"I'll not renounce my challenge," Iring stern replied, "Ere now have I, and often, such hard adventures tried. Now sword to sword I'll meet thee; let ruth aside be flung! What boots thy haughty passion, and valor of the tongue?" IV Then at once Sir Iring arm'd him for the fight, And Irnfried or Thüringia, a young and lusty knight, And the large-limb'd Hawart with a thousand in his train; All sought to vouch the quarrel of that redoubted Dane. V Soon as the dauntless minstrel so huge a troop espied Forth all in armor coming on the fierce margrave's side, Each with his glittering helmet laced ready for the fray, Somewhat the wrath of Folker kindled at their array. VI "See you now, friend Hagan, how comes Sir Iring nigh? Sure I must condemn him--ill fits a knight to lie. To stand against thee singly he promis'd just before, And now he brings in armor a thousand chiefs or more." VII "Call me not a liar," Hawart's liegeman cried. "Yes! I have given a promise; I'd fain my words abide. I'll ne'er renounce th' adventure; fear is to me unknown; How fierce soe'er be Hagan, I'll meet him here alone." VIII He begg'd his friends and kinsmen, down falling at their feet, That they would let him singly the stern Burgundian meet. Fain would they have denied him, for all too well they knew How stout a knight was Hagan, and how remorseless too. IX So long he still entreated, at last they gave consent; When him on that fierce battle they saw so wildly bent And so athirst for honor, with grief they let him go. A deadly strife then follow'd 'twixt either frowning foe. X The valiant knight of Denmark bore high his quivering spear, And crouch'd beneath his buckler through caution, not through fear, Then, to the hall swift mounting, with Hagan sought to close. From the death-doing champions a deafening din arose. XI Each cast his spear at th' other with such o'ermastering might, Piercing through the strong bucklers e'en to the harness bright, That the shafts, high whirling, to a distance flew; Their swords then, sternly frowning, the rival champions drew. XII Huge was the strength of Hagan, his heart and hand were stout, Yet on him smote Sir Iring, that rang the hall throughout. Wall and tower re-echoed at every thundering blow. Still could not he his purpose work on his burly foe. XIII So Iring there let Hagan as yet unwounded stand, And on the warlike minstrel, turn'd at once his hand; He thought to bring him under with buffets fierce and fell, But the long-practis'd gleeman his blows all warded well. XIV Then Folker, kindling passion, smote Iring's buckler so, That the steel plates which bound it flew off at every blow. Then turn'd he from the minstrel (he struck too boisterously), And fell at once on Gunther the King of Burgundy. XV