bereft the king of life. Secretly Siegfried went and touched his
hand; with great fear Gunther marked his wiles. "Who hath
touched me?" thought the valiant man. Then he gazed around on
every side, but saw none standing there.

"'Tis I, Siegfried, the dear friend of thine. Thou must not fear
the queen. Give me the shield from off thy hand and let me bear
it and mark aright what thou dost hear me say. Make thou the
motions, I will do the deeds."

When Gunther knew that it was Siegfried, he was overjoyed.

Quoth Siegfried: "Now hide thou my arts; tell them not to any
man; then can the queen win from thee little fame, albeit she
doth desire it. See how fearlessly the lady standeth now before
thee."

Then with might and main the noble maiden hurled the spear at a
shield, mickle, new, and broad, which the son of Siegelind bore
upon his arm. The sparks sprang from the steel, as if the wind
did blow. The edge of the mighty spear broke fully through the
shield, so that men saw the fire flame forth from the armor
rings. The stalwart men both staggered at the blow; but for the
Cloak of Darkness they had lain there dead. From the mouth of
Siegfried, the brave, gushed forth the blood. Quickly the good
knight sprang back again and snatched the spear that she had
driven through his shield. Stout Siegfried's hand now sent it
back again. He thought: "I will not pierce the comely maid." So
he reversed the point and cast it at her armor with the butt,
that it rang out loudly from his mighty hand. The sparks flew