qual honour.

Albeit they ceased not from tilting all the day, the mummers and the
minstrels took no rest, but sang for gold and got it; wherefore they
praised the land of Siegmund. The king enfeoffed Siegfried with lands
and castles, as in his youth his father had enfeoffed him, and to his
sword-fellows he gave with full hand, that it rejoiced them to be come
into that country.

The hightide endured seven days. Sieglind, the wealthy queen, did
according to old custom. She divided red gold among her guests for love
of her son, that she might win their hearts to him.

Among the minstrels none were needy. Horses and raiment were as free as
if they that gave had but a day to live. Never company gave readier.

So the hightide ended with glory, and the rich lords were well minded to
have Siegfried to their prince. While Siegmund and Sieglind lived, their
son, that loved them, desired not to wear the crown, but only, as a brave
man, to excel in strength and might. Greatly was he feared in the land;
nor durst any chide him, for from the day he bare arms he rested not from
strife. Yea, in far countries and for all time, his strong hand won him
glory.

Third Adventure

How Siegfried Came to Worms

Little recked Siegfried of heart's dole till that the news reached him of
a fair maid of Burgundy, than whom none could wish a fairer; by reason of
her, joy befell him, and sorrow.

Her beauty was rumoured far and wide, and the fame of her virtues,
joined thereto, brought many strangers into Gunther's land. Yet, though
many wooed her, Kriemhild was firm-minded to wed none.

Thereupon Siegmund's son yearned to her with true love. Weighed with him
all other suitors were as wind, for he was meet to be chosen of fair
women; and, or long, Kriemhild the high maiden was bold Sir Siegfried's
bride.

His kinsmen and his liegemen counselled him to woo a fitting mate, if he
meant to love in earnest, whereto Siegfried answered, "It shall be
Kriemhild. So measureless fair is the maiden of Burgundy, that the
greatest emperor, were he minded to wed, were none too good for her."

The tidings came to Siegmund's ear. His knights told him Siegfried's
intent, and it irked him that his son should woo the royal maiden. To
Sieglind, the king's wife, they told it also, and she feared for his
life, for she knew Gunther and his men.

They would have turned him from his quest.

Spake bold Siegfried then, "Dearest father mine, eit