every man of Burgundy."

Rudeger bowed, and thanked him. All the folk wept. Sore pity it was
that none could stay the strife. The father of all virtue lay dead in
Rudeger.

Then Folker the fiddler went to the door and said, "Since my comrade
Hagen hath sworn peace, thou shalt have it also from my hand. Well didst
thou earn it when we came first into this country. Noble Margrave, be my
envoy. The Margravine gave me these red bracelets to war at the
hightide. See them now, and bear witness that I did it."

"Would to God that the Margravine might give thee more! Doubt not but I
shall tell my dear one, if I ever see her alive."

When he had promised that, Rudeger lifted up his shield; he waxed fierce,
and tarried no longer. Like a knight he fell upon the guests. Many a
swift blow he smote. Folker and Hagen stood back, for they had vowed
it. But so many bold men stood by the door that Rudeger came in great
scathe.

Athirst for blood, Gunther and Gernot let him pass in. Certes, they were
heroes. Giselher drew back sorrowing. He hoped to live yet awhile;
wherefore he avoided Rudeger in the strife.

Then the Margrave's men ran at their foemen, and followed their master
like good knights. They carried sharp weapons, wherewith they clove many
a helmet and buckler. The weary ones answered the men of Bechlaren with
swift blows that pierced deep and straight through their harness to their
life's blood. They did wonderly in the battle.

All the warriors were now in the hall. Folker and Hagen fell on them,
for they had sworn to spare none save the one man. Their hands struck
blood from the helmets. Right grim was the clash of swords! Many a
shield-plate sprang in sunder, and the precious stones were scattered
among the blood. So fiercely none will fight again. The prince of
Bechlaren hewed a path right and left, as one acquainted with battle.
Well did Rudeger approve him that day a bold and blameless knight.
Gunther and Gernot smote many heroes dead. Giselher and Dankwart laid
about them, fearing naught, and sent many a man to his doom.

Rudeger approved him stark enow, bold and well armed. Ha! many a knight
he slew! One of the Burgundians saw this, and was wroth; whereat
Rudeger's death drew nigh.

Gernot cried out to the Margrave, "Noble Rudeger; thou leavest none of my
men alive. It irketh me sore; I will bear it no longer. I will turn thy
gift against thee, for thou hast taken many friends f