Answer gave Sir Dietrich: / "Fear they hostility,
The while uncivil questioning / of their deed there be,
Lightly are stirred to anger / good warriors o'er the thing.
Yea, 'tis my pleasure, Wolfhart, / thou sparest them all such questioning.
Helfrich he then commanded / thither with speed to go
That from men of Etzel / he might truly know,
Or from the strangers straightway, / what thing there had been.
As that, so sore lamenting / of people ne'er before was seen.
Questioned then the messenger: / "What hath here been wrought?"
Answered one among them: / "Complete is come to naught
What of joy we cherished / here in Hunnish land.
Slain here lieth Ruediger, / fallen 'neath Burgundian hand.
"Of them that entered with him / not one doth longer live."
Naught might ever happen / Helfrich more to grieve,
Nor ever told he tidings / so ruefully before.
Weeping sore the message / unto Dietrich then he bore.
"What the news thou bringst us?" / Dietrich spake once more;
"Yet, O doughty Helfrich, / wherefore dost weep so sore?"
Answered the noble warrior: / "With right may I complain:
Yonder faithful Ruediger / lieth by the Burgundians slain."