For this, whate’er you ask me, I ne’er will say you nay;

And help his warriors also, who in the dust lie bleeding,

And show your skill to his liegemen who stood by him, when he their help was needing.

[532]

“Nor must you be forgetful of those of the Hegeling land,

Who were friends to Hettel; wet with their blood is the sand

On which they now are lying, as if a rain were falling:

Sorrowful tales of their fighting for me there ne’er can be an end of telling.”

[533]

Then spake the aged Wâ-te: “Their wounds I cannot heal,—