and Dankwart rode full gloriously;
they tested who they were, fierce was the fight. How might heroes ever
prove each other better? From a mighty thrust Hagen was unhorsed by
Gelfrat's hand. His martingale snapped, he learnt what it was to fall.
The crash of shafts resounded from their fellowship. Hagen, who from the
thrust afore had come to earth, down on the grass, sprang up again. I
trow, he was not gentle of mood towards Gelfrat then. Who held their
steeds, I know not; both Hagen and Gelfrat had alighted on the sand and
rushed together. Their fellowship helped thereby and became acquaint
with strife. Albeit Hagen sprang at Gelfrat fiercely, the noble margrave
smote from his shield a mickle piece, so that the sparks flew wide. Full
nigh did Gunther's liegeman die therefrom. He began to call to Dankwart:
"O help, dear brother! Certes, a hero of his hands hath matched me, he
will not spare my life."

At this hold Dankwart spake: "I'll play the umpire here."

The hero then sprang nearer and with a sharp sword smote Gelfrat such a
blow that he fell down dead. Else then would fain avenge the knight, but
he and his fellowship parted from the fray with scathe. His brother had
been slain, he himself was wounded; full eighty of his knights remained
with grim death behind upon the field. Their lord must needs turn in
flight from Gunther's men.

When those from the Bavarian land gave way and fled, one heard the
savage blows resound behind them. Those of Troneg chased their foes;
they were in passing haste, who had not weened to make amends. Then
spake Dankwart, the knight, in their pursuit: "Let us turn soon on this
road and let them ride, for they be wot with blood. Haste we to our
friends, this I advise you of a truth."

When they were come again, where the scathe had happed, Hagen of Troneg
spake: "Heroes, prove now what doth fail us here, or whom we have lost
in the strife through Gelfrat's wrath."

Four they had lost whom they must needs bewail. But they had been paid
for dearly; for them a hundred or better from the Bavarian land were
slain. From their blood the shields of the men of Troneg were dimmed
and wet. Through the clouds there partly broke the gleam of the shining
moon, as Hagen spake again: "Let none make known to my dear lords what
we have wrought here to-day. Let them rest without care until the morn."

When those who just had fought were now come again, the fellowship was
full weary from the way. "How lo