"Grow he but like his kindred, / a valiant man he'll be,
A mighty king and noble, / doughty and fair to see.
Live I but yet a little, / twelve lands shall he command;
May ye have faithful service / from the youthful Ortlieb's hand.
"Therefore grant me favor, / ye good friends of mine;
When to your country ride ye / again unto the Rhine,
Shall ye then take with you / this your sister's son,
And at your hands may ever / by the child full fair be done.
"Bring him up in honor / until to manhood grown.
If then in any country / hath wrong to you been done,
He'll help you by his valor / vengeance swift to wreak."
Eke heard the Lady Kriemhild / royal Etzel thus to speak.
"Well might these my masters / on his faith rely,
Grew he e'er to manhood," / Hagen made reply:
"Yet is the prince, I fear me, / more early doomed of fate.
'Twere strange did any see me / ever at court on Ortlieb wait."
The monarch glanced at Hagen, / sore grieved at what he heard;
Although the king full gallant / thereto spake ne'er a word,
Natheless his heart was saddened / and heavy was his mind.
Nowise the mood of Hagen / was to merriment inclined.