Then spake the fiddler, Folker the minstrel: "I ween these warriors
dare not match us. I've aye heard the tale, that they bear us hate, and
forsooth it might never fortune better for them than now." Again Folker
spake: "Let our steeds be now led away to their lodgings and let us
joust again toward eventide, and there be time. Perchance the queen may
accord to the Burgundians the prize."

Then one was seen riding hither so proudly, that none of all the Huns
could have done the like. Certes, he must have had a sweetheart on the
battlements. As well attired he rode as the bride of any noble knight.
At sight of him Folker spake again: "How could I give this over? This
ladies' darling must have a buffet. None shall prevent me and it shall
cost him dear. In truth I reck not, if it vex King Etzel's wife."

"For my sake, No," spake straightway King Gunther. "The people will
blame us, if we encounter them. 'Twill befit us better far, an' we let
the Huns begin the strife."

King Etzel was still sitting by the queen.

"I'll join you in the tourney," quoth Hagen then. "Let the ladies and
the knights behold how we can ride. That will be well, for they'll give
no meed to King Gunther's men."

The doughty Folker rode into the lists again, which soon gave many a
dame great dole. His spear he thrust through the body of the dapper Hun;
this both maid and wife were seen thereafter to bewail. Full hard and
fast gan Hagen and his liegemen and sixty of his knights ride towards
the fiddler, where the play was on. This Etzel and Kriemhild clearly
saw. The three kings would not leave their minstrel without guard amidst
the foe. Cunningly a thousand heroes rode; with haughty bearing they did
whatso they would. When now the wealthy Hun was slain, men heard his kin
cry out and wail. All the courtiers asked: "Who hath done this deed?"

"That the fiddler did, Folker, the valiant minstrel."

The margrave's kindred from the Hunnish land called straightway for
their swords and shields, and would fain have done Folker to death. Fast
the host gan hasten from the windows. Great rout arose from the folk on
every side. The kings and their fellowship, the Burgundian men, alighted
before the hall and drove their horses to the rear. Then King Etzel came
to part the strife. From the hand of a kinsman of the Hun he wrenched
a sturdy weapon and drove them all back again, for full great was his
wrath. "Why should my courtesie to these knights go all for na