God give that he may never / again be seen within my land."
299
On all sides then 'twas ordered / 'fore Kriemhild and her train
Of women make free passage. / Full many a valiant thane
With her unto the minster / in courtly way went on.
But from her side was parted / the full stately knight anon.
300
Then went she to the minster, / and with her many a maid.
In such rich apparel / Kriemhild was arrayed,
That hearty wishes many / there were made in vain:
Her comely form delighted / the eye of many a noble thane.
301
Scarce could tarry Siegfried / till mass was sung the while.
And surely did Dame Fortune / upon him kindly smile,
To him she was so gracious / whom in his heart he bore.
Eke did he the maiden, / as she full well deserved, adore.
302
As after mass then Kriemhild / came to the minster door,
The knight his homage offered, / as he had done before.
Then began to thank him / the full beauteous maid,
That he her royal brothers / did 'gainst their foes so nobly aid.
303
"God speed thee, Sir Siegfried," / spake the maiden fair,
"For thou hast well deservéd / that all these warriors are,
As it hath now been told me, / right grateful unto thee."
Then gan he cast his glances / on the Lady Kriemhild lovingly.
304
"True will I ever serve them," /—so spake the noble thane—
"And my head shall never / be laid to rest again,
Till I, if life remaineth, / have their good favor won.
In sooth, my Lady Kriemhild, / for thy fair grace it all is done."
305
Ne'er a day passed over / for a twelve of happy days,
But saw they there beside him / the maiden all did praise,
As she before her kinsmen / to court would daily go:
It pleased the thane full highly / that they did him such honor show.
306
Delight and great rejoicing, / a mighty jubilee,
Before King Gunther's castle / daily might ye see,
Without and eke within it, / 'mongst keen men many a one.
By Ortwein and by Hagen / great deeds and wondrous there were done.
307
Whate'er was done by any, / in all they ready were
To join in way right lusty, / both the warriors rare:
Whereby 'mongst all the strangers / they won an honored name,
And through their deeds so wondrous / of Gunther's land spread far the fame.
308
Who erstwhile lay sore wounded / now were whole again,
And fain would share the pastime, / with all the king's good men;
With shields join in the combat, / and try the shaft so long.
Wherein did join them many / of the merry-making throng.
309
To all who joined the feasting / the host in plenty bade
Supply the choicest viands: / so guarded well he had
'Gainst whate'er reproaches / could rise from spite or spleen.
Unto his guests right friendly / to go the monarch now was seen.
310
He spake: "Ye thanes high-hearted, / ere now ye part from me,
Accept of these my presents; / for I would willingly
Repay your noble service. / Despise ye not, I pray,
What now I will share with you: / 'tis offered in right grateful way."
311
Straightway they of Denmark / thus to the king replied:
"Ere now upon our journey / home again we ride,
We long for lasting friendship. / Thereof we knights have need,
For many a well-loved kinsman / at hands of thy good thanes lies dead."
312
Luedegast was recovered / from all his wounds so sore,
And eke the lord of Saxons / from fight was whole once more.
Some amongst their warriors / left they dead behind.
Then went forth King Gunther / where he Siegfried might find.
313
Unto the thane then spake he: / "Thy counsel give, I pray.
The foes whom we hold captive / fain would leave straightway,
And long for lasting friendship / with all my men and me.
Now tell me, good Sir Siegfried, / what here seemeth good to thee.
314
"What the lords bid as ransom, / shall now to thee be told
Whate'er five hundred horses / might bear of ruddy gold,
They'd give to me right gladly, / would I but let them free."
Then spake the noble Siegfried: / "That were to do right foolishly.
315
"Thou shalt let them freely / journey hence again;
And that they both hereafter / shall evermore refrain
From leading hostile army / against thee and thy land,
Therefor in pledge of friendship / let each now
