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When the queen found that Bloedel was on the fray intent,

She tarried there no longer, but back to table went

And sat beside King Etzel and with his men as well:

She for the guests’ undoing had taken counsel fell.

Since means there were not elsewise to cause the strife to start

(Kriemhilda’s olden sorrow lay graven in her heart)

She bade them bring to table King Etzel’s little son:

How could a vengeful woman more cruelly have done?

Then went that selfsame minute of Etzel’s liegemen four,

And thither from his chamber the young king Ortlieb bore

Unto the prince’s table, where Hagen also sate.

(The boy was doom’d to perish through Hagen’s deadly hate.)

As soon as mighty Etzel espied his little son,

He turned to his wife’s kinsmen and spake in kindly tone:

“Now, my good friends, behold ye, my only son is he,

And eke your sister’s offspring: which well for you may be.

“If he his kindred likens, he’ll be a gallant wight,

Right powerful and noble, a well-grown man of might.

Should I live some while longer he’ll own a dozen lands;

So look ye for good service at my young Ortlieb’s hands.

“I therefore fain would pray you, O well-loved friends of mine

When ye are homeward riding unto the river Rhine,

That ye upon the journey would take your sister’s son,

And let your loving kindness unto the child be shown.