Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/429

XXXV.]

“Now God reward thee, Iring, a hero good thou art;

Much hast thou me encouraged and comforted my heart.

Lo, now on Hagen’s raiment all red with blood I look!”

With her own hand Kriemhilda his shield, in kindness, took.

“So much you need not thank him,” quoth Hagen; “if again

With me he’d try his fortune, it would beseem the thane.

If ever thence return’d he, a valiant man he’d be!

The wound will serve you little that he hath given to me.

“That you have seen my hauberk by blood of mine made red,

Unto the death of many hath me embitteréd.

Against that liege of Haward’s I have the utmost wrath;—

Albeit the warrior Iring hath done me little scathe.”

Meanwhile the man of Denmark into the wind had gone

To cool him in his hauberk— his helmet off was done.

And all the folk were saying his prowess was right good;

Whereby they made the margrave exceeding bold of mood.

Then presently spake Iring: “My friends, now mark ye well

That ye must arm me quickly: I’ll try another spell,

If that o’erbearing tyrant I yet may bring to book.”

His shield was hack’d to pieces: a better one he took.

Full speedily the warrior was better arm’d than e’er;

A javelin right sturdy with hate in heart he bare,

Wherewith once more with Hagen he purposed there to fight:

With foe-like mien awaited for him that murderous wight.