Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/233

Rh Kriemhild. The knights of the land were little loth, when in her train they saw so many comely maids; with their eyes they courted the daughters of noble knights. Later good lodgings were given the noble guests.

With his niece the bishop rode toward Passau. When it was told the burghers of the town that Kriemhild was come, their prince’s sister’s child, well was she greeted by the merchants. The bishop had the hope that they would stay. Then spake Sir Eckewart: “That may not be. We must fare further down to Rüdeger’s land. Many knights await us, for all wot well the news.”

Well wist fair Gotelind the tale. She tired her and her noble child with care. Rüdeger had sent her word that it thought him good that she should cheer the mind of the queen by riding forth, with his vassals to the Enns for to meet her. When this message had been given, one saw on every side the roads alive; on foot and horse they hastened to meet their guests. Now was the queen come to Efferding. Enow there were from the Bavarian land who might perchance have done the guests much harm, had they robbed upon the roads, as was their wont. That had been forestalled by the lordly margrave: he led a thousand knights or more.

Now Gotelind, the wife of Rüdeger, was come; with her there rode many a noble knight in lordly wise. When they were come across the Traun, upon the plain by Enns, one saw erected huts and tents, where the guests should have their lodgings for the night. Rüdeger gave the vitaille to his guests. Fair Gotelind left her lodgings far behind her; along the road there