Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/165

VIII.]

All on a morning early the bold knights rode away.

What gallant comrades Siegfried had got himself that day!

They all had good war-horses, and garments rich and grand:

With knightly mien and bearing they came to Brunhild’s land.

Upon the turrets standing was many a winsome maid.

Then spake the queen: “Doth any know who be these,” she said,

“Whom I see sailing hither from o’er the sea so far?

Their sails be richly woven,— whiter than snow they are.”

And the Rhine-king made answer: “My warriors are they,

Whom I did on the journey bid near at hand to stay.

I sent to fetch them, lady, and here they come, I see.”

Whereon the noble strangers were eyed all wond’ringly.

For plainly saw they Siegfried upon the foredeck stand,

Arrayed in costly raiment, with all his warrior-band.

Then said the queen: “Now must you, my Lord King, counsel me:

Shall these new guests be welcomed? or shall I let them be?”

He spake: “Without the palace to meet them you should go,

As if we saw them gladly, that they may take it so.”

Then did the queen according unto the king’s behest;—

Though, in her greeting, Siegfried she sever’d from the rest.

A lodging was found for them, their goods were put in store.

And now so many strangers had landed en that shore,

That great the throng of folk was, whichever way one went.

The knights on sailing homewards to Burgundy were bent.