Siegfried, when he slew the knight. Then the
old man warded him; in sooth he was brave enow. Dietrich's champion
struck with a broad sword, that cut full sore, at the hero of Troneg,
but could not wound King Gunther's liegeman. Hagen, however, smote him
through his well-wrought hauberk. When old Hildebrand felt the wound, he
feared more scathe at Hagen's hand; his shield he slung across his back
and thus Sir Dietrich's man escaped from Hagen, though sorely wounded.

Now of all the knights none was alive save the twain, Gunther and
Hagen alone. Dripping with blood old Hildebrand went to where he found
Dietrich, and told him the baleful tale. He saw him sitting sadly, but
much more of dole the prince now gained. He spied Hildebrand in his
blood-red hauberk, and asked him tidings, as his fears did prompt him.

"Now tell me, Master Hildebrand, how be ye so wot with your lifeblood?
Pray who hath done you this? I ween, ye have fought with the strangers
in the hall. I forbade it you so sorely, that ye should justly have
avoided it."

Then said he to his lord: "'Twas Hagen that did it. He dealt me this
wound in the hall, when I would fain have turned me from the knight. I
scarce escaped the devil with my life."

Then spake the Lord of Berne: "Rightly hath it happed you, for that ye
have broken the peace, which I had sworn them, sith ye did hear me vow
friendship to the knights. Were it not mine everlasting shame, ye should
lose your life."

"My Lord Dietrich, now be ye not so wroth; the damage to my friends and
me is all too great. Fain would we have carried Rudeger's corse away,
but King Gunther's liegemen would not grant it us."

"Woe is me of these sorrows! If Rudeger then be dead, 'twill bring
me greater dole, than all my woe. Noble Gotelind is the child of my
father's sister; alas for the poor orphans, that be now in Bechelaren."

Rudeger's death now minded him of ruth and dole. Mightily the hero gan
weep; in sooth he had good cause. "Alas for this faithful comrade whom I
have lost! In truth I shall ever mourn for King Etzel's liegeman. Can ye
tell me, Master Hildebrand, true tidings, who be the knight, that hath
slain him there?"

Quoth he: "That stout Gernot did, with might and main, but the hero,
too, fell dead at Rudeger's hands."

Again he spake to Hildebrand: "Pray say to my men, that they arm them
quickly, for I will hie me hither, and bid them make ready my shining
battle weeds. I myself will question the