The king, or Lady Kriemhild, or both of them are dead, By those redoubted strangers laid low through fell despite; So weeping and so wailing is many a courtly knight."

IV

Then outspake the Berner, "My merrymen every one, Now be not over-hasty; what has e'en now been done By those home-distant champions, through hard constraint befell.

I proffer'd them my service, now let it boot them well."

V

Quick then spake Sir Wolfhart, "Straight I'll thither run, And inquire the tidings, what the guests have done, Then, my good lord, will tell you, when I there have been And of the truth possess'd me, what all this wail may mean."

VI

Thereto replied Sir Dietrich, "When the heart is gall, Should reckless, rough inquiries just then perchance befall, Wrath's yet glowing embers flame up with ease anew.

I would not have the question, good Wolfhart, ask'd by you."

VII

Then turn'd he to Sir Helfrich, and bade him speed his best, And either from Hungarian or from stranger guest Learn what had really happen'd, that so their grief had stirr'd.

Ne'er had in any country so wild a wail been heard.

VIII

The messenger 'gan question, "Why what has here been done?"

"Oh! we are lost forever!" straight replied a Hun.

"All joy's forever vanish'd, that cheer'd King Etzel's reign.

Here lies the n.o.ble Rudeger, by yon Burgundians slain.

IX

"Of those who enter'd with him return'd no living soul,"

At the words stood Helfrich struck dumb with mortal dole.

Tale of such deep horror never met his ear.

The messenger to Dietrich went back with many a tear.

X

"What are the news you bring us?" cried Dietrich at the sight, "Why do you weep so bitterly, Sir Helfrich, n.o.ble knight?"

"Alas!" exclaim'd the champion, "well may I weep and plain; The hands of yon Burgundians good Rudeger have slain."

XI

"Now G.o.d forbid!" cried Dietrich, "that could I ne'er have ween'd; Sure 'twere a fearful vengeance, and sport for the foul fiend.

How at their hands had Rudeger deserv'd so sad an end?

Full well I know, those strangers had ne'er so firm a friend."

XII

Then answer made Sir Wolfhart, "If they this deed have done, Their lives shall pay the forfeit; die shall they every one.

'Twould be to our dishonor, should we such outrage bear.

Oft we have had good service from n.o.ble Rudeger."

XIII

The lord of th' Amelungers yet more to know was bent.

Down sat he at a window anxious and ill content; Then Hildebrand straight bade he haste to the strangers bold, And what had really happen'd from their own lips be told.

XIV

A well-approved warrior was master Hildebrand, Yet took he, on his message, nor shield nor sword in hand, For all in peaceful fashion to seek the guests he meant. His sister's son beheld it with angry discontent.

XV

Then sternly spake grim Wolfhart, "If thus unarm'd you go, Naught but reproach and insult can hap from such a foe.

With outrage and dishonor needs must you hither back; But if you're seen in harness, you'll find the foremost slack."

XVI

So th' old and wise took counsel of the foolish and the young.

Ere he could don his armor, theirs on in haste had flung All the knights of Dietrich; each shook his naked blade.

Sore it irk'd the warrior; full fain had he renounced such aid.

XVII

Whither would they, inquir'd he--"Thither, good knight with you; What if o'erweening Hagan, to his ill habit true, So much the worse upon you his spite and scorn should vent."

When this was told the champion, he could not but consent.

XVIII

Soon as the valiant Folker saw sheath'd in armor bright The flower of Bern advancing, Sir Dietrich's men of might, Bucklers all uplifting, girded all with swords, Ready notice gave he to his Burgundian lords.

XIX

Thus spake the fearless minstrel, "On this, my lords, advise; There see I Dietrich's Berners come on in hostile guise, All helmeted and harnessed;--they'll fight us, well I know.