Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/191

Rh Boundlessly angry at Otacher was he, the trustiest thane in Theotrich’s service, ever front in the folk-rank, too fain for battle, famous was he among fighting-men bold! I believe not he lives.”. . . Hildebrand spake, Herebrand’s son: — “But High-God knows, in heaven above, that thou never yet with such near-kin man, hero brave, hast held thy parley!”

He unwound from his arm the winding rings, of kaiser-gold wrought, that the king had given him, Lord of the Huns: “In love now I give it thee.” Hathubrand spake, Hildebrand’s son:— “With the spear should a man receive his gifts, point against point. . . Thou art over-crafty, thou agéd Hun,— enthrallst me with speech to o’erthrow me with spear. Old as thou’st grown, bear’st only guile! Seafaring folk have said to me, come west over Wendelsea,—War hath seized him. Dead is Hildebrand, Herebrand’s son!”