Prince
Gibek with a gallant host. Hornbog, the swift, pricked forward from the
king's side to his mistress with echoing shouts, after the fashion of his
country. Etzel's kinsmen, likewise, spurred hotly toward her. Next came
bold Hawart of Denmark, and swift Iring, free from guile; and Irnfried of
Thuringia, a brave man. These, with the twelve hundred men that made up
their host, received Kriemhild with all worship. Then came Sir Bloedel,
King Etzel's brother, from the land of the Huns; with great pomp, he drew
nigh to the queen. The next was King Etzel, with Sir Dietrich and all
his knights, among the which were many good warriors faithful and true;
whereat the heart of Queen Kriemhild was uplifted.

Then Sir Rudeger said to the queen, "Lady, the king would welcome thee
here. Kiss them that I bid thee kiss. It is not meet that all Etzel's
men be greeted on like manner."

So they lifted the queen down from her palfrey. Etzel, the great
monarch, tarried no longer, but sprang from his horse with many a bold
knight, and hasted joyfully toward Kriemhild. Two mighty princes, they
tell us, walked by the queen and carried her train when King Etzel went
toward her, and she received him sweetly with kisses. She pushed back
her head-band, and her bright skin shone from out the gold, till many a
man vowed that queen Helca could not have been fairer. Bloedel, the
king's brother, stood close at hand, whom Rudeger, the wealthy Margrave,
bade her kiss; also King Gibek, and Dietrich likewise. Twelve knights
were kissed by her, and many others were kindly greeted.

All the time that Etzel stood by Kriemhild, the youths did as the custom
is still. Christian knights and heathen jousted, each after his own
fashion. Dietrich's men, as beseemed good warriors, hurled the whizzing
shafts high above the shields, with undaunted hand. Bucklers enow were
pierced before the German guests. Mickle din was there of splintered
lances. All the knights of the land were gathered together, and the
king's guests also, among the which were many noble men. Then the great
king went with the queen into a stately pavilion. The field round about
was full of tents, that they might rest after their labour. Thither the
heroes led the beautiful maidens after the queen, who sat down therein on
a rich couch. The Margrave had so ordered it, that they found it all
goodly and fair. High beat the heart of Etzel.

What they said to each other I kn