Few now are the foes remaining that against our might shall stand.
Glad am I that this man’s lordship is brought to an end by mine hand.”
“Lightly enow may ye vaunt you!” did the hero of Netherland cry:
“Had I known thy murderous purpose, thou serpent of treachery,
Full well against this thy plotting had Siegfried warded his life!
Ah, now is my chiefest sorrow for Kriemhild my widowed wife.
Now God forgive it, that ever to me hath a son been born
On whom shall be cast his life long the flouts of men and their scorn,
Because of the man whom his kinsfolk betrayed to his death with a kiss!
Had I but time—had I respite—well might I wail for this!