To the hall where ranged at the tables the squires with Dankwart sate.

Soon brake there forth between heroes the deadliest of all hate.

In strode the war-thane Blödel, and afront of the board stood grim.

But with friendly courtesy Dankwart the Marshal greeted him:

“With welcoming to our mansion, Lord Blödel, I hail thee now;

Yet I marvel at thy coming. What tidings bringest thou?”

“Thou hast nothing to do to greet me,” sternly Blödel spake;

“Seeing my coming hither an end of thee shall make,

For that Hagen thy brother murdered Siegfried years agone;

For the deed with heroes many shalt thou to the Huns atone.”