is rich, and we are the rightful lords. The folk desire none better."

Grim and angered stood Gunther's kinsmen. Amidst of them was Ortwin of
Metz, who said, "This bargain pleaseth me little. Bold Siegfried hath
challenged thee wrongfully. Were thou and thy brothers naked, and he
with a whole king's army at his back, I would undertake to show the
overweening man he did well to abate his pride."

Whereat the knight of the Netherland was wroth and said, "Not such as
thou art shall raise a hand against me, for I am a great king; thou art
but a king's man. Twelve of thy sort could not withstand me."

Then Ortwin of Metz, the sister's son of Hagen of Trony, cried aloud for
his sword. It grieved the king that he had kept silence so long, but
Gernot, a warrior bold and keen, came betwixt them.

He said to Ortwin, "Calm thyself. Siegfried hath done naught to us,
that we should not end this matter peaceably. I counsel that we take
him to friend. That were more to our honour."

Then said Hagen the stark man, "It may well irk thy knights that he
rideth hither as a foeman. Better had he refrained. My masters had
never done the like by him."

Brave Siegfried answered, "If thou like not my words, I will show thee
here, in Burgundy, the deeds of my hand."

"That I will hinder," said Gernot, and he forbade to his knights their
overweening words, for they irked him. Siegfried also thought on the
noble maiden.