Then to his trusty liegemen Hagen called aloud

Then to his trusty liegemen Hagen called aloud: The sea gave back his shouting,— truly his strength was good,— He bade them help to land him, their wounds by them unheeded; Glad were they to do it: thereby were spears in many hearts imbedded.

Hagen now drew nearer, not far was he from the sand; His sword it clattered loudly; Hettel, near at hand, Was standing by the water, on the seashore waiting: There, with daring followers, deeds he did that praise should aye be meeting.

Hagen, wild with anger, leaped into the wave, And to the shore he waded. Then on that warrior brave Came a shower of lances; like snowflakes falling thickly, Fast they fell around him, shot by the Hegeling foemen, thronging quickly.

Then from the clash of sword-blades a mighty noise arose. Those who would slay wild Hagen soon beneath his blows Were seen to reel and stagger. Hettel, the noble fighter, Drew near to Hilda’s father; at this the maiden wept, with tears most bitter.

It was indeed a wonder, as we the tale have heard, So strong and brave was Hagen, that Hettel, the Hegeling lord, Before him held his footing. As soon as, wildly fighting, They had reached each other, their helmets rang beneath the heavy smiting.

But not so quickly ended was yet the stormy fight. Soon was Hettel wounded by brave King Hagen’s might: Wâ-te the old of Sturmland, with his kin, to Hettel hasted, With Irold, too, and Morunc,— knights as good as foemen’s lands e’er wasted.

Now came the brave old Fru-te and Wâ-te with his throng: Knights there were a thousand,— the press of them was strong. Hettel’s Hegeling kinsmen, well their weapons plying, Wounded many foemen; on every side stretched low, the men were lying.

After bravest fighting, now had reached the land The followers of Hagen; then crowded to the sand, After his friends so faithful, a host from Ireland’s borders. Soon were helmets shattered: grimly they fought to win the maids from their warders.

Hagen saw then near him Hettel, the youthful knight: Many strong and stalwart were shorn of strength outright, Both by those from Daneland and the Hegeling lieges: Now to meet wild Hagen every one old Wâ-te loud beseeches.

Then, by his strength, King Hagen broke thro’ the crowd a path, And with his sword hewed boldly; well he wreaked his wrath, Because his much-loved daughter from him by craft was taken; Coats of mail lay fallen: the wrongs of Hagen hate in him did waken.

He might not quench his anger with the sword alone; By the thrust of his heavy long-spear soon were overthrown Many a knight most daring: never the tale was given By these unto their kinsmen, of how in the stormy fight their luck had thriven.

Now came Wâ-te quickly, the knight well born and good; Soon of his well-loved kinsmen he saw the flowing blood, Under the slash of broadswords, out of their armor dripping: Of those who would have helped him, five hundred wounded men in death were sleeping.

Everywhere were gathered friends as well as foes, All in uproar minged; a mighty din arose. Wâ-te and wild Hagen rushed on each other madly, Whoe’er could shun their pathway of all the risk he had fled was thinking gladly.

Hagen laid on Wâ-te many a heavy blow,— Well his strength he wielded. Their helmets were aglow With fiery sparks outflashing,— like to brands they glittered; Each cleft the other’s helmet, and ever still, each other’s blows they bettered.

The ground beneath was trembling with aged Wâ-te’s stroke: Scarcely could the maidens of his onslaught shun the shock. Now the wounds of Hettel his faithful friends were binding; He then began to ask them where his cousin Wâ-te he could be finding.

With Hagen, “of kings the Devil,” he found old Wâ-te soon: The skill of him of Sturmland to guard himself was shown: Brave were both these warriors, and oft the tale was spoken How Wâ-te the bold and Hagen in hardest strife had each his anger wroken.