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Rh aught that ye have done and stand full zealously before your God. Of this I warn you, noble knights, unless God in heaven so will, ye ’ll never more hear mass.”

So the princes and their liegemen went to the minster. In the holy churchyard bold Hagen bade them halt, that they might not be parted. He spake: “Of a truth none knoweth what will hap to us from the Huns. Place, my friends, your shields before your feet, and if any proffer you cold greeting, repay it with deep and mortal wounds. That is Hagen’s counsel, that ye may so be found as doth befit your honor.”

Folker and Hagen, the twain, then hied them to the spacious minster. This was done that the queen might press upon them in the crowd. Certes, she was passing grim. Then came the lord of the land and his fair wife, her body adorned with rich apparel; doughty warriors, too, were seen to walk beside her. One saw the dust rise high from Kriemhild’s band. When mighty Etzel spied the kings and their fellowship thus armed, how quick he spake: “Why do I see my friends thus go with helmets? Upon my troth, it grieveth me, and hath any done them aught, I shall gladly make amends, as doth think them good. Hath any made heavy their hearts or mood, I’ll show them well, that it doth irk me much. I am ready for whatever they command me.”

To this Hagen answered: “None hath done us aught; it is the custom of my lordings that they go armed at all high feasts for full three days. We should tell Etzel, had aught been done us.”

Kriemhild heard full well what Hagen spake. How right hostilely she gazed into his eyes! She would not tell the custom of their land, albeit she had known it