rode through them.

Graciously then did the King welcome the noble knight, and Siegfried,
bowing low, thanked him for his kindly greeting.

'I beseech thee, noble knight,' said the King, 'tell me why thou hast
journeyed to this our royal city, for thy purpose is yet unknown.'

Now Siegfried was not ready to speak of the fair Princess of whom he
had heard in his own country, so he answered the King thus:

'Tidings reached me in my fatherland of the splendour of thy court, O
King. Never monarch was more bold, more brave than thou, never ruler
had more valiant warriors. Such tales were told to me by the people of
my land and I have come to see if they be true. I also, King Gunther,
am a warrior, and I, too, shall one day wear a crown, for I am
Siegfried, Prince of the Netherlands. Nor shall I be content until I
have done great deeds to make the whole world marvel. For then in
truth will people cry aloud that I am worthy to reign.'

At that moment Siegfried caught sight of Hagen's grim, stern face, and
something he saw in it provoked the gay prince to say right hardily,
'Therefore to do great deeds have I come to Worms, even to wrest from
thee, King Gunther, thy broad realm of Burgundy and likewise all thy
castles. They shall be mine ere many suns have set.'

Then indeed did the King and all his warriors marvel at the bold young
knight. 'Was ever heard so monstrous a plan?' murmured the warriors
each to the other. 'The stripling from a foreign land, with but eleven
bold knights to aid him, would seize Burgundy and banish the King from
his realm. It is a monstrous plan.'

'Thou dost repay my welcome but coldly,' said Gunther to the valorous
knight 'My fathers ruled over these lands; with honour did they rule.
Wherefore then shall they be taken from their son?'

But Siegfried cried, 'Thyself must fight and win peace for thy
fatherland. For unless thou dost conquer me I shall rule in my great
might in this realm, and when I die it shall be my heir who shall
become king.'

Then Gunther's brother, King Gernot, spoke, and peaceful were his
words.

'We rule over a fair country, bold knight, and our liegemen serve us
in all good faith. No need have we to fight for this our fatherland.
Therefore do thou go and leave us in peace.'

But King Gunther's warriors listened sullenly to the words of Gernot,
and they muttered, 'Such words shall scarce save the braggart
stranger, for hath he not challenged our King to fight,' and