The noble train of Rudeger now in had enter'd all. Folker at once and Hagan leapt on them in the hall, Nor quarter gave to any, but to that single man. The blood beneath their broadswords down through the helmets ran. LXXIX What a fearful clatter of clashing blades there rang! From shields beneath the buffets how the plates they sprang, And precious stones unnumber'd rain'd down into the gore. They fought so fell and furious as man will never more. LXXX The Lord of Bechlaren went slashing here and there, As one who well in battle knew how himself to bear. Well prov'd the noble Rudeger in that day's bloody fight, That never handled weapon a more redoubted knight. LXXXI On the other side the slaughter Gunther and Gernot led; They smote in that grim conflict full many a hero dead; Giselher and Dankwart, little of aught reck'd they; Full many a prowest champion they brought to his last day. LXXXII Well prov'd the fiery margrave his strength and courage too, His weapon and his harness;--ah! what a host he slew! That saw a bold Burgundian; his passion mounted high. Alas for noble Rudeger! e'en then his death drew nigh. LXXXIII Loud o'er the din of battle stout Gernot shouted then, "How now, right noble Rudeger? not one of all my men Thou'lt leave me here unwounded; in sooth it grieves me sore To see my friends thus slaughter'd; bear it can I no more. LXXXIV "Now must thy gift too surely the giver harm to-day, Since of my friends so many thy strength has swept away. So turn about, and face me, thou bold and high-born man! Thy goodly gift to merit, I'll do the best I can." LXXXV Ere through the press the margrave could come Sir Gerno nigh, Full many a glittering mailcoat was stain'd a bloody die. Then those fame-greedy champions each fierce on th' other leapt, And deadly wounds at distance with wary ward they kept. LXXXVI So sharp were both their broadswords, resistless was their dint; Sudden the good Sir Rudeger through th' helmet hard as flint So struck the noble Gernot, that forth the blood it broke; With death the stern Burgundian repaid the deadly stroke. LXXXVII He heav'd the gift of Rudeger with both his hands on high, And, to the death though wounded, a stroke at him let fly Right through both shield and morion; deep was the gash and wide. At once the lord of Gotelind beneath the swordcut died. LXXXVIII In sooth a gift so goodly was worse requited ne'er, Down dead dropp'd both together, Gernot and Rudeger, Each slain by th' other's manhood, then prov'd, alas! too well. Thereat first Sir Hagan furious wax'd and fell. LXXXIX