The chants were so discordant, thereby you well might see, That Christian men and heathen together ill agree. The valiant men of Gunther would thence to church away. From their beds they started; little linger'd they. IV With that at once they laced them all in such gorgeous vests, That into no king's country had ever knightly guests Brought weed more fair and costly; ill did it Hagan please; "Here," said he, "are fitting for other clothes than these. V "My friends, what toils beset us, you all well understand; So for the rose, ye warriors, take the good sword in hand, And for the cap of jewels the morion beaming bright. Remember what fell Kriemhild devis'd but yesternight. VI "To-day must we do battle, so I bid you well beware; For the soft silken tunic the clashing hauberk wear, And for the sumptuous mantle the buckler stout and wide, That, when they rage against ye, the brunt you well may bide. VII "Give ear, my dearest masters, my kin and comrades too, Go to the church, and welcome, it fits you so to do, And wail to God in heaven your need, while you have breath, And know ye this for certain, that at our heels is death. VIII "Forget not then, moreover, if aught ye ill have done, And fervently for pardon pray, every mother's son; For this I warn you, warriors, nor hold these words for vain, Ne'er, but God show you mercy, mass will ye hear again." IX Then went they to the minster, the princes and their band. Just at the holy churchyard bold Hagan bade them stand, And keep all well together, and thus bespake the crew. "Who knows, to us Burgundians what yonder Huns may do? X "Take heed, my friends, your bucklers bring down before your feet, And, if a soul our party in hostile guise should greet, Requite him with a death-stroke; so seems to Hagan right, So doing, will each among us be found as fits a knight." XI Folker then and Hagan both together went And stood before the minster; 'twas done with this intent, That they might see if Kriemhild would stir the slumbering feud Passing contemptuous by them; right stern were both of mood. XII And now came on King Etzel and eke his lady fair, Both, as their state befitted, in garments rich and rare, With crowds of knights all ready to do their high commands. Uprose the dust to heaven from Kriemhild's trampling bands; XIII When the king, advancing, so arm'd to point espied The kings and their bold vassals, how quick to them he cried, "What's this? my friends in armor marching thus along? In sooth, 'twould sore afflict me if they have suffer'd wrong. XIV "Amends I'll make, and gladly, as shall to them seem right; If any have put on them affront or foul despite, I'll show them, that such outrage I also inly rue, And all that they demand me, I ready am to do." XV