Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/413

XXXIII.]

With double-handed sword-stroke he dealt a blow at large

Against the man of learning, who had the child in charge.

His head all in a moment before the table lay:

In good sooth for the teacher it was but sorry pay!

He saw by Etzel’s table a certain minstrel-man,

And Hagen in his fury to fall on him began;

His left hand on the fiddle he lopp’d off suddenly:

“There’s somewhat thou canst carry for news to Burgundy!”

“Woe for my hand!” cried Werbel the minstrel: “wilt thou say

What evil I have done thee, Lord Hagen of Tronjé?

In all good faith I journey’d unto your master’s land;

The notes how can I finger since I have lost my hand?”

But little heeded Hagen, though he ne’er fiddled more.

He wreak’d within the palace a vengeance grim and sore

Upon the knights of Etzel, of whom a host he slew.

Death dealt he in the palace to people not a few.

The ever-ready Volker up from the table sprang:

And in his hand right loudly his fiddle-bow outrang.

Right fearsome was the music that Gunther’s minstrel play’d;

Ay! ’mid the gallant Hunsmen what enemies he made!

Upsprang, too, from the table, the noble rulers three:

They gladly would have stay’d it, ere mischief worse should be.

But all their wit avail’d not the rising storm to quell,

When Volker joining Hagen to such wild raving fell.