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As soon as the Lord Bloedel before the table went,

Dankwart the marshal met him on greeting due intent:

“Right welcome to our hostel, Lord Bloedelin, are ye,

Although I greatly marvel what may the reason be?”

“Thou hast no need to greet me,” so answer’d Bloedelin:

“For this my coming bodeth an end to thee and thine,

Thanks to thy brother Hagen, who erewhile Siegfried slew.

That to the Huns thou’lt answer, and many another too.”

“Nay, say not so, Lord Bloedel,” the marshal Dankwart said:

“Else must we rue too quickly this journey we have made.

I was but a small stripling when Siegfried lost his life;

I know not what against me bringeth King Etzel’s wife.”

“No more about the matter know I to say to you,

Save that your kinsmen did it, Gunther, and Hagen too.

Look to yourselves, ye lost ones, ye go not hence away!

By death must ye the forfeit unto Kriemhilda pay.”

“What! and will nothing turn you?” cried Dankwart thereupon:

“Would I had ne’er besought you, that better were undone!”

Up from the table sprang he, the warrior swift and strong,

And drew a keen-edged weapon, that heavy was and long.

Therewith he struck at Bloedel, with stroke of sword so fleet,

That off his head was smitten, and lay before his feet.

“Be that thy wedding-dower,” the warrior Dankwart said,

“Unto the bride of Nudung, whom thou wouldst woo and wed!