stood opposite in merry mood, and thought in his heart as young
folk will. They asked the lovely maiden if she would have the hero. She
was half sorry, yet her heart inclined to the goodly man. She was
shamefast at the question, as many a maid hath been.

Rudeger her father counselled her to say "yes," and to take him
gladly. Giselher, the youth, was not slow to clasp her to him with his
white hands. Yet how little while she had him!

Then said the Margrave, "Great and noble kings, I will give you my child
to take with you, for this were fittest, when ye ride home again into
your land." And it was so agreed.

The din of tourney was bidden cease. The damsels were sent to their
chambers, and the guests to sleep and to take their rest till the day.
Then meats were made ready, for their host saw well to their comfort.

When they had eaten, they would have set out again for the country of the
Huns, but Rudeger said, "Go not, I pray you. Tarry here yet a while, for
I had never dearer guests."

Dankwart answered, "It may not be. Where couldst thou find the meat, the
bread and the wine, for so many knights?"

But when the host heard him, he said, "Speak not of that. Deny me not,
my dear lords. I can give you, and all them that are with you, meat for
fourteen days. Little hath King Etzel ever taken of my substance."

Albeit they made excuse, they had to tarry till the fourth morning. He
gave both horses and apparel so freely, that the fame of it spread abroad.

But longer than this it could not last, for they must needs forth.
Rudeger was not sparing of his goods. If any craved for aught, none
denied him. Each got his desire.

The attendants brought the saddled horses to the door. There many
stranger knights joined them, shield in hand, to ride with them to
Etzel's court. To each of the noble guests Rudeger offered a gift, or he
left the hall. He had wherewithal to live in honour and give freely.
Upon Giselher he had bestowed his fair daughter. He gave to Gernot a
goodly weapon enow, that he wielded well afterward in strife. The
Margrave's wife grudged him not the gift, yet Rudeger, or long, was slain
thereby.

To Gunther, the valiant knight, he gave a coat of mail, that did the rich
king honour, albeit he seldom took gifts. He bowed before Rudeger and
thanked him.

Gotelind offered Hagen a fair gift, as was fitting, since the king had
taken one, that he might not fare to the hightide without a ke