And under that mighty heart-fence would the fair one play the play.

From left unto right within it did a goodly arm-brace pass

With emeralds set thereover, green as the lealand grass;

And their sight-bewildering sparklings flashed o’er the gold thereof.

Sooth, valour he needed and prowess who would win that maiden’s love!

Stood a boss out in front of the buckler, as the olden bard hath sung;

It was three whole spans in thickness, yet lightly its mass she swung.

With burnished steel and with gleaming gold full rich was the shield;

And scarce could her chamberlain, holpen of three, bear this to the field.

Now soon as Hagen the stalwart beheld that Targe of Dread,