Their shields all hacked in battle / secure were laid away;
And not a few of saddles / stained with blood that day,
Lest women weep to see them, / hid they too from sight.
Full many a keen rider / home came aweary from the fight.
The host in gentlest manner / did his guests attend:
The land around with stranger / was crowded, and with friend.
They bade the sorely wounded / nurse with especial care:
Whereby the knights high-hearted / 'neath all their wounds knew not despair.
Who there had skill in healing / received reward untold,
Silver all unweighéd / and thereto ruddy gold
For making whole the heroes / after the battle sore.
To all his friends the monarch / gave presents rich in goodly store.
Who there again was minded / to take his homeward way
They bade, as one a friend doth, / yet a while to stay.
The king did then take counsel / how to reward each one,
For they his will in battle / like liegemen true had nobly done.
Then outspake royal Gernot: / "Now let them homeward go;
After six weeks are over, / —thus our friends shall know—
To hold high feast they're bidden / hither to come again;
Many a knight now lying / sore wounded will be healed ere then.