women; and, or long, Kriemhild the high maiden was bold Sir Siegfried's
bride.

His kinsmen and his liegemen counselled him to woo a fitting mate, if he
meant to love in earnest, whereto Siegfried answered, "It shall be
Kriemhild. So measureless fair is the maiden of Burgundy, that the
greatest emperor, were he minded to wed, were none too good for her."

The tidings came to Siegmund's ear. His knights told him Siegfried's
intent, and it irked him that his son should woo the royal maiden. To
Sieglind, the king's wife, they told it also, and she feared for his
life, for she knew Gunther and his men.

They would have turned him from his quest.

Spake bold Siegfried then, "Dearest father mine, either I will think no
more on women at all, or I will woo where my heart's desire is." And for
all they could say, he changed not his purpose.

Then said the king, "If thou wilt not yield in this, i'faith, I approve
thy choice, and will further thee therein as I best can. Nevertheless,
Gunther hath many mighty men, were it none other than Hagen, an arrogant
and overweening knight. I fear both thou and I must rue that thou goest
after this king's daughter."

"What harm can come thereof?" answered Siegfried. "What I win not for
the friendly asking, I will take by the prowess of my hand. I doubt not
but I shall strip him of both liegemen and lands."

But Siegmund said, "I am grieved at thy word. If it were heard at the