Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/425

XXXV.]

Then quickly in his armour thane Irving was y-clad,

With Irnfried of Thuringia, a bold and gallant lad,

And eke the stalwart Haward, with full a thousand men;

Whatever part was Iring’s, that would they all maintain.

The fiddler saw them coming— a very host they were—

In arms along with Iring, to set upon him there.

On head, well-fasten’d, wore they right many a helmet good.

Then wax’d the gallant Volker wrathful enough in mood.

“Now dost thou see, friend Hagen, how Iring yonder goes,

Who swore that thee in sword-fight he singly would oppose?

Doth falsehood fit a hero? Him I misprize therefore;

He brings with him in armour a thousand men or more!”

“Now call me not a liar,” the liege of Haward said,

“I’m ready to accomplish what I have promiséd;

For fear of no man living will I my word disown;

How dread so e’er be Hagen, I’ll stand to him alone.”

Then Iring begg’d his kinsmen and followers, at their feet,

That they would let him singly in fight the warrior meet.

Unwillingly they yielded, for well enough to them

Was known the haughty Hagen, from Burgundy who came.

Yet he so long besought them, that ’twas at last agreed.

For when his people saw him so bent upon the deed,

And that he strove for honour, they could but let him go;

Thereon a grim encounter befell betwixt the two.