And said: “May God in heaven so help the fight that men may you be praising.”

[695]

After they all were gathered without the castle gate,

Youths were there heard singing, hoping for plunder great.

Each thought, by hardest fighting, to win himself much riches;

But far must they yet be riding, for long the way to their master’s foemen stretches.

[696]

On the third morning early came, at break of day,

The very aged Wâ-te with a thousand to the fray;

And from the Danish kingdom, as the seventh day was dawning,