"Hither all are coming, / thy royal brothers three,
And they right high in spirit. / Who more shall with them be,
The tale to tell entire / were more than I might do.
To journey with them plighted / Volker the valiant fiddler too."
"'Twere little lost, full truly," / answered then the queen,
"If by my eyes never / Volker here were seen.
'Tis Hagen hath my favor, / a noble knight is he,
And mickle is my pleasure / that him full soon we here may see."
Her way the Lady Kriemhild / then to the king did take,
And in right joyous manner / unto her consort spake:
"How liketh thee the tidings, / lord full dear to me?
What aye my heart hath yearned for, / that shall now accomplished be."
"Thy will my joy was ever," / the lofty monarch said.
"In sooth for my own kinsmen / I ne'er have been so glad,
To hear that they come hither / unto my country.
To know thy friends are coming, / hath parted sadness far from me."
Straight did the royal provosts / give everywhere decree
That hall and stately palace / well prepared should be
With seats, that unprovided / no worthy guest be left.
Anon by them the monarch / should be of mickle joy bereft.