Then did the great King Etzel set him withal to entreat; And they knelt in supplication, they twain, at the hero's feet. Then was the noble Margrave 'neath a burden of sorrow bowed, And the loyal knight in anguish of spirit cried aloud: "Woe's me, the God-forsaken, that I live to see this day! All my manhood's honour must I now cast away, {P. 295} All loyal faith God-given, and all my knightly renown! Ah God in Heaven, why rather may death not smite me down? Which deed soever I turn from, to take the other on me, I play the part of a traitor, I act all evilly. Though I take the part of neither, still will the world cry shame. Oh that He now would guide me, from whose fashioning hands I came!" They hung upon him so sorely, the King and Kriemhild his wife, That doomed was many a warrior to cast away his life By Rüdiger's right hand smitten, yea, the hero's self must die. Now hearken ye to the story of the woe he won thereby. Well knew he that scathe and sorrow unmixed should be all his gain. Of a truth unto Etzel and Kriemhild had he denied full fain Herein to fulfil their pleasure. A dark thought haunted his breast, That the world would hold him accursèd if he slew one single guest. Then spake once more unto Etzel that hero battle-bold: "Lord King, take back, I pray thee, all things that of thee I hold, My lordships and my castles--I will keep nor wealth nor lands. Forth on my feet into exile will I fare with empty hands. (C) Stripped bare of all my possessions thy land will I leave--to be free! Only my wife and my daughter will I lead by the hand with me. I choose this, rather than passing to meet death perjured-souled. In an evil hour to thy service did I bind me to earn thy gold!" But answer made King Etzel: "Who then shall mine helper be? Behold, thy land and thy vassals, all these I committed to thee To the end that thou mightest avenge me on whoso should do me despite. Do this, and next unto Etzel shalt thou reign in kingly might." But Rüdiger made answer: "How can I do this thing? Unto mine house I bade them with friendly welcoming, With meats and with drinks love-lavished their feast did I array, And I gave to them gifts at parting--shall I fall on them now and slay? {P. 296} What if the world misdeem me, and say that Rüdiger quailed? At the least in all true service to them have I never failed. If now I should fall upon them, that were a deed most vile. I should sorely rue the friendship knit up with these erewhile. I gave to wife my daughter unto Giselher the thane: On earth no worthier bridegroom for my dear child could I gain, Nor in knightly spirit nor honour, nor in faith, nor in this world's good. Never was prince thus youthful so chivalrous of mood."