Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/463

XXXVIII.]

Then Hagen spake of Tronjé: “No lie the tidings are;

Though fain I were to grant you, for love of Rüdeger,

That they had lied who told you, and he were still in life:

He must be ever wept for by man and maid and wife.”

When all knew, of a surety, that Rüdeger was dead,

The warriors bewail’d him, as love and fealty bade.

From each of Dietrich’s liegemen one saw the tears-drops fall

O’er chin and beard descending: sore was the grief of all.

Then Siegestab outspeaking,— the duke from Bern,—said he:

“Forever now is ended the hospitality

That Rüdeger aye show’d us after our days of pain.

The Comfort of the exile lies by you heroes slain.”

Then from among the Amelungs, the warrior Wolfwin said:

“Were I this day before me to see my father dead,

Ne’er could I feel more sorrow than at this stricken life:

Alas! who now will comfort the worthy margrave’s wife?”

Thereon in mood of anger the thane Sir Wolfhart cried:

“Who on so many a foray shall now the warriors guide,

As heretofore the margrave hath times right often done?

Alas, most noble Rüdeger, that thou from us art gone!”

There Helferich and Wolfbrand and Helmot also were,

With all their friends, bewailing the death of Rüdeger;

And Hildebrand for sobbing could ask no more of aught.

He spake: “Now do ye, warriors, that which my lord hath sought,