In anguish he sat—what profit was it now unto him to be King?
Then cried in her fear unto Dietrich Kriemhild, a great king’s wife:
“Help me, O noble hero, O help me hence with life!
By the chivalrous honour I pray thee of the princes of Amelung-land!
For if yon Hagen reach me, death is at my right hand.”
“How may I avail to help thee,” Dietrich the princely said,
“O noble Daughter of Princes? For myself do I stand in dread,
So fiercely the wrath is kindled of yon King Gunther’s array,
That for no man’s life can I answer in this season of dismay.”
“Now nay, Lord Dietrich, noblest of all knights,” cried the Queen;