Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/433

XXXVI.]

Then sat they down to rest them, those men of Burgundy.

Their weapons and their bucklers they presently laid by.

Yet still the gallant fiddler before the palace stay’d,

In case that any other to fight with him essay’d.

The king lamented sorely, as likewise did his wife:

And maids and matrons also aweary were of life.

I ween that Death had taken an oath to do them ill:

Whence, by the guests to perish were many warriors still.

“Now do ye off your helmets,” quoth Hagen, the bold knight,

“For I and my companion will guard ye all aright.

And should the men of Etzel a fresh attack essay,

So will I warn my masters with all the speed I may.”

The head was then uncover’d of many a warrior good;

They sat upon the fallen, who lay there steep’d in blood,

And had to death been smitten so lately by their hand.

By many evil glances the noble guests were scann’d.

Before the fall of evening the king his measures took, —

The queen thereto assenting,— that with some better luck

The Hunnish knights might venture. Full twenty thousand men

Were seen before him standing: to battle must they, then.