He lifted up his vizor,
Of human blood a draught
He took—“In nomine Domini”
The Hero Hogen quaffed.
See, there the knights of Grimhild
Lie slaughtered every one;
And that has Hero Hogen,
And valiant Folker done.
“God bless thee, Folker Spillemand,
Who here a corse dost lie,
Full well and without treachery
Thy faulchion thou didst ply.
“Full four and twenty fell for one,
Their death from him they found;
He slew them like a warrior,
Ere sank he on the ground.
“Ah, brother, by my heart beloved,
Thy coming cost me dear;
How woeful is my destiny
That I should lose thee here.
“And if to me is granted
To live another day,
My sister this shall expiate,
I her will burn or slay.”
The evil fate’s o’ertaken her.
She’s paid for all her ill;
King Hogen’s son caused Grimhild
To starve within the hill.
GRIMHILD’S VENGEANCE
Song the Third
O, where will ye find kempions
So bold and strong of hand,
As Hogen and his brother dear,
Sir Folker Spillemand?
Forward stepped she, Bodild,
Hero Hogen’s mother, crying:
“Methought the gallant coursers all
Were either dead or dying.