That he would very gladly with them keep holyday.
764
Both Siegfried and Kriemhilda, as doth the story say,
More gifts gave to the heralds than could be borne away
On their own horses homewards: a wealthy man was he!
Their sturdy beasts of burden they drove right merrily.
765
Their folk were cloth’d by Siegfried and Siegmund worthily.
And Eckewart the margrave gave orders speedily
To seek out women’s raiment, the best that could be found,
Or anywhere be heard of in Siegfried’s lands around.
766
The saddles and the bucklers began they to prepare.
And to the knights and ladies who should the journey share,
Was given whate’er they wanted, that they might fail in naught.
Unto his friends full many a noble guest he brought.
767
The heralds did not loiter upon the journey home.
And soon the gallant Gere to Burgundy was come,
Where right well was he welcomed: they then alighted all
From chargers and from palfreys before King Gunther’s hall.
768
The youths went and the elders, as men are wont to do,
To ask what might the news be. Then spake the good knight true:
“When to the king I’ve told it the rest of you shall know.”
Then straightway with his comrades did he to Gunther go.
769
The king, in joy to see them, rose quickly from his chair.
That they had come so swiftly also from Brunhild fair
Received they thanks, while Gunther unto the envoys spake:
“How fares it now with Siegfried? much wrought he for my sake.”
770
Then spake the gallant Gere: “For joy his face grew red—
Both his and your fair sister’s; and ne’er was message sped,
From any man of honour unto his friends, more true
Than Siegfried and his father by me have sent to you.”
771
Then thus unto the margrave the noble king’s wife spake:
“Say, now, is Kriemhild coming? and care doth she yet take
To keep the outward fairness, which she to foster knew?”
“Aye,” said the warrior Gere, “doubtless she comes to you.”
772
Then Uté to her presence the heralds did command,
And by her question might one right plainly understand
What she to hear was longing: “Still well did Kriemhild fare?”
He told how he had found her, and that she’d soon be there.
773
Nor from the court retainers did they the gifts withhold
That they had had from Siegfried: the raiment and the gold
In sight of all the liegemen of the three kings were spread.
For their abundant largesse were many thanks repaid.
774
“ ’Tis easy,” then said Hagen, “for him such gifts to give:
He could not spend his riches did he for ever live.
The treasure of the Niblungs he holds within his hand.
Ha, what if it should ever come to Burgundian land!”
775
Then was there great rejoicing among the people all
That soon the guests were coming. From dawn till evenfall
The three kings’ craftsmen labour’d, with zeal untiring fill’d.
Grand rows of seats in plenty they then began to build.
776
The valiant Sir Hunold and Sindold too, the thane,
Had little time for leisure; they too must work amain,
As steward and cupbearer the places they must set.
And Ortwein help’d them: wherefore they Gunther’s thanks did get.
777
Rumold the kitchen-master, knew well to rule aright
His underlings and scullions! Ay me! it was a sight
To see the polish’d kettles and pots and pans at hand!
For food must be made ready when guests were in the land.
Adventure XIII
How They Journeyed to the Festival
778
Now in their stir and bustle awhile we’ll let them be,
And tell how Dame Kriemhilda and her fair company
Hence, on their journey Rhinewards, from Niblung-land did go.
No horses of fine raiment e’er bore so grand a show.
779
When many sumpter-coffers were ready for the way,
Then with his friends Sir Siegfried no longer did delay
To ride forth, with Kriemhilda, wherein they look’d for joy.
For all of them soon after it turn’d to sore annoy.
780
They left at home behind them Sir Siegfried’s baby son,
The firstborn of Kriemhilda— not elsewise could be done.
From out of their state-journey arose much woe and pain:
His father and his mother that babe saw ne’er again.
781
Thence also did Lord Siegmund together with them ride.
Had he but known what evil thereafter would betide
At this same courtly banquet, he ne’er had gone at all:
To him by loss of kindred worse ill could ne’er befall.
782
Heralds were sent before them the news betimes to say.
And soon rode out to meet them, in lordliest array,
Many of Uté’s kinsfolk and Gunther’s gallant men.
The host began to stir him his guests to welcome then.
783
He went unto Brunhilda where seated was the dame:
“How did my sister greet you,” quoth he, “when first you came?
Even in the self-same fashion you Siegfried’s wife must greet.”
Said she: “That will I gladly; I love her, as is meet.”
784
Then spake the great king: “Early to-morrow are they due.
If you would fain receive them, be quick in what you do;
Lest we have first to greet them in this our citadel.
In all my days I have not had guests I loved so well.”
785
Her maidens and her women she therefore straightway bade
To go and seek fine raiment, the best that could be had—
Such as her own attendants might wear her guests before.
This did they with much pleasure, of that you may be sure!
786
King Gunther’s men now hasten’d to tender service due.
The host about his person had all his warriors true.
The queen herself rode with him, all gloriously array’d;
To these well-lov€d guests was a royal welcome made.
787
With what unfeign’d rejoicing the guests by all were met!
’Twas said that Dame Brunhilda did ne’er such greeting get
In the Burgundian kingdom on the part of Dame Kreimhild.
They who had ne’er beheld her with happiness were fill’d.
788
By this time was arrivèd Sir Siegfried with his men.
One saw the heroes riding forwards and back again
In all parts of the meadows, a vast and shapeless host;
None there could get away from the thronging and the dust.
789
Now when the country’s ruler did gallant Siegfried see,
Together with King Siegmund, how courteously spake he:
“Ye are to me right welcome, and unto every friend!
I trow your royal visit in joy to us will end.”
790
“God prosper you!” quoth Siegmund, that honour-loving man.
“Since my son Siegfried’s friendship for you and yours began.
’Twas aye my hope and purpose one day your face to see.”
King Gunther said: “I also am glad that it should be.”
791
Then was Siegfried receivéd, as well did him beseem,
With ev’ry fitting honour: which none amiss did deem.
And Giselher and Gernot did lend all courteous aid.
Methinks to no guests ever were kindlier honours paid.
792
And now the two kings’ spouses anigh each other came.
Empty was many a saddle, as many a beauteous dame
Was by the hands of heroes dismounted on the grass:
For those who loved fair women no Httle work there was!
793
Then lovingly the ladies unto each other
