God that I have lived to see the day when
Kriemhild shall wear the crown here. My heritage is increased in worth,
and Siegfried himself shall be king."

Queen Sieglind gave the envoys, for fee, red velvet and heavy silver and
gold, for she was glad at the news.

Her women began to adorn them in haste, and when Sieglind knew who came
with Siegfried, she let seats be builded, where he might be crowned in
presence of his kinsmen.

King Siegmund's knights rode out to meet them. Never heroes were better
welcomed, I trow, than these, into Siegmund's land. Sieglind rode forth,
herself, to greet fair Kriemhild, with beautiful women and bold knights,
a day's journey or they spied the guests. And strangers and friends were
pressed alike for room, till that they came to a great castle that hight
Xanten, where Siegfried and his wife were crowned afterward.

Siegmund and Sieglind kissed Kriemhild, and Siegfried also, many times
with smiling mouth for their sorrow was ended; and Kriemhild's attendants
got a gracious welcome.

They brought the guests into Siegmund's palace, and lifted the fair
damsels from the horses. There were knights enow eager to serve them.

Howso rich had been the hightide by the Rhine, here the knights received
costlier apparel than ever before in their lives. Many marvels might be
told of their splendour. So they sat in honour and had plenty. The
courtiers wore robes of red gold embroidered with precious stones and
silk, that Sieglind, the noble queen, gave them.

Then Siegmund spake in presence of his kinsmen, "Be it known to you all
that Siegfried shall henceforth wear my crown." They of the Netherland
heard the news gladly. So he made over to Siegfried his crown and his
rule and his land, that he became lord and king. And to him that he
acquitted, and to him that he condemned, it was done according to his
judgment. The husband of Kriemhild was a man greatly feared.

Thus, in high honour (and this is sooth that I say) he lived and reigned,
a crowned king, till the tenth year, when a son was born, whereby the
king's liegemen saw their desire accomplished. They hasted and
christened him, and called him Gunther, after his uncle; that was no
shame, for, took he after his kinsmen, he must grow to be a bold man.
They reared him well, as was meet.

And in these days Sieglind died, and many wept because death had taken
her. Then Uta's child held supreme rule, as befitted so rich a queen.

N