you, Sir Hagen, which I spake, then will I let you see that my
hands shall have dominion here in the Burgundian land."

"I alone will hinder this," answered Gernot, and he forbade his
knights speak aught with haughtiness that might cause rue.
Siegfried, too, then bethought him of the noble maid.

"How might it beseem us to fight with you?" spake Gernot anew.
"However really heroes should lie dead because of this, we should
have scant honor therefrom and ye but little gain."

To this Siegfried, the son of Siegmund, made reply: "Why waiteth
Hagen, and Ortwin, too, that he hasteth not to fight with his
kin, of whom he hath so many here in Burgundy?"

At this all held their peace; such was Gernot's counsel. Then
spake Queen Uta's son: "Ye shall be welcome to us with all your
war-mates, who are come with you. We shall gladly serve you, I
and all my kin."

Then for the guests they bade pour out King Gunther's wine. The
master of the land then spake: "All that we have, if ye desire
it in honorable wise, shall owe fealty to you; with you shall
both life and goods be shared."

At this Lord Siegfried grew of somewhat gentler mood. Then they
bade that care be taken of the armor of the guests. The best of
hostels that men might find were sought for Siegfried's squires;
great easement they gave them. Thereafter they gladly saw the
guest in Burgundy. Many a day they offered him great worship, a