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“In sooth,” then answer’d Hagen, “So guilty are we not;

For verily your heroes came marching to this spot

Well-arm’d, for some set purpose, in such large company:

To you methinks the story was not told truthfully.”

“What else should I believe then? ’twas said by Hildebrand

That when my knights besought you— the men of Amelung land—

That you would give them Rüdeger from out the palace-hall,

Naught else but jibes you offer’d to these bold heroes all.”

Then spake the king of Rhineland: “They did their wish avow

Hence Rüdeger to carry; that would I not allow,

To do despite to Etzel, and not to cross your men:

Till Wolfhart words unhandsome began to utter then.”

Then answer’d him the hero of Bern, “So let it be!

Yet Gunther, noble sovran, now of thy courtesy

Repay me for the sorrow that of thy doing came,

And make, bold knight, atonement, that I confirm the same.

“Give up thyself as hostage, thou and thy liegeman there;

Then I myself will guard ye with all my greatest care,

Lest any of the Hunfolk should do ye aught of ill;

In me thou shalt find nothing save faith and all goodwill.”

But Hagen spake in answer: “Now God in Heaven forfend

That any pair of warriors themselves to thee should bend,

Who arm’d as yet so stoutly here stand before thine eyes,

And still are all unfetter’d to face their enemies.”