To th' host thus spake King Gunther, "God grant, you long may live! Fain would we now repose us; such leave, I pray you, give. If so you wish, to-morrow we'll come at break of day." The host dismiss'd them gladly, and all went each his way. III Sore throng'd were then the strangers, such crowds to see them ran; Thereat the valiant Folker thus to the Huns began. "How dare you crowd and press us, ill-train'd, unnurtur'd crew? Give place, or you'll discover 'twill be the worse for you. IV "My fiddlestick's no feather; on whom I let it fall, If he has friends that love him, 'twill set them weeping all. Make way then for us warriors, for so it seems me right. We're equals all in knighthood, not so in mood and might." V While thus in wrath the minstrel reprov'd the jostling crowd, Hagan, who had gone forward, look'd back and cried aloud, "List to the valiant gleeman; he gives you good advice; To your quarters, knights of Kriemhild! Let us not warn you twice. VI "Your malice lacks performance; e'en now, methinks, you doubt; So, if you would aught with us, by daylight seek us out, And, for this night, to slumber leave us wayfarers free. Never, I ween, did warriors so long for it as we." VII Then led were the bold strangers thence to a spacious hall. For rest as for convenience they found it furnish'd all With beds, long, broad and sumptuous, arrang'd throughout the room, Dame Kriemhild still was plotting their bale and deadly doom. VIII Many a fine quilt from Arras you might see glittering there Of stuff most rich and precious, and many a tester fair Of silk from far Arabia the best that could be found, And thereupon were borders that bright shone wide around. IX And coverlets in order were laid of ermine white, And others of dark sable, whereunder every knight Should pass the hours in slumber e'en to the dawning day. A king with his attendants ne'er in such splendor lay. X "Alas for these night quarters!" the youthful Giselher cried! "Alas for our good comrades who 'midst the Huns abide! However kind the message that from my sister sped, I fear, through her devices we all shall soon lie dead." XI "Now think not of such danger," the dauntless Hagan spake, "Myself this night about you the sentry's charge will take. I'll keep you safe, believe me, e'en to the dawn of day. For so long fear for nothing; then turn his doom who may." XII They bow'd to the good champion, and thank'd him, as was due, Then to the beds betook them, nor many moments flew Ere stretch'd upon his pallet was every mighty man. Hagan the wakeful sentry to don his arms began. XIII