466.
Unto her court-folk turning, she loudly spake, as she,
Acrass the ring, the hero all safe and sound did see:
“Come hither, quick, my kinsmen, and my good lieges all,
Ye must now to King Gunther be underlings and thrall!”
467.
Then laid these stalwart warriors their weapons from their band
At Gunther’s feet, the rich king from the Burgundian land;
Then bent to do him homage full many a dauntless knight;—
They thought that he the contest had won by his own might.
468.
He gave her gentle greeting, for he was courtly bred.
Then by the hand she took him, that famous maid, and said:
She would henceforth allow him the rule and power to hold.
Right glad thereat was Hagen, the warrior brave and bold.
469.
She bade the noble hero along with her to go
Into the wide-room’d palace; which being done also,
More fittingly was service paid to the noble knight.
Dankwart and Hagen glad were to see such pleasant sight.
470.
Meanwhile, the ready Siegfried wisely his plans did lay:
He took the hood of darkness and hid it safe away.
Then the great hall he entered, where many ladies sat,
And fell to question Gunther, and artfully did that:
471.
“Wherefore, my lord, delay you? when doth the game begin
At which the queen so often hath challenged you to win?
Let us behold and quickly in what wise it is done!”
As though he knew naught of it behaved the crafty one.
