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      (C) Yea, lovely palace-ladies, as the knights rode flashing by,

      Would ask of the warrior-stranger of bearing proud and high—

      “How stately is his stature, how rich his arraying!” they cried.

      “ ’Tis the hero of the Low Land!” full many a voice replied.

      What deeds they essayed soever, still foremost Siegfried pressed:

      But ever a lovely vision, a dream-face, haunted his breast;

      And the eyes of his soul were yearning on an unbeholden face:

      And she—her heart had received him, her lips low murmured his praise.

      What time in the lists of the palace the good knights ran the course,

      And the squires, and shivered the spear-shafts, ever on rider and horse

      Unseen from the casement gazing was the daughter of kings, Kriemhild:

      She craved none other pastime, in this was her joy fulfilled.

      Had he known, had he known that she watched him, whom shrined in his heart he bore,

      Content in those lists enchanted had he ridden evermore;

      But ah, had his eyes but beheld her!—I know of a surety this,

      Nought else upon earth had he longed for, whose soul had won to its bliss.

      Whensoe’er in the castle-courtyard he chanced mid the knights to stand,

      As amidst of their gallant pastime they are wont in every land,

      How winsome then and how graceful he stood, Queen Siegelind’s child!

      Ah, the heart of many a maiden unwares was love-beguiled.

      But he, he was thinking, thinking, “Shall the day-dawn ever arise

      In mine heart?—shall the Queen of women be ever beheld of mine eyes,

      The love of my soul, my darling, my dream of long agone?

      She is far from me, far; and with anguish of spirit I muse thereon!”

      Whensoe’er those mighty war-kings rode through Burgundia-land,

      Still did their knights attend them arrayed on either hand;

      Rode Siegfried with these: at his going that lovely lady sighed;

      And his heart the while was aching for her through a weary tide.

      So abode he with those three war-lords—true is it, how strange soe’er—

      In the land of Gunther the royal through all the space of a year;

      Yet in all that season his heart’s love not once did he behold,

      Of whom he should yet have gladness and sorrow manifold.

IV.

       How Siegfried warred against the Saxons

       Table of Contents

      Then came to the land of Gunther tidings strange and dread;

      For out of a far, far country were heralds to Burgundy sped

      With a tale of unknown warriors and the hate they bare to the king;

      And in passing great disquiet the brethren heard that thing.

      Now these were they that had sent them:—the lord of the Saxon land,

      King Lüdiger mighty in war-hosts, mighty in strength of hand;

      And Lüdegast for his helper, the lord of the land of the Dane;

      And warriors marched unnumbered ’neath the banners of these twain.

      So they came to the land of Gunther, those bearers of threats of war,

      Even they whom his adversaries had sent forth from afar.

      And men looked on the unknown faces, and asked, “What tale do ye bring?”

      And they led the heralds of war-storm to the presence of the King.

      And he gave to them courteous greeting: “Welcome to me be ye.

      What man hath sent you hither not yet hath been told unto me:

      Speak out and utter your message,” said the noble king war-wise.

      Then sank their hearts, as they looked on the flame in Gunther’s eyes.

      “If thou, O King, wilt suffer that we speak”—the heralds replied—

      “Unhindered all our message, no word from thee will we hide.

      So name we to you the princes who have laid on us this command:

      Lo, Lüdegast hitherward marcheth with Lüdiger unto your land.

      Ye twain have provoked their anger: in our ears was spoken the word,

      How that ye in the hearts of our liege-lords deadliest hate have stirred;

      And they purpose to lead their battles unto Worms beside the Rhine.

      See ye that your war-thanes help you! Lo, this is the warning-sign.

      Within twelve weeks shall the thunder of the tramp of their hosts draw near.

      If then ye have loyal vassals, let their fealty now appear:

      Let them ward the peace of the castle, let them keep unharried the field.

      Ha, here shall be fearful hewing of many a helm and shield!

      Or if haply for peace ye will pray them, now let us be certified,

      Or ever their ranks of battle across your marches ride,

      Or ever your strong foes bow you in bitterness of soul.

      Ha, many a champion shall perish when hither the war-waves roll!”

      “Ye shall tarry a little season—my mind shall ye know ere long—

      While I ponder upon this matter,” spake Gunther the valiant and strong.

      “O yea, I have loyal vassals; to them will I bear this word,

      And the tale of your war-defiance shall of all my friends be heard.”

      Of a truth unto Gunther the mighty full heavy the tidings were,

      And his innermost heart was burdened by the message that it bare;

      And he bade to his presence Hagen and other his liegemen withal,

      And he sent to summon Gernot in haste to his council-hall:

      So gathered his best, all vassals unto whom came that command;

      And he spake: “Lo, our foes be minded to march into Burgundy-land

      With a mighty array—ye may well be indignation-stung

      At the unprovoked defiance that these in our faces have flung!”

      “From these shall our swords defend us!” Prince Gernot’s voice rang high.

      “Men must die in the day of their dooming: in death e’en let them lie!

      I will never forget mine honour for dread of what may befall!

      We will welcome our adversaries to the War-god’s festival!”

      Then answered Hagen of Troneg: “O’er-hasty, I trow, are thy words;

      For the kings of the Danes and the Saxons be exceeding arrogant lords;

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