Then to the thanes Burgundian the princely Margrave cried, Even Rüdiger the noble: "We may now no longer hide From the lords of the realm the tidings that to Hunland we draw near. Sooth, never hath King Etzel heard aught to his heart so dear." Then rode swift heralds many to the land of the Easterling, And so full soon did the tidings through all the country ring That from Worms-over-Rhine the heroes were coming thitherward. Welcomer news heard never the vassals of Hunland's Lord. (C) And when to the Daughter of Princes the tidings thereof was told, From her stricken heart in a measure the burden of grief was rolled, Since now from the land of her fathers came they which had done her a wrong-- Ay, they through whom King Etzel had sorrow enow ere long! Fast, fast pressed onward the heralds as the tale to the King they bare How that the Niblung chieftains nigh unto Hunland were. Kriemhild the Queen from a casement watched with eager eye For her kinsmen, as friends sore-yearning look forth as friends draw nigh. At last she beheld those thousands from the ancient home that came; And ware was the King of their coming, and he laughed with joy for the same:-- {P. 234} "See to it, O dear wife, Kriemhild, thou receive them worthily. To be crowned with exceeding honour thy brethren come unto thee." "Glad am I for these good tidings," spake Kriemhild her heart within. "Ha, many a bright new buckler they bring, my faithless kin, And hauberks gleaming and glancing!--now whoso will take of my gold, And think on my wrongs, such champion my friend for aye will I hold." (C) In her soul was she thinking--thinking--"The day of reckoning is this! He who hath utterly emptied my life of all its bliss Shall drink, if I may but contrive it, to the dregs the cup of pain At this guest-greeting! Ready am I and exceeding fain. (C) O yea, I will so devise it, that on this festal day My vengeance shall stand triumphant, betide thereof what may, Over his hateful body who bereaved me utterly Of love, of the joy of living--but the hour of requital is nigh!" XXVIII. How the Burgundians came to Etzel's strong City Now when the Burgundian Heroes came to the Hunfolk's land, Told was the thing to the warrior of Bern, old Hildebrand, And he unto Dietrich told it; and his lord with grief and dismay Heard; yet he bade him welcome that valiant knightly array. Then were the horses saddled at the bidding of Wolfhart the strong. With the Hero of Bern went riding knights in a lordly throng To greet the friends far-travelled. On the river-plain they met Where many a goodly pavilion the squires by this had set.