TWENTY-SEVENTH ADVENTURE RUDEGER'S HOSPITALITY I There lingered not the margrave, but straight the ladies sought, His wife and his fair daughter, and what good news he brought, By Eckewart deliver'd, told with exulting glee, How their good lady's brethren their guests were soon to be. II "My dearest love and lady," his tale he thus 'gan tell, "The noble kings approaching receive, as fits them, well, Since hither they are passing to court with all their clan; Accord, too, like fair greeting to Hagan, Gunther's man. III "With them besides on duty comes one that Dankwart hight; And yet a third call'd Folker, a well-train'd courtly knight. These six must you, Dame Gotelind, and you, fair daughter, kiss. Nor at your hands let any of fitting kindness miss." IV That promis'd straight the ladies, and ready all things made. Large store of goodly raiment forth from the chests they laid, That they such noble warriors might meet in fit array; Many a lovely lady bestirr'd herself that day. V How little spurious colors on their fresh cheeks were found! Far-glittering golden fillets about their heads they wound, And in such gorgeous bondage confin'd their radiant hair, Lest the light frolic breezes should work disorder there. VI So let us leave the ladies in no unpleasing toil. Meanwhile the friends of Rudeger swift scour'd the sounding soil, Till, where they found the princes, they made a sudden stand. The guests were warmly welcom'd to the good margrave's land. VII When to his home the margrave saw the Burgundians come, Exulting thus bespoke he the strangers all and some, "Welcome, ye lords! right welcome, you and your vassals too. Here in my land full gladly I see such friends as you." VIII The brethren to his greeting their stately heads inclin'd, To the loving love returning, and kindness to the kind. Apart he greeted Hagan, whom he had known of old; The same did he to Folker the minstrel blithe and bold. IX Last welcom'd he Sir Dankwart, who thus his host bespake, "Since you will give us shelter, pray who in charge will take The train we have brought hither, all in such weary plight?" Then answer'd him the margrave, "Well will you rest to-night. X "My people shall keep safely all you have hither brought, Silver and steeds and raiment; you need not think of aught. Be sure, I'll take such order, that loss shall none occur. You'll not miss all among you as much as half a spur. XI "So pitch your tents, ye yeomen, in the field apace; Whatever here is missing, I'll willingly replace; Off with bit and saddle--turn loose your weary steeds." Such a host had rarely supplied the wanderer's needs. XII