"Alack for these night-quarters!" / quoth young Giselher,
"Alack for my companions / who this our journey share!
How kind so e'er my sister's / hospitality,
Dead by her devising, / I fear me, are we doomed to be."
"Let now no fears disturb you," / Hagen gave reply;
"Through the hours of sleeping / keep the watch will I.
I trust full well to guard you / until return the day,
Thereof be never fearful; / let then preserve him well who may."
Inclined they all before him / thereat to give him grace.
Then sought they straight their couches; / in sooth 'twas little space
Until was softly resting / every stately man.
But Hagen, valiant hero, / the while to don his armor gan.
Spake then to him the Fiddler, / Volker a doughty thane:
"I'll be thy fellow, Hagen, / an wilt thou not disdain,
While watch this night thou keepest, / until do come the morn."
Right heartily the hero / to Volker then did thanks return.
"God in heaven requite thee, / Volker, trusty fere.
In all my time of trouble / wished I none other near,
None other but thee only, / when dangers round me throng.
I'll well repay that favor, / if death withhold its hand so long."