To the King made answer Gernot the stalwart and valorous:
“At the least may God incline thee to do one grace unto us:
Slay us indeed, the homeless; but let us forth unto you
From this prison into the open: for your honour this should ye do.
Whatsoever then may betide us, be it quickly over and done.
Ye have hosts of men unwounded: if they dare one and all set on,
They shall give to the battle-weary death and a soon-won rest.
How long shall we knights linger thus grievously distressed?”
Now the warriors of King Etzel would lightly have done them the grace
That the heroes forth of the feast-hall should come to the open space.