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When they had heard this warning still more took heart of grace,—

Four hundred gallant warriors. That queen of noble race

Had set her heart upon it to do her foes despite:

Whence soon was mickle sorrow made ready for each knight.

Now when she saw her liegemen with arms and armour clad,

Unto the ready warriors the noble lady bade:

“Abide ye here a little, ay, stand ye quiet so;

I mean to put my crown on, and to my foemen go.

“And hark while I upbraid him for what he did to me,

This Hagen, lord of Tronjé, King Gunther’s knight in fee.

So arrogant I know him, he’ll give me not the lie;

And eke care I as little what he shall get thereby.”

Then look’d the fiddle-player, the minstrel bold, and lo,

He saw the noble lady along a stairway go,

That led down from the palace. And when he that espied,

The ever valiant Volker unto his comrade cried:

“Now look ye there, friend Hagen, how yonder cometh nigh

She who into this country hath lured us faithlessly.

With king’s wife saw I never so many men around,

Bearing in hand their weapons, as for a battle bound.

“Know’st thou, friend Hagen, whether they hatred to thee bear?

If so, I fain would counsel that thou the better care

Shouldst take of life and honour: ay, that, methinks, were good!

Unless I am mistaken, they are in wrathful mood.