"It rueth me full sorely / that I came to this land.
And had my brother Hagen / his good sword in hand,
And had I mine to help him, / a bit more gently then,
A little tame of spirit, / might show themselves all Brunhild's men.
"And know it of a certain / to lord it thus they'd cease;
E'en though oaths a thousand / I'd sworn to keep the peace,
Before that I'd see perish / my dear lord shamefully,
Amid the souls departed / this fair maid herself should be."
"Well should we unhampered / quit at last this land,"
Spake his brother Hagen, / "did we in armor stand,
Such as we need for battle, / and bore we broadswords good:
'Twould be a little softened, / this doughty lady's haughty mood."
Well heard the noble maiden / what the warriors spoke.
Back athwart her shoulder / she sent a smiling look:
"Now thinks he him so valiant, / so let them arméd stand;
Their full keen-edged broadswords / give the warriors each in hand."
When they their swords received, / as the maiden said,
The full valiant Dankwart / with joy his face grew red.
"Now play they what them pleaseth," / cried the warrior brave;
"Gunther is yet a freeman, / since now in hand good swords we have."