Then the valiant viol-minstrel, the lord of the strings, was ware Of the high-born Daughter of Princes, as her feet came down the stair {P. 242} That led from the palace-portal. Soon as he saw that sight, Unto his warrior-comrade spake Volker the dreadless knight: "Behold now, O friend Hagen, and mark as she draweth nigh Who as guests hath bidden us hither with purpose of treachery. Never so many warriors saw I follow a queen With sword in hand drawing nigh me, and with faces battle-keen. Of this art thou ware, friend Hagen, that to thee are they foemen fell: Wherefore I give thee counsel, take heed that thou guard well Thy life and thy knightly honour. I trow such rede is good; For in very deed meseemeth they come in angry mood. There is many a man amongst them broad-chested and stalwart of frame. Whoso would keep life scatheless, betimes let him see to the same! I mark how under their vesture glittering hauberks they wear: What deed thereby they purpose I know not, neither care." Made answer in scornful anger Hagen the aweless man: "Well know I, for my destruction is all their plot and plan; And for this are the gleaming weapons that yon men bear in hand. But for all they may do, shall I yet ride back into Burgundy-land. Now tell unto me, friend Volker, by me art thou minded to stand If these be fain to beset me, yon men of Kriemhild's band? Lo, by thy love I adjure thee, tell me thy mind herein, And my love and my loyal service for ever shalt thou win." "Yea, of a surety I help thee," the minstrel made reply; "And though I beheld against us a king of the earth draw nigh With all his knights about him, so long as endureth my life, Through fear will I ne'er draw backward one foot from thy side in the strife." "Now God in Heaven reward thee, Volker, thou peerless of worth! Though all these rise up against us, what need I more on earth? If thou but stand mine helper, as now thou hast said in mine ear, These knights have need to be wary of coming a step more near." "Now," said the viol-minstrel, "rise we up from our seat In presence of this King's Daughter, as before us pass her feet; {P. 243} So render we due honour unto a high-born queen, And by courtesy do we honour unto ourselves, I ween." "Nay," Hagen replied, "if thou love me, in no wise do this thing. Yon knights will be puffed up haply with vain imagining That I did it of failing courage, and were minded to flinch from her face. But I,--for no soul among them will I rise up from my place. From such honour to her refrain we; it better beseemeth us so. What, should I render her homage who hath set her to be my foe? No, that will I do never so long as endureth my life! What reck I of the malice of this King Etzel's wife?"