For him the shield of Etzel will I fill with gold to the brim,
Yea also, castles for guerdon and land will I give unto him.”
“I wot not why these falter,” the viol-minstrel said.
“Never have I seen heroes stand so sorely adread,
When offered in all men’s hearing is all that wealth of gold.
Of a truth, never more will Etzel unto these be gracious-souled.
These things of shame and scorning, on the bread of the King they feed,
And behold, they now forsake him in the stress of his sorest need!
Of such I behold full many: utterly cowed are they—
And they name them heroes!—branded are they with contempt for aye!”