"That we may not grant you," said Hagen of Troneg; "we ourselves
will bear them."

Then gan Siegfried tell aright the tale. "The usage of the
castle, let me say, is such that no guests may here bear arms.
Let them now be taken hence, then will all be well."

Unwillingly Hagen, Gunther's man, obeyed. For the strangers men
bade pour out wine and make their lodgings ready. Many doughty
knights were seen walking everywhere at court in lordly weeds.
Mickle and oft were these heroes gazed upon.

Then the tidings were told to Lady Brunhild, that unknown
warriors were come in lordly raiment, sailing on the flood. The
fair and worthy maid gan ask concerning this. "Pray let me
hear," spake the queen, "who be these unknown knights, who stand
so lordly in my castle, and for whose sake the heroes have
journeyed hither?"

Then spake one of the courtiers: "My lady, I can well say that
never have I set eyes on any of them, but one like Siegfried doth
stand among them. Him ye should give fair greetings; that is my
rede, in truth. The second of their fellowship is so worthy of
praise that he were easily a mighty king over broad and princely
lands, and he had the power and might possess them. One doth see
him stand by the rest in such right lordly wise. The third of
the fellowship is so fierce and yet withal so fair of body, most
noble queen. By the fierce glances he so oft doth east, I ween
he be grim of thought and mood. The youngest among them is