For the love of that Queen of Women will I venture limb and life:
Yea, ready I stand to lose them, an I win her not to my wife.”
“I give my counsel against it,” cried Siegfried with earnest mien;
“Such deadly-ruthless customs be practised of that dread queen,
That whoever is her love’s suitor, his head he imperilleth.
Well mayst thou advise thee rather to turn from this path of death.”
(C) Answered and spake King Gunther: “Never was woman born
So strong and so fierce of spirit, but her might were by mine outworn
Lightly, in any contest, by my single hand alone!”
“Ah hush!” made answer Siegfried, “unto thee is this woman unknown.