Above were laid the oxen hides,
Below the pease so small;
That trick has vanquished Hogen,
He fell down first of all.
It was the Hero Hogen
Would have bounded up with speed:
“No, no, desist, my brother,
Thou know’st what was agreed.
“No, no, desist, my brother,
Prove true to what you swore,
If ever you should fall to earth
You’d never rise up more.”
So brave was Hero Hogen
To his word he true was found;
Upon his two knees stood he then,
And got his mortal wound.
But still three warriors slaughtered he,
They were not of the least,
Towards Hammeren went he then to find
His father’s treasure-chest.
Fortune was yet to him so kind,
The damsel proud he won;
And she was haughty Hvenild,
He begot with her a son.
That gallant son, hight Ranke,
Avenged his father well;
Grimhild entombed by Niflung’s gold
Of hunger-pain did yell.
Then soon from out the land to Bern
In Lombardy he strayed;
And there ’mongst Danish men he was,
And prowess high displayed.
His mother she remained at home,
From her got Hveen its name
’Mongst knights and warriors through the world,
So widely goes its fame.