The hightide lasted fourteen days, during the which time the din of the sports, and of the pastimes they practised, ceased not. Mickle was the cost to the king. The king’s kinsmen gave, in his honour, to the stranger knights, as their lord willed it, apparel, and ruddy gold and horses, and thereto silver enow; and they that received the gifts took their leave well content. Also Siegfried of the Netherland and his thousand knights gave all that they had brought with them—goodly horses with saddles. Certes, they lived right royally. Nevertheless, or they had made an end of giving, they deemed it long; for they were weary for their home. Never were guests better entreated. So ended the hightide, and the warriors went their ways. Eleventh Adventure How Siegfried Brought his Wife Home When the guests were all gone, the son of Siegmund spake to his friends, “We will also go forth to our land.” And his wife was glad when she heard the news. She said to her husband, “When shall we start? Yet be not in too great haste. My brothers shall first divide the land with me.” But the word irked Siegfried. The princes went to him and said, all the three, “Sir Siegfried, we be thy true servants till death. Know this of a surety.” And he thanked the knights that they spake him so fair. “We would also divide with thee,” said Giselher the youth, “land and castles, and the rich kingdom that we rule. A full share thereof shalt thou receive with Kriemhild.” But the son of Siegmund made answer, when he had heard their honourable intent. “Blest be your heritage to you evermore, and also the people thereof. The share you would give to my dear wife she may well forego, for when she will wear the crown, she will be, if she live long enough, the richest woman on earth. Command me in aught else, and I will obey.” But Kriemhild said, “Though thou scorn my land, not so lightly shalt thou treat Burgundian warriors. These any king might be proud to take with him, and them, at the least, shall my brothers’ hand share with me.” Gunther answered, “Take whom thou wilt. Thou wilt find many ready to ride with thee. Of three thousand knights, choose thou one thousand for thy following.” Then Kriemhild sent for Hagen of Trony and for Ortwin, and asked them if they and their kinsmen would ride with her. But Hagen fell in a fury and cried, “To no man in this world shall Gunther give us. Others can ride with thee. Thou knowest the men of Trony and their way. By the king at the court will we bide, to serve him and follow him as heretofore.” So she let the matter rest, and made ready for the journey; for her followers she won two and thirty maidens and five hundred men, among the which was Eckewart the Margrave. And they took their leave, as was meet: knights and squires, damsels and dames. They parted thence with kisses, and set out from Gunther’s land joyfully.