Chapter 41

_Enter_ KRIEMHILD _and_ BRUNHILDA, _hand in hand. A large number of warriors and people gather._

KRIEMHILD.

Wouldst thou not watch the combat from afar Rather than join the fray?

BRUNHILDA.

Hast thou tried both, That thus thou canst compare them?

KRIEMHILD.

I'd not bear The heat of battle.

BRUNHILDA.

Then thou shouldst not try To judge of it!--No insult I intend. Nay, do not draw thy hand away from mine! It may be so, and yet I thought this joy Were but for me alone.

KRIEMHILD.

What dost thou mean?

BRUNHILDA. Surely no woman can rejoice to see Her husband conquered.

KRIEMHILD.

Never!

BRUNHILDA. Nor deceive Herself if in the fray he's not unhorsed, Because his conqueror spares him.

KRIEMHILD. Surely not.

BRUNHILDA. What then!

KRIEMHILD. But I am quite secure from that? Thou smilest?

BRUNHILDA. Over-confident art thou.

KRIEMHILD. It is my right!

BRUNHILDA. It may not come to proof, And even a dream is sweet--so slumber on, And I will never wake thee.

KRIEMHILD. What say'st thou? My noble husband is too gentle far To grieve the rulers of his royal realm, Else had he made a sceptre long ago Of his good sword and held it forth so far That its great shadow covered all the earth. For all the lands are subject unto him, And should but one deny it, I would ask That land from him to make a flower bed.

BRUNHILDA.

Kriemhild, what then would be my husband's place?

KRIEMHILD. He is my brother, and the standard's his Whereby one weighs all others. None weighs him.

BRUNHILDA.

No, for he is the standard of the world! And as 'tis gold decides the worth of things, So he the worth of heroes and of knights. Thou must not contradict me, dearest child, And in return I'll listen patiently If thou wilt only teach me how to sew.

KRIEMHILD.

Brunhilda!

BRUNHILDA.

Nay, I did not speak in scorn; I long to sew, and needle-work is not My birthright like the throwing of the lance, For which I never sought a master's aid, More than I needed aid to stand or walk.

KRIEMHILD.

If 'tis thy wish, we can begin at once; And since thou best enjoyest making wounds We'll take the bodkin for embroidery. I have a pattern!--

[_She is about to show the girdle._] No, I have it not.

BRUNHILDA.

Thou lookest on thy sister coldly now. But 'tis not friendly to withdraw thy hand From my fond clasp before I give it up-- At least our custom is the contrary. And canst thou not be reconciled to know The sceptre of thy dreams is given now Into thy brother's hands? Thou art his sister, And that should comfort thee. A brother's fame Is half thine own, so thou shouldst yield to me, Before all other women, honor's crown That once for all could never have been thine, For no one could have paid for it as I.

KRIEMHILD.

'Tis thus perverted nature takes revenge. Thou didst resist love's rule as no one else, And now this blindness is thy penalty.

BRUNHILDA.

Thou speakest of thyself and not of me! We need not quarrel, for the whole world knows That ere my mother bore me, 'twas my fate The strongest knight alone should conquer me.

KRIEMHILD.

I can believe it.

BRUNHILDA.

Well?

KRIEMHILD (_laughs_).

BRUNHILDA.

Then thou art mad! Perchance thou fear'st that we shall be too harsh With all the vassals? Yet thou need'st not fear! I plant no flower beds in conquered lands, And only once will I claim precedence If thou art not too proud and obstinate,-- Here at the church today and nevermore.

KRIEMHILD.

Indeed I'd never have denied it thee, But, since my husband's honor is at stake, I will not yield one step.

BRUNHILDA.

He will command That thou shalt yield.

KRIEMHILD.

How dare'st thou scorn him so!

BRUNHILDA.

He made way for thy brother in my hall, As vassals for their lord, and he refused My proffered greeting!--That did not seem strange While I still thought him--as he called himself-- A serving-man, a messenger to me. But now it all seems changed.

KRIEMHILD.

And how is that?

BRUNHILDA.

I've seen a wolf slip silently away Before a bear, and then I've seen the bear Flee from the mountain bull. Though he's not sworn, Yet is he still a vassal.

KRIEMHILD.

Say no more!

BRUNHILDA.

Wilt threaten me? Do not forget thyself! I have my senses--see that thou keep thine: There must have been some cause beneath all this.

KRIEMHILD.

There was! And if thou shouldst suspect the cause, How thou wouldst shudder.

BRUNHILDA.

Shudder!

KRIEMHILD.

Yes, indeed! But do not fear! I love thee even now Too fondly. Never can I hate thee so That I will tell the cause. Had aught like that Befallen me, today I'd dig my grave With my own hands. Brunhilda, never fear! I will not make thee the most wretched soul That draws the breath of life upon the earth! Then keep thy pride, for pity makes me dumb.

BRUNHILDA.

Thou boastest, Kriemhild! I despise thee now!

KRIEMHILD.

My husband's concubine despises me!

BRUNHILDA.

Put her in chains! She rages! Bind her then!

KRIEMHILD (_draws out the girdle_).

Know'st thou this girdle?

BRUNHILDA.

Well I do. 'Tis mine. And since I see it in a stranger's hands It must be that 'twas stolen in the night.

KRIEMHILD.

'Twas stolen! 'Twas no thief that gave it me!

BRUNHILDA.

Who then?

KRIEMHILD.

The man who overpowered thee! But not my brother!

BRUNHILDA.

Kriemhild!

KRIEMHILD.

Thy fierce strength Had surely strangled Gunther, then perchance Thou would'st have loved the dead as punishment. My husband gave it me!

BRUNHILDA.

'Tis false!

KRIEMHILD.

'Tis true! Now scorn him if thou canst! Wilt now consent That I may pass before thee through the door?

(_To her women._)

Now follow. She shall see me prove my rights!

[_They leave and enter the cathedral._]