With all the skill of a fencer. The face of Fru-te the Dane a smile now carried.

[361]

To save himself, the teacher gave a spring as wide

As doth an untamed leopard. Wâ-te his weapon plied,

And in his hand it clattered, until the fire-sparks glistened

Upon his foeman’s buckler; he well might thank the youth who to him had listened.

[362]

Then said the king, wild Hagen: “Give me the sword in hand.

I will take a little pastime with him of the Sturmisch land;

I will be his teacher, and he my four strokes be learning.