s, for all wot
well the news."

Well wist fair Gotelind the tale. She tired her and her noble child with
care. Rudeger had sent her word that it thought him good that she should
cheer the mind of the queen by riding forth, with his vassals to the
Enns (3) for to meet her. When this message had been given, one saw
on every side the roads alive; on foot and horse they hastened to meet
their guests. Now was the queen come to Efferding. (4) Enow there were
from the Bavarian land who might perchance have done the guests much
harm, had they robbed upon the roads, as was their wont. That had been
forestalled by the lordly margrave: he led a thousand knights or more.

Now Gotelind, the wife of Rudeger, was come; with her there rode many a
noble knight in lordly vise. When they were come across the Traun, (5)
upon the plain by Enns, one saw erected huts and tents, where the guests
should have their lodgings for the night. Rudeger gave the vitaille to
his guests. Fair Gotelind left her lodgings far behind her; along the
road there trotted many a shapely palfrey with jingling bridle. Fair
was the welcome; right well was Rudeger pleased. Among those who rode to
meet them on the way, on either side, in praiseworthy wise, was many a
knight. They practised chivalry, the which full many a maiden saw. Nor
did the service of the knights mislike the queen. When that Rudeger's
liegemen met the guests, many truncheons (6) were seen to fly on high
from the warriors' hands in knightly custom. As though for a prize they
rode before the ladies there. This they soon gave over and many warriors
greeted each other in friendly wise. Then they escorted fair Gotelind
from thence to where she saw Kriemhild. Scant leisure had they who wot
how to serve the ladies.

The lord of Bechelaren rode now to his wife. Little it irked the noble
margravine that he was come so well and sound from the Rhine. In part
her cares had given way to joy. When she had welcomed him, he bade
her dismount with the ladies of her train upon the sward. Many a
noble knight bestirred him and served the ladies with eager zeal. Then
Kriemhild spied the margravine standing with her meiny. No nearer she
drew, but checked the palfrey with the bridle and bade them lift her
quickly from the saddle. Men saw the bishop with Eckewart lead his
sister's child to Gotelind. All stood aside at once. Then the exiled
queen kissed Gotelind upon the mouth. Full lovingly spake Rudeger's
wife: "Now