nd broad, which the son of Siegelind bore upon his arm.
The sparks sprang from the steel, as if the wind did blow. The edge of
the mighty spear broke fully through the shield, so that men saw the
fire flame forth from the armor rings. The stalwart men both staggered
at the blow; but for the Cloak of Darkness they had lain there dead.
From the mouth of Siegfried, the brave, gushed forth the blood. Quickly
the good knight sprang back again and snatched the spear that she had
driven through his shield. Stout Siegfried's hand now sent it back
again. He thought: "I will not pierce the comely maid." So he reversed
the point and cast it at her armor with the butt, that it rang out
loudly from his mighty hand. The sparks flew from the armor rings, as
though driven by the wind. Siegmund's son had made the throw with might.
With all her strength she could not stand before the blow. In faith King
Gunther never could have done the deed.

Brunhild, the fair, how quickly up she sprang! "Gunther, noble knight,
I cry you mercy for the shot." She weened that he had done it with
his strength. To her had crept a far more powerful man. Then went she
quickly, angry was her mood. The noble maid and good raised high the
stone and hurled it mightily far from her hand. After the cast she
sprang, that all her armor rang, in truth. The stone had fallen twelve
fathoms hence, but with her leap the comely maid out-sprang the throw.
Then went Sir Siegfried to where lay the stone. Gunther poised it, while
the hero made the throw. Siegfried was bold, strong, and tall; he threw
the stone still further and made a broader jump. Through his fair arts
he had strength enow to bear King Gunther with him as he sprang. The
leap was made, the stone lay on the ground; men saw none other save
Gunther, the knight, alone. Siegfried had banished the fear of King
Gunther's death. Brunhild, the fair, waxed red with wrath. To her
courtiers she spake a deal too loud, when she spied the hero safe and
sound at the border of the ring: "Come nearer quickly, ye kinsmen and
liegemen of mine, ye must now be subject to Gunther, the king."

Then the brave knights laid aside their arms and paid their homage at
the feet of mighty Gunther from the Burgundian land. They weened that he
had won the games by his own strength alone. He greeted them in loving
wise; in sooth he was most rich in virtues.

Then the lovely maiden took him by the hand; full power she granted him
within the l