And she stretched forth her hand to the arm-brace of the shield, and took fast hold:
She hath swung up on high the javelin—lo, the banners of battle unfold!—
Then the hearts of those two heroes at the fire in her eyes waxed cold.
And except in that moment Siegfried to his friend’s help had drawn nigh,
She had reft the life from Gunther the King right certainly:
But he stole to his side all viewless, and softly touched his hand;
Then, as at a spirit’s presence, well-nigh was the King unmanned;
For the bold knight thought: “Who touched me?—do I stand on enchanted ground?”
For, look as he would all round him, no man thereby he found.
Then a whisper came—“It is Siegfried: I, thy companion, am here.