wish, went forth to meet them with many a valiant man. Fair greetings
were given there by noble dames. The young margravine kissed all three
kings, as did her mother, too. Close at hand stood Hagen. Her father
bade her kiss him, but when she gazed upon him, he seemed so fearful
that she had fain left it undone. Yet she must needs perform what the
host now bade her do. Her color changed first pale then red. Dankwart,
too, she kissed, and then the minstrel. For his great prowess was this
greeting given. The young margravine took by the hand Knight Giselher
of the Burgundian land. The same her mother did to Gunther, the valiant
man. Full merrily they went hence with the heroes. The host walked at
Gernot's side into a broad hall, where the knights and ladies sate them
down. Soon they bade pour out for the guests good wine. Certes, heroes
might never be better purveyed than they. Rudeger's daughter was gazed
upon with loving glances, so fair she was. Forsooth many a good knight
caressed her in his mind. And well did she deserve this, so high she was
of mood. The knights thought what they would, but it might not come to
pass. Back and forth shot the glances at maids and dames. Of them sate
there enow. The noble fiddler bare the host good will.

Then they parted after the custom, knights and ladies going to different
sides. In the broad hall they set up the tables and served the strangers
in lordly wise. For the sake of the guests the noble margravine went
to table, but let her daughter stay with the maidens, where she sate by
right. The guests saw naught of her, which irked them sore, in truth.

When they had eaten and drunk on every side, men brought the fair again
into the hall; nor were merry speeches left unsaid. Many such spake
Folker, this brave and lusty knight. Before them all the noble minstrel
spake: "Mighty margrave, God hath dealt full graciously with you, for
he hath given you a passing comely wife and thereto a life of joy. An'
I were a prince," quoth the minstrel, "and should wear a crown, I would
fain have to wife your comely daughter. This my heart doth wish. She is
lovely for to see, thereto noble and good."

Then answered the margrave: "How might that be, that king should ever
crave the dear daughter of mine? My wife and I are exiles; what booteth
in such ease the maiden's passing comeliness?"

To this Gernot, the well-bred man, made answer: "An' I might have a love
after mine own desire, I should be ever