ve her land a
beggar, she insists upon his obedience to her commands. Fully armed,
Rudiger, therefore, finally marches toward the hall and, arriving at
the foot of the staircase, explains his position to the Burgundians.
Knowing his generosity, Hagen, whose shield has been cut to pieces,
begs for the one Rudiger carries, and, after receiving it, declares he
will give a good account of himself before he yields. The signal for
battle is then given and Rudiger and his men enter the hall, where,
after many have fallen on both sides, Gernot, one of Kriemhild's
brothers, and Rudiger slay each other.

_38th Adventure._ A new batch of corpses having been flung down
stairs, such a lament arises among the Huns that Dietrich of Bern
inquires what it may mean. On learning that Rudiger has been slain,
Dietrich bids Hildebrand go and claim his corpse, but, instead of
acting merely as ambassador, this warrior first bandies words with
Volker and then slays him. Seeing this, Hagen drives him down the
stairs, and discovers that all the Burgundians have now been slain,
and that he and Gunther alone remain alive in the hall. Meantime
Hildebrand having reported to Dietrich all that has occurred, this
chief, hearing most of his men have perished, sallies forth to avenge
them.

_39th Adventure._ On approaching the hall, Dietrich summons Hagen and
Gunther to surrender, promising to use his influence to secure their
safe return home; but the two Burgundians, feeling sure Kriemhild will
show no mercy, refuse to yield. A duel, therefore, takes place between
Dietrich and the exhausted Hagen, in the course of which, by means of
a sudden feint, Dietrich seizes and binds his foe. Then, leading him
to Kriemhild, he implores her to be merciful to this prisoner, while
he returns to secure Gunther also.

"Fair and noble Kriemhild," thus Sir Dietrich spake,
"Spare this captive warrior who full amends will make
For all his past transgressions; him here in bonds you see;
Revenge not on the fetter'd th' offences of the free."

While Dietrich is securing Gunther in the same way, the queen, left
alone with Hagen, again demands her treasures. Hagen rejoins that,
having promised never to reveal their hiding-place as long as his
lords live, he cannot reveal the secret to her. Hearing this
statement, Kriemhild, whose cruelty now knows no bounds, orders
Gunther--her last brother--slain, and herself carries his head to
Hagen, as proof there is no more