"To arms, to arms!" quoth Bloedel, / "my good warriors all:
In their followers' quarters / upon the foe we'll fall.
Herefrom will not release me / royal Etzel's wife.
To win this venture therefore / fear not each one to lose his life."
When at length Queen Kriemhild / found Bloedel well content
To fulfil her bidding, / she to table went
With the monarch Etzel / and eke a goodly band.
Dire was the treason / she against the guests had planned.
Since in none other manner / she knew the strife to start,
(Kriemhild's ancient sorrow / still rankled in her heart),
Bade she bring to table / Etzel's youthful son:
By woman bent on vengeance / how might more awful deed be done?
Went upon the instant / four of Etzel's men,
And soon came bearing Ortlieb, / the royal scion, then
Unto the princes' table, / where eke grim Hagen sate.
The child was doomed to perish / by reason of his deadly hate.
When the mighty monarch / then his child did see,
Unto his lady's kinsmen / in manner kind spake he:
"Now, my good friends, behold ye / here my only son,
And child of your high sister: / may it bring you profit every one.