e they avenged their death with willing hand.

They were greeted early in the morning with a fierce onslaught, and came
in great scathe. Stark spears were hurled at them. Well the knights
within stood on their defence.

Etzel's men were the bolder, that they might win Kriemhild's fee.
Thereto, they obeyed the king gladly; but soon they looked on death.

One might tell marvels of her gifts and promises. She bade them bear
forth red gold upon shields, and gave thereof to all that desired it, or
would take it. So great treasure was never given against foemen.

The host of warriors came armed to the hall. The fiddler said, "We are
here. I never was gladder to see any knights than those that have taken
the king's gold to our hurt."

Not a few of them cried out, "Come nigher, ye heroes! Do your worst, and
make an end quickly, for here are none but must die."

Soon their bucklers were filled full of darts. What shall I say more?
Twelve hundred warriors strove once and again to win entrance. The
guests cooled their hardihood with wounds. None could part the strife.
The blood flowed from death-deep wounds. Many were slain. Each bewailed
some friend. All Etzel's worthy knights perished. Their kinsmen
sorrowed bitterly.

Thirty-Seventh Adventure

How Rudeger Was Slain

The strangers did valiantly that morning. Gotelind's husband came into
the courtyard and saw the heavy loss on both sides, whereat the true man
wept inly.

"Woe is me," said the knight, "that ever I was born, since none can stop
this strife! Fain would I have them at one again, but the king holdeth
back, for he seeth always more done to his hurt."

Good Rudeger sent to Dietrich, that they might seek to move the great
king. But the knight of Bern sent back answer, "Who can hinder it? King
Etzel letteth none intercede."

A knight of the Huns, that had oft seen Rudeger standing with wet eyes,
said to the queen, "Look how he standeth yonder, that Etzel hath raised
above all others, and that hath land and folk at his service. Why hath
Rudeger so many castles from the king? He hath struck no blow in this
battle. I ween he careth little for our scathe, so long as he has enow
for himself. They say he is bolder than any other. Ill hath he shown it
in our need."

The faithful man, when he heard that word, looked angrily at the knight.
He thought, "Thou shalt pay for this. Thou callest me a coward. Thou
hast told thy tale too loud a