Now also beside Rhine-river, as the olden minstrels sing, In that fair land Burgundian unto Gunther the mighty king The Queen, even Brunhild the lovely, had also borne a son. Siegfried, for love of the Hero, they named that little one. Ah, with what care exceeding they watched his childhood-days! Wise warders Gunther appointed to rear him in wisdom's ways, Even all that for noble manhood and knightly should stand him in stead. --Ah me, what woes from his kinsfolk lighted on that child's head! {P. 98} Through the golden years was the story aye published far and wide In what fashion those valiant barons in princely pomp and pride Lived in the land of Siegmund through the happy-fleeting days. Yea, Gunther withal with his kinsfolk dwelt amid all men's praise. All the land of the Niblungs was bowed under Siegfried's sway, --Such wealth had none of his kinsfolk as gathered in that Hoard lay-- With all the knights of Schilbung and the slain kings' treasure-store; And for this cause heart-uplifted was the hero yet the more. Yea, a Hoard, of treasures the hugest that ever hero won, Save the lords that of old possessed it, had Siegfried gained for his own, The which by the Misty Mountain his right hand took in fight, When he dealt for its sake the death-stroke unto many a stalwart knight. He was crowned with the fulness of honour--yea, had his portion been less, Yet of that noble warrior all men must needs confess That of all knights this was the chiefest that ever backed a steed. Men dreaded his might--and reason had they in veriest deed! XII. How Gunther bade Siegfried to a Festival Now through all these years ever Brunhild the Queen to her own heart said: "How comes it that Lady Kriemhild beareth so proudly her head? And yet is her husband Siegfried nought but our vassal, I trow; Yet for long hath he rendered homage or service little enow!" So bare she in secret a burden of brooding and heart's unrest, And that these in a far land tarried was ever a thorn in her breast, Yea also, that none brought tribute to her out of Siegfried's land; How it befell she knew not, and she wearied to understand.