w of the tie existing
between Siegfried and Bruennhilde. But, "How shall we find him?"
very pertinently asks Gunther. While storming light-heartedly about
the world in search of adventures, it can hardly be, Hagen judges,
but that he shall come too to Gibich's shore on the Rhine. Even
while he is speaking, Siegfried's horn is heard in the distance.
Hagen from the riverside describes the figure he sees approaching:
"In a boat, a hero and a horse: he it is, so merrily blowing the
horn. By an easy stroke, as if with an idle hand, he drives the
craft against the stream." (We hear that easy stroke of the idle
hand,--the power and gaiety of Siegfried are in it; it has a family
resemblance to the horn-call.) "So vigourous a hand at the swinging
of the scull he alone can boast who slew the dragon. It is Siegfried,
surely no other!" Hagen makes a speaking-tube of his hands: "Hoiho!
Whither, blithesome hero?" "To the strong son of Gibich!" comes
answer from the river. "Here! Here come ashore! Hail, Siegfried,
beloved hero!" The hero lands. As he stands at the entrance, holding
Grane by the bridle, with the unconstraint of ancient manners they
all quietly before speaking take one another's measure with their
eyes. Siegfried's fame has preceded him. He is known as the slayer
of the dragon, the possessor of the Hort, and commander of the
Nibelungen. "Which is the son of Gibich?" he inquires. Gunther
presents himself. "I heard you lauded far down the Rhine," Siegfried
says; and, with the fresh directness again of ancient manners:
"Either fight with me, or be my friend!" As we see him for the
first time among common mortals, we perceive the effect of high
elegance which pertains to Siegfried's calm, his careless perfect
strength and simplicity. Gutrune who has not removed her marvelling
gaze from him since his entrance, withdraws--to prepare the drink.
As Hagen takes his horse to stable, Siegfried charges him, while
a dear memory sings in his heart: "Take good care of Grane for
me. Never did you hold by the bridle a horse of nobler breed!"

Magnificent is Gunther in expressions of welcome to the great guest:
"Joyfully hail, O hero, the Hall of my fathers! The ground you
tread, all you see, regard as your own. Yours is my inheritance,
yours are my land and my people. To these add my body. I offer
myself as your vassal." Siegfried replies: "I offer neither land
nor people; no father's mansion nor court. My sole inheritance is
my own b