I

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.

II

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.

III

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."

IV

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.

V

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.

VI

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,

VII

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.

VIII

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.

IX

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.

X

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.

XI

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."

XII

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,

XIII

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.

XIV

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,

XV

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.

XVI

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.

XVII

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.

XVIII

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.

XIX

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.

XX

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.

XXI

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.

XXII

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.

XXIII

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.

XXIV

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.

XXV

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."

XXVI

"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.

XXVII

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.

XXVIII

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.

XXIX

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.

XXX

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.

XXXI

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.

XXXII

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.

XXXIII

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!

XXXIV

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.

XXXV

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.

XXXVI

In turn, as well befitted her state and lofty line,
So well Dame Gotelind treated the strangers from the Rhine,
That few were there among them, but from her copious store
Precious stones in plenty or gorgeous raiment bore.

XXXVII

When they their fast had broken, and ready were to part,
Then the noble hostess with true and faithful heart
Proffer'd her constant service to Etzel's stately queen,
Who much caress'd and fondly the fair young margravine.

XXXVIII

To the queen said the damsel, "If it seem you well,
Of the mind of my father this I can truly tell,
That he would gladly send me among the Huns to you."
That the young maiden lov'd her, how well fair Kriemhild knew!

XXXIX

Their horses now were saddled, and brought before the town.
Thither the noble Kriemhild came from the castle down,
And bade farewell to Gotelind and to her daughter dear.
Many a maid of many a maiden took leave with many a tear.

XL

They look'd on one another but seldom from that day.
At Medilich to the strangers were handed on the way
Rich golden cups, well fashion'd, and thereto, as a sign
Of free and hearty welcome, fill'd to the brim with wine.

XLI

Here held his wary station a host that Astolt hight;
From him the road to Austria the travellers learn'd aright,
Toward Mautern down the Danube; all anxious there were seen
To meet with zealous service King Etzel's gracious queen.

XLII

There lovingly the bishop parted from his niece,
How strongly he advis'd her to live in joy and peace,
And gain fair fame and credit as Helca did of yore!
Ah! what high honors thenceforth among the Huns she bore!

XLIII

Thence their way to the Traisem the noble strangers made.
The men of the good margrave all fair attendance paid,
Till the Huns to meet them came riding o'er the green.
Then with royal honors was welcomed the fair queen.

XLIV

Fast beside the Traisem the King of Hungary
Possess'd a famous castle kept well and warily;
It's name was Zeissenmauer; there Helca once did dwell,
Displaying such high virtues, that none could her excel,

XLV

Save only peerless Kriemhild, who well knew how to give;
Sure, after all her sorrows, she might contented live,
Such crowds of Etzel's warriors were proud on her to wait,
Adorers of her beauty and vassals of her state.

XLVI

Wide was the rule of Etzel, and wider his renown;
The most redoubted champions from castle and from town
Were at his court assembled; together, all and some,
Christian knights and Paynim, they now with him were come.

XLVII

With him at every season was many a prowest chief
Alike of heathen doctrine and of the true belief.
Whate'er his faith, each warrior was prompt at Etzel's call,
And the king was so gracious, he gave enough to all.