window, as he mingled in the martial games which were instituted for his entertainment, and in which he always triumphed over all who chose to try their prowess with him.

At every game and spectacle the hero was displayed,
Who carried in his heart the image of the maid;

And the maiden, still unseen, though he came her love to win,

Had kindly thoughts for him her secret bosom in.

And when, within the court, the knights and squires would play,

With lances, spears, and swords, in battle-like array,

Kriemhilt through her window would watch the pastime long;

No better pastime needed she if he was in the throng!

And had he known that she whom he carried in his breast Was looking from her window, and marked him from the rest,

Or had he met her eye there, I verily believe

He would have been as happy as a man may be and live!

During the year's probation to which Siegfried was subjected, the Saxon and Danish kings made war upon King Gunther and his Burgundians, and this gave the Dragon-Slayer a good opportunity of gaining the favour of Kriemhilt's brother by aiding him in his battles against the Saxons, in which with 1000 men 40,000

Saxons were overpowered, chiefly by the strong help and prowess of Siegfried. On the return of the Burgundians from their successful campaign, a grand tournament festival was held; and now, after her long seclusion, Kriemhilt, who in her love had forgotten her warning dream, was introduced to Siegfried.

She came out from her chamber, as comes the morning red Forth from the gloomy clouds; upon her dress were spread

Bright gems; her glowing cheeks her secret love confessed; Of all the maids on earth she the fairest was and best.

For as among the stars the full moon clearly gleams,
And scatters every cloud with her bright and silver beams,
So 'mid the other ladies Kriemhilt's beauty shone;
The hearts of many heroes beat high as they looked on.

The servants found the hero bold, Siegfried of Netherland, And bade him boldly come in front of all the warrior band; 'King Gunther to his presence is pleased to summon you, That his sister may salute you, and give the honour due.'

His soul rose high within him when he saw Kriemhilt there,
And rosy flushed his cheeks as spoke the maiden fair;
'I bid you welcome, Siegfried, a warrior good and brave!'
The kindly salutation new strength and courage gave.

To thank her for her kindness the hero bowed his head,
And all that he had longed to say was in a moment said;
For as he bowed his head, a stolen glance was cast,
And suddenly from eye to eye the tender secret passed.

E

That he kissed fair Kriemhilt's hand upon this happy day,
In the fervour of his love, is more than I can say ;

Yet I cannot well believe he would let the moment flee
Without such proper sign of his love and constancy.

In all the summer season, on the pleasant month of May,
He never had such pleasure as on that happy day;
When he walked beside the maiden whom he came to
make his bride,

When Kriemhilt whom he loved was walking by his side!

The young hero's great hopes were at last fulfilled in the promise that Kriemhilt should be his bride; but he is, however, not to gain the prize without labour, for King Gunther has yet another service for him ere the young princess is finally won. Far away over the sea, in a country called Isenland, dwells a virgin queen of great beauty, who possesses extraordinary physical strength, and who has resolved that her hand will be bestowed only on that knight who can surpass her in such athletic sports as throwing the spear, leaping, and casting the stone-the knight forfeiting his life if he fails, a fate to which several had already submitted. This queen, Brunhilt, Gunther is anxious to gain as his wife, and therefore asked Siegfried to accompany him on his strange courtship, as he distrusted his own ability to overcome the Amazonian lady. After a time

the two heroes, accompanied by a large body of knights, arrive at the Castle of Isenland, where Brunhilt reigned, and on the object of their visit being explained, immediate preparations were made for the athletic contest. These preparations were somewhat formidable-there was the queen's spear to throw, a sufficient load for three men, and an enormous stone to hurl, which twelve men could scarcely lift—and Haco, Gunther's champion, advised him to give up the contest at once; but the king was resolute in his purpose, relying upon the aid of Siegfried. The secret of his confidence lay in the knowledge that the Dragon-Slayer possessed the cloud-cloak, which they purposed to use, so that Brunhilt in her contest with Gunther would also have to contend with the invisible Siegfried.

The ring was marked out ready for the deadly fray,
And many a chief selected as the umpires of the day,
Seven hundred all in harness with ordered weapons fair,
To judge with truth the contest, which they should watch
with care.

There too was come fair Brunhilt, arm'd might you see her

stand,

As though resolved to champion all kings for all their

land.

She bore on her silk surcoat gold spangles light and thin, That quivering gave sweet glimpses of her fair snowy skin.

Then came on her followers, and forward to the field
Of ruddy gold far-sparkling bore a mighty shield,
Thick, and broad, and weighty, with studs of steel o'erlaid,
The which was wont in battle to wield the martial maid.

As thong to that huge buckler a gorgeous band there lay—
Precious stones beset it, as green as grass in May;
With varying hues it glittered against the glittering gold —
Who would woo its wielder must be boldest of the bold.

Beneath its folds enormous three spans thick was the shield,

If all be true they tell us, that Brunhilt bore in field.
Of steel and gold compacted all gorgeously it glowed-
Four chamberlains, that bore it, staggered beneath the load.

Then to the maid was carried, heavily and slow,

A strong, well-sharpened jav'lin, which she ever used to throw,

Huge and of weight enormous, fit for so strong a queen, Cutting deep and deadly with its edges keen.

To form the mighty spear-head a wondrous work was done ; Three weights of iron and better were welded into one; The same three men of Brunhilt's scarcely along could bring

Whereat deeply pondered the stout Burgundian king.

To himself thus thought he, 'What have I not to fear?
The fiend himself could scarcely 'scape from such danger

clear.

In sooth, if I were only in safety by the Rhine,

Long might remain this maiden free from all suit of mine.'