Anonymous

“ Full many bore him favour, as well the knight was ware!
25.
To ride forth unattended the boy was ne’er allowed.
In costly raiment decked him Siegmund and Sieglind proud;
And the wise elders taught him (as well they understood) ,
How best to win the people, and rule the land for good.
26.
And being now so stalwart that he could weapons bear,
Having what he requiréd, enough and e’en to spare,
He turned his thoughts to women, and dreamt of a fair bride:
The fairest might stand proudly at the bold Siegfried’s side. ”

“ At Siegmund’s court began then a tournament so great
That one heard hall and palace with crash of arms resound,
As the high-mettled thanes met upon the tilting-ground.
35.
From old knights and from young ones went thrust and parry there,
Till crash of breaking lances re-echoed through the air;—
One saw the splinters flying up to the palace wall
From many a gallant knight’s hand: so eager were they all!
36.
The host he bade them end it; they led the steeds away;
Full many a sturdy buckler to sight all broken lay ”

“ A very noble maiden grew up in Burgundy;
Than hers no greater beauty in any land might be:
The maid was called Kriemhilda— a woman passing fair—
For whose sake many a warrior his life must needs forbear. ”

“ He had a careful rearing, as did his birth befit,
His virtues were his own, though, and nowise due to it!
Unto his father’s country he was an ornament,
For men in all things found him to be right excellent. ”