Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/285

Rh ver and gold will I give my daughter, as an hundred sumpters may barely carry, that it may please the hero’s kin in honor.”

After the custom men bade them stand in a ring. Over against her many a youth stood, blithe of mood. In their minds they harbored thoughts, as young folk still are wont to do. Men then gan ask the winsome maid whether she would have the knight or no. Loth in part she was, and yet she thought to take the stately man. She shamed her of the question, as many another maid hath done. Her father Rüdeger counseled her to answer yes, and gladly take him. In a trice young Giselher was at her side, and clasped her in his white hands, albeit but little time she might enjoy him.

Then spake the margrave: “Ye noble and mighty kings, when ye now ride again (that is the custom) home to Burgundy, I will give you my child, that ye may take her with you.”

This then they vowed. Now men must needs give over all the noisy joy. They bade the maiden hie her to her bower, and bade the guests to sleep and rest them against the day. Meanwhile men made ready the food; the host purveyed them well.

When now they had eaten, they would ride hence to the Hunnish lands. “I’ll guard against that well,” spake the noble host. “Ye must tarry still, for full seldom have I gained such weleome guests.”

To this Dankwart replied: “Forsooth this may not be. Where would ye find the food, the bread and wine, that ye must have for so many warriors another night?”

When the host heard this, he spake: “Give o’er this speech. My dear lords, ye must not say me nay.