Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/190

174 made ready their battle-weeds, belted the sword o’er their ring-mail, the heroes, who rode to the fray. Hildebrand spake, Herebrand’s son,— . . . he was riper in years, the older man: to ask he commenced, though few his words, who his father was of human folk. . . . . . “or of what race thou mayst be, if thou namest one only, the others I know. All kindred I ken in this kingdom, O youth!” Hathubrand spake, Hildebrand’s son:— “Trusty people have told to me, who, old and wise, knew ancient ways, my father was Hildebrand: Hathubrand I! Long ago went he eastward; from Otacher’s hate with Theotrich fled he, and thanes in plenty. In his land he left forlorn behind him bride in bower and boy ungrown, reft of inheritance: rode he yet eastward! Theotrich later, in thronging perils, of my father had need: ’twas so friendless a man!