Hard by the Danube river in the land of the Easterlings lies

A burg that men name Tulna: there seen of Kriemhild’s eyes

Was many an alien custom uncouth and marvel-fraught.

There was she welcomed of many whose doom at the last she wrought.

Forerunners of King Etzel rode a vassal-company

Blithe-hearted, splendour-vestured, courtly and goodly to see,

Four and twenty princes, mighty and men of renown,

To look on their Queen: her presence of their heart’s desire was the crown.

Ramung, the great war-captain from far Wallachia-land,

To meet her rode; seven hundred were the warriors of his band.