Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/363

XXVII.]

According to the custom they sever’d then in two,

The warriors and the ladies to separate rooms withdrew.

In the wide hall the tables in order straight were set,

And soon the stranger guest-folk with royal service met.

To do her guests more honour the noble margravine

Sat down with them at table; her daughter was unseen,

Left with the younger children, where fittingly she sat;

The guests, who miss’d her presence, were sorely vext thereat.

When meat and drink abundant had been enjoy’d by all

The ladies fair were usher’d again into the hall.

There lack’d not mirthful story, nor jesting manifold:

Busy of tongue was Volker, a knight of mood right bold.

Thus spake the noble minstrel, aloud that all might heed:

“Most rich and noble margrave, God hath with you indeed

Dealt graciously, in granting so fair a dame for wife,

And likewise in bestowing on you a joyous life.

“If haply,” said the minstrel, “I were a prince of blood,

And wore the crown of kingship, surely for wife I would

Make choice of your fair daughter, for her my heart doth woo:

Lovesome she is to look on and good and noble too.”

Then said to him the margrave: “How could it ever be,

That any king should ask for my daughter dear of me?

We are but stranger-people, my wife as well as I:

What boots it that the damsel so fair is bodily?”