Straight to the hall came Kriemhild begirt with many a maid, When from the lofty staircase young Giselher thus said, "Send back your maidens, Kriemhild, this business is your own; On this the king our brother would speak with you alone." XXXIII Then forward led was Kriemhild, as Gunther gave command, Where stood the king, and round him from many a prince's land Were noble knights unnumber'd; at once all silence kept; At that same instant Brunhild had just to table stepp'd. XXXIV Thence came it, she knew nothing of what was to be done. Then to his gather'd kinsmen spoke Dankrat's royal son, "Help me to move my sister Siegfried for lord to take." "Such match," they all gave answer, "with honor she may make." XXXV Then spoke the king to Kriemhild, "Sister, I ask of thee From an oath to set me by thy kindness free. Thee to a knight I promised; if thou become his bride, Thou'lt do the will of Gunther, and show thy love beside." XXXVI Then spake the noble maiden, "Dearest brother mine, It needed not to ask me; whate'er command be thine, I'll willingly perform it; so now, for thy sake, Whom thou for husband giv'st me, fain I, my lord, will take." XXXVII With love and eke with pleasure redden'd Siegfried's hue; At once to lady Kriemhild he pledg'd his service true. They bade them stand together in the courtly circle bright. And ask'd her if for husband she took that lofty knight. XXXVIII In modest maiden fashion she blush'd a little space, But such was Siegfried's fortune and his earnest grace, That not altogether could she deny her hand. Then her for wife acknowledg'd the noble King of Netherland. XXXIX He thus to her affianc'd, and to him the maid, Straight round the long-sought damsel in blushing grace array'd His arms with soft emotion th' enamour'd warrior threw, And kiss'd the high-born princess before that glitt'ring crew. XL On this up broke the circle, and to the feast they came; There high-advanc'd Sir Siegfried sat with his spoused dame Right opposite to Gunther; him many a vassal true Serv'd at the board, and near him his Nibelungers drew. XLI High at the feast sat Gunther and Brunhild by his side, But woe was then the maiden, when Kriemhild she espied Sitting by valiant Siegfried; she straight began to weep, And her bright visage darken'd with shame and passion deep. XLII Then spake the king of Rhineland, "What ails you, lady mine, That your fair eyes are clouded, and dimm'd their beamy shine? You rather should be merry, now that my liegemen true, My country and my castles are subject all to you." XLIII "Good cause have I for weeping," return'd the angry fair; "My very heart is bleeding to see your sister there Beside your lowly vassal sitting so content; Never shall I cease weeping for such disparagement." XLIV