Gunther, the mighty ruler of the Burgundian land.
Irnfried was fain with Gernot, that right bold man, to fare,
And Rüdeger went walking to court with Giselher.
1805
Howe’er the rest companion’d, and so to court pass’d on,
Betwixt Volker and Hagen of parting there was none,
Save only in one struggle, which ended their two lives,
And caus’d sad weeping later to many noble wives.
1806
Upon the kings attending one saw to court go then
Their nobly-born retainers, a thousand gallant men;
And sixty warriors also along with them had come;
The same that valiant Hagen had brought with him from home.
1807
And Haward eke and Iring, a pair of chosen worth,
By one another walking, went with the sovrans forth.
Dankwart and also Wolfhart, a thane of courage rare;
These well before the others upheld their honour there.
1808
When came the lord of Rhineland within the palace door,
Etzel, the mighty monarch refrained himself no more,
But from his seat upsprang he, seeing him entering,
A better greeting never was given by a king.
1809
“Be welcome, my lord Gunther, and you, lord Gernot, too,
And Giselher, your brother. My zealous service true,
I have already sent you to Worms beyond the Rhine.
And all your followers also shall welcome be as mine.
1810
“I bid a hearty welcome to you, ye knightly pair,
To Volker the right valiant and eke to Hagen there,
From me and from my lady, unto this land of mine.
She messengers in plenty hath sent ye to the Rhine.”
1811
Hagen of Tronjé answered: “So heard I, more than once!
And had I for my masters not come unto the Huns,
Yet would I you to honour have ridden to this land.”
The noble host then kindly his guests took by the hand;
1812
And to the seat he brought them where he himself had sat,
Then to the guests they offer’d (they busily did that),
In wide-mouth’d golden goblets, wine, mead and mulberry,
And bade to the newcomers a welcome heartily.
1813
Then spake the royal Etzel: “I will to you confess
Naught in this world could give me a greater happiness
Than ye have given me, heroes, in coming thus to me;
Whereby the queen is also from mickle grief set free.
1814
“And ofttimes have I marvell’d what was the fault in me—
So many guests right noble have I been wont to see—
That ye unto my country to come did never deign?
But now that I have seen you to joy is turn’d my pain.”
1815
Said Rüdeger in answer (a knight of noble mood):
“Well may you see them gladly; their faith indeed is good,
And all my lady’s kinsfolk the same can well uphold;
They bring unto your palace full many a warrior bold.”
1816
The even of Midsummer, at mighty Etzel’s court
These princes made their entry; and seldom hath report
Told of such royal welcome as on these chiefs he spent.
Now was it time for eating; and all to table went.
1817
Amidst his guests more nobly a host ne’er took his seat.
For them there was abundance whereof to drink and eat,
And everything they wanted it was all ready made;
For truly of these heroes great marvels had been said.
Adventure XXX
How They Kept Watch and Ward
1818
Now was the daylight ended and night began to close.
Amid the wayworn warriors disquietude arose
For when they were to rest them and to their beds begone.
This mooted was by Hagen; and soon it was made known.
1819
Unto the host spake Gunther: “God grant you long to live!
We now would hence to slumber; we pray thee leave to give.
We’ll come to-morrow morning if thou dost order so.”
Right pleasantly agreed he, and bade his guests to go.
1820
One saw the people crowding the guests on every side.
Then Volker the undaunted unto the Hunfolk cried:
“How dare ye get in front of the warriors’ very feet?
If ye will not give over with trouble ye will meet.
1821
“A fiddle-stroke so heavy on one of you I’ll lay,
That, hath he a well-wisher, that same may rue the day.
Give place there to us warriors! ’twill be the best for you.
Folk call ye knights, but little ye have akin thereto.”
1822
Whilst spake the fiddle-player so wrathfully his mind,
The valiant Hagen turn’d him, and gave a glance behind.
Said he: “The gallant minstrel hath warn’d you properly;
Ye heroes of Kriemhilda back to your homes go ye.
1823
“The plan ye are devising will not come off, I trow.
Come back to-morrow morning if ye have aught to do,
And leave us weary strangers this night to rest in peace;
I ween that heroes ever so do in suchlike case.”
1824
Anon the guests were taken into a roomy hall,
Which found they well provided, to suit the warriors all,
With richly furnish’d bedsteads, that were both wide and long.
The while Dame Kriemhild plotted to do them grievous wrong.
1825
Right goodly mats from Arras all round about were spread,
Of bright-hued wool-stuffs woven; and many a cover-bed
Wrought of Arabian samite, the finest that might be;
Whereon were borders broider’d that shone right gloriously.
1826
The coverlets of ermine did many a man espy,
And others of black sable, whereunder they might lie
And pass the night in comfort until the dawn of day.
A king and all his courtiers so softly never lay.
1827
“O woe, for this night’s sojourn!” so spake young Giselher
“And woe for all my comrades who hither with us fare!
Howbeit that my sister so kind a bidding gave,
By cause of her, I fear me, we all our deaths shall have.”
1828
“Now let your mind be easy,” Hagen the thane answer’d:
“I will from now till morning myself keep watch and ward;
And well I swear to guard you until the break of day.
Till then be all untroubled; then, save himself who may!”
1829
Then bow’d they all before him and gave him thanks therefore,
And to their beds betook them: nor was it long before
Laid down in rest and slumber was every goodly man.
To don his arms the hero— Hagen the bold—began.
1830
Then up and spake the minstrel, Volker the gallant thane:
“If thou dost not disdain it, then, Hagen, I am fain
To-night to keep guard with thee, until the morning break.”
Right heartily the hero his thanks to Volker spake:
1831
“Now God in Heaven reward you, Volker, my comrade true!
To none in all my troubles save only unto you
Would I for aidance turn me, if need should e’er befall.
One day I will repay you, if Death do not forestall.”
1832
Then in their shining raiment they twain their bodies clad,
And each of them his buckler upon his forearm had.
They went without the castle to stand the gateway by,
And there the guests they guarded: ’twas done right faithfully.
1833
Volker the ever-ready then from his arm unbraced
His shield—it was a good one— which ’gainst the wall he placed.
Back to the hall he hasten’d, and there his fiddle seized,
And as became a hero, his friends therewith he pleased.
1834
Beneath the doorway sat he upon a seat of
