hero of Denmark; the which was
proven or long by his deeds.

Thirty-Fifth Adventure

How Iring Was Slain

Then cried Iring, the Margrave of Denmark, "I have long followed honour,
and done not amiss in battle. Bring me my harness, and I will go up
against Hagen."

"Thou hadst better not," answered Hagen, "or thy kinsmen will have more
to weep for. Though ye spring up two or three together, ye would fall
down the stair the worse for it."

"I care not," said Iring. "I have oft tried as hard a thing. With my
single sword I would defy thee, if thou hadst done twice as much in the
strife."

Sir Iring armed him straightway. Irnfried of Thuringia, likewise, a bold
youth, and Hawart the stark, with a thousand men that were fain to stand
by Iring.

When the fiddler saw so great an armed host with him, wearing bright
helmets on their heads, he was wroth. "Behold how Iring cometh hither,
that vowed to encounter thee alone. It beseemeth not a knight to lie. I
blame him much. A thousand armed knights or more come with him."

"Call me no liar," said Hawart's liegeman. "I will gladly abide by my
word, nor fail therein through fear. How grim soever Hagen may be, I
will meet him alone."

Iring fell at the feet of his kinsmen and vassals, that they might let
him defy the knight in single combat. They were loth, for they knew
proud Hagen of Burgundy well. But he prayed them so long that they
consented. When his followers saw that he wooed honour, they let him
go. Then began a deadly strife betwixt them.

Iring of Denmark, the chosen knight, raised his spear; then he covered
his body with his shield, and sprang at Hagen. The heroes made a loud
din. They hurled their spears so mightily from their hands, that they
pierced through the strong bucklers to the bright harness, and the shafts
flew high in the air. Then the grimly bold men grasped their swords.

Hagen was strong beyond measure, yet Iring smote him, that all the house
rang. Palace and tower echoed their blows. But neither had the
advantage.

Iring left Hagen unwounded, and sprang at the fiddler. He thought to
vanquish him by his mighty blows. But the gleeman stood well on his
guard, and smote his foeman, that the steel plate of his buckler flew
off. He was a terrible man.

Then Iring ran at Gunther, the King of Burgundy.

Fell enow were the twain. But though each smote fiercely at the other,
they drew no blood. Their good harness shield