Such thanks he later showed him as doth a fighting Frank or Saxon daring.

[367]

No more a truce was thought of by Wâ-te and the king;

With strokes that loud were crashing, the hall began to ring.

Harder blows than ever they gave, as now they battled;

All their thrusts were sudden; the knobs upon their swords snapped off and rattled.

[368]

The two sat down to rest them; then Hagen said to his guest:

“You fain would be a learner, but you in truth are the best

That ever I was teaching the skill that the foeman dazes.