Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/121

Rh the Burgundian land. They weened that he had won the games by his own strength alone. He greeted them in loving wise; in sooth he was most rich in virtues.

Then the lovely maiden took him by the hand; full power she granted him within the land. At this Hagen, the bold and doughty knight, rejoiced him. She bade the noble knight go with her hence to the spacious palace. When this was done, they gave the warriors with their service better cheer. With good grace Hagen and Dankwart now must needs submit. The doughty Siegfried was wise enow and bare away his magic cloak. Then he repaired to where the ladies sate. To the king he spake and shrewdly did he this: “Why wait ye, good my lord? Why begin ye not the games, of which the queen doth deal so great a store? Let us soon see how they be played.” The crafty man did not as though he wist not a whit thereof.

Then spake the Queen: “How hath it chanced that ye, Sir Siegfried, have seen naught of the games which the hand of Gunther here hath won?”

To this Hagen of the Burgundian land made answer. He spake: “Ye have made us sad of mind, my lady. Siegfried, the good knight, was by the ship when the lord of the Rhineland won from you the games. He knoweth naught thereof.”

“Well is me of this tale,” spake Siegfried, the knight, “that your pride hath been brought thus low, and that there doth live a wight who hath the power to be your master. Now, O noble maiden, must ye follow us hence to the Rhine.”

Then spake the fair-fashioned maid: “That may not be. First must my kith and liegemen learn of this.