The officers of Etzel forthwith bestirr'd them all, With fitting seats to furnish palace as well as hall For the dear guests, approaching the merry feast to keep. They gave him cause thereafter full bitterly to weep. TWENTY-FIFTH ADVENTURE HOW THE LORDS ALL CAME INTO HUNGARY I But let us tell no further how there the work they plied. Never to a king's country were known before to ride Such well-appointed squadrons as thither were to speed. They had whate'er they wanted, both weapons and eke weed. II The King of Rhine apparel gave to his liegemen bold, To threescore and a thousand, as I have heard it told, Beside nine thousand yeomen, on mirth and revel bent. Those, whom they left behind them, soon rued that e'er they went. III In Worms, as their equipment was carrying through the court, From Spire an aged bishop, of reverend report, Thus bespake fair Uta, "Our worthy friends prepare To yonder feast to travel; God watch and ward them there!" IV Thereon the noble Uta bespake her children dear, "Far better stay, good heroes, and tend your safety here. I had last night, my children, a dream of ghastly dread, How all the birds, that flutter throughout this land, were dead." V "Who cares for dreams," said Hagan, "and thinks by them to walk, Ne'er in the path of honor with sturdy steps can stalk, Or breathe the voice of reason, but wavers to and fro. I rede, my noble master take leave and forward go. VI "Yes, we shall ride full gladly hence into Etzel's land. There kings need for their service many a good hero's hand, And this fair feast of Kriemhild's awaits us there to view." So Hagan urg'd the journey, which soon he came to rue. VII He ne'er had giv'n such counsel but for what late had pass'd, When scorn on him Sir Gernot had so unseemly cast, Reminding him of Siegfried, and what had erst been done, As though for that dislik'd him the journey to the Hun. VIII Then answer'd he of Trony, "Fear prompts not what I rede. If so you'll have it, heroes, fall to the work and speed; You'll find me not the hindmost to ride to Etzel's realm." Soon shatter'd he thereafter many a shield and many a helm. IX The boats were waiting ready, the band was muster'd there; Thither his choice apparel each one made haste to bear. Their toil was scarce well over ere eve fell on the lea; So from their homes they parted as merry as might be. X Beyond the Rhine's fair current their hasty camp was seen; There tents and proud pavilions bespotted all the green. The lovely queen her husband detain'd for that one night, The last they spent together, dole mingling with delight. XI