Every man of Denmark frankly tried his hand; You might have heard a clatter ring throughout the land Of shiver'd shields and sword-blades; 'sooth the work was rough, And the hurtling Saxons damage did enough. LXV Where the stern Burgundians plung'd into the strife, Many a wound was given, and let out many a life. The blood from that red slaughter above the saddles stood; Woo'd as a bride was honor by heroes bold and good. LXVI But louder still and louder in every hero's hand Clash'd the keen-ground weapons, when those of Netherland Behind their charging master rush'd into the fight. On they came with Siegfried; each bore him as a knight. LXVII Not a lord of Rhineland could follow where he flew. You might see red spouting the riven helmets through Sudden streams of slaughter where Siegfried smote around, Till he at last King Ludeger before his comrades found. LXVIII Thrice pierc'd he through the Saxons, and thrice return'd again, From van to utmost rear-guard still trampling down the slain; Nor was it long, ere Hagan came up his part to bear. Down then must proudest champions before th' unconquer'd pair. LXIX When the stalwart Ludeger saw noble Siegfried nigh, Who in his hand wide-wasting ever heav'd on high The storm-descending Balmung, and slew him many a slain, Grimly frown'd the monarch, and burn'd with wrath amain. LXX Dire was the storm and struggle, and loud the sword-blades clash'd, When both the thick battalions each on the other dash'd, Each angry leader panting to meet in stern debate. The crowd began to scatter; then fiercer rose their hate. LXXI Well the Saxon ruler that day perform'd his part; To know his brother taken cut him to the heart. He heard it first reported, Gernot the deed had done, But now he knew for certain, 'twas Siegelind's conqu'ring son. LXXII So burly were the buffets which Ludeger dealt in field, That Siegfried's panting charger under the saddle reel'd. Soon as the steed recover'd, a fiercer passion stirr'd His angry lord, and hotter through the red press he spurr'd. LXXIII Then up to help him Hagan, and up good Gernot sped, Dankwart and Folker; round lay in heaps the dead; And Sindolt came, and Hunolt, and the good knight Ortwine. Down sunk the Saxons trampled by the warriors of the Rhine. LXXIV Close fought the chiefs, unsever'd 'spite of the hurtling bands Then might you see the lances from mightiest heroes' hands Fly o'er the nodding helmets, and pierce the bucklers through; Many a glittering armor was dyed a bloody hue. LXXV In the fierce encounter many a mighty man Tumbled from the saddle; each on th' other ran Ludeger and Siegfried, each the other's peer; Many a shaft was flying, whizzing many a spear. LXXVI