Strode forth of the hall, and amidst them stood the Princes three:
But their haggard eyes found nowhere one glance of sympathy.
And now stand Etzel and Kriemhild that place of death before—
Theirs is the whole land, therefore waxeth their host evermore—
Then spake the King to the King’s guests: “Say, what would ye of me?
Haply for peace ye petition? Hardly this may be
After the wrongs ye have done me, and your ruthless work of death.
Ye shall not in any wise win it so long as I draw breath.
My child whom ye have murdered, and all my friends laid low—
Look ye for peace and forgiveness for these? In sooth, not so!”