e and thy man, and I will defend thee
to the uttermost against the wrath of the Huns. Thou wilt find me
faithful and true."

"God in Heaven forbid," cried Hagen, "that two knights, armed as we are
for battle, should yield them to thee! I would hold it a great shame,
and ill done."

"Deny me not," said Dietrich. "Ye have made me heavy-hearted enow, O
Gunther and Hagen; and it is no more than just, that ye make it good. I
swear to you, and give you my hand thereon, that I will ride back with
you to your own country. I will bring you safely thither, or die with
you, and forget my great wrong for your sakes."

"Ask us no more," said Hagen. "It were a shameful tale to tell of us,
that two such bold men yielded them captive. I see none save Hildebrand
by thy side."

Hildebrand answered, "Ye would do well to take my master's terms; the
hour will come, or long, when ye would gladly take them, but may not have
them."

"Certes, I had liefer do it," said Hagen, "than flee mine adversary like
a coward, as thou didst, Master Hildebrand. By my troth, I deemed thou
hadst withstood a foeman better."

Cried Hildebrand, "Thou needest not to twit me. Who was it that, by the
wask-stone, sat upon his shield when Walter of Spain slew so many of his
kinsmen? Thou, thyself, art not void of blame."

Said Sir Dietrich then, "It beseemeth not warriors to fight with words
like old women. I forbid thee, Master Hildebrand, to say more. Homeless
knight that I am, I have grief enow. Tell me now, Sir Hagen, what ye
good knights said when ye saw me coming around. Was it not that thou
alone wouldst defy me?"

"Thou hast guessed rightly," answered Hagen. "I am ready to prove it
with swift blows, if my Nibelung sword break not. I am wroth that ye
would have had us yield us captive."

When Dietrich heard grim Hagen's mind, he caught up his shield, and
sprang up the steps. The Nibelung sword rang loud on his mail. Sir
Dietrich knew well that the bold man was fierce. The prince of Bern
warded off the strokes. He needed not to learn that Hagen was a valiant
knight. Thereto, he feared stark Balmung. But ever and anon he struck
out warily, till he had overcome Hagen in the strife. He gave him a
wound that was deep and wide. Then thought Sir Dietrich, "Thy long
travail hath made thee weak. I had little honour in thy death. Liefer
will I take thee captive." Not lightly did he prevail. He threw down
his shield. He was stark