Soon as they of Bavaria gave way through ghastly fear, Behind them deadly sword-strokes loud ringing you might hear. So the bold men of Trony held their foes in chase, Who sought to 'scape the forfeit and ever fled apace. XXXII Then Dankwart thus behind them loud shouted o'er the plain, "Forthwith must we be wending back on our steps again; So let them fly unfollow'd, each bleeding as he flies, While we rejoin our comrades; this I in truth advise." XXXIII When back had come the warriors to where the fight had been, Thus spoke the Knight of Trony, "Chiefs, now 'twere fit, I ween, To reckon up the missing, and learn whom we to-night Have lost through Gelfrat's anger in this sharp sudden fight." XXXIV Four of their friends had perish'd, slight cause had they to plain, For they had well aveng'd them; on th' other hand were slain Of the repuls'd Bavarians a hundred men or more, The shields of the stout Tronians were dimm'd and soak'd with gore. XXXV From the clouds a moment broke out the gleaming moon; "We shall overtake," said Hagan, "our friends and comrades soon; But none to my good masters speak of this hasty fray; Let them without suspicion remain till dawn of day." XXXVI When those who fought the battle had now rejoin'd the rest, They found them with long travail exhausted and oppress'd. "How long have we to journey?" asked many a champion brave. "Here's neither host nor hostel," was th' answer Dankwart gave, XXXVII "You all must until morning ride on as best you can." Next sent the nimble Folker, the leader of the van, To ask the noble marshal, "Where shall we lodge the crew To-night? Where rest the horses and our good masters too?" XXXVIII Then answer gave bold Dankwart, "That's more than I can say; Rest must we ne'er a moment before the dawn of day, And, wheresoe'er we meet it, lie down upon the green." To most of those who heard him 'twas heavy news, I ween. XXXIX Long time remain'd unnotic'd the stains of bloody red, Till the fair sun, up rising, his glittering radiance spread At morn above the mountains; at once the king espied That they had just been fighting, and full of anger cried, XL "How now, friend Hagan? so you, it seems, disdain'd To have me for your comrade, when thus with blood was stain'd And dabbled all your hauberks; who put you in that plight?" Said he, "'Twas done by Elsy; he fell on us last night. XLI "To revenge his ferryman this fierce assault he plann'd There slain was sturdy Gelfrat by my good brother's hand, And Elsy scarce escap'd us; 'faith he was ill bestead. We lost but four companions, and he a hundred dead." XLII