All the knights of Blœdel were ready in array; With a thousand hauberks to the hall they took their way, Where Dankwart at the table sat with the yeomen tall. Straight among the warriors uprose a deadly brawl. II At once up to the tables Sir Blœdel fiercely strode, When Dankwart this fair greeting on the stern knight bestow'd. "Welcome, my lord, Sir Blœdel, you here are gladly seen. We look'd not for your presence; what may this meeting mean?" III "Greet me not," said Blœdel, "'tis a waste of breath; Know, my coming hither to thee must needs be death. Thank thy brother Hagan who noble Siegfried slew. Thou now shalt pay the Huns for it, thou and many another too." IV "Nay, say not so, Lord Blœdel," Sir Dankwart answer made, "So should we rue this visit in faith and honor paid. I was a little infant when Siegfrid lost his life; How could I have offended King Etzel's moody wife?" V "I know not, and I care not, if this be false or true. 'Twas done by your base kinsmen, Gunther and Hagan too. So ward ye well, ye strangers! 'tis all in vain to fly; Your lives are pledg'd to Kriemhild, and take them now will I." VI "So you are fix'd," said Dankwart, "for murder all prepar'd! Would I had ne'er besought you! that had been better spar'd." Upstarted from the table the warrior swift and strong; Out he drew a broadsword heavy and sharp and long. VII Straight at luckless Blœdel he struck a blow so fleet, That his head in an instant lay before his feet. "Take that, thou thriving wooer!" victorious Dankwart cried, "For a marriage-morning's present to Nudung's mincing bride. VIII "Another mate to-morrow may wed the widow'd dame; I'll pay him with like measure, should he the dowry claim." (A faithful Hun that morning had told him underhand, That deadly fraud against them the vengeful queen had plann'd.) IX When Blœdel's men their master saw dead upon the floor, Such loss from the fierce strangers they could endure no more. On squires at once and yeomen with high rais'd swords they flew In deadly wrath; full many that hour had cause to rue. X To his train shouted Dankwart, loud o'er the crash and din, "Ye see, bold squires and yeomen, what danger hems us in. Fight for your lives, ye friendless! in sooth we're foully shent, For all the loving greetings that fraudful Kriemhild sent." XI They, who had not their broadswords, benches asunder tore, Or many a chair and footstool snatch'd up from the floor. The bold Burgundians stay'd not, but all for weapons used; Heads with heavy settles were pummel'd sore and bruis'd. XII How fiercely the lorn strangers themselves defended there! Out they drove their foemen all weapon'd as they were; Yet, within, five hundred were lifeless left or more. Dankwart's men pursued them dripping red with gore. XIII