Forthwith, therefore, he sets out on an expedition to Worms, predetermined, after the common fashion of mediæval love-romances, to marry the woman whom he had never seen; for in these matters, rumour, it was thought--that plays so falsely elsewhere--could not err. To make the necessary impression on so mighty a king as Gunther, the Prince of the Netherland is pranked out most gorgeously with all that woman's needle can produce of chivalrous embroidery; and, thus accoutred,-- "On the seventh fair morning, by Worms along the strand, In knightly guise were pricking the death-defying band; The ruddy gold fair glittered on every riding vest; Their steeds they meetly governed, all pacing soft abreast. Their shields were new and massy, and like flame they glowed; As bright, too, shone their helmets; while bold Siegfried rode Straight to the court of Gunther to woo the stately maid. Eye never looked on champions so gorgeously arrayed. Down to their spurs, loud clanging, reached the swords they wore; Sharp and well-tempered lances the chosen champions bore; One, two spans broad or better, did Siegfried sternly shake, With keen and cutting edges grim and ghastly wounds to make. Their golden-coloured bridles firm they held in hand: Silken were their poitrals: so rode they through the land. On all sides the people to gaze on them began; Then many of Gunther's liegemen swift to meet them ran." Then follows the formal reception at the court of Worms, and, as on all great festival occasions in those days, a tournament is held, where the stranger knight, of course, acquits himself like a god rather than a man, to the admiration of all beholders, but specially of the gentle ladies, who, on occasions when propriety did not allow them publicly to appear, enjoy the dear delight of gazing on bearded swordsmen even more exquisitely from behind a window. "At court the lovely ladies were asking evermore, Who was the stately stranger that so rich vesture wore, At once so strong of presence and so strong of hand? When many a one gave answer, 'Tis the King of Netherland.' He ever was the foremost, whate'er the game they played. Still in his inmost bosom he bore one lovely maid, Whom he beheld had never, and yet to all preferred; She too of him, in secret, spoke many a kindly word. When in the court contending, fierce squire and hardy knight, As fits the young and noble, waged the mimic fight, Oft Kriemhild through her windows would look, herself unseen-- Then no other pleasure needed the gentle Queen." But though Kriemhild saw Siegfried through the window, Siegfried remained with Gunther a whole year, "Nor all that weary season a single glimpse could gain Of her who after brought him such pleasure and such pain."