was toward. Then said Dankrat's son to his kinsmen, "Help me now, that
my sister take Siegfried to her husband."

And they answered with one accord, "That may she do with honour."

Gunther said, "Dearest sister, I prithee of thy goodness, loose me from
mine oath. I promised thee to a knight; and truly thou wilt do my will,
if thou take him to husband."

The maiden answered, "Dear brother mine, thou needest not to entreat.
Command and I will obey. Him that thou givest me to husband I will
gladly wed."

Siegfried grew red for love and joy, and vowed his service to Kriemhild.
And they bade them stand together in a circle, and asked her if she would
take the knight.

On maidenly wise she was shamefast at the first, yet so great was
Siegfried's good fortune and his grace, that she refused not his hand;
and the king of the Netherland, from his side also, plighted his troth to
Kriemhild.

When their word was given, Siegfried took his queen in his arms
straightway, and kissed her before the warriors.

The circle brake up when this was ended, and Siegfried took the seat of
honour with Kriemhild. The vassals served before them, and his Nibelung
knights stood nigh.

The king and Brunhild were seated, and Brunhild saw Kriemhild sitting by