saw it, and
praised Siegfried.

"It is easy for him to give," quoth Hagen. "He could not spend it if he
lived for ever, for the hoard of the Nibelungs is in his hand. Would it
came our way!"

All the court, both knights and ladies, were glad at their coming. The
servants of the three kings were not idle, and started to raise the
high-seats. Hunolt and Sindolt had work enow, for they were the sewer
and the butler, and they arranged the chairs; to Ortwin, for that he
helped them, Gunther gave thanks. As for Rumult, the chief cook, I
ween he knew how to order his underlings. Ha! what meats they made
ready against the feast, in their huge cauldrons and pots and pans.

The women too busied them, and saw to their robes, whereon they
embroidered gold and bright shining stones, that, when they wore them,
they might be well esteemed.

Thirteenth Adventure

How They Rode to the Hightide

Leave we all this work now, to tell how Kriemhild and her maidens
journeyed from the Nibelung land to the Rhine.

Never sumpters bare such rich apparel. They sent many travelling chests
on before them, and Siegfried and the queen rode with their friends and
dreamed on joy--that was to end in deep sorrow. As needs was, they left
their son at home. Also for him was the journey woeful: his father and
his mother he saw nevermore. Siegmund, the king, rode with them, that
had, certes, not been there, had he known what was to betide them. Never
sorrow was worse than his for dear ones.

They sent forward messengers betimes, and a proud host of Uta's kin, and
Gunther's knights, came forth to meet them. Gunther busied him to show
his guests worship. He went to Brunhild and said, "How did Kriemhild
welcome thee when thou camest first to this land? I would have thee
welcome her even so."

She answered, "I will do it gladly, for I have cause to love her."

The king spake further, "They come to-morrow early. If thou wilt receive
them, lose no time, lest they surprise us here in the castle, for never
have I welcomed dearer guests."

So she gave orders to her women to seek out goodly robes, the best that
they had, and to wear them; the which, I trow, they did gladly.

Gunther's men also hasted to meet them; all that he had he led forth; and
the queen rode in royal state. Mickle joy was at that greeting. With
high honour they welcomed them, yea, with even more, the folk said, than
Kriemhild had showed Brunhild aforetime; and th