Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/466

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Yet though he sprang so swiftly, to reach the palace wall

He could not on the stairway old Hildebrand forestall,

Who would not that another first in the fight should be.

Their guerdon from the strangers they both got presently.

Then quickly upon Hagen sprang Master Hildebrand:

The clashing of the sword-blades was heard on either hand;

Their wrath was sorely kindled, as presently was plain;

A fiery stream was scatter’d from off their weapons twain.

Yet quickly were they sunder’d under the stress of fight:

The men of Bern so caused it, prevailing in their might.

Whereon away from Hagen betook him Hildebrand;

And needs must gallant Volker stout Wolfhart’s onset stand.

He smote the fiddle-player upon his helmet good,

So bravely that the sword-edge unto the sidebands hew’d;

The fiddler bold repaid him with all his might and main,

And laid his blows on Wolfhart, until he reel’d again.

They struck from the mail-armour of fiery sparks enow;

Their hate for one another was felt in every blow;

Then came the warrior Wolfwin of Bern the twain between:

Had he not been a hero that never could have been.

The warrior Gunther also gave with unstinting hand

A welcome to the heroes far-famed of Amelung land;

And Giselher the lordly made helms that shone before,

On head of many a warrior, ruddy and wet with gore.