manded an hundred men of his household, his kinsmen and
hers, to escort his sister, their swords in their hand. Uta, with an
hundred and more of her women, gorgeously attired, came forth from the
female apartments, and many noble damsels followed after her daughter.
The knights pressed in upon them, thinking thereby to behold the
beautiful maidens.

And lo! the fair one appeared, like the dawn from out the dark clouds.
And he that had borne her so long in his heart was no more aweary, for
the beloved one, his sweet lady, stood before him in her beauty. Bright
jewels sparkled on her garments, and bright was the rose-red of her hue,
and all they that saw her proclaimed her peerless among maidens.

As the moon excelleth in light the stars shining clear from the clouds,
so stood she, fair before the other women, and the hearts of the warriors
were uplifted. The chamberlains made way for her through them that
pressed in to behold her. And Siegfried joyed, and sorrowed likewise,
for he said in his heart, "How should I woo such as thee? Surely it was
a vain dream; yet I were liefer dead than a stranger to thee."

Thinking thus he waxed oft white and red; yea, graceful and proud stood
the son of Sieglind, goodliest of heroes to behold, as he were drawn on
parchment by the skill of a cunning master. And the knights fell back as
the escort commanded, and made way for the high-hearted women, and gazed
on them with glad eyes. Many a dame of high degree was there.

Said bold Sir Gernot, the Burgundian, then, "Gunther, dear brother, unto
the gentle knight, that hath done thee service, show honour now before
thy lieges. Of this counsel I shall never shame me. Bid Siegfried go
before my sister, that the maiden greet him. Let her, that never greeted
knight, go toward him. For this shall advantage us, and we shall win the
good warrior for ours."

Then Gunther's kinsmen went to the knight of the Netherland, and said to
him, "The king bids thee to the court that his sister may greet thee, for
he would do thee honour."

It rejoiced Siegfried that he was to look upon Uta's fair child, and he
forgot his sorrow.

She greeted him mild and maidenly, and her colour was kindled when she
saw before her the high-minded man, and she said, "Welcome, Sir
Siegfried, noble knight and good." His courage rose at her words, and
graceful, as beseemed a knight, he bowed himself before her and thanked
her. And love that is mighty constraine