Full many a rich-wrought girdle with tassels swinging low Over their shining raiment did hands of ladies throw, Coiled round the silken loom-work far-fetched from Araby. --O, the hearts of the noble maidens with joy and hope beat high! There too did many a fair one over her bosom lace The bodice clasped with jewels:--yet she whose lovely face Outshone not all the splendour of her raiment might well be sad! So fair a train of ladies never queen in the whole world had. So when all those winsome ladies were arrayed in their bravery, Then did the knights of their escort in eager haste draw nigh; Yea, thither the thanes high-hearted came in a mighty throng All bearing their shining bucklers and their ashen lances long. X. Of the strange Bridal of Gunther and Brunhild Then gazed they across the Rhine-stream, and beheld on the farther shore The King with his guests around him, which had drawn nigh theretofore; And they saw the good knights standing by the bridle of many a maid, Even them that they looked to welcome, who now for their coming stayed. So passed they down to the galleys, that host from the Northern Land, They and the Niblung thousand, even Siegfried's own war-band, {P. 79} And adown the bank they hasted: their toil the rowers plied, Till all these friends of Gunther had won to the farther side. Now list ye withal, how the story of the Queen of Burgundy Telleth, how Uta the stately with her maiden-company Went forth of the castle riding with that bright cavalcade: Then were made known to each other many a knight and maid. The Lord of the Marches, Gere, led Kriemhild's steed by the rein To the fortress-gate, no farther: Siegfried the noble thane Should render her service thereafter--how queenly and lovely she shone! Well was his service requited by the maiden's love anon. Ortwein the noble, the dauntless, led onward Uta the Queen, And, each by a lady riding, was many a knight there seen. Unto festal welcoming rode they, plain for all folk to see. Never was seen of ladies so goodly a company! In front of Kriemhild the lovely, through all the merry way Those far-famed heroes jousted in gentle and joyous play: 'Twas the ancient and honoured custom. So when to the ships they came, Then lifted they from their palfreys full many a noble dame. Now the King had by this crossed over with many a stranger knight; But in jousting still they shivered strong spears in ladies' sight. Ever the shields were ringing with echoing clash and clang; In the press of the warriors charging rich bosses mightily rang.