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day had now an end, and the night drew nigh. Care beset the wayworn travelers, as to when they should go to bed and rest them. This Hagen bespake with Etzel, and it was told them soon.

Gunther spake to the host: “God be with you, we would fain go to our sleep, pray give us leave. We will come early on the morrow, whensoever ye bid.”

Etzel parted then full merrily from his guests. Men pressed the strangers on every side, at which brave Folker spake to the Huns: “How dare ye crowd before the warriors’ feet? An’ ye will not leave this, ye’ll fare full ill. I’ll smite some man so heavy a fiddle blow, that if he have a faithful friend he may well bewail it. Why give ye not way before us knights? Methinks ’t were well. All pass for knights, but be not of equal mettle.”

As the fiddler spake thus in wrath, Hagen, the brave, looked behind him. He spake: “The bold glee-man doth advise you right, ye men of Kriemhild, ye should hie you to your lodgings. I ween none of you will do what ye are minded, but would ye begin aught, come early on the morrow, and let us wanderers have peace to-night. Certes, I ween that it hath never happed with such good will on the part of heroes.”

Theu the guests were brought into a spacious hall, which they found purveyed on every side with costly