"Yea, I will follow thy counsel," answered the King straightway. Then sent he all through his kingdom to summon his array. Soon brought they back with them heroes three thousand, yea, haply more. Little they thought of the death-snare, of the evil days in store! So onward they rode high-hearted through King Gunther's land. Horses to all and raiment were given by the King's command Which were ready to fare with the princes forth to the land of the Huns. Eager he found for the journey full many valiant ones. Then at the bidding of Hagen Dankwart his brother rode With fourscore knights of their war-band unto where Rhine-river flowed. Gallantly rode they and proudly: war-harness the keen knights brought Unto the land of Gunther, and raiment richly wrought. There came the aweless Volker, the lord of the viol-string, With thrice ten stalwart warriors, to ride where rode the King. Lordly was all their vesture; it was meet for a king to wear. "These also," he said unto Gunther, "with thee to the Huns will fare." What manner of man was Volker, now be it told in the song. Sooth, he was a noble baron, and in his vassal-throng Was many a knight; none stouter were found in Burgundia-land: "The Minstrel" they named him, for cunning upon the strings was his hand. Of them all chose Hagen a thousand, men throughly tested of him: What deeds had been done by their prowess in the storm of battle grim, And in many a desperate emprise, oft had he seen and known: Yea, and their peerless valour no man could choose but own. Now the messengers of Kriemhild chafed that so long they should wait; For their dread of the King their master was beyond all measure great, And day by day were they longing to take fair leave and be gone. Yet by Hagen still were they hindered; of his cunning this was done. For he said to his lord King Gunther: "We needs must have a care That we let them not ride homeward, ere ourselves be ready to fare In seven days thereafter unto Etzel's land afar: So, if any mean us a mischief, the better forearmed we are. {P. 202} Then also shall Lady Kriemhild have scant time so to plot That by her devising shall mischief to any of us be wrought; Or, if she should haply essay it, evilly shall she speed: So many chosen warriors to the land of the Huns do we lead."