“So then we must needs all perish,” did the young Prince Giselher say;
“Yet none shall hinder our dying like knights in our war-array.
If any be fain to fight us, ready here we stand.
No friend I forsake, betraying the troth of my right hand!”
Then spake the valiant Dankwart; in the word was his true heart shown:
“Verily Hagen my brother standeth not here alone.
We asked of them peace: their denial thereof shall work them woe!
Yea, by my troth, to their sorrow they yet shall find it so.”
Then spake that Daughter of Princes: “O heroes valiant and strong
Go forward unto the stairway, and avenge us of our wrong;