How Siegfried fought with the Saxons
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Now come wondrous tidings / to King Gunther's land,By messengers brought hither / from far upon commandOf knights unknown who harbored / against him secret hate.When there was heard the story, / at heart in sooth the grief was great.
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Of these I now will tell you: / There was King LuedegerFrom out the land of Saxons, / a mighty warrior,And eke from land of Denmark / Luedegast the king:Whene'er they rode to battle / went they with mighty following.
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Come were now their messengers / to the land of Burgundy,Sent forth by these foemen / in proud hostility.Then asked they of the strangers / what tidings they did bring:And when they heard it, straightway / led them to court before the king.
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Then spake to them King Gunther: / "A welcome, on my word.Who 'tis that send you hither, / that have I not yet heard:Now shall ye let me know it," / spake the monarch keen.Then dreaded they full sorely / to see King Gunther's angry mien.
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"Wilt them, O king, permit us / the tidings straight to tellThat we now have brought thee, / no whit will we conceal,But name thee both our masters / who us have hither sent:Luedegast and Luedeger, / —to waste thy land is their intent.
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"Their hate hast thou incurréd, / and thou shalt know in soothThat high enraged against thee / are the monarchs both.Their hosts they will lead hither / to Worms upon the Rhine;They're helped by thanes full many— / of this put off all doubts of thine.
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"Within weeks a dozen / their march will they begin;And if thy friends be valiant, / let that full quick be seen,To help thee keep in safety / thy castles and thy land:Full many a shield and helmet / shall here be cleft by warrior's hand.
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"Or wilt thou with them parley, / so let it quick be known,Before their hosts so mighty / of warlike men come downTo Worms upon Rhine river / sad havoc here to make,Whereby must death most certain / many a gallant knight o'ertake."
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"Bide ye now the meanwhile," / the king did answer kind,"Till I take better counsel; / then shall ye know my mind.Have I yet warriors faithful, / from these I'll naught conceal,But to my friends I'll straightway / these warlike tidings strange reveal."
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The lordly Gunther wondered / thereat and troubled sore,As he the message pondered / in heart and brooded o'er.He sent to fetch grim Hagen / and others of his men,And bade likewise in hurry / to court bring hither Gernot then.
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Thus at his word his trusted / advisers straight attend.He spake: "Our land to harry / foes all unknown will sendOf men a mighty army; / a grievous wrong is this.Small cause have we e'er given / that they should wish us aught amiss."
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"Our swords ward such things from us," / Gernot then said;"Since but the fated dieth, / so let all such lie dead.Wherefore I'll e'er remember / what honor asks of me:Whoe'er hath hate against us / shall ever here right welcome be."
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Then spake the doughty Hagen: / "Methinks 'twould scarce be good;Luedegast and Luedeger / are men of wrathful mood.Help can we never summon, / the days are now so few."So spake the keen old warrior, / "'Twere well Siegfried the tidings knew."
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The messengers in the borough / were harbored well the while,And though their sight was hateful, / in hospitable styleAs his own guests to tend them / King Gunther gave command,Till 'mongst his friends he learnéd / who by him in his need would stand.
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The king was filled with sorrow / and his heart was sad.Then saw his mournful visage / a knight to help full glad,Who could not well imagine / what 'twas that grieved him so.Then begged he of King Gunther / the tale of this his grief to know.
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"To me it is great wonder," / said Siegfried to the king,"How thou of late hast changéd / to silent sorrowingThe joyous ways that ever / with us thy wont have been."Then unto him gave answer / Gunther the full stately thane:
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"'Tis not to every person / I can the burden sayThat ever now in secret / upon my heart doth weigh:To well-tried friends and steady / are told our inmost woes."—Siegfried at first was pallid, / but soon his blood like fire up-rose.
156
He spake unto the monarch: / "To thee I've naught denied.All ills that now do threaten / I'll help to turn aside.And if but friends thou seekest, / of them the first I'll be,And trow I well with honor / till death to serve thee faithfully."
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"God speed thee well, Sir Siegfried, / for this thy purpose fair:And though such help in earnest / thy arm should render ne'er,Yet do I joy at hearing / thou art so true to me.And live I yet a season, / right heartily repaid 'twill be.
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"Know will I also let thee / wherefore I sorrowing stand.Through messengers from my foemen / have tidings reached my landThat they with hosts of warriors / will ride my country o'er;Such thing to us did never / thanes of any land before."
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"Small cause is that for grieving," / said then Siegfried;"But calm thy troubled spirit / and hearken to my rede:Let me for thee acquire / honor and vantage too,And bid thou now assemble / for service eke thy warriors true.
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"And had thy mighty enemies / to help them now at handGood thanes full thirty thousand, / against them all I'd stand,Had I but one good thousand: / put all thy trust in me."Then answered him King Gunther: / "Thy help shall full requited be."
161
"Then bid for me to summon / a thousand of thy men,Since I now have with me / of all my knightly trainNone but twelve knights only; / then will I guard thy land.For thee shall service faithful / be done alway by Siegfried's hand.
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"Herein shall help us Hagen / and eke Ortwein,Dankwart and Sindold, / those trusted knights of thine;And with us too shall journey / Volker, the valiant man;The banner he shall carry: / bestow it better ne'er I can.
163
"Back to their native country / the messengers may go;They'll see us there right quickly, / let them full surely know,So that all our castles / peace undisturbed shall have."Then bade the king to summon / his friends with all their warriors brave.
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To court returned the heralds / King Luedeger had sent,And on their journey homeward / full joyfully they went.King Gunther gave them presents / that costly were and good,And granted them safe convoy; / whereat they were of merry mood.
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"Tell ye my foes," spake Gunther, / "when to your land ye come,Than making journeys hither / they better were at home;But if they still be eager / to make such visit here,Unless my friends forsake me, / cold in sooth shall be their cheer."
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Then for the messengers / rich presents forth they bore,Whereof in sooth to give them / Gunther had goodly store:And they durst not refuse them / whom Luedeger had sent.Leave then they took immediate, / and homeward joyfully they went.
167
When to their native Denmark / the messengers returned,And the king Luedegast / the answer too had learned,They at the Rhine had sent him, / —when that to him was told,His wrath was all unbounded / to have reply in words so bold.
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'Twas said their warriors numbered / many a man full keen:"There likewise among them / with Gunther have we seenOf Netherland a hero, / the same that Siegfried hight."King Luedegast was grievéd, / when he their words had heard aright.
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When throughout all Denmark / the tidings quick spread o'er,Then in hot haste they summoned / helpers all the more,So that King Luedegast, / 'twixt friends from far and near,Had knights full twenty thousand / all furnished well with shield and spear.
170
Then too his men did summon / of Saxony Luedeger,Till they good forty thousand, / and more, had gathered there,With whom to make the journey / 'gainst the land of Burgundy.—At home likewise the meanwhile / King Gunther had sent forth decree
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Mighty men to summon / of his own and brothers twain,Who against the foemen / would join the armed train.In haste they made them ready, / for right good cause they had.Amongst them must thereafter / full many a noble thane lie dead.
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To march they quick made ready. / And when they thence would fare,The banner to the valiant / Volker was given to bear,As they began the journey / from Worms across the Rhine;Strong of arm grim Hagen / was chosen leader of the line.
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With them there rode Sindold / and eke the keen HunoldWho oft at hands of Gunther / had won rewards of gold;Dankwart, Hagen's brother, / and Ortwein beside,Who all could well with honor / in train of noble warriors ride.
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"King Gunther," spake then Siegfried, / "stay thou here at home;Since now thy knights so gallant / with me will gladly come,Rest thou here with fair ladies, / and be of merry mood:I trow we'll keep in safety / thy land and honor as we should.
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"And well will I see to it / that they at home remain,Who fain would ride against thee / to Worms upon the Rhine.Against them straight we'll journey / into their land so farThat they'll be meeker minded / who now such haughty vaunters are."
176
Then from the Rhine through Hesse / the hosts of knights rode onToward the land of Saxons, / where battle was anon.With fire and sword they harried / and laid the country waste,So that both the monarchs / full well the woes of war did taste.
177
When came they to the border / the train-men onward pressed.With thought of battle-order / Siegfried the thanes addressed:"Who now shall guard our followers / from danger in the rear?"In sooth like this the Saxons / in battle worsted never were.
178
Then said they: "On the journey / the men shall guarded beBy the valiant Dankwart, / —a warrior swift is he;So shall we lose the fewer / by men of Luedeger.Let him and Ortwein with him / be chosen now to guard the rear."
179
Spake then the valiant Siegfried: / "Myself will now ride on,And against our enemies / will keep watch in the van,Till I aright discover / where they perchance may be."The son of fair Queen Siegelind / did arm him then immediately.
180
The folk he left to Hagen / when ready to depart,And as well to Gernot, / a man of dauntless heart.Into the land of Saxons / alone he rode away,And by his hand was severed / many a helmet's band that day.
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He found a mighty army / that lay athwart the plain,Small part of which outnumbered / all those in his own train:Full forty thousand were they / or more good men of might.The hero high in spirit / saw right joyfully the sight.
182
Then had eke a warrior / from out the enemyTo guard the van gone forward, / all arméd cap-a-pie.Him saw the noble Siegfried, / and he the valiant man;Each one straight the other / to view with angry mien began.
183
Who he was I'll tell you / that rode his men before,—A shield of gold all shining / upon his arm he bore—In sooth it was King Luedegast / who there the van did guard.Straightway the noble Siegfried / full eagerly against him spurred.
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Now singled out for combat / him, too, had Luedegast.Then full upon each other / they spurred their chargers fast,As on their shields they lowered / their lances firm and tight,Whereat the lordly monarch / soon found himself in sorry plight.
185
After the shock their chargers / bore the knights so fastOnward past each other / as flew they on the blast.Then turned they deftly backward / obedient to the rein,As with their swords contested / the grim and doughty fighters twain.
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When Siegfried struck in anger / far off was heard the blow,And flew from off the helmet, / as if 'twere all aglow,The fiery sparks all crackling / beneath his hand around.Each warrior in the other / a foeman worth his mettle found.
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Full many a stroke with vigor / dealt eke King Luedegast,And on each other's buckler / the blows fell thick and fast.Then thirty men discovered / their master's sorry plight:But ere they came to help him / had doughty Siegfried won the fight.
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With three mighty gashes / which he had dealt the kingThrough his shining breastplate / made fast with many a ring.The sword with sharpest edges / from wounds brought forth the blood,Whereat King Luedegast / apace fell into gloomy mood.
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To spare his life he begged him, / his land he pledged the knight,And told him straight moreover, / that Luedegast he hight.Then came his knights to help him, / they who there had seenHow that upon the vanguard / fierce fight betwixt the twain had been.
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After duel ended, / did thirty yet withstandOf knights that him attended; / but there the hero's handKept safe his noble captive / with blows of wondrous might.And soon wrought greater ruin / Siegfried the full gallant knight.
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Beneath his arm of valor / the thirty soon lay dead.But one the knight left living, / who thence full quickly spedTo tell abroad the story / how he the others slew;In sooth the blood-red helmet / spake all the hapless tidings true.
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Then had the men of Denmark / for all their grief good cause,When it was told them truly / their king a captive was.They told it to King Luedeger, / when he to rage beganIn anger all unbounded: / for him had grievous harm been done.
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The noble King Luedegast / was led a prisoner thenBy hand of mighty Siegfried / back to King Gunther's men,And placed in hands of Hagen: / and when they did hearThat 'twas the king of Denmark / they not a little joyful were.
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He bade the men of Burgundy / then bind the banners on."Now forward!" Siegfried shouted, / "here shall yet more be done,An I but live to see it; / ere this day's sun depart,Shall mourn in land of Saxons / full many a goodly matron's heart.
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"Ye warriors from Rhineland, / to follow me take heed,And I unto the army / of Luedeger will lead.Ere we again turn backward / to the land of BurgundyHelms many hewn asunder / by hand of good knights there shall be."
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To horse then hastened Gernot / and with him mighty men.Volker keen in battle / took up the banner then;He was a doughty Fiddler / and rode the host before.There, too, every follower / a stately suit of armor wore.
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More than a thousand warriors / they there had not a man,Saving twelve knights-errant. / To rise the dust beganIn clouds along the highway / as they rode across the fields,And gleaming in the sunlight / were seen the brightly shining shields.
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Meanwhile eke was nearing / of Saxons a great throng,Each a broadsword bearing / that mickle was and long,With blade that cut full sorely / when swung in strong right hand.'Gainst strangers were they ready / to guard their castles and their land.
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The leaders forth to battle / led the warriors then.Come was also Siegfried / with his twelve chosen men,Whom he with him hither / had brought from Netherland.That day in storm of battle / was blood-bespattered many a hand.
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Sindold and Hunold / and Gernot as well,Beneath their hands in battle / full many a hero fell,Ere that their deeds of valor / were known throughout the host.Through them must many a stately / matron weep for warrior lost.
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Volker and Hagen / and Ortwein in the fightLustily extinguished / full many a helmet's lightWith blood from wounds down flowing,— / keen fighters every one.And there by Dankwart also / was many a mickle wonder done.
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The knights of Denmark tested / how they could weapons wield.Clashing there together / heard ye many a shieldAnd 'neath sharp swords resounding, / swung by many an arm.The Saxons keen in combat / wrought 'mid their foes a grievous harm.
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When the men of Burgundy / pressed forward to the fight,Gaping wounds full many / hewed they there with might.Then flowing down o'er saddle / in streams was seen the blood,So fought for sake of honor / these valiant riders keen and good.
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Loudly were heard ringing, / wielded by hero's hand,The sharply-cutting weapons, / where they of NetherlandTheir master followed after / into the thickest throng:Wherever Siegfried led them / rode too those valiant knights along.
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Of warriors from Rhine river / could follow not a one.There could be seen by any / a stream of blood flow downO'er brightly gleaming helmet / 'neath Siegfried's mighty hand,Until King Luedeger / before him with his men did stand.
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Three times hither and thither / had he the host cut throughFrom one end to the other. / Now come was Hagen tooWho helped him well in battle / to vent his warlike mood.That day beneath his valor / must die full many a rider good.
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When the doughty Luedeger / Siegfried there found,As he swung high in anger / his arm for blows aroundAnd with his good sword Balmung / knights so many slew,Thereat was the keen warrior / filled with grief and anger too.
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Then mickle was the thronging / and loud the broadswords clashed,As all their valiant followers / 'gainst one another dashed.Then struggled all the fiercer / both sides the fight to win;The hosts joined with each other: / 'twas frightful there to hear the din.
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To the monarch of the Saxons / it had been told before,His brother was a captive, / which grieved his heart right sore.He knew not that had done it / fair Siegelind's son,For rumor said 'twas Gernot. / Full well he learned the truth anon.
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King Luedeger struck so mighty / when fierce his anger rose,That Siegfried's steed beneath him / staggered from the blows,But forthwith did recover; / then straight his rider keenLet all his furious mettle / in slaughter of his foes be seen.
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There helped him well grim Hagen, / and Gernot in the fray,Dankwart and Volker; / dead many a knight there lay.Sindold and Hunold / and Ortwein, doughty thane,By them in that fierce struggle / was many a valiant warrior slain.
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Unparted in storm of battle / the gallant leaders were,Around them over helmet / flew there many a spearThrough shield all brightly shining, / from hand of mighty thane:And on the glancing armor / was seen full many a blood-red stain.
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Amid the hurly-burly / down fell many a manTo ground from off his charger. / Straight 'gainst each other ranSiegfried the keen rider / and eke King Luedeger.Then flew from lance the splinters / and hurled was many a pointed spear.
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'Neath Siegfried's hand so mighty / from shield flew off the band.And soon to win the victory / thought he of NetherlandOver the valiant Saxons, / of whom were wonders seen.Heigh-ho! in shining mail-rings / many a breach made Dankwart keen!
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Upon the shining buckler / that guarded Siegfried's breastSoon espied King Luedeger / a painted crown for crest;By this same token knew he / it was the doughty man,And to his friends he straightway / amid the battle loud began:
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"Give o'er from fighting further, / good warriors every one!Amongst our foes now see I / Siegmund's noble son,Of netherland the doughty / knight on victory bent.Him has the evil Devil / to scourge the Saxons hither sent."
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Then bade he all the banners / amid the storm let down.Peace he quickly sued for: / 'Twas granted him anon,But he must now a hostage / be ta'en to Gunther's land.This fate had forced upon him / the fear of Siegfried's mighty hand.
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They thus by common counsel / left off all further fight.Hacked full many a helmet / and shields that late were brightFrom hands down laid they weary; / as many as there might be,With stains they all were bloody / 'neath hands of the men of Burgundy.
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Each whom he would took captive, / now they had won the fight.Gernot, the noble hero, / and Hagen, doughty knight,Bade bear forth the wounded. / Back led they with them thenUnto the land of Burgundy / five hundred stalwart fighting-men.
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The knights, of victory cheated, / their native Denmark sought,Nor had that day the Saxons / with such high valor fought,That one could praise them for it, / which caused the warriors pain.Then wept their friends full sorely / at home for those in battle slain.
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For the Rhine then laden / they let their armor be.Siegfried, the knight so doughty, / had won the victoryWith his few chosen followers; / that he had nobly done,Could not but free acknowledge / King Gunther's warriors every one.
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To Worms sent Gernot riding / now a messenger,And of the joyous tiding / soon friends at home were ware,How that it well had prospered / with him and all his men.Fought that day with valor / for honor had those warriors keen.223The messenger sped forward / and told the tidings o'er.Then joyfully they shouted / who boded ill before,To hear the welcome story / that now to them was told.From ladies fair and noble / came eager questions manifold,
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Who all the fair fortune / of King Gunther's men would know.One messenger they ordered / unto Kriemhild to go.But that was done in secret: / she durst let no one see,For he was 'mongst those warriors / whom she did love so faithfully.
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When to her own apartments / was come the messengerJoyfully addressed him / Kriemhild the maiden fair:"But tell me now glad tidings, / and gold I'll give to thee,And if thou tell'st not falsely, / good friend thou'lt ever find in me.
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"How has my good brother / Gernot in battle sped,And how my other kinsmen? / Lies any of them dead?Who wrought most deeds of valor? / —That shall thou let me know."Then spake the messenger truly: / "No knight but did high valor show.
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"But in the dire turmoil / rode rider none so well,O Princess fair and noble, / since I must truly tell,As the stranger knight full noble / who comes from Netherland;There deeds of mickle wonder / were wrought by doughty Siegfried's hand.
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"Whate'er have all the warriors / in battle dared to do,Dankwart and Hagen / and the other knights so true,Howe'er they fought for honor, / 'twas naught but idle playBeside what there wrought Siegfried, / King Siegmund's son, amid the fray.
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"Beneath their hands in battle / full many a hero fell,Yet all the deeds of wonder / no man could ever tell,Wrought by the hand of Siegfried, / when rode he 'gainst the foe:And weep aloud must women / for friends by his strong arm laid low.
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"There, too, the knight she loved / full many a maid must lose.Were heard come down on helmet / so loud his mighty blows,That they from gaping gashes / brought forth the flowing blood.In all that maketh noble / he is a valiant knight and good.
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"Many a deed of daring / of Metz Sir Ortwein wrought:For all was evil faring / whom he with broadsword caught,Doomed to die that instant, / or wounded sore to fall.And there thy valiant brother / did greater havoc work than all
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"That e'er in storm of battle / was done by warrior bold.Of all those chosen warriors / let eke the truth be told:The proud Burgundian heroes / have made it now right plain,That they can free from insult / their country's honor well maintain.
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"Beneath their hands was often / full many a saddle bare,When o'er the field resounding / their bright swords cut the air.The warriors from Rhine river / did here such victory winThat for their foes 'twere better / if they such meeting ne'er had seen.
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"Keen the knights of Tronje / 'fore all their valor showed,When with their stalwart followers / against their foes they rode;Slain by the hand of Hagen / must knights so many be,'Twill long be in the telling / here in the land of Burgundy.
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"Sindold and Hunold, / Gernot's men each one,And the valiant Rumold / have all so nobly done,King Luedeger will ever / have right good cause to rueThat he against thy kindred / at Rhine dared aught of harm to do.
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"And deeds of all most wondrous / e'er done by warrior keenIn earliest time or latest, / by mortal ever seen,Wrought there in lusty manner / Siegfried with doughty hand.Rich hostages he bringeth / with him unto Gunther's land.
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"By his own strength subdued them / the hero unsurpassedAnd brought down dire ruin / upon King Luedegast,Eke on the King of Saxons / his brother Luedeger.Now hearken to the story / I tell thee, noble Princess fair.
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"Them both hath taken captive / Siegfried's doughty hand.Hostages were so many / ne'er brought into this landAs to the Rhine come hither / through his great bravery."Than these could never tidings / unto her heart more welcome be.
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"With captives home they're hieing, / five hundred men or mo',And of the wounded dying / Lady shalt thou know,Full eighty blood-stained barrows / unto Burgundian land,Most part hewn down in battle / beneath keen Siegfried's doughty hand.
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"Who message sent defiant / unto the Rhine so lateMust now as Gunther's prisoners / here abide their fate.Bringing such noble captives / the victors glad return."Then glowed with joy the princess / when she the tidings glad did learn.
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Her cheeks so full of beauty / with joy were rosy-red,That passed he had uninjured / through all the dangers dread,The knight she loved so dearly, / Siegfried with doughty arm.Good cause she had for joying / o'er all her friends escaped from harm.
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Then spake the beauteous maiden: / "Glad news thou hast told me,Wherefor now rich apparel / thy goodly meed shall be,And to thee shall be given / ten marks of gold as well."'Tis thus a thing right pleasant / to ladies high such news to tell.
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The presents rich they gave him, / gold and apparel rare.Then hastened to the casement / full many a maiden fair,And on the street looked downward: / hither riding did they seeMany a knight high-hearted / into the land of Burgundy.
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There came who 'scaped uninjured, / and wounded borne along,All glad to hear the greetings / of friends, a joyful throng.To meet his friends the monarch / rode out in mickle glee:In joying now was ended / all his full great anxiety.
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Then did he well his warriors / and eke the strangers greet;And for a king so mighty / 'twere nothing else but meetThat he should thank right kindly / the gallant men each one,Who had in storm of battle / the victory so bravely won.
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Then of his friends King Gunther / bade tidings tell straightway,Of all his men how many / were fallen in the fray.Lost had he none other / than warriors three score:Then wept they for the heroes, / as since they did for many more.
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Shields full many brought they / all hewn by valiant hand,And many a shattered helmet / into King Gunther's hand.The riders then dismounted / from their steeds before the hall,And a right hearty welcome / from friends rejoicing had they all.
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Then did they for the warriors / lodging meet prepare,And for his guests the monarch / bade full well have care.He bade them take the wounded / and tend them carefully,And toward his enemies also / his gentle bearing might ye see.
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To Luedeger then spake he: / "Right welcome art thou here.Through fault of thine now have I / lost many friends full dear,For which, have I good fortune, / thou shall right well atone.God rich reward my liegemen, / such faithfulness to me they've shown."
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"Well may'st thou thank them, truly," / spake then Luedeger;"Hostages so noble / won a monarch ne'er.For chivalrous protection / rich goods we offer thee,That thou now right gracious / to us thy enemies shalt be."
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"I'll grant you both your freedom," / spake the king again;"But that my enemies surely / here by me remain,Therefor I'll have good pledges / they ne'er shall quit my land,Save at my royal pleasure." / Thereto gave Luedeger the hand.
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Sweet rest then found the weary / their tired limbs to aid,And gently soon on couches / the wounded knights were laid;Mead and wine right ruddy / they poured out plenteously:Than they and all their followers / merrier men there none might be.
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Their shields all hacked in battle / secure were laid away;And not a few of saddles / stained with blood that day,Lest women weep to see them, / hid they too from sight.Full many a keen rider / home came aweary from the fight.
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The host in gentlest manner / did his guests attend:The land around with stranger / was crowded, and with friend.They bade the sorely wounded / nurse with especial care:Whereby the knights high-hearted / 'neath all their wounds knew not despair.
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Who there had skill in healing / received reward untold,Silver all unweighéd / and thereto ruddy goldFor making whole the heroes / after the battle sore.To all his friends the monarch / gave presents rich in goodly store.
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Who there again was minded / to take his homeward wayThey bade, as one a friend doth, / yet a while to stay.The king did then take counsel / how to reward each one,For they his will in battle / like liegemen true had nobly done.
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Then outspake royal Gernot: / "Now let them homeward go;After six weeks are over, / —thus our friends shall know—To hold high feast they're bidden / hither to come again;Many a knight now lying / sore wounded will be healed ere then.
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Of Netherland the hero / would also then take leave.When of this King Gunther / did tidings first receive,The knight besought he kindly / not yet his leave to take:To this he'd ne'er consented / an it were not for Kriemhild's sake.
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A prince he was too noble / to take the common pay;He had right well deserved it / that the king alwayAnd all his warriors held him / in honor, for they had seenWhat by his arm in battle / bravely had accomplished been.
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He stayed there yet a little / for the maiden's sake alone,Whom he would see so gladly. / And all fell out full soonAs he at heart had wished it: / well known to him was she.Home to his father's country / joyously anon rode he.
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The king bade at all seasons / keep up the tournament,And many a youthful rider / forth to the lists there went.The while were seats made ready / by Worms upon the strandFor all who soon were coming / unto the Burgundian land.
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In the meantime also, / ere back the knights returned,Had Kriemhild, noble lady, / the tidings likewise learned,The king would hold high feasting / with all his gallant men.There was a mickle hurry, / and busy were fair maidens then
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With dresses and with wimples / that they there should wear.Ute, queen so stately, / the story too did hear,How to them were coming / proud knights of highest worth.Then from enfolding covers / were store of dresses rich brought forth.
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Such love she bore her children / she bade rich dress prepare,Wherewith adorned were ladies / and many a maiden fair,And not a few young riders / in the land of Burgundy.For strangers many bade she / rich garments eke should measured be.
How Siegfried first saw Kriemhild
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Unto the Rhine now daily / the knights were seen to ride,Who there would be full gladly / to share the festive tide.To all that thither journeyed / to the king to show them true,In plenty them were given / steeds and rich apparel too.
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And soon were seats made ready / for every noble guest,As we have heard the story, / for highest and for best,Two and thirty princes / at the festival.Then vied with one another / to deck themselves the ladies all.
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Never was seen idle / the young Prince Giselher:The guests and all their followers / received full kindly wereBy him and eke by Gernot / and their men every one.The noble thanes they greeted / as ever 'tis in honor done.
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With gold bright gleaming saddles / unto the land they brought,Good store of rich apparel / and shields all richly wroughtUnto the Rhine they carried / to that high festival.And joyous days were coming / for the woúnded warriors all.
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They who yet on couches / lay wounded grievouslyFor joy had soon forgotten / how bitter death would be:The sick and all the ailing / no need of pity had.Anent the days of feasting / were they o'er the tidings glad,
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How they should make them merry / there where all were so.Delight beyond all measure, / of joys an overflow,Had in sooth the people / seen on every hand:Then rose a mickle joyance / over all King Gunther's land.
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Full many a warrior valiant / one morn at WhitsuntideAll gorgeously apparelled / was thither seen to ride,Five thousand men or over, / where the feast should be;And vied in every quarter / knight with knight in revelry.
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Thereof the host was mindful, / for he well did understandHow at heart right warmly / the hero of NetherlandLoved alone his sister, / though her he ne'er had seen,Who praised for wondrous beauty / before all maidens else had been.
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Then spake the thane so noble / of Metz Sir Ortwein:"Wilt thou full be honored / by every guest of thine,Then do them all the pleasure / the winsome maids to see,That are held so high in honor / here in the land of Burgundy.
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"What were a man's chief pleasure, / his very joy of life,An 't were not a lovely maiden / or a stately wife?Then let the maid thy sister / before thy guests appear."—Brave thanes did there full many / at heart rejoice the rede to hear.
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"Thy words I'll gladly follow," / then the monarch said,And all the knights who heard him / ere thereat right glad.Then told was Queen Ute / and eke her daughter fair,That they with maids in waiting / unto the court should soon repair.
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Then in well-stored wardrobes / rich attire they sought,And forth from folding covers / their glittering dresses brought,Armbands and silken girdles / of which they many had.And zealous to adorn her / was then full many a winsome maid.
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Full many a youthful squire / upon that day did try,By decking of his person, / to win fair lady's eye;For the which great good fortune / he'd take no monarch's crown:They longed to see those maidens, / whom they before had never known.
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For her especial service / the king did order thenTo wait upon his sister / a hundred of his men,As well upon his mother: / they carried sword in hand.That was the court attendance / there in the Burgundian land.
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Ute, queen so stately, / then came forth with her:And with the queen in waiting / ladies fair there were,A hundred or over, / in festal robes arrayed.Eke went there with Kriemhild / full many a fair and winsome maid.
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Forth from their own apartments / they all were seen to go:There was a mickle pressing / of good knights to and fro,Who hoped to win the pleasure, / if such a thing might be,The noble maiden Kriemhild, / delight of every eye, to see.
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Now came she fair and lovely, / as the ruddy sun of mornFrom misty clouds emerging. / Straight he who long had borneHer in his heart and loved her, / from all his gloom was freed,As so stately there before him / he saw the fair and lovely maid.
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Her rich apparel glittered / with many a precious stone,And with a ruddy beauty / her cheeks like roses shone.Though you should wish to do so, / you could not say, I ween,That e'er a fairer lady / in all the world before was seen.
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As in a sky all starlit / the moon shines out so bright,And through the cloudlets peering / pours down her gentle light,E'en so was Kriemhild's beauty / among her ladies fair:The hearts of gallant heroes / were gladder when they saw her there.
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The richly clad attendants / moved stately on before,And the valiant thanes high-hearted / stood patiently no more,But pressed right eager forward / to see the lovely maid:In noble Siegfried's bosom / alternate joy and anguish swayed.
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He thought with heart despairing, / "How could it ever be,That I should win thy favor? / There hoped I foolishly.But had I e'er to shun thee, / then were I rather dead."And oft, to think upon it, / the color from his visage fled.
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The noble son of Siegmund / did there so stately standAs if his form were pictured / by good old master's handUpon a piece of parchment. / All who saw, confessedThat he of all good heroes / was the stateliest and the best.
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The fair Kriemhild's attendants / gave order to make wayOn all sides for the ladies, / and willing thanes obey.To see their noble bearing / did every warrior cheer;Full many a stately lady / of gentle manner born was there.
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Then outspake of Burgundy / Gernot the valiant knight:"To him who thus has helped thee / so bravely in the fight,Gunther, royal brother, / shalt thou like favor show,A thane before all others; / he's worthy of it well, I trow.
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"Let then the doughty Siegfried / unto my sister goTo have the maiden's greetings, / —'twill be our profit so.She that ne'er greeted hero / shall greet him courteously,That thus the stately warrior / for aye our faithful friend may be."
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The king's knights hastened gladly / upon his high commandAnd told these joyous tidings / to the prince of Netherland."It is the king's good pleasure / that thou to court shalt go,To have his sister's greetings; / to honor thee 'tis ordered so."
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Then was the thane full valiant / thereat soon filled with joy.Yea, bore he in his bosom / delight without alloyAt thought that he should straightway / Ute's fair daughter see.Siegfried anon she greeted / in courteous manner lovingly.
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As she saw the knight high-hearted / there before her stand,Blushed red and spake the maiden, / the fairest of the land:"A welcome, brave Sir Siegfried, / thou noble knight and good."As soon as he had heard it, / the hearty greeting cheered his mood.
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Before her low he bended; / him by the hand took she,And by her onward wended / the knight full willingly.They cast upon each other / fond glances many a one,The knight and eke the maiden; / furtively it all was done.
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Whether he pressed friendly / that hand as white as snowFrom the love he bore her, / that I do not know;Yet believe I cannot / that this was left undone,For straightway showed the maiden / that he her heart had fully won.
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In the sunny summer season / and in the month of MayHad his heart seen never / before so glad a day,Nor one so fully joyous, / as when he walked besideThat maiden rich in beauty / whom fain he'd choose to be his bride.
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Then thought many a warrior: / "Were it likewise granted meTo walk beside the maiden, / just as now I see,Or to lie beside her, / how gladly were that done!"But ne'er a knight more fully / had gracious lady's favor won.
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From all the lands far distant / were guests distinguished there,But fixed each eye was only / upon this single pair.By royal leave did Kriemhild / kiss then the stately knight:In all the world he never / before had known so rare delight.
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Then full of strange forebodings, / of Denmark spake the king:"This full loving greeting / to many woe will bring,—My heart in secret warns me— / through Siegfried's doughty hand.God give that he may never / again be seen within my land."
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On all sides then 'twas ordered / 'fore Kriemhild and her trainOf women make free passage. / Full many a valiant thaneWith her unto the minster / in courtly way went on.But from her side was parted / the full stately knight anon.
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Then went she to the minster, / and with her many a maid.In such rich apparel / Kriemhild was arrayed,That hearty wishes many / there were made in vain:Her comely form delighted / the eye of many a noble thane.
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Scarce could tarry Siegfried / till mass was sung the while.And surely did Dame Fortune / upon him kindly smile,To him she was so gracious / whom in his heart he bore.Eke did he the maiden, / as she full well deserved, adore.
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As after mass then Kriemhild / came to the minster door,The knight his homage offered, / as he had done before.Then began to thank him / the full beauteous maid,That he her royal brothers / did 'gainst their foes so nobly aid.
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"God speed thee, Sir Siegfried," / spake the maiden fair,"For thou hast well deservéd / that all these warriors are,As it hath now been told me, / right grateful unto thee."Then gan he cast his glances / on the Lady Kriemhild lovingly.
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"True will I ever serve them," / —so spake the noble thane—"And my head shall never / be laid to rest again,Till I, if life remaineth, / have their good favor won.In sooth, my Lady Kriemhild, / for thy fair grace it all is done."
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Ne'er a day passed over / for a twelve of happy days,But saw they there beside him / the maiden all did praise,As she before her kinsmen / to court would daily go:It pleased the thane full highly / that they did him such honor show.
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Delight and great rejoicing, / a mighty jubilee,Before King Gunther's castle / daily might ye see,Without and eke within it, / 'mongst keen men many a one.By Ortwein and by Hagen / great deeds and wondrous there were done.
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Whate'er was done by any, / in all they ready wereTo join in way right lusty, / both the warriors rare:Whereby 'mongst all the strangers / they won an honored name,And through their deeds so wondrous / of Gunther's land spread far the fame.
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Who erstwhile lay sore wounded / now were whole again,And fain would share the pastime, / with all the king's good men;With shields join in the combat, / and try the shaft so long.Wherein did join them many / of the merry-making throng.
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To all who joined the feasting / the host in plenty badeSupply the choicest viands: / so guarded well he had'Gainst whate'er reproaches / could rise from spite or spleen.Unto his guests right friendly / to go the monarch now was seen.
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He spake: "Ye thanes high-hearted, / ere now ye part from me,Accept of these my presents; / for I would willinglyRepay your noble service. / Despise ye not, I pray,What now I will share with you: / 'tis offered in right grateful way."
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Straightway they of Denmark / thus to the king replied:"Ere now upon our journey / home again we ride,We long for lasting friendship. / Thereof we knights have need,For many a well-loved kinsman / at hands of thy good thanes lies dead."
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Luedegast was recovered / from all his wounds so sore,And eke the lord of Saxons / from fight was whole once more.Some amongst their warriors / left they dead behind.Then went forth King Gunther / where he Siegfried might find.
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Unto the thane then spake he: / "Thy counsel give, I pray.The foes whom we hold captive / fain would leave straightway,And long for lasting friendship / with all my men and me.Now tell me, good Sir Siegfried, / what here seemeth good to thee.
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"What the lords bid as ransom, / shall now to thee be toldWhate'er five hundred horses / might bear of ruddy gold,They'd give to me right gladly, / would I but let them free."Then spake the noble Siegfried: / "That were to do right foolishly.
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"Thou shalt let them freely / journey hence again;And that they both hereafter / shall evermore refrainFrom leading hostile army / against thee and thy land,Therefor in pledge of friendship / let each now give to thee the hand."
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"Thy rede I'll gladly follow." / Straightway forth they went.To those who offered ransom / the answer then was sent,Their gold no one desired / which they would give before.The warriors battle-weary / dear friends did yearn to see once more.
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Full many a shield all laden / with treasure forth they bore:He dealt it round unmeasured / to friends in goodly store;Each one had marks five hundred / and some had more, I ween.Therein King Gunther followed / the rede of Gernot, knight full keen.
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Then was a great leave-taking, / as they departed thence.The warriors all 'fore Kriemhild / appeared in reverence,And eke there where her mother / Queen Ute sat near by.Gallant thanes were never / dismissed as these so graciously.
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Bare were the lodging-places, / when away the strangers rode.Yet in right lordly manner / there at home abodeThe king with friends around him, / full noble men who were.And them now saw they daily / at court before Kriemhild appear.
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Eke would the gallant hero / Siegfried thence depart,The thing to gain despairing / whereon was set his heart.The king was told the tidings / how that he would away.Giselher his brother / did win the knight with them to stay.
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"Whither, O noble Siegfried, / wilt thou now from us ride?Do as I earnest pray thee, / and with these thanes abide,As guest here with King Gunther, / and live right merrily.Here dwell fair ladies many: / them will he gladly let thee see."
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Then spake the doughty Siegfried: / "Our steeds leave yet at rest,The while from this my purpose / to part will I desist.Our shields once more take from us. / Though gladly home I would,Naught 'gainst the fond entreaties / of Giselher avail me could."
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So stayed the knight full gallant / for sake of friendship there.In sooth in ne'er another / country anywhereHad he so gladly lingered: / iwis it was that he,Now whensoe'er he wished it, / Kriemhild the maiden fair could see.
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'Twas her surpassing beauty / that made the knight to stay.With many a merry pastime / they whiled the time away;But love for her oppressed him, / oft-times grievously.Whereby anon the hero / a mournful death was doomed to die.