Now to great King Gunther were the tidings told, That there had journey'd thither hardy knights and bold, Yclad in flashing armor and glittering vesture gay, But who and whence the strangers, could no Burgundian say. XXXVII Much wonder'd the monarch, whence came the gallant band, That with so fair equipment had reach'd Burgundian land, And with so massy bucklers; that none could tidings bring Of those heroic strangers, but little pleas'd the king. XXXVIII To Gunther then made answer the knight of Metz, Ortwine, A warrior bold and mighty, and of the loftiest line, "Since none of us can tell you who these same knights may be, Send for my uncle Hagan; let him strangers see. XXXIX "He knows the proud and puissant of every foreign land; So we, what now we guess not, from him shall understand." Him and his warlike vassals the impatient king bade call, And soon redoubted Hagan strode tow'ring through the hall. XL "What would the king with Hagan?" the warrior made demand. "Here in my house are wand'rers from some far-distant land, Unknown to all around me; observe the strangers well, And if thou e'er hast seen them, the truth, good Hagan, tell." XLI "That will I straight," said Hagan; to a window then he went, And his eyes attentive on the strangers bent. Well pleas'd him their fair vesture, and well their armor sheen, Yet sure the like he never in Burgundy had seen. XLII "Whencever come these champions whom chance to Rhineland brings, Kings might they be," said Hagan, "or messengers of kings. How highly bred their chargers! how gorgeous their array! Wherever lies their country, high-mettled lords are they." XLIII And thereto added Hagan, "This too I'll vouch for yet; Albeit on noble Siegfried I never eyes have set; Still to aver I'll venture, that (let whate'er befall) 'Tis he that's stalking yonder, so stately and so tall. XLIV "He brings some new adventure to our Burgundian land; The valiant Nibelungers he slew by strength of hand, Nibelung and Shilbung the princes stern in fight, And since has many a wonder achiev'd with all-surpassing might. XLV "As all alone and aidless he was riding once at will, As I have heard reported, he found beside a hill With Nibelung's hoarded treasure full many a man of might; Strange seem'd they to the champion, till he came to know them right. XLVI "They had brought the treasure, as just then befell, Forth from a yawning cavern; now hear a wonder tell, How those fierce Nibelungers the treasure would divide; The noble Siegfried eyed them, and wonder'd as he eyed. XLVII "He nearer came and nearer, close watching still the clan, Till they got sight of him too, when one of them began, 'Here comes the stalwart Siegfried, the chief of Netherland.' A strange adventure met he with that Nibelungers' band.