glad of such a wife."

Hagen, too, replied in full kindly wise: "My lord Giselher must take
a wife. The margravine is of such high kin that I and all his liegemen
would gladly serve her, should she wear a crown in Burgundy land."

This speech thought Rudeger passing good, and Gotelind too, indeed
it joyed their mood. Then the heroes brought to pass that the noble
Giselher took her to wife, as did well befit a king. Who may part what
shall be joined together? Men prayed the margravine to go to court, and
swore to give him the winsome maid. He, too, vowed to wed the lovely
fair. For the maiden they set castles and land aside, and this the hand
of the noble king did pledge with an oath, and Lord Gernot, too, that
this should hap.

Then spake the margrave: "Sith I have naught of castles, I will
ever serve you with my troth. As much silver and gold will I give my
daughter, as an hundred sumpters may barely carry, that it may please
the hero's kin in honor."

After the custom men bade them stand in a ring. Over against her many a
youth stood, blithe of mood. In their minds they harbored thoughts,
as young folk still are wont to do. Men then gan ask the winsome maid
whether she would have the knight or no. Loth in part she was, and yet
she thought to take the stately man. She shamed her of the question, as
many another maid hath done. Her father Rudeger counseled her to answer
yes, and gladly take him. In a trice young Giselher was at her side, and
clasped her in his white hands, albeit but little time she might enjoy
him.

Then Spake the margrave: "Ye noble and mighty kings, when ye now ride
again (that is the custom) home to Burgundy, I will give you my child,
that ye may take her with you."

This then they vowed. Now men must needs give over all the noisy joy.
They bade the maiden hie her to her bower, and bade the guests to sleep
and rest them against the day. Meanwhile men made ready the food; the
host purveyed them well.

When now they had eaten, they would ride hence to the Hunnish lands.
"I'll guard against that well," spake the noble host. "Ye must tarry
still, for full seldom have I gained such welcome guests."

To this Dankwart replied: "Forsooth this may not be. Where would ye find
the food, the bread and wine, that ye must have for so many warriors
another night?"

When the host heard this, he spake: "Give o'er this speech. My dear
lords, ye must not say me nay. Forsooth I'd give you vittaile for a
fo