Then spake the doughty Siegfried: / "Our steeds leave yet at rest,
The while from this my purpose / to part will I desist.
Our shields once more take from us. / Though gladly home I would,
Naught 'gainst the fond entreaties / of Giselher avail me could."
So stayed the knight full gallant / for sake of friendship there.
In sooth in ne'er another / country anywhere
Had he so gladly lingered: / iwis it was that he,
Now whensoe'er he wished it, / Kriemhild the maiden fair could see.
'Twas her surpassing beauty / that made the knight to stay.
With many a merry pastime / they whiled the time away;
But love for her oppressed him, / oft-times grievously.
Whereby anon the hero / a mournful death was doomed to die.
[SIXTH] ADVENTURE
How Gunther fared to Isenland to Brunhild