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XXXI.]

Kriemhilda with her ladies within the window sat

long with royal Etzel: ell pleased was he thereat.

Fain would they see the jousting those doughty heroes show’d:

Ay! in the lists before them what warriors strange there rode!

And thither had the marshal, the right brave Dankwart, too,

Come with his squires attending: his lords’ own retinue

With him, too, he had taken from the Burgundian land.

The steeds for the bold Niblungs well saddled were at hand.

When they their steeds had mounted— the kings and every man—

Forthwith the stalwart Volker to counsel them began,

That all should tilt together after their country’s mode;

in course of which, thereafter, the chiefs right nobly rode.

For what the hero counsell’d they did not underrate.

The crowding and the shouting were both exceeding great.

Within the wide inclosure was gather’d many a man;

Then Etzel and Kriemhilda to gaze thereon began.

Six hundred knights together upon the field appear’d,

The warriors of Dietrich, coming the guests toward.

They thought with the Burgundians some knightly sport to try,

And would, had he allow’d it, have done it readily.

Ay me! what goodly warriors forthwith towards them made!

But when to the lord Dietrich the news thereof was said,

With Gunther’s men forbade he that any sport should be.

He fear’d for his retainers: and surely need had he.