But face to face with Siegfried at last strong Lüdiger came, And saw in his hand upleaping the great sword's battle-flame, Saw the edges of Balmung cleaving through his knights a death-strewn path. Then the heart of the dauntless Saxon was swept by a storm of wrath. Then hurled were the surges of battle together with clash of swords, As the war-bands closed in the grapple of fight around their lords, And the two kings sought each other with uttermost desire. Reeled squadrons sundered before them till they met, for their hate was as fire. To the Lord of the land of the Saxons long since the tidings came How his brother was taken captive, and for this was his wrath aflame; But he wotted not who had achieved it: nought knew he of Siegelind's son, For the deed had been told for Gernot's--but of him was the truth soon known! {P. 29} Then rained from Lüdiger's war-glaive such storm of blow on blow That Siegfried's steed 'neath the saddle sank on his haunches low; But he sprang to his full height straightway, and the dauntless Siegfried's might Flashed forth in terrible lightnings through the tempest of that fight. There beside him was Hagen smiting, and Gernot bare him well, And Dankwart and Volker; before them the swaths of battle fell: Hewed Sindold and Hunold and Ortwein, the war-triumphant lords: Before them many a champion slept the sleep of swords. In the battle's heart close-grappling were Saxon and Lowland king, And over their helm-crests ever did many a javelin sing; Through glittering bucklers pierced they from the hands of heroes sped, Till many a goodly shield-rim dripped with the life-stream red. Mid the surges of battle-tempest sank many a good knight slain From his steed to the earth: yet ever they clashed, those terrible twain Hurling together, Siegfried and Lüdiger the king, 'Neath the splintered staves upsoaring and the javelins' eager wing. Lo, the sweep of the sword of Siegfried hath severed the King's shield-band! Now seeth the Netherland hero the victory hard at hand Over the valiant Saxons--nigh these was the bitter end. --Ha, how did the dauntless Dankwart the glittering mail-rings rend!-- Even then the King of the Saxons with sudden-cold despair Beheld a crown emblazoned on the shield that Siegfried bare. He saw it, he knew it--"None other than the Hero resistless is here!" And he lifted his voice, through the clangour of battle his shout rang clear: "Refrain you from fight, refrain you, all ye of my battle-aid! Lo, here is the Son of Siegmund in the strife against us arrayed! I have seen, I have known him, Siegfried, the all-resistless lord: Of a truth hath the Foul Fiend sent him against us hitherward! Let sink my battle-banners," he cried, "the fight is done!" For peace he made entreaty; peace was vouchsafed anon. Yet himself must fare as hostage afar to Gunther's land Beneath the hard constraining of dauntless Siegfried's hand. {P. 30}