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From without sounded the laughter of many voices, and the song of the maidens; the Queen sat donw, her hands clasped upon her knees, and listened to the melody of the dance, which the minstrel sang. Later the serving-maid led the minstrel quickly in. "Thou hast related much at the King's repast," said she to him, smiling, "which has given my lord heavy thoughts. Now let me know in confidence how thou thyself didst escape the bands of the Romans; for I was in danger of losing a worthy man, who has often given me pleasure. If thou hast a song concerning thine own troubles, I will listen to it."

"I thought little of myself at that hour, Princess; I looked after another who saved me, and put himself in the greatest danger."

"I think that was this stranger," said the Queen. "Begin thy song, and lower thy voice if thou canst, that idle people may not throng to the door."

Volkmar began in a low voice his account of the escape to the boat, and the leap into the Rhine. The golden rays of the evening sun glanced through the small open window, encircling the form of the minstrel, who, in deep excitement, sang softly the emotions of his heart. The Queen sat in the shadow, and again her heavy tresses fell over the hand which supported her bent head; immovable she sat, absorbed within herself, till the minstrel concluded with his recognition in the hall.

"That will be a song glorious for both --- both for him and thee," said the Queen, graciously, when the minstrel ceased. "Thou goest with the blessing of the gods to hall and hearth, that the news may be spread among the people."

The King sat at the evening carouse among his attendants; the shouts and laughter of his bodyguard sounded round the hearth; from large glasses and goblets they quaffed the spicy drink. "Play us the dance, minstrel," cried one of the wild fellows, "which thou hast taught today to the King's maidens, so that we also may dance skilfully to the melody on the heath."

"Let him alone," said Hadubard, mockingly, a scarred warrior who had been a halberdier at the Roman court, and now served the King. "His song is just good enough for the cranes to hop to in the poultry-yard. He who has beheld the dancers, the smiling maidens from Alexandria, thinks the step of the peasant on the grass like the march of geese."

"He has become proud," cried out another, "since he has concealed in his dress the gold cup of the Queen. Be on thy guard, Volkmar; insecure is golden treasure with the traveling man who goes over the heath."

"Wolfgang is thy name," replied the minstrel, "and like a wolf thou goest lurking over the heath. Ill does thy envious look on the Queen's gift befit the bench of the King."

He took his instrument in his hand, touched the strings, and sang the melody of the dance. Then the men began to move their limbs; they beat time with their hands on the table, and stamped the step with their feet; the King also, elevated with wine, clapped his hand on the cover of the wine bottle, and nodded his head. But at the second verse the boys, excited with mead, rose up; only the old men kept seated, and clasped firmly their drinking-horns, while the others, following each other in couples, danced round the bench, so that the noise was great in the hall. The King laughed.

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