Then they took from the warriors their war-gear, and heedfully laid it by; And they sought for them stately chambers, and lodged them royally: Yea, even Siegfried's henchmen were housed in noble wise. And in Burgundy nought met Siegfried thereafter save welcoming eyes. All rendered to him high worship and honour day by day, Yea, a thousandfold more richly than minstrel's tongue may say. All this was his valour's guerdon--no marvel that so it should be, For the hero was passing winsome, and sweet were his eyes to see. Whensoever the kings and their vassals in knightly pastime strove, Evermore was Siegfried the foremost, howsoever his strength they might prove. There was none that with Siegfried could match him, so passing great was his might, Or in hurling the massy rock-shard, or in speeding the lance's flight. In presence of high-born ladies full oft was their prowess tried, And proved was the strength of the valiant before the lovely-eyed; And the Netherland's knight found favour still with the passing-fair: But his love was set on the highest, his heart was otherwhere. (C) Yea, lovely palace-ladies, as the knights rode flashing by, Would ask of the warrior-stranger of bearing proud and high-- "How stately is his stature, how rich his arraying!" they cried. "'Tis the hero of the Low Land!" full many a voice replied. What deeds they essayed soever, still foremost Siegfried pressed: But ever a lovely vision, a dream-face, haunted his breast; And the eyes of his soul were yearning on an unbeholden face: And she--her heart had received him, her lips low murmured his praise. {P. 19} What time in the lists of the palace the good knights ran the course, And the squires, and shivered the spear-shafts, ever on rider and horse Unseen from the casement gazing was the daughter of kings, Kriemhild: She craved none other pastime, in this was her joy fulfilled. Had he known, had he known that she watched him, whom shrined in his heart he bore, Content in those lists enchanted had he ridden evermore; But ah, had his eyes but beheld her!--I know of a surety this, Nought else upon earth had he longed for, whose soul had won to its bliss. Whensoe'er in the castle-courtyard he chanced mid the knights to stand, As amidst of their gallant pastime they are wont in every land, How winsome then and how graceful he stood, Queen Siegelind's child! Ah, the heart of many a maiden unwares was love-beguiled. But he, he was thinking, thinking, "Shall the day-dawn ever arise In mine heart?--shall the Queen of women be ever beheld of mine eyes, The love of my soul, my darling, my dream of long agone? She is far from me, far; and with anguish of spirit I muse thereon!"