Old Hildebrand he commanded to the warrior guests to speed,
And to hear from their lips the story of this most evil deed.
The good knight battle-fearless, old Master Hildebrand,
Took neither sword nor buckler; all weaponless was his hand:
He purposed to go to the strangers in knightly courtesy;
Thereat the son of his sister chode with him angerly.
Spake the grim warrior Wolfhart: “And goest thou fenceless there?
Then flout and scoff for answer, be sure, they will not spare;
And so, like a hound well beaten, with shame wilt thou turn again!
But go, like a man, war-harnessed, and their malapert tongues will they rein.”