Spake Giselher the young Prince: “O fairest sister mine,
In an evil hour did I trust thee, at whose word I passed over Rhine
A bidden guest to thy country—nay rather to this sore strait!
What have I done to the Hunfolk to earn me this evil fate?
Unto thee have I kept troth ever; never I wronged thee in aught.
Unto Etzel’s palace riding I came with this one thought
That to me thou wert loving-hearted, O sister cherished of me.
Now show unto us thy mercy: ah, surely so it must be!”
“I show unto you no mercy: no mercy to me was shown!
Unto me hath Hagen of Troneg foul wrong and ruthless done,