“Good sooth, ’twere a seemly story to be told of the mocker’s tongue
That two so valiant war-lords had yielded them unto thine hand!
What, man?—none standeth beside thee save only Hildebrand!”
But Master Hildebrand answered: “Lord Hagen, God doth know—
This peace, which my Lord Dietrich now offereth to bestow,
The hour may come upon you, ay, and perchance full soon,
When gladly ye would accept it, but may not grasp the boon.”
“So low as to such atonement would I stoop,” did Hagen cry,
“Ere I in such craven fashion forth of a hall would fly
As thou didst, O good Master, but a little while ago!