When again they turned them homeward from holy chant and…

When again they turned them homeward from holy chant and prayer, High-borne upon goodly chargers hosts of the Hunfolk were. In Kriemhild's train moreover was many a winsome maid, And warriors full seven thousand in the Queen's war-band were arrayed. Amidst of her ladies Kriemhild at the casement sat on high At Etzel's side: that pageant well-pleased he saw sweep by. They would fain see the far-famed heroes ride in the tourney-ring. What gallant Burgundian barons were in presence of the King!

Now came Burgundia's marshal bringing the mighty steeds, And came with Dankwart the valiant to minister unto their needs The squires of the princes and barons, the lords of Burgundia-land; And they brought out the good steeds saddled for the Niblung warrior-band. So soon as they all were mounted, the Princes and their men, Volker the fearless captain gave them his counsel then After their own land's fashion to close in the wild mellay. Then into the lists the heroes rode in gallant array. That which the minstrel counselled, was none that against it spake. Then in the lists did the clashing and clanging of arms awake. Into the spacious tilt-yard thronged many a thane to the strife: And high over all sat gazing King Etzel and his wife.

Unto the place of the tourney six hundred warriors came— Knights were they all of Dietrich—to meet those guests of fame. They would clash in the mimic battle with the sons of Burgundy: Had their lord but given them licence, they had done it joyfully. Ha, they were goodly warriors that rode to the barriers! But tidings of their purpose were borne unto Dietrich's ears: Forthright their clashing in tourney with Gunther's men he forbade. He feared for his vassals, lest mischief befall them—good cause he had! And so, when the knights of Dietrich were thus withheld from the fray, On came the men of Bechlaren, even Rüdiger's array; Five hundred in front of the palace rode under buckler-fence. Well pleased had been the Margrave, afar had they tarried thence.

On through the press fast riding he came to his retinue, And he spake unto all his liegemen: "It must needs be known unto you How chafed and ungentle of spirit the warriors of Rhineland be. Ye therefore refrain from the tourney, and so shall ye pleasure me."

So when these war-fain heroes had turned from the lists away, Then came Thuringia's champions, as telleth the ancient lay, And valiant men from Daneland a thousand with these there were. Then the shards of the shivered lances went leaping high through the air. Into the ringing tourney Irnfried and Hawart rode, But the champions of the Rhineland their onset proudly abode; And they clashed with the knights Thuringian in the hero-sport of spears: Full many a goodly shield-rim did the lightening lances pierce. Then came the good knight Blödel, and followed him thousands three. Etzel the King and Kriemhild watched full eagerly The meeting of charging squadrons, the gallant glorious fray: But in fierce joy Kriemhild waited till her hate should have its way. (C) On a vision she dreamed, the fulfilment whereof ere long was seen— "If haply any be wounded, then, ah then, I ween, This sport may grow into earnest: then over my scornful foe Should I stand in revenge triumphant—small were my grief, I trow!"

Then clashed Gibeke and Schrutan with the strangers front to front, And with them Hornbog and Ramung, after the Hunnish wont: Yet stayed by the knights Burgundian were the onsets of them all. The splintered spear-shafts whirling flew over the palace-wall. Yet, how featly they rode soever, it was nought but empty sound. With clanging of smitten bucklers rang wide echoes round From mansion and hall, as the champions of Gunther clashed with the Hun. High praise and glorious honour by his mighty men were won. So strenuous was their pastime as in grapple of giants they met, That drenched were the saddle-housings with foam-flakes and with sweat From the goodly chargers dripping, as in gentle and joyous sport The heroes against the Hunfolk matched them in chivalrous sort.