ow not. Kriemhild's white hand lay in
the king's. They sat lovingly together, but Rudeger allowed not the king
to caress his bride in secret.

They bade stay the tourney. The din of the fray ended with honour, and
Etzel's men went to their tents, where they had spacious lodging. That
evening, and through the night, they rested in comfort, till the morning
light began to shine. Then they got to horse again. Ha! what sports
they drave for the glory of the king! Etzel exhorted his Huns to do as
honour bade.

Then they rode from Tulna to the town of Vienna. There they found many
women featly adorned, that received Etzel's wife with much worship. All
that they needed was there in plenty, and the heroes rejoiced against the
festival. Lodging was given them, and the king's hightide began
merrily. There was not room for all in the town, and Rudeger bade them
that were not guests take up their quarters in the country round about.
All this time, I trow, the king was not far from Kriemhild. Sir
Dietrich, and many another knight beside, slacked not in their endeavour
to cheer the hearts of the strangers. Rudeger and his friends had good
pastime.

The festival fell on a Whitsuntide, when King Etzel wedded Kriemhild in
the town of Vienna. She had not, certes, had so many men to serve her in
her first husband's time. With her gifts she made herself known to many
that had never seen her afore, among the which were some that said to the
guests, "We deemed that Kriemhild possessed naught. Yet here she doeth
wonders with her wealth."

The hightide lasted seventeen days. Of no king, I ween, is it told, that
he held a longer marriage feast; at the least we wot of none. All the
guests wore new apparel. At home, in the Netherland, Kriemhild had never
sat before so many knights; yea, I trow, that albeit Siegfried had great
possessions, he had never at command so many noble warriors as stood
before Etzel. Nor had nay king ever given at his own wedding such store
of rich mantles, long and wide, nor such goodly vesture, whereof he had
enow and to spare. For Kriemhild's sake he did it all.

Friends and strangers were of one mind. They grudged not their dearest
possession. Whatso any asked for was readily given, till that many a
knight, through his charity, was left bare and without clothes.

When the queen thought how once she had sat by the Rhine with her noble
husband, her eyes grew wet. But she hid it, that none kn