I proffered with my breath:
Were’t not that ’twould be lasting shame,
Thou shouldst atone by death.”
Then Hildebrand sought to excuse himself, saying they had but asked for the body of Rüdiger, and this the Burgundians had refused them. When Dietrich thus learned that Rüdiger indeed was dead he abandoned himself to grief, but after a space asked by whose hand he fell. Hildebrand replied that Gernot had slain him, and by his hand, in turn, had been slain. Thereupon Dietrich resolved to go himself and have speech with the Burgundians; and calling for his armor, he bade Hildebrand summon his knights forthwith.
“Alas! my lord,” cried Hildebrand, “thou seest before thee all thy warriors!” And while Dietrich gazed at him horror-stricken, he told him all that had passed.
Now was Dietrich indeed plunged in sorrow. Loudly did he lament the loss of Wolfhart and all his brave knights, and cried: “This is the last day of my joy on earth!”
Chapter XXXIII
Kriemhild’s Revenge and Death
WHEN Dietrich of Bern had regained his wonted composure he asked how many of the Burgundians yet were left alive, and Hildebrand told him none save Günther and Hagen,—all the rest were slain. Whereupon, filled with grief and wrath, he seized his arms and went forth with Hildebrand to seek them.
Leaning against the arched doorway stood the two Burgundian heroes, their shields before them on the ground; and when they saw the knights approaching, Hagen, still undaunted, declared himself ready to do battle with Sir Dietrich; nor did he fear to meet him, mighty as he deemed himself, for then would it be proved who was the better knight.