(C) Or ever this valiant champion to man was fully grown, By deeds of such marvellous prowess had the might of his hands been shown That the minstrel's voice and the harpstrings rang ever with his praise: Not a tithe thereof is remembered in these the latter days. But the noontide of his glory, but the spring of his goodlihead-- How marvelled the world at his story, what things were of Siegfried said, How bloomed as a bower his honour, how goodly he was to behold, How dreamed of his love fair women, how their eyes the heart's dream told! As beseems that a hero be fostered was he nurtured with diligent heed; But his own heart still was a wellspring of faith and of knightly deed, That by him was the land of his father as with gold of a diadem crowned, For in all the deeds of kingfolk all-kingly was he found. And by this so great was he waxen that to halls of kings must he fare: Glad-faced did the earls look on him, and dame and damsel there Sore longed to behold him wending thitherward evermore, And their eyes unto his shone welcome, and he knew the love they bore. Ever that child of princes rode girt by a henchman-ring, And in lovely-woven raiment of his mother's fashioning; And the wise and the lessoned in honour must teach him their lore, as one For whom there waited a kingdom and a nation's heart to be won. So waxed he to strength of manhood, till sword and shield he swayed, And in goodliest harness of battle were his mighty limbs arrayed. Then his thoughts after fair dream-faces of maids flew questing wide-- And O for the bliss and the honour of her that should be his bride! {P. 5} Then sent King Siegmund the bidding-word to his vassals all, And to all friends loyal-hearted, for a high-tide festival; And the tale thereof into kingdoms of other lords they bare With gifts for the friend and the stranger, even steeds and raiment fair. Wheresoever a strong young warrior high-born longed sore for the day That should bring to him knighthood's golden spurs, all such bade they To come to the land of Siegmund, to Siegfried's festal tide, To be girt with the sword of knighthood, standing by Siegfried's side. Long shall men sing of the wonder of that crown of festal days, How Siegmund and Siegelind won them the treasure-giver's praise For the gifts of cost uncounted that they gave with stintless hand, How the rumour thereof drew strangers from afar into Siegmund's land. Came thither squires four hundred in knighthood's vesture to be Arrayed with the young prince Siegfried; and maidens comely to see Sat fashioning goodly raiment, and their love with the threads was enwound, As they laid the priceless gemstones thereon with the gold set round, As their broidery-work on the robe-hems gleamed fair in coil on coil For the strong young knights high-hearted--they were worthy the love-sped toil.