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IV.]

“How had they fared, the warriors of the most noble king?”

One of the squires they, straightway, before Kriemhilda bring:

But this was done in secret, she took no open part,—

Though there was one among them to whom was pledged her heart.

And when she saw the envoy into her chamber led,

Kriemhild, the beauteous maiden, in voice most kindly said:

“Now tell me the dear tidings and gold I’ll give to thee;—

And tell’st thou with no lying, a friend thou hast in me.

“How fared my brother Gernot amid the fight?” she said,

“And other friends and kinsmen? have we left many dead?

And who did best of any? fain would I hear of thee.”

Then outspake that bold herald; “Of cravens none had we!

“Yet, in the thick of battle rode ne’er a man so well,

Oh, Princess high and mighty,— since I the truth must tell,—

As did the noble stranger, who came from Netherland:

Full many a wondrous deed was wrought by bold Siegfried’s hand.

“For what great feats soever in battle may have done

Sir Dankwart and Sir Hagen and many another one;

Howe’er they fought for honour, it all was idle wind

Compared with Siegfried’s doings, the son of Siegelind.

“Though in the strife of battle full many a hero fell,

The wonders wrought by Siegfried no man hath words to tell!

Nor all his deeds of daring when he to battle rode:

Through him, for fallen kinsmen, the women’s tears have flowed.