heart in secret warns me—/ through Siegfried's doughty hand.
God give that he may never / again be seen within my land."
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On all sides then 'twas ordered / 'fore Kriemhild and her train
Of women make free passage. / Full many a valiant thane
With her unto the minster / in courtly way went on.
But from her side was parted / the full stately knight anon.
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Then went she to the minster, / and with her many a maid.
In such rich apparel / Kriemhild was arrayed,
That hearty wishes many / there were made in vain:
Her comely form delighted / the eye of many a noble thane.
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Scarce could tarry Siegfried / till mass was sung the while.
And surely did Dame Fortune / upon him kindly smile,
To him she was so gracious / whom in his heart he bore.
Eke did he the maiden, / as she full well deserved, adore.
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As after mass then Kriemhild / came to the minster door,
The knight his homage offered, / as he had done before.
Then began to thank him / the full beauteous maid,
That he her royal brothers / did 'gainst their foes so nobly aid.
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"God speed thee, Sir Siegfried," / spake the maiden fair,
"For thou hast well deservéd / that all these warriors are,
As it hath now been told me, / right grateful unto thee."
Then gan he cast his glances / on the Lady Kriemhild lovingly.
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"True will I ever serve them," /—so spake the noble thane—
"And my head shall never / be laid to rest again,
Till I, if life remaineth, / have their good favor won.
In sooth, my Lady Kriemhild, / for thy fair grace it all is done."
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Ne'er a day passed over / for a twelve of happy days,
But saw they there beside him / the maiden all did praise,
As she before her kinsmen / to court would daily go:
It pleased the thane full highly / that they did him such honor show.
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Delight and great rejoicing, / a mighty jubilee,
Before King Gunther's castle / daily might ye see,
Without and eke within it, / 'mongst keen men many a one.
By Ortwein and by Hagen / great deeds and wondrous there were done.
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Whate'er was done by any, / in all they ready were
To join in way right lusty, / both the warriors rare:
Whereby 'mongst all the strangers / they won an honored name,
And through their deeds so wondrous / of Gunther's land spread far the fame.
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Who erstwhile lay sore wounded / now were whole again,
And fain would share the pastime, / with all the king's good men;
With shields join in the combat, / and try the shaft so long.
Wherein did join them many / of the merry-making throng.
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To all who joined the feasting / the host in plenty bade
Supply the choicest viands: / so guarded well he had
'Gainst whate'er reproaches / could rise from spite or spleen.
Unto his guests right friendly / to go the monarch now was seen.
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He spake: "Ye thanes high-hearted, / ere now ye part from me,
Accept of these my presents; / for I would willingly
Repay your noble service. / Despise ye not, I pray,
What now I will share with you: / 'tis offered in right grateful way."
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Straightway they of Denmark / thus to the king replied:
"Ere now upon our journey / home again we ride,
We long for lasting friendship. / Thereof we knights have need,
For many a well-loved kinsman / at hands of thy good thanes lies dead."
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Luedegast was recovered / from all his wounds so sore,
And eke the lord of Saxons / from fight was whole once more.
Some amongst their warriors / left they dead behind.
Then went forth King Gunther / where he Siegfried might find.
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Unto the thane then spake he: / "Thy counsel give, I pray.
The foes whom we hold captive / fain would leave straightway,
And long for lasting friendship / with all my men and me.
Now tell me, good Sir Siegfried, / what here seemeth good to thee.
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"What the lords bid as ransom, / shall now to thee be told
Whate'er five hundred horses / might bear of ruddy gold,
They'd give to me right gladly, / would I but let them free."
Then spake the noble Siegfried: / "That were to do right foolishly.
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"Thou shalt let them freely / journey hence again;
And that they both hereafter / shall evermore refrain
From leading hostile army / against thee and thy land,
Therefor in pledge of friendship / let each now give to thee the hand."
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"Thy rede I'll gladly follow." / Straightway forth they went.
To those who offered ransom / the answer then was sent,
Their gold no one desired / which they would give before.
The warriors battle-weary / dear friends did yearn to see once more.
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Full many a shield all laden / with treasure forth they bore:
He dealt it round unmeasured / to friends in goodly store;
Each one had marks five hundred / and some had more, I ween.
Therein King Gunther followed / the rede of Gernot, knight full keen.
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Then was a great leave-taking, / as they departed thence.
The warriors all 'fore Kriemhild / appeared in reverence,
And eke there where her mother / Queen Ute sat near by.
Gallant thanes were never / dismissed as these so graciously.
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Bare were the lodging-places, / when away the strangers rode.
Yet in right lordly manner / there at home abode
The king with friends around him, / full noble men who were.
And them now saw they daily / at court before Kriemhild appear.
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