to welcome his troops, and to thank
the young hero who had so gallantly saved the realm of Burgundy from
invasion.

Of all those who had gone forth to battle but sixty men were left
behind, stricken by the foe.

The royal prisoners Ludegast and Ludeger the King treated with honour.
He indeed promised to set them free if their liegemen, who had been
taken prisoners, would stay as hostages in his land. And this the
prisoners were well pleased to do, that their Kings might return
without ransom to their own lands.

Siegfried the hero now began to think that it was fitting that he
should go back to his old father Siegmund, and his dear mother
Sieglinde.

But King Gunther, to whom he told his wish, entreated him to stay yet
a little longer in the royal city.

'For now,' said the King, 'will we hold a merry festival and kings and
princes will we summon to our court. Stay, then, Sir Siegfried, that
thou mayest show thy skill in the great tournament.'

Yet it was neither the wishes of the King nor the thought of the
tournament which made Siegfried willing to linger on still in the fair
Burgundian town. It was the image of a gentle maiden, whom yet he had
never seen, which kept him from speeding home to his own country.

Perchance if he waited he would see her soon, the wonder-maiden, whose
image even on the battlefield was safe hidden in his heart.

CHAPTER VIII

SIEGFRIED SEES KRIEMHILD

Queen Ute, the mother of Kriemhild, heard that a great festival was to
be held, and she made up her mind that she and her daughter should
grace it with their presence.

Then was there great glee among the hand-maidens of the Queen, and
they scarce slept at night for thinking of bright ribands and gay
raiment.

But to Kriemhild more joyous than any hope of costly garments was the
hope that at the great festival she would see, nay even speak with,
her knight, Sir Siegfried.

Folded away in large chests Queen Ute had a store of rich raiment.
Robes of white embroidered in gold, and sparkling with gems, she now
brought forth, robes of purple and blue and many another colour she
laid before the eyes of her bewildered maidens. These the Queen
herself had worked through the glad days of summer, and through the
dark winter evenings.

The festival was to be held at Whitsuntide, and as the time drew near,
noble guests were seen daily riding into Worms. Kings came from afar,
thirty-two princes also had journeyed thither, and wh