No longer hung back Volker and Hagen; they plunged mid the fray;
They thrust, and they spared not any, save one only man;
They smote, and from riven helmets the blood in torrents ran.
Wildly and sternly the clangour of the hailing sword-strokes rang:
Steel buckler-bands were shattered, the loosened shield-plates sprang:
The precious stones of their blazons to the blood-pools flashed like rain.
Never shall such grim battle be fought in the world again!
To right and to left death’s highway the Lord of Bechlaren hewed;
Sank roaring surges of battle before his fury subdued.
By deeds was approved the prowess that day of Rüdiger,