It is ever the wont of my masters to go in armour thus,
Whose guests they be soever, till three full days have run.
We would make our complaint unto Etzel, if a wrong unto us had been done.”
Now the word that Hagen answered full well was heard of the Queen.
How flashed ’twixt her half-closed eyelids her hate’s glance bitter-keen!
But as touching her fatherland’s custom not she would utter the truth,
Albeit Burgundia’s daughter had known it full well from her youth.
How grim and stern soever was the Queen’s mood unto her foe,
Had any revealed her purpose unto Etzel the King, I trow,
He had verily prevented the thing that thereafter befell;