Forerunners of King Etzel rode a vassal-company Blithe-hearted, splendour-vestured, courtly and goodly to see, Four and twenty princes, mighty and men of renown, To look on their Queen: her presence of their heart's desire was the crown. Ramung, the great war-captain from far Wallachia-land, To meet her rode; seven hundred were the warriors of his band. On sped they all together swiftly as birds on the wing. Then Prince Gibèk dashed forward with a gallant following. Forth did the swift knight Hornbog with a thousand vassals ride From his place beside King Etzel, to greet that glorious bride. As they rode, they upraised the war-cry of their land, that it rang afar. On swept the princes of Hunland in magnifical pomp of war. Forward spurring to meet her came Hawart the dauntless Dane, And Iring the swift war-helper, of the honour without a stain. Came Irnfried the lord of Thuringia, a goodly champion he. Thus welcomed they Queen Kriemhild for her honour and majesty, With warriors wight twelve hundred, a splendid chivalry. Then came the war-lord Blödel followed by thousands three, The brother of King Etzel, and a mighty Hunland thane. On rode he in pomp of procession, and before the Queen drew rein. Last came the great King Etzel, with Lord Dietrich at his side, With all his heroes behind him: it was good to see them ride, Rank upon rank of warriors noble and faithful and bold: To behold them heart-uplifted was Kriemhild, and joyful-souled. Then spake unto Queen Kriemhild the noble Rüdiger: "Now to the King's self welcome I give, O Lady, here. Of whomso I say, 'Him kiss thou,' such an one with a kiss do thou greet. For all the knights of Etzel like welcoming were not meet." Then lifted they from her palfrey that stately Queen and fair; And Etzel the King, the mighty, no longer tarried there, {P. 184} But begirt with many a baron down from the selle he leapt, And with eyes for gladness shining unto Lady Kriemhild stept. As singeth the old-time minstrel, high-born princes twain Followed the Lady Kriemhild, upbearing her garment's train, As strode the great King Etzel his Lady and Queen to meet, And with gracious kiss of welcome that noble Prince did she greet. She put back veil and headband; the roses and lilies shone Forth from the gold that enclosed them: then murmured many an one That fairer than she not even the Lady Helka had been. Then the brother of King Etzel, Blödel, drew nigh to the Queen. With the kiss of salutation, as the Margrave Rüdiger bade, Blödel and King Gibeke, and Dietrich welcome were made. Twelve kissed she, kinsmen of Etzel, and chiefs of kingly pride; And she bowed her in gracious greeting unto many a baron beside.