Off flew Ludeger's shield-plate by dint of Siegfried's hand. Then look'd at last for conquest the knight of Netherland Over the struggling Saxons, such force was in that stroke. Then too how many a breast-plate the strong-arm'd Dankwart broke! LXXVII Just then it chanc'd King Ludeger had a crown espied Painted upon the buckler that guarded Siegfried's side. Straight knew the astonish'd Saxon, 'twas he, the mighty man, And to his friends the hero to call aloud began. LXXVIII "Stop! stop! enough of fighting, my merry men each one! Here in this bloody battle I've met with Siegmund's son. The chief-destroying Siegfried for certain seen have I. The devil has sent him hither to harry Saxony." LXXIX He bade them lower the banners; forthwith they lower'd them all; And peace he then demanded; 'twas granted at his call; But go he must a pris'ner to good King Gunther's land; This was from him extorted by Siegfried's conqu'ring hand. LXXX With one accord agreeing the bloody strife they left; The shining shields all shiver'd, the helmets hack'd and cleft They laid aside o'er-wearied; whatever down they threw Bore from Burgundian falchions a stain of bloody hue. LXXXI They took whome'er it pleas'd them, none could their will gainsay. Gernot and valiant Hagan at once bade bear away The faint and feeble wounded, and with them carried then Off to the Rhine as captives five hundred chosen men. LXXXII With wailing back to Denmark the bootless warriors came; The late o'erweening Saxons bore off but loss and shame From that disastrous struggle; each hung his pensive head. They last their friends remember'd, and sorrow'd for the dead. LXXXIII Anon they bade the sumpters be loaded for the Rhine; And thus victorious Siegfried his perilous design Had brought to full performance; well had he done in fight; This every man of Gunther allow'd him as of right. LXXXIV To Worms straight did a message from good Sir Gernot come, To tell throughout the country to all his friends at home Whate'er in that encounter to him and his befell, And how they all their duty had knightly done and well. LXXXV The youths they ran their swiftest, and nois'd abroad the whole. Then laugh'd who late lamented; delight succeeded dole. All bosoms straight were beating to learn the news they bore, And every noble lady would ask them o'er and o'er, LXXXVI How the knights of Gunther in Saxony had sped. Then too the lovelorn Kriemhild had one in secret led (For publicly she durst not) to a distant bower apart, For she would learn how far'd it with the chosen of her heart. LXXXVII