Then that Daughter of Kings commanded that her winsome maidens should go From the casements: she would not suffer that there they stand for a show And a feast for the eyes of strangers. Was none dared disobey; Yet that which they did thereafter is told in the ancient lay. They arrayed them in fairest adorning for the stranger knights to see-- As fair maids have done ever, since time began to be;-- Thereafter through half-drawn curtains they peered, those dainty spies, At the heroes, to feed fair woman's immemorial desire of the eyes. There were four, and none other heroes which came unto that land. Bold Siegfried led a war-steed from the galley's side to the strand. And the lovely ladies peering through the casements saw that thing, And they deemed that exceeding worship was rendered to the King. There in their sight was he holding that gallant steed by the rein, That stately battle-trampler, strong and of noble strain; Yea, he held it till King Gunther firm in the saddle sat. So served him Siegfried--service that thereafter he wholly forgat! Then brought he forth of the galley his own good steed withal. Never ere then had he rendered the service done by a thrall, That he should stand by the stirrup while heroes mounted the selle! And those fair ones from the casements that gazed saw all full well. In the selfsame fashion accoutred were those princely heroes twain; For white as snow were their horses, and their raiment white without stain. As the one was, so was the other; and lovely the shield-rims shone On the arms of the heroes hanging, flashing brightness like to the sun. Gleaming with precious gemstones were saddle and breast-band strait. So rode they in princely fashion before Brunhild's palace-gate; And a chiming of bells all-golden that hung from their trappings was heard As they came into that far country by their princely hearts on-stirred. {P. 55} With spear-head newly-whetted, with goodly-fashioned sword Which hung even down to the spur-tips, on rode each kingly lord. Yea, the glaives of the mighty-hearted were broad of blade and keen. And all was marked of Brunhild, that noble maiden-queen. And with these two princes Dankwart and his brother Hagen came; And these were arrayed, as telleth the tale of olden fame, In raiment of raven blackness, with rich work broidered o'er. New, long and broad and goodly withal were the shields that they bore. From the far land of India came many a precious stone From the which up and down their vesture was a starry splendour thrown. Their galley all unwarded they left, in the surf as it swayed. So they rode to the castle-porchway, those heroes unafraid.