They had on board rich viands, thereto good store of wine, The best that could be met with e'en on the banks of Rhine. Their steeds in easy quarters stood tractable and still; The level bark ran smoothly; nothing with them went ill. LXIII Their sail swell'd to the breezes, the ropes were stretch'd and tight; Miles they ran full twenty ere the fall of night. With a fair wind to seaward down dropp'd the gallant crew. Their dames had cause long after their high emprise to rue. LXIV By the twelfth bright morning, as we have heard it told, The winds the bark had wafted with the warriors bold Towards Isenstein, a fortress in the martial maiden's land; 'Twas only known to Siegfried of all th' adventurous band. LXV Soon as saw King Gunther, wondering as well he might, The far-stretch'd coast, and castles frowning from every height, "Look! friend," said he, "Sir Siegfried, if thou know'st, declare, Whose are all these fair castles, and all this land as fair. LXVI "In all my life, assure thee, the simple truth to tell, I never met with castles plann'd and built so well, Anywhere soever, as here before us stand. He must needs be mighty who took such work in hand." LXVII Thereto made answer Siegfried: "Well what you ask I know. Brunhild's are all these castles, this land, so fair a show, And Isenstein this fortress; 'tis true what now I say. Here will you meet, Sir Gunther, many a fair dame to-day. LXVIII "I'll give you counsel, heroes! e'en as it seems me good; Keep in one tale together; be this well understood. To-day we must, as fits us, at Brunhild's court be seen; We must be wise and wary when we stand before the queen. LXIX "When we behold the fair one and all her train around, Let but this single story in all your mouths be found. That Gunther is my master, and I am but his man; To give him all his longing you'll find no surer plan. LXX "'Tis not so much for thy sake, I own, such part I bear, As for thy sister Kriemhild's, the fairest of the fair. She to me is ever as my own soul and life. Fain do I such low service to win her for my wife." LXXI With one accord they promis'd to do as he desir'd; None through pride or envy to thwart his wish aspir'd. So all took Siegfried's counsel, and sure it brought them good Soon after, when King Gunther before Queen Brunhild stood. SEVENTH ADVENTURE HOW GUNTHER WON BRUNHILD I Meanwhile the bark had drifted unto the shore so high Beneath the high-tower'd castle, that the king could spy Many a maiden standing at every window there; That all to him were strangers, was what he ill could bear. II