With three and forty maidens, whom she to Rhine had brought; Bright stuffs were their apparel in far Arabia wrought. So towards the minster march'd the maidens fair; All the men of Siegfried were waiting for them there. XXI Strange thought it each beholder, what there by all was seen, How with their trains far-sunder'd pass'd either noble queen, Not walking both together as was their wont before, Full many a prowest warrior thereafter rued it sore. XXII Now before the minster the wife of Gunther stood; Meanwhile by way of pastime many a warrior good Held light and pleasant converse with many a smiling dame; When up the lovely Kriemhild with her radiant meiny came. XXIII All that the noblest maiden had ever donn'd before Was as wind to the splendor her dazzling ladies wore. So rich her own apparel in gold and precious things, She alone might out-glitter the wives of thirty kings. XXIV Howe'er he might be willing, yet none could dare deny That such resplendent vesture never met mortal eye As on that fair retinue then sparkled to the sun. Except to anger Brunhild, Kriemhild had not so done. XXV Both met before the minster in all the people's sight; There at once the hostess let out her deadly spite. Bitterly and proudly she bade fair Kriemhild stand; "No vassalless precedeth the lady of the land." XXVI Out then spake fair Kriemhild (full of wrath was she), "Could'st thou still be silent, better 'twere for thee. Thou'st made thy beauteous body a dishonor'd thing. How can a vassal's leman be consort of a king?" XXVII "Whom here call'st thou leman?" said the queen again; "So call I thee," said Kriemhild; "thy maidenly disdain Yielded first to Siegfried, my husband, Siegmund's son; Ay! 'was not my brother that first thy favors won. XXVIII "Why, where were then thy senses? sure 'twas a crafty train, To take a lowly lover, to ease a vassal's pain! Complaints from thee," said Kriemhild, "methinks are much amiss." "Verily," said Brunhild, "Gunther shall hear of this." XXIX "And why should that disturb me? thy pride hath thee betray'd. Why didst thou me, thy equal, with vassalship upbraid? Know this for sure and certain (to speak it gives me pain) Never can I meet thee in cordial love again." XXX Then bitterly wept Brunhild; Kriemhild no longer stay'd; Straight with all her followers before the queen she made Her way into the minster; then deadly hate 'gan rise; And starting tears o'erclouded the shine of brightest eyes. XXXI For all the solemn service, for all the chanted song, Still it seemed to Brunhild they linger'd all too long. Both on her mind and body a load like lead there lay. Many a high-born hero for her sorrow was to pay. XXXII