How might bold Hildebrand ever be fiercer? Folker he smote, so that
on all sides the clasps flew to the walls of the hall from helmet and
shield of the doughty gleeman. Thus stout Folker was done to death. At
this the men of Dietrich pressed forward to the strife. They smote so
that the armor rings whirled far and wide, and high through the air
the sword-points wore seen to fly. From the helmets they drew the warm
gushing stream of blood. When Hagen of Troneg saw Folker dead, that was
the greatest sorrow, that he had gained at the feasting in kinsman or
in liegeman. Alas, how fiercely Hagen gan venge the knight! "Now old
Hildebrand shall not profit by this deed. My helpmate lieth slain by the
hero's hand, the best war comrade that I did ever win." Higher he raised
his helmet, and ran, slashing as he went.
Stout Helfrich slew Dankwart. Loth enow it was to Gunther and Giselher,
when they saw him fall in cruel need, but with his own hands he himself
had well avenged his death. Meanwhile Wolfhart raged back and forth,
hewing alway King Gunther's men. For the third time he was come through
the hall, and many a warrior fell, struck by his hands.
Then Lord Giselher cried out to Wolfhart: "Alas, that I have ever gained
so grim a foe! Noble knight and brave, now address you unto me. I'll
help to make an end; this may be no longer."
At this Wolfhart turned him in strife to Giselher, and each smote other
many a gaping wound. He pressed so mightily toward the king, that
the blood beneath his feet spurted high above his head. With grim
and fearful blows the son of fair Uta then greeted the brave knight
Wolfhart. However strong the warrior, he might not save his life. Never
could so young a king have been more brave; Wolfhart he smote through
his stout hauberk, that his blood streamed down from the wound. Unto
death he wounded Dietrich's liegeman. None save a champion had done such
deed. When brave Wolfhart felt the wound, he let fall his shield and
lifted higher in his hand his mighty sword (sharp enow it was); through
both helmet and armor rings the hero smote Giselher. Thus each did other
fiercely unto death.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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