Thereupon they seized the dead warriors and flung them out. Etzel came to gaze upon the dead, and Hagen, seeing him, cried out: “It were well, methinks, O King of Huns, an thou didst wield the sword and cheer thy people on, for they lack somewhat of heart! Behold the work the blade of our ruler hath wrought on helm and shield!” At these words Etzel’s brow grew red with wrath and shame, and he called for his arms; but Kriemhild cried: “Nay, venture not thy life, dear lord! Thy single arm were of small avail against yon heroes. Rather heap thy shield with ruddy gold as a prize to those Huns who will maintain the strife.” But Etzel was no craven knight, and would have gone to do battle with Hagen had not his lords withheld him by force. Then Hagen taunted the Queen with scornful words till her wrath against him rose hotter and fiercer than before, and she cried to the Huns: “On him who slayeth yon knight I will bestow the King’s shield piled up with gold, and many a castle and fruitful field besides.” But none stirred; whereupon Volker mocked them, saying ’twere shame in them to eat the King’s bread, since none had courage to do his will, nor could such dastards hope to gain their lord’s esteem, but must hold themselves disgraced as knights forsworn. The bravest of the Huns felt bitter shame within them at the truth of Volker’s words, and were roused to fresh fury; yet none dared lead the attack. But there chanced to be a strange knight at the court,--the Margrave Iring of Denmark,--and he now stepped forth, saying: “I ever have been bent on glorious deeds, nor will I fail now to strive for such. Wherefore, Sir Hagen, arm thyself to meet me.” Hagen sought to dissuade him from his purpose, but Iring replied: “I have encountered great odds heretofore, and will not fail to meet them now”; and therewith he donned his armor. Then Irnfried of Thuringia, a valiant youth, and stout Hawart of Denmark, made ready to aid him with their followers. When Volker saw the band of armed men advancing with the three knights at their head, he said: “Now, of a truth, friend Hagen, doth not a falsehood ill become a gallant knight? I thought yon boastful Iring would have dared a single combat with thee, and now behold, how well supported he comes!” But Iring, hearing this, replied, ’twas not his wont to stain his knightly honor thus, and what he vowed he would now fulfil. Whereupon his men stood still and reluctantly allowed him to advance alone to meet his foe.