Whene’er to seek the maiden men were by wooers sent,
In his pride, wild Hagen upon their death was bent.
He to none would give her who than himself was weaker;
Of the tale of the mighty Hagen, far and near, was every man the speaker.
[202]
He bade that more than twenty of those sent there be hung;
None might wreak his anger, though sore his heart was wrung.
When all had done their errand, for Hagen’s daughter suing,
“Enough,” soon went the saying: “’Twere best that none should go for her a-wooing.”
[203]