And in rivalry of beauty fair women arrayed them withal.
There Giselher the stripling all-eager might ye see,
As he welcomed the homeland-dweller and the stranger courteously;
And with him stood Gernot his brother and all their knightly train:
With the honour of ancient custom they greeted each noble thane.
Through the Rhineland highways rode they on saddles with gold red-glowing;
Great shields all splendour-blazoned, rich mantles lordly-flowing
Went flashing up the city to that glorious festal-tide:—
Yea, men unhealed blithe-hearted looked forth on their knightly pride;
Ay, the battle-stricken tossing on beds of pain all day