thought only on his high love. The fair women of the court demanded who
the proud stranger was. "He is so goodly," they said, "and so rich his
apparel."

And there answered them folk enow, "It is the king of the Netherland."
Whatsoever sport they followed, he was ready. In his heart he bare the
beautiful maiden that as yet he had not seen: the which spake in secret
kind words also of him. When the youths tilted in the courtyard,
Kriemhild, the high princess, looked down at them from her window; nor,
at that time, desired she better pastime. Neither had he asked better,
had he known that his heart's dear one gazed upon him: the fairest thing
on earth had he deemed it to behold her eyes. When he stood there amidst
of the heroes in the tilt-yard, as the custom is, to rest at the tourney,
so graceful the son of Sieglind bare him, that the hearts of many maidens
yearned toward him. And ofttimes would he think, "How shall I attain to
behold the noble lady that I have loved long and dearly? She is still a
stranger. For this reason I am downcast."

When the rich kings rode abroad, it behoved the knights to go with them,
wherefore Siegfried also rode forth, the which irked the damsel sore; and
likewise, for love of her, he was heavy enow of his cheer.

So in a year (I say sooth) he abode by these princes, nor in all that
time had once seen his dear one, that afterward brought him so much
gladness and dole.


Fourth Adventure
How Siegfried Fought with the Saxons