"Wherefore should we fight with thee?" said Gernot. "Though every knight
lay dead thereby, small were our glory and little thine adventure."

Whereto Siegfried, King Siegmund's son, answered, "Why do Hagen and
Ortwin hang back, and their friends, whereof they have enow in Burgundy?"

But these must needs hold their peace, as Gernot commanded them.

"Thou art welcome," said Uta's son; "thou and they comrades that are with
thee. We will serve thee gladly, I and my kinsmen."

They let pour for them Gunther's wine, and the host of that land, even
Gunther the king, said, "All that is ours, and whatsoever thou mayest
with honour desire, is thine to share with us, body and goods."

Then Siegfried was milder of his mood.

What he and his men had with them was seen to; they gave Siegfried's
knights good quarters and fair lodging; and they rejoiced to see the
stranger in Burgundy.

They did him honour many days: more than I can tell. This he won, I
trow, by his valour. Few looked on him sourly.

The king and his men busied them with sports, and in each undertaking
Siegfried still approved him the best. Whether they threw the stone or
shot with the shaft, none came near him by reason of his great strength.
Held the doughty warriors tourney before the women, then looked these
all with favour on the knight of the Netherland. But, as for him, he