He was a knight in all things of dauntless hardihood.

III

They left the lords a.s.sembled where in the court they stood; Alone retir'd this couple of hardy knights and good, And cross'd the court far distant, and reach'd a palace fair.

Of hostile spite or outrage naught reck'd the peerless pair.

IV

Before the house down sat they upon a bench hard by, Facing a hall of Kriemhild's; a fairer ne'er met eye.

Bright from their stately persons their glittering armor shone.

Each knight would fain have known them of all who there look'd on.

V

As on wild beasts, grim rangers of wood or dreary wold, The whispering Huns at distance gaz'd on the champions bold.

Queen Kriemhild from a window espied them thus apart, And a frown o'ercast her beauty, and pa.s.sion shook her heart.

VI

She thought on all her sorrows, and straight began to weep.

There many a man of Etzel's stood lost in wonder deep.

All ask'd, what so disturb'd her, and chang'd her cheer anew.

"Hagan," she answer'd, "Hagan, ye warriors bold and true!"

VII

Thus they bespake their lady, "How can this have been?

But now we saw you merry and blithe of mood, fair queen.

How bold soe'er the warrior who has wrong'd King Etzel's wife, Give but the word of vengeance and cost shall it his life."

VIII

"Thanks, warriors, thanks for ever! on him who wreaks my woe, All that he can ask for straight will I bestow.

At your feet I throw me," sobbing thus she spake, "Revenge me on this Hagan, and slay him for my sake."

IX

Straight ready made for mischief sixty men of might; Instant would they have hasten'd in fair Kriemhild's right To take the life of Hagan, that redoubted one, And of the fearless gleeman; with forethought all was done.

X

But when the queen survey'd them, and found the band so few, Thus she, amidst her fury, bespake her friends anew.

"Be still awhile, ye warriors! your martial mood restrain; Ne'er can a troop so scanty stern Hagan's might sustain.

XI

"Strong is the Knight of Trony, and oft in battle tried, But stronger yet the warrior who sits him there beside, Folker, the valiant gleeman; he is a dangerous man.

Attack them not so rashly; first muster all you can."

XII

They hearken'd to her warning; then many more came on, Till round her knights four hundred in burnish'd armor shone.

The furious queen was longing her rage on both to sate; Thence came the chiefs soon after to stand in deadly strait.

XIII

When so she saw her meiny each in his harness stand, Thus she sternly smiling bespake th' impatient band.

"Wait yet, my friends, a moment, ere with yon pair you close; My crown upon my temples will I confront my foes.

XIV

"First hear, and from the doer, whose hand my heart has torn, The wrongs, that I from Hagan, my brother's man, have borne, I know him for so haughty, that out he'll speak them all; And I too care as little what thence on him may fall."

XV

When that redoubted minstrel, who kept good watch, I ween, Descending swift a staircase beheld the n.o.ble queen, And thence beyond the threshold--when he this espied In a trice bespake he his comrade by his side.

XVI

"Look there! look there! friend Hagan! how hither there she hies, Who to this land has drawn us with friendly seeming lies!

Queen yet saw I never begirt with such a band, Each marching as to battle with naked sword in hand.

XVII

"Know you that here, friend Hagan, you're hated bitterly?

So keep you all the better from force or treachery; Look to your life and honor; this is what I advise; They're coming on in anger if rightly I surmise.

XVIII

"And many there are among them so broad across the chest-- If we are to defend us, 'tis time to do our best.

Each about his body a shining mailcoat wears, But whom therewith they threaten, not a tongue declares."