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“Take it, Sir Knight, and mayst thou bear it back to Burgundy in
memory of me!”

That Rüdiger so courteously,

Did give away his shield,
Filled many an eye with gentle tears,
And to their hearts appealed.
It was his last and dearest gift;
No more could bold knight crave
In token of the courtesy
Of Rüdiger the brave.

However grim Sir Hagen was,

Or ill-disposed in mind,
The generous gift which Rüdiger
So noble and so kind,
When near his end had given him,
His stubborn heart subdued;
While many a lofty knight did sigh,
As that brave act he viewed.

Said Hagen: “May the Lord of Heaven

Sir Rüdiger protect!
When he shall die, his like on earth
We may no more expect:
For he to homeless, shieldless knight
His own defence did give;
May God vouchsafe that when no more,
His virtues still shall live!”

Then he added: “As for thyself, brave Rüdiger, though thou shouldst
slay us every one, yet never shall this sword be raised against thy
life.” And this stout Volker also swore.
Seizing his arms, Rüdiger rushed upon the Burgundians and the
strife began once more. Hagen and Volker stood aside, nor did
Giselher seek to meet his sword; but deep were the wounds it dealt,
and many the knights that fell before it. Rüdiger’s liegemen followed
him, and soon the hall was filled with the din of battle.
When Gernot saw the terrible havoc Rüdiger’s sword wrought
among the Burgundians, he shouted: “I pray thee, cease, Sir
Rüdiger! Now must I seek vengeance for my true liegemen thou hast
slain and thereby turn thy gift against thyself!”
Therewith they cut their way through the press of battle till they stood
face to face. Fast fell the strokes of sword on shield and helm, till
Rüdiger, whirling his sword aloft, smote Gernot; and as Gernot
received his death wound he grasped his sword with both hands and
dealt Rüdiger the mightiest blow that ever he had struck. Both
heroes fell, slain at the same moment by each other’s hands.
When Hagen saw this, his wrath was terrible to behold, and he
swore Rüdiger’s men should pay dearly therefor, while loud were the
lamentations of the princes for the death of their brother. Mad with
fury now, they rushed upon the foe, nor was it long ere the last man
lay dead.
Now once more there was silence, and those who were left of the
Burgundians laid aside their arms to rest them after the fierce
struggle. Meanwhile Etzel and Kriemhild waited without, expecting
each moment to see Rüdiger come forth with word that the
Burgundians were slain. But when all grew still again she began to
doubt that hero, and cried aloud that he had deceived her and made
peace with her foes. Whereat Volker shouted wrathfully: “If I dared to
give the lie to lady such as thou, O Queen, I would right willingly! So
loyally hath Rüdiger kept faith with thee that here he lieth dead with
all his knights. An thou art loath to trust my word, then may thine own
eyes banish doubt.”
Therewith the body was borne out by four knights and laid upon the
stairs. When Etzel beheld this, he cried aloud with grief, while from
all the Huns arose such wails and plaints of woe that they spread far
beyond the court, and tower and hall reëchoed with the cries.
 Chapter XXXII
Hildebrand and Dietrich

NE of Dietrich’s knights heard the doleful sound and

hastened to his master, crying: “I pray thee, lord, give ear!
Etzelburg gives forth such cries of woe and lamentation as
never yet have I heard. I fear the Burgundians have slain
the King or Kriemhild!”
The knights all sprang to their feet, with swords aloft, but Dietrich
said: “Draw not your swords, my faithful liegemen, nor judge too
rashly those of Burgundy, for I have peace with them. Stern
necessity has compelled them to do much that they have done.”
Then stepped forth Wolfhart, the boldest and fiercest of the knights.
In former days he had met Hagen in battle and sorely wounded him,
and now he sought leave to go and learn what had befallen. This
would not Dietrich grant, however, for he feared lest the fiery
Wolfhart should affront the Burgundians with too hasty words. He
despatched Helferich instead, who soon returned with the grievous
news of Rüdiger’s death. Horror-stricken, Dietrich cried: “God forbid
that such report should be true! Sir Rüdiger always held yon heroes
dear in his regard, as well I know. How then could he have earned
such reward of them?”
Wolfhart shouted furiously: “Now, by my faith, an they have slain that
chief who hath done us many a service, they shall die,—aye, every
man!”
Thereupon Dietrich bade the ancient Hildebrand go to the
Burgundians and learn more nearly of the matter, while overcome
with grief he sat by the window to wait his return. As Hildebrand was
about to depart, Wolfhart cried: “Nay, go not thus unarmed, good
master, or perchance yon haughty chiefs will send thee back with
insult. But an they see thou canst defend thyself, then they will spare
thee such attack.”
So the old hero donned mail and helm, and taking his sword and
shield, rode forth. But the knights all followed, likewise fully armed;
and when he asked the cause thereof, they said they would not that
he came to harm. Meanwhile the Burgundians had borne the body of
Rüdiger back within the hall; and as Volker spied Hildebrand and the
knights, he warned his comrades of their approach. Whereupon
Günther and Giselher strode to the window, Hagen following.
The warriors drew rein in the courtyard, while Hildebrand lowered his
shield and asked in Dietrich’s name if it was indeed true that they
had slain Sir Rüdiger. For such foul wrong, he added, might not go
unavenged.
Hagen replied: “Heartily do I wish, Sir Hildebrand, that thou hadst
been deceived. Yet it is true, alas! Noble Rüdiger lies dead in this
hall, nor can his loss be bewailed too deeply!”
Then arose a great cry of woe from Dietrich’s band, and many a
bearded warrior’s cheeks were wet with tears.
For sobbing, noble Hildebrand
No question more could ask:
Said he: “Now, knights, perform the will
Of him who set the task!
Give us, from out the hall forthwith
Sir Rüdiger again,
Whose death is cause of so much grief
To all these warlike men.
That we repay by obsequies
His martial feats of yore
And noble friendship shown to us,
Now lost forevermore.”
And Günther consented to this; but Wolfhart, who could no longer
contain his wrath, demanded with threatening gestures how long
they were to beg and wait for what they sought. Volker replied that
none should bring it to them now; if they would have Rüdiger’s body
they must come with their swords and fetch it themselves from out
the hall. He added: “Such service, methinks, were but Sir Rüdiger’s
due.”
Furious at this, Wolfhart would have rushed at Volker, but Hildebrand
withheld him by force. “Nay—curb thy headlong wrath! or thou wilt
surely bring disgrace upon us all!”
“Let loose, good master Hildebrand,
That lion of rash mood,
That he may come within my reach!”
So said the minstrel good,
“And though he may have slain a host
Of valiant knights before,
I’ll smite him such a stinging blow
That he’ll reply no more.”
These words filled Dietrich’s men with rage, while Wolfhart with a
fierce shout tore himself free and like a raging lion leapt upon his foe,
followed by all the knights. But old Hildebrand was there before him,
“for since to fighting it must come—himself would be the first.”
Straight on Hagen he rushed, and therewith arose a mighty clashing
of sword on shield, while the sparks flew in showers. Yet soon were
they parted by the tide of battle that surged about them. So terrible
was the din, it was as that of a thousand forges. Bravely did they
fight on either side, but Günther and Giselher, Hagen and his brother
Dankwart, and Volker, outdid all the rest. Now Hildebrand saw Volker
slay Sir Dietrich’s kinsman Siegestab, and thirsting for vengeance,
the old warrior sprang upon him. Not long could he withstand such
furious onslaught, and soon thereby did the brave minstrel meet his
end. At the same moment also was Dankwart slain by Helferich.
When Hagen saw both Volker and his brother dead, he swore most
fearfully to avenge their fall, and therewith he rushed into the thickest
of the fray, slaying right and left, and smiting so fiercely that all his
former efforts seemed but as play.
But stout heroes were not lacking among Dietrich’s warriors, and
surely was there never seen so mighty and so dire a combat. Thrice
had the fiery Wolfhart encircled the hall, hewing down all before him,
when he encountered Giselher. Fiercely the young prince sprang at
him, and so truly and so mightily he smote that his sword clove
Wolfhart’s shield and hauberk. Yet summoning all his strength, the
dying hero dealt Giselher too his death stroke so that he fell lifeless
at his feet. When Hildebrand saw his nephew Wolfhart fatally smitten
he sprang quickly to his side and sought to bear him from the hall.

Then said the wounded-unto-death:

“Kind uncle, all is o’er!
No help canst thou or any one
Render to Wolfhart more.
One parting word I leave with thee—
Beware of Hagen’s brand;
He has in heart and arm a power
That nothing may withstand.

“If that my friends, when I am dead,

Do weep and mourn for me,
Then to my best and nearest kin
Say, with much clemency,
That they desist from heart-lament,
Nor of my fall complain,
For that I found a glorious death
And was by king’s hand slain.”

And therewith he died.

At last, in all the great hall there were but three heroes left alive,—
Günther, Hagen, and Hildebrand.
Then Hagen smote Sir Hildebrand,
For that he Volker slew;
The ancient chief did ward his blows
With skill and courage too.
Yet could he not prevail against the might of the Burgundian hero,
but soon received a grievous wound from Balmung’s flashing blade;
whereupon, using his shield for cover, he turned and fled to the
courtyard without.
Now lived of all those stalwart knights
No more than these bold two:
Günther, the King of Burgundy,
And Hagen keen and true.
Sorrowfully sat Dietrich in his chamber meanwhile, hoping for better
news from Hildebrand. Little was he aware that his knights had
followed the old warrior, and still less that all by the Burgundians’
swords were slain. Wherefore, when Hildebrand appeared before
him, his armor stained with blood, the hero shrank aghast and
sternly asked if he had been at strife with the Burgundians against
his strict commands. Hildebrand replied that Hagen had wounded
him, and barely had he escaped with his life from that arch-fiend.
Then said Sir Dietrich, haughtily:
“Thou hast been rightly served;
For thou didst know that from these guests
My friendship never swerved;
Also thou hast infringed the peace
I proffered with my breath:
Were’t not that ’twould be lasting shame,
Thou shouldst atone by death.”
Then Hildebrand sought to excuse himself, saying they had but
asked for the body of Rüdiger, and this the Burgundians had refused
them. When Dietrich thus learned that Rüdiger indeed was dead he
abandoned himself to grief, but after a space asked by whose hand
he fell. Hildebrand replied that Gernot had slain him, and by his
hand, in turn, had been slain. Thereupon Dietrich resolved to go
himself and have speech with the Burgundians; and calling for his
armor, he bade Hildebrand summon his knights forthwith.
“Alas! my lord,” cried Hildebrand, “thou seest before thee all thy
warriors!” And while Dietrich gazed at him horror-stricken, he told
him all that had passed.
Now was Dietrich indeed plunged in sorrow. Loudly did he lament
the loss of Wolfhart and all his brave knights, and cried: “This is the
last day of my joy on earth!”
 Chapter XXXIII
Kriemhild’s Revenge and Death

HEN Dietrich of Bern had regained his wonted

composure he asked how many of the Burgundians yet
were left alive, and Hildebrand told him none save
Günther and Hagen,—all the rest were slain.
Whereupon, filled with grief and wrath, he seized his arms and went
forth with Hildebrand to seek them.
Leaning against the arched doorway stood the two Burgundian
heroes, their shields before them on the ground; and when they saw
the knights approaching, Hagen, still undaunted, declared himself
ready to do battle with Sir Dietrich; nor did he fear to meet him,
mighty as he deemed himself, for then would it be proved who was
the better knight.
Dietrich heard this bold speech, but vouchsafed no reply. Laying
down his shield and looking sorrowfully at them, he asked: “Wherein,
O knights of Burgundy, have I injured you, that you should slay the
noble Rüdiger, and with him all my friends and warriors?”
“Not all the blame lies with us, Sir Knight,” said Hagen, “for to this
hall thy men came in arms. Thou hast been misinformed.”
“Alas!” replied Dietrich, “I know only too well what passed; for
Hildebrand but now brought me word that he desired of you the
corpse of Rüdiger, and you treated his suit with scorn.”
“Now, by my faith,” cried Günther, “’twas in despite of Etzel that we
refused; but forthwith Wolfhart grew insolent, and thus it came to
strife.”
Then said Dietrich: “Günther of Burgundy, for the evil thou hast
wrought, methinks thou owest me some amends, and thou likewise,
Sir Hagen. If you will yield yourselves captives to my sword, then I
will guard you from the wrathful Huns,—at peril of my life, if need
be.”
“God in heaven forbid,” cried Hagen, “that two such knights should
give up their trusty swords while alive and well armed withal!”
But again Dietrich urged them to accept his terms, and Hildebrand
added: “God knows, Sir Hagen, there is little need for shame in such
atonement. And soon, it may be, the hour will come when you would
gladly obtain such peace.”
DEATH OF KRIEMHILD
“In faith,” replied Hagen, scornfully, “I would indeed accept such
terms ere I, like thee, would fly full-armed, from a single knight.”
Hildebrand would have returned this taunt, but Dietrich forbade them
thus to bandy words like two old market-wives, and turning to Hagen
he said, sternly: “Tell me, valiant hero, did I hear aright that you
wished to measure swords with me?”
Well as he knew Sir Dietrich’s giant strength, he could not gainsay
this; wherefore he replied that he would willingly abide the issue of a
combat with him, so his good Nibelung sword did not fail him.
Thereupon Dietrich raised his shield as signal for attack, and Hagen
sprang fiercely down to meet him, the sword of the Nibelungs ringing
loudly on the stout shield of his foe. Sir Dietrich, too, was well aware
of Hagen’s might, and sought at first with caution merely to ward his
powerful blows, yet did he lose no chance for skilful sword-strokes
here and there. At last he dealt stout Hagen such a deadly wound
that powerless he sank upon the ground. Then casting his sword and
shield aside, Dietrich quickly bound him fast and led him thus unto
the Queen.
Now, indeed, did Kriemhild’s joy and triumph know no bounds.
Vowing her lasting gratitude to Dietrich, she promised to reward him
well that he had thus delivered up her deadly foe into her hands. But
Dietrich urged her to spare Sir Hagen, saying: “Be merciful, O
Queen! and it may chance that one day he shall make amends to
thee for all thy wrongs.”
To this Kriemhild made no reply, but ordered Hagen to be put in
chains and cast into a dungeon where none might see him.
Meanwhile Günther loudly called for Dietrich, that he might avenge
Hagen’s downfall. Soon he returned and then followed another fierce
encounter; but though Günther fought with the courage of despair,
he was overpowered at last, as Hagen had been, and taken before
the Queen.
Kriemhild bade him welcome; but Günther replied: “Small thanks will
I bestow on thee for thy greetings, for well I know they bode us little
good.”
 Then said the gallant prince of Bern:
“Most high and potent Queen!
There ne’er appeared as captive bound
So brave a knight, I ween,
As he whom unto thee I gave
With loyal courtesy,
At thy fair hands let him partake
Of favor due to me!”
Kriemhild declared she would perform his wish; whereupon Dietrich
departed, his eyes wet with tears. But no thought had she for aught
save vengeance. Causing Günther to be also chained and cast into
a separate dungeon, she betook herself to Hagen. Again she
demanded of him her treasure, promising him his life if he would
confess where he had hidden it.
Hagen, although a captive, wounded and in chains, was still
undaunted. With a scornful glance at Kriemhild he replied: “I gave a
solemn oath to my lord Günther, that never while he drew breath
would I divulge the spot where it lies.”
“Now will I quickly make an end of that, forsooth!” cried Kriemhild;
and thereupon she ordered Günther’s head to be struck off. Then
she took it to Hagen, saying: “Now doth thy lord no longer live and
thereby art thou freed from thy sworn oath!”
But Hagen cried:

“Thou hast indeed thy will fulfilled,

As I did fear thou wouldst!
Now where the hoard lies hid is known
To none but God and me,
And shall from thee, accursed Queen!
Forever hidden be!”

She said: “Thou’st foul atonement made

In purpose, deed, and word;
Therefore will I possess myself
Of virtuous Siegfried’s sword,
 Which he did bear upon his thigh
When last I saw that chief,
Whose death has ever been to me
A keen heart-rending grief.”

She drew it from the well-known sheath

Nor could he this prevent;
To take the warrior’s life forthwith
Was her unmasked intent.
She swung it with both hands, and smote
His head from off its trunk.
King Etzel saw the vengeful deed,
And from its horror shrunk.

Just at this moment the King had appeared in the dungeon with
Hildebrand.
“Alas!” the King of Huns did cry,
“How doth the matter stand—
That he, the boldest of all knights,
Should fall by woman’s hand?
He who in onslaught was the first,
The bravest that bore shield!
Although he was mine enemy,
I fain to sorrow yield.”
But Hildebrand shouted in wrath: “She shall rue this shameful deed!
Though he hath well-nigh slain me, yet will I forthwith take
vengeance for valiant Hagen’s death!”
And drawing his sword he rushed on Kriemhild, and despite her
shrieks he smote the terrified Queen so that she fell dead upon the
ground.
Thus were the mighty of the earth
By hand of death laid low.
The people all lamented loud
And bitter grief did show.
In suffering did the King’s feast end—
 That joyous time was past,
For love to sorrow aye must turn,
So long as life shall last.
 TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:
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