er courtiers.

Brunhild's men unlocked the castle gate and threw it wide, and ran toward
them, and welcomed the guests to their queen's land. They bade hold the
horses, and take the shields from their hands. And the chamberlain said,
"Do off your swords now, and your bright armour." "Not so," answered
Hagen of Trony; "we will bear these ourselves."

But Siegfried told them the custom of the court. "It is the law here
that no guest shall bear arms. Wherefore ye did well to give them up."

Gunther's men obeyed, much loth. They bade pour out the wine for the
guests, and see that they were well lodged. Willing knights in princely
attire ran to and fro to serve them, spying with many glances at the
strangers.

They brought word to Brunhild that unknown warriors in rich apparel were
come thither, sailing on the sea, and the beautiful maiden questioned
them. "Tell me," said the queen, "who these strangers be that stand
yonder so proudly, and for whose sake they be come." And one of the
courtiers made answer. "In sooth, Lady, albeit I never yet set eyes on
them, one among them much resembleth Siegfried, and him I counsel thee to
welcome. The second of the company hath so lofty a mien that, if his
power be equal thereto, he might well be a great king and a ruler of wide
lands, for he standeth right proudly before the others. The third, O
Queen, is grim, yet a goodly man withal. His glance is swift and dark;
he is fierce-tempered, I ween. The youngest pleaseth me well. Maidenly
and modest he standeth, yet it went hard, methinketh, with any that
fashioned daintily, if his wrath were once kindled, many a woman might
weep, for he is a bold and virtuous knight, and right worshipful."

The queen said, "Bring me my robe. If stark Siegfried be come into my
land to woo me, he shall pay for it with his life. I fear him not so
greatly that I should yield me to be his wife."

Then Brunhild attired her in haste. An hundred or more of her damsels
went with her, richly adorned, whom the guests beheld gladly. Brunhild's
knights of Issland gave them escort, to the number of five hundred or
thereabout, their swords in their hands, the which irked the bold
strangers. They stood up from their seats; and the queen spake
courteously to them when she saw Siegfried. "Thou art welcome,
Siegfried, to this land. To what end art thou come? I prithee tell me."

"I thank thee, O Brunhild, fair daughter of a king, that thou greete