1329
There was a lord of manor here dwelling, hight Astold;
Into the Austrian country the way to them he told:
By Mautern, somewhat further the Danube stream adown.
There right true service later the mighty queen did own.
1330
Unto his niece the bishop a loving farewell bade;
To be of cheerful spirit her earnestly he pray’d,
And win herself such honour as Helka erst had done.
Ay! what great honour later amongst the Huns she won!
1331
Unto the Traisen river the guests they soon did bring;
And Rüdeger’s retainers served them, unwearying,
Until the Hunfolk riding across the country came.
Then was there mickle honour done to the royal dame.
1332
The king of the Huns’ country did, near the Traisen, own
A very noble stronghold, to everyone well known.
Its name was Traisenmauer, where Helka lived of yore,
And practised such great virtues, scarce met with any more,
1333
Save only in Kriemhilda;— for she knew how to give;—
And, after all her sorrow, was for some joy to live,
In that she also honour of Etzel’s folk might have;
Which soon, in fullest measure, the heroes to her gave.
1334
The sovereignty of Etzel was own’d so far and wide
That at his court were met with, at every time and tide,
The bravest of all warriors whose names were known to fame
’Mongst Christians or heathens: all thither to him came.
1335
With him there was at all times— which scarce again can come—
The Christian confession along with heathendom.
Whatever rule of living each for himself might have,
The king’s mood was so easy, plenty to all he gave.
Adventure XXII
How Etzel Espoused Kriemhilda
1336
Until the fourth day dawning at Traisenmauer she stay’d.
The dust upon the roadways meanwhile was never laid;
It rose, as from some burning, on every side, like smoke,
While through the Austrian country came riding Etzel’s folk.
1337
Meanwhile to the king also the news was duly brought;
Whereon his former sorrow soon vanish’d at the thought
How royally Kriemhilda across the land did ride.
The king then made him ready to go and meet his bride.
1338
Strange tongues of many races one heard upon that road,
As many gallant warriors in front of Etzel rode;
Of Christians and of pagans a host exceeding great;
And when they met the Lady they went in noble state.
1339
Of Russ and Greek came riding a goodly company,
And Poles and Wallachs saw one go rushing swiftly by
Upon their gallant chargers, that mightfully they rode;
And nothing was there lacking of native use and mode.
1340
From out of the Kief country rode many a warrior bold;
And hordes from wild Petschnegen. These did the custom hold
Of carrying bow and arrow to shoot birds as they flew;
With strength they pull’d the bow-string, and the full shaft’s length drew.
1341
There stood upon the Danube, in Austrian land, a town
The name whereof was Tulna: to her was there made known
Full many a foreign custom she had not seen before.
By many was she welcomed, who through her suffer’d sore.
1342
As guard before King Etzel a company there rode
Of mighty men and merry, courtly and high of mood;
Of princes four-and-twenty, all great and wealthy men.
They came to see their Lady— naught more they ask’d for then.
1343
There also was Duke Ramung, from the Wallachian plain,
Who with seven hundred horsemen before her sped amain:
Like birds of passage flying, one saw them whirling by.
Prince Gibeche soon follow’d, with stately chivalry.
1344
Hornboge, the aye ready, came with a thousand men,
And from the king’s side turn’d him towards his Lady then.
As was their country’s custom, they raised a mighty shout.
And all the Hunnish kinsmen in swarms came riding out.
1345
Also there came from Denmark Haward the valiant one,
And ever-ready Iring, to falseness all unknown;
And Irnfried of Thuringia, a goodly man was he!
So welcomed they Kriemhilda, she needs must honour’d be.
1346
With their twelve hundred liegemen the host they rode before.
Sir Bloedelin came also with thrice a thousand more—
The brother of King Etzel from out of Hungary:
Right royally escorted unto the queen rode he.
1347
And last of all King Etzel; and with him Dietrich came
With all his chosen comrades and many a knight of fame,
Right noble and praiseworthy, and valiant and good.
Whereat was dame Kriemhilda much lightsomer of mood.
1348
Then, to the princess speaking, the nobler Rüdeger
Said: “Lady, I will welcome the mighty sovran here.
And whomsoe’er I bid you to kiss, so do it then:
You must not give like greeting to all of Etzel’s men.”
1349
Then down from off her palfrey the high-born queen they took;
Whereon the mighty Etzel no more delay could brook.
He from his steed dismounted with many a bold knight too:
And then one saw him blithely towards Kriemhilda go.
1350
Two rich and mighty princes, as has to us been told,
Were standing near the lady her garment’s train to hold,
What time the royal Etzel went forward her to meet.
The noble prince with kisses then did she kindly greet.
1351
She raised the veil that screen’d her; her dainty colour glow’d
Out of its golden setting; and many a knight avow’d
That ne’er could Lady Helka have shown a face more fair.
King Etzel’s brother, Bloedelin, was standing very near.
1352
Him Rüdeger the margrave bade her to kiss; and eke
King Gibeche; and Dietrich, who was not far to seek.
A dozen of the warriors were kiss’d by Etzel’s bride;
Then gave she other greeting to many a knight beside.
1353
Now all the while that Etzel did by Kriemhilda stay
The younger men were busy (as such would be to-day)
With many mighty tiltings; one saw then how they rode;
Both Christian knights and heathen, each following their mode.
1354
How knightly was the bearing of Dietrich’s gallant men!
Their javelins and lances went flying forth amain
High over shields and bucklers, by good knights’ hands address’d,
Then shiver’d were the shield-rims of many a German guest.
1355
Then was a mighty crashing of breaking lance and spear.
The warriors of the country were all assembled there,
As were the king’s guests also— a throng of noble men:
The mighty king was walking with dame Kriemhilda then.
1356
They saw hard by them standing a very noble tent;
The plain around was cover’d by many a wooden pent,
Where folk might sit and rest them when work was duly sped;
And many beauteous maidens by heroes there were led
1357
Unto their royal mistress, as she was sitting there
Upon the rich chair covers. The margrave right good care
Had taken, so to fit it, that everyone should find
Kriemhilda’s bower delightful: and glad was Etzel’s mind.
1358
What Etzel spake unto her it is not mine to say.
Meanwhile her small white fingers within his right hand lay.
In loving fashion sat they, for knightly Rüdeger
Would have no secret wooing betwixt the king and her.
1359
Straightway commands were given that all the games be stay’d;
With honour they were ended and all the din allay’d.
Into the wooden houses the men of Etzel hied;
And folk provided lodging around for far and wide.
1360
The day had reached
