the stately man, or ever any marked it, had hied
him to the ship, where he found his magic cloak concealed. Into it he
quickly slipped and so was seen of none. He hurried back and there he
found a great press of knights, where the queen dealt out her lofty
games. Thither he went in secret wise (by his arts it happed), nor was
he seen of any that were there. The ring had been marked out, where
the games should be, afore many valiant warriors, who were to view them
there. More than seven hundred were seen bearing arms, who were to say
who won the game.

Then was come Brunhild, armed as though she would battle for all royal
lands. Above her silken coat she wore many a bar of gold; gloriously her
lovely color shone beneath the armor. Then came her courtiers, who bare
along a shield of ruddy gold with large broad strips as hard as steel,
beneath the which the lovely maid would fight. As shield-thong there
served a costly band upon which lay jewels green as grass. It shone and
gleamed against the gold. He must needs be passing bold, to whom the
maid would show her love. The shield the maid should bear was three
spans thick beneath the studs, as we are told. Rich enow it was, of
steel and eke of gold, the which four chamberlains could scarcely carry.

When the stalwart Hagen saw the shield borne forth, the knight of Troneg
spake full grim of mood: "How now, King Gunther? How we shall lose our
lives! She you would make your love is the devil's bride, in truth."

Hear now about her weeds; enow of these she had; she wore a surcoat
of silk of Azagoue, (3) noble and costly. Many a lordly stone shone in
contrast to its color on the person of the queen.

Then was brought forth for the lady a spear, sharp, heavy, and large,
the which she cast all time, stout and unwieldy, mickle and broad,
which on its edges cut most fearfully. Of the spear's great weight
hear wonders told. Three and one half weights (4) of iron were wrought
therein, the which scarce three of Brunhild's men could bear. The noble
Gunther gan be sore afraid. Within his heart he thought: "What doth this
mean? How could the devil from hell himself escape alive? Were I safe
and sound in Burgundy, long might she live here free of any love of
mine."

Then spake Hagen's brother, the valiant Dankwart: "The journey to this
court doth rue me sore. We who have ever borne the name of knights, how
must we lose our lives! Shall we now perish at the hands of women in
these land