conceal from you. Tales were told me in my father's land, that
here with you were the boldest warriors that ever king did gain.
This I have often heard, and that I might know it of a truth,
therefore am I come. Likewise do I hear boasting of your valor,
that no bolder king hath ever been seen. This the folk relate
much through all these lands. Therefore will I not turn back,
till it be known to me. I also am a warrior and was to wear a
crown. Fain would I bring it to pass that it may be said of me:
Rightly doth he rule both folk and land. Of this shall my head
and honor be a pledge. Now be ye so bold, as hath been told me,
I reck not be it lief or loth to any man, I will gain from you
whatso ye have -- land and castles shall be subject to my hand."

The king had likewise his men had marvel at the tidings they here
heard, that he was willed to take from them their land. The
knights waxed wroth, as they heard this word. "How have I earned
this," spake Gunther, the knight, "that we should lose by the
force of any man that which my father hath rules so long with
honor? We should let it ill appear that we, too, are used in
knightly ways."

"In no wise will I desist," spake again the valiant man. "Unless
it be that through thy strength thy land have peace, I will rule
it all. And shouldst thou gain, by thy strength, my ancestral
lands, they shall be subject to thy sway. Thy lands, and mine as
well, shall lie alike; whether of us twain can triumph over the
other, him shall both land and people serve."

Hagen and Gernot, too, straightway gainsaid this. "We have no
wish," spake Gernot, "that we should conquer aught of lands, or