“Not against me may be measured the might of thy low-born hand!
I am the heir to a kingdom, a king’s mere vassal thou;
Yet twelve such as thou should vainly withstand me in battle, I trow!”
Then the Lord of Metz, Knight Ortwein, cried hotly, “Bring me a sword!”—
True son was he of the sister of Hagen Troneg’s lord!—
Sore vexed was the King that Hagen so long should silent stand.
Then for peace yet again spake Gernot, bold-hearted and ready of hand:
“Now nay, rein in thine anger”—with Ortwein so did he plead—
“Not yet hath the noble Siegfried done us any despiteful deed.
For kindness and reconciling still all my counsel is,