So soon as Hagen of Troneg beheld them from far away, In knightly-courteous fashion unto his lords did he say: "Now, warriors battle-eager, leap each man down from the selle, And go ye forward to meet them which be come to greet you well. A warrior company cometh; full well be they known unto me; Thanes battle-eager and stalwart from the Amals' land they be; {P. 235} And the Hero of Bern is their leader, and their courage is high in the fray. Ye shall nowise scorn the service they proffer to you this day." Then sprang to the earth from the saddle, even as was meet and right, Dietrich, and there with their captain were many a squire and knight. Forward to that guest-greeting they strode to the hero-band, And in kindliest wise they welcomed the men of Burgundia-land. So now when the noble Dietrich beheld them drawing nigh, Gladness and sorrow within him strove for the mastery[11]. Well knew he the deadly secret: a grief was their journey to him; But he weened that Rüdiger knew it, and had told of the peril grim. "Welcome, my lords! O Gunther and Giselher, welcome be ye! Gernot and Hagen, welcome! Lord Volker, welcome to thee And to Dankwart the battle-eager!--but hath no man told you the tale How still for the Niblung Hero doth Kriemhild weep and wail?" "Let her weep so long as she listeth!" scornfully Hagen replied. "Many a year hath fleeted since her lord was smitten and died. Ay, let her joy and her solace be the love of the Lord of the Hun! Siegfried returneth never; he was buried long agone."