At Santen, in the Lowlands, there once lived a young prince named Siegfried. Hisfather, Siegmund, was king of the rich country through which the lazy Rhine windsits way just before reaching the great North Sea; and he was known, both far andnear, for his good deeds and his prudent thrift. And Siegfried's mother, the gentleSigelind, was loved by all for her goodness of heart and her kindly charity to thepoor. Neither king nor queen left aught undone...