Now mingled they, home-abiders and strangers, matron and maid: There many a comely woman was seen all costly-arrayed. Rich tents and silken pavilions all round lay far and wide, Wherewith were the green meads covered from Worms to the river-side. Then nigher pressed to behold them King Gunther's friends and kin. Then prayed they the Lady Brunhild and Kriemhild to pass within, And all their handmaids with them, 'neath the wavering silken shade. Thither the knights Burgundian their noble guests conveyed. Now by this upon their horses those knightly guests had sprung, And with sport of the breaking of lances the shining bucklers rung. {P. 81} Over the field upsoaring was the dust, as though all the land Were flame-devoured, as the heroes made proof of their might of hand. To the eyes of the watching maidens those knights their prowess showed: Right well with the host of his warriors Siegfried the valiant rode; In tourney before the pavilion aye to and fro he wheeled: With the hero a thousand Niblungs went sweeping across the field. Then strode forth Hagen of Troneg at Gunther the King's behest, And courteously the hero bade the knights from their jousting rest, That they should not o'erpall with the dust-cloud the maidens fair and sweet; And the knightly guests blithe-hearted rendered obedience meet. Then out spake Gernot the noble: "Awhile let the horses abide Till the day on-draweth to coolness, and so shall our escort ride Beside the lovely ladies to the wide-roofed palace-hall. When the word of the King shall be given, 'To horse!' be ye ready all." Through the length and the breadth of the lealand stayed was the tournament; Then the knights sought unto the ladies in many a stately tent To while the hours in converse, and to make them merry of heart: So fleeted fast the moments, till time was thence to depart. Before the falling of even, when sank the light of the sun, And came thereafter the coolness, no more would they linger on. Then cityward knight and lady rode the summer ways, And on many a form most winsome fell warrior's loving gaze. As they rode, were there tourney-courses; oft mantles with sudden hand[8] Were twitched from the gallant riders, after the wont of the land, Till afront of the gate of the palace the King his war-horse stayed: So by the knights to the ladies was honour-service paid. Then from the throng departed those Queens in their royal pride; And the Lady Uta and Kriemhild straightway turned aside {P. 82} With all the train of their handmaids into a fair wide hall: There did bright tides of laughter and of voices rise and fall. Now set they in order the high-seats, and on King Gunther passed Leading his guests to the banquet. Then saw they beside him at last A Queen!--it was Brunhild the lovely. A crown on her brow she bare As a queen in her king's dominions--ah, stately she was and fair!