touching his friends and his kinsmen King Gunther questioneth,
Even who in the highways of battle had been stricken unto death:
And behold, in heroes fourscore the tale of their slain is told!—
But the brave dead none bewaileth, and so hath it been from of old.
Yea, even the knights unwounded brought many a sword-hacked shield,
And many a rifted helmet, home from that stricken field.
And the riders sprang from their horses at the gates of the hall of the King;
And with shouts of salutation did the very heavens ring.
Fair harbourage unto the good knights they gave that city through;
And the King commanded to honour his guests with tendance due;
And they bound up the hurts of the wounded, and with diligent heed did they tend:
Yea, that knightly King was gracious unto foe no less than friend.
Then unto Lüdegast spake he: “Welcome to me be thou!
Through thy misdeed to my kingdom hath mischief been wrought enow,
For the which thou must make atonement, if this may be compassed of me.
God look on my friends and reward them: right well have they holpen me!”
“Well mayst thou thank thine helpers,” spake Lüdiger answering:
“In sooth such high-born captives had never earthly king!
And now for knightly warding we tender thee goodly fee,
And pray thee for gracious dealing with them that were foes unto thee.”
“Unto both of you freedom from fetters,” he answered, “will I accord,
So all which have fought against me abide here still in ward:
And for this shall ye give me pledges that none shall leave my land,
Except as I give them licence.” To the covenant gave they the hand.
Then they led to their rest the weary, where all things ready were made.
Full soon upon easeful couches were the wounded warriors laid.
And they poured for the knights unwounded bright wine and mead good store:
Never in mirth and joyance were hearts uplifted more.
The bucklers battle-riven took they, and they laid them by,
And saddles blood-empurpled might one see plenteously;
But these caused they to be hidden, lest women should weep at the sight:—
Ah, the sun went down that even upon many a wayworn knight!
“Give kindliest entertainment to my guests,” did the King command:—
With the native-born and with strangers now thronged was all the land:—
He took thought for the heedful tendance of each sore-wounded foe:
Ha, how was their haughty defiance in humility brought low!
Whosoever were cunning in leechcraft, rich guerdon their skill repaid,
Bright gold unstinted and silver outlavished, yea, unweighed,
So they would but heal those heroes who had gotten hurt in the war.
And with gifts the King still loaded his guests that came from far.
And whoso of these was minded homeward to turn again,
As one should entreat a dear friend, so prayed they him to remain.
Nor forgat the King his liegemen, but devised for them rich reward,
Even all whose labour of glory had accomplished the will of their lord.
Then spake Prince Gernot his counsel: “Let our guests depart as now:
And in forty days—proclaim it, and to all men publish it thou—
Unto a festal high-tide shall all return once more;
For healed by then shall be many that now lie wounded sore.”
Then made his request Prince Siegfried: “I pray you, let me depart.”
But when to the Rhine-lord Gernot was known the desire of his heart,
He besought him in loving fashion for a season to tarry still:—
Sooth, but for the love of his sister, he had swayed him not to his will!
To a prince so royal might no man for his measureless desert
Proffer reward; but his guerdon was the love of Gunther’s heart,
And of all his friends and kinsfolk; for alway in their sight
Fair shone the mighty achievements that his hand had wrought in fight.
He said to his heart: “I will linger for the sake of Beauty’s Queen,
If at last I may haply behold her.” And so was his heart’s dream seen
At the last: after long, long waiting he beheld her, his love and his star;
Then with heart all love-overflowing he rode to his home afar.
Now the King had given commandment for tourneys day by day,
And strong young knights rode gladly in the gentle and joyous fray.
And he bade make ready the high-seats in the city beside Rhine-strand
For the noble guests who were bidden to the feast in Burgundia-land.
Now as near drew the day and nearer when the guests from afar should be there,
Told was the tale of their coming unto Kriemhild the passing-fair,
And of that great festal high-tide with dear-loved friends she heard—
Lo, the heart of each winsome lady to beauty’s arraying is stirred;
And they seek out wimples to deck them, and the lovely robes unfold.
And now to the lady Uta the tidings moreover are told
Of the coming of those proud warriors which unto the feast are
