s: "What thing unto his neighbor / whispers each Hunnish thane.


s: I ween they'd forego the service / of him who keeps the door,


s: "Long since of Lady Kriemhild / the story I did hear,


s: How unavenged her sorrow / she might no longer bear.


s: A memory-cup now quaff we / and pay for royal cheer!


s: Thereat the child Ortlieb / doughty Hagen slew,


s: That from the sword downward / the blood to hand-grip flew,


s: And into lap of Kriemhild / the severed head down rolled.


s: By both hands swiftly wielded, / his blade then cut the air


s: And smote upon the tutor / who had the child in care,


s: That down before the table / his head that instant lay:


s: It was a sorry payment / wherewith he did the tutor pay.


s: His eye 'fore Etzel's table / a minstrel espied:


s: To whom in hasty manner / did wrathful Hagen stride,


s: Where moved it on the fiddle / his right hand off smote he;


s: "Have that for thy message / unto the land of Burgundy."


s: "Alack my hand!" did Werbel / that same minstrel moan;


s: "What, Sir Hagen of Tronje, / have I to thee done?


s: I bore a faithful message / unto thy master's land.


s: How may I more make music / thus by thee bereft of hand?"


s: Little in sooth recked Hagen, / fiddled he nevermore.


s: Then in the hall all wrathful / wrought he havoc sore


s: Upon the thanes of Etzel / whereof he many slew;


s: Ere they might find exit, / to death then smote he not a few.


s: Volker the full valiant / up sprang from board also:


s: In his hand full clearly / rang out his fiddle-bow,


s: For mightily did fiddle / Gunther's minstrel thane.


s: Eke sprang from the table / the lofty monarchs three,


s: Who glad had stilled the combat / ere greater scathe might be.


s: Yet all their art availed not / their anger to assuage,


s: When Volker and Hagen / so mightily began to rage.


s: When the lord of Rhineland / saw how his toil was vain,


s: Gaping wounds full many / himself did smite amain


s: Through rings of shining mail-coats / there upon the foe.


s: He was a valiant hero, / as he full gallantly did show.


s: Strode eke into the combat / Gernot a doughty thane;


s: By whom of Hunnish warriors / full many a one was slain


s: With a sword sharp-edged / he had of Ruediger;


s: Oft sent to dire ruin / by him the knights of Etzel were.


s: The youthful son of Ute / eke to the combat sprang,


s: And merrily his broadsword / upon the helmets rang


s: Of many a Hunnish warrior / there in Etzel's land;


s: Feasts of mickle wonder / wrought Giselher with dauntless hand.


s: How bold soe'er was any, / of kings and warrior band,


s: Saw ye yet the foremost / Giselher to stand


s: There against the foemen, / a knight of valor good;


s: Wounded deep full many / made he to fall in oozing blood.


s: Eke full well defend them / did Etzel's warriors too.


s: There might ye see the strangers / their gory way to hew


s: With swords all brightly gleaming / adown that royal hall;


s: Heard ye there on all sides / loudly ring the battle-call.


s: Join friends within beleaguered / would they without full fain,


s: Yet might they at the portal / but little vantage gain.


s: Eke they within had gladly / gained the outer air;


s: Nor up nor down did Dankwart / suffer one to pass the stair.


s: There before the portal / surged a mighty throng,


s: And with a mickle clangor / on helm the broadsword rung.


s: Thus on the valiant Dankwart / his foes did sorely press,


s: Full loudly cried then Hagen / unto Volker:


s: "Trusty fere, behold'st thou / my brother standing there,


s: Where on him Hunnish warriors / their mighty blows do rain?


s: "That will I do full surely," / thereat the minstrel spake.


s: Adown the hall he fiddling / gan his way to make;


s: In his hand full often / a trusty sword rang out,


s: Soon did the valiant Volker / Dankwart thus address:


s: "Hard this day upon thee / hath weighed the battle's stress.


s: That I should come to help thee / thy brother gave command;


s: Dankwart, thane right valiant, / stood without the door


s: And guarded so the stairway / that none might pass before.


s: There heard ye broadswords ringing, / swung by warrior's hand,


s: While inward in like manner / wrought Volker of Burgundian land.


s: There the valiant Fiddler / above the press did call:


s: "Securely now, friend Hagen, / closed is the hall.


s: Yea, so firmly bolted / is King Etzel's door


s: When Hagen thus of Tronje / the door did guarded find,


s: The warrior far renowned / swung his shield behind;


s: He first for harm received / revenge began to take,


s: Whereat all hope of living / did soon his enemies forsake.


s: When of Bern Sir Dietrich / rightly did perceive


s: How the doughty Hagen / did many a helmet cleave,


s: The king of Amelungen / upon a bench leaped up;


s: Quoth he: "Here poureth Hagen / for us exceeding bitter cup."


s: Great fear fell eke on Etzel, / as well might be the case,


s: (What trusty followers snatched they / to death before his face!)


s: There sat he all confounded. / What booted him to be a king?


s: Cried then aloud to Dietrich / Kriemhild, the high lady:


s: "Now help me, knight so noble, / that hence with life I flee,


s: By princely worth, I pray thee, / thou lord of Amelung's land;


s: "How may my help avail thee, / noble queen and high?"


s: Answered her Sir Dietrich, / "Fear for myself have I.


s: Too sorely is enraged / each knight in Gunther's band,


s: To no one at this season / may I lend assisting hand."


s: "But nay, but nay, Sir Dietrich, / full noble knight and keen,


s: What maketh thy bright chivalry, / let it this day be seen,


s: And bring me hence to safety, / else am I death's sure prey."


s: Good cause was that on Kriemhild's / bosom fear so heavy lay.


s: "So will I here endeavor / to help thee as I may;


s: Yet shalt thou well believe me, / hath passed full many a day


s: Since saw I goodly warriors / of so bitter mood.


s: Lustily then cried he, / the warrior nobly born,


s: That his voice rang loudly / like blast from bison's horn,


s: That all around the palace / gave back the lusty sound;


s: Unto the might of Dietrich / never limit yet was found.


s: When did hear King Gunther / how called the doughty man


s: Above the storm of combat, / to hearken he began.


s: Quoth he: "The voice of Dietrich / hath fallen upon mine ear;


s: "High on the board I see him; / he beckons with the hand.


s: Now my good friends and kinsmen / of Burgundian land,


s: Stay ye your hands from conflict, / let us hear and see


s: If done upon the chieftain / aught by my men of scathe there be."


s: When thus King Gunther / did beg and eke command,


s: With swords in stress of battle / stayed they all the hand.


s: 'Twas token of his power / that straight the strife did pause.


s: He spake: "Full noble Dietrich, / what here on thee is wrought


s: By any of my warriors? / For truly is my thought


s: To make a full atonement / and amends to thee.


s: Then answered him Sir Dietrich: / "Myself do nothing grieve.


s: Grant me with thy protection / but this hall to leave


s: And quit the dire conflict, / with them that me obey.


s: Then surely will I ever / seek thy favor to repay."


s: "How plead'st thou thus so early?" / Wolfhart was heard;


s: "The Fiddler so securely / the door not yet hath barred,


s: But it so wide we'll open / to pass it through, I trow."


s: Then spake the royal Gunther: / "That grant I thee to do,


s: Forth from the hall lead many / or lead with thee few,


s: An if my foes it be not; / here stay they every one.


s: Upon me here in Hunland / hath grievous wrong by them been done."


s: When heard he Gunther's answer / he took beneath his arm


s: The noble Queen Kriemhild, / who dreaded mickle harm.


s: On the other side too led he / Etzel with him away;


s: Then outspake the margrave, / the noble Ruediger:


s: "If leave to any others / be granted forth to fare,


s: Of those who glad would serve you, / give us the same to see.


s: Thereto gave answer Giselher / of the land of Burgundy:


s: "Peace and unbroken friendship / wish we e'er with thee,


s: With thee and all thy kinsmen, / as true thou ever art.


s: When thus Sir Ruediger / from the hall did pass,


s: A train of knights five hundred / or more with him there was,


s: Of them of Bechelaren, / kinsmen and warriors true,


s: Whose parting gave King Gunther / anon full mickle cause to rue.


s: When did a Hunnish warrior / Etzel's passing see


s: 'Neath the arm of Dietrich, / to profit him thought he.


s: Smote him yet the Fiddler / such a mighty blow,


s: When the country's monarch / had gained the outer air,


s: Turned he looking backward / and gazed on Volker.


s: "Alack such guests to harbor! / Ah me discomfited!


s: "Alack their coming hither!" / spake the king once more.


s: "Within, a warrior fighteth / like to wild forest boar;


s: Hight the same is Volker, / and a minstrel is also;


s: To pass the demon scatheless / I to fortune's favor owe.


s: "Evil sound his melodies, / his strokes of bow are red,


s: Yea, beneath his music / full many a knight lies dead.


s: I know not what against us / hath stirred that player's ire,


s: For guests ne'er had I any / whereby to suffer woe so dire."


s: None other would they suffer / to pass the door than those.


s: Then 'neath the hall's high roof-tree / a mighty din arose.


s: For evil wrought upon them / those guests sore vengeance take.


s: Gunther, lofty monarch, / thither turned his ear.


s: "Hear'st thou the music, Hagen, / that yonder Volker


s: Doth fiddle for the Hun-men, / when near the door they go?


s: The stroke is red of color, / where he doth draw the fiddle-bow."


s: "Mickle doth it rue me," / Hagen spake again,


s: "That in the hall far severed / I am from that bold thane.


s: I was his boon companion / and he sworn friend to me:


s: Come we hence ever scatheless, / trusty feres we yet shall be.


s: "Behold now, lofty sire, / the faith of Volker bold!


s: With will he seeks to win him / thy silver and thy gold.


s: With fiddle-bow he cleaveth / e'en the steel so hard,


s: "Never saw I fiddler / so dauntless heart display,


s: As the doughty Volker / here hath done this day.


s: Through shield and shining helmet / his melodies ring clear;


s: Of all the Hunnish kindred / that in the hall had been,


s: None now of all their number / therein to fight was seen.


s: Hushed was the din of battle / and strife no more was made:


s: From toil of battle weary / rested the warriors all.


s: Volker and Hagen / passed out before the hall,


s: And on their shields did lean them, / those knights whom naught


s: Spake meanwhile of Burgundy / Giselher the thane:


s: "Not yet, good friends, may ye / think to rest again.


s: Forth from the hall the corses / shall ye rather bear.


s: Again we'll be assailed, / that would I now in sooth declare.


s: "Beneath our feet no longer / here the dead must lie.


s: But ere in storm of battle / at hand of Huns to die,


s: We'll deal such wounds around us / as 'tis my joy to see.


s: "I joy in such a master," / Hagen spake again:


s: "Such counsel well befitteth / alone so valiant thane


s: As my youthful master / hath shown himself this day.


s: Therefor, O men of Burgundy, / every one rejoice ye may."


s: Then followed they his counsel / and from the hall they bore


s: Seven thousand bodies / and cast them from the door.


s: Adown the mounting stairway / all together fell,


s: Whereat a sound of wailing / did from mourning kinsmen swell.


s: Many a man among them / so slight wound did bear


s: That he were yet recovered / had he but gentle care,


s: Who yet falling headlong / now surely must be dead.


s: Thereat did grieve their kinsmen / as verily was sorest need.


s: Then outspake the Fiddler, / Volker a hero bold:


s: "Now do I find how truly / hath to me been told


s: That cowards are the Hun-men / who do like women weep.


s: Rather should be their effort / their wounded kin alive to keep."


s: These words deemed a margrave / spoken in kindly mood.


s: He saw one of his kinsmen / weltering in his blood.


s: In his arms he clasped him / and thought him thence to bear,


s: When that beheld the others / all in haste they fled,


s: Crying each one curses / on that same minstrel's head.


s: From the ground then snatched he / a spear with point full keen,


s: That 'gainst him up the stairway / by a Hun had hurled been.


s: Across the court he flung it / with his arm of might


s: Far above the people. / Then did each Hunnish knight


s: Seek him safer quarters / more distant from the hall.


s: To see his mighty prowess / did fill with fear his foemen all.


s: As knights full many thousand / far 'fore the palace stood,


s: Volker and Hagen / gan speak in wanton mood


s: "Unto King Etzel, / nor did they aught withhold;


s: Wherefrom anon did sorrow / o'ertake those doughty warriors bold.


s: "'Twould well beseem," quoth Hagen, / "the people's lofty lord


s: Foremost in storm of battle / to swing the cutting sword,


s: As do my royal masters / each fair example show.


s: To hear such words brave Etzel / snatched in haste his shield.


s: "Now well beware of rashness," / cried Lady Kriemhild,


s: "And offer to thy warriors / gold heaped on shield full high:


s: If yonder Hagen reach thee, / straightway shalt thou surely die."


s: So high was the king's mettle / that he would not give o'er,


s: Which case is now full seldom / seen in high princes more;


s: They must by shield-strap tugging / him perforce restrain.


s: Grim of mood then Hagen / began him to revile again.


s: "It was a distant kinship," / spake Hagen, dauntless knight,


s: "That Etzel unto Siegfried / ever did unite,


s: And husband he to Kriemhild / was ere thee she knew.


s: Thereto eke must listen / the noble monarch's spouse,


s: And grievously to hear it / did Kriemhild's wrath arouse.


s: That he 'fore men of Etzel / durst herself upbraid;


s: Cried she: "Of Tronje Hagen / whoso for me will slay,


s: And his head from body severed / here before me lay,


s: For him the shield of Etzel / I'll fill with ruddy gold,


s: "I wot not why they tarry," / --thus the minstrel cried;


s: "Ne'er saw I heroes any / so their courage hide,


s: When to them was offered, / like this, reward so high.


s: "Who in such craven manner / do eat their master's bread,


s: And like caitiffs fail him / in time of greatest need,


s: Here see I standing many / of courage all forlorn,


s: Yet would be men of valor; / all time be they upheld to scorn."


s: Cried then he of Denmark, / Iring the margrave:


s: "Fixed on things of honor / my purpose long I have,


s: And oft in storm of battle, / where heroes wrought, was I.


s: Bring hither now my armor, / with Hagen I'll the combat try."


s: "I counsel thee against it," / Hagen then replied,


s: "Or bring a goodly company / of Hun-men by thy side.


s: If peradventure any / find entrance to the hall,


s: "Such words may not dissuade me," / Iring spake once more;


s: "A thing of equal peril / oft have I tried before.


s: Yea, will I with my broadsword / confront thee all alone.


s: Nor aught may here avail thee / thus to speak in haughty tone."


s: Soon the valiant Iring / armed and ready stood,


s: And Irnfried of Thuringia / a youth of mettle good,


s: And eke the doughty Hawart, / with thousand warriors tried.


s: Advancing then with Iring / did the Fiddler see


s: All clad in shining armor / a mighty company,


s: And each a well-made helmet / securely fastened wore.


s: Thereat the gallant Volker / began to rail in anger sore.


s: "Seest thou, friend Hagen, / yonder Iring go,


s: Who all alone to front thee / with his sword did vow?


s: Doth lying sort with honor? / Scorned the thing must be.


s: A thousand knights or over / here bear him armed company."


s: "Now make me not a liar," / cried Hawart's man aloud,


s: "For firm is still my purpose / to do what now I vowed,


s: Nor will I turn me from it / through any cause of fear.


s: Alone I'll stand 'fore Hagen, / awful howsoe'er he were."


s: On ground did throw him Iring / before his warriors' feet,


s: That they leave might grant him / alone the knight to meet.


s: Loath they were to do it; / well known to them might be


s: The haughty Hagen's prowess / of the land of Burgundy.


s: Yet so long besought he / that granted was their leave;


s: When they that followed with him / did his firm mind perceive,


s: And how 'twas bent on honor, / they not restrained him.


s: Then closed the two chieftains / together in a combat grim.


s: Iring of Denmark / raised his spear on high,


s: And with the shield he covered / himself full skilfully;


s: He upward rushed on Hagen / unto the hall right close,


s: When round the clashing fighters / soon a mighty din arose.


s: Each hurled upon the other / the spear with arm of might,


s: In might the doughty Hagen / and prowess did abound,


s: As Iring smote upon him / the hall gave back the sound.


s: The palace all and towers / re-echoed from their blows,


s: On Hagen might not Iring / wreak aught of injury.


s: Unto the doughty Fiddler / in haste then turned he.


s: Him by his mighty sword-strokes / thought he to subdue,


s: Then smote the doughty Fiddler / so lustily his shield


s: That from it flew its ornaments / where he the sword did wield.


s: Iring must leave unconquered / there the dauntless man;


s: Next upon King Gunther / of Burgundy in wrath he ran.


s: There did each in combat / show him man of might;


s: Howe'er did Gunther and Iring / yet each the other smite,


s: From wounds might never either / make the blood to flow,


s: Gunther left he standing, / upon Gernot to dash,


s: And when he smote ring-armor / the fire forth did flash.


s: But soon had he of Burgundy, / Gernot the doughty thane,


s: Well nigh his keen assailant / Iring of Denmark slain.


s: Yet from the prince he freed him, / for nimble was he too.


s: Four of the men of Burgundy / the knight full sudden slew


s: Of those that followed with them / from Worms across the Rhine.


s: Thereupon might nothing / the wrath of Giselher confine.


s: "God wot well, Sir Iring," / young Giselher then cried,


s: "Now must thou make requital / for them that here have died


s: 'Neath thy hand so sudden." / He rushed upon him so


s: Into the blood down fell he / staggering 'neath its might,


s: That all who there beheld it / might deem the noble knight


s: Sword again would never / wield amid the fray.


s: Yet 'neath the stroke of Giselher / Iring all unwounded lay.


s: Bedazed by helmet's sounding / where ringing sword swung down,


s: Full suddenly his senses / so from the knight were flown:


s: That of his life no longer / harbored he a thought.


s: That the doughty Giselher / by his mighty arm had wrought.


s: When somewhat was subsided / the din within his head


s: From mighty blow so sudden / on him was visited,


s: Thought he: "I still am living / and bear no mortal wound.


s: He hearkened how on all sides / his foes around did stand;


s: Knew they what he did purpose, / they had not stayed their hand.


s: He heard the voice of Giselher / eke in that company,


s: Up from the blood he started / with fierce and sudden bound;


s: By grace alone of swiftness / he his freedom found.


s: With speed he passed the portal / where Hagen yet did stand,


s: To see such sight quoth Hagen: / "To death thou fall'st a prey;


s: If not the Devil shield thee, / now is thy latest day."


s: Yet Iring wounded Hagen / e'en through his helmet's crown.


s: That did the knight with Waske, / a sword that was of far renown.


s: When thus Sir Hagen / the smart of wound did feel,


s: Wrathfully he brandished / on high his blade of steel.


s: Full soon must yield before him / Hawart's daring man,


s: Adown the steps pursuing / Hagen swiftly after ran.


s: O'er his head bold Iring / his shield to guard him swung,


s: And e'en had that same stairway / been full three times as long,


s: Yet had he found no respite / from warding Hagen's blows.


s: How plenteously the ruddy / sparks above his helm arose!


s: Unscathed at last came Iring / where waited him his own.


s: Soon as was the story / unto Kriemhild known,


s: How that in fight on Hagen / he had wrought injury,


s: Therefor the Lady Kriemhild / him gan to thank full graciously.


s: "Now God requite thee, Iring, / thou valiant knight and good,


s: For thou my heart hast comforted / and merry made my mood.


s: Red with blood his armor, / see I yonder Hagen stand."


s: If then returned he scatheless, / a valiant man he were.


s: The wound doth boot thee little / that now from his hand I bear.


s: "That here from wound upon me / my mail-coat see'st thou red,


s: Shall bring woful reprisal / on many a warrior's head.


s: Now is my wrath aroused / in full 'gainst Hawart's thane.


s: As yet in sooth hath Iring / wrought on me but little bane."


s: Iring then of Denmark / stood where fanned the wind.


s: He cooled him in his armor / and did his helm unbind.


s: Then praised him all the people / and spoke him man of might,


s: "Now hearken friends unto me," / Iring once more spake;


s: "Make me straightway ready, / new trial now to make


s: If I this knight so haughty / may yet perchance subdue."


s: Soon stood again the warrior / in armor all bedight.


s: In hand a spear full massy / took the wrathful knight,


s: Wherewith on yonder Hagen / he thought to vent his hate.


s: Yet not abide his coming / might Hagen longer now.


s: Adown he rushed upon him / with many a thrust and blow,


s: Down where the stairway ended / for fierce did burn his ire.


s: Soon the might of Iring / must 'neath his furious onset tire,


s: Their shields they smote asunder / that the sparks began


s: To fly in ruddy showers. / Hawart's gallant man


s: Was by sword of Hagen / wounded all so sore


s: When how great the wound was / Iring fully knew,


s: Better to guard his helm-band / his shield he higher drew.


s: The scathe he first received / he deemed sufficient quite,


s: Yet injury far greater / soon had he from King Gunther's knight.


s: From where it lay before him / Hagen a spear did lift


s: And hurled it upon Iring / with aim so sure and swift,


s: It pierced his head, and firmly / fixed the shaft did stand;


s: Full grim the end that met him / 'neath the doughty Hagen's hand.


s: Backward Iring yielded / unto his Danish men.


s: Ere for the knight his helmet / they undid again,


s: From his head they drew the spear-point; / to death he was anigh.


s: Came thereto Queen Kriemhild / and o'er the warrior bent,


s: And for the doughty Iring / gan she there lament.


s: She wept to see him wounded, / and sorely grieved the queen.


s: Then spake unto his kinsmen / the warrior full brave and keen.


s: "I pray thee leave thy moaning, / royal high lady.


s: What avails thy weeping? / Yea, soon must ended be


s: My life from wounds outflowing / that here I did receive.


s: Eke spake he to them of Thuringia / and to them of Danish land:


s: "Of you shall never any / receive the gift in hand


s: From your royal mistress / of shining gold full red.


s: Whoe'er withstandeth Hagen / death calleth down upon his head."


s: From cheek the color faded, / death's sure token wore


s: Iring the gallant warrior: / thereat they grieved full sore.


s: Nor more in life might tarry / Hawart's valiant knight:


s: Enraged the men of Denmark / again did arm them for the fight.


s: Irnfried and Hawart / before the hall then sprang


s: Leading thousand warriors. / Full furious a clang


s: Of weapons then on all sides / loud and great ye hear.


s: Straight the valiant Irnfried / the minstrel rushed upon,


s: But naught but grievous injury / 'neath his hand he won:


s: For the noble Fiddler / did the landgrave smite


s: Sir Irnfried then in answer / the valiant minstrel smote,


s: That must fly asunder / the rings of his mailed coat


s: Which showered o'er his cuirass / like sparks of fire red.


s: Soon must yet the landgrave / fall before the Fiddler dead.


s: Eke were come together / Hawart and Hagen bold,


s: And saw he deeds of wonder / who did the sight behold.


s: Swift flew the sword and fiercely / swung by each hero's hand.


s: But soon lay Hawart prostrate / before him of Burgundian land.


s: When Danish men and Thuringians / beheld their masters fall,


s: Fearful was the turmoil / that rose before the hall


s: As to the door they struggled, / on dire vengeance bent.


s: "Now backward yield," cried Volker / "and let them pass within;


s: Thus only are they thwarted / of what they think to win.


s: When but they pass the portals / are they full quickly slain.


s: With death shall they the bounty / of their royal mistress gain."


s: When thus with pride o'erweening / they did entrance find,


s: The head of many a warrior / was so to earth inclined,


s: That he must life surrender / 'neath blows that thickly fell.


s: Well bore him valiant Gernot / and eke Sir Giselher as well.


s: Four knights beyond a thousand / were come into the house;


s: Tell might ye mickle wonders / of the men of Burgundy.


s: Thereafter came a stillness, / and ceased the tumult loud.


s: The blood in every quarter / through the leak-holes flowed,


s: And out along the corbels / from men in death laid low.


s: That had the men of Rhineland / wrought with many a doughty blow.


s: Then sat again to rest them / they of Burgundian land,


s: Shield and mighty broadsword / they laid from out the hand.


s: But yet the valiant Fiddler / stood waiting 'fore the door,


s: If peradventure any / would seek to offer combat more.


s: Sorely did King Etzel / and eke his spouse lament,


s: Maidens and fair ladies / did sorrow sore torment.


s: Death long since upon them, / I ween, such ending swore.


s: "Now lay ye off the helmets," / the words from Hagen fell:


s: "I with a boon companion / will be your sentinel.


s: And seek the men of Etzel / to work us further harm,


s: For my royal masters / full quickly will I cry alarm."


s: Then freed his head of armor / many a warrior good.


s: They sate them on the corses, / that round them in the blood


s: Of wounds themselves had dealt them, / prostrate weltering lay.


s: Now to his guests so lofty / scant courtesy did Etzel pay.


s: Ere yet was come the even, / King Etzel did persuade,


s: And eke the Lady Kriemhild, / that once more essayed


s: The Hunnish knights to storm them. / Before them might ye see


s: Then with a furious onset / the strangers they attacked.


s: Dankwart, Hagen's brother, / who naught of courage lacked,


s: Sprang out 'mid the besiegers / to ward them from the door.


s: Fierce the struggle lasted / till darkness brought an end.


s: Themselves like goodly heroes / the strangers did defend


s: Against the men of Etzel / all the long summer day.


s: What host of valiant warriors / before them fell to death a prey!


s: At turn of sun in summer / that havoc sore was wrought,


s: When the Lady Kriemhild / revenge so dire sought


s: Upon her nearest kinsmen / and many a knight beside,


s: Wherefore with royal Etzel / never more might joy abide.


s: As day at last was ending / sad they were of heart.


s: They deemed from life 'twere better / in sudden death to part


s: Than be thus long tormented / by great o'erhanging dread.


s: They prayed to lead the monarch / hither to them there.


s: As heroes blood-bespotted, / and stained from battle-gear,


s: Forth from the hall emerged / the lofty monarchs three.


s: Etzel and Kriemhild / they soon before them found,


s: And great was now their company / from all their lands around.


s: Spake Etzel to the strangers: / "What will ye now of me?


s: Ye hope for end of conflict, / but hardly may such favor be.


s: "This so mighty ruin / that ye on me have wrought,


s: If death thwart not my purpose, / shall profit you in naught.


s: For child that here ye slew me / and kinsmen dear to me,


s: Shall peace and reconcilement / from you withheld forever be."


s: Thereto gave answer Gunther: / "To that drove sorest need.


s: Lay all my train of squires / before thy warriors dead


s: Where they for night assembled. / How bore I so great blame?


s: Then spake eke of Burgundy / the youthful Giselher:


s: "Ye knights that still are living / of Etzel, now declare


s: Whereof ye may reproach me! / How hath you harmed my hand?


s: For in right friendly manner / came I riding to this land."


s: Cried they: "Well is thy friendship / in burgh and country known


s: By sorrow of thy making. / Gladly had we foregone


s: The pleasure of thy coming / from Worms across the Rhine.


s: Our country hast thou orphaned, / thou and brother eke of thine."


s: In angry mood King Gunther / unto them replied:


s: "An ye this mighty hatred / appeased would lay aside,


s: Borne 'gainst us knights here homeless, / to both a gain it were


s: For Etzel's wrath against us / we in sooth no guilt do bear."


s: The host then to the strangers: / "Your sorrow here and mine


s: Are things all unequal. / For now must I repine


s: With honor all bespotted / and 'neath distress of woe.


s: Of you shall never any / hence from my country living go."


s: Then did the doughty Gernot / unto King Etzel say:


s: "God then in mercy move thee / to act in friendly way.


s: Slay us knights here homeless, / yet grant us down to go


s: To meet thee in the open: / thine honor biddeth thus to do.


s: "Whate'er shall be our portion, / let that straightway appear.


s: Men hast thou yet so many / that, should they banish fear,


s: Not one of us storm-weary / might keep his life secure.


s: By the warriors of Etzel / their wish nigh granted was,


s: And leave well nigh was given / that from the hall they pass.


s: When Kriemhild knew their purpose, / high her anger swelled,


s: "But nay, ye Hunnish warriors! / what ye have mind to do,


s: Therefrom now desist ye, / --such is my counsel true;


s: Nor let foes so vengeful / pass without the hall,


s: Else must in death before them / full many of your kinsmen fall.


s: "If of them lived none other / but Ute's sons alone,


s: My three noble brothers, / and they the air had won


s: Where breeze might cool their armor, / to death ye were a prey.


s: Then spake the youthful Giselher: / "Full beauteous sister mine,


s: When to this land thou bad'st me / from far beside the Rhine,


s: I little deemed such trouble / did here upon me wait.


s: Whereby have I deserved / from the Huns such mortal hate?


s: "To thee I ever faithful / was, nor wronged thee e'er.


s: In such faith confiding / did I hither fare,


s: That thou to me wert gracious, / O noble sister mine.


s: Show mercy now unto us, / we must to thee our lives resign."


s: "No mercy may I show you, / --unmerciful I'll be.


s: By Hagen, knight of Tronje, / was wrought such woe to me,


s: That ne'er is reconcilement / the while that I have life.


s: That must ye all atone for," / --quoth the royal Etzel's wife.


s: "Will ye but Hagen only / to me as hostage give,


s: Then will I not deny you / to let you longer live.


s: Born are ye of one mother / and brothers unto me,


s: "God in heaven forfend it," / Gernot straightway said;


s: "E'en though we were a thousand, / lay we all rather dead,


s: We who are thy kinsmen, / ere that warrior one


s: Here we gave for hostage. / Never may such thing be done."


s: "Die must we all," quoth Giselher, / "for such is mortal's end.


s: Till then despite of any, / our knighthood we'll defend.


s: Would any test our mettle, / here may he trial make.


s: Then spake the valiant Dankwart, / a knight that knew no fear;


s: "In sooth stands not unaided / my brother Hagen here.


s: Who here have peace denied us / may yet have cause to rue.


s: I would that this ye doubt not, / for verily I tell you true."


s: The queen to those around her: / "Ye gallant warriors, go


s: Now nigher to the stairway / and straight avenge my woe.


s: I'll ever make requital / therefor, as well I may.


s: For his haughty humor / will I Hagen full repay.


s: "To pass without the portal / let not one at all,


s: For at its four corners / I'll bid ignite the hall.


s: So will I fullest vengeance / take for all my woe."


s: Straightway the thanes of Etzel / ready stood her hest to do.


s: Who still without were standing / were driven soon within


s: By sword and spear upon them, / that made a mighty din.


s: Yet naught might those good warriors / from their masters take,


s: By their faith would never / each the other's side forsake.


s: To burn the hall commanded / Etzel's wife in ire,


s: And tortured they those warriors / there with flaming fire;


s: Full soon with wind upon it / the house in flames was seen.


s: To any folk did never / sadder plight befall, I ween.


s: Their cries within resounded: / "Alack for sorest need!


s: How mickle rather lay we / in storm of battle dead.


s: 'Fore God 'tis cause for pity, / for here we all must die!


s: Now doth the queen upon us / vengeance wreak full grievously."


s: Among them spake another: / "Our lives we here must end.


s: What now avails the greeting / the king to us did send?


s: So sore this heat oppresseth / and parched with thirst my tongue,


s: Then quoth of Tronje Hagen: / "Ye noble knights and good,


s: Whoe'er by thirst is troubled, / here let him drink the blood.


s: Than wine more potent is it / where such high heat doth rage,


s: Nor may we at this season / find us a better beverage."


s: Where fallen knight was lying, / thither a warrior went.


s: Aside he laid his helmet, / to gaping wound he bent,


s: And soon was seen a-quaffing / therefrom the flowing blood.


s: "Now God reward thee, Hagen," / the weary warrior said,


s: "That I so well have drunken, / thus by thy teaching led.


s: Better wine full seldom / hath been poured for me,


s: And live I yet a season / I'll ever faithful prove to thee."


s: When there did hear the others / how to him it seemed good,


s: Many more beheld ye / eke that drank the blood.


s: Each thereby new vigor / for his body won,


s: And eke for lover fallen / wept many a buxom dame anon.


s: The flaming brands fell thickly / upon them in the hall,


s: Beset were heroes never, / I ween, by so great woe before.


s: Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Stand nigh unto the wall,


s: Let not the brands all flaming / upon your helmets fall.


s: Into the blood beneath you / tread them with your feet.


s: In sooth in evil fashion / us doth our royal hostess greet."


s: In trials thus endured / ebbed the night away.


s: Still without the portal / did the keen Fiddler stay


s: And Hagen his good fellow, / o'er shield their bodies leant;


s: They deemed the men of Etzel / still on further mischief bent.


s: Then was heard the Fiddler: / "Pass we into the hall,


s: For so the Huns shall fondly / deem we are perished all


s: Amid the mickle torture / we suffer at their hand.


s: Spake then of Burgundy / the young Sir Giselher:


s: "I ween 'twill soon be dawning, / for blows a cooler air.


s: To live in fuller joyance / now grant us God in heaven.


s: To us dire entertainment / my sister Kriemhild here hath given."


s: Spake again another: / "Lo! how I feel the day.


s: For that no better fortune / here await us may,


s: So don, ye knights, your armor, / and guard ye well your life.


s: Full soon, in sooth, we suffer / again at hands of Etzel's wife."


s: Fondly Etzel fancied / the strangers all were dead,


s: From sore stress of battle / and from the fire dread;


s: Yet within were living / six hundred men so brave,


s: The watchers set to watch them / soon full well had seen


s: How still lived the strangers, / spite what wrought had been


s: Of harm and grievous evil, / on the monarchs and their band.


s: Told 'twas then to Kriemhild / how they from harm were free.


s: Whereat the royal lady / quoth, such thing ne'er might be


s: That any still were living / from that fire dread.


s: "Nay, believe I rather / that within they all lie dead."


s: Gladly yet the strangers / would a truce compound,


s: Might any grace to offer / amid their foes be found.


s: But such appeared not any / in them of Hunnish land.


s: About the dawn of morning / greeted they were again


s: With a vicious onslaught, / that paid full many a thane.


s: There was flung upon them / many a mighty spear,


s: The warriors of Etzel / were all of eager mood,


s: And Kriemhild's promised bounty / win for himself each would;


s: To do the king's high bidding / did likewise urge their mind.


s: Of store of bounty promised / might wonders great be told,


s: She bade on shields to carry / forth the ruddy gold,


s: And gave to him that wished it / or would but take her store;


s: In sooth a greater hire / ne'er tempted 'gainst the foe before.


s: A mickle host of warriors / went forth in battle-gear.


s: Then quoth the valiant Volker: / "Still may ye find us here.


s: Ne'er saw I move to battle / warriors more fain,


s: That to work us evil / the bounty of the king have ta'en."


s: Then cried among them many: / "Hither, ye knights, more nigh!


s: Since all at last must perish, / 'twere better instantly;


s: And here no warrior falleth / but who fore-doomed hath been."


s: What need of further story? / Twelve hundred stalwart men,


s: Repulsed in onset gory, / still returned again;


s: But dealing wounds around them / the strangers cooled their mood,


s: From deep wounds and mortal, / whereof were many slain.


s: For friends in battle fallen / heard ye loud complain;


s: Slain were all those warriors / that served the mighty king,


s: Whereat from loving kinsmen / arose a mickle sorrowing.


s: At morning light the strangers / had wrought high deed of fame,


s: When the spouse of Gotelinde / unto the courtyard came.


s: To behold on both sides / such woe befallen there,


s: Might not refrain from weeping / sorely the faithful Ruediger.


s: "O woe is me!" exclaimed he, / "that ever I was born.


s: Alack that this great sorrow / no hand from us may turn!


s: Though I be ne'er so willing, / the king no peace will know,


s: For he beholds his sorrow / ever great and greater grow."


s: Then did the kindly Ruediger / unto Dietrich send,


s: If to the lofty monarchs / they yet might truce extend.


s: The knight of Bern gave message: / "How might such thing be?


s: For ne'er the royal Etzel / granteth to end it peacefully."


s: When a Hunnish warrior / saw standing Ruediger


s: As from eyes sore weeping / fell full many a tear,


s: To his royal mistress spake he: / "Behold how stands he there


s: With whom here by Etzel / none other may in might compare,


s: "And who commandeth service / of lands and people all.


s: How many lordly castles / Ruediger his own doth call,


s: That unto him hath given / the bounty of the king!


s: "Methinks, but little recks he, / what may here betide,


s: Since now in fullest measure / his heart is satisfied.


s: 'Tis told he is, surpassing / all men, forsooth, so keen,


s: But in this time of trials / his valor ill-displayed hath been."


s: Stood there full of sorrow / the brave and faithful man,


s: Yet whom he thus heard speaking / he cast his eyes upon.


s: Thought he: "Thou mak'st atonement, / who deem'st my mettle cold.


s: His fist thereat he doubled / and upon him ran,


s: And smote with blow so mighty / there King Etzel's man


s: That prone before him straightway / fell that mocker dead.


s: So came but greater sorrow / on the royal Etzel's head.


s: "Hence thou basest caitiff," / cried then Ruediger;


s: "Here of pain and sorrow / enough I have to bear.


s: Wherefore wilt thou taunt me / that I the combat shun?


s: In sooth had I the utmost / of harm upon the strangers done,


s: "For that good reason have I / to bear them hate indeed,


s: But that myself the warriors / as friends did hither lead.


s: Yea, was I their safe escort / into my master's land;


s: Then spake the lofty Etzel / unto the margrave:


s: "What aid, O noble Ruediger, / here at thy hands we have!


s: Our country hath so many / already doomed to die,


s: We need not any other: / now hast thou wrought full wrongfully."


s: Returned the knight so noble: / "My heart he sore hath grieved,


s: And reproached me for high honors / at thy hand received


s: And eke for gifts unto me / by thee so freely made;


s: Dearly for his slander / hath the base traducer paid."


s: When had the queen come hither / and had likewise seen


s: How on the Hunnish warrior / his wrath had vented been,


s: Incontinent she mourned it, / and tears bedimmed her sight.


s: Spake she unto Ruediger: / "How dost thou now our love requite,


s: "That for me and thy master / thou bring'st increase of woe?


s: Now hast thou, noble Ruediger, / ever told us so,


s: How that thou life and honor / for our sake wouldst dare.


s: "Of the oath I now remind thee / that thou to me didst swear,


s: When counsel first thou gavest / to Etzel's land to fare,


s: That thou wouldst truly serve me / till one of us were dead:


s: Of that I wretched woman / never stood so sore in need."


s: "Nor do I, royal mistress, / deny that so I sware


s: That I for thy well-being / would life and honor dare:


s: But eke my soul to forfeit, / --that sware I not indeed.


s: 'Tis I thy royal brothers / hither to this land did lead."


s: Quoth she: "Bethink thee, Ruediger, / of thy fidelity


s: And oath once firmly plighted / that aught of harm to me


s: Should ever be avenged, / and righted every ill."


s: Etzel the mighty monarch / to implore him then began,


s: And king and queen together / down knelt before their man,


s: Whereat the good margrave / was seen in sorest plight,


s: "O woe is me most wretched," / he sorrow-stricken cried,


s: "That forced I am my honor / thus to set aside,


s: And bonds of faith and friendship / God hath imposed on me.


s: O Thou that rul'st in heaven! / come death, I cannot yet be free.


s: "Whate'er it be my effort / to do or leave undone,


s: I break both faith and honor / in doing either one;


s: But leave I both, all people / will cry me worthy scorn.


s: May He look down in mercy / who bade me wretched man be born!"


s: With many a prayer besought him / the king and eke his spouse,


s: Wherefore was many a warrior / soon doomed his life to lose


s: At hand of noble Ruediger, / when eke did die the thane.


s: He knew how scathe did wait him / and boundless sorrowing,


s: And gladly had refused / to obey the king


s: And eke his royal mistress. / Full sorely did he fear,


s: Then spake unto the monarch / the full gallant thane:


s: "O royal sire, whatever / thou gavest, take again,


s: The land and every castle, / that naught remain to me.


s: On foot a lonely pilgrim / I'll wander to a far country."


s: Thereto replied King Etzel: / "Who then gave help to me?


s: My land and lordly castles / give I all to thee,


s: If on my foes, O Ruediger, / revenge thou wilt provide.


s: A mighty monarch seated, / shalt thou be by Etzel's side."


s: Again gave answer Ruediger: / "How may that ever be?


s: At my own home shared they / my hospitality.


s: Meat and drink I offered / to them in friendly way,


s: "The folk belike will fancy / that I a coward be.


s: Ne'er hath faithful service / been refused by me


s: Unto the noble princes / and their warriors too;


s: "For spouse unto Sir Giselher / gave I a daughter mine,


s: Nor into fairer keeping / might I her resign,


s: Where truth were sought and honor / and gentle courtesy:


s: Ne'er saw I thane so youthful / virtuous in mind as he."


s: Again gave answer Kriemhild: / "O noble Ruediger,


s: To me and royal Etzel / in mercy now give ear


s: For sorrows that o'erwhelm us. / Bethink thee, I implore,


s: That monarch never any / harbored so evil guests before."


s: Spake in turn the margrave / unto the monarch's wife:


s: "Ruediger requital / must make to-day with life


s: For that thou and my master / did me so true befriend.


s: Therefore must I perish; / now must my service find an end.


s: "E'en this day, well know I, / my castles and my land


s: Must surely lose their master / beneath a stranger's hand.


s: To thee my wife and children / commend I for thy care,


s: "Now God reward thee, Ruediger," / thereat King Etzel quoth.


s: He and the queen together, / right joyful were they both.


s: "To us shall all thy people / full commended be;


s: Eke trow I by my fortune / no harm shall here befall to thee."


s: For their sake he ventured / soul and life to lose.


s: Thereat fell sore to weeping / the royal Etzel's spouse.


s: He spake: "I must unto you / my plighted word fulfil.


s: Alack! beloved strangers, / whom to assail forbids my will."


s: From the king there parting / ye saw him, sad of mood,


s: And passed unto his warriors / who at small distance stood.


s: "Don straightway now your armor, / my warriors all," quoth he.


s: "Alas! must I to battle / with the valiant knights of Burgundy."


s: Then straightway for their armor / did the warriors call.


s: A shining helm for this one, / for that a shield full tall


s: Soon did the nimble squires / before them ready hold.


s: Anon came saddest tidings / unto the stranger warriors bold.


s: With Ruediger there saw ye / five hundred men arrayed,


s: And noble thanes a dozen / that came unto his aid,


s: Thinking in storm of battle / to win them honor high.


s: In sooth but little knew they / how death awaited them so nigh.


s: With helm on head advancing / saw ye Sir Ruediger.


s: Swords that cut full keenly / the margrave's men did bear,


s: And eke in hand each carried / a broad shield shining bright.


s: Boundless was the Fiddler's / sorrow to behold the sight.


s: When saw the youthful Giselher / his bride's sire go


s: Thus with fastened helmet, / how might he ever know


s: What he therewith did purpose / if 'twere not only good?


s: Thereat the noble monarchs / right joyous might ye see of mood.


s: "I joy for friends so faithful," / spake Giselher the thane,


s: "As on our journey hither / we for ourselves did gain.


s: Full great shall be our vantage / that I found spouse so dear,


s: And high my heart rejoiceth / that plighted thus to wed we were."


s: "Small cause I see for comfort," / thereto the minstrel spake.


s: "When saw ye thanes so many / come a truce to make


s: With helmet firmly fastened / and bearing sword in hand?


s: By scathe to us will Ruediger / service do for tower and land."


s: The while that thus the Fiddler / had spoken to the end,


s: His way the noble Ruediger / unto the hall did wend.


s: His trusty shield he rested / on the ground before his feet,


s: Yet might he never offer / his friends in kindly way to greet.


s: Loudly the noble margrave / cried into the hall:


s: "Now guard you well, ye valiant / Nibelungen all.


s: From me ye should have profit: / now have ye harm from me.


s: That he would battle with them / for whom great love they bore.


s: At hand of foes already / had they suffered travail sore.


s: "Now God in heaven forfend it," / there King Gunther cried,


s: "That from mercy to us / thou so wilt turn aside,


s: And the faithful friendship / whereof hope had we.


s: I trow in sooth that never / may such thing be done by thee."


s: "Desist therefrom I may not," / the keen knight made reply,


s: "But now must battle with you, / for vow thereto gave I.


s: "Now guard you, gallant warriors, / as fear ye life to lose:


s: "Too late thou turnst against us," / spake King Gunther there.


s: "Now might God requite thee, / O noble Ruediger,


s: For the faith and friendship / thou didst on us bestow,


s: If thou a heart more kindly / even to the end wouldst show.


s: "We'd ever make requital / for all that thou didst give,--


s: I and all my kinsmen, / wouldst thou but let us live,--


s: For thy gifts full stately, / as faithfully thou here


s: To Etzel's land didst lead us: / know that, O noble Ruediger."


s: "To me what pleasure were it," / Ruediger did say,


s: "With full hand of my treasure / unto you to weigh


s: And with a mind right willing / as was my hope to do!


s: Thus might no man reproach me / with lack of courtesy to you."


s: "Turn yet, O noble Ruediger." / Gernot spake again,


s: "For in so gracious manner / did never entertain


s: Any host the stranger, / as we were served by thee;


s: And live we yet a little, / shall thou well requited be."


s: "O would to God, full noble / Gernot," spake Ruediger,


s: "That ye were at Rhine river / and that dead I were


s: With somewhat saved of honor, / since I must be your foe!


s: "Now God requite thee, Ruediger," / Gernot gave reply,


s: "For gifts so fair bestowed. / I rue to see thee die,


s: For that in thee shall perish / knight of so gentle mind.


s: Here thy sword I carry, / that gav'st thou me in friendship kind.


s: "It never yet hath failed me / in this our sorest need,


s: And 'neath its cutting edges / many a knight lies dead.


s: 'Tis strong and bright of lustre, / cunning wrought and well.


s: I ween, whate'er was given / by knight it doth in worth excel.


s: "An wilt thou not give over / upon us here to fall,


s: And if one friend thou slayest / here yet within this hall,


s: With this same sword thou gavest, / I'll take from thee thy life.


s: "Would God but give, Sir Gernot, / that such thing might be,


s: That thou thy will completely / here fulfilled mightst see,


s: And of thy friends not any / here his life should lose!


s: Then out spake of Burgundy / the son of Ute fair:


s: "How dost thou so, Sir Ruediger? / All that with me are


s: To thee are well disposed. / Thou dost an evil thing,


s: And wilt thine own fair daughter / to widowhood too early bring.


s: "If thou with armed warriors / wilt thus assail me here,


s: In what unfriendly manner / thou makest to appear


s: How that in thee I trusted / beyond all men beside,


s: When thy fairest daughter / erstwhile I won to be my bride."


s: "Thy good faith remember, / O Prince of virtue rare,


s: If God from hence do bring thee," / --so spake Ruediger:


s: "Forsake thou not the maiden / when bereft of me,


s: But rather grant thy goodness / be dealt to her more graciously."


s: "That would I do full fairly," / spake Giselher again.


s: "But if my lofty kinsmen, / who yet do here remain,


s: Beneath thy hand shall perish, / severed then must be


s: "Then God to us give mercy," / the knight full valiant spake.


s: Adown the stair full loudly / did Hagen, knight of Tronje, call:


s: "Tarry yet a little, / O noble Ruediger,


s: For further would we parley," / --thus might ye Hagen hear--


s: "I and my royal masters, / as presseth sorest need.


s: What might it boot to Etzel / that we strangers all lay dead.


s: "Great is here my trouble," / Hagen did declare:


s: "The shield that Lady Gotelinde / gave to me to bear


s: Hath now been hewn asunder / by Hun-men in my hand.


s: With friendly thought I bore it / hither into Etzel's land.


s: "Would that God in heaven / might grant in kindliness,


s: That I a shield so trusty / did for my own possess


s: As in thy hand thou bearest, / O noble Ruediger!


s: In battle-storm then need I / never hauberk more to wear."


s: But take it, natheless, Hagen, / and bear it in thy hand.


s: Would that thou mightst take it / again unto Burgundian land!"


s: When with mind so willing / he offered him his shield,


s: Saw ye how eyes full many / with scalding tears were filled;


s: For the last gift was it / that was offered e'er


s: Unto any warrior / by Bechelaren's margrave, Ruediger.


s: How grim soe'er was Hagen / and stern soe'er of mind,


s: That gift to pity moved him / that there the chieftain kind,


s: So near his latest moment, / did on him bestow.


s: From eyes of many another / began likewise the tears to flow.


s: "Now God in heaven requite thee, / O noble Ruediger!


s: Like unto thee none other / warrior was there e'er,


s: Unto knights all friendless / so bounteously to give.


s: God grant in his mercy / thy virtue evermore to live.


s: "Woe's me to hear such tiding," / Hagen did declare.


s: "Such load of grief abiding / already do we bear,


s: If we with friends must struggle, / to God our plaint must be."


s: "To pay thee for thy favor, / O noble Ruediger,


s: Howe'er these lofty warriors / themselves against thee bear,


s: Yet never thee in combat / here shall touch my hand,


s: Thereat the lofty Ruediger / 'fore him did courteous bend.


s: On all sides was lamenting / that no man might end


s: These so great heart-sorrows / that sorely they must bear.


s: The father of all virtue / fell with noble Ruediger.


s: Then eke the minstrel Volker / from hall down glancing said:


s: "Since Hagen thus, my comrade, / peace with thee hath made,


s: Lasting truce thou likewise / receivest from my hand.


s: Well hast thou deserved it / as fared we hither to this land.


s: "Thou, O noble margrave, / my messenger shalt be.


s: These arm-bands ruddy golden / thy lady gave to me,


s: That here at this high festival / I the same should wear.


s: Now mayst thyself behold them / and of my faith a witness bear."


s: I'll gladly tell thy tidings / to spouse full dear to me,


s: When thus his word was given, / his shield raised Ruediger.


s: Nigh to madness driven / bode he no longer there,


s: But ran upon the strangers / like to a valiant knight.


s: Many a blow full rapid / smote the margrave in his might.


s: Volker and Hagen / made way before the thane,


s: As before had promised / to him the warriors twain.


s: Yet found he by the portal / so many a valiant man


s: That Ruediger the combat / with mickle boding sore began.


s: Gunther and Gernot / with murderous intent


s: Let him pass the portal, / as knights on victory bent.


s: Backward yielded Giselher, / with sorrow all undone;


s: He hoped to live yet longer, / and therefore Ruediger would shun.


s: Straight upon their enemies / the margrave's warriors sprung,


s: And following their master / was seen a valiant throng.


s: Swords with cutting edges / did they in strong arm wield,


s: The weary strangers likewise / smote many a whirring slash,


s: Wherefrom the men of Bechelaren / felt deep and long the gash


s: Through the shining ring-mail / e'en to their life's core.


s: In storm of battle wrought they / glorious deeds a many more.


s: All his trusty followers / now eke had gained the hall,


s: On whom Volker and Hagen / did soon in fury fall,


s: And mercy unto no man / save Ruediger they showed.


s: The blood adown through helmets, / where smote their swords, full


s: How right furiously / were swords 'gainst armor driven!


s: Ne'er again might warriors / show in fight so grim a mood.


s: The lord of Bechelaren / through foemen cut his way,


s: As doth each doughty warrior / in fight his might display.


s: On that day did Ruediger / show full plain that he


s: A hero was undaunted, / full bold and eke full praiseworthy.


s: Stood there two knights right gallant, / Gunther and Gernot,


s: And in the storm of battle / to death full many smote.


s: Eke Giselher and Dankwart, / never aught recked they


s: How many a lusty fighter / saw 'neath their hand his latest day.


s: Full well did show him Ruediger / a knight of mettle true,


s: Doughty in goodly armor. / What warriors there he slew!


s: Beheld it a Burgundian, / and cause for wrath was there.


s: Not longer now was distant / the death of noble Ruediger.


s: Gernot, knight full doughty, / addressed the margrave then,


s: Thus speaking to the hero: / "Wilt thou of all my men


s: Living leave not any, / O noble Ruediger?


s: "Now must thy gift unto me / prove thy sorest bane,


s: Since of my friends so many / thou from me hast ta'en.


s: Now hither turn to front me, / thou bold and noble knight:


s: As far as might may bear me / I trust to pay thy gift aright."


s: Ere that full the margrave / might make his way to him,


s: Must rings of glancing mail-coats / with flowing blood grow dim.


s: Then sprang upon each other / those knights on honor bent,


s: Their swords cut so keenly / that might withstand them naught.


s: With mighty arm Sir Ruediger / Gernot then smote


s: Through the flint-hard helmet, / that downward flowed the blood.


s: The gift he had of Ruediger / high in hand he swung,


s: And though to death was wounded / he smote with blow so strong


s: That the good shield was cloven / and welded helmet through.


s: The spouse of fair Gotelinde, / then his latest breath he drew.


s: In sooth so sad requital / found rich bounty ne'er.


s: Slain fell they both together, / Gernot and Ruediger,


s: Alike in storm of battle, / each by the other's hand.


s: Sore was the wrath of Hagen / when he the harm did understand.


s: Cried there the lord of Tronje: / "Great is here our loss.


s: In death of these two heroes / such scathe befalleth us,


s: Wherefor land and people / shall repine for aye.


s: The warriors of Ruediger / must now to us the forfeit pay."


s: "Alack for this my brother, / snatched by death this day!


s: What host of woes unbidden / encompass me alway!


s: Eke must I moan it ever / that noble Ruediger fell.


s: When then beheld Sir Giselher / his lover's sire dead,


s: Must all that with him followed / suffer direst need.


s: There Death was busy seeking / to gather in his train,


s: And of the men of Bechelaren / came forth not one alive again.


s: Gunther and Giselher / and with them Hagen too,


s: Dankwart and Volker, / doughty thanes and true,


s: Went where found they lying / the two warriors slain,


s: "Death robbeth us right sorely," / spake young Sir Giselher:


s: "Yet now give o'er your weeping / and let us seek the air,


s: That the ringed mail grow cooler / on us storm-weary men.


s: God in sooth will grant us / not longer here to live, I ween."


s: Here sitting, and there leaning / was seen full many a thane,


s: Resting once more from combat, / the while that all lay slain


s: The followers of Ruediger. / Hushed was the battle's din.


s: At length grew angry Etzel, / that stillness was so long within.


s: "Alack for such a service!" / spake the monarch's wife;


s: "For never 'tis so faithful / that our foes with life


s: Must to us make payment / at Ruediger's hand.


s: He thinks in sooth to lead them / again unto Burgundian land.


s: "What boots it, royal Etzel, / that we did ever share


s: With him what he desired? / The knight doth evil there.


s: He that should avenge us, / the same a truce doth make."


s: Thereto the stately warrior / Volker in answer spake:


s: "Alas 'tis no such case here, / O high and royal dame.


s: Dared I but give the lie to / one of thy lofty name,


s: Thou hast in fiendish manner / Ruediger belied.


s: He and all his warriors / have laid all thoughts of truce aside.


s: "With so good heart obeyed he / his royal master's will


s: That he and all his followers / here in death lie still.


s: Look now about thee, Kriemhild, / who may thy hests attend.


s: Ruediger the hero / hath served thee faithful to the end.


s: "Wilt thou my words believe not, / to thee shall clear be shown."


s: Wound-gashed they bore the hero / where him the king might see.


s: Unto the thanes of Etzel / ne'er might so great sorrow be.


s: When did they the margrave / a corse on bier behold,


s: By chronicler might never / written be nor told


s: All the wild lamenting / of women and of men,


s: Royal Etzel's sorrow / there did know no bound.


s: Like to the voice of lion / echoing rang the sound


s: Of the king's loud weeping, / wherein the queen had share.


s: Unmeasured they lamented / the death of noble Ruediger.


s: How all Sir Dietrich's Knights were Slain


s: On all sides so great sorrow / heard ye there around,


s: That palace and high tower / did from the wail resound.


s: Of Bern a man of Dietrich / eke the same did hear,


s: And speedily he hastened / the tidings to his lord to bear.


s: Spake he unto his master: / "Sir Dietrich give me ear.


s: What yet hath been my fortune, / never did I hear


s: Lamenting past all measure, / as at this hour hath been.


s: Scathe unto King Etzel / himself hath happened, I ween.


s: "Else how might they ever / all show such dire need?


s: The king himself or Kriemhild, / one of them lieth dead,


s: By the doughty strangers / for sake of vengeance slain.


s: Unmeasured is the weeping / of full many a stately thane."


s: Then spake of Bern Sir Dietrich: / "Ye men to me full dear,


s: Now haste ye not unduly. / The deeds performed here


s: By the stranger warriors / show sore necessity.


s: That peace with them I blighted, / let it now their profit be."


s: Then spake the valiant Wolfhart: / "Thither will I run


s: To make question of it / what they now have done,


s: And straight will tidings bring thee, / master full dear to me,


s: When yonder I inform me, / whence may so great lamenting be."


s: Answer gave Sir Dietrich: / "Fear they hostility,


s: The while uncivil questioning / of their deed there be,


s: Lightly are stirred to anger / good warriors o'er the thing.


s: Yea, 'tis my pleasure, Wolfhart, / thou sparest them all such


s: Helfrich he then commanded / thither with speed to go


s: That from men of Etzel / he might truly know,


s: Or from the strangers straightway, / what thing there had been.


s: As that, so sore lamenting / of people ne'er before was seen.


s: Questioned then the messenger: / "What hath here been wrought?"


s: Answered one among them: / "Complete is come to naught


s: What of joy we cherished / here in Hunnish land.


s: Slain here lieth Ruediger, / fallen 'neath Burgundian hand.


s: "Of them that entered with him / not one doth longer live."


s: Naught might ever happen / Helfrich more to grieve,


s: Nor ever told he tidings / so ruefully before.


s: Weeping sore the message / unto Dietrich then he bore.


s: "What the news thou bringst us?" / Dietrich spake once more;


s: "Yet, O doughty Helfrich, / wherefore dost weep so sore?"


s: Answered the noble warrior: / "With right may I complain:


s: Yonder faithful Ruediger / lieth by the Burgundians slain."


s: The lord of Bern gave answer: / "God let not such thing be!


s: That were a mighty vengeance, / and eke the Devil's glee.


s: Whereby had ever Ruediger / from them deserved such ill?


s: Well know I to the strangers / was ever well disposed his will."


s: Thereto gave answer Wolfhart: / "In sooth have they this done,


s: Therefor their lives shall forfeit / surely, every one.


s: And make we not requital, / our shame for aye it were;


s: Full manifold our service / from hand of noble Ruediger."


s: Then bade the lord of Amelungen / the case more full to learn.


s: He sat within a casement / and did full sadly mourn.


s: He prayed then that Hildebrand / unto the strangers go,


s: That he from their own telling / of the case complete might know.


s: The warrior keen in battle, / Master Hildebrand,


s: Neither shield nor weapon / bore he in his hand,


s: But would in chivalrous manner / unto the strangers go.


s: His sister's son reviled him / that he would venture thus to do.


s: Spake in anger Wolfhart: / "Goest thou all weaponless,


s: Must I of such action / free my thought confess:


s: Thou shalt in shameful fashion / hither come again;


s: Goest thou armed thither, / will all from harm to thee refrain."


s: So armed himself the old man / at counsel of the young.


s: Ere he was ware of it, / into their armor sprung


s: All of Dietrich's warriors / and stood with sword in hand.


s: Grieved he was, and gladly / had turned them Master Hildebrand.


s: He asked them whither would they. / "Thee company we'll bear,


s: So may, perchance, less willing / Hagen of Tronje dare,


s: As so oft his custom, / to give thee mocking word."


s: Keen Volker saw approaching, / in armor all arrayed,


s: Of Bern the gallant warriors / that Dietrich's word obeyed,


s: With sword at girdle hanging / and bearing shield in hand.


s: Straight he told the tidings / to his masters of Burgundian land.


s: Spake the doughty Fiddler: / "Yonder see I come near


s: The warriors of Dietrich / all clad in battle gear


s: And decked their heads with helmets, / as if our harm they mean.


s: For us knights here homeless / approacheth evil end, I ween."


s: Meanwhile was come anigh them / Master Hildebrand.


s: Before his foot he rested / the shield he bore in hand,


s: And soon began to question / the men of Gunther there:


s: "Me did my master Dietrich / hither to you command:


s: If now the noble margrave / hath fallen 'neath the hand


s: Of any knight among you, / as word to us is borne,


s: Such a mighty sorrow / might we never cease to mourn."


s: Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "True is the tale ye hear.


s: Though glad I were, if to you / had lied the messenger,


s: And if the faithful Ruediger / still his life might keep,


s: For whom both man and woman / must ever now in sorrow weep!"


s: When they for sooth the passing / of the hero knew,


s: Adown the bearded visage, / for sad of heart in truth they were.


s: Of Bern then a chieftain, / Siegstab, further cried:


s: "Of all the mickle comfort / now an end is made,


s: That Ruediger erst prepared us / after our days of pain.


s: The joy of exiled people / here lieth by you warriors slain."


s: Then spake of Amelungen / the thane Wolfwein:


s: "If that this day beheld I / dead e'en sire of mine,


s: No more might be my sorrow / than for this hero's life.


s: Alack! who bringeth comfort / now to the noble margrave's wife?"


s: Spake eke in angry humor / Wolfhart a stalwart thane:


s: "Who now shall lead our army / on the far campaign,


s: As full oft the margrave / of old hath led our host?


s: Alack! O noble Ruediger, / that in such manner thee we've lost!"


s: Wolfbrand and Helfrich / and Helmnot with warriors all


s: Mourned there together / that he in death must fall.


s: For sobbing might not further / question Hildebrand.


s: He spake: "Now do, ye warriors, / according to my lord's command.


s: "Yield unto us Ruediger's / corse from out the hall,


s: In whose death to sorrow / hath passed our pleasure all;


s: And let us do him service / for friendship true of yore


s: That e'er for us he cherished / and eke for many a stranger more.


s: "We too from home are exiles / like unto Ruediger.


s: Why keep ye us here waiting? / Him grant us hence to bear,


s: That e'en though death hath reft him / our service he receive,


s: Though fairer had we paid it / the while the hero yet did live."


s: Thereto spake King Gunther: / "No service equal may


s: Well make ye here requital / for many a service unto you."


s: "How long shall we beseech you," / spake Wolfhart the thane;


s: "Since he that best consoled us / by you now lieth slain,


s: And we, alas, no longer / his living aid may have,


s: Grant us hence to bear him / and lay the hero in his grave."


s: Thereto answered Volker: / "Thy prayer shall all deny.


s: From out the hall thou take him, / where doth the hero lie


s: 'Neath deep wounds and mortal / in blood now smitten down.


s: So may by thee best service / here to Ruediger be shown."


s: Answered Wolfhart boldly: / "Sir Fiddleman, God wot


s: Thou shalt forbear to stir us, / for woe on us thou'st wrought.


s: Durst I despite my master, / uncertain were thy life;


s: Then spake again the Fiddler: / "'Tis all too much of fear,


s: For that a thing's forbidden, / meekly to forbear.


s: Scarce may I deem it valor / worthy good knight to tell."


s: "For proof be not o'er-eager," / Wolfhart quick replied,


s: "Else so I'll tune thy fiddle / that when again ye ride


s: Afar unto Rhine river, / sad tale thou tellest there.


s: Thy haughty words no longer / may I now with honor bear."


s: Spake once more the Fiddler: / "If e'er the harmony


s: Of my fiddle-strings thou breakest, / thy helmet's sheen shall be


s: Howe'er fall out my journey / homeward to Burgundian land."


s: Then would he rush upon him / but that him did restrain


s: Hildebrand his uncle / who seized him amain.


s: "I ween thou would'st be witless, / by youthful rage misled.


s: My master's favor had'st thou / evermore thus forfeited."


s: "Let loose the lion, Master, / that doth rage so sore.


s: If but my sword may reach him," / spake Volker further more,


s: "Though he the world entire / by his own might had slain,


s: I'll smite him that an answer / never may he chant again."


s: Thereat with anger straightway / the men of Bern were filled.


s: Wolfhart, thane right valiant, / grasped in haste his shield,


s: And like to a wild lion / out before them sped.


s: By friends a goodly number / full quickly was he followed.


s: Though by the hall went striding / ne'er so swift the thane,


s: O'ertook him Master Hildebrand / ere he the steps might gain,


s: For nowise would he let him / be foremost in the fray.


s: In the stranger warriors / worthy foemen soon found they.


s: Straight saw ye upon Hagen / rush Master Hildebrand,


s: And sword ye heard give music / in each foeman's hand.


s: Sore they were enraged, / as ye soon were ware,


s: Yet soon the twain were parted / in the raging fight:


s: The men of Bern so turned it / by their dauntless might.


s: Ere long then was Hildebrand / from Hagen turned away,


s: Upon the helm the Fiddler / he smote with blow so fierce


s: That the sword's keen edges / unto the frame did pierce.


s: With mighty stroke repaid him / the valiant minstrel too,


s: Hewing they made the fire / from mail-rings scintillate,


s: For each unto the other / bore a deadly hate.


s: Of Bern the thane Wolfwein / at length did part the two,--


s: Which thing might none other / than man of mickle prowess do.


s: Gunther, knight full gallant, / received with ready hand


s: There the stately warriors / of Amelungen land.


s: Eke did young Giselher / of many a helmet bright,


s: Dankwart, Hagen's brother, / was a warrior grim.


s: What erstwhile in combat / had been wrought by him


s: Against the men of Etzel / seemed now as toying vain,


s: As fought with flaming ire / the son of valiant Aldrian.


s: Had oft in storm of battle / with valor borne their part,


s: As now 'fore men of Gunther / they did clear display.


s: Likewise saw ye Wolfbrand / glorious amid the fray.


s: There old Master Hildebrand / fought as he were wode.


s: Many a doughty warrior / was stricken in the blood


s: By the sword that swinging / in Wolfhart's hand was seen.


s: Thus took dire vengeance / for Ruediger those knights full keen.


s: Havoc wrought Sir Siegstab / there with might and main.


s: Ho! in the hurly-burly / what helms he cleft in twain


s: Upon the crowns of foemen, / Dietrich's sister's son!


s: Ne'er in storm of battle / had he more feats of valor done.


s: When the doughty Volker / there aright had seen


s: How many a bloody rivulet / was hewn by Siegstab keen


s: From out the well-wrought mail-rings, / the hero's ire arose.


s: Quick he sprang toward him, / Siegstab then his life must lose.


s: Ere long time was over, / 'neath the Fiddler's hand,


s: Who of his art did give him / such share to understand


s: That beneath his broadsword / smitten to death he lay.


s: Old Hildebrand avenged him / as bade his mighty arm alway.


s: "Alack that knight so loved," / spake Master Hildebrand,


s: "Here should thus lie fallen / 'neath Volker's hand.


s: Now lived his latest hour / in sooth this Fiddler hath."


s: Filled was the hero Hildebrand / straightway with a mighty wrath.


s: With might smote he Volker / that severed flew the band


s: E'en to the hall's wide limit / far on either hand


s: From shield and eke from helmet / borne by the Fiddler keen;


s: Therewith the doughty Volker / reft of life at last had been.


s: Pressed eager to the combat / Dietrich's warriors true,


s: Smiting that the mail-rings / afar from harness flew,


s: And that the broken sword-points / soaring aloft ye saw,


s: There of Tronje Hagen / beheld Volker dead.


s: In that so bloody carnage / 'twas far the sorest need


s: Of all that did befall him / in death of friend and man.


s: Alack! for him what vengeance / Hagen then to wreak began!


s: "Therefrom shall profit never / Master Hildebrand.


s: Slain hath been here my helper / 'neath the warrior's hand,


s: The best of feres in battle / that fortune ever sent."


s: Next saw ye Dankwart / by doughty Helfrich slain,


s: Gunther and Giselher / did full sorely plain,


s: When they beheld him fallen / where fiercely raged the fray.


s: For his death beforehand / dearly did his foemen pay.


s: The while coursed Wolfhart / thither and back again,


s: Through Gunther's men before him / hewing wide a lane.


s: Thrice in sooth returning / strode he down the hall,


s: And many a lusty warrior / 'neath his doughty hand must fall.


s: Soon the young Sir Giselher / cried aloud to him:


s: "Alack, that I should ever / find such foeman grim!


s: Sir knight, so bold and noble, / now turn thee here to me.


s: I trow to end thy coursing, / the which will I no longer see."


s: To Giselher then turned him / Wolfhart in the fight,


s: And gaping wounds full many / did each the other smite.


s: With such a mighty fury / he to the monarch sped


s: With rapid blows and furious / the son of Ute fair


s: Received the valiant Wolfhart / as came he to him there.


s: How strong soe'er the thane was, / his life must ended be.


s: Never king so youthful / might bear himself more valiantly.


s: Straight he smote Wolfhart / through well-made cuirass,


s: That from the wound all gaping / the flowing blood did pass.


s: Unto death he wounded / Dietrich's liegeman true,


s: When the valiant Wolfhart / of the wound was ware,


s: His shield flung he from him / and high with hand in air


s: Raised he a mighty weapon / whose keen edge failed not.


s: Grimly each the other / there to death had done.


s: Of Dietrich's men no longer / lived there ever one.


s: When old Master Hildebrand / Wolfhart's fall had seen,


s: In all his life there never / such sorrow him befell, I ween.


s: Fallen now were Gunther's / warriors every one,


s: And eke the men of Dietrich. / Hildebrand the while had gone


s: Where Wolfhart had fallen / down in pool of blood.


s: In his arms then clasped he / the warrior of dauntless mood.


s: Forth from the hall to bear him / vainly did he try:


s: But all too great the burden / and there he still must lie.


s: The dying knight looked upward / from his bloody bed


s: And saw how that full gladly / him his uncle thence had led.


s: Spake he thus mortal wounded: / "Uncle full dear to me,


s: Now mayst thou at such season / no longer helpful be.


s: To guard thee well from Hagen / indeed me seemeth good,


s: For bears he in his bosom / a heart in sooth of grimmest mood.


s: "And if for me my kinsmen / at my death would mourn,


s: Unto the best and nearest / by thee be message borne


s: That for me they weep not, / --of that no whit is need.


s: At hand of valiant monarch / here lie I gloriously dead.


s: "Eke my life so dearly / within this hall I've sold,


s: That have sore cause for weeping / the wives of warriors bold.


s: If any make thee question, / then mayst thou freely say


s: That my own hand nigh hundred / warriors hath slain to-day."


s: Now was Hagen mindful / of the minstrel slain,


s: From whom the valiant Hildebrand / erstwhile his life had ta'en.


s: Unto the Master spake he: / "My woes shalt thou repay.


s: He smote upon Hildebrand / that loud was heard the tone


s: Of Balmung resounding / that erst did Siegfried own,


s: But Hagen bold did seize it / when he the hero slew.


s: The old warrior did guard him, / as he was knight of mettle true.


s: Dietrich's doughty liegeman / with broadsword did smite


s: That did cut full sorely, / upon Tronje's knight;


s: Yet had the man of Gunther / never any harm.


s: Through his cuirass well-jointed / Hagen smote with mighty arm.


s: Soon as his wound perceived / the aged Hildebrand,


s: Feared he more of damage / to take from Hagen's hand;


s: Across his back full deftly / his shield swung Dietrich's man,


s: And wounded deep, the hero / in flight 'fore Hagen's fury ran.


s: Now longer lived not any / of all that goodly train


s: Save Gunther and Hagen, / doughty warriors twain.


s: With blood from wound down streaming / fled Master Hildebrand,


s: He found the chieftain sitting / with sorrow all distraught,


s: Yet mickle more of sadness / unto him he brought.


s: When Dietrich saw how Hildebrand / cuirass all blood-red wore,


s: With fearful heart he questioned, / what the news to him he bore.


s: "Now tell me, Master Hildebrand, / how thus wet thou be


s: From thy life-blood flowing, / or who so harmeth thee.


s: In hall against the strangers / thou'st drawn thy sword, I ween.


s: 'Twere well my straight denial / here by these had honored been."


s: Replied he to his master: / "From Hagen cometh all.


s: This deep wound he smote me / there within the hall


s: When I from his fury / thought to turn away.


s: 'Tis marvel that I living / saved me from the fiend this day."


s: Then of Bern spake Dietrich: / "Aright hast thou thy share,


s: For thou didst hear me friendship / unto these knights declare,


s: And now the peace hast broken, / that I to them did give.


s: "Now be not, Master Dietrich, / so sorely stirred to wrath.


s: On me and on my kinsmen / is wrought too great a scathe.


s: Thence sought we Ruediger / to bear all peacefully,


s: The which by men of Gunther / to us no whit would granted be."


s: "Ah, woe is me for sorrow! / Is Ruediger then dead,


s: In all my need there never / such grief hath happened.


s: The noble Gotelinde / is cousin fair to me.


s: Alack for the poor orphans / that there in Bechelaren must be!"


s: Grief and anguish filled him / o'er Ruediger thus slain,


s: Nor might at all the hero / the flowing tears restrain.


s: "Alack for faithful helper / that death from me hath torn.


s: King Etzel's trusty liegeman / never may I cease to mourn.


s: "Canst thou, Master Hildebrand, / true the tidings say,


s: Who might be the warrior / that Ruediger did slay?"


s: "That did the doughty Gernot / with mighty arm," he said:


s: "Eke at hand of Ruediger / lieth the royal hero dead."


s: Spake he again to Hildebrand: / "Now let my warriors know,


s: That straightway they shall arm them, / for thither will I go.


s: And bid to fetch hither / my shining mail to me.


s: Myself those knights will question / of the land of Burgundy."


s: "Who here shall do thee service?" / spake Master Hildebrand;


s: "All that thou hast yet living, / thou seest before thee stand.


s: Of all remain I only; / the others, they are dead."


s: For in his life did never / such woe to him befall.


s: He spake: "Hath death so reft me / of my warriors all,


s: God hath forsaken Dietrich, / ah me, a wretched wight!


s: "How might it ever happen?" / Dietrich spake again,


s: "That so worthy heroes / here should all be slain


s: By the battle-weary / strangers thus beset?


s: "Since that fate not further / to me would respite give,


s: Then tell me, of the strangers / doth any longer live?"


s: Answered Master Hildebrand: / "God wot, never one


s: Save Hagen, and beside him / Gunther lofty king alone."


s: "Alack, O faithful Wolfhart, / must I thy death now mourn,


s: Soon have I cause to rue me / that ever I was born.


s: Who now shall be my helpers / in the Amelungen land?


s: "Helfrich, thane full valiant, / and is he likewise slain?


s: For Gerbart and Wichart / when shall I cease to plain?


s: Of all my life's rejoicing / is this the latest day.


s: Alack that die for sorrow / never yet a mortal may!"


s: How Gunther and Hagen and Kriemhild were Slain


s: Himself did then Sir Dietrich / his armor take in hand,


s: To don the which did help him / Master Hildebrand.


s: The doughty chieftain meanwhile / must make so loud complain


s: That from high palace casement / oft came back the sound again.


s: Natheless his proper humor / soon he did regain,


s: And armed full in anger / stood the worthy thane;


s: A shield all wrought full firmly / took he straight in hand,


s: And forth they strode together, / he and Master Hildebrand.


s: Spake then of Tronje Hagen: / "Lo, where doth hither wend


s: In wrath his way Sir Dietrich. / 'Tis plain he doth intend


s: On us to wreak sore vengeance / for harm befallen here.


s: To-day be full decided / who may the prize for valor bear!


s: "Let ne'er of Bern Sir Dietrich / hold him so high of might


s: Nor deem his arm so doughty / and terrible in fight


s: That, will he wreak his anger / on us for sorest scathe,"--


s: Upon these words defiant / left Dietrich Hildebrand,


s: And to the warriors hither / came where both did stand


s: Without before the palace, / and leaning respite found.


s: Addressed to them Sir Dietrich / these words of sorrowing:


s: "Wherefore hast thou such evil, / Gunther mighty king,


s: Wrought 'gainst me a stranger? / What had I done to thee,


s: Of my every comfort / in such manner reft to be?


s: "Seemed then not sufficient / the havoc unto you


s: When from us the hero / Ruediger ye slew,


s: That now from me ye've taken / my warriors one and all?


s: "Of your own selves bethink you / and what the scathe ye bore,


s: The death of your companions / and all your travail sore,


s: If not your hearts, good warriors, / thereat do heavy grow.


s: "In all this world to any / more sorrow ne'er befell,


s: Yet have ye minded little / my loss and yours as well.


s: Whate'er I most rejoiced in / beneath your hands lies slain;


s: Yea, for my kinsmen fallen / never may I cease to plain."


s: "No guilt lies here upon us," / Hagen in answer spake.


s: "Unto this hall hither / your knights their way did take,


s: With goodly train of warriors / full armed for the fight.


s: Meseemeth that the story / hath not been told to thee aright."


s: "What shall I else believe in? / To me told Hildebrand


s: How, when the knights that serve me / of Amelungenland


s: Did beg the corse of Ruediger / to give them from the hall,


s: Nought offered ye but mockings / unto the valiant warriors all."


s: Then spake the King of Rhineland: / "Ruediger to bear away


s: Came they in company hither; / whose corse to them deny


s: I bade, despiting Etzel, / nor with aught malice more,


s: Whereupon did Wolfhart / begin to rage thereat full sore."


s: Then spake of Bern the hero: / "'Twas fated so to be.


s: Yet Gunther, noble monarch, / by thy kingly courtesy


s: Amends make for the sorrow / thou here on me hast wrought,


s: That so thy knightly honor / still unsullied be in aught.


s: "Then yield to me as hostage / thyself and eke thy man;


s: So will I surely hinder, / as with best might I can,


s: That any here in Hunland / harm unto thee shall do:


s: Henceforward shalt thou find me / ever well disposed and true."


s: "God in heaven forfend it," / Hagen spake again,


s: "That unto thee should yield them / ever warriors twain


s: Who in their strength reliant / all armed before thee stand,


s: And yet 'fore foes defiant / may freely swing a blade in hand."


s: "So shall ye not," spake Dietrich, / "proffered peace forswear,


s: Gunther and Hagen. / Misfortune such I bear


s: At both your hands, 'tis certain / ye did but do aright,


s: Would ye for so great sorrow / now my heart in full requite.


s: "I give you my sure promise / and pledge thereto my hand


s: That I will bear you escort / home unto your land;


s: With honors fit I'll lead you, / thereon my life I set,


s: And for your sake sore evil / suffered at your hands forget."


s: "Ask thou such thing no longer," / Hagen then replied.


s: "For us 'twere little fitting / the tale be bruited wide,


s: That twain of doughty warriors / did yield them 'neath thy hand.


s: Beside thee is none other / now but only Hildebrand."


s: Then answered Master Hildebrand: / "The hour may come, God wot,


s: Sir Hagen, when thus lightly / disdain it thou shalt not


s: If any man such offer / of peace shall make to thee.


s: Welcome might now my master's / reconciliation be."


s: "I'd take in sooth his friendship," / Hagen gave reply,


s: "Ere that I so basely / forth from a hall would fly.


s: As thou hast done but lately, / O Master Hildebrand.


s: I weened with greater valor / couldst thou 'fore a foeman stand."


s: Thereto gave answer Hildebrand: / "From thee reproach like that?


s: Who was then on shield so idle / 'fore the Waskenstein that sat,


s: The while that Spanish Walter / friend after friend laid low?


s: Such valor thou in plenty / hast in thine own self to show."


s: Outspake then Sir Dietrich: / "Ill fits it warriors bold


s: That they one another / like old wives should scold.


s: Thee forbid I, Hildebrand, / aught to parley more.


s: Ah me, most sad misfortune / weigheth on my heart full sore.


s: "Let me hear, Sir Hagen," / Dietrich further spake,


s: "What boast ye doughty warriors / did there together make,


s: When that ye saw me hither / come with sword in hand?


s: Thought ye then not singly / me in combat to withstand?"


s: "In sooth denieth no one," / bold Sir Hagen spake,


s: "That of the same with sword-blow / I would trial make,


s: An but the sword of Niblung / burst not within my hand.


s: When Dietrich now perceived / how Hagen raged amain,


s: Raise his shield full quickly / did the doughty thane.


s: As quick upon him Hagen / adown the perron sprang,


s: Then knew full well Sir Dietrich / that the warrior keen


s: Savage was of humor, / and best himself to screen


s: Sought of Bern the hero / from many a murderous blow,


s: Whereby the valiant Hagen / straightway came he well to know.


s: Eke fear he had of Balmung, / a strong and trusty blade.


s: Each blow meanwhile Sir Dietrich / with cunning art repaid,


s: Till that he dealt to Hagen / a wound both deep and long,


s: So will I yet make trial / if I may not subdue


s: Thee unto me as hostage." / Light task 'twas not the same to do.


s: In such wise was subdued / by him the doughty knight;


s: Gunther the noble monarch / did weep to see his sorry plight.


s: Bind Hagen then did Dietrich, / and led him where did stand


s: Kriemhild the royal lady, / and gave into her hand


s: Of all the bravest warrior / that ever weapon bore.


s: After her mickle sorrow / had she merry heart once more.


s: For joy before Sir Dietrich / bent royal Etzel's wife:


s: "Blessed be thou ever / in heart while lasteth life.


s: Through thee is now forgotten / all my dire need;


s: An death do not prevent me, / from me shall ever be thy meed."


s: Then spake to her Sir Dietrich, / "Take not his life away,


s: High and royal lady, / for full will he repay


s: Thee for the mickle evil / on thee have wrought his hands.


s: Then bade she forth lead Hagen / to dungeon keep near by,


s: Wherein he lay fast bolted / and hid from every eye.


s: Gunther, the noble monarch, / with loudest voice did say:


s: "The knight of Bern who wrongs me, / whither hath he fled away?"


s: Meanwhile back towards him / the doughty Dietrich came,


s: And found the royal Gunther / a knight of worthy name.


s: Eke he might bide longer / but down to meet him sprang,


s: And soon with angry clamor / their swords before the palace rang.


s: How famed soe'er Sir Dietrich / and great the name he bore,


s: With wrath was filled King Gunther, / and eke did rage full sore


s: At thought of grievous sorrow / suffered at his hand:


s: In store of doughty valor / each did nothing lack.


s: From palace and from tower / the din of blows came back


s: As on well-fastened helmets / the lusty swords came down,


s: And royal Gunther's valor / in the fight full clear was shown.


s: The knight of Bern yet tamed him / as Hagen erst befell,


s: And oozing through his armor / the blood was seen to swell


s: From cut of sharpest weapon / in Dietrich's arm that swung.


s: Right worthily King Gunther / had borne him after labors long.


s: Bound was then the monarch / by Sir Dietrich's hand,


s: Albeit bonds should suffer / ne'er king of any land.


s: But deemed he, if King Gunther / and Hagen yet were free,


s: Secure might never any / from their searching vengeance be.


s: When in such manner Dietrich / the king secure had bound


s: By the hand he led him / where Kriemhild he found.


s: At sight of his misfortune / did sorrow from her flee:


s: Quoth she: "Welcome Gunther / from out the land of Burgundy."


s: He spake: "Then might I thank thee, / sister of high degree,


s: When that some whit more gracious / might thy greeting be.


s: So angry art thou minded / ever yet, O queen,


s: Full spare shall be thy greeting / to Hagen and to me, I ween."


s: Then spake of Bern the hero: / "Ne'er till now, O queen,


s: Given o'er as hostage / have knights so worthy been,


s: As I, O lofty lady, / in these have given to thee:


s: I pray thee higher evils / to spare them now for sake of me."


s: She vowed to do it gladly. / Then forth Sir Dietrich went


s: With weeping eyes to see there / such knights' imprisonment.


s: In grimmest ways thereafter / wreaked vengeance Etzel's wife:


s: She let them lie asunder / the less at ease to be,


s: Nor did each the other / thenceforward ever see


s: Till that unto Hagen / her brother's head she bore.


s: Forth where she should find Hagen / the queen her way did take,


s: And in right angry manner / she to the warrior spake:


s: "An thou wilt but restore me / that thou hast ta'en from me,


s: So may'st thou come yet living / home to the land of Burgundy."


s: Answered thereto grim Hagen: / "'Twere well thy breath to save,


s: Full high and royal lady. / Sworn by my troth I have


s: That I the hoard will tell not; / the while that yet doth live


s: Of my masters any, / the treasure unto none I'll give."


s: "Then ended be the story," / the noble lady spake.


s: She bade them from her brother / straightway his life to take.


s: His head they struck from off him, / which by the hair she bore


s: When that he in horror / his master's head had seen,


s: Cried the doughty warrior / unto Kriemhild the queen:


s: "Now is thy heart's desire / at length accomplished.


s: And eke hath all befallen / as my foreboding heart hath said.


s: "Dead lieth now the noble / king of Burgundy,


s: Also youthful Giselher / and Sir Gernot eke doth he.


s: The treasure no one knoweth / but God and me alone,


s: Nor e'er by thee, she-devil, / shall its hiding-place be known."


s: Quoth she: "But ill requital / hast thou made to me.


s: Yet mine the sword of Siegfried / now henceforth shall be,


s: The which when last I saw him, / my loved husband bore,


s: She drew it from the scabbard, / nor might he say her nay,


s: Though thought she from the warrior / his life to take away.


s: With both hands high she raised it / and off his head struck she,


s: "To arms!" cried then the monarch: / "here lieth foully slain


s: Beneath the hand of woman / of all the doughtiest thane


s: That e'er was seen in battle / or ever good shield bore!


s: Though foeman howsoever, / yet grieveth this my heart full sore."


s: Quoth then the aged Hildebrand: / "Reap no gain she shall,


s: That thus she dared to slay him. / Whate'er to me befall,


s: And though myself in direst / need through him have been,


s: By me shall be avenged / the death of Tronje's knight full keen."


s: In wrathful mood then Hildebrand / unto Kriemhild sprung,


s: And 'gainst the queen full swiftly / his massy blade he swung.


s: Aloud she then in terror / 'fore Hildebrand did wail,


s: So all those warriors fated / by hand of death lay strewn,


s: And e'en the queen full lofty / in pieces eke was hewn.


s: Dietrich and royal Etzel / at length to weep began,


s: And grievously they mourned / kinsmen slain and many a man.


s: Who late stood high in honor / now in death lay low,


s: And fate of all the people / weeping was and woe.


s: To mourning now the monarch's / festal tide had passed,


s: As falls that joy to sorrow / turneth ever at the last.


s: Nor can I tell you further / what later did befall,


s: But that good knights and ladies / saw ye mourning all,


s: And many a noble squire, / for friends in death laid low.


s: Here hath the story ending, / --that is the Nibelungen woe.


s: THE piping of our slender, peaceful reeds


s: Whispers uncared for while the trumpets bray;


s: Song is thin air; our hearts' exulting play


s: Beats time but to the tread of marching deeds,


s: Following the mighty van that Freedom leads,


s: Her glorious standard flaming to the day!


s: The crimsoned pavement where a hero bleeds


s: Breathes nobler lessons than the poet's lay.


s: Strong arms, broad breasts, brave hearts, are better worth


s: Rolls o'er the prairied West, the rock-bound North


s: The myriad-handed Future stretches forth


s: Its shadowy palms. Behold, we come,--we come!


s: Turn o'er these idle leaves. Such toys as these


s: Were not unsought for, as, in languid dreams,


s: We lay beside our lotus-feeding streams,


s: And nursed our fancies in forgetful ease.


s: It matters little if they pall or please,


s: Dropping untimely, while the sudden gleams


s: Glare from the mustering clouds whose blackness seems


s: Too swollen to hold its lightning from the trees.


s: Yet, in some lull of passion, when at last


s: These calm revolving moons that come and go--


s: Turning our months to years, they creep so slow--


s: Have brought us rest, the not unwelcome past


s: May flutter to thee through these leaflets, cast


s: On the wild winds that all around us blow.


s: The story, which I have told literally in rhyme, has been made


s: the subject of a carefully studied and interesting romance by Mr.


s: That matrons tell, with sharpened tongue,


s: And warmed their hearths with lawless fires


s: Wise Phipps, who held the seals of state


s: Brave Knowles, whose press-gang moved of late


s: 'T was strange no Chloe's "beauteous Form,"


s: What chance his wayward course may shape


s: That shut between their outstretched arms


s: Nahant thrusts outward through the waves


s: And breaks the roaring surge that braves


s: The sharp-winged sea-fowl's breeding-rock,


s: Then free the white-sailed shallops glide,


s: Till, shoreward bent, his streams divide


s: Still wearing, as their grandsires wore,


s: "Ha! Nymphs and Graces!" spoke the Knight;


s: He searched her features through and through,


s: 'T was strange, 't was sad,--so fresh, so fair!


s: And lips could shape, in prose and rhyme,


s: 'T is midnight,--street and square are still;


s: More servants, and more servants still,--


s: "_Servant!_ fine servant!" laughed aloud


s: "She looks too fair, she steps too proud,


s: "Haste, Haste, post Haste!" the letters bear;


s: "Nay, droop not thus,--where'er," he cried,


s: Though autumn's rustling leaves have spread


s: Unscathed, she treads the wreck-piled street,


s: One cry,--the marble shaft she grasps,--


s: He breathes,--her fainting form he clasps,--


s: Clasped, shroudless, in their closing grave,


s: The vow is spoke,--the prayer is said,--


s: That still the strong-armed clown protests


s: "She saved thee from the jaws of death,--


s: I tell thee,--I, who gave thee breath,--


s: The breast that trampling death could spare


s: Still sparkling with their old renown,--


s: The hangings, rough with velvet flowers,


s: The climbing vines, the snow-balls fair,


s: CLEAR the brown path, to meet his coulter's gleam!


s: Lo! on he comes, behind his smoking team,


s: With toil's bright dew-drops on his sunburnt brow,


s: The lord of earth, the hero of the plough!


s: First in the field before the reddening sun,


s: Last in the shadows when the day is done,


s: Line after line, along the bursting sod,


s: Marks the broad acres where his feet have trod;


s: Still, where he treads, the stubborn clods divide,


s: The smooth, fresh furrow opens deep and wide;


s: Matted and dense the tangled turf upheaves,


s: Mellow and dark the ridgy cornfield cleaves;


s: Up the steep hillside, where the laboring train


s: Slants the long track that scores the level plain;


s: Through the moist valley, clogged with oozing clay,


s: The patient convoy breaks its destined way;


s: At every turn the loosening chains resound,


s: The swinging ploughshare circles glistening round,


s: Till the wide field one billowy waste appears,


s: And wearied hands unbind the panting steers.


s: These are the hands whose sturdy labor brings


s: The peasant's food, the golden pomp of kings;


s: This is the page, whose letters shall be seen


s: Changed by the sun to words of living green;


s: Spells the first lesson hunger taught to men;


s: These are the lines which heaven-commanded Toil


s: Shows on his deed,--the charter of the soil.


s: O gracious Mother, whose benignant breast


s: Wakes us to life, and lulls us all to rest,


s: How thy sweet features, kind to every clime,


s: Mock with their smile the wrinkled front of time


s: We stain thy flowers,--they blossom o'er the dead;


s: We rend thy bosom, and it gives us bread;


s: O'er the red field that trampling strife has torn,


s: Waves the green plumage of thy tasselled corn;


s: Our maddening conflicts sear thy fairest plain,


s: Still thy soft answer is the growing grain.


s: Yet, O our Mother, while uncounted charms


s: Steal round our hearts in thine embracing arms,


s: And thy fond sweetness waste our strength away.


s: No! by these hills, whose banners now displayed


s: By yon twin summits, on whose splintery crests


s: The tossing hemlocks hold the eagles' nests;


s: By these fair plains the mountain circle screens,


s: And feeds with streamlets from its dark ravines,


s: True to their home, these faithful arms shall toil


s: To crown with peace their own untainted soil;


s: And, true to God, to freedom, to mankind,


s: If her chained bandogs Faction shall unbind,


s: These stately forms, that bending even now


s: Bowed their strong manhood to the humble plough,


s: Shall rise erect, the guardians of the land,


s: The same stern iron in the same right hand,


s: Till o'er their hills the shouts of triumph run,


s: The sword has rescued what the ploughshare won!


s: WINTER is past; the heart of Nature warms


s: Beneath the wrecks of unresisted storms;


s: Doubtful at first, suspected more than seen,


s: The southern slopes are fringed with tender green;


s: On sheltered banks, beneath the dripping eaves,


s: Spring's earliest nurslings spread their glowing leaves,


s: Bright with the hues from wider pictures won,


s: White, azure, golden,--drift, or sky, or sun,--


s: The snowdrop, bearing on her patient breast


s: The frozen trophy torn from Winter's crest;


s: Till her own iris wears its deepened hue;


s: The spendthrift crocus, bursting through the mould


s: Naked and shivering with his cup of gold.