Let Wâ-te choose the warriors to go with him, and home to the king to lead her.”

[253]

Then spake the aged Wâ-te: “A shop I cannot keep;

Not often doth my money in coffers idly sleep;

My lot I’ve shared with fighters, and that I still am doing;

Therein I am not skilful, that I to ladies gew-gaws should be showing.

[254]

“But since my nephew Horant on me this task has laid,

He knows full well that Hagen will never yield the maid:

He prides himself on owning the strength of six and twenty;