keth you
good, I know well that my dear father will gladly send me to you to
the Hunnish land." How well Kriemhild marked that the maiden loved her
truly.

The steeds were harnessed and led before the castle of Bechelaren
and the noble queen took leave of Rudeger's wife and daughter. With
a greeting many a fair maid parted too. Full seldom did they see each
other since these days. From Medelick (8) the folk bare in their hands
many a rich cup of gold, in which they offered wine to the strangers
on the highway. Thus they made them welcome. A host dwelt there, hight
Astolt, (9) who showed them the road to the Austrian land, towards
Mautern (10) down the Danube. There the noble queen was later served
full well. From his niece the bishop parted lovingly. How he counseled
her that she should bear her well and that she should purchase honor
for herself, as Helca, too, had done! Ho, what great worship she later
gained among the Huns!

To the Traisem (11) they escorted hence the guests. Rudeger's men
purveyed them zealously, until the Huns came riding across the land.
Then the queen became acquaint with mickle honor. Near the Traisem the
king of the Hunnish land did have a mighty castle, hight Zeisenmauer,
(12) known far and wide. Lady Helca dwelt there aforetime and used such
great virtues that it might not lightly ever hap again, unless it be
through Kriemhild. She wist so how to give, that after all her sorrow
she had the joy that Etzel's liegemen gave her great worship, of which
she later won great store among the heroes. Etzel's rule was known far
and wide, so that all time one found at his court the boldest warriors
of whom men ever heard, among Christian or among paynim. They were all
come with him. All time there were at his court, what may not so lightly
hap again, Christian customs and also heathen faith. In whatsoever wise
each lived, the bounty of the king bestowed on all enow.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Vergen" is the modern Pforing, below Ingolstadt. A ferry
across the river existed here from ancient times.
(2) "Pilgrim", or "Pilgerin", as he is variously called, is an
historical personage. He was bishop of Passau from 971 to
991. Without doubt he is a late introduction, according to
Boer between 1181 and 1185. See Boer, ii, 204, and E.L.
Dummler, "Pilgrim von Passau", Leipzig, 1854.
(3) "Enns" (M.H.G. "Ens") is one of the tributaries of the
Danube, fl