By fame her peerless beauty was bruited far and wide, Nor less her lofty virtue, and her pure virgin pride Was day by day reported among the martial band. This drew guests every flocking to good King Gunther's land. III For all the host of suitors that sought to bend her will, True to her own coy promise remain'd fair Kriemhild still, That she, for all their wooing, would love vouchsafe to none. He was a distant stranger, who at last her favor won. IV Then sought the son of Siegelind to gain the haughty fair; The vows of other suitors to his were light as air. Such knight deserv'd to vanquish the coyest maiden's pride; Ere long the noble Kriemhild became bold Siegfried's bride. V His kinsmen and his liegemen then gave him counsel true, That now, if he in honor were inclin'd to woo, He should be bound in wedlock to no unequal make: Then said the noble Siegfried, "Sure will I fair Kriemhild take, VI "The bright Burgundian maiden, best gem of Gunther's throne, Whose far-renowned beauty stands unapproach'd, alone; On earth nor king nor kaiser lives there so proud, I ween, But he might deem him happy to win so fair a queen." VII Forthwith were the tidings to Siegmund's ear preferr'd; His anxious liegemen told him; from them his father heard The high design of Siegfried; it much to heart he laid, That he aspir'd so boldly to win so fair a maid. VIII The news came eke to Siegelind, the noble monarch's wife; Full sore the mother trembled for her darling's life, For well she knew fierce Gunther and his vassals stern; So strove they both the champion from his high emprise to turn. IX Then spake the valiant Siegfried, "Dearest father mine, The love of high-born women forever I'll resign, Rather than play the wooer but where my heart is set." Howe'er they sought to move him, but small success they met. X "Since naught can then dissuade thee," outspake his royal sire, "Glad am I, blood of Siegmund should to such height aspire, And so thy hopes to forward I'll do the best I can; Yet in his court has Gunther many a proud o'erweening man. XI "E'en were there none but Hagan, that redoubted knight In pride can match the proudest, the mightiest in might; So that, my son, I fear me, this hour we both may rue, If our minds are settled the stately maid to woo." XII "What can ill befall us?" Siegfried made reply; "If that misproud Burgundian my friendly suit deny, Be sure, as much and more, too, I'll seize by strength of hand; In this I trust to strip him of liegemen and of land." XIII "Little thy words content me," the hoary prince replied, "In the land of King Gunther thou sure durst never ride, If, on the Rhine, young Siegfried, this tale were only told. Gunther and eke Gernot I know them both of old. XIV