Girded about with war-glaives, with bucklers gripped in hand;
And he told it unto his masters, the Lords of Burgundia-land;
And spake the viol-minstrel: “Yonder I see draw near
The vassal-throng of Dietrich, like foes in battle-gear
Harnessed, and under helmet, as who would beset us in fight.
I ween we homeless heroes shall now be in evil plight.”
Even as he spake his warning, thither came Hildebrand;
And there, with his great shield planted on the earth at his feet, did he stand;
And cried to the men of Gunther that sorrow-stricken one:
“Ah, noble knights, what evil unto you had Rüdiger done?