Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/122

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For his guests the king provided with kindness wonderful.

With strangers and indwellers the land was very full.

Those who lay sorely wounded he greatly cared for, too.

’Twas thus the good king humbled his proud and haughty foe.

To all well skilled in leechcraft no guerdon was denied.

Unstinted store of silver and shining gold beside,

if they could heal the heroes, who wounded were in fight;

To load his guests with presents was eke this king’s delight.

If any there were minded to journey home again,

They, in most friendly fashion, were bidden to remain.

And then the king took counsel how to reward his men,

Who had his will accomplished with honour and with pain.

The warrior Gernot counselled: “Let these now homeward ride!

Tn six weeks’ time we'll bid them, if nothing should betide,

Return with us to join in a great festivity;

By then may they be healéd who sorely wounded lie.”

For leave asked Siegfried likewise, the lord of Netherland;

But when the royal Gunther his wish did understand,

He lovingly entreated his dear friend not to go;—

Though, but for Gunther's sister, he would have gone, I trow.

Though Siegfried was too wealthy to care for the king’s pay,

Right well had he deserved it. He was his friend alway,

And eke of all his kinsmen: for had their eyes not seen

How by his strength in combat the victory had been?