Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/307

XXI.]

There stood upon the Danube, in Austrian land, a town

The name whereof was Tulna: to her was there made known

Full many a foreign custom she had not seen before.

By many was she welcomed, who through her suffer’d sore.

As guard before King Etzel a company there rode

Of mighty men and merry, courtly and high of mood;

Of princes four-and-twenty, all great and wealthy men.

They came to see their Lady,— naught more they ask’d for then.

There also was Duke Ramung, from the Wallachian plain,

Who with seven hundred horsemen before her sped amain:

Like birds of passage flying, one saw them whirling by. Prince Gibeche soon follow’d, with stately chivalry.

Hornboge, the aye ready, came with a thousand men,

And from the king’s side turn’d him towards his Lady then.

As was their country’s custom, they raised a mighty shout.

And all the Hunnish kinsmen in swarms came riding out.

Also there came from Denmark Haward the valiant one,

And ever-ready Iring, to falseness all unknown;

And Irnfried of Thuringia, a goodly man was he!

So welcomed they Kriemhilda, she needs must honour’d be.

With their twelve hundred liegemen the host they rode before.

Sir Bloedelin came also with thrice a thousand more—

The brother of King Etzel from out of Hungary:

Right royally escorted unto the queen rode he.