Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/335

Rh that the foul fiend protect thee, thou canst not escape alive.”

Yet Iring wounded Hagen through his crest. This the hero wrought with Waska, a passing goodly sword. When Sir Hagen felt the wound, wildly he brandished his weapon in his hand. Soon Hawart’s liegeman was forced to yield his ground, and Hagen gan pursue him down the stairs. Brave Iring swung his shield above his head, but had the staircase been the length of three, Hagen would not have let him strike a blow the while. Ho, what red sparks did play above his helmet!

Iring returned scatheless to his liegemen. Then the tidings were brought to Kriemhild, of that which he had wrought in strife with Hagen of Troneg. For this the queen gan thank him highly. “Now God requite thee, Iring, thou peerless hero and good. Thou hast comforted well my heart and mind. I see that Hagen’s weeds be wet with blood.” For very joy Kriemhild herself relieved him of his shield.

“Be not too lavish of your thanks,” spake Hagen. “’T would well befit a knight to try again. A valiant man were he, if he then came back alive. Little shall the wound profit you, which I have at his hands; for that ye have seen the rings wet with blood from my wound doth urge me to the death of many a man. Now first am I enraged at Hawart’s liegeman. Small scathe hath Knight Tring done me yet.”

Meanwhile Iring of Denmark stood in the breeze; he cooled his harness and doffed his casque. All the folk then praised his prowess, at which the margrave was in passing lofty mood. Again Sir Iring spake: