XXVI

Well knew the n.o.ble Dietrich how fierce and fell a knight Was standing now against him; so warily the fight 'Gainst those tempestuous sword-strokes wag'd the good lord of Bern, The strength and skill of Hagan he had not now to learn.

XXVII

He fear'd, too, mighty Balmung as down it swept amain; Yet at times Sir Dietrich with craft would strike again, Till that to sink before him he brought his foeman strong; A fearful wound he gave him that was both deep and long.

XXVIII

Sir Dietrich then bethought him, "Thou'rt faint and ill bestead; I should win little worship, were I to strike thee dead.

I'll make a different trial, if thou can'st now be won By main force for a pris'ner." With wary heed 'twas done.

XXIX

Down he threw his buckler; wondrous was his might; He his arms resistless threw round Trony's knight.

So was by his stronger the man of strength subdued.

Thereat the n.o.ble Gunther remain'd in mournful mood.

x.x.x

His vanquish'd foe Sir Dietrich bound in a mighty band, And led him thence to Kriemhild, and gave into her hand The best and boldest champion that broadsword ever bore.

She after all her anguish felt comfort all the more.

x.x.xI

For joy the queen inclin'd her before the welcome guest; "Sir Knight! in mind and body heaven keep thee ever blessed!

By thee all my long sorrows are shut up in delight.

Ever, if death prevent not, thy service I'll requite."

x.x.xII

"Fair and n.o.ble Kriemhild," thus Sir Dietrich spake, "Spare this captive warrior, who full amends will make For all his past transgressions; him here in bonds you see; Revenge not on the fetter'd th' offences of the free."

x.x.xIII

With that she had Sir Hagan to durance led away, Where no one could behold him, where under lock he lay.

Meanwhile the fierce King Gunther shouted loud and strong, "Whither is gone the Berner? he hath done me grievous wrong."

x.x.xIV

Straight, at the call, to meet him Sir Dietrich swiftly went.

Huge was the strength of Gunther, and deadly his intent.

There he no longer dallied; from th' hall he forward ran; Sword clash'd with sword together, as man confronted man.

x.x.xV

Howe'er renown'd was Dietrich, and train'd in combat well, Yet Gunther fought against him so furious and so fell, And bore him hate so deadly, now friendless left and lone, It seem'd past all conceiving, how Dietrich held his own.

x.x.xVI

Both were of mighty puissance, and neither yielded ground; Palace and airy turret rung with their strokes around, As their swift swords descending their temper'd helmets hew'd Well there the proud King Gunther display'd his manly mood.

x.x.xVII

"Yet him subdued the Berner," as Hagan erst befell; Seen was the blood of the warrior forth through his mail to well Beneath the fatal weapon that Dietrich bore in fight.

Tir'd as he was, still Gunther had kept him like a knight.

x.x.xVIII

So now at length the champion was bound by Dietrich there, How ill soe'er it fitteth a king such bonds to bear.

Gunther and his fierce liegeman if he had left unbound, He ween'd they'd deal destruction on all, whome'er they found.

x.x.xIX

Then by the hand Sir Dietrich took the champion good, And in his bonds thence led him to where fair Kriemhild stood.

She cried, "Thou'rt welcome, Gunther, hero of Burgundy."

"Now G.o.d requite you, Kriemhild, if you speak lovingly."

XL

Said he, "I much should thank you, and justly, sister dear, If true affection prompted the greeting which I hear; But, knowing your fierce temper, proud queen, too well I see, Such greeting is a mocking of Hagan and of me."

XLI

Then said the n.o.ble Berner, "High-descended dame, Ne'er have been brought to bondage knights of such peerless fame, As those, whom you, fair lady, now from your servant take.

Grant these forlorn and friendless fair treatment for my sake."

XLII

She said, she fain would do so; then from the captive pair With weeping eyes Sir Dietrich retir'd and left them there.

Straight a b.l.o.o.d.y vengeance wreak'd Etzel's furious wife On those redoubted champions, and both bereft of life.