[605]

Seats for all the people / at many a spacious board
There were, as saith the story, / where victuals rich were stored.
How little there was lacking / of all that makes a feast!
And by the monarch saw ye / sitting many a stately guest.

[606]

The royal host's attendants / in basins golden red
Carried water forward. / And should it e'er be said
By any that a better / service did receive
Ever guests of monarch, / I never could such thing believe.

[607]

Before the lord of Rhineland / with water was waited on,
Unto him Sir Siegfried, / as fitting was, had gone;
He called to mind a promise / that made by him had been
Ere that the Lady Brunhild / afar in Isenland he'd seen.

[608]

He spake: "Thou shalt bethink thee / what once did plight thy hand,
If that the Lady Brunhild / should come unto this land,
Thou'dst give to me thy sister. / Where now what thou hast sworn?
In this thy wooing journey / not small the labor I have borne."

[609]

Then to his guest the monarch: / "Well hast thou minded me,
And by this hand shall never / false word plighted be.
To gain thy wish I'd help thee / in the way as best I know."
Bidden then was Kriemhild / forth unto the king to go.