719.
With what great care unceasing that child was watch’d and taught!
For him the noble Gunther caused teachers to be sought,
To rear him in all virtues befitting man’s estate.
Alas! how in his kinsfolk he found an evil fate!
720.
In legends old, the story hath many a time been told,
Of how those gallant warriors lived in the days of old;
Worthy of praise, at all times, in good King Siegmund’s land.
The like did also Gunther and all his knightly band.
721.
The kingdom of the Niblungs was under Siegfried’s sway—
Among his wealthy kinsfolk there was no wealthier aye—
And Schilbung’s warriors also, and all their goods and gold.
Well might the gallant warrior his head more highly hold.
722.
The greatest of all treasures that ever hero won,
Save they that erst-time held it, the gallant knight did own;—
Which once upon a mountain he wrested by his might;
He did to death to gain it full many a doughty knight.
723.
He had his fill of honour; and had it not been so,
In justice to the hero one needs must own, I trow,
That he among the best was that e’er on horseback sat;
Men fear’d his strength of body; with reason did they that.
