rew his shield over his back and fled.

Now, of all the knights, none were left alive save two, Gunther and Hagen.

Old Hildebrand, covered with blood, ran with the news to Dietrich, that
he saw sitting sadly where he had left him. Soon the prince had more
cause for woe. When he saw Hildebrand in his bloody harness, he asked
fearfully for his tale. "Now tell me, Master Hildebrand, why thou art so
wet with thy life's blood? Who did it? I ween thou hast fought with the
guests in the hall, albeit I so sternly forbade it. Thou hadst better
have forborne."

Hildebrand answered his master, "Hagen did it. He gave me this wound in
the hall when I turned to flee from him. I scarce escaped the devil with
my life."

Said the prince of Bern, "Thou art rightly served. Thou heardest me vow
friendship to the knights, and thou hast broken the peace I gave them.
Were it not that I shame me to slay thee, thy life were forfeit."

"Be not so wroth, my lord Dietrich. Enough woe hath befallen me and
mine. We would have borne away Rudeger's body, but Gunther's men denied
it."

"Woe is me for this wrong! Is Rudeger then dead? That is the bitterest
of my dole. Noble Gotelind is my cousin's child. Alack! The poor
orphans of Bechlaren!" With ruth and sorrow he wept for Rudeger. "Woe
is me for the true comrade I have lost. I must mourn Etzel's liegeman
forever. Canst thou tell me, Master Hildebrand, who slew him?"

Hildebrand answered, "It was stark Gernot, but the hero fell by Rudeger's
hand."

Said Dietrich, "Bid my men arm them, for I will thither straightway.
Send me my shining harness. I, myself, will question the knights of
Burgundy."

But Master Hildebrand answered, "Who is there to call? Thy sole living
liegeman standeth here. I am the only one. The rest are dead."

Dietrich trembled at the news, and was passing doleful, for never in this
world had he known such woe. He cried, "Are all my men slain? then God
hath forgotten poor Dietrich! I was a great king, rich and proud. Yet
how could they all die, these valiant heroes, by foemen so battle-weary
and sore beset? Death had spared them, but that I am doomed to sorrow.
Since this hard fate is needs mine, tell me if any of the guests be left
alive."

Hildebrand answered, "None save Hagen, and Gunther, the king. God
knoweth I say sooth."

"Woe is me, dear Wolfhart, if I have lost thee! It were better I had
never been born. Siegstab and Wolfwine and