This hero and his lady— and yet they looked askance.
294
Was that white hand, I wonder, in lover’s fashion press’d?
In sign of tender wooing? in sooth ’twas ne’er confess’d.
But scarce can I believe that such chance had been let go;
For she her kindness to him did very quickly show.
295
In the full bliss of summer, and in the fair Maytide,
Within his heart could never, again such joy abide
As now did fill his bosom; the while he there did stand,
And her whom he desiréd was holding hand in hand.
296
And many a warrior murmured: “Ah, if it only were
My lot to walk beside her, as I have seen him here,
Or at her side to lay me, what bliss would mine have been!”
Never served hero better, methinks, to win a queen.
297
Whate’er might be the country the strangers call’d their own,
None had an eye for any save for this pair alone.
And when they let her kiss him— the goodly man and brave!—
In all this world he never a greater joy could have.
298
Then rose the King of Denmark, and suddenly did cry:
“To bring about this greeting how many wounded lie!
Too well have I observed it— and all by Siegfried’s hand;
Forefend him, God, from coming again to Danish land!”
299
On one side and the other they bade the folk make way
For beauteous lady Kriemhild. Then saw one an array
Of valiant knights who churchward did bear her company.
Then could her goodly gallant no longer near her be;
300
For she went to the minster, with all her dames beside.
So fair a sight and queenly was she in all her pride,
That the high vows of many whilom forgot to rise;
And many a hero feasted his soul upon her eyes.
301
Hardly did Siegfried’s patience last till the mass was done.
Yet might he thank his fortune that he such grace had won,
That she to him inclinéd, whom in his heart he bore:
Therefore it was but fitting that he should love her more.
302
As she came from the minster, which he had left before,
The gallant thane was bidden to join the dame once more.
Then, first, began to thank him the winsome maid, that he
Beyond all other warriors had fought so gloriously.
303
“Now God reward you, Siegfried,” thus spake the child so fair,
“Right well have you deservéd that all the warriors here
Do love and serve you truly, as they themselves avow.”
Right tenderly began he to look on Kriemhild now.
304
“For ever will I serve you!” declared the warrior,
“Henceforth my head I’ll never lay down to rest before
Your least wish be accomplished, if life be granted me;
All this, my lady Kriemhild, for your dear sake shall be.”
305
Then, for the space of twelve days, on each new dawning day,
One saw the lovely maiden beside the knight alway,
As often as to court she before her friends must go.
Unto the knight this service did her great love allow.
306
All kinds of mirth and pleasure, and mighty noise withal,
Were seen and heard forthcoming daily from Gunther’s hall—
Without, and inside also— from many a gallant man.
Sir Ortwein and Sir Hagen right wondrous feats began.
307
Whatever games were started these jocund heroes were
Always among the foremost, a skilled and ready pair.
Whereby these warriors soon were well known to every guest;
Of such kind were the jewels that Gunther’s land possessed.
308
Those who had long lain wounded one saw, at last, appear:
They too would share the pastimes, would fence and throw the spear
Among the king’s retainers; well-pleased to find at length
That they could do as others; they had renewed their strength.
309
The host would have them treated well, at his festal board,
Theirs was to be the best food. Thus managed he to ward
The slightest breath of scandal, which oft a king doth reach.
From guest to guest on went he, with kindly words for each.
310
He said: “All ye, good warriors, before ye ride away,
I pray ye take my presents: ’twas in my mind alway
To recompense your service; my goods despise not ye:
I fain would share them with you; this do I willingly.”
311
Then did the lords of Denmark thus answer, out of hand:
“Before we ride hence, homewards unto our fatherland,
We fain would have a treaty: of peace we knights have need,
We’ve lost dear friends in plenty who, through your knights, lie dead.”
312
King Ludegast of Denmark was healed now of his wound,
And eke the Saxon leader was once more whole and sound.
Albeit many dead men they left in alien land.
Then went the royal Gunther to where Siegfried did stand.
313
And to the warrior spake he: “Advise what I shall do;
For early on the morrow our foes intend to go,
And crave abiding pledges of peace, from mine and me:
Now counsel me, thane Siegfried, what seemeth good to thee?
314
“What ransom they have offered thou shalt be truly told:
So much as mares five hundred can carry of pure gold,
This will they give me gladly, if I will set them free.”
Then Siegfried answered stoutly “That would unworthy be!
315
“Free, and without a ransom hence shouldst thou let them fare:
And that these noble warriors henceforward may beware
How they come hither, riding as foemen to our land,
Of this in full assurance let both kings give their hand.”
316
“This counsel will I follow!” So saying, forth they went.
A message to the foemen was soon thereafter sent:
“The gold, that ye have offered, doth no man care to keep,
While for the strife-worn warriors at home their dear ones weep.”
317
Then many a shield with treasure piled high they carried there:
Enough, although he weighed not, for every friend to share;
Five hundred marks well-counted, yea more, he gave to some.
This counsel to King Gunther had from bold Gernot come.
318
Then took they leave, for all were impatient to be gone;
But first, before Kriemhilda the guests filed, one by one;
There sat dame Uté also, the Queen, who bade “God speed”!
Never before were warriors sped half so well, indeed.
319
The hostels were left empty when they had ridden away.
Only at home remainéd the king, in state array
With all his friends and kinsmen— full many a noble knight.
These, day by day, were gladden’d, by dame Kriemhilda’s sight.
320
Now Siegfried, the good hero, did also sue for leave:
Not hoping more to win her, to whom his heart did cleave.
The king o’erheard the saying that he would fain away:
’Twas Giselher who urged him his journey to delay.
321
“Now whither, noble Siegfried, is it thy will to ride?
Stay rather, I beseech thee, and with our warriors bide.
Remain with our King Gunther, and with his men and me;—
Are there not here fair women, whom thou hast leave to see?”
322
Then spake the stalwart Siegfried: “So bide the steeds in stall!
For I have changed my purpose, I will not ride at all.
And bear the
