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,