Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/355

Rh last gift that ever Rüdeger of Bechelaren gave to any knight. However fierce Hagen, and however stern of mood, the gift did touch him, which the good hero, so near to death, had given. Many a noble knight gan mourn with him.

“Now God in heaven requite you, most noble Rüdeger. Your like will nevermore be found, who giveth homeless warriors such lordly gifts. God grant that your courtesie may ever live.” Again Hagen spake: “Woe is me of these tales, we had so many other griefs to bear. Let complaint be made to Heaven, if we must fight with friends.”

Quoth the margrave: “Inly doth this grieve me.”

“Now God requite you, for the gift, most noble Rüdeger. Howso these high-born warriors deport them toward you, my hand shall never touch you in the fight, and ye slew them all from the Burgundian land.”

Courteously the good Sir Rüdeger bowed him low. On every side they wept, that none might soothe this pain of heart. That was a mighty grief. In Rüdeger would die the father of all knightly virtues.

Then Folker, the minstrel, spake from out the hall: “Sith my comrade Hagen hath made his peace with you, ye shall have it just us steadfastly from my hand, for well ye earned it, when we came into this land. Most noble margrave, ye shall be mine envoy, too. The margravine gave me these ruddy arm rings, that I should wear them here at the feasting. These ye may yourself behold, that ye may later be my witness.”

“Now God of heaven grant,” spake Riideger, “that the margravine may give you more! I’ll gladly tell