Of his best days there were many wonders to tell, how he waxed in
goodliness and honour; his, too, was the love of women.

As was seemly for such an one, his breeding was well seen to, and of his
nature, likewise, he was virtuous. His father's land was famed for his
worth, for in all things he was right noble.

When he was of an age to ride to the court, the people saw him gladly,
and wedded wives and maids were alike fain that he should tarry there.
By order of Siegmund and Sieglind he was richly clad, and without guards
he was suffered not to ride abroad. They that had him in charge were
wise men versed in honour, to the end that he might win thereby liegemen
and lands.

Now was he grown a stark youth, of stature and strength to bear weapons;
he lacked nothing needful thereto, and inclined him already to the wooing
of women. Nor did these find the fair youth amiss.

So Siegmund his father cried a hightide, and word thereof came to the
kingdoms that were round about. To strangers and to friends alike he
gave horses and apparel, and wheresoever they found one of knightly
birth, that youth they bade to the hightide, to be dubbed a knight with
Siegfried.

Many wonders might one tell of that hightide, and rightly Siegmund and
Sieglind won glory from the gifts of their hand, by reason whereof a
multitude rode into the land. To four hundred sworded knights and to
Siegfried was given rich apparel. Full many a fair damsel ceased not
from working with her needle for his sake. Precious stones without stint
they set in gold, and embroidered them with silk on the vest of the proud