d's prowess, and given in
charge to Hagen. When that good knight heard that it was Ludgast he was
not sorry.

They bade raise the standard of Burgundy. "Forward!" cried Siegfried,
"More shall be done or the day end, if I lose not my life. The Saxon
women shall rue it. Hearken now, ye men of the Rhine. I can lead you
to Ludger's army. There ye will see helmets hewn by the good hands of
heroes. They shall be in evil case or we turn again."

Then Gernot and his men sprang to horse. The banner was unfurled by
Folker, the minstrel knight. He rode before the host, and they all made
them ready for battle. They numbered not more than a thousand men, and
thereto the twelve strangers. The dust rose from their path, and they
rode through the land, their shields flashing.

The Saxons, also, were come up, bearing well-sharpened swords. So hath
the story been told me. The swords in the heroes' hands dealt grim blows
in defence of their castles and their lands.

The marshal led the army, and Siegfried was come forward with the twelve
men that he had with him from the Netherland. Many a hand was bloody
that day in the battle. Sindolt and Hunolt and eke Gernot smote many
heroes dead in the fight, that were bold enow till they felt their
prowess. For their sake sorrowed women not a few. Folker and Hagen and
Ortwin, the fierce warriors, quenched the flash of many helmets with
blood. Dankwart, also, did wonders. The Danes proved their mettle, and
loud were heard the hurtling of shields and the clash of sharp swords
swung mightily. The Saxons, bold in strife, made havoc enow. Wide were
the wounds hewn by the men of Burgundy when they rushed to the
encounter. Blood ran down the saddles. So was the honour wooed of these
knights bold and swift. Loud rang the keen swords in the hands of the
heroes of the Netherland, when they rode with their lord into the fray.
They rode with Siegfried like good knights. None from the Rhine kept
pace with him. By reason of Siegfried's hand streams of blood ran from
bright helmets, till that he lit on Ludgast amidst of his men. Thrice he
pierced through the army of the Saxons, and thrice returned. Hagen, by
this time, was come up with him, that helped him in his quest. They slew
many a brave knight.

When bold Ludger found Siegfried with Balmung, the good sword, swung
aloft, wherewith he made a mighty slaughter, he was wroth, and of his
mood full grim. With a fierce rush and c