LVIII "And for the sake of Gotelind the same at court must wear, That I may learn, when hither again you all repair, What service you have done me in yon assembly bright." The lady's wish thereafter full well perform'd the knight. LIX Then the noble margrave his parting guests bespake, "That you may ride the safer, myself the charge will take To guide you, lest from robbers you suffer by the road." With that upon his sumpters in haste was laid their load. LX The host he soon was ready with full five hundred men Well horsed and well apparell'd; them led he merrily then To the proud feast of Etzel, and they him follow'd fain; Not one of them came living to Bechlaren back again. LXI The host from home departed with many a loving kiss: The like did also Giselher; his honor counsell'd this. Each to his beating bosom his trembling lady press'd. That parting planted sorrow in many a virgin breast. LXII All windows in Bechlaren now flew open wide. Straight would to horse the margrave, and with his warriors ride I ween, their hearts that moment their coming doom forbode. Many a dame and many a damsel loud sobb'd as forth they rode. LXIII E'en for their best beloved in heart they sorrow'd sore, For those, whom at Bechlaren they were to see no more. Yet merrily the champions prick'd along the strand Downward beside the Danube to reach the Hunnish land. LXIV Then thus to the Burgundians out spake the stately knight. "Rudeger the noble, methinks, it were but right We should announce we're coming e'en now to Hunnish ground; More pleasantly no tidings in Etzel's ear will sound." LXV Straight adown through Austria he bade a courier ride; At once among the people 'twas publish'd far and wide, That coming were the heroes from Worms beyond the Rhine. Right glad were Etzel's vassals, and those of Etzel's line. LXVI With the news the couriers forth gallop'd hastily, That the Nibelungers were now in Hungary. "Well should'st thou receive them, Kriemhild, lady mine! They come to do thee honor, these brethren dear of thine." LXVII Dame Kriemhild at a window was standing there to view; She look'd out for her kinsmen as friend for friends will do. From her native country saw she many a man. The king too heard the tidings and for joy to laugh began. LXVIII "Now I at last am happy," exclaim'd th' exulting queen; "Hither are come my kinsmen with many a mailcoat sheen, And many a new-made buckler; who would for gold endeavor, Let him my wrongs remember, and I'll befriend him ever. LXIX "Yes! I will so contrive it, to take revenge for all At this same feast of Etzel's (whatever thereafter fall) On his abhorred body, who so the traitor play'd, And all my joy so blasted.--I shall be now repaid." TWENTY-EIGHTH ADVENTURE HOW KRIEMHILD RECEIVED HAGAN