ceased not
from questioning how it had fared with the great king's men.

Kriemhild bade a messenger to her in secret; publicly she durst not, for
to one of them she bare dear heart's love.

When the messenger was come to her chamber, Kriemhild, the beautiful
maiden, spake him fair. "Now tell me glad tidings; thou shalt have gold
therefor; and, sayest thou sooth, I will ever be beholden to thee. How
sped my brother Gernot in the battle, and the rest of my friends? Are
there many dead? Who did most valiantly? Now tell me."

Whereto the messenger answered truthfully, "We had no coward among us.
Yet since thou wilt hear it, noble princess, none rode in the thick of
the fight like the knight of the Netherland. Marvellous was the work of
Siegfried's hand. All that the knights did in battle--Dankwart and
Hagen and the rest--though with honour fought they all, was but as a
wind matched with the prowess of Siegfried, the son of Siegmund. Many
heroes have they slain, yet of the deeds of Siegfried, done in battle,
none shall tell to the end. By reason of him many maidens mourn for
their kin. Low lieth the dear one of many a bride. Loud smote he on the
helmets, that they ran blood. In all things he is a knight bold and
good."

"Ortwin of Metz, also, won worship. Whoso came within range of his sword
lieth wounded or dead. Thy brother, too, made fierce havoc in the
battle. To his prowess must all testify. The proud Burgundians have so
fought that none my question their honour. For many a saddle was emptied
by them when the field rang loud with gleaming swords. On such wise
fought the knights of the Rhine that their foemen had done better to
flee. The brave men of Trony rode fiercely in the strife. Hagen with
his hand slew many, whereof Burgundy shall hear. So valiantly fought
Sindolt and Hunolt, Gernot's men, and eke Rumolt, that Ludger may well
rue that he ever met thy kinsmen by the Rhine. But the mightiest deeds,
first and last, were done by Siegfried. He bringeth rich captives into
Gunther's land, that his strength hath conquered, by reason whereof King
Ludgast and his brother, Ludger of Saxony, suffer dole. For list to the
marvel, noble queen: both these princes hath Siegfried's hand taken.
Never have so many captives been led into this land, as come hither now
through his prowess."

The maiden was glad at the tale.

"Of unwounded men they bring five hundred or more, and eighty red biers
(I say soo