s
peace): "Forsooth my brother Hagen standeth not alone. It may yet rue
those who here refuse the truce. I'll tell you of a truth, we'll make
you ware of this."

Then spake the queen: "Ye full lusty heroes, now go nigher to the stairs
and avenge my wrongs. For this I will ever serve you, as I should by
right. I'll pay Hagen well for his overweening pride. Let none at all
escape from the house, and I will bid the hall be set on fire at all
four ends. Thus all my wrongs shall be well avenged."

Soon were King Etzel's champions ready still stood without into the hall
with blows and shots. Mickle waxed the din, yet the lordings and their
liegemen would not part. For very fealty they could not leave each
other. Etzel's queen then bade the hall be set on fire, and thus they
racked the bodies of the knights with fire and flame. Fanned by the
breeze, the whole house burst into flames full soon. I ween, no folk
did ever gain such great distress. Enow within cried out: "Alack this
plight! We would much rather die in stress of battle. It might move God
to pity, how we all are lost! The queen now wreaketh monstrously on us
her wrath."

Quoth one of them within: "We must all lie dead. What avail us now the
greetings which the king did send us? Thirst from this great heat giveth
me such dole, that soon, I ween, my life must ebb away in anguish."

Then spake Hagen of Troneg: "Ye noble knights and good, let him whom
pangs of thirst constrain, drink here this blood. In such great heat,
'tis better still than wine. We can purvey us at this time none better."

One of the warriors hied him then to where he found a corpse, and knelt
him down beside the wound; then he unbound his helmet and began to drink
the flowing blood. However little wont to such a drink, him thought it
passing good: "Sir Hagen, now God requite you," spake the weary man,
"that I have drunk so well at your advice; seldom hath better wine been
proffered me. And I live yet a while, I shall ever be your friend."

When now the others heard this, it thought them good, and soon there
were many more that drank the blood. From this the body of each gained
much of strength; but many a stately dame paid dear for this through
the loss of loving kin. Into the hall the fire fell thick and fast upon
them, but with their shields they turned it from them to the ground.
Both the heat and the smoke did hurt them sore; in sooth, I ween, that
nevermore will such anguish hap to heroes.