Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/188

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In came then their attendants, and brought them fresh array,—

Of which a mighty store was all ready for that day . How gay soe’er the world was, right gloomy had he grown,

The country’s noble ruler, who wore, by day, a crown!

According to old custom, which rightly men obey,

King Gunther and Queen Brunhild no longer must delay

To go unto the minster, where Holy Mass was sung.

There, likewise, came Sir Siegfried, and mighty was the throng.

As kingly rank demanded, in readiness did wait

Whatever they had need of: their crowns and robes of state.

Then were they consecrated; and, after that was done,

All four were seen in gladness to stand, each with a crown.

Then many youths were knighted— six hundred, maybe more—

In honour of the crowning;— of that ye may be sure;

And great rejoicing was there throughout Burgundian land.

One heard the lances splinter in every new knight’s hand.

The fair maids in the windows sat, and o’erlook’d the field:

They saw below them flashing full many a polish’d shield.

King Gunther kept aloof from his lieges’ revelry,—

Whate’er the rest were doing, a mournful man was he:

How great was the unlikeness of his and Siegfried’s mood!

And well he knew what ailed him that noble knight and good.

Unto the king he hastened, and straight to question fell:

“How fared you yestereven? to me you this should tell.”