[815]

There did sit together / the queens, a stately pair,
And of two knights bethought them, / that noble warriors were.
Then spake the fair Kriemhild: / "Such spouse in sooth have I,
That all these mighty kingdoms / might well beneath his sceptre lie."

[816]

Then spake the Lady Brunhild: / "How might such thing be?
If that there lived none other / but himself and thee,
So might perchance his power / rule these kingdoms o'er;
The while that liveth Gunther, / may such thing be nevermore."

[817]

Then again spake Kriemhild: / "Behold how he doth stand
In right stately fashion / before the knightly band,
Like as the bright moon beameth / before the stars of heaven.
In sooth to think upon it / a joyous mood to me is given."

[818]

Then spake the Lady Brunhild: / "How stately thy spouse be,
Howe'er so fair and worthy, / yet must thou grant to me
Gunther, thy noble brother, / doth far beyond him go:
In sooth before all monarchs / he standeth, shalt thou truly know."

[819]

Then again spake Kriemhild: / "So worthy is my spouse,
That I not have praised him / here without a cause.
In ways to tell full many / high honor doth he bear:
Believe well may'st thou, Brunhild, / he is the royal Gunther's peer."