing. Unto him that one day's evening was as thirty days by seeming, For still on the love of Brunhild his trancèd soul was dreaming. Scarce could he tarry till ended was the banquet-festival; But at last rose Brunhild the lovely, and passed forth out of the hall, And forth of the feast went Kriemhild; for the slumber-tide was nigh. What throngs of valiant barons stood up as the Queens swept by! Now a little while thereafter, as, with Siegfried at her side, In the joy and trust of the wedded sat Kriemhild his fair bride, His hands she lovingly folded in her fingers snowy-fair;-- He was gone from her--how, she knew not; but she saw him no more there! Even now his hand was she fondling--and now she saw him no more! Then to the train of her handmaids the Queen spake wondering sore: "Exceedingly do I marvel whither my lord is gone, Who out of my clasping fingers his hands even now hath drawn!" Then her wonder fell to silence. But he hasted to Gunther's door, And bearing the lamps the pages were standing therebefore. {P. 90} In their hands all suddenly quenched he the lights that the chamberlains bare; And Gunther knew by the token that now was Siegfried there. Well knew he what was his purpose: he sent forth thence each one, Each handmaid and dame of the chamber: so soon as his hest was done, That noble King with his own hand shut the bower-door fast, And strong bolts twain right swiftly through the iron staples passed. The hand of the King in a darkling nook set the lamp aside. Now a trial of strength beginneth which of sore need must betide Of strong hero and lovely maiden, a strife of bitter strain; And the same was for King Gunther full fraught with joy and pain. For now to the couch stole Siegfried, and laid him down by the Queen; And she said, "Refrain thee, Gunther--ay, though thy longing be keen!-- Lest thou get to thyself sore anguish, even as yesternight." --Of a truth, ere all was ended, he was oft in desperate plight. He locked his lips from speaking, he uttered never a word; And, albeit he said nought, Gunther full keenly hearkened and heard That by word or by deed in secret nothing by them was done. --Good sooth, it was no soft lying that these on the bride-bed won!