o that Kriemhild's men may not deny that they would
fain have acted faithlessly."

Straightway Folker then called out to them: "How go ye thus armed, ye
doughty knights? Would ye ride to rob, ye men of Kriemhild? Then must ye
have the help of me and my comrade-at-arms."

To this none made reply. Angry grew his mood. "Fy! Ye evil cowards,"
spake the good knight, "would ye have murdered us asleep? That hath been
done full seldom to such good heroes."

Then the queen was told that her messengers had compassed naught.
Rightly it did vex her, and with wrathful mood she made another plan.
Through this brave heroes and good must needs thereafter perish.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Arras", the capital of Artois in the French Netherlands.
In older English "arras" is used also for tapestry.

ADVENTURE XXXI. (1) How They Went To Church.

"My coat of mail groweth cold," said Folker. "I ween the night hath run
its course. By the air I mark that day is near."

Then they waked the many knights who still lay sleeping. The light of
dawn shone into the hall upon the strangers. On all sides Hagen gan wake
the warriors, if perchance they would fain go to the minster for
mass. Men now loudly rang the bells in Christian fashion. Heathens and
Christians did not sing alike, so that it was seen full well that they
were not as one. Gunther's liegemen now would go to church, and all
alike had risen from their beds. The champions laced them into such
goodly garments, that never did hero bring better clothes to the land of
any king. This vexed Hagen. He spake: "Heroes, ye should wear here other
clothes. Certes, ye know full well the tales. Instead of roses, bear
weapons in your hands; instead of jeweled chaplets, your bright helms
and good, sith ye know full well the wicked Kriemhild's mood. Let
me tell you, we must fight to-day, so instead of silken shirts, wear
hauberks, and instead of rich cloaks, good shields and broad, so that if
any grow angry with you, ye be full armed. Dear my lords, and all my kin
and liegemen, go willingly to church and make plaint to the mighty God
of your fears and need, for know full sure that death draweth nigh us.
Nor must ye forget to confess aught that ye have done and stand full
zealously before your God. Of this I warn you, noble knights, unless God
in heaven so will, ye'll never more hear mass."

So the princes and their liegemen went to the minster. In the holy
churchyard bold Hagen bade the