Glad noise of jubilation and the merry tourney's clang, Still as the days on-fleeted, round Gunther's palace rang, Within, without, as in feast-hall and in lists the valiant vied; And by marvels of prowess were Ortwein and Hagen magnified. In what manly sport soever men strove, these twain evermore, These champions keen in the onset, their part to the uttermost bore. In the eyes of the guests of the kingdom bright made they their renown: Of the whole land of King Gunther the glory were they and the crown. They which had long lain wounded now to the sun forth came: They were fain with Gunther's liegemen to share each knightly game, Would wield the fence of the buckler and hurl the lance afar: No lack had they of companions in the merry mimic war. And ever in the feast-hall that kingly host took heed That his guests should be served of the choicest, that no least word should proceed Of blame from the lips of any, such as smircheth the name of a king; And aye mid his guests was he passing with gracious welcoming. {P. 42} And he spake in the midst: "Ye good knights, or ever ye ride from my land, Accept ye the gifts of my giving, for so doth mine heart's wish stand, And to you will I aye be beholden: then think not scorn thereof, For with that which I share among you is given mine heart's whole love." Then answered the lords of Daneland there as they stood in hall: "Or ever aback to the homeland we ride delivered from thrall, Assure to us peace abiding: thereof is our need full sore, Seeing many our friends down-stricken by your friends shall rise no more." Now by this from his hurts recovered was Lüdegast the Dane, And the Lord of the land of the Saxons was whole from the battle again, Albeit some of their warriors must they leave in a strange land dead. Then went King Gunther to Siegfried, and drew him apart, and he said: "Now give me herein thy counsel"--thus spake he unto the knight-- "Our captive guests would ride hence with the first of the morrow's light, And petition for reconciling long-lasting with mine and me. O valiant knight, give counsel how best it seemeth to thee. Now what these two kings proffer, unto thee shall it now be told: Five hundred horses' burden they tender of red gold. This willingly give they for ransom, so I will set them free." Spake Siegfried the strong: "For thine honour this thing shall nowise be. Nay, freely, without all ransom, let them fare forth hence, these twain, If so be that these noble war-lords will swear henceforth to refrain From riding the raid of the foeman hitherward unto your land: And for pledge hereunto be given a king's unsullied hand." "I will do even after thy counsel," he said. So parted they: And unto their adversaries was answer made straightway That the gold was desired of no man that was proffered of them at the first. Ah, sick were their hearts with longing for dear ones, and home-athirst!