bold men armed them swiftly, and would have gone out with
one accord to slay Hagen, the bold knight, and the fiddler, for
Kriemhild's sake.

But when the queen saw so small a number, she spake wrothfully to the
heroes, "Think not to withstand Hagen with so few. Stark and bold as is
Hagen of Trony, much starker is he that sitteth by him, Folker the
fiddler by name, a wicked man. Ye shall not so lightly overcome them."

When they heard her word, four hundred knights more did on their armour,
for the queen was eager to do her enemies a hurt. Soon they came in sore
straits. When she saw them well armed, she said to them, "Stand still a
while and wait. I will go out to my foes with my crown on. Hearken
while I upbraid Hagen of Trony, Gunther's man, with what he hath done to
me. I know him for too proud a knight to deny it. After that, I care
not what befalleth him."

Then the fiddler, a bold minstrel, saw the queen coming down the stair
from the house, and said to his comrade, "Now see, friend Hagen, how she
that hath falsely bidden us to this land, cometh toward us. Never have I
beheld, with a king's wife, so many men, sword in hand, as for strife.
Knowest thou, friend Hagen, that they hate thee? I counsel thee to look
to thy life and thine honour. Certes, it were well. Methinketh they be
wrothful of their mood. Many among them have shoulders broad enow. Who
would save his life had best do it betimes. I ween they wear harness
below their silk, whereof I hear none declare the meaning."

But Hagen, the bold man, answered angrily, "Well, I know that it is
against me they carry their bright weapons in their hands. But, for all
that, I will yet ride back to Burgundy. Now say, friend Folker, wilt
thou stand by me, if Kriemhild's men fall on me? Tell me, as thou lovest
me. To thy service thou wouldst bind me evermore."

"I will help thee truly," answered the minstrel; "if I saw the king
coming with all his warriors, I would not, while I lived, stir a foot
from thy side through fear."

"God in Heaven quit thee, noble Folker! If they fight with me, what need
I more. Since thou wilt help me, as I have heard thee promise, these
knights had best walk warily."

"Now rise we from our seat, and let her pass," said the minstrel. "She
is a queen. Do her this honour; she is a high-born lady. Therein we
honour ourselves."

"Nay, as thou lovest me!" Hagen said. "These knights might deem I did it
through fear,