Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/335

XXV.]

Now let us leave the story of how they prosper’d there.

Ere then did never warriors of higher courage fare.

In such like state and splendour through any king’s domain.

Of armour and apparel all had as they were fain.

The warden of the Rhineland equipp’d his warriors bold,

A thousand knights and sixty, so is the story told,

With men-at-arms nine thousand for this great festival.

They whom they left behind them ere long bewail’d them all.

Their riding gear they carried to Worms across the court.

Whereon an aged bishop of Spires spake in this sort

Unto the comely Uté: “Our friends have mind to fare

Unto this high assembly: God guard their honour there!”

Thereon unto her children did noble Uté say:

“Ye should, my noble heroes, be here content to stay:

I dreamt a dream this morning, of great dismay and dread;

How all the winged creatures within this land were dead.”

“Who puts his faith in dreamings,” then Hagen made reply,

“Knows not the proper meaning that may within them lie,

When honour, peradventure, may wholly be at stake.

I’m willing that my masters for court their leave should take,”