"Of those who enter'd with him return'd no living soul," At the words stood Helfrich struck dumb with mortal dole. Tale of such deep horror never met his ear. The messenger to Dietrich went back with many a tear. X "What are the news you bring us?" cried Dietrich at the sight, "Why do you weep so bitterly, Sir Helfrich, noble knight?" "Alas!" exclaim'd the champion, "well may I weep and plain; The hands of yon Burgundians good Rudeger have slain." XI "Now God forbid!" cried Dietrich, "that could I ne'er have ween'd; Sure 'twere a fearful vengeance, and sport for the foul fiend. How at their hands had Rudeger deserv'd so sad an end? Full well I know, those strangers had ne'er so firm a friend." XII Then answer made Sir Wolfhart, "If they this deed have done, Their lives shall pay the forfeit; die shall they every one. 'Twould be to our dishonor, should we such outrage bear. Oft we have had good service from noble Rudeger." XIII The lord of th' Amelungers yet more to know was bent. Down sat he at a window anxious and ill content; Then Hildebrand straight bade he haste to the strangers bold, And what had really happen'd from their own lips be told. XIV A well-approved warrior was master Hildebrand, Yet took he, on his message, nor shield nor sword in hand, For all in peaceful fashion to seek the guests he meant. His sister's son beheld it with angry discontent. XV Then sternly spake grim Wolfhart, "If thus unarm'd you go, Naught but reproach and insult can hap from such a foe. With outrage and dishonor needs must you hither back; But if you're seen in harness, you'll find the foremost slack." XVI So th' old and wise took counsel of the foolish and the young. Ere he could don his armor, theirs on in haste had flung All the knights of Dietrich; each shook his naked blade. Sore it irk'd the warrior; full fain had he renounced such aid. XVII Whither would they, inquir'd he--"Thither, good knight with you; What if o'erweening Hagan, to his ill habit true, So much the worse upon you his spite and scorn should vent." When this was told the champion, he could not but consent. XVIII Soon as the valiant Folker saw sheath'd in armor bright The flower of Bern advancing, Sir Dietrich's men of might, Bucklers all uplifting, girded all with swords, Ready notice gave he to his Burgundian lords. XIX Thus spake the fearless minstrel, "On this, my lords, advise; There see I Dietrich's Berners come on in hostile guise, All helmeted and harnessed;--they'll fight us, well I know. With us forlorn and friendless ill now, I ween, 'twill go." XX