That saying was heard of Dietrich and of Master Hildebrand, As they came and beheld the heroes, the two yet living, stand Without, and for weariness leaning on the stairway-parapet. Then afront of his feet did Dietrich his goodly buckler set. Then lifted his voice the hero, a voice of heart-sick woe: "Wherefore hast thou, Lord Gunther, evil-entreated me so, A homeless man? What evil have I ever done unto thee, That thus of all life's comfort wholly bereaved I should be? That grievous hurt that ye did us, sufficed it not unto you, That ye to our sorrow the hero Rüdiger smote and slew, {P. 319} But that therewithal ye must rob me of all my vassal-throng? Of a truth unto you, O heroes, had I never wrought such wrong! Of your own ill plight bethink you, and of all your grief and pain, Of the death of your friends and kinsmen, of the travail of battle-strain-- Good knights, were your hearts not smitten with ruth by reason of this? Ah me! unto me how bitter the death of Rüdiger is! Such cruel wrong unto no man ever on earth was wrought! Little enow on mine anguish and your own hard strait ye thought! Whatsoever was mine of joyance, by you slain lieth here. Never shall end my mourning for these I have held so dear!" "Not wholly are we so guilty," Hagen made reply; "For against us to this hallway all thy thanes drew nigh, Full-harnessed all as for battle, an exceeding great array. Not truly, I trow, the story hath been told unto thee this day." "Not truly?--was this not true then, that was told of Hildebrand, That of you my men petitioned, my knights of Amelung-land, To give them forth of the feast-hall the body of Rüdiger, And ye rendered them for answer nought but mock and jeer?" Answered the Lord of Rhineland: "They fain would bear away The body of Rüdiger, said they: thereunto I answered nay, Not as to flout thy people, but to do unto Etzel despite. Thereat brake forth into railing Wolfhart the haughty knight." The Hero of Bern made answer: "The finger of fate is here. By thy knightly honour I pray thee, O Gunther, royal peer, Requite thou me for the heart-pain that thou upon me didst wreak. O brave knight, make the atonement: no further revenge will I seek. Unto me do thou render thee captive, with Hagen thy vassal-thane; And so to mine uttermost power will I defend you twain From all despiteful usage that the Huns would do unto you. Ye shall prove herein mine honour, ye shall find me faithful and true." "Forefend it, God in Heaven," cried Hagen scornfully, "That two such battle-champions should render them captive to thee, {P. 320} Who yet are strong to face thee with shield and helm and brand, Who yet with limbs unfettered before all foes may stand!"