In the ears of the great Queen tingled the scoffer's every word: Black grew the heart of Kriemhild at the thought that his taunt was heard Of all those vassals of Etzel, when he dared to make her a jest; And she set her once more to enkindle her champions against that guest. She cried: "Whosoever will smite me yon Hagen of Troneg dead, And bring for a trophy hither and cast at my feet his head, For him the shield of Etzel will I fill with gold to the brim, Yea also, castles for guerdon and land will I give unto him." "I wot not why these falter," the viol-minstrel said. "Never have I seen heroes stand so sorely adread, When offered in all men's hearing is all that wealth of gold. Of a truth, never more will Etzel unto these be gracious-souled. These things of shame and scorning, on the bread of the King they feed, And behold, they now forsake him in the stress of his sorest need! Of such I behold full many: utterly cowed are they-- And they name them heroes!--branded are they with contempt for aye!" (C) The heart of Etzel the mighty was shaken with grief and groan: For his kin and his perished liegemen did he make bitter moan. From many a land around him stood knights on every side, And wept with the King for the sorrow of that heavy festal tide. (C) Once more the aweless Volker set him to gibe and jeer: "Warriors I see full many with false tears weeping here; But little do they for the helping of their king in his evil case. They eat the bread of their master to their shame and confusion of face!" (C) And their best in their hearts acknowledged, "That Volker saith is truth." And of all that throng was no man more stung with shame and ruth Than Iring, Lord of the Marches, a knight from the land of the Dane; And in sooth in no long season he proved it in battle-strain. XXXV. How Iring fought and died {P. 278} Then shouted the Margrave Iring, the lord of the Danefolk's land: "Ever on quest of honour have I set mine heart and hand, And have done my best endeavour where surges of fight tossed high. Bring me mine harness! My prowess against yon Hagen I try." "Thou shalt do it to thy destruction!" did Hagen scornfully say. "Thou shouldst better bid these Hunfolk to shrink yet farther away. Though twain, yea, three of you rushing essay to win this hall, Back grievously hurt will I send them; adown this stair shall they fall." "Not for thy threats I refrain me!" cried Iring with shining eyes. "Full oft ere this have I ventured on as perilous emprise. Alone will I withstand thee, and not with words, but the sword. What care I for all thy vaunting, O thou tongue-valiant lord?"