"Beneath their hands was often / full many a saddle bare,
When o'er the field resounding / their bright swords cut the air.
The warriors from Rhine river / did here such victory win
That for their foes 'twere better / if they such meeting ne'er had seen.
"Keen the knights of Tronje / 'fore all their valor showed,
When with their stalwart followers / against their foes they rode;
Slain by the hand of Hagen / must knights so many be,
'Twill long be in the telling / here in the land of Burgundy.
"Sindold and Hunold, / Gernot's men each one,
And the valiant Rumold / have all so nobly done,
King Luedeger will ever / have right good cause to rue
That he against thy kindred / at Rhine dared aught of harm to do.
"And deeds of all most wondrous / e'er done by warrior keen
In earliest time or latest, / by mortal ever seen,
Wrought there in lusty manner / Siegfried with doughty hand.
Rich hostages he bringeth / with him unto Gunther's land.
"By his own strength subdued them / the hero unsurpassed
And brought down dire ruin / upon King Luedegast,
Eke on the King of Saxons / his brother Luedeger.
Now hearken to the story / I tell thee, noble Princess fair.