That battle-eager hero his shield behind him cast;
Then, then in grimmest earnest he began to avenge the wrong.
Then faint grew the hearts of the valiant, and palsied the might of the strong.
When the Prince of Bern, Lord Dietrich, saw the marvels that he wrought,
Saw Hagen the valiant cleaving the morions as he fought,
Then sprang the chief of the Amals on a bench amidst of the hall,
And he cried: “Here Hagen poureth a death-draught bitter as gall!”
Well might the Lord of the Hunfolk be stricken with sore affright.
—What hosts of his friends were falling down gulfs of death in his sight!—
Death’s wings overgloomed him, for round him was closing the foes’ stern ring.