And the King bade dight the high-seats for the guests, for the thanes of pride, At the feast of the knighting of Siegfried in the heart of the summer-tide. Then fared they on to the minster, young squires of high degree And noble knights full many; and in proud humility Did the elder serve the younger, by the law that from old time came. On their lips was mirth and laughter, in their eyes the hope of fame. When they chanted the Mass to the honour of God in the highest height, The mighty throngs surged inward to gaze on that gallant sight, When after the ancient custom those squires with spur and brand Were arrayed, and with honour never since seen in any land. Then hasted they where harnessed were the steeds abiding their lords: Then rose in the lists of Siegmund the clash of spears and swords: Then the halls of the palace re-echoed, as in joyous combat they crashed, When the mighty-hearted champions forth to the onset flashed. {P. 6} From old knight and young warrior the clash and the clang rose high: The splintered spear-shafts flying leapt up to the laughing sky, The shards of the lances upsoaring to the roof of the palace-hall. And the earls and the high-born ladies sat throned beholding all. Then the King bade stay the combat, and they led the war-steeds thence, From the field wide-strewn with the strong shields, the brave heart's rifted fence, Strewn with the costly gemstones wherewith was the grass bestarred From the glittering shield-bands fallen in the grapple bitter-hard. Then sat those guests in the feast-hall in their own ordained high-seats; And the war-toil's ache was banished like a dream by the goodly meats And the wines of noble vintage that flowed as a fountain free. There homeland guest and stranger had honour plenteously. In gentle sports and joyous had they worn the long day out; And now the song of the minstrels through the feast-hall went about; And their singing had goodly guerdon of the ever-bounteous hand, And their praise was a crown of glory upon all King Siegmund's land. Then the King bade Siegfried deliver in fee to his vassals true Broad lands and stately castles, as himself had been wont to do. And he gave with hand ungrudging to his fellows of the sword, That their hearts were glad for his presence, for their coming thitherward.