That keen knight battle-eager leapt from his place at the board;
He swept from out the scabbard a mighty and long sharp sword:
Therewith hath he dealt unto Blödel a stroke that as lightning flashed;
And lo, his head in the helmet down at his feet was dashed.
“That be thy morning bride-gift,” the war-fain warrior cried,
“To the widowed wife of Nudung, whom thou wert to win for bride!
Ay, let them wed her to-morrow to another traitor yet:
If he craveth a dower, that Blödel hath gotten shall he too get!”
So scoffed he touching the tidings that a Hun true-hearted had brought
Of the plot whereby Queen Kriemhild the destruction of all these sought.