Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/353

Rh deger, “that I might weigh out my gifts for you with full measure, as willingly as I had hoped, if I never should be blamed on that account.”

“Turn back, noble Rüdeger,” spake then Gernot, “for host did never give his guests such loving cheer as ye did us. This shall profit you well, and we remain alive.”

“Would to God,” spake Rüdeger, “most noble Gernot, that ye were on the Rhine and I were dead with passing honor, sith I must now encounter you! Never did friends act worse to heroes.”

“Now God requite you, Sir Rüdeger,” answered Gernot, “for your passing rich gifts. Your death doth rue me, if such knightly virtues shall be lost with you. Here I bear your sword that ye gave me, good knight and true. It hath never failed me in all this need. Many a knight fell dead beneath its edges. It is bright and steady, glorious and good; nevermore, I ween, will warrior give so rich a gift. And will ye not turn back, but come to meet us, and slay aught of the friends I still have here, with your own sword will I take your life. Then will ye rue me, Rüdeger, ye and your high-born wife.”

“Would to God, Sir Gernot, that this might come to pass, that all your will might here be done, and that your kinsmen escaped unscathed! Then both my daughter and my wife may trust you well, forsooth.”

Then of the Burgundians there spake fair Uta’s son: “Why do ye so, Sir Rüdeger? Those that be come with us, do all like you well. Ye encounter us in evil wise; ye wish to make your fair daughter a widow far too soon. If ye and your warriors match me