Hettel bore his weapon grimly ’gainst his foe;
Of strength no less than riches he had, in truth, enow:
But soon he did unwisely, he pressed on him too nearly,
And those within the castle saw the fight between them all too clearly.
[646]
The sore-beleaguered dwellers the gates would gladly shut;
But now their losses told them that this would nothing boot:
Friends as well as foemen near the gates were thronging,
And great was the hope of Herwic to win the maid for whom his heart was longing.
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