“Shall men say that we rear his bastards?” cried Hagen savagely:
“It should bring right little honour unto good knights such as we!
The name of our Lady belovèd hath he blasted with arrogant breath!
If his life for the slander atone not, myself will die the death!”
Then the King’s self spake: “Nay, nothing hath he done to us unto this day
Save lovingkindness and honour: let him therefore live, I say.
What boots it that I should harbour hatred of this good knight?
Loyally aye hath he helped us, and hath had therein his delight.”
Then the Knight of Metz, Lord Ortwein, made answer passion-hot:
“Though passing-great be his prowess, it shall verily help him not: