Had they closed that instant in conflict, those two companions, I trow, Right soon had exacted homage to their prowess from the foe, As oft in the days passed over they had proved in battle-storm. The thing they had undertaken now feared those men to perform. Then spake a knight to his fellows: "Why look ye so upon me? The deed that erewhile I promised, fulfilled may it nowise be. No mortal's gifts shall beguile me to barter away my life. To our own destruction hither were we lured by Etzel's wife!" Then spake and answered another: "As thou art, so am I. If one would give to me towers with the ruddy gold heaped high, Against yon viol-minstrel in battle I would not stand. I have marked his eagle-glances, and I fear the might of his hand. Yea, and I knew yon Hagen in his youth long years ago. It needs not that any should tell me of the prowess that I know: {P. 245} In battles two-and-twenty have I seen him play his part. Unto many a wife made widow hath he given sorrow of heart. Yea, he and Walter the Spaniard upon many a foray fared; And here under Etzel's banner full many a deed they dared For the King's renown: they have proved them so oft in foughten field, That men must needs unto Hagen the palm of honour yield. Yet a child in years was the warrior what time he won such praise, And now are they men grey-headed which were boys in those far days; But now hath he gained war-cunning, and grimmer than he is none, And he beareth the great sword Balmung by a deed of darkness won." So ended their vaunting, for no man dared battle with such stern foes. In the heart of the Daughter of Princes the anguish-tide high rose, As backward recoiled her champions: ay, death seemed all too near At the hands of the viol-minstrel--good cause had they for fear! How oft do men's hearts fail them, that they shrink from an emprise aghast When faced by friend that standeth at friend's side loyal and fast! Ay, intermeddlers in quarrels, if wisdom they have to refrain And to take heed unto their goings, may deliver themselves from bane.