Before the house a.s.sembled were many thousand men; Sir Folker and Sir Hagan both together then Began unto King Etzel all their mind to tell, Whence grievous ill thereafter both the good knights befell.

XII

"The trembling crowd to hearten," said Hagan, "sure 'tis right That kings and leaders ever be foremost in the fight; E'en so do here among us my own redoubted lords, And, when they cleave the morions, blood spouts beneath their swords."

XIII

A valiant knight was Etzel; his shield in hand he took.

"Be wary," cried Dame Kriemhild: "to your good liegemen look; Fill shields with gold, to move them yon stranger to defy.

Death must be needs your neighbor if Hagan comes you nigh."

XIV

The king he was so fearless, he would not budge an inch; Seldom are such great princes so disinclin'd to flinch.

By his shield's thong his warriors then drew him back perforce.

Hagan went on to mock him in accents loud and coa.r.s.e.

XV

"I' faith the kin was distant," he cried with scornful sound, "That Etzel and Sir Siegfried in one alliance bound.

He cheer'd fair Lady Kriemhild long ere she look'd on thee.

Dishonor'd king and worthless! why knit thy brow at me?"

XVI

His proud disdainful mockery the wrath of Kriemhild stirr'd; To be revil'd of Hagan, while Etzel's warriors heard, And jeer'd before the many, was more than she could brook, So now yet deadlier counsel against the guests she took.

XVII

"Who Hagan, Lord of Trony, shall slay," she fiercely said, "And bring unto me hither his abhorred head, For him the shields of Etzel I'll heap with ruddy gold, And give him, too, for guerdon lands and castles manifold."

XVIII

"I know not," said the minstrel, "what now can keep them back; Sure never saw I warriors so heartless stand and slack, When a fair dame had promis'd such rich and ample pay.

Etzel can trust them never if they should flinch to-day.

XIX

"Those who the bread of Etzel have eaten many a year, And, when his need is greatest, like cowards fail him here, These see I stand fear-troubled; they dare not move a jot, And yet would pa.s.s for warriors! shame ever be their lot!"

XX

Thus with distress and sorrow was Etzel ill bestead, Right bitterly bewailing his kin and subjects dead.

Good knights of many a country stood round, a mournful ring, And for that b.l.o.o.d.y banquet wept with their weeping king.

XXI

Then thought the best among them, "Sure Folker tells us true."

But none so inly sorrow'd of all that wavering crew, As the bold Margrave Iring, the fearless Danish knight; This soon he prov'd before them by deeds of manly might.

THIRTY-FIFTH ADVENTURE

HOW IRING WAS SLAIN.

I

Then loudly shouted Iring the Danish margrave strong, "I've shap'd my course in honor, and aim'd at glory long, And ever have in battle borne me like a knight, So bring me now my harness, and I'll with Hagan fight."

II

"That I scarce would counsel," in scorn Sir Hagan cried.

"Bid the knights of Hungary stand farther yet aside, Let two or three together then leap into the hall, Back wounded down the staircase I'll dash them one and all."

III

"I'll not renounce my challenge," Iring stern replied, "Ere now have I, and often, such hard adventures tried.

Now sword to sword I'll meet thee; let ruth aside be flung!

What boots thy haughty pa.s.sion, and valor of the tongue?"

IV

Then at once Sir Iring arm'd him for the fight, And Irnfried or Thuringia, a young and l.u.s.ty knight, And the large-limb'd Hawart with a thousand in his train; All sought to vouch the quarrel of that redoubted Dane.

V

Soon as the dauntless minstrel so huge a troop espied Forth all in armor coming on the fierce margrave's side, Each with his glittering helmet laced ready for the fray, Somewhat the wrath of Folker kindled at their array.

VI

"See you now, friend Hagan, how comes Sir Iring nigh?