And they knelt in supplication, they twain, at the hero’s feet.
Then was the noble Margrave ’neath a burden of sorrow bowed,
And the loyal knight in anguish of spirit cried aloud:
“Woe’s me, the God-forsaken, that I live to see this day!
All my manhood’s honour must I now cast away,
All loyal faith God-given, and all my knightly renown!
Ah God in Heaven, why rather may death not smite me down?
Which deed soever I turn from, to take the other on me,
I play the part of a traitor, I act all evilly.
Though I take the part of neither, still will the world cry shame.