Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/126

48

Then in their presses sought they for all their garments gay,

And all the goodly raiment that had been stored away;

The gold lace and the bracelets that there to hand were laid;

And with all care bedecked her full many a lovely maid.

And many a knight on that day had younger gladly been,

That he might be of women more favourably seen;

Instead whereof he’d care not a kingdom rich to own!

And gladly did they gaze on these damsels yet unknown!

Then the rich king commanded that with Kriemhild should go

A hundred of his liegemen,— her service pledged unto.

Of his and her own kinsmen, who carried sword in hand,

Such were the court-attendants of the Burgundian land.

“The rich Queen-mother Uté with her fair daughter came,

And in her train brought with her full many a comely dame,—

Five score of them or over,— all royally arrayed.

Her daughter, too, was followed by many a winsome maid.

From out the women’s quarters one might have seen them go;

There was a goodly thronging of heroes eke, I trow,

For this of all things eager, if it perchance might be

That they should have the fortune the noble maid to see.

Then came the lovely maiden: even as morning-red

From sombre clouds outbreaking. And many a sorrow fled

From him whose heart did hold her, and eke so long had held:

When thus the winsome fair one  before him he beheld.