Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/195

X.]

The host upon the morrow was in a gayer mood

Than on the former morning; thereby a humour good

Spread through his lands, rejoicing full many a noble thane

Whom to his house he summon’d, and well did entertain.

The merry-making lasted until the fourteenth day.

And all the while the turmoil did not abate nor stay

With all kinds of rejoicing, which one and all must share.

’Twas all at the king’s charges, and great in sooth they were.

For noble Gunther’s kinsmen, as them the king had told,

Gave gifts to do him honour, of raiment and red gold,

Of horses and of silver, unto the outland men.

They who for gifts were eager departed happy then.

And even the lord Siegfried from out of Netherland,

With all his thousand lieges, of that apparel grand

Which they had broughtto Rhineland to them did freely give;

Fine horses, eke, and saddles: right nobly could they live!

Ere all the costly presents were shared among the throng,

Those who would fain go homeward began to think it long.

Ne’er yet of like enjoyment had guests so had their fill.

And so the wedding ended, such was King Gunther’s will.