d wine, and never were
men merrier. They are the battered shields away into safe keeping; and
the bloody saddles, of which there were enow, they hid, that the women
might not grieve thereat. Many a weary knight was there.

The king entreated his guests right royally, and the land was full of
friends and of strangers. He bade see to the sore wounded ones whose
pride was brought low. To them that were skilled in leech craft they
offered a rich fee of unweighed sliver and yellow gold, that they might
heal the heroes of their wounds gotten in battle; the king sent also
precious gifts to his guests. They that thought to ride home were bidden
stay as friends. And the king took counsel how he might reward his
liegemen that had done valiantly for his sake.

Sir Gernot said, "Let them go hence for the present, and summon them
after six weeks to a hightide. Many will then be whole that now lie
sick of their wounds."

Siegfried of the Netherland would have taken leave also, but when King
Gunther knew his intent, he besought him lovingly to tarry, the which
Siegfried had not done but for Gunther's sister's sake. He was too rich
to take money, albeit he well deserved it; the king loved him, and also
the king's kinsmen that had seen the deeds wrought by his hand in
battle. So, for love of the maiden, he agreed to tarry, that haply he
might win to see her, the which, or long, came to pass; for he knew her
to his heart's desire, and rode home joyfully afterward to his father's
land.

The young knights obeyed the king's command willingly, and practised
daily at the tourney. Seats were raised on the stand before Worms for
the guests that were coming into Burgundy.

When it was time for them to arrive, fair Kriemhild heard the news, that
they were about to hold a hightide with their friends. Then the
beautiful women busied them with their kirtles and their headgear that
they were to wear.

Uta, the great queen, heard of the proud knights that were coming, and
gorgeous robes were taken from their wrapping-cloths. For love of her
children she bade them bring forth the garments. Many women and maidens
were adorned therewith, and, of the young knights of Burgundy, not a
few. To many of the strangers, also, she gave goodly apparel.

Fifth Adventure

How Siegfried First Saw Kriemhild

A vast multitude of them that would attend the hightide drew daily to the
Rhine; and unto those that came for love of the king horses