The Fall of the Niebelungs by Unknown
page 57 of 282 (20%)
page 57 of 282 (20%)
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Now a fool might say, "Thou liest. How could so many knights dwell
together? Where find the meat, and where the vesture? It were not possible, if Siegfried had thirty lands." But ye have heard that Siegfried was rich, for the kingdom and the hoard of the Nibelungs were his. Wherefore his knights had enow and to spare, for the hoard grew never less for all that he took from it. They rose up early in the morning (doughty followers had Siegfried won!), and took good horses with them, and sumptuous apparel, and departed proudly for Brunhild's land. Many beautiful maidens gazed from the windows there, and the queen said, "Do any of you know who they be, that I behold yonder, afar off on the waves? Their sails are rich and whiter than the snow." The King of Rhineland answered, "They are my men, that I left some little way behind when I journeyed hither. I summoned them, and now, Queen, they are here." They welcomed the noble guests courteously. Siegfried stood in the prow of the vessel, richly clad, and many warriors beside him. The queen said, "Tell me, O King, shall I greet the guests, or no?" He answered, "Go out now before the castle. So shall they see that they are welcome." And the queen did as he counselled her, and greeted Siegfried before any. And they lodged them, and took their arms in charge. Now so many guests were in the land that they were pressed for room, and |
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