Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/114

36

Three sev’ral times he’d traversed the host, from end to end,

And now, to help him, Hagen his steps did thither bend.

Right well in fight assuaged they the fierceness of their mood:

Through them that day must perish full many a warrior good.

When Ludeger the stalwart saw Siegfried near him stand,

And how aloft he wielded the good sword in his hand,—

The mighty weapon Balmung,— and what a host it slew:

The king waxed very wrathful, and fierce his anger grew.

Then was a mighty thronging, and clang of swords as well,

As on each side the warriors on their opponents fell.

The chieftains sought each other, mettle and strength to gauge;—

The hosts began to waver; then waxed the hate and rage.

The leader of the Saxons was well aware, I trow,

His brother was a captive,— and therefore grieved enow.

He knew too that the captor was Siegelinda’s son;—

’Twas first set down to Gernot, but soon the truth was known.

Se fierce was Lud’ger’s onslaught, and eke of such fell force,

That under Siegfried’s saddle stagger’d his battle-horse.

But soon it did recover; and, as the turmoil grew,

The aspect of bold Siegfried was terrible to view.

Hagen he had to aid him, and Gernot too was by,

And Dankwart and Sir Volker;— the dead around did lie.

There fought the bold thane Ortwein, and Sindold, and Hunold,

Who, on the field of battle, left many a warrior cold.