From the followers also rang the clash of spears. Hagen sprang up again where he had fallen on the grass from the blow; not little was his wrath against Gelfrat. I know not who held their horses. Hagen and Gelfrat were both on the ground. They ran at each other, and their attendants helped them and fought by them. For all Hagen’s fierce onset, the noble Margrave hewed an ell’s length from his shield, that the sparks flew bright. Gunther’s man was well-nigh slain. Then he cried aloud to Dankwart, “Help! dear brother. I perish by the hand of a hero.” Bold Dankwart answered, “I will decide between you.” The knight spurred toward them, and smote Gelfrat such a blow that he fell dead. Elsy would have avenged him, but he and his followers were overcome. His brother was slain, and he himself wounded. Full eighty of his warriors he left there with grim death; the prince had to flee before Gunther’s men. When the Bavarians gave way, there was heard the echo of grisly strokes. The men of Trony chased their foes, and they that stayed not to answer for it had little ease by the way. But while they pursued them, Dankwart said, “Now turn we, and let them ride. They are wet with blood. Let us join our friends. Truly it were best.” When they came again where the fight had been, Hagen of Trony said, “Let us see now, ye heroes, who are amissing, and whom we have lost through Gelfrat’s anger.” They had four to mourn for, that they had lost. Well they were avenged. Against these, more than an hundred of them of Bavaria lay slain. The shields of the men of Trony were dim and wet with blood. The bright moon shone faintly through the clouds, and Hagen said, “Let none tell my dear masters what hath befallen us. Let them be free of trouble till the morrow.” When they that had fought came up with the rest, they found them overcome with weariness. “How long shall we ride?” asked many among them. Bold Dankwart answered, “Here is no hostel. Ye must ride till it is day.” Folker, that had the charge, bade ask the marshal, “Where shall we halt for the night, that the horses and my dear masters may rest?” But Dankwart said, “I know not. We cannot rest till the dawn. Then we shall lie down on the grass wherever we find a place.” When they heard this news they were sorry enow! Of the red blood that reeked on them nothing was said till the sun greeted the morning on the mountains with his bright beams, and the king saw that they had fought. The knight cried angrily, “How now, friend Hagen? Wherefore didst thou scorn my help when they were wetting thy harness with blood? Who hath done it?” Hagen answered, “It was Elsy. He fell on us by night. Because of his ferryman, he attacked us. My brother’s hand slew Gelfrat. Elsy was forced to flee. An hundred of his men, and four of ours, lie dead, slain in battle.”