I
All the knights of Bloedel were ready in array;
With a thousand hauberks to the hall they took their way,
Where Dankwart at the table sat with the yeomen tall.
Straight among the warriors uprose a deadly brawl.
II
At once up to the tables Sir Bloedel fiercely strode,
When Dankwart this fair greeting on the stern knight bestow'd.
"Welcome, my lord, Sir Bloedel, you here are gladly seen.
We look'd not for your presence; what may this meeting mean?"
III
"Greet me not," said Bloedel, "'tis a waste of breath;
Know, my coming hither to thee must needs be death.
Thank thy brother Hagan who noble Siegfried slew.
Thou now shalt pay the Huns for it, thou and many another too."
IV
"Nay, say not so, Lord Bloedel," Sir Dankwart answer made,
"So should we rue this visit in faith and honor paid.
I was a little infant when Siegfrid lost his life;
How could I have offended King Etzel's moody wife?"
V
"I know not, and I care not, if this be false or true.
'Twas done by your base kinsmen, Gunther and Hagan too.
So ward ye well, ye strangers! 'tis all in vain to fly;
Your lives are pledg'd to Kriemhild, and take them now will I."
VI
"So you are fix'd," said Dankwart, "for murder all prepar'd!
Would I had ne'er besought you! that had been better spar'd."
Upstarted from the table the warrior swift and strong;
Out he drew a broadsword heavy and sharp and long.
VII
Straight at luckless Bloedel he struck a blow so fleet,
That his head in an instant lay before his feet.
"Take that, thou thriving wooer!" victorious Dankwart cried,
"For a marriage-morning's present to Nudung's mincing bride.
VIII
"Another mate to-morrow may wed the widow'd dame;
I'll pay him with like measure, should he the dowry claim."
(A faithful Hun that morning had told him underhand,
That deadly fraud against them the vengeful queen had plann'd.)
IX
When Bloedel's men their master saw dead upon the floor,
Such loss from the fierce strangers they could endure no more.
On squires at once and yeomen with high rais'd swords they flew
In deadly wrath; full many that hour had cause to rue.
X
To his train shouted Dankwart, loud o'er the crash and din,
"Ye see, bold squires and yeomen, what danger hems us in.
Fight for your lives, ye friendless! in sooth we're foully shent,
For all the loving greetings that fraudful Kriemhild sent."
XI
They, who had not their broadswords, benches asunder tore,
Or many a chair and footstool snatch'd up from the floor.
The bold Burgundians stay'd not, but all for weapons used;
Heads with heavy settles were pummel'd sore and bruis'd.
XII
How fiercely the lorn strangers themselves defended there!
Out they drove their foemen all weapon'd as they were;
Yet, within, five hundred were lifeless left or more.
Dankwart's men pursued them dripping red with gore.
XIII
Straight the sorry tidings to every Hunnish chief
Were borne by hasty rumor (it gave them mortal grief)
That slaughter'd with his warriors was Bloedel good at need,
That Dankwart and the yeomen had done the bloody deed.
XIV
Before King Etzel knew it, inflam'd with deadly hate
Two thousand Huns or better donn'd their armor straight.
They march'd against the yeomen to deal them mortal dole,
And living of the party let not escape a soul.
XV
Before the house they muster'd, an army deep and dense;
Though succorless, the strangers stood well on their defence;
Yet what avail'd their valor? Dead perforce they lay.
Thence arose soon after a yet more horrid fray.
XVI
Now you must hear a wonder as never yet was told,
Within the hall lay lifeless nine thousands yeomen bold,
Thereto of Dankwart's followers twelve hardy knights and good,
And now among his foemen alone the warrior stood.
XVII
Hush'd was the din of battle, laid was the wild uproar;
He sternly o'er his shoulder survey'd the horrid floor,
And spake, "Alas, brave comrades! what? not a dying groan?
Then stand, must Dankwart aidless among his foes alone."
XVIII
Upon his single person fell thund'ring sword-strokes rife,
Yet cause gave he for weeping to many a hero's wife.
He rais'd his buckler higher and lower brought the thong.
Blood stream'd beneath his buffets through many a hauberk strong.
XIX
"Woe's me! I'm faint and stifled," the son of Aldrian cried;
"Now, ye knights of Hungary! stand a little wide;
Let the air refresh me—I'm wearied with the fight."
Then manfully among them stepp'd forth the stately knight.
XX
As faint and exhausted from the house he sprang,
What redoubled sword-strokes on his morion rang!
Those, who had not yet witness'd what wonders wrought his hand,
Forward leapt upon him, the knight from Gunther's land.
XXI
"Now would to God," said Dankwart, "a messenger would go
To let my brother Hagan my fearful peril know,
Among this band of traitors how sore beset am I!
He'd come and hence would help me, or by my side would die."
XXII
"Nay, do thyself thy message," the fierce Hungarians said,
"When we unto thy brother bring thee cold and dead
Then shall the man of Gunther the smart of sorrow know.
Thou here hast wrought King Etzel such grievous loss and woe."
XXIII
Said he, "Your threats give over, stand from me farther yet,
Or I will make your hauberks with blood all dripping wet.
Myself the heavy tidings will bring to yonder court,
And to my lords with wailing our deadly wrongs report."
XXIV
So much the knights of Etzel his matchless strength dismay'd,
That not a man amongst them durst meet him blade to blade,
But darts into his buckler they shot so thick around,
That, by the weight o'ermaster'd he dropp'd it on the ground.
XXV
Seeing him thus unshielded, they fiercer forward drove;
How then with deadly gashes the shields and helms he clove!
Down perforce before him stoop'd many a lofty knight.
What praise was then Sir Dankwart's, alone to sway the fight!
XXVI
They rush'd at him from both sides; none then would keep aloof;
But, match'd with him, found many most speed was least behoof.
Right through his foes the champion made his red passage good
As through the dogs the wild-boar amidst the echoing wood.
XXVII
Ever the ground beneath him with smoking gore was wet.
When better fought a champion with countless foes beset?
So to court before them, along his bloody road,
Unconquer'd still and stately fierce Hagan's brother strode.
XXVIII
Cupbearers and servers heard sword-strokes clashing nigh.
Dainty drinks and dishes they threw in hurry by,
The which they in were bringing upon the board to set.
A crowd of sturdy foemen e'en on the stairs he met.
XXIX
"How now, ye servers?" said Dankwart with bloody toil oppress'd,
"'Tis your's to feed the hungry, and cheer the thirsty guest,
And store of savory viands to feasting knights to bear;
Give place, for I would something to my good lords declare."
XXX
All, who dar'd confront him as up the stairs he flew,
Met with such fearful slashes, that soon at distance due
From that weighty broadsword stood trembling every one.
Such surpassing wonders by Dankwart's strength were done.