Back grievously hurt will I send them; adown this stair shall they fall.”
“Not for thy threats I refrain me!” cried Iring with shining eyes.
“Full oft ere this have I ventured on as perilous emprise.
Alone will I withstand thee, and not with words, but the sword.
What care I for all thy vaunting, O thou tongue-valiant lord?”
Then with speed was the good thane Iring sheathed in knightly mail
And Irnfried of Thuringia, a heart unused to quail,
And Hawart the strong, with a thousand warriors in battle-array,
Stood eager to go where Iring the hero led the way.
Then looked the viol-minstrel, and beheld that huge war-band