swords, keen and massy, that reached to their spurs. All this Brunhild,
the royal maiden, saw.

Dankwart rode with them, and Hagen. These knights, they say, wore
clothes of raven-black, and their shields were mickle, broad and goodly.
Stones from India shone on their apparel. They left the vessel unguarded
on the beach, and rode up to the castle. There they saw eighty and six
towers, three great palaces, and a stately hall of costly marble, green
like grass, wherein the queen sat with her courtiers.

Brunhild's men unlocked the castle gate and threw it wide, and ran toward
them, and welcomed the guests to their queen's land. They bade hold the
horses, and take the shields from their hands. And the chamberlain said,
"Do off your swords now, and your bright armour." "Not so," answered
Hagen of Trony; "we will bear these ourselves."

But Siegfried told them the custom of the court. "It is the law here
that no guest shall bear arms. Wherefore ye did well to give them up."

Gunther's men obeyed, much loth. They bade pour out the wine for the
guests, and see that they were well lodged. Willing knights in princely
attire ran to and fro to serve them, spying with many glances at the
strangers.

They brought word to Brunhild that unknown warriors in rich apparel were
come thither, sailing on the sea, and the beautiful maiden questioned
them. "Tell me," said the queen, "who these strangers be that stand
yonder so proudly, and for whose sake they be come." And one of the
courtiers made answer. "In sooth, Lady, albeit I never yet set eyes on
them, one among them much resembleth Siegfried, and him I counsel thee to