As parted the throngs asunder, and the banquet's order was seen, Lo, in the place of honour, facing the King and the Queen, Was Siegfried by Kriemhild seated, with service of many a knight; And there were the Niblung warriors beside him to left and to right. Beside the King at the banquet sat Brunhild the maiden Queen: Then Kriemhild she saw--no dagger to her heart had stabbed more keen-- By the side of Siegfried seated; and from weeping she could not refrain, So that adown her fair cheeks fast did the hot tears rain. Then spake the Lord of Rhineland: "What aileth thee, lady mine, That thou drawest a cloud of grieving o'er the brightness of thine eyne? Thou shouldst rather be heart-uplifted, for bowed in subjection to thee This day are my land and my castles and all her chivalry." "Nay, I do well to be weeping," unto him did the maid-queen say; "My heart for the sake of thy sister is in bitterness this day, That I see her beside one sitting who is nought but thy vassal, thy thrall! Well may I weep unceasing that she unto this should fall." Answered and spake King Gunther: "Thy peace as now do thou hold. Unto thee at a fitting season shall all the tale be told, For what cause unto this Siegfried I have given my sister to wife. A blessing on them! With the hero be hers a happy life!"
She answered: "I cease not to pity her fairness, her royal birth. Of a truth would I flee hence, knew I a place of refuge on earth! --Never, I tell thee, never will I couch me by thy side, Or ever I know cause wherefore is Kriemhild Siegfried's bride!" Answered and spake King Gunther to her: "Unto thee be it known, He hath in possession castles and lands as wide as mine own. Yea, I tell thee this of a surety, a mighty king is he, And I give him my comely sister with a glad heart and free."
Yet, how pleaded the King soever, she sat with lowering eyes. But by this from the banquet-table doth many a good knight rise, And they clash so hotly in tourney that the courts of the castle ring. --But amidst of his guests for the host-king time traileth a broken wing. { P. 85} "By the side of my love, my fair one," he thought, "how sweet to lie!" His heart to the dream was captive, he could not thrust it by, The dream of her lovingkindness, and all the joy thereof. And ever on Lady Brunhild he glanced with eyes of love. So they gave command to the good knights from tourney-sport to refrain, For that now for the peace of the night-tide the King and his bride were fain. And before the great hall-stairway face to face they met, Kriemhild and Brunhild--nothing had sundered their love as yet. Followed the train of the handmaids; they lingered there no more As on to the bridal-chamber the torches led before. Now came the Kings, and parted the knights of either's train. Then followed after Siegfried full many a noble thane.