Right well heard Lady Kriemhild what Trony's knight replied.
How bitterly the warrior under her lids she eyed!
Yet, though the truth well knowing as a Burgundian dame,
She would not to her husband her country's use proclaim.
XVII
How deep soe'er and deadly the hate she bore her kin
Still, had the truth by any disclos'd to Etzel been,
He had at once prevented what afterward befell.
Through proud contemptuous courage they scorn'd their wrongs to tell.
XVIII
Then on went haughty Kriemhild girt with a mighty crowd,
Yet swerve would not before her that pair of champions proud
So much as e'en two hands'-breadth; that gall'd th' Hungarians sore.
Perforce they press'd and jostled with the warriors through the door.
XIX
The chamberlains of Etzel therewith were ill content;
They had straight the haughty strangers defied as in they went;
But that they fear'd to do so their monarch's eyes before;
Pressing enough and jostling there was, but nothing more.
XX
When serv'd was God as fitted, and thence would every one,
Straight into the saddle leapt many a warlike Hun;
The while around fair Kriemhild many a bright maid was seen,
And full seven thousand champions begirt the stately queen.