XCVII
"Ah!" thought the panting champion, "should I now lose my life
By this outrageous damsel, hereafter every wife
Will claim at home the mastery, and, scorning meek accord
And womanly submission, will lord it o'er her lord."
XCVIII
The king with fear and trembling heard all that there befell.
Shame gave fresh strength to Siegfried; furious he wax'd and fell.
He with redoubled puissance once more the maid oppos'd.
Fearful was the struggle as he with Brunhild clos'd.
XCIX
Down still she strove to keep him, but wrath and natural might
Combin'd so wrought within him, that soon in her despite
His feet the knight recovered; sore was his toil, I trow;
In the darken'd chamber they hurtled to and fro.
C
Ill too at ease was Gunther between the struggling pair.
Full oft to shift he needed as strove they here and there.
A wonder 'twas (so fiercely wrestled the mighty foes)
That either 'scap'd uninjured from that tempestuous close.
CI
Sore rued his fate the monarch beset with twofold care;
Still fear'd he most lest Siegfried should chance to perish there,
For now the puissant damsel had all but ta'en his life.
Had he but dar'd, he'd gladly have help'd him in the strife.