Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/407

XXXII.]

“To-morrow they may plight her unto another one:

If he will earn the guerdon, the like to him be done!”

A faithful-hearted Hunsman Dankwart aware had made,

How that the queen against him such grievous plots had laid.

When now the men of Bloedel saw how their lord lay slain,

Then from the guests no longer their hands could they restrain.

With broadswords high uplifted they sprang in deadly mood

Upon the youthful warriors: which ere long many rued.

Then loudly shouted Dankwart unto his followers all:

“Well see ye, noble yeomen, how things are like to fall!

Ye hapless ones, be wary, in sooth there’s need to be,

Albeit noble Kriemhild bade us right lovingly.”

They to whom swords were lacking, reach’d down before each seat,

And many a long stool lifted from underneath their feet.

Then the Burgundian yeomen no longer would forbear,

And heavy stools made bruises through many a helmet there.

How grimly thus the strangers essay’d their lives to save!

And so the arnmi’d assailants from out the house they drave;

Yet left they dead within it five hundred men or more:

And all of the defenders were red and wet with gore.

These tidings of disaster were carried presently

Unto the knights of Etzel (which grieved them bitterly):

How Bloedel and his liegemen had all to death been brought,

Which deed had Hagen’s brother with his retainers wrought.