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they had thus fared on their way full nine days, Hagen of Troneg spake: “Now mark ye what I say. We wait too long with the tidings for Worms upon the Rhine. Our messengers should be e’en now in Burgundy.”

Then spake King Gunther: “Ye have told me true, and none be more fitting for this trip than ye, friend Hagen; now ride ye to my land. None can acquaint them better with our journey home to court.”

To this Hagen made answer: “I am no fit envoy. Let me play chamberlan, I’ll stay with the ladies upon the flood and guard their robes, until we bring them to the Burgundian land. Bid Siegfried bear the message, he knoweth how to do it well with his mighty strength. If he refuse you the journey, then must ye in courtly and gentle wise pray him of the boon for your sister’s sake.”

Gunther sent now for the warrior, who came to where he stood. He spake: “Sith we be now nearing my lands at home, it behooveth me to send a messenger to the dear sister of mine and to my mother, too, that we draw near the Rhine. This I pray you, Siegfried; now do my will, that I may requite it to you ever,” spake the good knight.

Siegfried, the passing bold man, however said him nay, till Gunther gan beseech him sore. He spake: “Ye