r, a worthy warrior: each did his part as a good knight.

The splendour of this court and its might, the high valour and chivalry
of its lords, were a tale without end.

Now it so fell that Kriemhild, the pure maid, dreamed a dream that she
fondled a wild falcon, and eagles wrested it from her; the which to see
grieved her more than any ill that had happened to her heretofore.

This dream she told to Uta, her mother, who interpreted it on this wise.
"The falcon that thou sawest is a noble man; yet if God keep him not, he
is a lost man to thee."

"What speakest thou to me of a man, mother mine? Without their love
would I still abide, that I may remain fair till my death, nor suffer
dole from any man's love."

Said her mother then, "Be not so sure; for wouldst thou ever on this
earth have heart's gladness, it cometh from the love of a man. And a
fair wife wilt thou be, if God but lead hither to thee a true and trust
knight."

"Say not so, mother mine," answered the maiden, "for on many a woman, and
oft hath it been proven, that the meed of love is sorrow. From both I
will keep me, that evil betide not."

Long in such wise abode the high, pure maiden, nor thought to love any.
Nevertheless, at the last, she wedded a brave man; that was the falcon
she dreamed of erstwhile, as her mother foretold it. Yea, bitter was her
vengeance on her kinsmen that slew him, and by reason of his death died
many a mother's son.

Second Adventure

Concerning Siegfried

There grew up in the Netherland a rich king's child, whose father hight
Siegmund and his mother Sieglind, in a castle high and famous called
Xanten, down by the Rhine's side. Goodly was this knight, by my troth,
his body without blemish, a strong and valiant man of great worship;
abroad, through the whole earth, went his fame. The hero hight
Siegfried, and he rode boldly into many lands. Ha! in Burgundy, I trow,
he found warriors to his liking. Or he was a man grown he had done
marvels with his hand, as is said and sung, albeit now there is no time
for more word thereof.

Of his best days there were many wonders to tell, how he waxed in
goodliness and honour; his, too, was the love of women.

As was seemly for such an one, his breeding was well seen to, and of his
nature, likewise, he was virtuous. His father's land was famed for his
worth, for in all things he was right noble.

When he was of an age to ride to the court, the people saw him gladly,