Held was the marriage festal on a Whitsuntide; 'Twas then that royal Etzel embrac'd his high-born bride In the city of Vienna; I ween she ne'er had found, When first she wed, such myriads all to her service bound. XXXI With gifts she made acquaintance of those she ne'er had seen; "Kriemhild," said many a stranger, "is sure a royal queen; She had lost, we thought, the treasures that she before had won; Yet here with her rich presents what wonders she had done!" XXXII For seventeen days did Etzel his marriage festal hold; Never to us of monarch, I ween, before was told, Who so proudly feasted, in old or modern lore. The guests, who there were present, all their new raiment wore. XXXIII Of old, I ween, in Netherland she ne'er at board had sat With such a host of warriors; well can I vouch for that; For ne'er so many champions had Siegfried at command, With all his wealth, as Kriemhild saw before Etzel stand. XXXIV Never king before him so many mantles brave, For length and breadth conspicuous, at his own wedding gave, Nor such store of rich vesture, enough for each to take; All this was freely lavish'd for lovely Kriemhild's sake. XXXV There of a mind together were friends and strangers too; Neither their goods nor chattels kept that free-handed crew. Whatever was ask'd, was granted; they gave till they were bare. Many a one, through kindness, not a coat had left to wear. XXXVI How once by Rhine she tarried, the bride a moment thought, With her first noble husband; to her eyes the tears it brought; Yet she so well conceal'd it, the feasters mark'd her not; Now, after all her sorrows, what glory was her lot! XXXVII All was but a trifle, that by the rest was done, To the liberal deeds of Dietrich; whatever Botlung's son In former days had giv'n him, went scatter'd through the land; Marvels too of bounty were wrought by Rudeger's hand. XXXVIII Prince Blœdel, too, of Hungary vied nobly with the best; He bade his comrades empty full many a travelling chest Cramm'd with gold and silver; the whole was giv'n away; The warriors of King Etzel a merry life led they. XXXIX Werbel as well as Swemmeline, the minstrels of the king, To them no little profit did this fair marriage bring. They gain'd, I ween, in largess a thousand marks or more, When Kriemhild fair with Etzel the crown imperial wore. XL 'Twas on the eighteenth morning, they from Vienna rode; Pierc'd was many a buckler in tilting on the road By spears which valiant champions level'd dexterously. So back return'd King Etzel to the land of Hungary. XLI The walls of ancient Haimburg they reach'd by fall of night, So that scarce 'twas easy to estimate by sight How huge a strength of warriors the country round beset; Ah! what fair troops of ladies each, home returning, met! XLII