On the good helm the minstrel he smote with fell intent, So that the edge, descending, e'en to the beaver went. That stroke the forceful gleeman repaid with such a blow, As sent the sturdy Wolfhart tottering to and fro. XLIV They clash'd, that from the hauberks sparks were seen to start, Either bore the other deadly hate at heart. A Berner then, Sir Wolfwine, parted that stormy fight. Who on such deed could venture, was sure a prowest knight. XLV The noble king, Sir Gunther, with frank and willing hand Met the renowned champions of th' Amelungers' land. Then, too, the good Sir Giselher himself so knightly bore, That he made the polish'd morions red and wet with gore. XLVI Dankwart, Hagan's brother, was a champion grim. Whate'er on Etzel's meiny had late been wrought by him, A puff was to the tempest that now to rise began; So furiously did battle the son of Aldrian. XLVII Ritschart as well as Gerbart, Helfrich and Wichart, too, Spared themselves but seldom with bloody work to do; This in the fierce hurly to Gunther's men they show'd. Into the strife Sir Wolfbrand like a noble warrior strode. XLVIII Then, as though he were frantic, fought aged Hildebrand. Many a good knight, o'ermaster'd by Wolfhart's stalwart hand Into the blood, death-stricken, beneath his broadsword fell. Thus the bold knights of Dietrich reveng'd the margrave well. XLIX Then, as his courage mov'd him, the good Sir Siegstab strove; Ah! how the glittering morions of his stern foes he clove In that tempestuous conflict, Sir Dietrich's sister's son! Amidst the storm of battle ne'er had he better done. L The valiant minstrel Folker, soon as he espied A bloody brook forth gushing as Siegstab fiercely plied His sword upon the hauberks, in a storm of rage was tossed; Furious he leapt upon him; at once Sir Siegstab lost LI His life by that stern minstrel, who, to the warrior's ill, Proof gave him so resistless of his surpassing skill, That at a stroke before him down fell dead the knight. Him straight revenged Sir Hildebrand, as well beseem'd his might. LII "Ah, my dear lord!" in anguish cried Master Hildebrand, "Dost thou then here lie lifeless by Folker's bloody hand? But hence, be sure, shall never this minstrel scathless go." However could noble Hildebrand rush fiercer on a foe? LIII At once so smote he Folker with weapon sharp and true, That to the walls on all sides a shower of shivers flew From helm and eke from buckler like chaff before the blast. Thereby the sturdy Folker came to his end at last. LIV At that, the men of Dietrich rush'd on from every side. They slash'd, that links of hauberk went whirling far and wide, And the snapp'd sword-points flicker'd with momentary gleam; They drew from out the morions the smoking bloody stream. LV