202
THE NIBELUNGENLIED
“Little do I reck,” spake the queen, “whether I ever see Folker here. Of Hagen I be fond, he is a doughty hero. My spirits stand high that we may see him here.”
Then the queen went to where she saw the king. How lovingly Dame Kriemhild spake: “How like you these tales, dear my lord? What I have ever craved, shall now be brought to pass.”
“Thy wish is my joy,” spake then the king. “Never have I been so blithe of mine own kin, when they should come hither to my lands. Through the kindness of thy kinsmen my care hath fled away.”
King Etzel’s officers bade everywhere palace and hall be purveyed with benches for the guests which were to come. Thereafter the king heard from them mickle weeping.
