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"He knows how to give a good account of himself in drinking and in speech," replied the minstrel.

"Then he shall be welcome to me on my hearth," exclaimed the King, tapping his drinking-cup. "But I have chosen thee as a trusty messenger, that thou mayest bring me the stranger from the forest bower to my castle; bring him before my face."

Volkmar rose, and stood reflecting. "I will give thy message to the stranger; yet that he may learn the well-considered intentions of my lord, I beg my King will first promise him peace and safe conduct to the court and from the court --- my King, and his boys in the hall."

"What dost thou imagine, minstrel?" cried the King, with an outburst of displeasure; "how can I give a promise to a wild stranger, whose intentions I do not know?"

"Yet thou wishest, oh my lord, that he should yield himself into thy hands. It is easy to demand an oath from an individual. My lord would himself consider the stranger a fool if he ventured here among our boys, without a surety of peace."

"Why does my King need a wandering minstrel for such a message?" cried out Wolfgang; "let him send us, and we will bring the stranger, either on his feet or on his shield; we have long wished to pay a visit to the villages of these insolent peasants."

"Silence," said the King; "I need not your rude tongue when I have to deal with my forest people. Volkmar shall be my messenger, for today is a day of good words; when there comes a day for hard deeds, then I will call upon thee.

"So thou thinkest he will not be such a fool?" he asked, scowlingly, and from his moist eyes broke forth a fiery look like a flash of fire from out of a wet cloud; but he restrained himself and continued good-humoredly, "Well, I will promise him all. And you, silence there!" he cried out, raising his voice above the noise of his men. "Come in, and promise on my hand peace for Ingo, the son of Ingbert, to the court, at the court, and from the court."

The men took the oath. "And now, minstrel," continued the King, threateningly, "I lay it on thy conscience to bring him here without delay."

"I am only thy messenger, my lord; I can not compel him."

"Think of thine own safety, Volkmar," cried the King, raising his clenched fist on high. "It would be bad for thee if thou shouldst be obliged in the future to avoid thy native land."

"I will behave myself as a true messenger," replied the minstrel, earnestly.

"All right, then, Volkmar," concluded the King, appeased, and rising. "Let the drinking end; break up from your seats; and thou, Volkmar, shalt today accompany me instead of my chamberlain." The King supported himself heavily upon Volkmar's shoulder, and walked with him across the court to the apartment of the Queen. On the way he whispered to him, in a jocund way, "Now, rogue, where is the cup?"

Volkmar opened the bag which he carried on his girdle, and offered the gold vessel to the King.

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