Forthright, when Dietrich heard it, the mind of Hagen the grim, That battle-eager champion caught his shield unto him. How swiftly adown that stairway to meet him Hagen sprang! Loudly on Dietrich's armour the sword of the Niblungs rang. Full well in that hour knew Dietrich that his lion-hearted foe Was passing grim of spirit: from many a deadly blow With cunning of fence did he ward him, that noble Lord of Bern. He proved what a knight was Hagen, to his mortal foe how stern. He had need to beware of Balmung, stark sword renowned afar; And but now and again smote Dietrich, with cunningest craft of war, Till at last in a grapple of giants he wore down Hagen the strong, And a grievous wound he dealt him, a gash both deep and long. Then bethought him Dietrich the noble: "Long travail hath sapped thy might: Small honour should it bring me, if the death-stroke now I should smite. Nay, rather will I make trial if yet I may constrain Even thee to become my captive." With peril he did it and pain. Mighty of thews was Dietrich: his shield from his arm he slipped; He sprang upon Hagen of Troneg, and with sinewy hands he gripped. And so at the last overmastered was the warrior aweless-bold; And Gunther the noble beheld it exceeding sorrowful-souled. Then Dietrich bound Sir Hagen, and he led that battle-thrall Unto where was the high-born Kriemhild; and the bravest knight of all {P. 322} That ever with sword were girded, to her hands he rendered up. She had drunken the dregs of affliction; at last joy brimmed her cup. How glad was the wife of Etzel! Low to the thane did she bow: "Blessèd in soul and in body evermore be thou! For all my sore tribulation now hast thou recompensed me. Except death's coming prevent me, I will ever be bounden to thee!" Made answer Dietrich the noble: "Let him live, and in no wise slay, O noble Daughter of Princes! It may come to pass one day That his good deeds may requite thee for the wrongs thou hast had at his hands. Visit it not upon him that in bonds in thy presence he stands." Then to a dungeon-chamber she bade lead Hagen away Where no man's eye beheld him, and there close-barred he lay.