If ever was royaller welcome, thereof have I heard not yet Than this wherewith were the heroes in the land of Siegmund met. Forth to the meeting with Kriemhild did Siegfried's mother ride With many a lovely lady and valiant knight at her side. A day's march rode they, or ever those guests they might behold. Home-dwellers and far-comers alike were restless-souled Till they met at the last by a fortress with towers encompassed round, Xanten its name, where Siegfried and Kriemhild ere long should be crowned. With smiling lips King Siegmund and Siegelind greeted there With kisses on loving kisses Queen Uta's daughter fair And Siegfried the Knight--for his safety had their hearts been long in pain;-- And they gave withal glad welcome unto all his escort-train. Into the hall of Siegmund the long-desired led they; And unto the winsome handmaids was many a hand straightway Upreached, from the palfreys to lift them: knights many of high degree Waited on those fair ladies with eager courtesy. How splendid soever the bridal had been where Rhine-river flowed, This day far goodlier raiment on the hero-guests they bestowed For the marriage-feast, than ever had arrayed them in all their days. Of the wealth of their kingdom marvels are sung in the minstrels' praise. So sat they high in honour amid all that heart desired. In what gold-broidered vesture were the palace-pages attired! {P. 97} With needlework laid were their garments and the gemstone's starry sheen By the heedful care provided of Siegelind the Queen. Then in his leal friends' presence did Siegmund rise and say: "Be it known unto all my lovers and all my folk this day That from this hour forward Siegfried the crown of my lordship shall wear." And with joy that proclamation did the men of the Netherland hear. Unto Siegfried his crown he committed, his land, and the power of the sword. Henceforth was he lord and master: as he spake in judgment's award, As he visited for transgression, his word was the whole land's law, So that under the lord of Kriemhild all men bowed down in awe. In the midst of such high honour he lived--this witness is true-- Doing crowned kings' judgment and justice, till onward the tenth year drew. And now to the fair Queen Kriemhild was born at the last a son In whom for the kinsmen of Siegfried all hope and desire were won. They bare to the font baptismal the babe, and they chose him a name, The name of his uncle Gunther--thereof could he take no shame. So he grew unto man like his kinsman, a valiant lord should he be. And with watchful love, as behoved them, they nurtured him heedfully. Now it came to pass that in those days did the Lady Siegelind die, And to Uta's noble daughter passed all her majesty, As beseemed so royal a lady in the land where her lord bare sway: Yet sorely for her they lamented whom death had taken away.