into flames. There many a knight became well known as
champion. Many a maiden saw what there the warriors plied. Methinks,
Sir Siegfried and his knights rode many a turn afore the tents. He led a
thousand stately Nibelungs.

Then Hagen of Troneg came, as the king had counseled, and parted in
gentle wise the jousting, that the fair maids be not covered with the
dust, the which the strangers willingly obeyed. Then spake Sir Gernot:
"Let stand the steeds till the air grow cooler, for ye must be full
ready when that the king will ride. Meanwhile let us serve the comely
dames before the spacious hall."

When now over all the plain the jousts had ceased, the knights, on
pastime bent, hied them to the ladies under many a high pavilion in the
hope of lofty joys. There they passed the hours until they were minded
to ride away.

Just at eventide, when the sun was setting and the air grew chill, no
longer they delayed, but man and woman hasted toward the castle. Many a
comely maiden was caressed with loving glances. In jousting great store
of clothes were torn by good knights, by the high-mettled warriors,
after the custom of the land, until the king dismounted by the hall.
Valiant heroes helped the ladies, as is their wont. The noble queens
then parted; Lady Uta and her daughter went with their train to a
spacious hall, where great noise of merriment was heard on every side.

The seats were now made ready, for the king would go to table with his
guests. At his side men saw fair Brunhild stand, wearing the crown in
the king's domain. Royal enow she was in sooth. Good broad tables, with
full many benches for the men, were set with vitaille, as we are told.
Little they lacked that they should have! At the king's table many a
lordly guest was seen. The chamberlains of the host bare water forth in
basins of ruddy gold. It were but in vain, if any told you that men were
ever better served at princes' feasts: I would not believe you that.

Before the lord of the Rhineland took the water to wash his hands,
Siegfried did as was but meet, he minded him by his troth of what he had
promised, or ever he had seen Brunhild at home in Isenland. He spake:
"Ye must remember how ye swore me by your hand, that when Lady Brunhild
came to this land, ye would give me your sister to wife. Where be now
these oaths? I have suffered mickle hardship on our trip."

Then spake the king to his guest: "Rightly have ye minded me. Certes my
hand shall not