whereat the two
queens try to outshine each other. One day, while sitting together
extolling their husband's virtues, a quarrel arises, during which
Brunhild curtly informs Kriemhild her husband can scarcely be as great
as she pretends, seeing he is merely Gunther's vassal!

_14th Adventure._ Of course Kriemhild hotly denies this, and, when
Brunhild insists, declares she will prove her husband's superiority by
claiming precedence at the church door. Instigated by wrath, both
ladies deck themselves magnificently and arrive simultaneously to
attend mass, escorted by imposing trains. Seeing Kriemhild make a
motion as if to enter first, Brunhild bids her pause, and the two
ladies begin an exchange of uncomplimentary remarks. In the heat of
the quarrel, Kriemhild insinuates that Brunhild granted Siegfried
bridal favors, and in proof thereof exhibits Brunhild's girdle and
ring! Brunhild immediately sends for Gunther, who, helpless between
two angry women, summons Siegfried. Bluntly declaring wives should be
kept in order, Siegfried undertakes to discipline Kriemhild, provided
Gunther will reduce Brunhild to subjection, and publicly swears he
never approached the Burgundian queen in any unseemly way. In spite of
this public apology, Brunhild refuses to be comforted, and, as her
husband utterly refuses to take active measures to avenge her, she
finally prevails upon her kinsman Hagen to take up her quarrel. Under
the mistaken impression that she has been grievously wronged by
Siegfried, Hagen urges Gunther to attack his brother-in-law, until the
weak king yields to the pressure thus brought to bear by his angry
wife and kinsman.

None urged the matter further, except that Hagen still
Kept ever prompting Gunther the guiltless blood to spill;
Saying, that, if Siegfried perish'd, his death to him would bring
The sway o'er many a kingdom. Sore mourn'd the wavering king.

_15th Adventure._ A cunning plan is now devised by Hagen whereby
Siegfried is informed that the monarchs he once conquered have again
risen up in rebellion. Of course Siegfried volunteers to subdue them
once more, and Kriemhild, hearing he is about to start for war,
expresses great anxiety for his safety. Under pretext of sympathy,
Hagen inquires why Kriemhild feels any dread, seeing her husband is
invulnerable, and learns the secret that Siegfried can be injured in a
spot between his shoulders, because a lime-leaf, sticking fast there,
prevented the dr