1701.
Then from her seat uprose she, the noble margravine;
And so, the buckler grasping her snow-white hands between,
The dame to Hagen bore it, and he thereof took hold:
It was a gift of honour unto that warrior bold.
1702.
A case of polish’d leather upon its surface lay,
A better shield and brighter ne’er shone in light of day,
With noble gems bestudded; had any wanted it
To buy, perchance its value a thousand marks had quit.
1703.
Then, by command of Hagen, they bore the shield away.
And now to court did Dankwart begin to wend his way.
On him the margrave’s daughter apparel rich bestow’d,
In which ere long in Hunsland right gloriously he rode.
1704.
Now all these friendly tokens they were endow’d withal,
Into the hands of any had never come at all,
Save by the master’s bounty, offer’d with such good will.
Such foes ere long became they that him they needs must kill!
1705.
Then did the ready Volker, his fiddle in his hand,
With courtly mien approaching before Gotlinda stand.
Sweet tunes for her he fiddled, and sang his roundelay,
Thus would he from Bechlaren take leave to ride away.
1706.
The margravine then bade men to her a chest to bear;
Of kindly gifts and bounty ye now again must hear.
Therefrom she took twelve armlets and put them o’er his hand:
“These must you carry with you away to Etzel’s land.
