from the armor rings, as though driven by the wind. Siegmund's
son had made the throw with might. With all her strength she
could not stand before the blow. In faith King Gunther never
could have done the deed.

Brunhild, the fair, how quickly up she sprang! "Gunther, noble
knight, I cry you mercy for the shot." She weened that he had
done it with his strength. To her had crept a far more powerful
man. Then went she quickly, angry was her mood. The noble maid
and good raised high the stone and hurled it mightily far from
her hand. After the cast she sprang, that all her armor rang, in
truth. The stone had fallen twelve fathoms hence, but with her
leap the comely maid out-sprang the throw. Then went Sir
Siegfried to where lay the stone. Gunther poised it, while the
hero made the throw. Siegfried was bold, strong, and tall; he
threw the stone still further and made a broader jump. Through
his fair arts he had strength enow to bear King Gunther with him
as he sprang. The leap was made, the stone lay on the ground;
men saw none other save Gunther, the knight, alone. Siegfried
had banished the fear of King Gunther's death. Brunhild, the
fair, waxed red with wrath. To her courtiers she spake a deal
too loud, when she spied the hero safe and sound at the border of
the ring: "Come nearer quickly, ye kinsmen and liegemen of mine,
ye must now be subject to Gunther, the king."

Then the brave knights laid aside their arms and paid their
homage at the feet of mighty Gunther from the Burgundian land.
They weened that he had won the games by his own strength alone.
He greeted them in loving wise; in sooth he was most rich in
virtues.