Then the host right noble and royal took each dear guest by the hand; {P. 247} And he led them unto the high-seat, and set them at his own board. For the guests the drink of welcome the cupbearers hasted and poured, Mead, wine, and mulberry-brewis, into golden goblets wide; So they hailed with gladsome welcome those thanes, Burgundia's pride. Then spake the great King Etzel: "O guests, I needs must avow That nought on the earth more welcome to mine heart could befall me now Than cometh, O knights, by your presence, for to see you here am I fain; And thereby hath the Queen's heart gotten relief from yearning pain. Sooth, oftentimes had I marvelled wherein I had haply transgressed, In that, though I had won to my feast-hall many a noble guest, Yet ye, the chiefest, have never deigned to my land to ride: But now at the last I behold you, and mine heart is satisfied." Answered a knight great-hearted, and Rüdiger made reply: "Well may ye rejoice to behold them, for their knightly honour is high; And this can my Mistress' kinsmen in the face of the world maintain. And they bring to thy palace-portals full many a hero-thane." On a fair Midsummer even they came, those guests renowned, To the court of Etzel the mighty. Full seldom hath it been found That the guests of a king had greeting so fair as the heroes won. And by this was the hour of feasting, and the King to the board led on. In the midst of his guests sat never a host more gracious-willed. There were meats in abundant measure, and with wine were the cups aye filled. Whatsoever a guest might crave for, straightway it lay at his side, For honour to heroes whose prowess had been published far and wide. (C) Ere this had the great King Etzel on a mansion spacious and fair Spent measureless toil and trouble, and nought for the cost did he care. Palace and tower rose stately, with chambers therein untold, And a lordly-fashioned feast-hall, in the midst of a great stronghold. (C) He had caused his wrights to uprear it long and wide and high, To lodge the knights unnumbered that sought to him ceaselessly, And all the host of his liegemen: for twelve kings mighty of sway, And warriors worship-worthy, had he in his war-band aye, {P. 248} (C) Yea, more than king had ever whose name to the minstrel is known. So lived he blithely with kinsmen and vassals about his throne; And the good King's halls with thronging and gladsome tumult were loud That rose from his valiant warriors, and his heart was high and proud. XXX. How Hagen and Volker kept Watch while Men slept