Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/483

XXXIX.]

Old Hildebrand cried: “Truly she shall no gainer be

That she hath dared to slay him! Whate’er befalleth me,

Although myself but lately to direst straits he brought,

For this brave Tronian’s murder I’ll yet have vengeance wrought.”

Then Hildebrand right wrathful upon Kriemhilda leapt,

And at the queen with broadsword a heavy stroke he swept.

Ay, Hildebrand she dreaded with sore anxiety.

But what could it avail her to shriek thus horribly?

The bodies of the slaughter’d were lying all around;

And there the noble lady lay mangled on the ground.

Dietrich along with Etzel fell bitterly to weep;

For kinsmen and for lieges they mourn’d in sorrow deep.

There mickle pride and honour in death dishonour’d lay.

The people all were stricken with pity and dismay.

In sorrowing was ended the king’s high festival—

As loving ever endeth in sorrow after all.

I cannot tell you plaimly what later may have been,

Save that in bitter weeping were knights and ladies seen—

And noble liegemen also— for friends beloved laid low.

The story now is ended: this is the Niblungs’ woe.