to court. From the presses they took fair raiment and whatso of
rich attire was laid away. Of rings and ribbons, too, enow they
had. Thus each stately maiden decked herself with zeal. Full
many a youthful knight upon that day was of the mind that he was
so fair to look upon for ladies, that he would not exchange this
chance for the lands of any mighty king. Gladly they gazed on
those whom till now they had not known. Then bade the mighty
king full a hundred of his men, who were his kin and hers, escort
his sister and serve her thus. These were the court retainers of
the Burgundian land and carried swords in hand. Soon one saw the
noble Uta coming with her child. Full hundred or more fair
ladies had she taken for her train, who wore rich robes.
Likewise there followed her daughter many a stately maid. When
from out a bower men saw them come, there rose a mighty press of
knights who had the hope, if that might be, to gaze with joy upon
the noble maid. Now came she forth, the lovely fair, as doth the
red of dawn from out the lowering clouds. He then was reft of
many woes who bore her in his heart so long a time, when he saw
the lovely maid stand forth so glorious. How shone full many a
precious stone upon her robes! In lovely wise her rose-red hue
appeared. Whatever one might wish, he could not but confess that
never in the world had he beheld a fairer maid. As the radiant
moon, whose sheen is thrown so brightly on the clouds, doth stand
before the stars, so stood she now before full many a stately
dame. Therefore higher rose the spirits of the comely knights.
Richly appareled chamberlains marched on in front, while the
high-mettled warriors forsooth must press where they might see
the lovely maid. At this Lord Siegfried felt both joy and dole.
To himself he thought: "How could that chance, that I should love
thee? That is a foolish dream. But if I now must lose thee,