Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/423

XXXIV.]

“To give the people courage,” quoth Hagen, “’tis but right

That ever should the nobles be foremost in the fight:

Not otherwise my masters have here been seen to do:

They hew right through the helmets, blood flows at every blow.”

So valiant was Etzel, he straightway gripp’d his shield.

“Now prithee be thou wary,” said to him Dame Kriemhild,

“Offer unto thy warriors gold overflowingly.

If Hagen yonder reach thee, death will be nigh to thee.”

So bold a man the king was, he was not to be stay’d;—

The like of such great princes can seldom now be said!

Needs must they by his shield-strap to draw him backward try.

Again the savage Hagen spake to him scoffingly:

“It was a far-fetch’d kinship,” the warrior Hagen cried,

“That Etzel and Sir Siegfried to one another tied.

He was Kriemhilda’s lover ere she set eyes on thee,

Thou coward king! why shouldst thou take counsel against me?”

To him so speaking hearken’d the noble sovran’s wife.

Thereon within Kriemhilda was evil humour rife,

That he should dare upbraid her in face of Etzel’s men:

Against the guests began she therefore to plot again.

“Who Hagen, Lord of Tronjé, will do to death,” she said,

“And hither at my bidding will bring to me his head,

For him the shield of Etzel I’ll fill with ruddy gold,

And give him lands for guerdon, and goodly burghs to hold.”