474 1.
(4) "Their". The original is obscure here; the meaning is,
'when he heard with what message they were come, he rued the
haughtiness of the Burgundians'.
(5) "Marks of gold". A mark (Lat. "mares") was half a pound of
gold or silver.

ADVENTURE V. How Siegfried First Saw Kriemhild.

One saw daily riding to the Rhine those who would fain be at the
feasting. Full many of these who for the king's sake were come into the
land, were given steeds and lordly harness. Seats were prepared for all,
for the highest and the best, as we are told, for two and thirty princes
at the feast. For this, too, the fair ladies vied in their attire.
Giselher, the youth, was aught but idle; he and Gernot and all their
men received the friends and strangers. In truth, they gave the knights
right courtly greetings. These brought into the land many a saddle
of golden red, dainty shields and lordly armor to the feasting on the
Rhine. Many a wounded man was seen full merry since. Even those who lay
abed in stress of wounds, must needs forget the bitterness of death.
Men ceased to mourn for the weak and sick and joyed in prospect of the
festal day, and how well they would fare at the feasting of the king.
Pleasure without stint and overabundance of joy pervaded all the folk
which there were seen. Therefore great rejoicing arose throughout the
whole of Gunther's land.

Upon a Whitsun morning five thousand or more brave men, clad in glad
attire, were seen going forth to the high festal tide. On all sides they
vied with each other in knightly sports. The host marked well, what he
already wet, how from his very heart the hero of Netherland did love his
sister, albeit he had never seen her, whose comeliness men praised above
all maids. Then spake the knight Ortwin to the king: "Would ye have full
honor at your feast, so should ye let be seen the charming maids, who
live in such high honors here in Burgundy. What were the joy of man,
what else could give him pleasure, but pretty maids and noble dames?
Pray let your sister go forth before the guests." To the joy of many a
hero was this counsel given.

"This will I gladly do," spake then the king, and all who heard it were
merry at the thought. Then bade he say to the Lady Uta and her comely
daughter, that with their maidens they should come to court. From the
presses they took fair raiment and whatso of rich attire was laid away.
Of rings and ribbons, too,