ian and
heathen sang together. Gunther's men were minded to go to church, and
rose from their beds. They did on their fine apparel--never knights
brought goodlier weed into any king's land. But Hagen was wroth, and
said, "Ye did better to wear other raiment. Ye know how it standeth with
us here. Instead of roses, bear weapons in your hands, and instead of
jewelled caps, bright helmets. Of wicked Kriemhild's mood we are well
aware. I tell you there will be fighting this day. For your silken
tunics wear your hauberks, and good broad shields for rich mantels, that,
if any fall on you, ye may be ready. My masters dear, my kinsmen, and my
men, go to the church and bewail your sorrow and your need before great
God, for know, of a surety, that death draweth nigh. Forget not wherein
ye have sinned, and stand humbly before your Maker. Be warned, most
noble knights. If God in Heaven help you not, ye will hear mass no more."

So the kings and their men went to the minster. Hagen bade them pause in
the churchyard, that they might not be parted. He said, "None knoweth
yet what the Huns may attempt on us. Lay your shields at your feet, my
friends, and if any give you hostile greeting, answer him with deep
wounds and deadly. That is Hagen's counsel, that ye may be found ready,
as beseemeth you."

Folker and Hagen went and stood before the great minster. They did this,
that the queen might be forced to push past them. Right grim was their
mood.

Then came the king and his beautiful wife. Her body was adorned with
rich apparel, and the knights in her train were featly clad. The dust
rose high before the queen's attendants.

When the rich king saw the princes and their followers armed, he said
hastily, "Why go my friends armed? By my troth it would grieve me if any
had done aught to them. I will make it good to them on any wise they ask
it. Hath any troubled their hearts, he shall feel my displeasure.
Whatso they demand of me I will do."

Hagen answered, "None hath wrought us annoy. It is the custom of my
masters to go armed at all hightides for full three days. If any did us
a mischief, Etzel should hear thereof."

Right well Kriemhild heard Hagen's words. She looked at him from under
her eyelids with bitter hate. Yet she told not the custom of her land,
albeit she knew it well from aforetime. Howso grim and deadly the
queen's anger was, none had told Etzel how it stood, else he had hindered
what after