Yet on such sweeping slaughter at first she had not thought; She only had for vengeance on one transgressor sought. She wish'd that but on Hagan the stroke of death might fall; Twas the foul fiend's contriving, that they should perish all. VIII And now the day was ended; ill were they then bestead. They thought, 'twere surely better that they at once were dead, Than in slow torture lingering unhopeful of release. Those high and haughty warriors, ah! how they yearn'd for peace! IX They begg'd the Huns, King Etzel to bring before the hall; Themselves then, blood-bedabbled and harness-stain'd withal, With the three royal brethren from th' house mov'd faint and slow. To whom to plain, they knew not, in their o'ermastering woe. X So near them both Etzel and Kriemhild drew; To them belong'd the country; their host thus greater grew. He thus bespake the strangers, "Now what would you with me? Hope you for peace and friendship? that sure can hardly be. XI "After the deadly mischief that you to me have done, The slaughter of my kinsmen, the murder of my son, Cause shall you have to rue it as long as I have life; So peace and truce expect not, but war and mortal strife." XII "Our grievous need compelled us," in answer Gunther said, "My train before your warriors fell in their quarters dead; How had I e'er deserved it, or they, that bloody end? I came in faith to see thee, I ween'd thou wert my friend." XIII Then spake the bold Burgundian, the youthful Giselher, "Ye noble knights of Etzel, who yet are living here, In what have I offended? or how incurred your blame? In kind and simple friendship into this land I came." XIV "Ah!" said they, "to our sorrow this castle and realm beside Are both full of thy kindness; would you had never hied, Thou and thy bloody brethren, from Worms across the Rhine! You've fill'd our land with orphans;--so much for thee and thine!" XV Thereto in angry accents Sir Gunther made reply, "If you would turn to friendship, and this wild hate lay by 'Gainst us home-distant warriors, 'twere well for us and you. Your king will strike the guiltless if otherwise he do." XVI Then to the guests said Etzel, "No equal loss, I trow, Have you and I encounter'd; the toil, the pain, the woe, The shame as well as damage that I have borne to-day-- For this, not one among you shall living hence away." XVII Then to the king said Gernot, the death-defying knight, "At least may God work with you in this to do us right. If you are resolv'd to slay us, to th' open space and free Let us come down to meet you; 'twill to your honor be. XVIII