Then spake Prince Gernot his counsel: "Let our guests depart as now: And in forty days--proclaim it, and to all men publish it thou-- Unto a festal high-tide shall all return once more; For healed by then shall be many that now lie wounded sore." Then made his request Prince Siegfried: "I pray you, let me depart." But when to the Rhine-lord Gernot was known the desire of his heart, He besought him in loving fashion for a season to tarry still:-- Sooth, but for the love of his sister, he had swayed him not to his will! To a prince so royal might no man for his measureless desert Proffer reward; but his guerdon was the love of Gunther's heart, And of all his friends and kinsfolk; for alway in their sight Fair shone the mighty achievements that his hand had wrought in fight. He said to his heart: "I will linger for the sake of Beauty's Queen, If at last I may haply behold her." And so was his heart's dream seen At the last: after long, long waiting he beheld her, his love and his star; Then with heart all love-overflowing he rode to his home afar. Now the King had given commandment for tourneys day by day, And strong young knights rode gladly in the gentle and joyous fray. And he bade make ready the high-seats in the city beside Rhine-strand For the noble guests who were bidden to the feast in Burgundia-land. Now as near drew the day and nearer when the guests from afar should be there, Told was the tale of their coming unto Kriemhild the passing-fair, And of that great festal high-tide with dear-loved friends she heard-- Lo, the heart of each winsome lady to beauty's arraying is stirred; And they seek out wimples to deck them, and the lovely robes unfold. And now to the lady Uta the tidings moreover are told Of the coming of those proud warriors which unto the feast are bidden. Forth drawn is the costly raiment in the cedar caskets hidden; And she bade for her sons' sake fashion bright mantle and vest straightway For the clothing of maid and matron in royal-rich array; Yea, doublet and cloak for vesture of the knights of Burgundy, And withal for many a stranger much goodly bravery. V. How Siegfried first saw Kriemhild {P. 36} Now day by day the watchers saw heroes Rhineward ride, Warriors fain of the joyance of that great festal-tide, Knights that for love of the Rhine-lords into the Rhineland pressed; And ever with gifts were they greeted, swift steed and goodly vest. Fair-dight by this were the high-seats with purple and gleam of gold For the noblest and the bravest, as the ancient tale hath told, For the princes two-and-thirty that thronged to the festival. And in rivalry of beauty fair women arrayed them withal. There Giselher the stripling all-eager might ye see, As he welcomed the homeland-dweller and the stranger courteously; And with him stood Gernot his brother and all their knightly train: With the honour of ancient custom they greeted each noble thane.