Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Germany: Vols. XVII–XVIII. 1876–79.

Xanten (Santen, Sancten)

Siegfried

By From the Nibelungenlied

Translated by W. N. Lettsom

IN Netherland then flourished a prince of lofty kind

(Whose father hight Siegmund, his mother Siegelind)

In a sumptuous castle down by the Rhine’s fair side;

Men did call it Xanten; ’t was famous far and wide.

I tell you of this warrior, how fair he was to see;

From shame and dishonor lived he ever free.

Forthwith fierce and famous waxed the mighty man.

Ah! what height of worship in this world he wan!

Siegfried men did call him, that same champion good;

Many a kingdom sought he in his manly mood,

And through strength of body in many a land rode he.

Ah! what men of valor he found in Burgundy!

Before this noble champion grew up to man’s estate,

His hand had mighty wonders achieved in war’s debate,

Whereof the voice of rumor will ever sing and say,

Though much must pass in silence in this our later day.

In his freshest season, in his youthful days,

One might full many a marvel tell in Siegfried’s praise,

What lofty honors graced him, and how fair his fame,

How he charmed to love him many a noble dame.

As did well befit him, he was bred with care,

And his own lofty nature gave him virtues rare,

From him his father’s country grace and honor drew,

To see him proved in all things so noble and so true.