ow at the same time, they tell us, in Gunther's land of Burgundy, the
beautiful Brunhild had borne a son, that, for love of the hero, they
named Siegfried. With all care they trained him. Gunther let him be
reared by his liegemen at the court in all virtues that might serve him
if he grew to be a man. Soon, alack, by an evil fate, he was to lose all
his kin!

The fame of Siegfried's court ceased not to be noised abroad, and with
what worship his knights abode there; great was the fame also of
Gunther's chosen warriors in Burgundy.

The Nibelungs held their land in fee from Siegfried, and none of his
kinsmen were so rich as he. For he was overlord to the knights of
Shilbung, and owned the treasure of the two brothers. Wherefore his
heart was the more uplifted.

The biggest hoard that ever hero won was his; that he had got by means of
his strong hand before a mountain, and for the which he smote many heroes
to death.

He had honour to the full; yet, if he had possessed nothing at all, none
that saw him had denied him to be the prowest champion that ever rode a
horse. With good cause the folk feared him.

Twelfth Adventure

How Gunther Invited Siegfried to the Hightide

Now there passed not a day but Gunther's wife thought, "Surely Kriemhild
beareth her too proudly. Siegfried, her husband, is our vassal. Little
service hath he done for his land."

She pondered it secretly in her heart; for it irked her that they were
strangers, and she had fain known wherefore Siegfried's country yielded
no tribute. She prayed the king that she might behold Kriemhild again,
and told him her secret thought. But her word pleased him not. "How
could we bid them hither?" said the great king. "It cannot be. They
dwell too far off. I durst not do it."

But Brunhild answered proudly, "However mighty a king's vassal may be, he
must do what his lord commandeth."

But Gunther laughed, for he took it not as homage when he saw Siegfried.

She said further, "Dear lord, for my love, help me thereto, that
Siegfried and thy sister visit us, and that we see them here. Truly
nothing could rejoice me more. Thy sister's courtesy, her gentle
breeding--with what delight my heart dwelleth thereon, and how we sat
together the day I became thy wife! That she chose Siegfried to her
husband did her honour."

She begged the king for it so long that he said, "Certes! no guests would
I gladlier welcome, and willingly I grant it thee.