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“To Giselher say also that he must not forget

That never have I suffer’d by fault of his as yet:

Wherefore would I right gladly set eyes on him again;

And, for the faith he show’d me, to see him here am fain.

“And also tell my mother what honours now I bear.

If Hagen, too, of Tronjé shall still be dwelling there

By whom shall they more fitly be through the country shown?

To him the roads to Hunsland from childhood have been known.”

Unknowing were the envoys what meaning therein lay,

That Hagen, knight of Tronjé, on no account should stay

Behind the rest in Rhineland. Soon woe for them it made:

With him was many a warrior to cruel death betray’d.

With message and with letters they were provided now:

To live henceforth in plenty of wealth they had enow.

Their leave they took of Etzel and of his lady fair.

And clad in rich apparel a goodly sight they were.

When Etzel to the Rhineland had sent his embassy,

The news thereof right swiftly from land to land did fly:

He greeting gave and bade them, by messengers right fleet,

To come unto his feasting: whence many death did meet.