< Page:Gummere (1909) The Oldest English Epic.djvu
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THE HILDEBRAND LAY
177
60Most infamous were he[1] of East-Goth folk
who should keep thee from combat so keenly desired,
from fight with foe! Let the fated one[2] try
whether now his trappings be taken from him,
or both of these breast-plates he boast as his own.”
65Charging with ash-spears,[3] clashed they first,
with sharpest shafts the shields that clove.
Then strode to the struggle those sturdy-warriors,[4]
hewed in hate on the white-faced shields,
until both of the lindens[5] little grew,
70all worn with weapons. . . .
- ↑ Here the text has “quoth Hildebrand.”
- ↑ The warrior whose fate it is now to fight. Said of both of them.
- ↑ They ride furiously at each other with levelled lances, each trying to pass or pierce the shield of his opponent. Then they dismount and stride to the fight with swords.
- ↑ The compound word so translated is not found elsewhere, but it is a kenning for the warriors.
- ↑ Shields, as often in the English epic.
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