All his knightly followers.” Smiles at this were the maiden’s face o’erspreading.

[772]

Their leave they would be taking, and hasten on their way,

Those two great earls so haughty; but Hilda bade them stay.

Altho’ she ne’er had known them, of gifts she was not chary;

But yet they would not take them, for crafty men were they, and in truth were wary.

[773]

At those sent there by Hartmut Hettel’s followers sneered,

And said, their scorn and anger they very little feared:

If to drink the wine of Hettel they were, in truth, unwilling,