Then Volker the battle-eager unclasped his buckler good From his arm, and upright set it, that propped by the wall it stood. Then unto where was his viol he turned him back again, And rendered his tired friends service worthy of such a thane. For under the great hall's doorway he sat on the threshold-stone-- More valiant viol-harper never hath mortal known. When the strings thrilled under his fingers and the soul of the viol woke, Low murmured their thanks unto Volker the proud, the homeless folk. The walls and the rafters echoed as the chords pealed loud and clear-- In might and in music-cunning was the hero without a peer:-- Then sweeter and softer they whispered like the ripple of murmuring streams, And so were the heavy-hearted lulled into happy dreams. So when all slumbered, and Volker was ware that their cares were stilled, Then over his arm the warrior drew once more his shield; And forth he strode from the portal, and afront of the door he stood To ward his friends and kinsmen from Kriemhild's avengers of blood.
Now hard on the hour of midnight, or earlier perchance, He marked, this Volker the dreadless, the gleam of a helmet glance Far away through the darkness. The vassals of Kriemhild were there, Full fain to have done some mischief to the sleepers unaware. (C) Now ere these were sent of Kriemhild to take the prey in the snare, She said: "If ye come on them sleeping, in God's name have a care That of all this company one man, and only he, be slain, Hagen the faithless traitor: your hands from the rest refrain." { P. 251} Then spake the viol-minstrel: "Friend Hagen, see to it now That we bear this burden of peril together, I and thou. Lo, in front of the hall in armour I see folk gathered near. If I may divine their purpose, they come to fall on us here." "Hush!" answered Hagen: "suffer that they come unto us full close. Ere they be ware of our presence, shall the helms of yonder foes With these good swords be cloven that shall swing in the hands of twain. In evil plight unto Kriemhild will we send them back again!"
Then ware was one of the warriors of the Hunfolk suddenly How that the door was guarded. In haste to the rest spake he: "The deed that we had purposed, now doth fate forestall. I behold the viol-minstrel stand guard afront of the hall. He wears on his head a helmet whose splendour flames through the dark, As adamant hard and burnished, dintless withal and stark. Bright glow the rings of his hauberk, as fire that flashes afar; And beside him standeth Hagen. Well warded the strangers are!"