Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu/193

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THE HILDEBRAND LAY
177

60Most infamous were he[1] of East-Goth folk
who should keep thee from combat so keenly desired,
from fight with foe! Let the fated one[2] try
whether now his trappings be taken from him,
or both of these breast-plates he boast as his own.”

65Charging with ash-spears,[3] clashed they first,
with sharpest shafts the shields that clove.
Then strode to the struggle those sturdy-warriors,[4]
hewed in hate on the white-faced shields,
until both of the lindens[5] little grew,
70all worn with weapons. . . .

  1. Here the text has “quoth Hildebrand.”
  2. The warrior whose fate it is now to fight. Said of both of them.
  3. They ride furiously at each other with levelled lances, each trying to pass or pierce the shield of his opponent. Then they dismount and stride to the fight with swords.
  4. The compound word so translated is not found elsewhere, but it is a kenning for the warriors.
  5. Shields, as often in the English epic.