what I say. Each of us four must have to wear for four whole
days three changes of apparel and such goodly trappings that
without shame we may quit Brunhild's land."

In fitting wise the lords took leave and parted hence.
Kriemhild, the queen, bade thirty of her maidens who were
skillful in such work, come forth from out their bowers. Silks
of Araby, white as snow, and the fair silk of Zazamanc, (2) green
as is the clover, they overlaid with precious stones; that gave
garments passing fair. Kriemhild herself, the high-born maiden,
cut them out. Whatso they had at hand of well-wrought linings
from the skin of foreign fish, but rarely seen of folk, they
covered now with silk, as was the wont to wear. (3) Now hear
great marvels of these shining weeds. From the kingdom of
Morocco and from Libya, too, they had great store of the fairest
silks which the kith of any king did ever win. Kriemhild made it
well appear what love she bore the twain. Sith upon the proud
journey they had set their minds, they deemed ermine to be well
fit. (4) Upon this lay fine silk as black as coal. This would
still beseem all doughty knights at high festal tides. From out
a setting of Arabian gold there shone forth many a stone. The
ladies' zeal, it was not small, forsooth; in seven weeks they
wrought the robes. Ready, too, were the weapons for the right
good knights.

When now they all stood dight, (5) there was built for them in
haste upon the Rhine a sturdy little skiff, that should bear them
downward to the sea. Weary were the noble maids from all their
cares. Then the warriors were told that the brave vestures they
should wear were now prepared; as they had craved it, so it now