and wedded wives and maids were alike fain that he should tarry there.
By order of Siegmund and Sieglind he was richly clad, and without guards
he was suffered not to ride abroad. They that had him in charge were
wise men versed in honour, to the end that he might win thereby liegemen
and lands.

Now was he grown a stark youth, of stature and strength to bear weapons;
he lacked nothing needful thereto, and inclined him already to the wooing
of women. Nor did these find the fair youth amiss.

So Siegmund his father cried a hightide, and word thereof came to the
kingdoms that were round about. To strangers and to friends alike he
gave horses and apparel, and wheresoever they found one of knightly
birth, that youth they bade to the hightide, to be dubbed a knight with
Siegfried.

Many wonders might one tell of that hightide, and rightly Siegmund and
Sieglind won glory from the gifts of their hand, by reason whereof a
multitude rode into the land. To four hundred sworded knights and to
Siegfried was given rich apparel. Full many a fair damsel ceased not
from working with her needle for his sake. Precious stones without stint
they set in gold, and embroidered them with silk on the vest of the proud
youth. He was little loth thereto. And the king bade them set places
for many a hero the mid-summer that Siegfried became a knight.

The rich squires and great knights drew to the minster. Meet is it that
the old help the young, even as they in their day were holpen.

The time sped in merriment and sports. First, God to honour, they sang
mass. Then the people pressed in hard to behold the youths dubbed
knights with such pomp and high observance as we see not the like of
nowadays.

Then they ran where they found saddled horses. And the noise of tourney
was so great at Siegmund's court that palace and hall echoed therewith,
for there was a mighty din of heroes. From old and young came the noise
of hurtling and of broken shafts whizzing in the air; and from warring
hands flew splintered lances as far as the castle; men and women looked
on at the sport. Then the king bade stay the tilting. And they led off
the horses. Many shields lay broken, and, strewed on the grass, were
jewels from shining bucklers, fallen in the fray.

The guests went in and sat down as they were bidden, and over the choice
meats and good wine, drunk to the full, they parted from their
weariness. Friends and strangers were entreated with e