Across his knees did Hagen in haughty defiance lay A flashing glaive of battle, and with restless splendour-ray A jasper shone on the pommel--spring grass were not so green. Full well did Kriemhild know it, for Siegfried's sword had it been. She saw the brand, and remembered, and anguish it was to see. Of gold were the hilts, and the scabbard all crimson broidery. The olden grief was rewakened, and fast did the hot tears flow. In sooth, with none other purpose had Hagen done it, I trow. Then close to his side on the settle Volker the unafraid Drew a viol-bow strange-fashioned, a mighty and long steel blade: Yea, as a sword was it shapen, and keen it was and broad. Thus sat these knights in the presence of a throng of their foes unawed. Of such high worth they accounted themselves, that fearless twain, For dread of any foeman never a whit would they deign To rise from the place of their session. Now stood before them there That high-born Daughter of Princes, and a bitter greeting she bare; For she spake: "Now say, Lord Hagen, who sent a bidding to thee That thou darest hither to journey to my land thus hardily, Albeit full well thou knewest what deeds unto me thou hast done? Hadst thou been prudent of spirit, into peril thou hadst not run." "Me?--no man hath bidden me hither," with careless scorn he replied. "Hither to this thy kingdom were three knights bidden to ride, {P. 244} And these same knights be my liege-lords, and I am their liegeman true. Whensoever they wend to a high-tide, my wont is to be there too." She said: "This also tell me--why diddest thou that deed For the which the hatred I bear thee is but thy rightful meed? Thou, thou didst murder Siegfried!--my lord and my love didst thou slay For whom I must needs mourn ever unto my latest day." "Tush! this sufficeth," he answered. "Why idly waste thy breath? I still am the same--that Hagen who dealt unto Siegfried death, To the mighty-handed hero. Dearly he paid at last For the flouts that the Lady Kriemhild upon Brunhild the fair had cast. Dream not, O Queen most mighty, that I will conceal or deny That of all the scathe and the mischief done to thee guilty am I. Let whoso dareth avenge it!--let woman or man essay! I have heaped thee the measure of sorrow, if I be not a liar this day." "Ye hear him, knights! He confesseth all shamelessly," she cried, "This crime that was cause of mine anguish! What unto him may betide In requital for this, I care not, O vassals of Etzel the King!" But her thanes looked each upon other with glances wavering.