Then spake again the margrave: / "Ye royal knights and high,
When that home ye journey / again to Burgundy
I'll give to you my daughter, / as fitting is to do,
That ye may take her with you." / They gave their plighted word thereto.
What jubilation made they / yet at last must end.
The maiden then was bidden / unto her chamber wend,
And guests to seek their couches / and rest until the day.
For them the host provided / a feast in hospitable way.
When they had feasted fully / and to the Huns' country
Thence would onward journey, / "Such thing shall never be,"
Spake the host full noble, / "but here ye still shall rest.
Seldom hath my good fortune / welcomed yet so many a guest."
Thereto gave answer Dankwart: / "In sooth it may not be.
Bread and wine whence hast thou / and food sufficiently,
Over night to harbor / of guests so great a train?"
When the host had heard it, / spake he: "All thy words are vain.
"Refuse not my petition, / ye noble lords and high.
A fortnight's full provision / might I in sooth supply,
For you and every warrior / that journeys in your train.
Till now hath royal Etzel / small portion of my substance ta'en."