Rich tents and silken pavilions all round lay far and wide,
Wherewith were the green meads covered from Worms to the river-side.
Then nigher pressed to behold them King Gunther’s friends and kin.
Then prayed they the Lady Brunhild and Kriemhild to pass within,
And all their handmaids with them, ’neath the wavering silken shade.
Thither the knights Burgundian their noble guests conveyed.
Now by this upon their horses those knightly guests had sprung,
And with sport of the breaking of lances the shining bucklers rung.
Over the field upsoaring was the dust, as though all the land
Were flame-devoured, as the heroes made proof of their might of hand.