“But not ’neath the yoke of thy love!” cried the King in sudden fear.
“Be all the rest as thou sayest; but she still is my wife most dear.
Yet—though in the grapple thou slay her, if it may not better be,
Even so could I hold thee guiltless, for a fearful bride is she!”
“Thereunto I plight me,” said Siegfried; “be mine honour the pledge thereof.
For me shall she still be virgin. Thy sister hath all my love:
She far above all earth’s daughters that mine eyes have seen is preferred.”
Then with all his heart King Gunther gave credence to Siegfried’s word.
The rapture and travail of jousting went on without surcease,
Till over the clangour and clamour the marshal’s voice cried “Peace!”