Knights there were a thousand,— the press of them was strong.

Hettel’s Hegeling kinsmen, well their weapons plying,

Wounded many foemen; on every side stretched low, the men were lying.

[508]

After bravest fighting, now had reached the land

The followers of Hagen; then crowded to the sand,

After his friends so faithful, a host from Ireland’s borders.

Soon were helmets shattered: grimly they fought to win the maids from their warders.

[509]

Hagen saw then near him Hettel, the youthful knight: