Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/470

392

So had they one another to cruel death fordone,

And then of Dietrich’s lieges there lived but one alone.

When Hildebrand the ancient beheld how Wolfhart fell,

I trow, until his ending, such grief he ne’er could tell.

The men-at-arms of Gunther were dead now everyone,

As likewise those of Dietrich; and Hildebrand had gone

Unto the place where Wolfhart was lying in the blood:

Within his arms he folded that warrior brave and good.

Fain would he from the chamber have borne him bodily,

But he was all too weighty, he e’en must let him lie.

The dying man uplifted his eyes amid the blood,

And saw well that his kinsman would help him if he could.

“My well-belovéd uncle,” the dying one then said,

“At this time it avails not to give me any aid.

Now ware you well of Hagen! ay, take my words for good;

For in his heart he nurses an ever cruel mood.

“If after death my kinsfolk for me should mourning be,

Unto my next and dearest I bid you say for me

That they for me must weep not: need for it is there none,

Here lie I slain in honour, by kingly hands fordone.

“So throughly here, moreover, have I avenged my life,

That cause indeed for wailing hath many a good knight’s wife:

If anyone should ask you so may you answer plain,

A good five score are lying whom I myself have slain.”