Hettel hoped, in his struggle, help from them to be gaining,

For they were daring fighters: one saw the blood beneath their helmets raining.

[875]

How could he who led them have braver or bolder been?

That day he dimmed with life-blood many breastplates’ sheen;

Siegfried it was, unyielding in storm of battle ever.

How could the Danish Fru-te, or even Wâ-te the old, have shown them braver?

[876]

Thickly hurled were lances, hither and thither thrown:

Ortwin, with his followers, in hopeful mood came on;