Yet ere long were they foes so bitter that they needs must smite him and slay!
Then Volker the battle-eager, with his viol in his hand,
Stepped forth with courtly bearing before Gotlind to stand;
And the sweet notes rang through the feast-hall as he chanted the lovely lay.
So took he leave of the Lady ere he passed from Bechlaren away.
Then the wife of the Margrave commanded that her maids unto her should bring
A casket—of gifts love-sweetened now shall the minstrel sing:—
Twelve armlets she took from the coffer, and she slid them over his hand:
“These bear thou, Volker, I pray thee, into King Etzel’s land;
And there for my sake shalt thou wear them in presence of King and thane,