Then went that Daughter of Princes where sat the King in hall: How lovingly did the accents from the lips of Kriemhild fall! "How pleaseth thee the tidings, my lord, my belovèd?" she cried. "The long desire of my spirit shall at last be satisfied!" {P. 205} "Thy will is my chiefest pleasure," the King made answer to her. "Were these mine own blood-kinsmen, less joyful my spirit were For the tidings of their drawing nigh to my land this day. For the love of these thy kinsmen my cares have vanished away." Then did the great King's stewards send forth urgent behests That palace and hall with high-seats should be adorned for the guests, For the loved and long expected who were drawing near at last. --Yet out of the life of Etzel by these all gladness was cast! XXV. How the Princes rode to the Land of the Huns So then of their doings in Hunland needeth no more to say: But for them of Burgundia--never such high-souled heroes as they Rode in such lordly fashion in the land of any king. All had they, weapons and raiment, that they would for their wayfaring. The Lord of the Rhine in vesture arrayed his warrior-throng, Knights fourscore and a thousand, as sayeth the olden song; Yea also, and squires nine thousand to that great feast-tide rode. --They were sorely bewept thereafter by them that at home abode. At Worms through the palace-courtyard armour they bare and attire. As he watched, a word of boding spake the ancient bishop of Speyer Unto Queen Uta the lovely: "Our friends be minded to fare To be guests in a far-off country--God have them in his care!" Then Uta the noble Lady spake to her sons in her fear: "O heroes mighty-hearted, I pray you, tarry here! Last night came a dream of anguish mid the visions of mine head; For meseemed in the land Burgundian that all her birds were dead." Swiftly made answer Hagen: "Whoso regardeth a dream Shall never wisely advise him; he shall never rightly deem {P. 206} In a matter that toucheth his honour, or choose the better part! Now it behoveth my master to bid farewell and depart. Blithely will we ride onward into King Etzel's land; There well to a king may service be done by a hero's hand: There what manner of high-tide Kriemhild holds shall we see." So Hagen counselled the journey--cause to rue it had he! Nay, still had he spoken against it, were it not for the bitter jeer That Gernot had flung at the hero, when he said with scornful sneer: "The ghost of Siegfried standeth, of the Lady Kriemhild's lord, In the path, and frighteth Hagen from journeying thitherward!" Spake Hagen of Troneg: "Never fear stirreth nor stayeth me! Lo, ye have determined it, heroes: your hands to the work set ye. Doubt not, I will ride with you blithely into King Etzel's realm." --Soon hewn by him asunder was many a shield and helm.