They marked towers six and eighty that crowned that fortress-wall, Three palaces wide-builded, and a goodly feasting-hall: It was wrought of the lordly marble, as the lealand grass it was green; And therein amidst of her people sat a child of kings, the Queen. Bars clanged and bolts shot backward, the gates of the burg swung wide. Forth running to meet the strangers the knights of Brunhild hied, And received them as guests be welcomed, into their Lady's land; And they took in charge the war-steed, and received the shield from the hand. And a chamberlain bespake them: "Yield up your swords unto us, And withal your gleaming hauberks." "We will nowise suffer it thus; Ourselves be minded to bear them!" cried Hagen of Troneg the grim. Then Siegfried turned, and the manner of the kingdom set forth unto him: "In this burg is it ever the custom according to that I say, That the Queen's guests go unweaponed within her courts alway. Hence from our hands let them bear them, so all shall be done aright." Grudging and loth was the yielding of Hagen, Gunther's knight. They poured them the wine of welcome, they led them to chambers fair. Knights many swift in service in the halls of the palace there were That to and fro were hasting clad all in goodly array; Yet, for all their splendour, their glances to those goodlier four would stray. {P. 56} Now word is brought unto Brunhild, and the tale to her ears hath come Of those unknown knights-errant which have fared to her island-home Sailing over the sea-flood, and attired each man like a king. Then the Maiden royal and lovely fell to questioning: And thus spake the Maid-queen Brunhild: "Now shall ye tell unto me Who the unknown knights-errant may peradventure be Whom yonder I see in my castle, each man like a kingdom's lord; And for love of whom these heroes have journeyed hitherward."