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When he, among the heroes, down in the court-yard stood,

Between the games, at leisure, as other warriors would;

So winsomely he stood there, Queen Siegelinda’s son,

That the heart’s love of many a noble dame he won.

And many a time he pondered; “How shall I e’er attain

To see the noble damsel, whose love I seek to gain,

Her whom I love so dearly, and have for many a day?

To me she’s still a stranger, with sorrow I must say.”

Whene’er the kings were minded to ride throughout their land,

Their vassal knights had ever to follow, close at hand;

And Siegfried must be with them, which did the maid distress,

And he too suffered often, for her dear sake, no less.

So dwelt he with the three kings (and ’tis all true you hear,)

In Gunther’s court and country, the space of one whole year;

And all that time his Lady he never saw at all,

Through whom much love unto him and sorrow did befall.

And now, behold, strange tidings have came to Gunther's land,

And heralds from a distance arrive at the command

Of warriors unheard of and yet who hatred bore.

And when the three kings heard it their grief, in sooth, was sore.