Then Brunhild descended the broad stairs to greet the knights, and following her came a train of a hundred damsels most fair to see, and five hundred knights bearing swords in their hands. _Chapter IX_ _The Contest_ As Brunhild drew nigh, she greeted Siegfried, saying: “If it is to woo me that thou comest hither, take heed, for peradventure it may cost thee thy life!” But Siegfried pointed to Günther and replied: “Yonder stands the King of Burgundy, fair Queen, who comes to seek thy hand: as for me, I am but his vassal.” Then Günther stepped forward to urge his suit before the Queen, but no reply would she vouchsafe, save to warn him that he must submit to the trial. Then Siegfried whispered to the King to be of good heart and rely on his aid; but Hagen became furious and defiantly offered to do battle with the Queen on behalf of his lord. Thereupon Brunhild threatened them all with death should the King not prevail; but finding that even this failed to shake their purpose, she commanded that the trial take place without delay. When they had come to the spot she donned a golden coat of mail and over this a silken tabard, edged with costly lace. Seven hundred knights then stepped forth and formed a circle about them: these were to be the judges of the contest. Brunhild called for her weapons, whereupon there came four men bearing a golden shield, studded with steel and thickly set with gems even to the strap thereof. This they held while Brunhild, pushing up her sleeve, placed it on her arm, swinging it aloft as though it were but a shadow. Next came the javelin borne by three men. It was huge and heavy and tipped with a keen blade of steel. When Hagen saw the ease with which Brunhild wielded these mighty weapons, he was awed by her well-nigh superhuman strength, and for the first time in his life, fear crept into his heart. “Would we had never left the Rhine,” he thought, “for here shall we surely meet our death!” And to Dankwart he said: “Were it the devil himself, methinks he must succumb to this woman!” Even Günther felt his courage sink, while Dankwart, overcome with grief for his lord, whose life he held for lost, exclaimed: “Now, had we but our arms, brother Hagen, with my own hand would I strike down that beauteous she-devil, ere I would see my dear lord slain!” But Brunhild overheard these words; whereat she looked around with a scornful smile upon her lips, and gave orders that the arms of the two knights should be restored to them. And when Dankwart felt his sword within his grasp once more his face flushed with joy. Now the contest was about to begin, and Günther, well-nigh despairing, stood over against his beauteous adversary when of a sudden he heard a voice in his ear. He could see no one, but the voice said: “It is I, Siegfried. Have no fear!” Unobserved, the hero had hastened to the ship and put on the magic cap, which not only made him invisible but gave him the strength of twelve men.