And with such might resistless he smote that Hunnish man,
That down to the earth he dashed him, and dead at his feet did he lie.
But the sorrow of King Etzel was made but the more thereby.
“Away with thee, vile caitiff!” did the good knight Rüdiger cry.
“Trouble enow and anguish of soul before had I!
What hast thou to do to taunt me that here I have struck no blow?
Of a truth to hate yon strangers reason have I enow.
Yea, now were I striving against them to the uttermost of my might,
Were it not that I was escort hither to prince and knight.
Yea, it was I that convoyed them to my lord Etzel’s land;