Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/329

XXIV.]

And thereto answerd Hagen: “See lest ye take amiss

The words that I have spoken, howe’er ye do in this.

I give you faithful counsel: as ye regard your life,

Go well-arm’d to the Hun-folk, as if for battle-strife.

“Will ye not be dissuaded, so send ye for your men,

The best that ye can muster or any way can gain;

And from them all I’ll choose ye a thousand warriors good:

So may ye fear no evil from angry Kriemhild’s mood.”

“That rede I’ll gladly follow,” the king in answer said.

Then sent he heralds riding, who through his kingdom sped.

And so they brought the warriors, three thousand men or more.

They dreamt not of the evil that lay for them in store.

All through the lands of Gunther right joyously they rode.

On every man a charger and raiment were bestow’d—

Of those who were to journey away from Burgundy.

A goodly number follow’d the king right willingly.

Then Hagen, lord of Tronjé, his brother Dankwart bade

The four score knights who served them unto the Rhine to lead.

They came in knightly order; with arms and wearing gear

Within King Gunther’s borders right soon did they appear.

Now came the gallant Volker,— a high-born minstrel he,—

To join with thirty liegemen the royal company.

Such splendid raiment had they, a king had worn it well.

That he would ride to Hunsland, to Gunther bade he tell.