So spake Hagen of Troneg: "This he hath done. Nevermore did
warrior win such mighty strength. I wot yet more of him: it is
known to me that the hero slew a dragon and bathed him in the
blood, so that his skin became like horn. Therefore no weapons
will cut him, as hath full oft been seen. All the better must we
greet this lord, that we may not earn the youthful warrior's
hate. So bold is he that we should hold him as a friend, for he
hath wrought full many a wonder by his strength."

Then spake the mighty king: "Thou mayst well have right. Behold
how valiantly he with his knights doth stand in lust of battle,
the daring man! Let us go down to meet the warrior."

"That ye may do with honor," spake then Hagen; "he is of noble
race, son of a mighty king. God wot, methinks, he beareth him in
such wise, that it can be no little matter for which he hath
ridden hither."

"Now be he welcome to us," spake then the king of the land. "He
is both noble and brave, as I have heard full well. This shall
stand him in good stead in the Burgundian land." Then went Lord
Gunther to where Siegfried stood.

The host and his warriors received the guest in such wise that
full little was there lack of worship. Low bowed the stately
man, that they had greeted him so fair. "It wondereth me," spake
the king straightway, "whence ye, noble Siegfried, be come unto
this land, or what ye seek at Worms upon the Rhine."

Then the stranger made answer to the king: "This will I not