Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/357

Rh day. Here stood the warriors, Gunther and Gernot, and smote many a hero dead in the fray. Giselher and Dankwart, the twain, recked so little, that they brought full many a knight to his last day of life. Full well did Rüdeger make appear that he was strong enow, brave and well-armed. Ho, what knights he slew! This a Burgundian espied; perforce it angered him, and thus Sir Rüdeger’s death drew near.

The stalwart Gernot accosted the hero; to the margrave he spake: “It appeareth, ye will not leave my men alive, most noble Rüdeger. That irketh me beyond all measure, no longer can I hear the sight. So may your present work you harm, sith ye have taken from me such store of friends. Pray address you unto me, most noble man and brave, your gift shall be paid for as best I can.”

Or ever the margrave could reach his foe, bright armor rings must needs grow dull with blood. Then at each other sprang these honor-seeking men. Either gan guard him against mighty wounds. So sharp were their swords, that naught might avail against them. Then Rüdeger, the knight, smote Gernot a buffet through his helmet, the which was as hard as flint, so that the blood gushed forth. But this the bold knight and good repaid eftsoon. High in his hand he now poised Rüdeger’s gift, and though wounded unto death, he smote him a stroke through his good and trusty shield down to his helmet band. And so fair Gotelind’s husband was done to death. Certes, so rich a gift was never worse repaid. So fell alike both Gernot and Rüdeger, slain in the fray, through each other’s hand.

Then first waxed Hagen wroth, when he saw the