But long since had the hero Siegfried from the Bower of Slain Hate hied To the welcoming arms of the lovely, to the lips of a waiting bride. Lightly he put by questions that trembled on her tongue; And he kept those victory-trophies hidden from sight full long, Until to his Queen in his kingdom he gave, afar and late, The Gifts of Doom--how little availeth to strive with fate!
That King on the morrow's dawning far blither was of cheer Than yestermorn: through the marches of his kingdom far and near High swelled the tides of joyance in stately homes and fair; And the guests to the palace bidden rendered him homage there. Through days twice seven lasted the joy of the bridal-feast, So that in all that season never the music ceased Of all manner of mirth and pastime that the wit of man may devise: And all was at Gunther's charges at his marriage-solemnities. The noble Gunther's kinsmen, according to his behest, Gave gifts of gold in his honour, and many a rich-wrought vest. Silver withal and horses on the wandering bard they bestowed: All lovers of royal bounty from Worms glad-hearted rode.
Yea, also Siegfried the Hero, the Prince of the Nether Land, Caused all the goodly raiment that was brought by his Niblung band, His thousand, to Rhine, to be given to whosoever might crave, Fair horses withal, and saddles: like kings his vassals gave. Ere the giving of costly presents to an end had wholly come, Long seemed the time to the sated guests that yearned for home. Ne'er with such royal bounty were desires of guests fulfilled. So ended the marriage high-tide, and all was as Gunther willed.
XI. How Siegfried and his Wife journeyed Home
Now so soon as the guests of Gunther had wended all away, Then spake the Son of Siegmund unto them of his vassal-array: "Time is it we made us ready to our fatherland to ride." Right glad to hear that saying was the heart of Kriemhild the bride. Then spake she unto her husband: "How soon is thy mind to depart? So hastily hence to be faring is nowise after mine heart, Ere my brethren divide me my portion of the land of Burgundy." But vexed was the soul of Siegfried that such her desire should be. Then came unto him the Princes, and with one voice spake all three: "We do thee to wit, Lord Siegfried, that for aye are we bound unto thee In loyalty of service, so long as life shall remain." Unto this their gracious tender low bowed that royal thane. "We will give thee withal thy portion," the young lord Giselher cried, "Of all that we hold in possession, of our castles and manors wide, And of all this mighty kingdom the rule whereof we claim. Yea, thou receivest with Kriemhild thine own full share of the same." Made answer then to the Princes the son of Siegmund the King, When he heard the speech of their kindness and their royal offering: "God seal unto you by His blessing your heritage all your life, And therewithal its people: but this my beloved wife, No need hath she of the portion that ye so freely would give. Where she shall reign a crowned queen--if to see that day we live-- There shall she be far richer than any the wide world through. For all that beside ye have proffered I am ever beholden to you." Then answered the Lady Kriemhild: "Though lightly thou reck of my land, As touching the thanes Burgundian not so doth the matter stand: For the escort-royal homeward these may no king disdain. Let my loving brethren give me of these for my princely train."