Then clashed Gibeke and Schrutan with the strangers front to front, And with them Hornbog and Ramung, after the Hunnish wont: Yet stayed by the knights Burgundian were the onsets of them all. The splintered spear-shafts whirling flew over the palace-wall. Yet, how featly they rode soever, it was nought but empty sound. With clanging of smitten bucklers rang wide echoes round From mansion and hall, as the champions of Gunther clashed with the Hun. High praise and glorious honour by his mighty men were won. So strenuous was their pastime as in grapple of giants they met, That drenched were the saddle-housings with foam-flakes and with sweat From the goodly chargers dripping, as in gentle and joyous sport The heroes against the Hunfolk matched them in chivalrous sort. {P. 257} Then the noble viol-minstrel, Volker the aweless, said: "I trow these knights be faint-hearts; to meet us fairly they dread. Yet hear I talk of their hatred, how bitter against us it is. Sooth, never a better season may they find to prove it than this! Now once more unto the stables," again Lord Volker cried, "Let the squires lead back the horses. Peradventure again will we ride When draweth the day unto even, if haply the time suffice. Perchance to the knights Burgundian will the Queen give valour's prize!" Then into the lists came riding one of such lordly mien That in all the host of the Hunfolk no goodlier man was seen. Perchance from a casement a dear one gazed on his pomp and his pride: Like a maid was he richly apparelled, yea, like a young knight's bride. Then again in his scorn spake Volker: "Who now can forbear to smite? He must needs take a buffet, yon minion of women, yon carpet-knight. He hath set his life on the hazard: not I will be turned from my path! As for yon wife of King Etzel, nothing I reck of her wrath." "Now nay, by my love I charge thee," said Gunther, "do not thus! All folk will blame if the first blood be wantonly shed by us. Let the Huns be the first wrong-doers: it were more for our honour, I ween." --And all this while King Etzel at the casement sat with the Queen. "I make one more in the tourney," cried Hagen instantly. "We will let yon dames at their casements and the knights that throng us see How knightly is our jousting: yea, it were right well done. In any wise, from our foemen small praise shall by us be won."