"Why then, may God protect us," spake Hagen answering; "But now these thanes be troubled concerning none other thing Save for their harbourage only--my lords and their vassals withal-- Even where we shall rest and refresh us at this day's evenfall: For by this forspent be our horses with the weary way they have gone; And consumed is all our victual"--Hagen the thane spake on-- "Neither see we where we may buy it. Some noble host would we meet Whose open-handed bounty might give to us bread to eat." And to him made answer Eckwart: "Such a host unto you will I show, That entertainment so goodly on you should none bestow As here shall be your portion, in all lands far or near, If ye, O valiant warriors, will seek unto Rüdiger. Nigh to the highway he dwelleth: the noblest host is he That ever hath dwelt in mansion: his heart with charity {P. 224} Blooms as the grass with flowers at the touch of May's bright feet. Blithe is he and thankful ever such heroes with service to greet." Then spake unto him King Gunther: "Mine herald wilt thou be To my dear friend Rüdiger? Ask him if, for a grace unto me, To me and to these my kinsmen and vassals he will be host. So will I requite that service unto mine uttermost." "Gladly will I be thine herald," answering Eckwart said. Straightway forth on the errand with eager haste he sped Unto Rüdiger, bearing the message told even now in his ear. There had come no such glad tidings to his lord for many a year. Men saw from the towers of Bechlaren a knight spur thitherward fast. Well Rüdiger knew that rider, and he said: "In furious haste Cometh Eckwart, vassal of Kriemhild, galloping hitherward." He weened that of foes some mischief had been done to that valiant lord. To the castle-gateway he hied him, and there did the messenger stand Who unclasped his sword from his girdle and laid at his feet the brand. Spake Rüdiger unto the warrior: "What tidings hast thou brought That so hath constrained thee to hasten? hath any spoiled us of aught?" "No man hath done us a mischief," straightway Eckwart replied, "But to-day of three kings bidden unto thee have I hitherward hied, Of the King of Burgundia, Gunther, of Gernot and Giselher: And of these knights each commendeth unto thee his service fair. The like do Hagen and Volker; and each man sayeth it In loyal faith and hearty. Moreover I do thee to wit Of the message that the marshal of Gunther hath charged me withal, That the good knights pray thee to grant them lodging at evenfall." With smiling lips of kindness unto him did Rüdiger say: "Welcome to me be the tidings that kings so noble as they Now stand in need of my service: nothing to these I deny. So they will but come to my dwelling, exceeding glad am I." "From Dankwart the marshal moreover a message to thee I bring, How many unto thy castle this day be journeying. {P. 225} Threescore valiant champions and a thousand knights draw near,