and his
friends had pastime good. The wedding feast fell on a Whitsuntide,
when King Etzel lay by Kriemhild in the town of Vienna. With her first
husband, I trow, she did not win so many men for service. Through
presents she made her known to those who had never seen her. Full many
among them spake to the guests: "We weened that Lady Kriemhild had
naught of goods, now hath she wrought many wonders with her gifts."

The feasting lasted seventeen days. I trow men can no longer tell of any
king whose wedding feast was greater. If so be, 'tis hidden from us.
All that were present wore brand-new garments. I ween, she never dwelt
before in Netherland with such retinue of knights. Though Siegfried was
rich in goods, I trow, he never won so many noble men-at-arms, as she
saw stand 'fore Etzel. Nor hath any ever given at his own wedding feast
so many costly mantles, long and wide, nor such good clothes, of which
all had here great store, given for Kriemhild's sake. Her friends and
the strangers, too, were minded to spare no kind of goods. Whatever any
craved, this they willingly gave, so that many of the knights through
bounty stood bereft of clothes. Kriemhild thought of how she dwelt with
her noble husband by the Rhine; her eyes grew moist, but she hid it full
well, that none might see it. Great worship had been done her after
many a grief. Whatever bounty any used, 'twas but a wind to that of
Dietrich. What Botelung's son had given him, was squandered quite.
Rudeger's lavish hand did also many wonders. Prince Bleedel of Hungary
bade empty many traveling chests of their silver and their gold; all
this was given away. The king's champions were seen to live right
merrily. Werbel and Swemmel, (10) the minstrels of the king, each gained
at the wedding feast, I ween, full thousand marks, or even better, when
fair Kriemhild sate crowned at Etzel's side.

On the eighteenth morning they rode forth from Vienna. Many shields were
pierced in tilting by spears, which the warriors bare in hand. Thus King
Etzel came down to the Hunnish land. They spent the night at ancient
Heimburg. (11) No one might know the press of folk, or with what force
they rode across the land. Ho, what fair women they found in Etzel's
native land! At mighty Misenburg (12) they boarded ship. The water which
men saw flowing there was covered with steeds and men, as if it were
solid earth. The wayworn ladies had their ease and rest. Many good ships
were lashed togeth