Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/73

Rh Nevermore did warrior win such mighty strength. I wot yet more of him: it is known to me that the hero slew a dragon and bathed him in the blood, so that his skin became like horn. Therefore no weapons will cut him, as hath full oft been seen. All the better must we greet this lord, that we may not earn the youthful warrior’s hate. So bold is he that we should hold him as a friend, for he hath wrought full many a wonder by his strength.”

Then spake the mighty king: “Thou mayst well have right. Behold how valiantly he with his knights doth stand in lust of battle, the daring man! Let us go down to meet the warrior.”

“That ye may do with honor,” spake then Hagen; “he is of noble race, son of a mighty king. God wot, methinks, he beareth him in such wise, that it can be no little matter for which he hath ridden hither.”

“Now be he welcome to us,” spake then the king of the land. “He is both noble and brave, as I have heard full well. This shall stand him in good stead in the Burgundian land.” Then went Lord Gunther to where Siegfried stood.

The host and his warriors received the guest in such wise that full little was there lack of worship. Low bowed the stately man, that they had greeted him so fair. “It wondereth me,” spake the king straightway, “whence ye, noble Siegfried, be come unto this land, or what ye seek at Worms upon the Rhine.”

Then the stranger made answer to the king: “This will I not conceal from you. Tales were told me in my father’s land, that here with you were the boldest warriors that ever king did gain. This I have often heard,