Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/401

XXXI.]

For swords and bucklers called they, and held them soon in hand,

The kinsmen of this margrave of the Hungarian land.

They would have set on Volker, and slain him where he stood;

The host ran from his window with all the haste he could.

Then rose a mighty tumult among the people all.

The kings and their attendants dismounted at the hall;

Behind the throng his charger sent each Burgundian;

King Etzel came: to sever the nobles he began.

From one of the Hun’s kinsmen, who chanced by him to stand,

He seiz’d a deadly weapon, and wrench’d it from his hand;

Then drave the people backwards, for very wroth was he:

“How vain unto these warriors had been my courtesy

“If ye had slain the minstrel before my very face;”

So spake to them King Etzel: “that were a foul disgrace!

For well I marked him riding, what time he pierced the Hun,

And through no fault on his part, but by a slip, ’twas done.

“To leave my guests in freedom, I charge ye to take heed.”

So gave he them safe-conduct; then led they every steed

Unto the hostel stables; and many squires they had

Right diligent in service, who did whate’er they bade.

The host into the palace took with his friends his way.

No wrath in any of them would he allow to stay.

The tables were made ready, the water was brought in:

Yet bitter foes in plenty had they from o’er the Rhine.