Hagen said, as he met them: “Safeguard to you I give

Hagen said, as he met them: “Safeguard to you I give; My peace I pledge you willingly. He shall no longer live, But hang upon the gallows, who these guests shall harry: Let them not be fearful; them shall nothing harm while in my land they tarry.”

Rich and costly jewels they to Hagen gave, In worth, of marks a thousand. From them he nought did crave, Nor even so much as a penny; but what for sale they offered He begged of them to show him, such as to knights and ladies might be proffered.

For all he thanked them warmly; he said: “If I should live Not more than three days longer, for all that now they give My guests shall be rewarded. If my liegeman do not heed me, And these for aught be lacking, all shall then for this with right upbraid me.”

Now the gifts they gave him the king with his men did share; Among them there were necklaces, fit for ladies fair, With finger-rings and arm-bands, as well as ribands dainty, And head-gear, to bedeck them: these the king to many gave in plenty.

His wife and lovely daughter now most rightly thought That never to their kingdom had gifts for them been brought, That were so rare and costly, by sellers or by traders. Horant and Wâ-te also in sending gifts to court were now the leaders.

Sixty silken garments, the best that e’er were sold, Up to the shore were carried, and forty wrought with gold. They would have prized but lightly cloths from Bagdad even; Of linen suits a hundred, the best they had, now to the king were given.

Beside the handsome clothing, made of silken stuff, Of richest inner garments they also gave enough; There might perhaps be forty, or more, if reckoned fully; Could ever man buy praises, they by their costly gifts had gained them truly.

Twelve Castilian horses, all saddled, were brought, I trow; Also many breastplates, and well-made helmets, too, Men were bidden to carry; twelve bucklers likewise bore they, Rimmed with golden edges. Kind were Hagen’s guests; free givers were they.