583.
Alongside Lady Uté, Ortwein the bold rode he,
With many knights and maidens who bare them company.
Ne’er at a great reception, we must confess, had been
So great a throng of ladies as here together seen.
584.
And many a fair encounter took place amid the train
Of praise-deserving heroes, (they could not well refrain)
Beefore the fair Kriemhilda, until the ship they reach.
Then from their palfreys lift they, the well-dight ladies each.
585.
The king had now cross'd over, and many a guest of worth.
Hey! what stout shafts were shiver’d for these fair ladies’ mirth!
One heard the hurtling tumult, as lance on buckler rang,
Ay, and the rich shield-bosses that in the press did clang!
586.
The fair ones now were standing the landing-place upon;—
With all his guests had Gunther up from the vessel gone;
He led the Lady Brunhild with his own royal hand.
Then shone against each other bright gems and garments grand.
587.
With courtly grace Dame Kriemhild did thereupon repair
To where the Lady Brunhild and all her courtiers were,
One saw them push their chaplets with their white fingers by,
What time they kissed each other: ’twas done in courtesy.
588.
Then spake the maid Kriemhilda, and fittingly spake she:
“To us in this our country right welcome may you be;
To me, and to my mother, as unto ev’ry friend
Whom we as faithful reckon.” Then each did lowly bend.
