Meanwhile men had marked out the ring for the fray, and chiefs had been chosen as umpires, seven hundred men in armour who should judge betwixt the combatants.  First of the two came the fair Brunhild.  So mighty was her presence, a man had thought her ready to match herself in battle with all the Kings in the world.  And there was carried before her a mighty shield of ruddy gold, very thick and broad and heavy, overlaid with studs of steel.  Four chamberlains could scarce bear the weight.  Sir Hagen, when he saw it, said, “How now, my lord King? this fair one whom you would woo must surely be the devil’s wife.  “Next came three men who scarce could carry the Queen’s javelin, with its mighty spear-head, heavy and great as though three had been melted into one.  And when King Gunther saw it, he said to himself, “This is a danger from which the devil himself can scarce escape.  I would that I were once more by the banks of Rhine; he that would might woo and win this fair maiden for me.”  After this there was brought the mighty stone which Brunhild was to hurl.  Twelve knights could scarce support it, so big it was.

And now the Queen addressed her to the contest, rolling her sleeves about her arms, and fitting her buckler, and poising her mighty spear in her hand.  And the strangers, when they saw it, were sore afraid for all their courage.

But now came Siegfried to King Gunther’s side and touched his hand.  Greatly amazed was the King for he did not understand his champion’s device.  “Who was it that touched me?” he said, and looked round, but saw no one. “’Tis I,” answered the Prince, “your trusty friend, Siegfried.  Have no fear of the maiden.  Let me carry the buckler; you shall seem to do each deed, but I will do it in truth.  But be careful to hide the device.  Should the maiden discover it, she will not spare to bring it to nought.”  Right glad was Gunther to know that his strong ally was at hand.

And now the Queen threw the spear with all her might against the shield Siegfried bore upon his arm.  New was the shield and stout of make, but the spearhead passed clean through it, and rang on the hero’s coat of mail, dealing him so sore a blow that the blood gushed forth from his mouth.  Of a truth, but for the Hood of Darkness, that hour both the champions had died.  Then Siegfried caught the great spear in his hand, and tore it from the shield, and hurled it back.  “She is too fair to slay,” said he to himself, and he turned the spear point behind him, and smote the maiden with the shaft on the silken vest that she wore.  Loud rang the blow, and the fire-sparks leapt from her armour.  Never could Gunther, for all his strength, have dealt such a blow, for it felled the strong Brunhild to the ground.  Lightly did she leap up again, crying, “King Gunther, I thank you for the blow; ’twas shrewdly given,” for she thought that the King had dealt it.