276.
Then in their presses sought they for all their garments gay,
And all the goodly raiment that had been stored away;
The gold lace and the bracelets that there to hand were laid;
And with all care bedecked her full many a lovely maid.
277.
And many a knight on that day had younger gladly been,
That he might be of women more favourably seen;
Instead whereof he’d care not a kingdom rich to own!
And gladly did they gaze on these damsels yet unknown!
278.
Then the rich king commanded that with Kriemhild should go
A hundred of his liegemen,— her service pledged unto.
Of his and her own kinsmen, who carried sword in hand,
Such were the court-attendants of the Burgundian land.
279.
“The rich Queen-mother Uté with her fair daughter came,
And in her train brought with her full many a comely dame,—
Five score of them or over,— all royally arrayed.
Her daughter, too, was followed by many a winsome maid.
280.
From out the women’s quarters one might have seen them go;
There was a goodly thronging of heroes eke, I trow,
For this of all things eager, if it perchance might be
That they should have the fortune the noble maid to see.
281.
Then came the lovely maiden: even as morning-red
From sombre clouds outbreaking. And many a sorrow fled
From him whose heart did hold her, and eke so long had held:
When thus the winsome fair one before him he beheld.
