Now on this was the King still musing--thereof had he long…

Now on this was the King still musing—thereof had he long been ware— How the heart of the Netherland hero lay tangled in love's snare Spell-drawn unto his sister, whom yet he had ne'er looked on, The lady by whom all maidens were in loveliness outshone. (C) And he spake: "Now all give counsel, both kinsman and vassal true, What thing to make all-perfect this feast-tide shall we do, That no man may chide us for failing in aught in the coming days; For in sooth by our deeds men judge us at the last, to blame us or praise." Then the Lord of Metz, knight Ortwein, spake to that kingly host: "If thy festival with honour shall be crowned to the uttermost, Thou suffer thy guests to look on the maidens peerless-fair Whose praise through the land Burgundian is rumoured everywhere. Wherein is a man's heart-pleasure, and his eyes' most dear delight, Save in loveliness of a maiden, in the beauty of lady bright? Thou suffer then that thy sister before thy guests appear." Leapt the heart of many a hero that welcome word to hear.

"Full fain will I heed thy counsel," was Gunther's answering word, And thereat were the hearts of all men exultation-stirred; And he spake to the Lady Uta, and to Kriemhild the lovely-eyed, To come with all their maidens to the King's high festal-tide. Then in the cedar-caskets for fair attire sought they, And unfolded the flashing splendour of royal-rich array, And the cloudy lace and the bracelets, whereof good store they had. So with loveliest adorning were the winsome maidens clad. There was many a young knight yearning that day in eager wise That he might be found well-pleasing in the high-born ladies' eyes. That hope would he not have bartered, no, not for a kingdom's fee. The fair forms unbeholden ere this it was joy to see.