All folk will blame if the first blood be wantonly shed by us.
Let the Huns be the first wrong-doers: it were more for our honour, I ween.”
—And all this while King Etzel at the casement sat with the Queen.
“I make one more in the tourney,” cried Hagen instantly.
“We will let yon dames at their casements and the knights that throng us see
How knightly is our jousting: yea, it were right well done.
In any wise, from our foemen small praise shall by us be won.”
Volker the battle-eager again rode into the strife:
That onset to many a woman with sore heart-anguish was rife.
From breast to back his lance-head hath pierced that noble Hun.