One night it chanced that Kriemhild had a strange dream. Her favorite falcon rose from her hand and soared aloft, whereupon two gray eagles swooped down from the mountain top and struck their sharp talons into its breast, so that it fell dead at her feet. Full of trouble, she awoke and related the dream to her mother, who said: “May God have thee in His care! The falcon, meseemeth, is the gallant knight whom one day thou shalt wed.” But shamed, the maiden answered: “Never shall I be wife to any man!” Thereupon her mother reproved her, saying: “Make no rash vows, my daughter! No greater honor can fall to the lot of any maiden than to be true wife to a noble lord.” _Chapter V_ _Siegfried goes to Burgundy_ Now for a whole year Siegfried abode at home with his parents, but such were the tales that reached him of the wondrous beauty and grace of Kriemhild that he determined to go to Burgundy and woo her for his wife. His father warned him that the Burgundians were insolent and haughty, and bade him be on his guard against King Günther and his brethren, and most of all to beware of the fierce Hagen of Tronege (Treves), a near kinsman of the King. Whereupon Siegfried boldly declared he feared no man, neither the princes nor their kinsman, and would gladly meet them in combat, one or all. When Siegmund saw that his son’s resolve was not to be shaken, he wished to send a thousand knights to accompany him, but this Siegfried refused, nor would he have more than twelve stout warriors, and those of his own choice. Now when ’twas told to Sieglind, The Queen so fair and mild, She sore distressed and troubled was For her beloved child; For well she knew King Günther’s court, Likewise his stalwart men; Wherefore she sought by tears to end His wooing there and then. But Siegfried’s words at length prevailed over his mother’s fears, and she too gave her consent, yet with a heavy heart. Soon all was ready, and Siegfried, with his trusty followers, well armed and equipped, bade a loving farewell to all and set forth upon his journey, followed by many tears and prayers. The trappings of their prancing steeds With ruddy gold did shine, As Siegfried and his gallant knights Behind them left the Rhine. So gloriously attired and horsed Was never martial band, As they their stately progress made Into King Günther’s land. On the seventh day they came to Worms, where never before had such mighty heroes been seen. The people in the streets stood and stared to see them pass, and many ran after them; but Siegfried far surpassed them all in beauty and stature no less than in the splendor of his equipment. Before the King’s castle they halted, whereupon serving-men hastened to assist the strangers to dismount, and provide for their steeds. But Siegfried said: