r and massy.

Now the time was come to ride forth, and all the folk, men and women,
made dole, lest they should return never more. The hero bade load the
sumpters with the arms and apparel. The horses were goodly, and their
equipment of ruddy gold. None had more cause for pride than Siegfried
and his knights. He asked leave to set out for Burgundy, and the king
and the queen gave it sorrowing. But he spake comfortably to both of
them, and said, "Weep not for my sake; nor fear aught for my life."

The knights were downcast, and the maidens wept. Their hearts told them,
I ween, that by reason of this day's doings, many a dear one would lie
dead. Needs made they dole, for they were sorrowful.

On the seventh morning after this, the fearless band drew towards Worms
on the Rhine. Their garments were woven of ruddy gold, and their
riding-gear was to match. Smooth paced the horses, deftly managed by
Siegfried's bold warriors. Their shields were new, bright and massy, and
their helmets goodly, as Siegfried the hero and his following rode into
Gunther's country to the court. Never knights were in seemlier trim.
Their sword-points clanged on their spurs, and in their hands they bare
sharp spears; the one that Siegfried carried was broad two spans or more,
of the sort that maketh grim wounds. Gold-hued were their bridles, their
poitrels of silk; so they rode through the land.

Everywhere the folk marvelled, gazing at them, and Gunther's men ran to
meet them; proud warriors, knights and squires, went toward the
strangers, as was meet, and welcomed the guests to the court of their
king, taking horse and shield from their hands. They would have put the
horses in the stalls, but Siegfried spake in haste, "Let our horses
stand, for I am minded to depart again speedily. Where I may find
Gunther, the great king of Burgundy, let whoso knoweth tell me."

One answered him that knew, "Thou mayest see the king if thou wilt. I
saw him amidst of his men in yonder wide hall. Go in to him. Thou shalt
find there many brave warriors."

They told the king that a valiant knight, fair equipped and apparelled,
that knew none in Burgundy, was come thither. And the king marvelled
where those proud knights in shining harness, with their shields new and
massy, might hie from. It irked him that none knew it.

Ortwin of Metz, a goodly man of high courage, spake to the king then,
"Since we know naught thereof, bid to thee Hagen mine u