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Howe’er the rest companion’d, and so to court pass’d on,

Betwixt Volker and Hagen of parting there was none,

Save only in one struggle, which ended their two lives,

And caus’d sad weeping later to many noble wives.

Upon the kings attending one saw to court go then

Their nobly-born retainers, a thousand gallant men;

And sixty warriors also along with them had come;

The same that valiant Hagen had brought with him from home.

And Haward eke and Iring, a pair of chosen worth,

By one another walking, went with the sovrans forth.

Dankwart and also Wolfhart, a thane of courage rare;

These well before the others upheld their honour there.

When came the lord of Rhineland within the palace door,

Etzel, the mighty monarch refrained himself no more,

But from his seat upsprang he, seeing him entering,

A better greeting never was given by a king.

“Be welcome, my lord Gunther, and you, lord Gernot, too,

And Giselher, your brother. My zealous service true,

I have already sent you to Worms beyond the Rhine.

And all your followers also shall welcome be as mine.

“I bid a hearty welcome to you, ye knightly pair,

To Volker the right valiant and eke to Hagen there,

From me and from my lady, unto this land of mine.

She messengers in plenty hath sent ye to the Rhine.”