Rudeger's Hospitality, I–XXXV

There lingered not the margrave, but straight the ladies sought, His wife and his fair daughter, and what good news he brought, By Eckewart deliver'd, told with exulting glee, How their good lady's brethren their guests were soon to be.

"My dearest love and lady," his tale he thus 'gan tell, "The noble kings approaching receive, as fits them, well, Since hither they are passing to court with all their clan; Accord, too, like fair greeting to Hagan, Gunther's man.

"With them besides on duty comes one that Dankwart hight; And yet a third call'd Folker, a well-train'd courtly knight. These six must you, Dame Gotelind, and you, fair daughter, kiss. Nor at your hands let any of fitting kindness miss."

That promis'd straight the ladies, and ready all things made. Large store of goodly raiment forth from the chests they laid, That they such noble warriors might meet in fit array; Many a lovely lady bestirr'd herself that day.

How little spurious colors on their fresh cheeks were found! Far-glittering golden fillets about their heads they wound, And in such gorgeous bondage confin'd their radiant hair, Lest the light frolic breezes should work disorder there.

So let us leave the ladies in no unpleasing toil. Meanwhile the friends of Rudeger swift scour'd the sounding soil, Till, where they found the princes, they made a sudden stand. The guests were warmly welcom'd to the good margrave's land.

When to his home the margrave saw the Burgundians come, Exulting thus bespoke he the strangers all and some, "Welcome, ye lords! right welcome, you and your vassals too. Here in my land full gladly I see such friends as you."

The brethren to his greeting their stately heads inclin'd, To the loving love returning, and kindness to the kind. Apart he greeted Hagan, whom he had known of old; The same did he to Folker the minstrel blithe and bold.

Last welcom'd he Sir Dankwart, who thus his host bespake, "Since you will give us shelter, pray who in charge will take The train we have brought hither, all in such weary plight?" Then answer'd him the margrave, "Well will you rest to-night.

"My people shall keep safely all you have hither brought, Silver and steeds and raiment; you need not think of aught. Be sure, I'll take such order, that loss shall none occur. You'll not miss all among you as much as half a spur.

"So pitch your tents, ye yeomen, in the field apace; Whatever here is missing, I'll willingly replace; Off with bit and saddle—turn loose your weary steeds." Such a host had rarely supplied the wanderer's needs.

Well pleased were the Burgundians; when all was brought to pass, The lords rode on together; the yeomen on the grass Laid them down in clusters; there to repose they fell; I ween, in all their journey they ne'er had far'd so well.

And now from forth the castle the noble margravine Had gone with her fair daughter; beside them there was seen Many a lovely lady, and many a smiling maid, All deck'd with store of bracelets, and in bright robes array'd.

Precious stones were sparkling ever and anon About their gorgeous raiment; themselves yet brighter shone. Thither rode up the strangers and lighted instantly. Ah! what high bearing had they, those chiefs of Burgundy!

Six and thirty maidens and thereto many a dame, Each fair as wish could sigh for, or busy fancy fame, Stepp'd forth to greet the strangers with warriors many a one; Their task by those high ladies with comely grace was done.

The margravine went forward, and kiss'd the kings all three; The like too did her daughter; Hagan, the next was he. Her father bade her kiss him; a glance on him she cast, And thought he look'd so dreadful, that him she fain had pass'd.

At length perforce she did it, since so her father said, Yet could not but change color, now waxing white, now red. She kiss'd, too, noble Dankwart, and Folker last in place. For his strength and valor the minstrel gain'd such grace.

This done, with gentle gesture the damsel meek and mild By the hand, yet trembling, took Giselher the child, Her mother took King Gunther, the bold Burgundian lord. So with the knights the ladies mov'd thence in blithe accord.

The host went with Sir Gernot into a spacious hall; There both chiefs and ladies down sat together all. Straight to his guests the margrave bade hand good wine around. Better entertainment knights yet never found.

There many a longing eye-glance from all sides might you see Bent on the margrave's daughter, so fresh and fair was she. Many a good knight was breathing for her the secret sigh; In truth she well deserv'd it; her thoughts were pure and high.

They mus'd just as it pleas'd them, yet naught could thence befall. Alike meanwhile were glances cast by the knights in hall On other dames and damsels, whereof there sat good store. Soon show'd the noble minstrel what love the host he bore.

And now at last they sever'd, as custom there requir'd; Ladies and knights, as fitted, to separate rooms retir'd. In the broad hall the tables in order straight were set; There soon the noble strangers all lordly service met.

To grace her guests, at table the noble hostess kind Took place, but left her daughter, as fitted best, behind Among her blooming maidens, with whom retir'd she sat. The guests, who joy'd to see her, were little pleas'd with that.

With meats and drinks abundant their fill had feasted all; Then back the lovely ladies were usher'd to the hall; Nor comely mirth there wanted, nor merriment, nor jest. The gentle knight Sir Folker there shone above the rest.

Then out spake to Sir Rudeger that minstrel bold and true, "High and puissant margrave, God sure has dealt with you As one whom most He favors, since he so fair a wife Has given you for a helpmate, and bless'd with joy your life.

"If I were a monarch and if a crown I wore," Said the good knight, "no maiden should be my queen before Your fair and gentle daughter; my heart's desire I tell; Lovely is she to look on, high-born and nurtur'd well."

Then spake the noble margrave, "What chance could ever bring To woo my child beloved a proud and puissant king? My wife and I are exiles, both worn with age and care, And can give her nothing; what boots then all her fair?"

Thereat the courteous Gernot took up the word and spake, "If I desir'd a helpmate after my heart to take None would I ask more gladly than this same modest maid." Thereupon Sir Hagan in courtly fashion said,

"Now fits it my lord Giselher to take a bride, I ween, And sure so high-descended is the young margravine, That I and all his vassals would do her homage fain, If crown'd we were to see her in our Burgundian reign."

Well pleas'd was good Sir Rudeger Sir Hagan's words to hear, So, too, was Lady Gotelind; right joyous was her cheer. Soon so the chiefs contriv'd it, that Giselher, nothing loth, To wife took the fair maiden, as well beseem'd them both.

When once a thing is settled, who further can gainsay? Forthwith they bade the damsel to court to take her way. Then for his wife to give him the lovely maid they swore, Then he too vow'd to cherish and love her evermore.

Next dower'd was the fair maiden with castles and with land; With an oath assurance was giv'n by Gunther's hand, As well as by Lord Gernot's, that so it should be done. Then said the noble margrave, "Since castles I have none,

"With you will I forever a faithful friendship hold; A hundred sumpters' burden of silver and of gold (No unbefitting portion) I'll give the gentle bride, So that the bridegroom's warriors may well be satisfied."

Then had the bride and bridegroom within a ring to stand, For such was then the custom; a merry stripling band Encircled the fair couple, and gaz'd on them their fill, And thought the while as idly as think young people still.

Now when was ask'd the damsel in homely phrase and plain, If she would have the warrior, she felt a moment's pain; Not that she was unwilling to take the stately one; She blush'd but at the question, as many a maid has done.