Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/419

XXXIII.]

When Rüdeger the margrave departed from the hall,

Five hundred men went with him or more, belike, in all,

Who came from Bechelaren, liegemen and friends as well;

By whom unto King Gunther great mischief soon befell.

Meanwhile a Hunnish warrior, who saw how Etzel went

By Dietrich’s side, to profit thereby was all intent;

But with his sword the minstrel fetch’d at him such a slice,

That at the feet of Etzel his head lay in a trice.

When that the country’s ruler had got outside the place,

He stopp’d and look’d behind him towards where Volker was:

“Woe’s me for this dread stranger; a cruel destiny

It is that all my warriors must dead before him lie!

“And woe upon this feasting,” the noble sovran cried,

“For one, by name of Volker, is fighting there inside

Like to a savage boar, and yet a minstrel he!

I thank my Lord and Saviour I’m from that devil free!

“Right evil sound his measures, his strokes are bloody red;

Ay, and his tunes have smitten full many a hero dead,

I know not what against us this minstrel doth attest,

For never have I harbour’d so downright ill a guest!”

They’d let from out the palace as many as they chose;

Then from the folk within it a fearful din arose.

The guests for what had happen’d a dire revenge would have.

Ay! Volker the undaunted, what helmets then he clave!