r of a dragon, Gunnar offered the stranger
his hand in friendship and sent for his sister to give him the cup of
welcome. While sojourning here with the Niblungs, Sigurd distinguished
himself by athletic feats and, when war broke out, by conquering
their foes. These proofs of strength and daring captivated the heart
of Gudrun, who, seeing Sigurd paid no attention to her, finally
prevailed upon her mother to give her a love potion, which she offered
to him on his return from one of his adventures.

"He laughed and took the cup: but therein with the blood of the earth
Earth's hidden might was mingled, and deeds of the cold sea's birth,
And things that the high gods turn from, and a tangle of strange love,
Deep guile, and strong compelling, that whoso drank thereof
Should remember not his longing, should cast his love away,
Remembering dead desire but as night remembereth day."

No sooner has this potion been quaffed than our hero, utterly
oblivious of earlier promises to Brynhild, sued for Gudrun's hand, and
was promised she should be his bride if he helped Gunnar secure
Brynhild.

In behalf of his future brother-in-law--whose form he assumed--Sigurd
once more rode through the flames, and, although haunted by vague
memories of the past, wrested from Brynhild the magic betrothal ring
he had given her, and claimed her as bride. Compelled by fate to wed
any man who rode through the flames to claim her, Brynhild reluctantly
obeyed Sigurd--whom she did not recognize--and was duly married to
Gunnar, king of the Niblungs. But, on perceiving Sigurd at his court,
she vainly strove to make him remember her and his vows, and was
filled with bitter resentment when she perceived his utter devotion to
Gudrun, his present bride.

Meantime, although Gunnar had secured the wife he coveted, he was
anything but a happy man, for Brynhild would not allow him to approach
her. Sigurd, to whom he finally confided this unsatisfactory state of
affairs, finally volunteered to exert his fabulous strength to reduce
to obedience the rebellious bride, whom he turned over to his
brother-in-law in a submissive mood, after depriving her of her girdle
and ring, which he carried off as trophies and gave to Gudrun.

Brynhild's resentment, however, still smouldered, and when Gudrun,
her sister-in-law, attempted to claim precedence when they were
bathing in the river, she openly quarrelled with her. In the course of
this dispute, Gudrun exhib