Straight, at the call, to meet him Sir Dietrich swiftly went. Huge was the strength of Gunther, and deadly his intent. There he no longer dallied; from th' hall he forward ran; Sword clash'd with sword together, as man confronted man. XXXV Howe'er renown'd was Dietrich, and train'd in combat well, Yet Gunther fought against him so furious and so fell, And bore him hate so deadly, now friendless left and lone, It seem'd past all conceiving, how Dietrich held his own. XXXVI Both were of mighty puissance, and neither yielded ground; Palace and airy turret rung with their strokes around, As their swift swords descending their temper'd helmets hew'd Well there the proud King Gunther display'd his manly mood. XXXVII "Yet him subdued the Berner," as Hagan erst befell; Seen was the blood of the warrior forth through his mail to well Beneath the fatal weapon that Dietrich bore in fight. Tir'd as he was, still Gunther had kept him like a knight. XXXVIII So now at length the champion was bound by Dietrich there, How ill soe'er it fitteth a king such bonds to bear. Gunther and his fierce liegeman if he had left unbound, He ween'd they'd deal destruction on all, whome'er they found. XXXIX Then by the hand Sir Dietrich took the champion good, And in his bonds thence led him to where fair Kriemhild stood. She cried, "Thou'rt welcome, Gunther, hero of Burgundy." "Now God requite you, Kriemhild, if you speak lovingly." XL Said he, "I much should thank you, and justly, sister dear, If true affection prompted the greeting which I hear; But, knowing your fierce temper, proud queen, too well I see, Such greeting is a mocking of Hagan and of me." XLI Then said the noble Berner, "High-descended dame, Ne'er have been brought to bondage knights of such peerless fame, As those, whom you, fair lady, now from your servant take. Grant these forlorn and friendless fair treatment for my sake." XLII She said, she fain would do so; then from the captive pair With weeping eyes Sir Dietrich retir'd and left them there. Straight a bloody vengeance wreak'd Etzel's furious wife On those redoubted champions, and both bereft of life. XLIII In dark and dismal durance them kept apart the queen, So that from that hour neither was by the other seen, Till that at last to Hagan her brother's head she bore. On both she took with vengeance as tongue ne'er told before. XLIV To the cell of Hagan eagerly she went; Thus the knight bespake she, ah! with what fell intent! "Wilt thou but return me what thou from me hast ta'en, Back thou may'st go living to Burgundy again." XLV