"Now God forbid," said Gunther, "that such a knight as you To the faith, wherein we trusted, should ever prove untrue, And turn upon his comrades in such an hour as this. Ne'er can I think that Rudeger can do so much amiss." XLV "I can't go back," said Rudeger, "the deadly die is cast; I must with you do battle; to that my word is past. So each of you defend him as he loves his life. I must perform my promise, so wills King Etzel's wife," XLVI Said Gunther, "This renouncement comes all too late to-day. May God, right noble Rudeger, you for the favors pay Which you so oft have done us, if e'en unto the end To those, who ever lov'd you, you show yourself a friend. XLVII "Ever shall we be your servants for all you've deign'd to give, Both I and my good kinsmen, if by your aid we live. Your precious gifts, fair tokens of love and friendship dear, Given when you brought us hither, now think of them, good Rudeger!" XLVIII "How fain that would I grant you!" the noble knight replied; "Would that my gifts forever might in your hands abide, I'd fain in all assist you, that life concerns or fame, But that I fear, so doing, to get reproach and shame." XLIX "Think not of that, good Rudeger," said Gernot, "in such need. Sure host ne'er guests entreated so well in word or deed, As you did us, your comrades, when late with you we stay'd. If hence alive you bring us, 'twill be in full repaid." L "Now would to God! Sir Gernot," said Rudeger ill bestead, "That you were safe in Rhineland, and I with honor dead! Now must I fight against you to serve your sister's ends. Sure never yet were strangers entreated worse by friends." LI "Sir Rudeger," answer'd Gernot, "God's blessing wait on you For all your gorgeous presents! your death I sore should rue, Should that pure virtue perish, which ill the world can spare. Your sword, which late you gave me, here by my side I wear. LII "It never once has failed me in all this bloody fray; Lifeless beneath its edges many a good champion lay. Most perfect is its temper; 'tis sharp and strong as bright; Knight sure a gift so goodly will give no more to knight. LIII "Yet, should you not go backward, but turn our foe to-day, If of the friends around me in hostile mood you slay, With your own sword, good Rudeger, I need must take your life, Though you (heaven knows) I pity, and your good and noble wife." LIV "Ah! would to heaven, Sir Gernot, that it might e'en be so! That e'en as you would wish it this matter all might go, And your good friends 'scape harmless from this abhorréd strife! Then sure should trust in Gernot my daughter and my wife." LV