From all the turrets and battlements floated banners and flags in the fresh morning breeze: esquires were running to and fro in their gayest apparel.

As soon as the good Rolf saw his master, he clapped his hands joyfully over his grey head, and hastened into the castle.

Immediately the wide gates were thrown open; and Sintram, as he entered, was met by Rolf, whose eyes were filled with tears of joy while he pointed towards three noble forms that were following him.
Two men of high stature--one in extreme old age, the other grey-headed, and both remarkably alike--were leading between them a fair young boy, in a page's dress of blue velvet, richly embroidered with gold.

The two old men wore the dark velvet dress of German burghers, and had massive gold chains and large shining medals hanging round their necks.
Sintram had never before seen his honoured guests, and yet he felt as if they were well known and valued friends.

The very aged man reminded him of his dying father's words about the snow-covered mountains lighted up by the evening sun; and then he remembered, he could scarcely tell how, that he had heard Folko say that one of the highest mountains of that sort in his southern land was called the St.Gotthard.And at the same time, he knew that the old but yet vigorous man on the other side was named Rudlieb.