And the steeds’ breast-bands were silken: so rode they through the land;
And with parted lips of wonder around them all folk pressed.
Then Gunther’s palace-marshals sped forth to meet the guest.
They ran, the earls high-hearted; they hasted, henchman and knight,
Toward these of the lordly presence, even as was meet and right;
And they gave those guests fair greeting unto their liege-lord’s land;
And they grasped the good steed’s bridle, and would take the shield from the hand.
And they made as to lead the horses to the crib and the stall for their rest:
Then stayed them the voice of Siegfried, that dauntless warrior-guest:
“Let be the steeds; for a season still harnessed shall they stand,