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Updated: June 13, 2025
Old Hagen's brows were closely knit, and his face was dark as a thunder-cloud, and his hands played nervously with his sword-hilt, as he said, "Where now is Gunther, the man whom we once called king?" "He is standing on the balcony above, talking with the queen and her maidens," answered Dankwart. "The craven that he is!" cried Hagen hoarsely.
Ha! many a stranger knight spurred below in the court! The marshal brought out the horses. Bold Dankwart had gathered together his master's followers from Burgundy. Well-saddled horses were led up for the Nibelungs. When the kings and their men were mounted, Folker counselled them to joust after the fashion of their country. Full knightly they rode in the tourney.
Brunhild ordered preparations for the evening contest, and Gunther, Hagen and Dankwart trembled when they saw four men staggering under the weight of Brunhild's shield and three more staggering under the weight of her spear. Siegfried, meantime, had donned his magic cloud cloak and bade Gunther rely upon his aid. The combat opened.
And Hagan and Dankwart, proud men though they were, obeyed in all things the words of the young Prince of the Netherlands. The little ship had sailed on now close beneath the castle, so close indeed that as the King looked up to the window he could catch glimpses of beautiful maidens passing to and fro. Sir Siegfried also looked and laughed aloud for glee.
Ill had Hagen sped. Yet soon he did worse: he slew his child before his eyes. Thirty-Second Adventure How Bloedel Fought With Dankwart in the Hall Bloedel's knights all stood ready. With a thousand hauberks they went where Dankwart sat at table with the yeomen. Grim was soon the hate between the heroes. When Sir Bloedel strode up to the table, Dankwart the marshal greeted him fair.
That he bare them all good will, he showed full well. Hagen he gave a special greeting, for him had he known of yore. To Folker from Burgundy land he did the same. Dankwart he welcomed, too. The bold knight spake: "Sith ye will purvey us knights, who shall have a care for our men-at-arms whom we have brought?" Quoth the margrave: "A good night shall ye have and all your fellowship.
Haste ye, brother Hagen, he cried, for as ye sit there our knights and squires lie slain in their chambers. Who hath done this deed? asked Hagen. Sir Blodelin with his carles. But he breathes no longer, for myself I parted his head from his body. If he died as a warrior, then it is well for him, replied the grim Hagen; but, brother Dankwart, ye are red with blood.
Such an offer was not to be despised, and Siegfried immediately consented; advising Gunther to take only Hagen and Dankwart with him. Gunther and the three knights set out in a small vessel. Siegfried bade his companions represent him as Gunther's vassal only; but Brunhild, seeing his giant figure and guessing its strength, imagined that he had come to woo her.
They ran at each other, and their attendants helped them and fought by them. For all Hagen's fierce onset, the noble Margrave hewed an ell's length from his shield, that the sparks flew bright. Gunther's man was well-nigh slain. Then he cried aloud to Dankwart, "Help! dear brother. I perish by the hand of a hero." Bold Dankwart answered, "I will decide between you."
If he be anywhere near that hath done it, and the Devil help him not, he is a dead man." "Unwounded I stand. My harness is wet with the blood of other men, whereof I have to-day slain so many, that I cannot swear to the number." Hagen said, "Brother Dankwart, keep the door, and let not a single Hun out; I will speak with the knights as our wrong constraineth me. Guiltless, our followers lie dead."
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