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Now who was this same Volker I fain would let you know:

He was of noble lineage; to him did fealty owe

In the Burgundian country, full many a noble knight.

Because he play’d the fiddle he was the Minstrel hight.

Then Hagen chose the thousand: they were to him well-known;

And what in hard-fought battles their strength of hand had done,

And all they e’er had ventured, that had he seen full well.

No man of aught save valour in all their deeds could tell.

The envoys of Kriemhilda were sore discomfited,

For they of both their rulers the wrath began to dread;

And leave they daily sought for, that they might thence begone.

But Hagen would not grant it: through cunning that was done.

He said unto his masters: “We must be on our guard

Lest we to go allow them, before we are prepared

Within a week thereafter to Etzel’s land to go.

If any ill-will bear us, thus shall we better know.

“So shall not Dame Kriemhilda be taking heed hereto,

That any, by her counsel, should evil to us do.

And if it be her purpose her own may be the pain:

With us to Hunsland take we so many chosen men.”

Their bucklers, then, and saddles, and all of such like gear

As they to Etzel’s country had in their minds to bear,

By many valiant liegemen for use were ready made.

The envoys of Kriemhilda were unto Gunther bade.