Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/471

XXXVIII.]

Meanwhile had Hagen likewise upon the minstrel thought,

Whom Hildebrand the valiant unto his end had brought.

Then spake he to the warrior: “My loss thou shalt requite,

For here thou hast bereft us of many a goodly knight.”

He struck a blow at Hildebrand, such that one might have told

The hissing sound of Balmung, the sword that Hagen bold

From Siegfried’s self had taken when he that hero slew;

The blow the old man parried: ay! he was valiant too.

The warrior of Dietrich against the Tronian knight

His weapon broad uplifted, that keenly too could smite,

To wound the man of Gunther yet might he not prevail.

Then once again smote Hagen through well-wrought coat of mail.

Now when the old Sir Hildebrand was of the wound aware,

More evil yet he dreaded from Hagen’s hand to bear.

His shield the man of Dietrich threw back behind his head,

And, desperately wounded, the chief from Hagen fled.

Of all the knightly warriors remain’d there but a pair,—

Save Gunther’s self and Hagen none others living were.

Old Hildebrand all bleeding in flight had safety sought,

And when he came to Dietrich a woeful tale he brought.

He saw his master sitting with visage woe-begone,—

The prince was yet more sorry when he his tale had done;

Upon the bloody hauberk of Hildebrand look’d he,

And sought of him his tidings in all anxiety.