Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/302

244 bold Hagen had taken from his land. Hawart and Iring, two chosen men, were seen to walk together near the kings. Men saw Dankwart and Wolthart, a peerless knight, display their chivalry before all eyes.

When the lord of the Rhine had entered the hall, the mighty Etzel delayed no longer, but sprang from his throne when he saw him come. Never did so fair a greeting hap from any king. “Be welcome, Sir Gunther, and Sir Gernot, too, and your brother Giselher. I sent you truly my faithful service to Worms beyond the Rhine. All your fellowship, too, I welcome. Now be ye passing welcome, ye two knights, Folker, the brave, and Sir Hagen likewise, to me and to my lady, here in this our land, She sent you many a messenger to the Rhine.”

Then spake Hagen of Troneg: “I heard much talk of that, and were I not come to the Huns for the sake of my lords, I should have ridden in your honor to this land.”

The noble host then took his dear guests by the hand and led them to the settle where he sate himself. Busily they poured out for the guests in broad bowls of gold, mead, morat, and wine and bade those far from home be welcome. Then spake King Etzel: “Let me tell you this; it might not liefer hap to me in all this world, than through you heroes, that ye be come to see me. Through this much sadness is also taken from the queen, Me-wondereth greatly what I have done you noble strangers, that ye never recked to come into my land. My sadness is turned to joy, since now I see you here.”

To this Rüdeger, a high-mettled knight, made