Scarce had he done speaking, when Hildebrand came on. Before his feet the warrior set down his shield anon, And thus began his question to put to Gunther's crew; "Alas! ye valiant heroes, what has Rudeger done to you? XXI "I come from my lord Dietrich, from you the truth to gain, If any here among you with bloody hand has slain The good and noble margrave, as some to us declare. Such weight of mortal sorrow were more than we could bear." XXII "The woful news," said Hagan, "cannot be denied; Would for the sake of Rudeger your messenger had lied, And yet the chief were living! 'tis all too true a tale; For the good knight must ever both man and woman wail." XXIII Soon as the knights of Dietrich heard he indeed was dead, As love and truth impell'd them, they wailed drearihead. Bitter tears forth gushing beard and chin ran o'er; Such deep remorse for Rudeger in their inmost hearts they bore. XXIV A duke of Bern, Sir Siegstab, sighing then began, "So comes to end the kindness, wherewith this blameless man, After our days of sorrow, reliev'd our woe and pain. Here the poor exile's comfort lies by you heroes slain." XXV Next him, the Amelunger, the good Sir Wolfwine, said, "If I saw to-day my father before me lying dead, More I could not sorrow e'en for such a life. Alas! who now can comfort the gentle margrave's wife?" XXVI Then spake in storm of passion Wolfhart the moody knight, "Who now will harnessed warriors lead to so many a fight, As oft has done the margrave, and to our foemen's cost, Alas! right noble Rudeger, that thee we thus have lost!" XXVII Sir Wolfbrand and Sir Helfrich and eke Sir Helmnot shed True tears, with all their comrades, for him who there lay dead. Old Hildebrand through sobbing could not inquire the rest; Said he, "Go to, ye warriors, perform my lord's request. XXVIII "Give us the corpse of Rudeger from out yon reeking hall; So pale and dead lies with him the comfort of us all; And let us now requite him for all he e'er has done To us of his great kindness, and besides to many a one. XXIX "We ourselves are exiles like blameless Rudeger. Wherefore would you delay us? Him hence then let us bear, And pay him every honor now that he dead is laid. Such unto the living we gladlier would have paid." XXX Thereto replied King Gunther, "Service so good is none, As after death, Sir Hildebrand, to friend by friend is done. That, whosoe'er performs it, firm steadfast faith I call. You pay him as is fitting, for well he serv'd you all." XXXI "How long must we be waiting?" cried Wolfhart proud and high; "Since our choicest comfort you have done to die, And we no more can have him amongst us safe and sound, Let us take him forthwith hence to the burial ground." XXXII