Then led they out the horses, since forth of the land they must fare. Then brake forth bitter weeping of dear friends gathered there. There was the great Queen Uta, with many a comely maid; And they showed what burden of sorrow upon their hearts was laid. With a hundred high-born maidens she rode from the land away, All as beseemed their station attired in costly array. Ah then with tears upwelling were many bright eyes drowned: Yet many a day of joyance in Etzel's land they found. Lord Giselher, and Gernot, with their vassal-company, Came on that parting-morning, as bidden of courtesy, To escort their belovèd sister to the uttermost part of the land, And they led a thousand warriors in that their gallant band. Came Gere the swift war-helper, came Ortwein therewithal, Nor tarried behind them Rumold, arrayer of feasts in hall[10]; And of these was prepared night-lodging for the ladies all through the way: And Volker was marshal, and hostels he found for the knights' array. (C) When they kissed at that last leave-taking, the hot tears fell like rain Ere they won through the gates of the castle to the highway through the plain. Unbidden did many escort them afar on Burgundia's ways: But beside them rode King Gunther from the town but a little space. 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 {P. 176}