Now once more there was silence, and those who were left of the Burgundians laid aside their arms to rest them after the fierce struggle. Meanwhile Etzel and Kriemhild waited without, expecting each moment to see Rüdiger come forth with word that the Burgundians were slain. But when all grew still again she began to doubt that hero, and cried aloud that he had deceived her and made peace with her foes. Whereat Volker shouted wrathfully: “If I dared to give the lie to lady such as thou, O Queen, I would right willingly! So loyally hath Rüdiger kept faith with thee that here he lieth dead with all his knights. An thou art loath to trust my word, then may thine own eyes banish doubt.”
Therewith the body was borne out by four knights and laid upon the stairs. When Etzel beheld this, he cried aloud with grief, while from all the Huns arose such wails and plaints of woe that they spread far beyond the court, and tower and hall reëchoed with the cries.
Chapter XXXII
Hildebrand and Dietrich
ONE of Dietrich’s knights heard the doleful sound and hastened to his master, crying: “I pray thee, lord, give ear! Etzelburg gives forth such cries of woe and lamentation as never yet have I heard. I fear the Burgundians have slain the King or Kriemhild!”
The knights all sprang to their feet, with swords aloft, but Dietrich said: “Draw not your swords, my faithful liegemen, nor judge too rashly those of Burgundy, for I have peace with them. Stern necessity has compelled them to do much that they have done.”
Then stepped forth Wolfhart, the boldest and fiercest of the knights. In former days he had met Hagen in battle and sorely wounded him, and now he sought leave to go and learn what had befallen. This would not Dietrich grant, however, for he feared lest the fiery Wolfhart should affront the Burgundians with too hasty words. He despatched Helferich instead, who soon returned with the grievous news of Rüdiger’s death. Horror-stricken, Dietrich cried: “God forbid that such report should be true! Sir Rüdiger always held yon heroes dear in his regard, as well I know. How then could he have earned such reward of them?”
Wolfhart shouted furiously: “Now, by my faith, an they have slain that chief who hath done us many a service, they shall die,—aye, every man!”
Thereupon Dietrich bade the ancient Hildebrand go to the Burgundians and learn more nearly of the matter, while overcome with grief he sat by the window to wait his return. As Hildebrand was about to depart, Wolfhart cried: “Nay, go not thus unarmed, good master, or perchance yon haughty chiefs will send thee back with insult. But an they see thou canst defend thyself, then they will spare thee such attack.”
So the old hero donned mail and helm, and taking his sword and shield, rode forth. But the knights all followed, likewise fully armed; and when he asked the cause thereof, they said they would not that he came to harm. Meanwhile the Burgundians had borne the body of Rüdiger back within the hall; and as Volker spied Hildebrand and the knights, he warned his comrades of their approach. Whereupon Günther and Giselher strode to the window, Hagen following.