"How doughty e'er be Hagen, / and known his valor wide,
A man by far more doughty / that sitteth him beside,
Volker the Fiddler: / a warrior grim is he.
In sooth may not so lightly / the heroes twain confronted be."
When that she thus had spoken, / ready soon were seen
Four hundred stalwart warriors; / for was the lofty queen
Full intent upon it / to work them evil sore.
Therefrom for all the strangers / was mickle sorrow yet in store.
When that complete attiréd / were here retainers seen,
Unto the knights impatient / in such wise spake the queen:
"Now bide ye yet a moment / and stand ye ready so,
While I with crown upon me / unto my enemies shall go.
"And list while I accuse him / how he hath wrought me bane,
Hagen of Tronje, / Gunther's doughty thane.
I know his mood so haughty, / naught he'll deny of all.
Nor reck I what of evil / therefrom may unto him befall."
Then saw the doughty Fiddler / —he was a minstrel keen—
Adown the steps descending / the high and stately queen
Who issued from the castle. / When he the queen espied,
Spake the valiant Volker / to him was seated by his side: