Then said Gernot: “This sword was thy gift to me, most noble Rüdiger, when thou didst welcome us beneath thy roof; never hath it failed me in time of need, and shall I turn it now against thee, the giver, to bring thy noble wife to widowhood?” “Would to God that I indeed were dead!” cried Rüdiger. “If thou go safe from hence, full well I know thou wilt bring comfort to my wife and daughter.” Then commending himself to God, he lifted his shield and was about to rush into the hall, when Hagen shouted to him from the stairway: “Behold, Sir Rüdiger, my sorry plight! This shield, which thy wife gave me in happier hours, hath been so hacked and hewed by hostile Huns that no longer may it serve for my defence. Had I another such as that which thou dost bear, I would go undismayed again to battle!” Loath as was Rüdiger to give away his own shield under the Queen’s eyes and thereby incur her wrath, his noble heart could not withstand his friend’s appeal, and he bestowed it on Hagen, saying: “Take it, Sir Knight, and mayst thou bear it back to Burgundy in memory of me!” That Rüdiger so courteously, Did give away his shield, Filled many an eye with gentle tears, And to their hearts appealed. It was his last and dearest gift; No more could bold knight crave In token of the courtesy Of Rüdiger the brave. However grim Sir Hagen was, Or ill-disposed in mind, The generous gift which Rüdiger So noble and so kind, When near his end had given him, His stubborn heart subdued; While many a lofty knight did sigh, As that brave act he viewed. Said Hagen: “May the Lord of Heaven Sir Rüdiger protect! When he shall die, his like on earth We may no more expect: For he to homeless, shieldless knight His own defence did give; May God vouchsafe that when no more, His virtues still shall live!” Then he added: “As for thyself, brave Rüdiger, though thou shouldst slay us every one, yet never shall this sword be raised against thy life.” And this stout Volker also swore. Seizing his arms, Rüdiger rushed upon the Burgundians and the strife began once more. Hagen and Volker stood aside, nor did Giselher seek to meet his sword; but deep were the wounds it dealt, and many the knights that fell before it. Rüdiger’s liegemen followed him, and soon the hall was filled with the din of battle. When Gernot saw the terrible havoc Rüdiger’s sword wrought among the Burgundians, he shouted: “I pray thee, cease, Sir Rüdiger! Now must I seek vengeance for my true liegemen thou hast slain and thereby turn thy gift against thyself!”