ome. Now be ye passing welcome, ye two knights,
Folker, the brave, and Sir Hagen likewise, to me and to my lady, here in
this our land. She sent you many a messenger to the Rhine."

Then spake Hagen of Troneg: "I heard much talk of that, and were I not
come to the Huns for the sake of my lords, I should have ridden in your
honor to this land."

The noble host then took his dear guests by the hand and led them to the
settle where he sate himself. Busily they poured out for the guests in
broad bowls of gold, mead, morat, (6) and wine and bade those far from
home be welcome. Then spake King Etzel: "Let me tell you this; it might
not liefer hap to me in all this world, than through you heroes, that
ye be come to see me. Through this much sadness is also taken from the
queen. Me-wondereth greatly what I have done you noble strangers, that
ye never recked to come into my land. My sadness is turned to joy, since
now I see you here."

To this Rudeger, a high-mettled knight, made answer: "Ye may be glad to
see them. Good is the fealty which the kinsmen of my lady wot how to use
so well. They bring also to your house many a stately knight."

Upon a midsummer's eve the lords were come to the court of the mighty
Etzel. Seldom hath there been heard such lofty greeting as when he
welcomed the heroes. When now the time to eat was come, the king went
with them to the board. Never did host sit fairer with his guests. Men
gave them meat and drink to the full. All that they craved stood ready
for them, for mickle wonders had been told about these knights.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Scathful scathe" here imitates the M.H.G. "scaden
scedelich".
(2) "Balmung", see Adventure III, note 7.
(3) "friend... friendly". This repetition occurs in the
original.
(4) "Irnfried", see Adventure XXII, note 8.
(5) "Hawart" and "Iring", Adventure XXII, notes 6 and 7.
(6) "Morat" (M.H.G. "moraz") from late Latin "moratum", mulberry
wine, is a beverage composed of honey flavored with
mulberry-juice.

ADVENTURE XXX. How They Kept The Watch.

The day had now an end, and the night drew nigh. Care beset the wayworn
travelers, as to when they should go to bed and rest them. This Hagen
bespake with Etzel, and it was told them soon.

Gunther spake to the host: "God be with you, we would fain go to our
sleep, pray give us leave. We will come early on the morrow, whensoever
ye bid."

Etzel parted th