Thereto gave answer Bloedel: / "Lady, be well aware,
Ne'er to do them evil / 'fore Etzel may I dare,
For to thy kinsmen, lady, / beareth he good will.
Ne'er might the king me pardon, / wrought I upon them aught of ill."
"But nay, Sir Bloedel, my favor / shall thou have evermore.
Yea, give I thee for guerdon / silver and gold in store,
And eke a fairest lady, / that Nudung erst should wed:
By her fond embraces / may'st thou well be comforted.
"The land and eke the castles, / all to thee I'll give;
Yea, may'st thou, knight full noble, / in joyance ever live,
Call'st thou thine the marches, / wherein did Nudung dwell.
Whate'er this day I promise, / fulfil it all I will full well."
When understood Sir Bloedel / what gain should be his share,
And pleased him well the lady / for that she was so fair,
By force of arms then thought he / to win her for his wife.
Thereby the knight aspirant / was doomed anon to lose his life.
"Unto the hall betake thee," / quoth he unto the queen,
"Alarum I will make thee / ere any know, I ween.
Atone shall surely Hagen / where he hath done thee wrong:
To thee I'll soon give over / King Gunther's man in fetters strong."