Reins with gold all gleaming / held they in the hand,
The saddle-bands were silken. / So came they to the land.
On every side the people / to gape at them began,
And also out to meet them / the men that served King Gunther ran.
Gallant men high-hearted, / knight and squire too,
Hastened to receive them, / for such respect was due,
And bade the guests be welcome / unto their master's land.
They took from them their chargers, / and shields as well from out the hand.
Then would they eke the chargers / lead forth unto their rest;
But straight the doughty Siegfried / to them these words addressed:
"Yet shall ye let our chargers / stand the while near by;
Soon take we hence our journey; / thereon resolved full well am I.
"If that be known to any, / let him not delay,
Where I your royal master / now shall find, to say,—
Gunther, king so mighty / o'er the land of Burgundy."
Then told him one amongst them / to whom was known where that might be:
"If that the king thou seekest, / right soon may he be found.
Within that wide hall yonder / with his good knights around
But now I saw him sitting. / Thither do thou repair,
And thou may'st find around him / many a stately warrior there."