Then showed they the herald's guerdon in the palace for all…

Then showed they the herald's guerdon in the palace for all to behold, The gifts of the hand of Siegfried, the raiment and the gold: Nothing thereof was hidden from the three Kings' vassalry. All rendered the hero honour for his bounty and courtesy. "Ha! well may the man," cried Hagen, "with full hand give away. Ne'er could he spend his treasure, not though he should live for aye. The Hoard of the Niblungs lieth in the hollow of his hand! —Ha, if the same came ever hither to Burgundy-land!"

Right glad in court and castle were all the thanes when they heard Of the friends that should come; and a spirit of diligent toiling stirred In all men late and early, yea, in all the Kings' array. Long ranks of stately high-seats afront of the burg reared they. There toiling was Hunold the valiant, there toiling was Sindold the thane: Full little rest they tasted, in their office as laboured the twain, Steward and cupbearer-royal, as the seats rose rank on rank: There daily was Ortwein helping; and Gunther rendered them thank. Rumold the feast-arrayer, how urged he on at that tide The vassalry of the kitchen!—full many a caldron wide, Skillet and seething-vessel—how shone they in line on line For the ordering of the feasting of the guests of the Land of Rhine! (C) Toiled also the palace-maidens in many a fair device: They broidered the costly loomwork, and many a gem of price They set in the midst of the gold thread, that far its splendour shone. Was none but thanked them and praised them as they cunningly laid them thereon.

XIII. How they Fared to the Feast-tide