Classic Poem

2324

Himself did then Sir Dietrich / his armor take in hand,
To don the which did help him / Master Hildebrand.
The doughty chieftain meanwhile / must make so loud complain
That from high palace casement / oft came back the sound again.

2325

Natheless his proper humor / soon he did regain,
And armed full in anger / stood the worthy thane;
A shield all wrought full firmly / took he straight in hand,
And forth they strode together, / he and Master Hildebrand.

2326

Spake then of Tronje Hagen: / " Lo, where doth hither wend
In wrath his way Sir Dietrich. / 'Tis plain he doth intend
On us to wreak sore vengeance / for harm befallen here.
To-day be full decided / who may the prize for valor bear!

2327

" Let ne'er of Bern Sir Dietrich / hold him so high of might
Nor deem his arm so doughty / and terrible in fight
That, will he wreak his anger / on us for sorest scathe, " —
Such were the words of Hagen, / — " I dare not well withstand his wrath. "

2328

Upon these words defiant / left Dietrich Hildebrand,
And to the warriors hither / came where both did stand
Without before the palace, / and leaning respite found.
His shield well proved in battle / Sir Dietrich lowered to the ground.

2329

Addressed to them Sir Dietrich / these words of sorrowing:
" Wherefore hast thou such evil, / Gunther mighty king,
Wrought 'gainst me a stranger? / What had I done to thee,
Of my every comfort / in such manner reft to be?

2330

" Seemed then not sufficient / the havoc unto you
When from us the hero / Ruediger ye slew,
That now from me ye've taken / my warriors one and all?
Through me did so great sorrow / ne'er to you good knights befall.

2331

" Of your own selves bethink you / and what the scathe ye bore,
The death of your companions / and all your travail sore,
If not your hearts, good warriors, / thereat do heavy grow.
That Ruediger hath fallen, / — ah me! how fills my heart with woe!

2332

" In all this world to any / more sorrow ne'er befell,
Yet have ye minded little / my loss and yours as well.
Whate'er I most rejoiced in / beneath your hands lies slain;
Yea, for my kinsmen fallen / never may I cease to plain. "

2333

" No guilt lies here upon us, " / Hagen in answer spake.
" Unto this hall hither / your knights their way did take,
With goodly train of warriors / full armed for the fight
Meseemeth that the story / hath not been told to thee aright. "

2334

" What shall I else believe in? / To me told Hildebrand
How, when the knights that serve me / of Amelungenland
Did beg the corse of Ruediger / to give them from the hall,
Nought offered ye but mockings / unto the valiant warriors all. "

2335

Then spake the King of Rhineland: / " Ruediger to bear away
Came they in company hither; / whose corse to them deny
I bade, despiting Etzel, / nor with aught malice more,
Whereupon did Wolfhart / begin to rage thereat full sore. "

2336

Then spake of Bern the hero: / " 'Twas fated so to be
Yet Gunther, noble monarch, / by thy kingly courtesy
Amends make for the sorrow / thou here on me hast wrought,
That so thy knightly honor / still unsullied be in aught.

2337

" Then yield to me as hostage / thyself and eke thy man;
So will I surely hinder, / as with best might I can,
That any here in Hunland / harm unto thee shall do:
Henceforward shalt thou find me / ever well disposed and true. "

2338

" God in heaven forfend it, " / Hagen spake again,
" That unto thee should yield them / ever warriors twain
Who in their strength reliant / all armed before thee stand,
And yet 'fore foes defiant / may freely swing a blade in hand. "

2339

" So shall ye not, " spake Dietrich, / " proffered peace forswear,
Gunther and Hagen. / Misfortune such I bear
At both your hands, 'tis certain / ye did but do aright,
Would ye for so great sorrow / now my heart in full requite.

2340

" I give you my sure promise / and pledge thereto my hand
That I will bear you escort / home unto your land;
With honors fit I'll lead you, / thereon my life I set,
And for your sake sore evil / suffered at your hands forget "

2341

" Ask thou such thing no longer, " / Hagen then replied.
" For us 'twere little fitting / the tale be bruited wide,
That twain of doughty warriors / did yield them 'neath thy hand.
Beside thee is none other / now but only Hildebrand. "

2342

Then answered Master Hildebrand: / " The hour may come, God wot,
Sir Hagen, when thus lightly / disdain it thou shalt not
If any man such offer / of peace shall make to thee
Welcome might now my master's / reconciliation be. "

2343

" I'd take in sooth his friendship, " / Hagen gave reply,
" Ere that I so basely / forth from a hall would fly.
As thou hast done but lately, / O Master Hildebrand.
I weened with greater valor / couldst thou 'fore a foeman stand. "