For they burned to avenge their kinsman when time and place should accord.
(C) “That ye come to the banquet in armour clad and with sword on thigh,”
Spake the lord of the land to his people, “is foul discourtesy
Now whoso dareth to offer an insult to any guest
Shall atone with his head for the outrage. Huns, ye have heard mine hest.”
Long was it, ere at the banquet seated were all those chiefs,
The while the heart of Kriemhild was racked with manifold griefs.
“O Prince of Bern,” she pleaded, “this day must I of thee
Entreat both help and counsel in my sore perplexity.”
Then unto her the good knight Hildebrand answer made: