—So spake the noble Dietrich, the Hero of Bern, his rede.—
“O hope of the Niblung Nation, of her vengeance take good heed!”
“Beware of my sister!—and wherefore?” proudly the King replied.
“Etzel hath sent to us heralds—what should I ask beside?—
Bidding us ride to meet him here in this land as a friend.
Yea, many a loving greeting did my sister Kriemhild send.”
“Hearken,” again spake Hagen, “and so will I counsel you.
Hear ye this story of Kriemhild, and let it be told all through
By Dietrich the Lord of the Amals, and his heroes valorous:
So shall the mind of Kriemhild be wholly revealed unto us.”