Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/453

XXXVII.]

When he to give the buckler so readily agreed,

Then were there eyes in plenty that with hot tears were red.

Of gifts it was the latest that unto warrior e’er

By Rüdeger was given, the lord of Bechelar.

How fierce soe’er was Hagen, however hard in mood,

Yet stirr’d that gift his pity, with which the warrior good,

So nigh to his last moments, had freely him endow’d;

And with him fell to weeping full many a chieftain proud.

“Now God in Heaven reward thee, most noble Rüdeger;

The like of thee will never be met with anywhere,

Who unto exiled warriors so royally dost give:

God grant that all thy virtue for evermore may live.”

“Woe’s me for this betiding!” said Hagen yet again:

“We’ve had to bear already so great a load of pain,

Must we with friends be striving? Now God our refuge be!”

Then made the margrave answer: “It grieves me bitterly.”

“Your gift I’ll now requite you, most noble Rüdeger,—

Howe’er these high-born warriors themselves towards you bear,—

To wit that here in battle you ne’er shall feel my hand,

Though all by you should perish of the Burgundian land.”

In courtly wise he bent him, the worthy Rüdeger;

On all sides they were weeping that such heart-sorrows were

By no one to be mended:— a dread necessity!

The father of all virtues in Rüdeger would die.