So far as Ems the river. Then hasted she to obey;
And straightway thronged were the highways with folk that onward pressed,
Afoot, or riding, eager to meet that queenly guest.
Now was the Queen in her journey come unto Everding.
They had passed through the land Bavarian unvexed of the plundering
Of the robber barons which haunted the ways, as their wont was aye.
Well might they have done a mischief unto so rich a prey;
But Rüdiger the noble from peril warded them still:
With a thousand knights, yea, haply yet more, had he fenced them from ill.
And now was the Lady Gotlind, Rüdiger’s wife, at hand,