meet her with all his men, as far as the Enns. This was no sooner
done than the roads were thronged with folk riding and running afoot to
meet the guests.

The queen was now come to Efferding. There many a Bavarian robber had
gladly plundered them on the road, as their custom is, and had easily
done them a hurt. But noble Rudeger had guarded against this; he had
with him a thousand knights or more. Rudeger's wife, Gotelind, too, was
come thither, and with her many bold warriors. When they had crossed the
Traun at Enns, they found booths and tents pitched for them on the plain
where they were to sleep. Rudeger took all the charges on himself.

Gotelind set out from her quarters, and many horses with jingling bridles
took the road. It was a fair welcome, and done for Rudeger's sake. The
knights, from both sides, pricked gallantly to the greeting, and showed
their horsemanship in the presence of the maidens, that saw it gladly
enow. When Rudeger's men rode up to the strangers, many a splinter flew
into the air from the hands of the heroes, that tilted on knightly wise.
They rode to win praise from the women. When the tourney was ended, the
men greeted each other, and fair Gotelind was led up to Kriemhild. There
was little rest for any skilled to wait upon women.

The Margrave rode to meet his wife, that was not sorry to see him come
back safe from the Rhine. In her joy she forgot her long dole. When she
had welcomed him, he bade her alight on the grass with her attendants.
The knights hasted to serve them.

When Kriemhild saw the Margravine standing with her train, she went no
further, but stayed her horse and bade them lift her quickly from the
saddle. The bishop led his sister's child, he and Eckewart, to Gotelind,
and all that stood in the way fell back. Then the stranger kissed the
Margravine on the mouth, and Rudeger's wife said sweetly, "Well for me,
dear lady, that I have seen with mine eyes thy fair body here in this
land! Naught so welcome hath, for long, befallen me." "God reward thee,
noble Gotelind," answered Kriemhild. "If I be spared alive to live with
Botlung's child, it may indeed be well for thee that thou hast seen me."
Neither of them knew that which was to be.

The maidens, attended by the knights, advanced and greeted each other
courteously; then they sat down on the clover, and many that had been
strangers became acquainted. They bade pour out the wine for the women;
and, seeing