XIX

Thereto in wrath Sir Hagan gave answer stern and proud, "Well know I wherefore musters yon armor-bearing crowd; 'Gainst me they gird the hauberk and wave the sword on high, Yet back again to Rhineland in spite of them will I.

XX

"Tell me now, friend Folker, will you stand me by, If these men of Kriemhild's would my mettle try?

Show me, if you love me, faithful friend and true!

And when you need my service I'll do as much for you."

XXI

"To death will I stand by you," the minstrel answer made, "Though came the king against us with all his knights to aid.

As long as life is in me, to fight I will not slack, Nor from your side for terror one foot will I give back."

XXII

"Now G.o.d in heaven requite you, good friend in danger tried!

Let them come on, and welcome; what can I need beside!

If Folker is my second, as I rejoice to hear.

Yon knights, methinks, will ponder before they venture near."

XXIII

"To rise would now become us," the gleeman straight replied, "She is a king's companion, and n.o.bly born beside.

As a queen and a lady, such honor is her due.

By fitly doing honor we both shall gain it too."

XXIV

"Nay, as you love me, Folker," said Hagan, "do not so.

Were we to rise an instant in face of yonder foe, They'd fancy we were flinching, and that through fear 'twere done.

Here will I sit before them, and rise will I for none.

XXV

"Sure it becomes us better here as we are to wait.

How can I ever honor who bears me deadly hate?

That will I do never as long as I have life.

I care not, I, a t.i.ttle for the wrath of Etzel's wife."

XXVI

Across his legs his broadsword o'erweening Hagan laid, A keen well-temper'd weapon; on the pummel fair display'd A beaming precious jasper, greener than gra.s.s, it bore.

At a glance did Kriemhild know it for that which Siegfried wore.

XXVII

At the sight she started; nigh her senses fled; Golden was the handle, the scabbard trimm'd with red; It brought back all her sorrow; her tears began to flow.

For that, I ween, had Hagan laid out the weapon so.

XXVIII

On the bench beside him Folker the swift and strong A fiddlestick grasp'd closer, ma.s.sy and broad and long, As sharp as any razor, much like a battle-blade.

There sat the lofty couple unmov'd and undismay'd.

XXIX

So proud they felt together that pair of champions bold, That rise would they never for one of mortal mould.

Straight up to them went Kriemhild, scarce deigning to bestow The stern contemptuous greeting that foe accords to foe.

x.x.x

Said she, "Now say, Sir Hagan, who has sent for you, That you have dar'd hither to come with yonder crew?

And yet you must remember all you have done to me.

Had you been in your senses, you'd sure have let it be."

x.x.xI

"'Tis true," straight answer'd Hagan, "no one sent for me.

To this land were invited royal brethren three; My lords are those three brethren, and their man am I, And courts they seldom visit but Hagan must be by."

x.x.xII

Said she, "Now tell me further, why did you that ill deed, That my undying hatred has won you, fitting meed?

'Twas you that did Sir Siegfried, my n.o.ble husband, slay, For whom must I for ever weep to my dying day."

x.x.xIII

Said he, "Why question further? That were a waste of breath.

In a word, I am e'en Hagan, who Siegfried did to death.

How dearly paid the warrior, the best good knights among, For all fair Brunhild suffer'd from Lady Kriemhild's tongue!

x.x.xIV