Forthwith to them said Hartmut: “Tell me now the truth,

The grand-daughter of Hagen have you seen, forsooth?

Is the maid, Gu-drun, as lovely as men have here been saying?

May God bring shame to Hettel, that he my suit with such ill-will is paying!”

[615]

Then the earl thus answered: “This can I truly say,—

Whoe’er shall see the maiden must feel her charms and sway;

Above all maids and women, her worth is past the telling.”

Then quoth the kingly Hartmut: “To live without her ne’er shall I be willing.”

[616]