been sweeter
for him. And Kriemhild, the fair maiden, he saw daily, by reason of
whose beauty he tarried.

They passed the time in sports and feats of chivalry. But his heart was
weary with love; yea, for love he sorrowed then, and, after, died
miserably.

Sixth Adventure

How Gunther Went to Issland to Woo Brunhild

A fresh rumour spread beyond the Rhine. It was reported that many
maidens dwelt there; and Gunther was minded to woo one of them, whereat
his knights and his liegemen were well pleased.

There was a queen high throned across the sea, that had not her like,
beyond measure fair and of mickle strength, and her love was for that
knight only that could pass her at the spear. She hurled the stone and
leapt after it to the mark. Any that desired the noble damsel's love
must first win boldly in these three games. If he failed but in one, he
lost his head.

And oft had this happened already, when the rumour thereof reached the
noble warrior by the Rhine, who fixed his desire upon the maiden, the
which, or all was done, cost the life of many heroes.

On a day that the king sat with his men, and they cast to and fro whom
their prince might best take to wife for his own comfort and the good of
his land, the lord of Rhineland said, "I will hence across the sea to
Brunhild, let what will betide. For her sake I will peril my body, for
I lose it if I win her not to wife."

"Do so not," said Siegfried. "Cruel is the queen, and he that would woo
her playeth too high a stake. Make not this journey."

But King Gunther answered, "Never yet was woman born so stark and bold,
that, with this single hand, I could not vanquish her in strife."

But Siegfried said, "Peace! Thou knowest her not. Wert thou four men,
thou wert no match for her grim wrath. In good faith I counsel thee to
let the matter be. If thou lovest thy life, come not in such straits for
her sake."

"Nay, now, I care not how stark she be; I will journey, even as I have
said, to Brunhild, and take my chance. For her great beauty I must
adventure this. What if God prosper me, and she follow me to the Rhine?"

"Then I counsel thee," said Hagen, "to ask Siegfried to share with thee
this hard emprise. It were well, since he knoweth so much of Brunhild."

So the king spake, "Wilt thou help me, most noble Siegfried, to woo the
damsel? Grant me this, and if I win the royal maiden for my dear one, I
will adventure honour and life for thy