pieces when it seeks refuge on her breast.

A dream was dreamt by Kriemhild the virtuous and the gay,
How a wild young falcon she train'd for many a day,
Till two fierce eagles tore it; to her there could not be
In all the world such sorrow as this perforce to see.[30]

Knowing her mother expert at interpreting dreams, Kriemhild inquires
what this means, only to learn that her future spouse will be attacked
by grim foes. This note of tragedy, heard already in the very
beginning of the poem, is repeated at intervals until it seems like
the reiterated tolling of a funeral bell. _2d Adventure._ The poem
now transfers us to Xanten on the Rhine, where King Siegmund and his
wife hold a tournament for the coming of age of their only son
Siegfried, who distinguishes himself greatly and in whose behalf his
mother lavishes rich gifts upon all present.

The gorgeous feast it lasted till the seventh day was o'er;
Siegelind the wealthy did as they did of yore;
She won for valiant Siegfried the hearts of young and old
When for his sake among them she shower'd the ruddy gold.

_3d Adventure._ Hearing of the beauty of Kriemhild, Siegfried decides
to go and woo her, taking with him only a troop of eleven men. His
arrival at Worms causes a sensation, and Hagen of Tronje--a cousin of
King Gunther--informs his master that this visitor once distinguished
himself by slaying a dragon and that he is owner of the vast
Nibelungen hoard. This treasure once belonged to two brothers, who
implored Siegfried to divide it between them, a task he undertook in
exchange for the sword--Balmung--which lay on top of the heap of gold.