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Yet still they urged him straitly, the king and eke his wife.

Thence came it many a warrior ere long must lose his life

By Rüdeger’s achieving; till eke that hero fell.

Now of his direful doing I must the story tell.

He knew how this must evil and fearful sorrow bring,

And liefer would he therefore denial to the king,

And eke the queen, have given: full sorely fear’d he that

If e’er a guest he slaughter’d, the world would bear him hate.

Unto the king then spake he— that man of spirit bold:

“Lord king, take back whatever from thee I have and hold,

Both land and burghs: with neither will I have aught to do,

But on my feet departing, will into exile go.”

Then spake the royal Etzel: “Who then will succour me?

The land as well as castles all will I give to thee,

If thou upon my foemen avenge me, Rüdeger.

Thou’lt be a mighty sovran, of Etzel nigh the peer.”

But Rüdeger made answer: “How could I this essay?

At home within my dwelling I bade them come and stay;

Of drink and meat I offer’d to them in kindly wise,

And gave them gifts: how can I now death for them devise?

“The folk belike are thinking that I am cowardly!

My services in nothing to them did I deny—

Or to the noble princes, or any of their men—

That we are knit in friendship repenteth me amain.