Thereto rejoin'd fair Kriemhild, "See'st thou how proud he stands,
How proud he stalks, conspicuous among those warrior bands,
As doth the moon far-beaming the glimmering stars outshine?
Sure have I cause to pride me when such a knight is mine."
V
Thereto replied Queen Brunhild, "How brave soe'er he be,
How stout soe'er or stately, one greater is than he.
Gunther, thy noble brother, a higher place may claim,
Of knights and kings the foremost in merit and in fame."
VI
Thereto rejoin'd fair Kriemhild, "So worthy is my mate,
All praise that I can give him can ne'er be term'd too great.
In all he does how matchless? in honor too how clear!
Believ'st thou this, Queen Brunhild? at least he's Gunther's peer."
VII
"Thou should'st not so perversely, Kriemhild, my meaning take.
What I said, assure thee, with ample cause I spake.
I heard them both allow it, then when both first I saw,
And the stout king in battle compell'd me to his law.
VIII
"E'en then, when my affection he so knightly won,
'Twas fairly own'd by Siegfried that he was Gunther's man.
Myself I heard him own it, and such I hold him still."
"Forsooth," replied fair Kriemhild, "they must have used me ill.