With them together Dankwart and Hagan came ashore 'Tis told us in old stories that these two warriors wore Apparel of the richest, but raven-black of hue; Ponderous were their bucklers, broad and bright and new. XV Stones from the land of India display'd each gorgeous guest, That ever gleam'd and glittered in the flutt'ring vest. They left their bark unguarded beside the dashing wave, And straight on to the fortress rode the champions brave. XVI Six and eighty turrets saw they there in all, Three palaces wide-stretching, and the fairest hall Of the purest marble (never was grass so green), Where with her fair damsels sat the fairer queen. XVII Unlock'd was straight the castle, the gates flew open wide; Up in haste to meet them Brunhild's liegemen hied, And bade the strangers welcome to their lady's land, And took his horse from each one and the shield from every hand. XVIII A chamberlain then bespoke them: "Be pleas'd to give us now Your swords and glitt'ring breastplates." "That can we ne'er allow," Hagan of Trony answer'd, "our arms ourselves will bear." The custom of the castle then Siegfried 'gan declare. XIX "'Tis the use of this castle, as I can well attest, That never warlike weapons should there be borne by guest. 'Twere best to keep the custom; let th' arms aside be laid." Hagan, Gunther's liegeman, unwillingly obey'd. XX Wine to the guests they offer'd, and goodly welcome gave; Then might you see apparel'd in princely raiment brave Many a stately warrior, on to court that pass'd, And many a glance of wonder upon the strangers cast. XXI Meanwhile to fair Queen Brunhild one came and made report, That certain foreign warriors had come unto her court In sumptuous apparel, wafted upon the flood. Then thus began to question the maiden fair and good: XXII "Now tell me," said the princess, "and let the truth be shown, Who are these haughty champions from foreign shores unknown, Whom there I see so stately standing in rich array, And on what hard adventure have they hither found their way?" XXIII One of her court then answer'd, "I can aver, fair queen, Of this stout troop of warriors none have I ever seen, Save one, who's much like Siegfried, if I may trust my eyes. Him well receive and welcome; this is what I advise. XXIV "The next of the companions, he of the lofty mien, If his power match his person, is some great king, I ween, And rules with mighty sceptre broad and princely lands. See, how among his comrades so lordly there he stands! XXV "The third of the companions--a low'ring brow has he, And yet, fair queen, you rarely a manlier form may see. Note but his fiery glances, how quick around they dart! Firm is, I ween, his courage, and pitiless his heart. XXVI