Grief and anguish filled him / o'er Ruediger thus slain,
Nor might at all the hero / the flowing tears restrain.
"Alack for faithful helper / that death from me hath torn.
King Etzel's trusty liegeman / never may I cease to mourn.
"Canst thou, Master Hildebrand, / true the tidings say,
Who might be the warrior / that Ruediger did slay?"
"That did the doughty Gernot / with mighty arm," he said:
"Eke at hand of Ruediger / lieth the royal hero dead."
Spake he again to Hildebrand: / "Now let my warriors know,
That straightway they shall arm them, / for thither will I go.
And bid to fetch hither / my shining mail to me.
Myself those knights will question / of the land of Burgundy."
"Who here shall do thee service?" / spake Master Hildebrand;
"All that thou hast yet living, / thou seest before thee stand.
Of all remain I only; / the others, they are dead."
As was in sooth good reason, / filled the tale his soul with dread,
For in his life did never / such woe to him befall.
He spake: "Hath death so reft me / of my warriors all,
God hath forsaken Dietrich, / ah me, a wretched wight!
Sometime a lofty monarch / I was, high throned in wealth and might."