Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/278

220 this journey of the Burgundians rueth me full sore. My joy hath fled, sith I lost Knight Siegfried. Alas, Sir Rüdeger, how I have acted toward thee!”

When Hagen heard the noble warrior’s plight, he gave him back his sword and six red arm bands. “These keep, Sir Knight, as a token that thou art my friend. A bold knight thou art, though thou standest alone upon the marches.”

“God repay you for your arm bands,” Eckewart replied. “Yet your journey to the Huns doth rue me sore. Because ye slew Siegfried, men hate you here. I counsel you in truth, that ye guard you well.”

“Now may God protect us,” answered Hagen.

“These knights, the kings and their liegemen, have forsooth no other care, save for their lodgement, where we may find quarters in this land to-night. Our steeds be spent by the distant way and our food run out,” quoth Hagen, the knight. “We find naught anywhere for sale, and have need of a host, who through his courtesie would give us of his bread to-night.”

Then Eckewart made answer: “I’ll show you a host so good that full seldom have ye been lodged so well in any land, as here may hap you, an’ ye will seek out Rüdeger, ye doughty knights. He dwelleth by the highway and is the best host that ever owned a house. His heart giveth birth to courtesie, as the sweet May doth to grass and flowers. He is aye merry of mood, when he can serve good knights.”

At this King Gunther spake: “Will ye be my messenger and ask whether my dear friend Rüdeger will for my sake keep us, my kinsmen and our men? I will repay thee this, as best I ever can.”