"Full well I know, this morning my castles and my land Both will to you fall vacant by stroke of foeman's hand, And so my wife and daughter I to your grace commend, And all at Bechelaren, each trusty homeless friend."
So to war the margrave under helmet strode; Sharpest swords his meiny brandished as they rode; Each in hand, bright-flashing, held his shield before. That saw the dauntless minstrel, and seeing sorrow'd sore.
Then too was by young Giselher his lady's father seen With helm laced as for battle. "What," thought he, "can he mean? But nought can mean the margrave but what is just and right." At the thought full joyous wax'd the youthful knight.
"I know not what you trust in;" thus the stern minstrel spake; "Where saw you warriors ever for reconcilement's sake With helmets laced advancing, and naked swords in hand? On us will earn Sir Rüdeger his castles and his land."
Scarcely the valiant minstrel his words had utter'd all, When the noble Rüdeger was close before the hall. His shield, well proved in battle, before his feet he laid, But neither proffered service, nor friendly greeting made.
To those within he shouted, "Look not for succor hence; Ye valiant Nibelungers, now stand on your defence. I'd fain have been your comrade; your foe I now must be. We once were friends together; now from that bond I'm free."
"Now God forbid," said Günther, "that such a knight as you To the faith wherein we trusted, should ever prove untrue, And turn upon his comrades in such an hour as this. Ne'er can I think that Rüdeger can do so much amiss."
"I can't go back," said Rüdeger, "the deadly die is cast; I must with you do battle; to that my word is pass'd. So each of you defend him as he loves his life. I must perform my promise; so wills King Etzel's wife."
"Tarry yet a little, right noble Rüdeger! I and my lords a moment would yet with you confer; Thereto hard need compels us, and danger gathering nigh; What boot were it to Etzel though here forlorn we die?
"I'm now," pursued Sir Hagan, "beset with grievous care; The shield that Lady Gotelind gave me late to bear, Is hewn, and all-to broken by many a Hunnish brand. I brought it fair and friendly hither to Etzel's land.
"Ah! that to me this favour heaven would be pleas'd to yield, That I might to defend me bear so well-prov'd a shield As that, right noble Rüdeger, before thee now display'd! No more should I in battle need then the hauberk's aid."