And with these be squires nine thousand." Blithe was the host of cheer. "Welcome be these guests! Welcome the tidings," did Rüdiger cry, "That such noble and valiant heroes to my castle-halls draw nigh Unto whom I have ne'er shown kindness for kindness shown unto me! What ho, my kinsmen and vassals, ride forth to meet them ye!" Then hasted they to their horses, and rode forth, squire and knight. Whatsoever their lord commanded, that seemed them meet and right; For so with swifter obedience they rendered him service due. But still in her bower sat Gotlind, and nothing thereof she knew. XXVII. How they came to Bechlaren Thence hasted him the Margrave to where in the Ladies' Bower Were sitting his wife and his daughter: unto these in the selfsame hour Told he the joyful tidings that but now had gladdened his ear, That the brethren of her Lady and Queen to their halls drew near. "Now therefore, O my belovèd," spake Rüdiger earnestly, "Graciously shalt thou receive them, these noble princes three, When they and their train come hither as they fare unto Etzel's court. And Hagen, Gunther's liegeman, shalt thou greet in friendly sort. With these cometh also another, and Dankwart he hath to name, And another withal, named Volker, of knightly honour and fame. Upon these six thou and my daughter shall the greeting-kiss bestow, And the grace of courteous kindness unto all the knights shall ye show." All this did the ladies promise, and nothing loth were they. Then sought they out of the coffers their goodliest array, That so they might greet the warriors in worthy bravery. So with eager haste they bestirred them, those ladies fair to see. {P. 226} Of false-feigned bloom of roses on their cheeks was little enow; But shining golden chaplets they bare upon each white brow Fashioned as rich-wrought garlands, that so their braided hair By the wind might not be ruffled: all dainty and fresh they were. In the labours of women busied those courtly dames leave we, The while went swiftly riding far over the river-lea Rüdiger's friends and kinsmen, till they spied that princely band; Then heartiest welcome they gave them into the Margrave's land.