Legends of the Middle Ages. H. A. Guerber

he must necessarily be his inferior. This remark called forth a retort from Kriemhild, and a dispute was soon raging, in the course of which Kriemhild vowed that she would publicly assert her rank by taking the precedence of Brunhild in entering the church. The queens parted in hot anger, but both immediately proceeded to attire themselves with the utmost magnificence, and, escorted by all their maids, met at the church door. Brunhild there bade Kriemhild stand aside and make way for her superior; but this order so angered the Nibelungen queen that the dispute was resumed in public with increased vehemence and bitterness.

      In her indignation Kriemhild finally insulted Brunhild grossly by declaring that she was not a faithful wife; and in proof of her assertion she produced the ring and girdle which Siegfried had won in his memorable encounter with her, and which he had imprudently given to his wife, to whom he had also confided the secret of Brunhild's wooing.

      Brunhild indignantly summoned Gunther to defend her, and he, in anger, sent for Siegfried, who publicly swore that his wife had not told the truth, and that Gunther's queen had in no way forfeited her good name. Further to propitiate his host, Siegfried declared the quarrel to be disgraceful, and promised to teach his wife better manners for the future, advising Gunther to do the same with his consort.

      "'Women must be instructed,' said Siegfried the good knight,

       'To leave off idle talking and rule their tongues aright.

       Keep thy fair wife in order. I'll do by mine the same.

       Such overweening folly puts me indeed to shame.'"

       Nibelungenlied (Lettsom's tr.).

      To carry out this good resolution he led Kriemhild home, where, sooth to say, he beat her black and blue—an heroic measure which Gunther did not dare to imitate.

      Brunhild, smarting from the public insult received, continued to weep aloud and complain, until Hagen, inquiring the cause of her extravagant grief, and receiving a highly colored version of the affair, declared that he would see that she was duly avenged.

      "He ask'd her what had happen'd—wherefore he saw her weep;

       She told him all the story; he vow'd to her full deep

       That reap should Kriemhild's husband as he had dar'd to sow,

       Or that himself thereafter content should never know."

       Nibelungenlied (Lettsom's tr.).