Ere from the Rhine they departed, they had sent on far before Swift messengers unto Hunland that joyful tidings bore, Even to tell King Etzel that Rüdiger would bring The noble Lady Kriemhild, won to be wife to the King. (C) Swiftly the heralds onward rode; ay, well was their need, Alike for the winning of honour and the good-news' bearer's meed; And when they came to the home-land, and that glad word was told, Never, I ween, had Etzel been so joyful-souled. (C) In guerdon for these fair tidings Etzel the King bade give Such costly gifts to the heralds, that they might thereafter live Through all their days in joyance, yea, to the hour of their death, For afar had his trouble and anguish been driven upon love's breath.
XXI. Of Kriemhild's journeying to the Land of the Huns
Let us suffer those heralds onward to ride:--let the minstrel sing How rode that Daughter of Princes through the land far-journeying, And where at the last she parted from Gernot and Giselher. In loyalty and honour had these twain holpen her. When they came where looks over Danube Bergen's citadel, Then at the last those heroes must bid the Queen farewell, For that backward unto the Rhineland now must they turn the rein. When the near and dear so parted could none from tears refrain. Then Giselher to his sister spake one parting word: "Sister, if ever thou needest help of my counsel or sword, What peril soever threatens, send thou word unto me; Into the land of Etzel will I straightway ride unto thee." Then kissed she the lips of her kinsfolk, and they parted in love and grief; And with kindly word and with hand-clasp friend of friend took leave, The valiant men of Burgundia and Rüdiger's cavalcade. Then with the Queen rode onward many a high-born maid, Even four and a hundred fair ones: in bright hues rainbow-dyed Glistened their lovely vesture: broad shields upon either side Went flashing down the highways on the arms of the Hun-queen's train. Then turned, after fair leave-taking, Volker the valiant thane.
Into the land of Bavaria over the Danube they won, And fast and far went the tidings of the long lines riding on, And the many unknown faces. Where stand a cloister's walls, And where the broad Inn-river into the Danube falls, There in the city of Passau a great prince-bishop abode. From their homes, yea, forth from the palace the folk streamed out to the road { P. 177} Whereby those guests through Bavaria-land came riding in. There met was Kriemhild the lovely by the bishop Pilgerin. Glad were the knights Bavarian to look on that winsome sight, That Queen of Beauty followed by many a maiden bright; And with loving glances and longing those daughters of earls did they greet. Fair harbourage full swiftly was found for guests so sweet. (C) At Pledeling resting-places were prepared for the slumber-tide. All people came forth riding to meet them from every side; And they gave to them whatso they needed with willing hands and free There and elsewhere, and they took it with princely courtesy. Back rode the bishop to Passau with his niece the royal dame; And so soon as unto the burghers of the city the tidings came, That the child of their prince's sister, Kriemhild the Queen, drew nigh, The merchants greeted her entry with stately pageantry. Now the bishop had looked that a little there should his guests stay on; But Eckwart, Lord of the Marches, said: "Nay, it may nowise be done. We needs must still ride onward to the land of Rüdiger: Many knights unto whom our coming hath been heralded wait for us there."
