I weened that thou couldst bear thee more bravely before a foe!”

Then Master Hildebrand answered: “For that thing me dost thou mock?

Who was it that sat all deedless on his shield by the Wasken-rock,

When so many of his own kinsmen were killed by Walter of Spain?

Of a truth, upon thine own honour there lieth many a stain!”

“Peace!” cried the noble Dietrich, “such knights doth it misbeseem

With words to rail on each other, as when old shrews scold and scream

Hildebrand, I forbid it: speak thou here no more.

A homeless knight, with sorrow enow mine heart is sore!

Answer me, Hero Hagen,” said Dietrich yet again;