Then the King was exceeding astonied, amazed did the earl-folk stand, As they hearkened to that strange challenge, to the champion's haughty demand, As he claimed for his victory-guerdon the people and land of their lord; And as flame burst forth their anger to hear that arrogant word. "Nay, how should it be for mine honour," answered the King thereto, "If I staked the realm that my father ruled nobly his whole life through On a combat's issue, to lose it or hold it by bodily might? Sooth, this were a sorry maintaining of the name and the fame of a knight!" "Nay, nought I abate of my challenge," that aweless champion cried; "If the peace of thy land safe warded by the strength of thine arm abide, Now from thy grasp will I wrest it; and mine heritage withal, If thou win it by battle-prowess, shall be held of thee in thrall. Let thou and I stake straightway our land and throne and crown; And whichsoever in combat shall strike the other down, Unto him shall all be subject, the lands of twain and the folk." Then against it Hagen the mighty and Gernot the valiant spoke. "Of a surety not so are we minded," spake Gernot proudly and high, "That for winning of new possessions should any good knights die In the strife of warring heroes: lo, fair our heritage is, And of right is it ours; and no man hath claim more righteous to this."
In burning indignation there stood they, the friends of the King; And the Lord of Metz, Knight Ortwein, stepped forth from the warrior-ring, Crying, "Out upon these soft answers! My very heart have they wrung! Lo, a causeless challenge Siegfried the strong at you all hath flung! Though thou and thy brothers before him were standing with none to aid, Though he brought a kingdom's army against thee, my King, arrayed, Yet would I maintain, I only, thy right against yon foe: I would still his malapert vaunting, I would bring his high heart low!" Outflamed the wrath of the hero, the lord of the Nether Land: "Not against me may be measured the might of thy low-born hand! I am the heir to a kingdom, a king's mere vassal thou; Yet twelve such as thou should vainly withstand me in battle, I trow!" { P. 17} Then the Lord of Metz, Knight Ortwein, cried hotly, "Bring me a sword!"-- True son was he of the sister of Hagen Troneg's lord!-- Sore vexed was the King that Hagen so long should silent stand. Then for peace yet again spake Gernot, bold-hearted and ready of hand: "Now nay, rein in thine anger"--with Ortwein so did he plead-- "Not yet hath the noble Siegfried done us any despiteful deed. For kindness and reconciling still all my counsel is, And for winning of his friendship: yea, more for our honour were this."