But again made answer Kriemhild: "O Rüdiger, noble chief, Think also on us; have pity on all our wrongs and our grief, Upon mine and my Lord King Etzel's; yea, ponder well thereon. No host in the wide world ever more pestilent guests hath won." Thereat unto Queen Kriemhild did the Lord of the Marches say: "His life must be rendered in payment by Rüdiger this day For all the kindness showed me of thee and my Lord the King. For this must I die: remaineth no space for lingering. This day I know of a surety my castles and my land Shall be yielded up, shall be wrested from me by a foeman's hand. I commit to your lovingkindness my wife and my fatherless child, And all mine household abiding in Bechlaren's halls exiled." "Now God reward thee," answered the King, "O Rüdiger!"-- Even he and the Lady Kriemhild, so glad at heart they were-- "The care of all thy people as a solemn trust we receive. Yet, as I hope salvation, I look that thyself shalt live." So did he set on the hazard both soul and mortal life. And now brake forth into weeping Kriemhild, Etzel's wife. But he said: "I must keep unbroken the oath that I sware unto thee. Alas for you, friends! Sad-hearted I become your enemy!" So from King Etzel's presence he departed heavy of cheer; And he looked, and behold, his warriors to their lord had now drawn near. And he cried: "Ye must forthwith arm you, all ye my faithful ones. Woe's me, I must needs do battle with Burgundia's valiant sons!" {P. 297} Straightway his warriors shouted, "Ho, bring my battle-gear!" Then here might ye see a helmet, and a massy buckler here Across the court borne swiftly by the squires for their lords to don. Too soon were the evil tidings to the haughty strangers known! Now Rüdiger stood full-armoured, with his five hundred men: Twelve knights of Etzel's war-band joined them withal to him then: They thirsted to win them glory in the storm of the battle-strain-- But they knew not the end of the story, nor that death should be all their gain. Strode forward under helmet the Lord of the Marches there. Battle-glaives keen-whetted the knights of Rüdiger bare: Each man gripped by the arm-brace a broad shield burnished bright; And the viol-minstrel beheld them, and his heart sank down at the sight.