Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/85

II.]

Soon ran the knights to where they found saddled chargers wait;

At Siegmund’s court began then a tournament so great

That one heard hall and palace with crash of arms resound,

As the high-mettled thanes met upon the tilting-ground.

From old knights and from young ones went thrust and parry there,

Till crash of breaking lances re-echoed through the air;—

One saw the splinters flying up to the palace wall

From many a gallant knight’s hand: so eager were they all!

The host he bade them end it; they led the steeds away;

Full many a sturdy buckler to sight all broken lay;

And precious stones, in plenty, had fallen on the sward

From out the shining shield-clasps: the onset was so hard.

Then went the host’s guests whither they bidden were to sit;

Their weariness was banished by the choice food they ate,

And by wine of the rarest, of which there was no stint.

Alike to friends and strangers was all this lavishment.

And, though the games and pastimes had lasted all the day,

The throngs of merrymakers knew neither rest nor stay,

Contending for the many good gifts that were to hand:

A bounty which redounded to the praise of Siegmund’s land.

Then did the king make over to young Siegfried, the loan

Of both his lands and castles, as he afore had done.

Unto his knightly comrades he gave with open hand,

So all were right well-pleaséd that they had sought his land.