These words filled Dietrich’s men with rage, while Wolfhart with a fierce shout tore himself free and like a raging lion leapt upon his foe, followed by all the knights. But old Hildebrand was there before him, “for since to fighting it must come--himself would be the first.” Straight on Hagen he rushed, and therewith arose a mighty clashing of sword on shield, while the sparks flew in showers. Yet soon were they parted by the tide of battle that surged about them. So terrible was the din, it was as that of a thousand forges. Bravely did they fight on either side, but Günther and Giselher, Hagen and his brother Dankwart, and Volker, outdid all the rest. Now Hildebrand saw Volker slay Sir Dietrich’s kinsman Siegestab, and thirsting for vengeance, the old warrior sprang upon him. Not long could he withstand such furious onslaught, and soon thereby did the brave minstrel meet his end. At the same moment also was Dankwart slain by Helferich. When Hagen saw both Volker and his brother dead, he swore most fearfully to avenge their fall, and therewith he rushed into the thickest of the fray, slaying right and left, and smiting so fiercely that all his former efforts seemed but as play. But stout heroes were not lacking among Dietrich’s warriors, and surely was there never seen so mighty and so dire a combat. Thrice had the fiery Wolfhart encircled the hall, hewing down all before him, when he encountered Giselher. Fiercely the young prince sprang at him, and so truly and so mightily he smote that his sword clove Wolfhart’s shield and hauberk. Yet summoning all his strength, the dying hero dealt Giselher too his death stroke so that he fell lifeless at his feet. When Hildebrand saw his nephew Wolfhart fatally smitten he sprang quickly to his side and sought to bear him from the hall. Then said the wounded-unto-death: “Kind uncle, all is o’er! No help canst thou or any one Render to Wolfhart more. One parting word I leave with thee-- Beware of Hagen’s brand; He has in heart and arm a power That nothing may withstand. “If that my friends, when I am dead, Do weep and mourn for me, Then to my best and nearest kin Say, with much clemency, That they desist from heart-lament, Nor of my fall complain, For that I found a glorious death And was by king’s hand slain.” And therewith he died. At last, in all the great hall there were but three heroes left alive,--Günther, Hagen, and Hildebrand. Then Hagen smote Sir Hildebrand, For that he Volker slew; The ancient chief did ward his blows With skill and courage too. Yet could he not prevail against the might of the Burgundian hero, but soon received a grievous wound from Balmung’s flashing blade; whereupon, using his shield for cover, he turned and fled to the courtyard without. Now lived of all those stalwart knights No more than these bold two: Günther, the King of Burgundy, And Hagen keen and true.