1177
Now when the all-unknown ones were given an abode,
Upon these self-same nobles vast was the heed bestow’d:
Men wondered whence the warriors to the Rhine had found their way.
The host sent after Hagen, if haply he could say.
1178
Then spake the knight of Tronjé: “I have not seen them yet,
I doubtless may declare you when sight of them I get,
From whence they’ve come a-riding into this land. I trow
They must indeed be strangers if naught of them I know.”
1179
By this time every stranger a place of lodging had.
Then forward came the envoy, in rich apparel clad,
With all his noble comrades; and so to court they rode.
Fine raiment were they wearing right well-devised in mode.
1180
Then quoth the ready Hagen: “For all that I can tell—
Not having seen these nobles for somewhat of a spell—
Such like is their demeanour as Rüdeger might have,
Out of the Hunnish country— a noble knight and brave.”
1181
“How am I to believe it,” the king replied straightway,
“That he of Bechelaren is hither come this day?”
But as the royal Gunther from speaking did forbear,
Bold Hagen saw for certain that it was Rüdeger.
1182
He and his friends to meet them, did hasten everyone.
One saw from off their horses five hundred knights stand down.
These messengers from Hunsland right welcome were they made,
And never yet were envoys so gallantly array’d.
1183
Then Hagen spake of Tronjé, and in a loud voice cried:
“Now in God’s name be welcome ye thanes who hither ride,
The Warden of Bechlaren, and each one of his men.”
An honourable greeting the doughty Huns had then.
1184
King Gunther’s nearest kinsmen, came forth to where they were,
The lord of Metz, Sir Ortwein, then said to Rüdeger:
“Ne’er yet in all our lifetime have we until this day
Set eyes on guests so gladly: that may I truly say.”
1185
Thanks gave they for the greeting unto the warriors all;
So with their noble escort, they went unto the hall.
And there they found King Gunther with a gallant company,
And from his throne upstood he, such was his courtesy.
1186
With what right courtly breeding did he the envoys meet!
Gernot, as well as Gunther, was full of zeal to greet
The guest and eke his liegemen, as did his rank demand.
Good Rüdeger King Gunther himself took by the hand.
1187
Unto the seat he led him, on which himself he sat:
Then to the strangers served they— all gladly did they that—
Of right good mead full beakers, and of the best of wine
That ever one could meet with in all the land of Rhine.
1188
Now Giselher and Gere had both of them appear’d;
And Dankwart, too, and Volker, who all of them had heard
About the guests arriving; they were in gladsome mood:
Before the king they greeted the noble knights and good.
1189
Then Hagen, knight of Tronjé, unto his lord did say:
“These warriors of ours should be beholden aye
For kindness that the margrave hath shown to us before:
Fair Gotelinda’s husband must have reward therefore.”
1190
Then spake the royal Gunther: “I can no more delay;
In health how are they faring, that tell to me, I pray;—
Etzel, I mean, and Helka, who over Hunsland reign?”
“All will I,” said the margrave, “gladly to you make plain.”
1191
Straight from the seat uprose he, as eke did all his men,
And to the king thus spake he: “If thus it may be then,
And you, O prince, allow it, I will no more delay
The tidings that I bring you, but willingly will say.”
1192
He said: “Whate’er the tidings that unto us you bear,
I wait not friendly counsel, but bid you to declare.
Let me and my men hear them, whatever they may be;
I bid you, in all honour, discharge your embassy.”
1193
Then spake the trusty envoy: “To you upon the Rhine
His faithful service tenders that mightful lord of mine;
To every friend moreover that unto you may be,
This message I deliver, in faith and honesty:
1194
“The noble king doth ask for your pity in his need.
All joyless are his people: my lady she is dead,
The rich and mighty Helka, of my good lord the wife;
And now full many a maiden doth lead an orphan’d life—
1195
“Children of noble princes, whom she did rear of late—
And therefore is the country in lamentable state:
These now, alas, have no one to rear them faithfully.
I doubt there is no ending to the king’s misery.”
1196
“Requite him God,” said Gunther, “for that to me he sends
So willingly his service, as eke unto my friends!
The greeting thou hast brought me right gladly have I heard:
My kinsmen and my lieges shall merit his good word.”
1197
Then spake, from the Burgundians, Gernot the warrior:
“The world fair Helka’s dying may rue for evermore,
For all her many virtues, which she to cherish knew.”
The doughty knight, Sir Hagen, agreed that this was true.
1198
But Rüdeger said further, the high ambassador:
“Since you, O king, allow me, I have to tell you more
Of that which my dear master hath bidden me fulfil;
Since from the death of Helka things have with him gone ill.
1199
“It hath been told my master that, Siegfried being dead,
Kriemhilda is a widow. If this be so, indeed,
And you to her will grant it, then she a crown shall wear
Before King Etzel’s warriors: this have I to declare.”
1200
The mighty monarch answer’d (in courteous mood was he):
“I’ll tell her my opinion, if she perchance agree.
I’ll see that you our answer in three days’ time shall know,
How should I, ere I’ve asked her, say unto Etzel, no?
1201
Meanwhile they had good lodgings made ready for each guest.
So well provided were they, that Rüdeger confess’d
That he had friends in plenty amongst King Gunther’s men;
As he had once served Hagen, so Hagen served him then.
1202
So Rüdeger abode there till the third day was come.
The king a council summon’d, (as was his wise custom)
Inquiring of his kinsmen if they would deem it right
That Kriemhild should to Etzel her faith in wedlock plight.
1203
They all, save only Hagen, agreed with one accord;
But he unto the warrior, to Gunther spake this word:
“If you are rightly minded, so will you take good heed,
That, even though she wish it, you will not do this deed.”
1204
“And wherefore,” answer’d Gunther, “should I not do this thing?
Whate’er of love the future unto the queen may bring,
I surely shall not grudge her: sister she is to me.
We ought ourselves to seek it, if for her good it be.”
1205
But once again spake Hagen: “With further talk be done!
Knew you as much of Etzel as I of him have known—
And were she him to marry, as I have heard you say—
Then would yon see good reason, at length to rue the day.”
1206
“And wherefore?” answered Gunther, “since I should take good care
“Never to come so nigh him, e’en though my sister were
His wife, that I need suffer from any hate of
