1183.
Then Hagen spake of Tronjé, and in a loud voice cried;
“Now in God’s name be welcome ye thanes who hither ride,
The Warden of Bechlaren, and each one of his men.”
An honourable greeting the doughty Huns had then.
1184.
King Gunther’s nearest kinsmen, came forth to where they were,
The lord of Metz, Sir Ortwein, then said to Rüdeger:
“Ne’er yet in all our life-time have we until this day
Set eyes on guests so gladly: that may I truly say.”
1185.
Thanks gave they for the greeting unto the warriors all;
So with their noble escort, they went unto the hall.
And there they found King Gunther with a gallant company,
And from his throne upstood he, such was his courtesy.
1186.
With what right courtly breeding did he the envoys meet!
Gernot, as well as Gunther, was full of zeal to greet
The guest and eke his liegemen, as did his rank demand.
Good Rüdeger King Gunther himself took by the hand.
1187.
Unto the seat he led him, on which himself he sat:
Then to the strangers served they,— all gladly did they that—
Of right good mead full beakers, and of the best of wine
That ever one could meet with in all the land of Rhine.
1188.
Now Giselher and Gere had both of them appear’d;
And Dankwart, too, and Volker, who all of them had heard
About the guests arriving; they were in gladsome mood:
Before the king they greeted the noble knights and good.
