2049.
On one side and the other his enemies heard he;
Were they his case aware of the worse for him ’twould be;
And likewise had he noted that Giselher was by:
He ponder’d how ’twas likely he might these foemen fly.
2050.
How madly then upsprang he from out that bloody stew!
Unto his ready fleetness his thanks were surely due.
Out of the place forth rush’d he, but there saw Hagen stand,
And smote upon him swiftly with all his might of hand.
2051.
Then to himself thought Hagen: “Death thee for this must have!
Unless the devil help thee, thyself thou canst not save.”
Yet Iring through the helmet a wound on Hagen made:
This did the knight with Vaske, that was so good a blade.
2052.
No sooner felt Sir Hagen the smarting of the wound
Than terribly his weapon be whirl’d in hand around.
Forthwith must Haward’s liegeman for safety flee again,
And Hagen down the stairway to follow him was fain.
2053.
Above his head bold Iring his shield made haste to lean;
And if that self-same stairway yet thrice its length had been,
Hagen had ne’er allow’d him to deal a single stroke.
Ay me! the sparks so ruddy that from his helmet broke!
2054.
Yet back unto his people Iring in safety won.
Then soon unto Kriemhilda the tidings were made known
How he had wrought in battle on Hagen of Tronjé;
For which her thanks right hearty the queen began to say:
