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The ways by which they travell’d o’er land unto the Rhine,

I cannot say for certain. Silver and raiment fine

By none from them was stolen: men fear’d their lord’s despite—

That king of noble lineage— ay, potent was his might!

In the Burgundian country, to Worms upon the Rhine

Came, after twelve days’ riding, Werbel and Schwemmelin.

Unto the king the tidings were told, and to his men,

Of foreign envoys coming. Gunther made question then.

Quoth he, the Lord of Rhineland: “Who can to us declare

Whence come these foreign riders that through our country fare?”

But that was known to no one: till Hagen of Tronjé,

As soon as he had seen them, did thus to Gunther say:

“Strange news to us is coming that much I will aver.

The fiddle-players of Etzel I have but now seen here.

Unto the Rhine your sister hath sent them, verily;

For sake of both their sovereigns right welcome must they be.”

Meanwhile before the palace in full array they rode;

No prince’s minstrels ever in nobler fashion show’d.

The royal court-folk hasten’d to meet them presently:

They bade men take their mantles and found them hostelry.

Their travelling clothes were costly, with work so deftly done

That they might well with honour before the king have gone.

Yet in the same apparel to court they would not go:

Who cared for it might have it, the envoys let men know.