To the front of the castle-gateway did the noble Margravine haste With her beauteous daughter; and many a lady lovely-faced Upon this side and that was standing, and many a winsome maid In carcanet and bracelet and queenly apparel arrayed. Gleamed many a precious gemstone casting afar its sheen Forth of their costly vesture--ah, fair were they to be seen! Forward the guests came riding; from selle sprang they to the earth,-- What knightly grace and courteous showed they of Burgundian birth! There were six-and-thirty maidens, and many a dame beside. Fair to all heart's desiring were the women lovely-eyed That with many a valiant warrior to meet the strangers came: Yea, fairest greeting was tendered of noble damsel and dame. Then the Margravine welcomed the princes with the kiss of courtesy, The like did also her daughter. Now Hagen stood thereby, And her father bade her kiss him: but the maiden looked upon him, And fain would she have refrained her, for his favour was passing grim. Yet as their host her father commanded needs must she do: But came and went her colour, she was pale and red of hue. Thereafter Dankwart kissed she, and the lord of the viol-string, For his might and his valour won him the greeting due to a king. Then, to usher him into the castle, the maiden stretched her hand Unto Giselher the courteous, the Prince of Burgundia-land. And the hand of the valiant Gunther the Margravine hath ta'en. So blithely into the castle with the heroes passed these twain. The host gave hand unto Gernot: to the great hall so they came. There sat they down on the high-seats, brave knight and comely dame. Then poured they the wine of welcome, and bare to the guests all round. Never more gracious greeting have heroes-errant found! With eyes of admiration looked many a warrior there On the damsel, Rüdiger's daughter, for the maiden was passing fair. In his heart did many a good knight her loveliness embrace: Well might they, her queenly spirit made a splendour of her face. {P. 228} Ah, they might dream as they listed!--'twas a dream no morn should fulfil! Hither and thither the glances of the heroes wandered still To the faces and forms of maidens and of dames that thronged the hall. But the heart of the noble minstrel warmed to their host above all. Then was the company sundered: the knights and the dames straightway Passed into several feast-halls, as the wont of the land was aye. In the great hall of the castle for the knights were the tables arrayed, And there to the friends from a far land was eager service paid. For a grace to her guests Burgundian the noble Margravine Sat in their midst at the table; but there was her child not seen, For apart she abode with the maidens, as the land's wont was from of old; And the brave knights sighed for the beauty they might no longer behold.