LV

Then answer'd her Sir Hildebrand, a warrior frank and free, "Who'd slay the Nibelungers shall have no help from me, No, not for countless treasure; th' attempt he well may rue; The good knights ne'er were conquer'd, with whom he'll have to do."

LVI

Said she, "Yet surely Hagan has done me cruel wrong; He murder'd my beloved, the strongest of the strong.

Who'd lure him from the others, should have my gold for meed.

'Twould inly discontent me should one but Hagan bleed."

LVII

Then answer'd Master Hildebrand, "How can that ever be?

Slay him among his fellows? Why surely you must see, That, if we strike at Hagan, to battle straight will all, And rich and poor together must in one slaughter fall."

LVIII

Then in his courteous fashion thereto Sir Dietrich spake, "Great queen, this talk give over, and better counsel take.

Me never wrong'd your kinsmen, nor is there cause that I Should warriors, whom I value, to mortal strife defy.

LIX

"It does you little honor, the simple truth to say, Against your trusting kinsmen such deadly plots to lay.

'Twas under a safe-conduct they enter'd Etzel's land.

Revenge for Siegfried never expect from Dietrich's hand."

LX

When she no spark of treason found in the Berner brave, Of a wide march to Bldel the promise straight she gave.

It once belong'd to Nudung; a gift 'twas for a queen; Yet a stroke of Dankwart's made him forget it quite and clean.

LXI

"To give me help, Sir Bldel," said she, "the task be thine; Harbor'd within this palace are mortal foes of mine, The same, who my dear husband Sir Siegfried did to die; Who helps me to revenge it, to him for ever bound am I."

LXII

Thus answer'd her Sir Bldel, "Lady, to truth give ear; I dare not wreak your vengeance, for Etzel's wrath I fear.

He's glad to see your kinsmen and all their va.s.sals throng, And never would forgive me if I should do them wrong."

LXIII

"Nay, say not so, Sir Bldel, I'll stand thy friend at need; Silver and gold in plenty I'll give thee for thy meed, Besides a beauteous damsel, whom Nudung had to wife.

Lapp'd in her soft caresses thou'lt lead a loving life.

LXIV

"The lands and eke the castles to thee I'll freely give; So may'st thou, n.o.ble warrior, with joy for ever live, If thou but win the lordships where Nudung once held sway.

I'll truly keep the promise I've given you here to-day."

LXV

No sooner heard Sir Bldel of such a guerdon tell, Beside that for her beauty the lady pleas'd him well, Than he resolv'd by battle to win the lovely bride.

He miss'd, alas! the damsel, and lost his life besides.

LXVI

He thus bespake Queen Kriemhild, "To th' hall back haste away; Ere one can take precaution, I'll stir a b.l.o.o.d.y fray.

Hagan, who sow'd in murder, shall reap a harvest meet.

I'll bring the man of Gunther in fetters to your feet.

LXVII

"Now arm ye straight," said Bldel, "my merry men one and all!

Hence to the strangers' quarters upon our foes to fall.

So wills our royal lady, King Etzel's n.o.ble wife.

Ye heroes! at her bidding each boldly risk his life."

LXVIII

When Kriemhild thus found Bldel to work her will intent, And eager to do battle, to table straight she went With the redoubted Etzel and eke with all his train, Against the guests from Rhineland fell counsel had she ta'en.

LXIX

How they went all to table, I now at full must say.

First went the king attended, crown'd and in rich array; Many a proud prince behind them, many a good knight was seen, And all display'd their courtship before the n.o.ble queen.

LXX

The good host at the tables found place for every guest; He seated close beside him the highest and the best.

The Christian knights and heathen there feasted nothing loath.

Their food indeed was different, but there was store for both.