Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/353

XXVI.]

How mightfully soever Hagen on Gelfrat leapt,

The noble margrave parried; and with one stroke he swept

A great piece off his buckler,— that sparks therefrom were shed;

Whereby King Gunther’s vassal was wellnigh stricken dead.

Thereon he unto Dankwart to call aloud began:

“Dear brother, help me quickly! for, lo, a mighty man

Hath got me at his mercy; he’ll make an end of me!”

Then spake the valiant Dankwart: “To that I soon will see.”

Then nearer sprang the hero and struck so fell a blow

With keen edge of his weapon, that dead he laid him low.

Then fain had Else taken some vengeance for the wight;

But he and all his people went off in sorry plight.

His brother had been slaughter’d; himself, too, had a wound;

Full eighty of his warriors lay there upon the ground

In grim Death’s grip forever; needs must the hero then

Turn round and flee for safety before King Gunther’s men.

Now while they of Bavaria along the road did flee,

The horrid sounds of slaughter were heard unceasingly.

So did the men of Tronjé after their foemen chase,

Who of defeat had dreamt not; too soon it came to pass.

And while they still were fleeing, Dankwart the thane call’d out:

“Upon the road right quickly we ought to turn about

And let them run at leisure: all wet they are with blood!

Unto our friends return we; in sooth I deem it good.”