Knights were they all of Dietrich—to meet those guests of fame.
They would clash in the mimic battle with the sons of Burgundy:
Had their lord but given them licence, they had done it joyfully.
Ha, they were goodly warriors that rode to the barriers!
But tidings of their purpose were borne unto Dietrich’s ears:
Forthright their clashing in tourney with Gunther’s men he forbade.
He feared for his vassals, lest mischief befall them—good cause he had!
And so, when the knights of Dietrich were thus withheld from the fray,
On came the men of Bechlaren, even Rüdiger’s array;
Five hundred in front of the palace rode under buckler-fence.