On all sides so great sorrow / heard ye there around,
That palace and high tower / did from the wail resound.
Of Bern a man of Dietrich / eke the same did hear,
And speedily he hastened / the tidings to his lord to bear.
Spake he unto his master: / "Sir Dietrich give me ear.
What yet hath been my fortune, / never did I hear
Lamenting past all measure, / as at this hour hath been.
Scathe unto King Etzel / himself hath happenéd, I ween.
"Else how might they ever / all show such dire need?
The king himself or Kriemhild, / one of them lieth dead,
By the doughty strangers / for sake of vengeance slain.
Unmeasured is the weeping / of full many a stately thane."
Then spake of Bern Sir Dietrich: / "Ye men to me full dear,
Now haste ye not unduly. / The deeds performéd here
By the stranger warriors / show sore necessity.
That peace with them I blighted, / let it now their profit be."
Then spake the valiant Wolfhart: / "Thither will I run
To make question of it / what they now have done,
And straight will tidings bring thee, / master full dear to me,
When yonder I inform me, / whence may so great lamenting be."