All bridled waited the horses before the castle-port

All bridled waited the horses before the castle-port, When the noble Queen had taken her leave in gracious sort Of the wife of the Lord of the Marches and the fair young child at her side; And with many a farewell spoken thence did the maidens ride. Seldom indeed thereafter from that day forth met they! Out of Medelick came the people, and stood beside the way With many a golden goblet rich-wrought filled high with wine That the guests might drink, and "Welcome!" they bade them by word and sign. The Lord of the place in his castle dwelt there, Astolf hight: On the road to the Easterlings' country he set their feet aright: Over against Mautaren by the Danube runs that road. There worshipful observance to the great Queen all folk showed. Of his sister's daughter the bishop took loving farewell there. That long she might live and prosper how earnest was his prayer, And might for herself earn honour as Helka of yore had done! Ha, what high honour and worship in the hearts of the Huns she won!

So they came in a little season unto the Traisem's flow, And still did the knights of the Margrave heedfully guarding them go, Till far off riding to meet them was a host of the Hunfolk seen. Ha, then was fulness of honour rendered unto the Queen! On the Traisem's bank did a castle of the Lord of the Hunfolk stand, A passing-stately fortress, well known through all the land; And the same hight Traisenmauer: there Helka dwelt of old, A lady beyond all other exceeding bounteous-souled, Except that other were Kriemhild, for her bounty withal was free. Well might she be henceforth happy after all her misery, For all the people of Etzel her kindness extolled and her grace; Yea, in abundant measure she won the heroes' praise.

Now the majesty of King Etzel was grown so world-renowned, That at every time and season about his court were found All knights on earth most valiant that ever man had known Mid Christian nations and heathen: all gathered round his throne.

Year in, year out, around him—such sight none now may see— Were Christian knights and heathen dwelling in amity, Each after his own land's custom, even as such might fall. So full and so free was his bounty, that aye it sufficed for all.

XXII. How King Etzel wedded Kriemhild

At Traisenmauer she tarried till four days were fulfilled; And all that time on the highways for never an hour was stilled The uprolling of dust on all sides like smoke from a forest aflame As the riders of Etzel thither through the land of the Easterlings came. For by this had the joyful tidings been told unto Etzel the King How royally Lady Kriemhild through the land was journeying. By that sweet expectation slain, was the old pain gone, And arose the King, and hastened to meet that loveliest one.

Streamed far along the highways warriors of many a tongue. To herald the coming of Etzel came knights in a valiant throng; Christian knights and heathen, in one vast host came they, And they saw their Queen, and forward they swept in a stately array. Warriors many of Russia and many of Greece were there; On flew they, Poles and Wallachs, swiftly as birds of the air; Horsemen on goodly horses, kings of the saddle they rode; Each after his own land's fashion their knightly prowess they showed. From the land of Kiev came riding thitherward many a thane: On came the wild Petschnegers; the great bow did they strain Against the fowl of the heaven as flickered their wings in the blue. Up to the head the arrow with marvellous might they drew.

Hard by the Danube river in the land of the Easterlings lies A burg that men name Tulna: there seen of Kriemhild's eyes

Was many an alien custom uncouth and marvel-fraught. There was she welcomed of many whose doom at the last she wrought.

Forerunners of King Etzel rode a vassal-company Blithe-hearted, splendour-vestured, courtly and goodly to see, Four and twenty princes, mighty and men of renown, To look on their Queen: her presence of their heart's desire was the crown. Ramung, the great war-captain from far Wallachia-land, To meet her rode; seven hundred were the warriors of his band. On sped they all together swiftly as birds on the wing. Then Prince Gibèk dashed forward with a gallant following. Forth did the swift knight Hornbog with a thousand vassals ride From his place beside King Etzel, to greet that glorious bride. As they rode, they upraised the war-cry of their land, that it rang afar. On swept the princes of Hunland in magnifical pomp of war. Forward spurring to meet her came Hawart the dauntless Dane, And Iring the swift war-helper, of the honour without a stain. Came Irnfried the lord of Thuringia, a goodly champion he. Thus welcomed they Queen Kriemhild for her honour and majesty, With warriors wight twelve hundred, a splendid chivalry. Then came the war-lord Blödel followed by thousands three, The brother of King Etzel, and a mighty Hunland thane. On rode he in pomp of procession, and before the Queen drew rein. Last came the great King Etzel, with Lord Dietrich at his side, With all his heroes behind him: it was good to see them ride, Rank upon rank of warriors noble and faithful and bold: To behold them heart-uplifted was Kriemhild, and joyful-souled.

Then spake unto Queen Kriemhild the noble Rüdiger: "Now to the King's self welcome I give, O Lady, here. Of whomso I say, 'Him kiss thou,' such an one with a kiss do thou greet. For all the knights of Etzel like welcoming were not meet." Then lifted they from her palfrey that stately Queen and fair; And Etzel the King, the mighty, no longer tarried there,

But begirt with many a baron down from the selle he leapt, And with eyes for gladness shining unto Lady Kriemhild stept.

As singeth the old-time minstrel, high-born princes twain Followed the Lady Kriemhild, upbearing her garment's train, As strode the great King Etzel his Lady and Queen to meet, And with gracious kiss of welcome that noble Prince did she greet. She put back veil and headband; the roses and lilies shone Forth from the gold that enclosed them: then murmured many an one That fairer than she not even the Lady Helka had been. Then the brother of King Etzel, Blödel, drew nigh to the Queen. With the kiss of salutation, as the Margrave Rüdiger bade, Blödel and King Gibeke, and Dietrich welcome were made. Twelve kissed she, kinsmen of Etzel, and chiefs of kingly pride; And she bowed her in gracious greeting unto many a baron beside.

Through all that time of the meeting of Kriemhild with Etzel the King, All in the ancient fashion young knights were tourneying: With gentle and joyous jousting right gallantly they rode, As the Christian knights and heathen their countries' customs showed. With what knightly prowess the champions of Dietrich's warrior-band Were hurling the whizzing javelin from the strong unerring hand! Forth through the air far-leaping over the shields did they skim. By the guests from Germany shivered was many a broad shield-rim. With the ceaseless clashing of spear-shafts splintered loud was the air; For the mighty men of the Hunland all were gathered there; And there were the guests of Etzel, an exceeding noble array.

Now passeth the King with Kriemhild from the place of their meeting away, And they come where hard beside them doth a stately pavilion stand: All round was the whole plain covered with tents on every hand; There guests after toil of their travel unto sweet rest now might win; And many a winsome maiden the heroes led therein

Unto their Queen, where Kriemhild sat in splendour there On a couch all costly-broidered; for the Margrave's diligent care Had ordered so its arraying that the tent was splendour-dight: And the heart of the Hun-king Etzel was filled with deep delight. What of their princely converse may a simple minstrel know Save this?—in his right hand rested a hand like a flake of snow. So sat they on love's threshold; for the wise thane Rüdiger, For the honour of Kriemhild, left not King Etzel alone with her.

Then stayed was the clash of tourney o'er all the echoing field. Hushed as beseemed was the crashing of lance and the clang of shield. Back to the tents went trooping King Etzel's vassalage: And to all was there given lodging and spacious harbourage. So drew the day to an ending and the sleep of the summer night, Till fled away the shadows and they saw the breaking of light. Then many a gallant hero gat him again to horse, And ho for the honour of Etzel and the gallant tourney-course! For the King said: "See ye acquit you for yours and for my renown." Then rode they on from Tulna to Vienna the royal town: There splendour-attired did ladies unnumbered their coming abide To welcome with duteous worship King Etzel's royal bride.

In plenty to overflowing were all things ready dight, What things soever they needed; and many an eager knight With joy looked on to the feast-tide. Fair lodging was given to them all. Amid joyance began King Etzel's bridal-festival. So vast was the throng, in the city harboured they could not be; And Rüdiger gave commandment—"Whosoever be not guests, ye Without the walls find lodging in hamlet and homestead around." Well wot I that daily and hourly waiting on Kriemhild were found The noble baron Dietrich and many a knight of his host; In labour of love aye toiling they wrought to the uttermost That the hearts of their guests should be gladdened in stintless plenty and peace, So that Rüdiger and his kinsmen took now their disport and their ease.