sel. Get to your
lodging, ye men of Kriemhild. This is no time for your malice. If ye
would start a quarrel, come to us to-morrow early, and let us way-weary
warriors lie this night in peace. I ween ye will find none readier than
we are."

They led the guests to a spacious hall, where they found beds, big and
costly, standing ready. Gladly had the queen worked their doom.
Coverlets of bright stuffs from Arras were there, and testers of silk of
Araby, the goodliest that could be, broidered and shining with gold. The
bed-clothes were of ermine and black sable, for them to rest under, the
night through, till the day. In such state never king lay before with
his men.

"Woe is me for our lodging!" said Giselher the youth, "and for my friends
that came hither with us. My sister sent us fair words, but I fear we
must all soon lie dead through her."

"Grieve not," said Hagen the knight. "I will myself keep watch, and will
guard thee well, I trow, till the day. Fear naught till then. After
that, each shall look to himself."

They bowed to him and thanked him. They went to their beds, and, or
long, the valiant men were lying soft. Then bold Hagen began to arm him.

Folker the fiddler said, "If thou scorn not my help, Hagen, I would keep
watch with thee till the morning."

The hero thanked Folker, "God in Heaven quit you, dear Folker. In all my
troubles and my straits I desire thee only and no other. I will do as
much for thee, if death hinder it not."

They both did on their shining harness. Each took his shield in his
hand, and went out before the door to keep watch over the strangers.
They did it faithfully.

Brave Folker leaned his good shield against the wall, and went back and
took his fiddle, and did fair and seemly service to his friends. He sat
down under the lintel upon the stone. There never was a bolder
minstrel. When the sweet tones sounded from his strings, the proud
homeless ones all thanked him. He struck so loud that the house echoed.
Great were his skill and strength both. Then he played sweeter and
softer, till he had lulled many a careworn man to sleep. When Folker
found they were all asleep, he took his shield in his hand again, and
went out and stood before the door, to guard his friends from Kriemhild's
men.

About the middle of the night, or sooner, bold Folker saw a helmet in the
distance, shining in the dark. Kriemhild's vassals were fain to do them
a hurt. Or she sent