—And all this speech heard Kriemhild, the wife of Etzel the King.
“Yea, well may all these warriors in his loyal faith confide,
If ever he grow unto manhood,” grimly Hagen replied;
“But the young king is but a weakling, I trow, in outward show.
Not oft to the court of Ortlieb shall folk behold me go.”
Then the King looked sharply at Hagen, for stung by the word was he,
Albeit he answered nothing, of his kingly courtesy;
Yet his soul was chafed and indignant, for he deemed it nowise good.
Yea, also was Hagen’s spirit nowise in jesting mood.
No less than the King were his servants indignant, a princely band,