713.
Before his friends and kinsmen then noble Siegmund spake:
“I charge all Siegfried’s kinsfolk notice hereby to take,
That he, before these warriors, my crown henceforth shall wear.”
This news the Netherlanders were glad in sooth to hear.
714.
To him he gave his kingdom, his crown, and government.
Henceforth he was their master. And his arbitrament
And rendering of justice became abiding law;—
So that fair Kriemhild’s husband was greatly held in awe.
715.
In this estate of honour, he lived, as all declare,
And wore the crown and govern’d,— until, in the tenth year,
His comely wife in safety brought forth her first-born son;
Whereat the royal kinsfolk were gladden’d ev’ryone.
716.
They hasten’d to baptize him, and gave him for a name,
After his uncle, Gunther, which could not bring him shame.
Were he but as his forbears, a brave man he would grow.
They gave him careful training, as bounden so to do.
717.
About the self-same season Dame Sieglind pass’d away.
Then noble Uté’s daughter did over all hold sway,—
As doth beseem such ladies who wealth and lands possess.
That Death the queen had taken they mournéd none the less.
718.
Now yonder too, in Rhineland,— so doth the story run,—
Unto the wealthy Gunther there had been born a son
Of beauteous Brunhilda, in realm of Burgundy;
And, for the love of Siegfried, that hero’s name had he.
