th, and need not to be told concerning him.
In two-and-twenty battles I have seen him. He hath given many a woman
heart's dole. He and the knight of Spain rode on many a foray, and here,
by Etzel, won many victories to the honour of the king. Wherefore none
may deny him praise. In those days the knight was a child, and they that
now are grey were youths. Now he is grown to a grim man. Thereto, he
weareth Balmung, which he won evilly."

So they agreed that none should fight, whereat the queen grieved
bitterly. The knights turned away, for the feared death from the
fiddler, and were dismayed. How oft will cowards fall back when friend
standeth true by friend! And he that bethinketh him betimes is delivered
from many a snare.

Then said bold Folker, "Now have we seen and heard that foemen are around
us. Haste we to the court, to the kings, that none dare fall upon them."

"I will follow," said Hagen.

They went where they found the knights still waiting in the courtyard;
and bold Folker began to say to his masters with a loud voice, "How long
will ye stand here to be jostled? Go in and hear from the king how he is
minded toward you."

The knights bold and good went in pairs. The prince of Bern took great
Gunther of Burgundy by the hand. Irnfried took brave Gernot, and
Giselher went in with his father-in-law. Howso the others walked, Folker
and Hagen parted nevermore, save once in battle, till their death; the
which gave many a noble woman cause to weep. With the kings came their
followers, a thousand bold men, and, thereto, sixty warriors, brought by
Hagen from his land. Hawart and Iring, two chosen knights, went after
the kings, hand in hand. Dankwart and Wolfhart, a true-hearted man, bare
them courteously toward them that were present.

When the prince of Rhineland came into the palace, Etzel waited no
longer, but sprang up from his seat when he saw them. Never was fairer
greeting between kings. "Ye be welcome, Sir Gunther and Sir Gernot, and
Giselher your brother. With true heart I sent my service to you at
Worms. Your knights, too, are welcome, each one. Glad are my wife and I
to greet bold Folker, and also Hagen, in this land. Many a message she
sent you to the Rhine."

Then said Hagen of Trony, "I heard them all. Had I not ridden hither for
my masters' sake, I had come to do thee honour." Thereupon the host took
his dear guests by the hand, and led them to the high seat where he
himse