’Neath the tramp of the feet of the vassals of the Queen the dust rose high.

When the great King beheld them all mail-clad as for fight,

Those princes and their liegemen, he cried unto them forthright:

“What meaneth this?—behold I my friends in battle-gear?

By my troth, it should vex me sorely if any harmed them here!

All wrong, whatsoever atonement they asked, would I requite.

If to their heart and their spirit any have done despite,

I will show unto them and to all men what indignation have I.

What redress they demand soever, nothing do I deny.”

To the King made answer Hagen: “None doeth despite unto us.