Siegfried had them given great store. They must needs stay there
full nine days, till at last the doughty knights made plaint,
that they durst not ride again to their land.

Meantime king Siegfried had sent to fetch his friends; he asked
them what they counseled, whether or no they should to the Rhine.
"My kinsman Gunther and his kin have sent to fetch me for a
feasting. Now I would go full gladly, but that his land doth lie
too far away. They beg Kriemhild, too, that she journey with me.
Now advise, dear friends, in what manner she shall ride thither.
Though I must harry for them through thirty lands, yet would
Siegfried's arm fain serve them there."

Then spake his warriors: "And ye be minded to journey to the
feasting, we will advise what ye must do. Ye should ride to the
Rhine with a thousand knights, then can ye stand with worship
there in Burgundy land."

Up spake then Lord Siegmund of Netherland: "Will ye to the
feasting, why make ye it not known to me? If ye scorn it not, I
will ride thither with you and will take a hundred knights,
wherewith to swell your band."

"And will ye ride with us, dear father mine," quoth brave
Siegfried, "glad shall I be of that. Within a twelfth night I
will quit my lands."

All who craved it were given steeds and vesture, too.

Since now the noble king was minded for the journey, men bade the