Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/112

34

The banner of Burgundia was fixed its staff unto.

“Come on, my men!” cried Siegfried, “here have we more to do,

Before the day be ended. If God preserve my life,

There'll weep among the Saxons full many a comely wife!

“Give ear, ye Rhine-born heroes, unto these words I say:

To Lud’ger’s host I, truly, can show ye straight the way.

Ye'll see some helmet-hewing by heroes’ hands, I trow!

And, ere we turn us homewards, what grief is some shall know.”

To horse did Gernot hasten, as eke did all his men.

Aloft upbore the banner the stalwart minstrel-thane,—

The high-born noble Volker;— before the host he rode;

And eke the camp-folk, following, proudly to battle strode.

They had no more, all counted, than just a thousand men

And twelve, with those of Siegfried. The dust ’gan rising then

Upon the streets and roadways, as through the land they rode:

One saw their lances shining, and many a good shield glowed.

Now also had the Saxons come forth in great array.

Their swords were finely sharpened, as I have heard men say;

And keen they were and deadly, wielded by heroes’ hands:

Therewith they, from the strangers, would castle guard and lands.

The marshal of the Rhine-men led on his warriors then.

And Siegfried followed closely, with the twelve valiant men

Whem he had brought as comrades from out the Netherland.

That day in blood of battle was stainéd many a hand.