One of Dietrich’s men heard what had happened. He hastened to his
master and told him the strange tale. Dietrich refused to believe it,
and sent Helfrich to the palace to find out the truth. On hearing the
news of Rüdiger’s death confirmed, the hero of Bern sent his old master
Hildebrand to ask the Nibelungs why they had done this evil deed.
The master would have gone unarmed upon this errand, but Wolfhart cried
out upon the folly of appearing as a lamb in the presence of wolves.
The master thought the advice good, and put his armour on. When he was
on the way, he saw that all Dietrich’s men were following him
well-armed, under Wolfhart’s guidance. He desired his quick-tempered
nephew to go back, but the latter refused point-blank, saying that he
could not let his uncle go alone; and the other warriors, one and all,
declined to leave him. When the small band of five hundred brave men
came in front of the house the Nibelungs were defending, Master
Hildebrand lowered his shield, and asked if it were true that good
Margrave Rüdiger was dead. Hagen answered that they wished it were
untrue, but it could not be helped, for he had been slain in
unavoidable fight. The Amelungs mourned aloud for their friend.
Wolfhart would have avenged him on the spot, but the master held him
back, threatening him with Dietrich’s anger if he thrust himself into
the quarrel. Then, turning to the Nibelungs, he demanded in the name of
the hero of Bern that the Margrave’s body should be handed over to
them, that they might give him honourable burial. King Gunther replied
that it was a good and worthy desire on their part, and one that ought
to be gratified. Wolfhart called to them to make haste and bring out
the body, upon which Volker said that they were too tired to do more
work, so the Amelungs might come in and fetch it.
One word led to another, till Wolfhart lost his temper altogether, and
rushed forward, followed by the Amelungs, shouting as with one voice
their ancient war-cry. Master Hildebrand, drawn on in the general rush,
was found in a foremost place when the battle began. The tired
Nibelungs, and the brave Amelungs—men who had formerly fought side by
side in the great battle of Ravenna, and on many other fields—were now
engaged in hand-to-hand conflict for life and death. Here was strong
Sigestap, duke of Bern, there brave Helfrich, there the bold heroes
Wolfwin, Wolfbrand, Helmnot, Ritschart, and others, all burning to
avenge the death of Rüdiger. The confusion was so great that often
those who wished to meet could not find each other. Thus Volker and
Wolfhart were kept apart; the minstrel fell upon Sigestap, who had
slain many of the Burgundians, and gave him his death-blow, only to
meet Hildebrand a little later and himself to fall under his hand.
Dankwart was slain by Helfrich; Wolfhart did many a deed of valour,
until Giselher attacked him. After a tremendous struggle, the young
king thrust him through the breast, but even then, though in mortal
agony, he grasped his sword in both hands, and slew his adversary.
Old Hildebrand saw his nephew fall, and hastened to him. He lifted him
in his arms, and tried to bear him from that hall of doom; but he was
too heavy. The wounded hero opened his eyes once more, and said in a
faint voice,—
“Uncle, tell our friends not to weep for me, for I have met my death at
the hands of a brave king, as he has at mine. My wild blood has grown
calm and still, and I am ready to sleep peacefully like a tired child.”
These were the last words of the wildest, hottest warrior in Dietrich’s
train. Like Wolfhart, all the other comrades of the hero of Bern, save
Hildebrand alone, lay stretched on the bloody floor; and with them all
the Burgundians, except Hagen and King Gunther.
“Come now, Master Hildebrand,” cried a rough voice, “you owe me
satisfaction for the death of my comrade Volker.”
It was Hagen that spoke. The meafdtelsmer defend his bravely, but the
hero of Tronje was strong and determined, and Balmung was sharp. One
terrible blow cut through Hildebrand’s coat of mail, and the blood
flowed freely from his side.