n
the castle, their home, at Worms, to which in good time she came right
joyfully with all her knights.

ENDNOTES:
(1) Adventure VIII. This whole episode, in which Siegfried
fetches men to aid Gunther in case of attempted treachery on
Brunhild's part, is of late origin and has no counterpart in
the older versions. It is a further development of
Siegfried's fight in which he slew Schilbung and Nibelung
and became the ruler of the Nibelung land. The fight with
Alberich is simply a repetition of the one in the former
episode.
(2) "Rest" (M.H.G. "rast"), originally 'repose', then used as a
measure of distance, as here.
(3) "Knobs", round pieces of metal fastened to the scourge.
(4) "Cunning" is to be taken here in the Biblical sense of
'knowing'. The M.H.G. "listig" which it here translates,
denotes 'skilled' or 'learned' in various arts and is a
standing epithet of dwarfs.
(5) "Mulled wine" translates M.H.G. "lutertranc", a claret
mulled with herbs and spice and left to stand until clear.
(6) "Mark". See Adventure V, note 5.

ADVENTURE IX. How Siegfried Was Sent To Worms.

When they had thus fared on their way full nine days, Hagen of Troneg
spake: "Now mark ye what I say. We wait too long with the tidings for
Worms upon the Rhine. Our messengers should be e'en now in Burgundy."

Then spake King Gunther: "Ye have told me true, and none be more fitting
for this trip than ye, friend Hagen; now ride ye to my land. None can
acquaint them better with our journey home to court."

To this Hagen made answer: "I am no fit envoy. Let me play chamberlan,
I'll stay with the ladies upon the flood and guard their robes, until
we bring them to the Burgundian land. Bid Siegfried bear the message, he
knoweth how to do it well with his mighty strength. If he refuse you the
journey, then must ye in courtly and gentle wise pray him of the boon
for your sister's sake."

Gunther sent now for the warrior, who came to where he stood. He spake:
"Sith we be now nearing my lands at home, it behooveth me to send a
messenger to the dear sister of mine and to my mother, too, that we draw
near the Rhine. This I pray you, Siegfried; now do my will, that I may
requite it to you ever," spake the good knight.

Siegfried, the passing bold man, however said him nay, till Gunther
gan beseech him sore. He spake: "Ye