a splendid joust was
ridden by worshipful knights (not well might it be left undone) afore
Kriemhild, the fair, down to the ships. Then the fair-fashioned ladies
were lifted from the palfreys. The king was come across and many a
worthy guest. Ho, what stout lances brake before the ladies' eyes! One
heard the clash of many hurtling shields. Ho, what costly bucklers rang
loudly as they closed! The lovely fair stood by the shore as Gunther and
his guests alighted from the boats; he himself led Brunhild by the hand.
Bright gems and gleaming armor shone forth in rivalry. Lady Kriemhild
walked with courtly breeding to meet Dame Brunhild and her train.
White hands removed the chaplets, (1) as these twain kissed each other;
through deference this was done.

Then in courteous wise the maiden Kriemhild spake: "Be ye welcome in
these lands of ours, to me and to my mother and to all the loyal kin we
have."

Low bows were made and the ladies now embraced full oft. Such loving
greeting hath one never heard, as the two ladies, Dame Uta and her
daughter, gave the bride; upon her sweet mouth they kissed her oft. When
now Brunhild's ladies all were come to land, stately knights took many
a comely woman by the hand in loving wise. The fair-fashioned maids were
seen to stand before the lady Brunhild. Long time elasped or ever the
greetings all were done; many a rose-red mouth was kissed, in sooth.
Still side by side the noble princesses stood, which liked full well
the doughty warriors for to see. They who had heard men boast afore that
such beauty had ne'er been seen as these two dames possessed, spied now
with all their eyes and must confess the truth. Nor did one see upon
their persons cheats of any kind. Those who wot how to judge of women
and lovely charms, praised Gunther's bride for beauty; but the wise had
seen more clear and spake, that one must give Kriemhild the palm before
Brunhild.

Maids and ladies now drew near each other. Many a comely dame was seen
arrayed full well. Silken tents and many rich pavilions stood hard by,
the which quite filled the plain of Worms. The kinsmen of the king came
crowding around, when Brunhild and Kriemhild and with them all the dames
were bidden go to where shade was found. Thither the knights from the
Burgundian land escorted them.

Now were the strangers come to horse, and shields were pierced in many
royal jousts. From the plain the dust gan rise, as though the whole land
had burst forth