Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/387

XXIX.]

Hagen of Tronjé answered: “So heard I, more than once!

And had I for my masters not come unto the Huns,

Yet would I you to honour have ridden to this land.”

The noble host then kindly his guests took by the hand;

And to the seat he brought them where he himself had sat,

Then to the guests they offer’d (they busily did that),

In wide-mouth’d golden goblets, wine, mead and mulberry,

And bade to the newcomers a welcome heartily.

Then spake the royal Etzel: “I will to you confess

Naught in this world could give me a greater happiness

Than ye have given me, heroes, in coming thus to me;

Whereby the queen is also from mickle grief set free.

“And ofttimes have I marvell’d what was the fault in me—

So many guests right noble have I been wont to see—

That ye unto my country to come did never deign?

But now that I have seen you to joy is turn’d my pain.”

Said Rüdeger in answer (a knight of noble mood):

“Well may you see them gladly; their faith indeed is good,

And all my lady’s kinsfolk the same can well uphold;

They bring unto your palace full many a warrior bold.”

The even of Midsummer, at mighty Etzel’s court

These princes made their entry; and seldom hath report

Told of such royal welcome as on these chiefs he spent.

Now was it time for eating; and all to table went.