Siegfried in a moment to the monarch went; To the queen he bade him tell his whole intent. "Never fear the future, cast all cares away; My trains shall keep you harmless, do Brunhild what she may." XXXIX Then spake the royal Gunther, "Fair queen, all queens before, Now say what you command us, and, were it yet e'en more, For the sake of your beauty, be sure, I'd all abide. My head I'll lose, and willing, if you be not my bride." XL These words of good King Gunther when heard the royal dame, She bade bring on the contest as her well became. Straight call'd she for her harness, wherewith she fought in field, And her golden breastplate, and her mighty shield. XLI Then a silken surcoat on the stern maiden drew, Which in all her battles steel had cut never through, Of stuff from furthest Lybia; fair on her limbs it lay; With richest lace 'twas border'd, that cast a gleaming ray. XLII Meanwhile upon the strangers her threatening eyes were bent; Hagan there stood with Dankwart in anxious discontent, How it might fall their master in silence pondering still. Thought they, "This fatal journey will bring us all to ill." XLIII The while, ere yet observer his absence could remark, Sudden the nimble Siegfried stepp'd to the little bark, Where from a secret corner his cloud-cloak forth he took. And slipp'd into it deftly while none was there to look. XLIV Back in haste return'd he; there many a knight he saw, Where for the sports Queen Brunhild was laying down the law. So went he on in secret, and mov'd among the crowd, Himself unseen, all-seeing, such power was in his shroud! XLV The ring was mark'd out ready for the deadly fray, And many a chief selected as umpires of the day, Seven hundred all in harness with order'd weapons fair, To judge with truth the contest which they should note with care. XLVI There too was come fair Brunhild; arm'd might you see her stand, As though resolv'd to champion all kings for all their land. She bore on her silk surcoat gold spangles light and thin, That quivering gave sweet glimpses of her fair snowy skin. XLVII Then came on her followers, and forward to the field Of ruddy gold far-sparkling bore a mighty shield, Thick, and broad, and weighty, with studs of steel o'erlaid, The which was wont in battle to wield the martial maid. XLVIII As thong to that huge buckler a gorgeous band there lay; Precious stones beset it as green as grass in May; With varying hues it glitter'd against the glittering gold. Who would woo its wielder must be boldest of the bold. XLIX Beneath its folds enormous three spans thick was the shield, If all be true they tell us, that Brunhild bore in field. Of steel and gold compacted all gorgeously it glow'd. Four chamberlains, that bore it, stagger'd beneath the load. L