with silk, and wrought them with gold. Many a marvel could one tell of
these garments. For they had, in plenty, the finest silks from Morocco
and Libya that the children of kings ever wore. It was not hard to see
that Kriemhild loved the warriors. And because they desired rich
apparel, the black-spotted ermine was not spared, the which good knights
covet still for hightides.

Precious stones sparkled on gold of Araby. Certes, the women were not
idle. Inside of seven weeks the clothes were ready, and also weapons for
the knights.

Now when all was done, a stout ship lay waiting on the Rhine to bear them
down to the sea. Ill paid were the maidens, after, for their toil.

When they told the knights that the rich vesture they were to wear was
ready, and that all they had asked was accomplished, they were eager to
quit the Rhine. A messenger was sent to them, that they might try on
their new apparel, lest haply it might be too short or too long for any.
But the measure was exact, wherefore they thanked the maidens. All that
saw it owned that, in the whole world, none was better. They wore it
proudly at the court, and none were praised above them for their attire.

The maidens had sweet thanks, and the doughty warriors took their leave
right courteously, and bright eyes were dim and wet with tears.

Kriemhild said, "Dear brother, thou didst better to stay here and woo
other women without risk to thy body. It were easy to find, night at
hand, a wife of as high lineage."

I ween her heart told her the dole that was to come. And they wept all