Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/92

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Those high and mighty warriors, and knight as well as squire,

Went out to bid them welcome, as honour did require,

Receiving them with kindness into their master’s land,

Taking their horses, straightway, and bucklers from their hand.

They would have ta’en the chargers, and led them to the stall,

Had not the gallant Siegfried said out, before them all:

“Let mine and my men’s horses stay here, as now they be,—

It is my will and purpose to ride hence presently!

“I pray you therefore tell me— whoever knows this thing

Let him not hide it from me— where I can find your king,

Gunther, the mighty monarch of the Burgundian land?”

Then one among them told him, who knew where he did stand.

“If you would find King Gunther, ’tis easy done, I trow,

In yonder hall I saw him, and thither you must go;

He stands among his heroes; and, if you’ll thither wend,

Full many a glorious warrior you’ll find with him, good friend!”

Unto the king the tidings by this time had been told;

How warriors were arrivéd all gallant to behold,

Who wore white, glitt’ring mail-shirts, and raiment rich and grand,

And no one knew aught of them, in that Burgundian land.

Then was the king astonished, and much he did inquire,

Whence came these splendid warriors, in dazzling bright attire,

And with such well-wrought bucklers, so new and eke so broad;—

It vexed the soul of Gunther that none could give him word.