LXXXIII
Kriemhild, the fair, the spotless, amidst her ladies stood,
Waiting for Sir Rudeger the noble envoy good.
He found her in the vesture that every day she wore;
Her dames stood by in raiment all work'd and broider'd o'er.
LXXXIV
To the door to meet him with stately step she went,
And well and warmly welcom'd the chief from Etzel sent.
Eleven good knights were with him, himself the twelfth was there.
Ne'er came such high-born suitors to woo a queen so fair.
LXXXV
They bade the chief be seated, and with him all his band.
There the two noble margraves were seen before her stand,
Eckewart and Gary; none there was blithe or glad;
All wore one face of mourning, e'en as their lady sad.
LXXXVI
Before her meekly seated many a fair maid was seen,
Pale sorrowful companions of that woe-wither'd queen.
The cloth, that veil'd her bosom, with scalding tears was wet.
Well saw the noble margrave, her grief was lively yet.
LXXXVII