Then shouted the Margrave Iring, the lord of the Danefolk's…

Then shouted the Margrave Iring, the lord of the Danefolk's land: "Ever on quest of honour have I set mine heart and hand, And have done my best endeavour where surges of fight tossed high. Bring me mine harness! My prowess against yon Hagen I try." "Thou shalt do it to thy destruction!" did Hagen scornfully say. "Thou shouldst better bid these Hunfolk to shrink yet farther away. Though twain, yea, three of you rushing essay to win this hall, Back grievously hurt will I send them; adown this stair shall they fall." "Not for thy threats I refrain me!" cried Iring with shining eyes. "Full oft ere this have I ventured on as perilous emprise. Alone will I withstand thee, and not with words, but the sword. What care I for all thy vaunting, O thou tongue-valiant lord?"

Then with speed was the good thane Iring sheathed in knightly mail And Irnfried of Thuringia, a heart unused to quail, And Hawart the strong, with a thousand warriors in battle-array, Stood eager to go where Iring the hero led the way. Then looked the viol-minstrel, and beheld that huge war-band That would press on after Iring, armed all with shield and brand, And upon their heads had they settled and laced the helmets bright. Then was the valiant Volker exceeding wroth at the sight. "Seest thou, friend Hagen," he shouted, "how Iring cometh on, He that but now made proffer to meet thee in battle alone? Is it seemly that heroes be liars? contempt upon such I pour. Lo, armed at his side come onward a thousand knights or more!"

"Liar me thou no liars!" Hawart's liegeman replied. "Unto you did I give a promise, and by that will I abide.

My word shall not be broken for any craven fear! Be Hagen never so grimly, alone will I meet him here." Thereat did Iring bow him at his friends' and liegemen's feet: "Suffer ye me unholpen," he said, "yon knight to meet." Right sorely loth they consented, for known to them well was the might Of Hagen the Burgundian, the overweening knight. So long did he entreat them that at last they needs must yield. When his friends and his faithful vassals beheld him steadfast-willed, And marked how he thirsted for honour, at the last they let him go. Then did begin a grapple most grim 'twixt foe and foe.

Iring the knight of Daneland a casting-spear upswung; For a fence of his breast the hero his shield before him flung: Swift to the meeting with Hagen to the door of the hall he sprang; Then burst forth 'twixt those champions a mighty battle-clang. The hands of the twain, ere they grappled, sped the javelins' flight: They pierced through the strong-knit bucklers, they rang on the hauberks bright, That high above their helmets the splintered spear-staves flew; And swiftly the two grim warriors their swords from the scabbards drew. Measureless might had Hagen the dauntless above all men; Yet starkly did Iring smite him, that the castle rang again: Through the halls and the towers of the palace did their blows' wild echoes thrill. Yet the Dane with his uttermost striving might compass not his will.

So Iring turned him from Hagen, who was woundless yet of his blows, And now with the viol-minstrel in conflict did he close. He weened, as he hailed grim sword-strokes, he should smite his foeman down; But of fence exceeding cunning was that champion of renown. So starkly smote the minstrel, that the studs were whirled through the air By Volker's strong hand stricken from the shield that Iring bare. So he left him standing unwounded, for a terrible foe was he: Then turned he, and leapt upon Gunther, the Lord of Burgundy. So champion clashed with champion, giants in battle-might, Gunther and Iring, and starkly each the other they smite;