The Nibelungenlied Part 14

LXIII

Folker and Hagan, and eke the fierce Ortwine, Death-defying champions, dimm'd many a helmet's shine With b.l.o.o.d.y streaming torrents that down began to run; There too were by Dankwart mighty marvels done.

LXIV

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 n.o.ble 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 pa.s.sion 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 b.l.o.o.d.y 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

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 b.l.o.o.d.y 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.