g death preferable to such dishonour.
Kriemhild, in her bitter hate, set the hall on fire, and most of the
Burgundians perished in the conflagration. Kriemhild and the Huns were
astounded, however, when in the morning they discovered six hundred
of the Burgundians were still alive. The queen appealed to Ruediger to
complete the slaughter, but he, aghast at the idea of attacking friends
whom he had sworn to protect, was about to refuse, when Kriemhild
reminded him of his oath to her. With sorrow he proceeded to fulfil his
promise, and Giselher, seeing his approach, imagined he came as an ally.
But Ruediger promptly disillusioned him. The Burgundians were as loath
to attack Ruediger as he them, and Hagen and he exchanged shields. The
combat recommenced, and great was the slaughter of the Burgundians,
until Gernot and Ruediger came together and slew one another. At this,
Wolfhart, Dietrich of Bern's lieutenant, led his men against the
Burgundians to avenge Ruediger's death, and Giselher and Wolfhart slew
one another. Volker and Dankwart were also slain. At length all were
dead save Gunther and Hagen, whom Dietrich accosted and whom he offered
to save. But this offer Hagen refused. Then the Lord of Bern grew wroth.

Dietrich Intervenes

Dietrich then donned his armour and was assisted to accoutre himself by
Hildebrand. He felt a heroic mood inspire him, a good sword was in
his hand, and a stout shield was on his arm, and with the faithful
Hildebrand he went boldly thence.

Hagen espied him coming and said: "Yonder I see Sir Dietrich. He desires
to join battle with us after his great sorrow. To-day shall we see to
whom must go the palm. I fear him not. Let him come on."

This speech was not unheard of Dietrich and Hildebrand, for Hagen
came to where he found the hero leaning against the wall of the house.
Dietrich set his shield on the ground and in woeful tones said: "O king,
wherefore have ye treated me so? All my men are gone, I am bereft of all
good, Knight Ruediger the brave and true is slain. Why have ye done these
things? Never should I have worked you such sorrow. Think on yourselves
and on your wrongs. Do ye not grieve for the death of your good kinsmen?
Ah, how I mourn the fall of Ruediger! Whatsoever joy I have known in life
that have ye slain. It is not for me to sorrow if my kin be slain."

"How so, Dietrich?" asked Hagen. "Did not your men come to this hall
armed from head to heel with intent to slay us?"