To grace her guests, at table the noble hostess kind Took place, but left her daughter, as fitted best, behind Among her blooming maidens, with whom retir'd she sat. The guests, who joy'd to see her, were little pleas'd with that. XXIV With meats and drinks abundant their fill had feasted all; Then back the lovely ladies were usher'd to the hall; Nor comely mirth there wanted, nor merriment, nor jest. The gentle knight Sir Folker there shone above the rest. XXV Then out spake to Sir Rudeger that minstrel bold and true, "High and puissant margrave, God sure has dealt with you As one whom most He favors, since he so fair a wife Has given you for a helpmate, and bless'd with joy your life. XXVI "If I were a monarch and if a crown I wore," Said the good knight, "no maiden should be my queen before Your fair and gentle daughter; my heart's desire I tell; Lovely is she to look on, high-born and nurtur'd well." XXVII Then spake the noble margrave, "What chance could ever bring To woo my child beloved a proud and puissant king? My wife and I are exiles, both worn with age and care, And can give her nothing; what boots then all her fair?" XXVIII Thereat the courteous Gernot took up the word and spake, "If I desir'd a helpmate after my heart to take None would I ask more gladly than this same modest maid." Thereupon Sir Hagan in courtly fashion said, XXIX "Now fits it my lord Giselher to take a bride, I ween, And sure so high-descended is the young margravine, That I and all his vassals would do her homage fain, If crown'd we were to see her in our Burgundian reign." XXX Well pleas'd was good Sir Rudeger Sir Hagan's words to hear, So, too, was Lady Gotelind; right joyous was her cheer. Soon so the chiefs contriv'd it, that Giselher, nothing loth, To wife took the fair maiden, as well beseem'd them both. XXXI When once a thing is settled, who further can gainsay? Forthwith they bade the damsel to court to take her way. Then for his wife to give him the lovely maid they swore, Then he too vow'd to cherish and love her evermore. XXXII Next dower'd was the fair maiden with castles and with land; With an oath assurance was giv'n by Gunther's hand, As well as by Lord Gernot's, that so it should be done. Then said the noble margrave, "Since castles I have none, XXXIII "With you will I forever a faithful friendship hold; A hundred sumpters' burden of silver and of gold (No unbefitting portion) I'll give the gentle bride, So that the bridegroom's warriors may well be satisfied." XXXIV Then had the bride and bridegroom within a ring to stand, For such was then the custom; a merry stripling band Encircled the fair couple, and gaz'd on them their fill, And thought the while as idly as think young people still. XXXV