He with a host of fighters near the gates was seen

He with a host of fighters near the gates was seen, When Hartmut with his followers sought to come within; They in this were baffled, and their strength were wasting. Those who the castle guarded heavy stones from off the wall were casting.

They hurled them down so wildly on Wâ-te and his men, Like hailstones they were falling, with not a stop between. Wâ-te recked but little how many were dead or living, Might he the day be gaining; to this alone his thoughts he now was giving.

Hartmut saw old Wâ-te before the castle-gate. He said: “Tho’ from our foemen our gains this day are great, Before it shall be ended, for this their hate they’ll show us: Let now the strong be heedful; dead must many lie on the field below us.

“Fear and care it gives me that many here are seen Whom we must now be meeting. Wâ-te with all his men I see before the gateway, there with sword-strokes hewing. If he of the gate be keeper, I look for little kindness he’ll be doing.