[865]

Then came Ortwein and Gernot / where they together spake,
And there the knights did counsel / Siegfried's life to take.
Thither came eke Giselher, / son of Ute high.
When heard he what they counselled, / spake he free from treachery:

[866]

"Ye good knights and noble, / wherefore do ye that?
Ne'er deserved hath Siegfried / in such way your hate,
That he therefor should forfeit / at your hands his life.
In sooth small matter is it / that maketh cause for woman's strife."

[867]

"Shall we rear race of bastards?" / Hagen spake again:
"Therefrom but little honor / had many a noble thane.
The thing that he hath boasted / upon my mistress high,
Therefor my life I forfeit, / or he for that same thing shall die."

[868]

Then spake himself the monarch: / "To us he ne'er did give
Aught but good and honor: / let him therefore live.
What boots it if my anger / I vent the knight upon?
Good faith he e'er hath shown us, / and that full willingly hath done."

[869]

Then outspake of Metz / Ortwein the thane:
"In sooth his arm full doughty / may bring him little gain.
My vengeance full he'll suffer, / if but my lord allow."
The knights—nor reason had they— / against him mortal hate did vow.