Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/153

Rh fair, from Worms beyond the Rhine. Liefer tidings might they never have. “Well for me,” spake then Siegmund, “that I have lived to see fair Kriemhild here as queen. My heritage will be thereby enhanced. My son, the noble Siegfried, shall himself be king.”

Then the Lady Siegelind gave much red velvet, silver, and heavy gold; this was the envoy’s meed. The tale well liked her, which then she heard. She clad her and her handmaids with care, as did beseem them. Men told who was to come with Siegfried to the land. Anon they bade seats be raised, where he should walk crowned before his friends. King Siegmund’s liegemen then rode forth to meet him. Hath any been ever better greeted than the famous hero in Siegmund’s land, I know not. Siegelind, the fair, rode forth to meet Kriemhild with many a comely dame (lusty knights did follow on behind), a full day’s journey, till one espied the guests. Home-folk and the strangers had little easement till they were come to a spacious castle, hight Xanten, where they later reigned.

Smilingly Siegelind and Siegmund kissed Kriemhild many times for joy and Siegfried, too; their sorrow was taken from them. All their fellowship received great welcome. One bade now bring the guests to Siegmund’s hall, and lifted the fair young maids down from the palfreys. Many a knight gan serve the comely dames with zeal. However great the feasting at the Rhine was known to be, here one gave the heroes much better robes than they had worn in all their days. Of their splender great marvels might be told. When now they sate in lofty honors and had enow of all, what gold-hued clothes their courtiers wore with precious