Within her arms she clasped him, / the full stately thane,
And thought likewise to bind him, / as the king yestreen,
That she the night in quiet / upon her couch might lie.
That her dress he thus did rumple, / avenged the lady grievously.
What booted now his prowess / and eke his mickle might?
Her sovereignty of body / she proved upon the knight;
By force of arm she bore him, / —'twixt wall and mighty chest
(For so it e'en must happen) / him she all ungently pressed.
"Ah me!"—so thought the hero— / "shall I now my life
Lose at hand of woman, / then will every wife
Evermore hereafter / a shrewish temper show
Against her lord's good wishes, / who now such thing ne'er thinks to do."
All heard the monarch meanwhile / and trembled for the man.
Sore ashamed was Siegfried, / and a-raging he began.
With might and main he struggled / again to make him free,
Ere which to sorest trouble / 'neath Lady Brunhild's hand fell he.
Long space to him it seeméd / ere Siegfried tamed her mood.
She grasped his hand so tightly / that 'neath the nails the blood
Oozéd from the pressure, / which made the hero wince.
Yet the stately maiden / subdued he to obedience since.