"I'd take in sooth his friendship," / Hagen gave reply,
"Ere that I so basely / forth from a hall would fly.
As thou hast done but lately, / O Master Hildebrand.
I weened with greater valor / couldst thou 'fore a foeman stand."
Thereto gave answer Hildebrand: / "From thee reproach like that?
Who was then on shield so idle / 'fore the Waskenstein that sat,
The while that Spanish Walter / friend after friend laid low?
Such valor thou in plenty / hast in thine own self to show."
Outspake then Sir Dietrich: / "Ill fits it warriors bold
That they one another / like old wives should scold.
Thee forbid I, Hildebrand, / aught to parley more.
Ah me, most sad misfortune / weigheth on my heart full sore.
"Let me hear, Sir Hagen," / Dietrich further spake,
"What boast ye doughty warriors / did there together make,
When that ye saw me hither / come with sword in hand?
Thought ye then not singly / me in combat to withstand?"
"In sooth denieth no one," / bold Sir Hagen spake,
"That of the same with sword-blow / I would trial make,
An but the sword of Niblung / burst not within my hand.
Yea, scorn I that to yield us / thus haughtily thou mak'st demand."