Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/393

XXXI.]

With that, towards them Volker sent forth a lusty shout:

“Ye nimble knights, in armour why go ye thus about?

Ye warriors of Kriemhilda, if ye on foray ride,

Myself and my companion ye should have at your side!”

No word there came in answer. Then wrathful wax’d his mood:

“Fie on ye, skulking rascals!” shouted the hero good;

“Would ye have caught us sleeping, and murder’d every one?

So foul a deed on heroes hath never yet been done.”

Unto the queen right truly was told how lucklessly

Her messengers had prosper’d. Good cause for grief had she.

Then otherwise contrived she: so cruel was her mood;

By which ere long to perish were heroes bold and good.

“So cold I feel my armour:” quoth Volker presently,

“Methinks the night is wearing and soon will ended be;

I mark that by the breezes; ’twill very soon be day.”

Then many a man awoke they who still in slumber lay.

The morning light broke over the guests within the hall.

Hagen began on all sides the warriors to call,

To know if to the Minster to matins they would fare.

Meanwhile, in Christian fashion, the bells were chiming clear.