Then looked forth Volker the valiant, and the knights of Bern he saw, The liegemen of Lord Dietrich, full-harnessed thitherward draw, Girded about with war-glaives, with bucklers gripped in hand; And he told it unto his masters, the Lords of Burgundia-land; And spake the viol-minstrel: "Yonder I see draw near The vassal-throng of Dietrich, like foes in battle-gear Harnessed, and under helmet, as who would beset us in fight. I ween we homeless heroes shall now be in evil plight." Even as he spake his warning, thither came Hildebrand; And there, with his great shield planted on the earth at his feet, did he stand; And cried to the men of Gunther that sorrow-stricken one: "Ah, noble knights, what evil unto you had Rüdiger done? Me hath my good lord Dietrich unto you sent hitherward To wot if a hand Burgundian it was that slew with the sword The noble Lord of the Marches, as the tale unto us was told; For then should our weeping be endless, our grief aye unconsoled." Made answer Hagen of Troneg: "That tale is all too true. Right glad were I had the teller thereof but lied unto you {P. 309} For Rüdiger's sake, that the hero might live to gladden our eyes-- He for whom wailing of women and men evermore shall rise." When they heard those heavy tidings that their friend was dead in truth, Loud mourned the loyal-hearted, the good knights wept for ruth; The tears ran down the faces of Dietrich's valiant men, And the drops on the beards of them glistened: sore grief was their portion then. Siegstab the Bernese war-duke lamented over his friend: "Woe's me for the lovingkindness that here hath found an end, The kindness that Rüdiger showed us in the days of our exile-pain! The comfort of all the homeless lieth by you knights slain!" Then did a man of the Amals, the war-thane Wolfwein, cry: "Though I saw my very father here dead before me lie, I were not more sorrow-stricken than for Rüdiger laid low. Alas! who now shall comfort the Margravine in her woe?" In wrathful indignation Wolfhart the dauntless cried: "Who now shall lead the heroes, on the war-path when they ride, As our knights have been led of the Margrave many a time ere now? Woe, Rüdiger most noble, lost unto us art thou!" Wolfbrand the strong and Helfrich, and Helmnot the thane withal, With all their friends and kinsmen, wept for Rüdiger's fall.