Now cometh in haste King Etzel, with intent to part the fray.
From a man of the slain Hun’s kinsmen, who chanced anigh him to stand,
He gat him a sword keen-whetted, yea, tore it out of his hand,
And therewith beat back his people, and he cried in exceeding wrath:
“May I not keep faith with the heroes? Must I break my plighted troth?
If ye had slain this minstrel in revenge for the deed he hath done,
On the word of a king, I had hanged you—I had hanged you every one!
As touching the spear-thrust given to the Hun—I marked him ride:—
It was not of his will, but his charger stumbled in his stride.
These be my guests: ye shall suffer that in peace they all go hence.”