Fig. 188. Gunther and Brunhild.
From the fresco by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld
At any rate, Siegfried and Kriemhild, retiring to the Netherlands, were ruling happily at Xanten by the Rhine; and all might have continued in peace had not Brunhild resented the lack of homage paid by Siegfried, whom she had been led to regard as a vassal, to Gunther, his reputed overlord.
In her heart this thought she fostered, deep in its inmost core;[372]
That still they kept such distance, a secret grudge she bore.
How came it that their vassal to court declined to go,
Nor for his land did homage, she inly yearned to know.
She made request of Gunther, and begged it so might be,
That she the absent Kriemhild yet once again might see,
And told him, too, in secret, whereon her thoughts were bent,—
Then with the words she uttered her lord was scarce content.
Fig. 189. Siegfried and Kriemhild
From the fresco by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld
But Gunther yielded, and Siegfried and Kriemhild were invited to Worms, nominally to attend a high festival.