The Song of the Nibelungs (Medieval Literature Classic). Anonymous

thirty soon lay dead.

       But one the knight left living, / who thence full quickly sped

       To tell abroad the story / how he the others slew;

       In sooth the blood-red helmet / spake all the hapless tidings true.

      192

      Then had the men of Denmark / for all their grief good cause,

       When it was told them truly / their king a captive was.

       They told it to King Luedeger, / when he to rage began

       In anger all unbounded: / for him had grievous harm been done.

      193

      The noble King Luedegast / was led a prisoner then

       By hand of mighty Siegfried / back to King Gunther's men,

       And placed in hands of Hagen: / and when they did hear

       That 'twas the king of Denmark / they not a little joyful were.

      194

      He bade the men of Burgundy / then bind the banners on.

       "Now forward!" Siegfried shouted, / "here shall yet more be done,

       An I but live to see it; / ere this day's sun depart,

       Shall mourn in land of Saxons / full many a goodly matron's heart.

      195

      "Ye warriors from Rhineland, / to follow me take heed,

       And I unto the army / of Luedeger will lead.

       Ere we again turn backward / to the land of Burgundy

       Helms many hewn asunder / by hand of good knights there shall be."

      196

      To horse then hastened Gernot / and with him mighty men.

       Volker keen in battle / took up the banner then;

       He was a doughty Fiddler / and rode the host before.

       There, too, every follower / a stately suit of armor wore.

      197

      More than a thousand warriors / they there had not a man,

       Saving twelve knights-errant. / To rise the dust began

       In clouds along the highway / as they rode across the fields,

       And gleaming in the sunlight / were seen the brightly shining shields.

       198

      Meanwhile eke was nearing / of Saxons a great throng,

       Each a broadsword bearing / that mickle was and long,

       With blade that cut full sorely / when swung in strong right hand.

       'Gainst strangers were they ready / to guard their castles and their land.

      199

      The leaders forth to battle / led the warriors then.

       Come was also Siegfried / with his twelve chosen men,

       Whom he with him hither / had brought from Netherland.

       That day in storm of battle / was blood-bespattered many a hand.

      200

      Sindold and Hunold / and Gernot as well,

       Beneath their hands in battle / full many a hero fell,

       Ere that their deeds of valor / were known throughout the host.

       Through them must many a stately / matron weep for warrior lost.

      201

      Volker and Hagen / and Ortwein in the fight

       Lustily extinguished / full many a helmet's light

       With blood from wounds down flowing—/ keen fighters every one.

       And there by Dankwart also / was many a mickle wonder done.

      202

      The knights of Denmark tested / how they could weapons wield.

       Clashing there together / heard ye many a shield

       And 'neath sharp swords resounding, / swung by many an arm.

       The Saxons keen in combat / wrought 'mid their foes a grievous harm.

      203

      When the men of Burgundy / pressed forward to the fight,

       Gaping wounds full many / hewed they there with might.

       Then flowing down o'er saddle / in streams was seen the blood,

       So fought for sake of honor / these valiant riders keen and good.

      204

      Loudly were heard ringing, / wielded by hero's hand,

       The sharply-cutting weapons, / where they of Netherland

       Their master followed after / into the thickest throng:

       Wherever Siegfried led them / rode too those valiant knights along.

      205

      Of warriors from Rhine river / could follow not a one.

       There could be seen by any / a stream of blood flow down

       O'er brightly gleaming helmet / 'neath Siegfried's mighty hand,

       Until King Luedeger / before him with his men did stand.

      206

      Three times hither and thither / had he the host cut through

       From one end to the other. / Now come was Hagen too

       Who helped him well in battle / to vent his warlike mood.

       That day beneath his valor / must die full many a rider good.

      207

      When the doughty Luedeger / Siegfried there found,

       As he swung high in anger / his arm for blows around

       And with his good sword Balmung / knights so many slew,

       Thereat was the keen warrior / filled with grief and anger too.

      208

      Then mickle was the thronging / and loud the broadswords clashed,

       As all their valiant followers / 'gainst one another dashed.

       Then struggled all the fiercer / both sides the fight to win;

       The hosts joined with each other: / 'twas frightful there to hear the din.

      209

      To the monarch of the Saxons / it had been told before,

       His brother was a captive, / which grieved his heart right sore.

       He knew not that had done it / fair Siegelind's son,

       For rumor said 'twas Gernot. / Full well he learned the truth anon.

      210

      King Luedeger struck so mighty / when fierce his anger rose,

       That Siegfried's steed beneath him / staggered from the blows,

       But forthwith did recover; / then straight his rider keen

       Let all his furious mettle / in slaughter of his foes be seen.

      211

      There helped him well grim Hagen, / and Gernot in the fray,

       Dankwart and Volker; / dead many a knight there lay.

       Sindold and Hunold / and Ortwein, doughty thane,

       By them in that fierce struggle / was many a valiant warrior slain.

      212

      Unparted in storm of battle / the gallant leaders were,

       Around them over helmet / flew there many a spear

       Through shield all brightly shining, / from hand of mighty thane:

       And on the glancing armor