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Ortwein and also Gernot, in council join’d the twain;

And there the heroes plotted how Siegfried should be slain.

And Giselher came likewise, the noble Uté’s son;

When he had heard their saying, he spake,—the faithful one:

“Alack! ye gallant warriors, now wherefore do ye that?

I trow that never Siegfried deservéd such like hate,

That he, by reason of it, should need to lose his life:

Ay, very trifles are they that make an angry wife!”

“Are we to harbour cuckoos?” cried Hagen, answering:

“To gallant knights as we are scant honour that would bring!

That he of my dear lady hath bragg’d so scurvily

His life shall make atonement; or I myself will die.”

The king himself spake, saying: “Naught hath he to us done

Save what is good and worthy; so let his life alone.

What matter though the warrior were hateful now to me?

He hath been ever faithful and that right willingly.”

Then spake the warrior Ortwein, who came from Metz, and said:

“His great strength, of a surety, shall give him little aid.

If now my lord allow me, short shrift of him I’ll make.”

Thus, without cause, the heroes the part of foes did take.

But none went any further, save Hagen, who for aye,

Was pressing upon Gunther this counsel day by day:

That, if King Siegfried lived not, to him would subject be

The broad lands that he governed;— the king heard ruefully.