Their joy for his coming withered, and hope at the birth fell dead.
This friend must battle against them, he whom they loved was their foe!
From their enemies had they suffered travail and hurt enow.
“Now God in Heaven forbid it,” Gunther the knightly cried,
“That this thy friendship to usward so utterly be belied,
And the trust wherewith we trusted in our own familiar friend!
Nay, but I will not believe it, that all this so shall end!”
“For me there is no returning,” the valiant warrior spake.
“With you I must needs do battle, even for mine oath’s sake.
Now stand on your guard, brave heroes, by all your love of life!