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.