“Wherefore,” made answer Gunther, “should I his wooing withstand?
What kindness soever or blessing the Queen may have of mine hand,
That will I grant her gladly. Sister she is unto me.
Yea, ourselves might seek such alliance, if such for her honour be.”
But again made answer Hagen: “Nay, put this counsel by!
Did ye but know this Etzel and his might so well as I—
If thou, as thou saidst in mine hearing, unto hers add thy consent,
Above all men thou most surely shalt have chief cause to repent.”
“Wherefore?” said Gunther. “Lightly may I ward me against this,
To come so nigh to his presence that through any malice of his