The Lay of the Nibelungs

beauty in any land might be: The maid was called Kriemhilda;? a woman passing fair? For whose sake many a warrior his life must needs forbear. To love that lovely maiden seem'd but to be her due ; None bore her spite, and many did for her favour sue. Fair were beyond all measure her noble form and face: Her virtues were sufficient all womankind to grace. Three noble kings and wealthy guarded her as their own : Sir Gunther and Sir Gernot, for deeds of honour known, And Giselher the youngest, a gallant warrior he: The lady was the sister and ward of all the three. These princes were right gentle, and came of noble race, Bold, and of strength unequalled, peerless in knightly grace; " The kingdom of Burgundia," thus was their country hight;? All Etzel's land rang later with their great deeds of might. At Worms upon the Rhine flood, they dwelt in power and might, And there, in fealty, served them full many a haughty knight, With honourable service throughout their earthly life.? , That life had woeful ending from two great ladies' strife. Their mother was Dame Ute, a queen exceeding rich, And Dankrat was their father, broad lands he left to each When he this life departed; he was a mighty man, Who, e'en while yet a stripling, his knightly deeds began. The three kings, who came after, were, as I've said before, All men of strength and valour; and to them fealty swore The flower of noble knighthood, of whom with truth 'twas said, That strong t...