Then cried the viol-minstrel, and the throng of the Huns he hailed:
“How cometh it, valiant heroes, that ye come thus armour-mailed?
Be ye fain, O vassals of Kriemhild, to ride in quest of spoil?
Then take ye me and my comrade to help in your knightly toil.”
But no man rendered him answer. Then wrathful waxed his mood.
“Out on you, caitiff dastards!” cried that warrior good.
“To murder us in our slumber—for this be ye prowling nigh?
Never yet to such noble heroes was done such treachery!”
Right soon thereafter the story unto the Queen was told
How the men she had sent had failed her: then waxed she heavy-souled.