t, and ye
would requite me. I give you my hand and troth as pledge, that I will
ride with you, home to your land. I'll lead you in all honor, or else
lie dead, and for your sakes I will forget my grievous wrongs."

"Crave this no longer," answered Hagen. "'Twere fitting, that the tale
be told of us, that two men so brave had given themselves up to you. We
see none standing by you, save Hildebrand alone."

Then up spake Master Hildebrand: "God wot, Sir Hagen, the hour will
come, when ye will gladly take the peace, if so be any offer to keep it
with you. Ye might well content you with the truce my lord doth offer."

"Forsooth I'd take the truce," quoth Hagen, "or ever I'd flee from out
a hall so shamefully as ye did, Master Hildebrand. I weened, ye could
stand better against a foe."

To this Hildebrand made answer: "Why twit ye me with that? Who was it
sate upon a shield hard by the Waskstone, (1) when Walter of Spain slew
so many of his kin? Ye, too, have faults enow of your own to show."

Then spake Sir Dietrich: "Ill doth it beseem heroes, that they should
scold like aged beldams. I forbid you, Hildebrand, to speak aught more.
Grievous wrongs constrain me, homeless warrior. Let's hear, Knight
Hagen, what ye twain did speak, ye doughty men, when ye saw me coming
toward you armed? Ye said, that ye alone would fain encounter me in
strife."

"Certes, none doth deny," Knight Hagen spake, "that I will essay it here
with mighty blows, unless be, that the sword of Nibelung break in my
hand. Wroth am I, that we twain have here been craved as hostages."

When Dietrich noted Hagen's raging mood, quickly the doughty knight and
good snatched up his shield. How swiftly Hagen sprang toward him from
the steps! Loudly the good sword of Nibelung rang on Dietrich's head.
Then wist Dietrich well, that the bold knight was grim of mood. The
lord of Berne gan guard him against the fearful blows, for well he knew
Hagen, the stately knight. Balmung he also feared, a weapon stout enow.
Dietrich returned the blows at times in cunning wise, until at last he
conquered Hagen in the strife. A wound he dealt him, the which was
deep and long. Then Lord Dietrich thought him: "Thou art worn out with
strife; little honor shall I have, and thou liest dead before me. I will
try, if perchance I can force thee to be my hostage."

This he wrought with danger. His shield he let fall, great was his
strength, and clasped Hagen of Troneg in his arms. Thus