Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/290



the Burgundians were come to the land, old Hildebrand of Berne did hear the tale, and sore it rued hnn. He told his lord, who bade him welcome well the lusty knights and brave. The doughty Wolthart bade fetch the steeds; then many a sturdy warrior rode with Dietrich, to where he thought to meet them on the plain where they had pitched full many a lordly tent. When Hagen of Troneg saw them riding from afar, to his lords he spake in courteous wise: “Now must ye doughty warriors rise from your seats and go to meet them, who would greet you here. Yonder cometh a fellowship I know full well, they be full speedy knights from the Amelung land, whom the lord of Berne doth lead—high-mettled warriors they. Scorn not the service that they proffer.”

Then with Dietrich there alighted from the steeds, as was mickle right, many a knight and squire. Towards the strangers they went, to where they found the heroes; in friendly wise they greeted those from the Burgundian land. Ye may now hear what Sir Dietrich said to the sons of Uta, as he saw them coming toward him. Their journey rued him sore; he weened that Rüdeger wist it, and had told them the tale. “Be ye welcome, fair sirs, Gunther and Giselher, Gernot and Hagen, likewise Folker and the doughty Dankwart. Know ye not that Kriem-