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Ere all the lords were seated a good long time was spent;

Whilst tortured was Kriemhilda by cares within her pent.

She said: “I seek thy counsel, O prince of Bern, thy grace

And aid: in sooth my business is now in evil case.”

Then Hildebrand made answer, a worthy warrior he:

“Whoever slays the Niblungs shall have no help from me,

Nay, not for any treasure! thereby he grief may get:

These knights of ready courage have ne’er been conquerd yet.”

And, in his courtly fashion, thereto Sir Dietrich spake:

“O mighty queen, I pray thee, thy purpose to forsake.

To me thy kinsmen never have done such injury,

That I the gallant warriors in combat would defy.

“The wish doth ill beseem thee, most noble prince’s wife,

That thou anent thy kinsfolk wouldst plot against their life.

Trusting unto thy favour they came unto this land:

Siegfried is not avengéd by aid of Dietrich’s hand.”

When she could find no falseness the knight of Bern within,

Then on the spot she promised to give to Blœdelin

A far-extending march-land, which Nudung own’d of yore.

As Dankwart shortly slew him, he thought of it no more.

Quoth she: “Thou ought’st to aid me, my good Sir Blœdelin,

For in this very palace are now these foes of mine

Who slew my husband Siegfried, so well-beloved of me.

To him who helps avenge him, I ever bound shall be.”