Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/443

XXXVII.]

Good Rüdeger inquiring straightway to Dietrich sent,

if they might make between them the noble king relent.

But he of Bern made answer: “Who could avail thereto?

King Etzel wills that no one should come betwixt the two.”

Now by a Hunnish warrior Sir Rüdeger was seen

With eyes bedimm’d with weeping, as they for long had been.

Unto the queen then spake he: “Now look how standeth he,—

The man who hath with Etzel the most authority,

“And who hath at his service the people and the land.

How many a castle is there in Rüdeger’s command,

Of which, through the king’s bounty, so many he may own!

Yet he throughout this struggle no worthy stroke hath done.

“Methinks he little recketh if things go well or ill,

As long as he hath all things according to his will.

’Tis said that he is braver than other men mote be:

But that, in all this trouble, hath been full hard to see.”

The warrior true-hearted, with downcast mood and grim,

Gave heed unto the speaker. The hero look’d on him,

And thought: “This shalt thou pay for! Thou say’st I am afraid?

Thou hast at court thy story somewhat too loudly said.”

His fists to clench began he, and at him straight he ran,

And smote to such good purpose upon that Hunnish man

That lifeless on the instant him at his feet he laid.

But thus King Etzel’s troubles were all the greater made.