n
the other sources against the Burgundians. In both cases
Hagen is among his foes, but takes no part in the fight at
first, out of friendship for Walther.

ADVENTURE XXIX. How Hagen Would Not Rise For Kriemhild.

Then the two worshipful warriors parted, Hagen of Troneg and
Sir Dietrich. Over his shoulder Gunther's liegeman gazed for a
comrade-at-arms, whom he then quickly won. Folker he saw, the cunning
fiddler, stand by Giselher, and begged him to join him, for well he knew
his savage mood. He was in all things a bold knight and a good. Still
they let the lordings stand in the court, only these twain alone men saw
walk hence far across the court before a spacious palace. These chosen
warriors feared the hate of none. They sate them down upon a bench
before the house over against a hall, the which belonged to Kriemhild.
Upon their bodies shone their lordly weeds. Enow who gazed upon them
would than have known the knights; as wild beasts the haughty heroes
were stared upon by the Hunnish men. Etzel's wife, too, gazed upon
them through a window, at which fair Kriemhild waxed sad again. Of her
sorrows it minded her and she began to weep. Much it wondered Etzel's
men what had so quickly saddened her mood. Quoth she: "That Hagen hath
done, ye heroes brave and good."

To the lady they spake: "How hath that happed, for but newly we did see
you joyful? None there be so bold, an' he hath done you aught, but it
will cost him his life, if ye bid us venge you."

"Ever would I requite it, if any avenged my wrongs. I would give him all
he craved. Behold me at your feet," spake he queen; "avenge me on Hagen,
that he lose his life."

Then sixty bold men made them ready eftsoon for Kriemhild's sake. They
would hence to slay the bold knight Hagen and the fiddler, too. With
forethought this was done. When the queen beheld the band so small, grim
of mood she spake to the knights: "What ye now would do, ye should give
over. With so few durst ye never encounter Hagen. And however strong
and bold Hagen of Troneg be, he who sitteth by his side, Folker, the
fiddler, is stronger still by far. He is an evil man. Certes, ye may not
so lightly match these knights."

When they heard this, four hundred doughty warriors more did make them
ready. The noble queen craved sore to do them harm. Thereby the heroes
later fell in mickle danger. When she saw her followers well armed, the
queen spake to the doughty knights