[Sidenote:  Kriemhild’s plot.] Kriemhild finally decided to persuade Etzel to invite all her kinsmen for a midsummer visit, which the king, not dreaming of her evil purpose, immediately hastened to do.  Two minstrels, Werbel and Swemmel, were sent with the most cordial invitation.  Before they departed Kriemhild instructed them to be sure and tell all her kinsmen that she was blithe and happy, and not melancholy as of yore, and to use every effort to bring not only the kings, but also Hagen, who, having been at Etzel’s court as hostage in his youth, could best act as their guide.

The minstrels were warmly received at Worms, where their invitation created great excitement.  All were in favor of accepting it except Hagen, who objected that Kriemhild had cause for anger and would surely seek revenge when they were entirely in her power.

“‘Trust not, Sir King,’ said Hagen, ’how smooth soe’er they be,
These messengers from Hungary; if Kriemhild you will see,
You put upon the venture your honor and your life. 
A nurse of ling’ring vengeance is Etzel’s moody wife.’”

          
                                                            Nibelungenlied (Lettsom’s tr.).

But all his objections were set aside with the remark that he alone had a guilty conscience; and the kings bade the minstrels return to announce their coming, although Ute also tried to keep them at home.  Hagen, who was no coward, seeing them determined to go, grimly prepared to accompany them, and prevailed upon them to don their strongest armor for the journey.

Gunther was accompanied by both his brothers, by Hagen, Dankwart, Volker (his minstrel), Gary, and Ortwine, and by one thousand picked men as escort.  Before leaving he intrusted his wife, Brunhild, and his son to the care of Rumolt, his squire, and bidding farewell to his people, set out for Hungary, whence he was never to return.

In the mean while the Hungarian minstrels had hastened back to Gran to announce the guests’ coming, and, upon being closely questioned by Kriemhild, described Hagen’s grim behavior, and repeated his half-muttered prophecy:  “This jaunt’s a jaunt to death.”

The Burgundians, who in this part of the poem are frequently called Nibelungs (because they now held the great hoard), reached the Danube on the twelfth day.  As they found neither ford nor ferry, Hagen, after again prophesying all manner of evil, volunteered to go in search of a boat or raft to cross the rapid stream.

[Sidenote:  Prophecy of the swan maidens.] He had not gone very far before he heard the sound of voices, and, peeping through the bushes, saw some swan maidens, or “wise women,” bathing in a neighboring fountain.  Stealing up unperceived, he secured their plumage, which he consented to restore only after they had predicted the result of his journey.  To obtain her garments, one of the women, Hadburg, prophesied great good fortune; but when the pilfered robes were restored, another, called Siegelind, foretold much woe.