How Kriemhild Departed, I–XXXV

Enough now of the messengers; we'll tell you, as we may, How the queen through the country went riding on her way, And where Gernot and Giselher, who forth with her had passed, And serv'd her well and truly, took leave of her at last.

On rode they to the Danube, and Vergen now was near When leave they took, lamenting of the queen their sister dear, For to the Rhine together they would retrace their road. As such nigh kindred parted, many a sad tear there flow'd.

As leave took Sir Giselher, to his sister thus said he, "Lady, if hereafter thou e'er have need of me, Whatever be thy danger, if thou but let me know, Straight to the land of Etzel to serve thee will I go."

All those, who were her kinsmen, kiss'd on her mouth the queen. That day a loving farewell 'twixt Kriemhild's friends was seen And the good margrave's vassals; they thence asunder sped. The high-born queen right onward many a fair maiden led.

Fivescore and four together, a richly vested throng In stuffs of divers colors; many a buckler strong Follow'd the lovely lady, while many a knight of pride, At length from her departing, turn'd rein and homeward hied.

Thence down the stream advancing, they rode Bavaria through; Then all around spread tidings, that with hot haste a crew Of strangers on were coming. Where now an abbey stands, And where to reach the Danube the swift Inn scours the lands,

There sat in Passau city a bishop of good report. Straight empty was each chamber, and eke the prince's court. All were forthwith pricking to Bavarian ground, Where the good Bishop Pilgrin the Lady Kriemhild found.

The good knights of the country were not ill pleas'd, I ween, To see so many a beauty about the stately queen. With loving looks they courted the maids of lofty race. Then led was every stranger to seemly resting-place.

They there at Pledelingen were lodg'd as best might be. On all sides all came flocking the noble guests to see. Whome'er they met, were ready alike to give or do Whate'er was to their honor, both there and elsewhere too.

With his niece, the bishop straight to Passau sped. Forthwith the merry tidings among the burghers spread, Kriemhild was thither coming, their prince's sister's child; The merchants well receiv'd her, the queenly lady mild.

Much desir'd the bishop that they awhile would stay; Then said the good Sir Eckewart, "No, we must hence away (Howe'er well pleas'd to linger), down to Rudeger's land. His knights await our coming, and think us close at hand."

Already had fair Gotelind the joyful tidings heard; She and her noble daughter quick themselves bestirr'd. She had been advis'd by Rudeger, her lord and master dear, It seem'd him right and fitting, that, the sad queen to cheer,

She should ride and meet her with his vassals every one, Up to the Ems advancing. This was no sooner done, Than, afoot or in saddle, all together ran; The roads throughout the country were alive with horse and man.

To Efferding fair Kriemhild had now her journey made; Many a Bavarian pricker his hands had gladly laid On the costly baggage as is their custom still, And thus the noble travellers would have suffer'd loss and ill,

But those light-finger'd rovers the margrave could not brook. A thousand knights and better to guard his march he took; Thither, too, his consort fair Gotelind had come, And in bright array around her his vassals all and some.

Thence o'er the Traun they hasten'd, and forthwith all around With tents and huts bespotted the plain of Ems they found. There the noble travellers that night their lodging made. The bands of knights their charges by Rudeger were paid.

No longer in her quarters fair Gotelind abode; Many a wanton palfrey pranc'd in the crowded road, Every bridle jingling, and glittering every selle. Right hearty was the welcome; it pleas'd the margrave well.

Now on both sides advancing the gorgeous trains drew near. Many a good knight between them forth prick'd in full career, And waged the mimic battle; their knightly sports, I ween, Drew many a damsel's glances, nor irk'd the stately queen.

When met the noble strangers and Rudeger's vassals true, Up in the air, loud crashing, many a splinter flew From the hands of heroes in knightly exercise. Well before the ladies rode they for the prize.

Soon was o'er the tourney; the knights together sped, Each friendly greeting other; then Gotelind forth was led, Her duty to Queen Kriemhild in humble guise to pay. The skill'd in ladies' service, scant leisure sure had they.

To meet his wife, the margrave rode forward from the queen. Not ill pleas'd was surely the noble margravine, That back from Rhine so hearty had come her own good knight. Her long-brooded sorrows vanish'd in delight.

When now had pass'd the welcome the loving pair between, He bade her with her ladies alight upon the green. None then was idle standing among the nobles there; All busily bestirr'd them in the service of the fair.

Soon as the Lady Kriemhild beheld the margravine There with the ladies standing, rode on a space the queen; Then sudden check'd her palfrey (the bit he answer'd well) And instant bade her servants lift her down from selle.

Then might you see the bishop, already sprung from steed, Him and good Sir Eckewart, his niece to Gotelind lead. All there made way before them as softly on they came. Then on the mouth the wanderer kiss'd the good margrave's dame.

Then said the wife of Rudeger, with tender love and true, "Now well is me, dear lady, that one so fair as you Here at last in our country I with my eyes have seen. Ne'er in these times, be certain, so happy have I been."

"Now heaven you quit," said Kriemhild, "for all that you have done. Should we live, noble Gotelind, both I and Botlung's son, You may indeed be thankful that you have look'd on me." 'Twas all unknown to either what after was to be.

Courteously one to another went many a blooming maid; Young knights to yield them service with ready zeal essay'd; So after kindly greeting (though erst unknown I ween) They soon came friends together close sitting on the green.

With wine were serv'd the ladies; by this 'twas height of noon; The noble knights and damsels again were moving soon. Thence rode they to a meadow where spacious tents were pight, And all within made ready for solace and delight.

There through the dark they rested till morn began to smile. They of Bechlaren bestirr'd themselves the while, For such guests and so many fittingly to prepare. The margrave so had order'd, little was wanting there.

There might you see wide open every window in every wall; The gates of Bechlaren were back thrown one and all; In rode the guests; loud shouted the townsmen least and most; Choice quarters were prepar'd them by the care of the noble host.

Sir Rudeger's fair daughter with her maidens went Where the queen she greeted with loving kind intent; There found she, too, her mother, who had with Kriemhild stay'd. Meanwhile to each fair damsel was joyous welcome made.

So either party mingled, and each went hand in hand Into a spacious palace with curious cunning plann'd; Beneath it roll'd the Danube; there took they all their ease, In gentle pastime sitting, fann'd by the river breeze.

What further pass'd among them is more than I can say. Sore murmur'd Kriemhild's followers that they must hence away, And leave the pleasant city where such kind friends abode. Ah! what good warriors with them from Bechlaren rode!

To them much loving service the noble margrave paid; Then to fair Gotelind's daughter the queen a present made; She gave her twelve red armlets, and robes so richly wrought, That with her nothing better to Etzel's land she brought.

Albeit the wondrous treasure now was hers no more, Still, from the small remainder of her once boundless store, Whome'er she saw, her bounty made every one content, And now to Rudeger's household right precious gifts she sent.