CXIII

Far merrier in the morning than he before had been Appear'd the good King Gunther; the change with joy was seen By every faithful va.s.sal, and every foreign guest, Whom he had home invited and feasted with the best.

CXIV

The sumptuous festal lasted e'en to the fourteenth day, The while was heard unceasing the sound of mirth and play, That in the crowd of pleasures the wilder'd guests were lost.

Unmatch'd was Gunther's splendor and boundless was his cost.

CXV

By the good king's order, to many a warrior bold His kinsmen in his honor gave robes and ruddy gold, And steeds and store of silver, and so their wants supplied, That not a stranger was there but parted satisfied.

CXVI

As well good King Siegfried, the knight of Netherland, And his thousand champions their robes, with liberal hand, And all they had brought thither alike were pleas'd to give, Fair steeds and costly trappings; like n.o.bles they knew how to live.

CXVII To those, whose thoughts were homeward, the hours seem'd all too long, Ere the rich gifts were lavish'd among the gladsome throng.

Never before was party dismiss'd in merrier plight.

So the high feast concluded; thence off rode many a knight.

ELEVENTH ADVENTURE

HOW SIEGFRIED BROUGHT HIS WIFE HOME

I

The festal hall was silent, and parted every guest, When thus the son of Siegmund his loving friends address'd.

"We too must make us ready, and forthwith home return."

Glad was his n.o.ble consort her lord's resolve to learn.

II

She thus bespake the warrior, "Since we are home to fare, Of over-haste in parting, I beg thee, well beware.

First should of right my brethren with me the lands divide."

Sir Siegfried heard with sorrow these words from his fair bride.

III

Then came to him the princes, and thus spake all the three, "Know that for you, King Siegfried, shall ever ready be Our true and loving service, that e'en of death is vow'd."

To them for their fair promise the stately warrior bow'd.

IV

"With you too we are anxious," said Giselher the young, "To part the lands and castles that to us all belong.

Of all the broad possessions, o'er which the rule we bear, We'll yield to you and Kriemhild a good and ample share."

V

Soon as the son of Siegmund their loving offer heard, To the n.o.ble princes this answer he preferr'd.

"G.o.d grant you long enjoyment of your possessions fair; For me and my dear consort, our part we well can spare.

VI

"The right that you allow her my wife may well lay down; Henceforth in my country she'll wear the queenly crown, And, should I live, be richer than any living wight.

In all things else, your bidding I'll do with all my might."

VII

"In th' heritage," said Kriemhild, "though you renounce our rights, Not of so little value are our Burgundian knights; Them might a king be happy to bring into his land, And I my portion in them claim at each brother's hand."

VIII

"Take whom thou wilt, fair sister," Sir Gernot straight replied, "No doubt you'll find abundance, who long with you to ride.

From thirty hundred va.s.sals, each one a chosen man, Take for thy train a thousand." Kriemhild to send began

IX

First for Ortwine and Hagan, the n.o.ble knights and true, If they and their bold kinsmen would Kriemhild serve and sue.

Thereat wax'd Hagan wrathful, and frowning thus 'gan say, "Nor right nor power has Gunther to give us thus away.

X

"For followers and companions seek elsewhere if you will.

As for our Trony customs, sure you must know them still.

At court we guard our princes, nor from this duty swerve.

Thus here we serv'd them ever, thus will we ever serve."

XI