"Now God in Heaven forbid it!" redoubted Hagan cried;
"Never to thee shall yield them two knights of mettle tried,
Who yet in their good harness unfettered stand and free,
Ready to bid defiance to their foes, whoe'er they be."
XVI
"You ought not to deny me," Sir Dietrich answer made,
"King Gunther and Sir Hagan; on my heart and soul you've laid
Such overwhelming sorrow as you can ne'er requite,
And, if amends you make me, you yield me but my right.
XVII
"My faith, besides, I'll give you, and my assuring hand,
That back I will ride with you to your Burgundian land,
And bring you thither safely, or die with you along,
And for your sakes forever forget my grievous wrong."
XVIII
"Demand of us no further," return'd Sir Hagan bold;
"Ill would it become us, if it ever should be told,
That two knights of such worship yielded at once to thee;
For at thy side, save Hildebrand, there's not a soul to see."
XIX
Then spake Master Hildebrand, "God, Sir Hagan, knows,
My lord's your true well-wisher; he treats you not as foes.
E'en now the hour is coming, his terms you'll gladly take.
Th' amends, that he proposes, you'd better frankly make.
XX