At the clash King Gunther turn'd, and to Hagan cried, "Hear you what a measure Folker, the door beside, Plays with each poor Hungarian who down the stairs would go; See! what a deep vermilion has dyed his fiddle-bow!"

LVIII

"I own, it much repents me," Hagan straight replied, "That I sat here at table from the good knight so wide.

We still were constant comrades, not wont before to sever.

If we again see Rhineland, no chance shall part us ever.

LIX

"Now see, great king! right loyal to thee is Folker bold; Well deserves the warrior thy silver and thy gold.

His fiddlestick, sharp-cutting, can hardest steel divide, And at a stroke can shiver the morion's beamy pride.

LX

"Never yet saw I minstrel so high and lordly stand, As did to-day Sir Folker among the hostile band. On helms and clattering bucklers his lays make music rare.

Ride should he good war-horses, and gorgeous raiment wear."

LXI

Of all the fierce Hungarians that at the board had been, Now not a single champion remain'd alive within. Then first was hush'd the tumult, when none was left to fight.

Then down his sword laid reeking each bold Burgundian knight.

THIRTY-FOURTH ADVENTURE

HOW THEY THREW DOWN THE DEAD

I

Then after all their labor the lords sat down at last.

Before the hall together Folker and Hagan pa.s.s'd.

The pair of haughty champions upon their bucklers leant, And each the time with th' other in gentle converse spent.

II

Then the youthful Giselher thus his mind express'd, "Ye must not yet, dear comrades, think of ease or rest; From out the house first hasten to bear the dead away.

Once more shall we do battle; that I can truly say.

III

"Beneath our feet 'twere better they should no longer lie.

Ere these proud Huns subdue us, and we o'ermaster'd die, Hewn will be many a hauberk, and blood in torrents flow; No sight can please me better than a bleeding foe."

IV

"I'm proud of such a master," cried Hagan with delight; "Who could e'er give such counsel save a redoubted knight?

When words so wise and valiant from our young lord you hear, Needs must ye, bold Burgundians! be all of lively cheer."

V

The counsel straight they follow'd, and carried through the door, And cast out from among them, seven thousand dead or more.

Adown the stairs they tumbled and lay in heaps below.

Then burst forth from their kinsmen a thrilling scream of woe.

VI

'Mongst these was many a warrior, though wounded and in pain, Who yet with milder treatment might have wax'd whole again.

Crush'd by the fall they perish'd, who half had 'scap'd the sword.

Their friends with moans of sorrow their fatal doom deplor'd.

VII

Then spake the minstrel Folker, the warrior void of fear, "I oft have heard reported, and now behold I clear, That Huns are vile and worthless; they like weak women wail, When they should tend the wounded, and soothe their dreary bale."

VIII

Then ween'd a Hunnish margrave, he thus through kindness spake; He saw a luckless kinsman fall'n in a b.l.o.o.d.y lake; So threw his arms about him, and hoped away to bear.

Him shot to death the minstrel; down fell he dying there.

IX

When this was seen by th' others, they took at once to flight; That same redoubted gleeman all curs'd with all their might.

He brandish'd high a javelin, well-temper'd, bright, and keen, Which by a Hun against him before had darted been.

X

This through the echoing castle he sent with mastering main Far o'er the crowd of tremblers; that shot to Etzel's train Gave another station more distant from the hall.

The matchless strength of Folker dismay'd their leaders all.

XI