So a mighty array of warriors all-armed to the door drew near. Then cried the viol-minstrel: "O yea, yet are we here! {P. 292} Never so gladly beheld I heroes come to the fight As these which have taken the treasure of the King to do us despite." Then many a stern voice shouted: "Ye heroes, come more nigh! Make ye an end of us quickly, seeing we needs must die! Here shall ye find none waiting save them whom death is to win!" Soon were the bucklers heavy with the spears that quivered therein. What shall I more say?--hundreds twelve, with toil and strain Of mightiest sword-strokes battled to break through once and again; But with gaping wounds the defenders cooled their fiery mood. By none could their strife be parted: rushed in torrents the blood Out of the death-deep gashes: fast, fast men fell and died. Lamentation for dear friends perished shrieked up on every side. So fought they, till all those champions of Etzel the mighty fell, And nought was heard but the wailing of them that loved them well. XXXVII. How the Margrave Rüdiger was slain That morn had the homeless heroes like battling giants warred. And now came into the courtyard of the palace Gotlind's lord; And he saw what fearful havoc had been wrought unto Hun and to guest. Wept Rüdiger the true-hearted with sorrow-burdened breast. "Alas and alas," cried the hero, "that I live this day to see! And none can now put an ending to this calamity! Fain would I make reconcilement, but now no word of peace Will the King hear, seeing that ever doth the mischief done him increase." Then Rüdiger the noble sent unto Dietrich of Bern, If perchance some little relenting he might win from Etzel the stern. But the Lord of Bern sent answer: "The doom who now may stay? No man will King Etzel suffer to stand between him and the prey." {P. 293} Then a certain man of the Hunfolk saw Rüdiger making dole With weeping eyes; for long time had he stood there bitter of soul. And spake to the Queen that scorner: "Behold him idly stand Whom Etzel and thou have exalted above all else in the land! Lordships he hath and vassals; to him all minister. Wherefore be castles so many committed to Rüdiger, Those stately towers that he holdeth now of the King our Lord? No knightly blow hath he stricken in this war-storm with his sword. Meseemeth he recketh little what here unto us may betide, So himself be full of substance and his greed be satisfied. Men vaunt him a champion braver than any in all our array: Little enow hath he proved it in this our evil day!"