Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/179

X.]

The dames each other greeted with clasp of hand and arm,

No one had ever heard of a welcoming so warm.

As soon as the two ladies the bride for certain wist,

Dame Uté and her daughter her sweet mouth often kiss’d.

When all Brunhilda’s ladies had lighted on the strand,

They tenderly were greeted, and taken by the hand.

For many a well-dight woman there was a warrior good;

And many beauteous maidens with Dame Brunhilda stood.

Before their greeting ended a good long hour had sped;

Ay, and the lips, like roses, were kiss’d of many a maid.

Still stood by one another those two kings’ daughters bright,—

To many a valiant hero they were a lovely sight.

With their own eyes beheld they, who often told had been

That no such peerless beauty had ever yet been seen

As that of these two ladies: it now was plain to view;—

One saw, too, on their bodies naught in the least untrue.

Those who could judge of women and on fair forms decide,

Did laud and praise for beauty the royal Gunther’s bride.

But others—they were wise men with more discerning eyes—

Said, that from Dame Brunhilda Kriemhilda won the prize.

Now dame and maid were walking, each other opposite,

And many a lovely body one saw right nobly dight.

And many a rich pavilion and silken tent were there:

The plain that Worms surrounded was crowded everywhere.