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It doubtless had befallen, whichever had begun

The strife, that these two comrades the honour would have won;

Seeing how oft in battle they gallantly had fought.

In dread the others shrank from  the deed they had in thought.

Then spake one of the warriors: “Why look ye so on me?

From what I erewhile promised I would that I were free!

For sake of no one’s largesse would I forego my life.

Ay! to our ruin go we, led by King Etzel’s wife.”

Whereafter spake another: “To that same thought I hold;

Were anyone to give me whole towers of good red gold,

I’d care not to contend with that fiddler willingly,

For dread of the swift glances that in his eyes I see.

“Hagen have I known also, and from his early youth:

Thus little can be told me about that knight, forsooth!

In two-and-twenty battles I’ve seen him, in the strife;

Whereby hath heartfelt sorrow befallen many a wife.

“On many a foray went they, he and the Spaniard,

When they were here with Etzel; ofttimes a battle hard

They fought for the king’s honour; and many such befell;

Whereof one must of Hagen much to his honour tell.

“At that time this same warrior was but a child in years,

They who were then but youngsters, how gray are now their hairs!

Now he is come to wisdom, a man of ruth is he.

And eke he wieldeth Balmung, won by foul treachery.”