“God guerdon thee, Lord Hagen,” the weary warrior cried,
“For this good drink I have gotten, who took thy counsel for guide!
Never hath cupbearer poured me more soul-refreshing wine.
So long as I live am I bounden to thee for this rede of thine.”
Now when his fellows heard it, that counsel seemed them good,
And behold, there was many another that likewise drank of the blood:
Therefrom in the frames of the warriors was strength and life renewed;
By many a wife on the morrow in the death of her lord was it rued.
From the roof great fragments flaming fell heavily all round;
But their heads with the shields they warded, and dashed the brands to the ground.