To right and to left death's highway the Lord of Bechlaren hewed; Sank roaring surges of battle before his fury subdued. By deeds was approved the prowess that day of Rüdiger, A lord of the ringing battle, without reproach or fear. Unflinching there stood Gunther and Gernot side by side: They lashed at the reeling war-ranks, and many a hero died. {P. 303} Smote Giselher and Dankwart, and of life and limb recked nought; Many a stalwart champion to his latest day they brought. Of his giant strength the Margrave gave tokens all too true: Dreadless and mighty-weaponed, how many a foe he slew! That saw a Prince Burgundian, and his grief and wrath 'gan swell:-- Then, then death's imminent shadow o'er the noble Rüdiger fell:-- It was Gernot the strong; to the hero he shouted across the hall, To the Margrave crying: "So many of my people before thee fall, Thou wilt leave, O Rüdiger, living no man of my vassal-train! I am stung into wrath above measure; from vengeance no more I refrain! Now shall the gift thou gavest be turned into scathe for thee, Since thou of my nearest and dearest hast reft so many from me. Hitherward turn thee, face me, thou noble and dreadless man! For thy gift will I give full payment, the uttermost that I can." Ere, cleaving the war-waves, the Margrave might win unto where he stood, Bright rings of many a hauberk were crimson-sullied with blood; But at last those glory-cravers in the deadly grapple clashed; And they smote, and the death swift-leaping with the buckler aside they dashed. Yet nought might withstand the keenness of their swords all-sundering; And Rüdiger the Hero smote mightily Gernot the King, Smote through the flint-hard helmet, that the blood rushed down the blade: But swiftly the good knight dreadless that deadly stroke repaid. In his hand was the gift of the Margrave; he swung on high that steel: Though unto death he was wounded, yet one grim stroke did he deal: It crashed through the hard-knit buckler, it shore through the helmet-band-- Alas, the doom went with it of the lord of the open hand! Ah me! such rich gifts never so ill requited were. Down fell they dead together, Gernot and Rüdiger. In the war-storm each by other smitten on one doom came; And Hagen saw, and his anger burst into sudden flame, {P. 304} And shouted the Hero of Troneg: "Evil hath come upon us! Such grievous hurt have we suffered by these who have perished thus, That for two lands and two peoples nor amends nor atonement there is. To the homeless shall Rüdiger's heroes now pay forfeit for this!"