t to
Gunther's land. The men alighted from their steeds before the palace
of the king. Loud was heard the joyous sound of the merry welcome;
then order was given to lodge the warriors in the town. The king bade
minister well unto his guests, attend the wounded and give them good
easement. His courtesie was cleverly seen upon his foes. He spake to
Liudegast: "Now be ye welcome. Much damage have I ta'en because of you;
for this I shall now be repaid, if fortune favor. God reward my kinsmen,
for they have given me joy."

"Well may ye thank them," answered Liudeger; "such noble hostages hath
king never gained afore. For fair treatment we offer great store of
wealth, that ye may act with mercy towards your foes."

"I will let you both go free," spake Gunther, "but I must have surety
that my foes remain here with me, that they do not leave the land
against my will." To that Liudeger pledged his hand.

Men brought them to their lodgings and gave them easement. The wounded
were bedded well, and for the sound were poured out good mead and wine.
Never could the comrades have been more merry. Their battered shields
were borne away for keeping, and enow there was of bloody saddles which
one bade hide away, that the ladies might not weep. Many a good knight
returned aweary from the fray. The king did make his guests great cheer.
His lands were full of strangers and of home-folk. He bade ease the
sorely wounded in kindly wise; their haughty pride was now laid low. Men
offered to the leeches rich rewards, silver without weight and thereto
shining gold, if they would heal the heroes from the stress of war. To
his guests the king likewise gave great gifts. Those that were minded to
set out for home, were asked to stay, as one doth to friends. The king
bethought him how he might requite his men, for they had brought to pass
his wish for fame and honor.

Then spake Lord Gernot: "Let them ride away, but be it made known to
them that in six weeks they must come again for a mighty feast. By then
will many a one be healed who now lieth sorely wounded."

Then Siegfried of Netherland also asked for leave, but when King Gunther
learned his wish, lovingly he bade him stay erstwhile. Were it not for
the king's sister, this were never done. He was too rich to take reward,
though he well deserved it and the king liked him well, as also did the
kinsmen, who had seen what happed in battle through his strength. For
the sake of one fair lady he tho