the hands
of the stout warriors crept to their sword-hilts. 'We will master this
haughty Prince,' they cried aloud then in their anger.

Hot was Siegfried's temper as he heard their words, and proudly did he
answer, 'Ye are all but vassals and would ye measure swords with me, a
king's son? Nor, should ye fall on me altogether, could ye hope to
overcome me,' and Siegfried swung aloft his good sword Balmung. Then
one of the stout warriors whom Siegfried thus defied called lustily
for his armour and his shield.

But again King Gernot spoke. 'Not yet hath Siegfried done us any hurt,
let us not provoke him to fierce deeds, rather let us seek to gain his
good-will.'

King Gunther looked at Hagen. He was not content that his chief
counsellor should keep silence. And indeed at that very moment Hagen's
stern voice was heard.

'We do well to be wrathful at the words of this bold stripling,' he
said, his keen eyes glancing fiercely meanwhile at Gernot. 'We do well
to be wrathful, for why should Siegfried thus mock at us who have
never done him aught of ill?'

'Dost think I but mock thee with my words,' cried the rash knight.
'Ere long thou shalt see the deeds which my strong right hand shall do
in this fair land of Burgundy.'

Again amid the angry tumult Gernot's voice was raised, forbidding his
warriors to answer the stranger with harsh words.

As Gernot's peaceful voice fell upon Siegfried's ear for the third
time, he began to think of Kriemhild, the wonder-lady of his dreams.
He grew ashamed of his anger. He would curb it lest he should never
win the Princess for his bride.

Then Gernot, seeing the fierceness die out of the stranger's face,
spoke yet again. 'Thou shalt be welcome, thou and thy comrades, to
Worms, and right glad will we be to serve thee,' and Gernot ordered
goblets of the King's wine to be brought to the strange guests.

Siegfried and his knights took the goblets, and having drained them
they were ready to forget their warlike words.

King Gunther, seeing that his guests were no longer angry, led them to
the banqueting hall, and Siegfried was soon laughing his own glad, gay
laugh. When at length the feast was ended the stranger knights were
lodged each as befitted his rank.

Then throughout the fair land of Burgundy there stole the story of the
King's bold hero guest, Sir Siegfried.

CHAPTER VII

SIEGFRIED'S SOJOURN AT WORMS

At the court of Worms high festival was held to do honour t