aren be come to this land?"

When King Gunther had ended his speech, Hagen, the brave, espied the
good knight Rudeger. He and his friends all ran to meet them. Then five
hundred knights were seen dismounting from their steeds. Fair were the
men from Hungary greeted; messengers had never worn such lordly clothes.
Then Hagen of Troneg spake full loudly: "Now be these knights, the lord
of Bechelaren and all his men, welcome in God's name."

With worship the speedy knights were greeted. The next of kin to the
king went to where they stood. Ortwin of Metz spake to Rudeger: "Never
have we seen guests so gladly here at any time. This I can truly say."

On all sides they thanked the warriors for their greeting. With all
their fellowship they hied them to the hall, where they found the
king and with him many a valiant man. The lords rose from their seats;
through their great chivalry this was done. How right courteously he met
the messengers! Gunther and Gernot greeted the stranger and his vassals
warmly, as was his due. He took the good knight Rudeger by the hand
and led him to the seat where he sat himself. Men bade pour out for the
guests (full gladly this was done) passing good mead and the best of
wine that one might find in the land along the Rhine. Giselher and Gere
both were come; Dankwart and Folker, too, had heard about the strangers.
Merry they were of mood and greeted before the king the noble knights
and good.

Then spake Hagen of Troneg to his lord: "These thy knights should ever
requite what the margrave for our sake hath done; for this should the
husband of fair Gotelind receive reward."

King Gunther spake: "I cannot hold my peace; ye must tell me how fare
Etzel and Helca of the Hunnish land."

To this the margrave now made answer: "I'll gladly let you know." He
rose from his seat with all his men and spake to the king: "An' may that
be that ye permit me, O prince, so will I not conceal the tidings that I
bring, but will tell them willingly."

Quoth the king: "The tidings that have been sent us through you, these
I'll let you tell without the rede of friends. Pray let me and my
vassals hear them, for I begrudge you no honor that ye here may gain."

Then spake the worthy envoy: "My great master doth commend to you upon
the Rhine his faithful service and to all the kinsmen ye may have. This
message is sent in all good faith. The noble king bade complain to you
his need. His folk is joyless; my lady, the ro