He hied him to Dame Grimhild, To her he said in haste: “Two knights before our castle wait, Admittance they request.” “O that is Folker Spillemand,” Dame Grimhild she did say; “And that is Hero Hogen, My brothers both are they.” Down went dames and maidens then To see the twain alight; They all were slender in the waist, And just of proper height. It was the proud Dame Grimhild Herself in scarlet clad; Then out she hastened to the court, The heroes in she bade. p. 28“’Tis custom of our castle none A faulchion shall unsheath, I cannot bear the sight of one Since good King Sigfred’s death.” p. 28 “’Twas I that slew King Sigfred E’en with my own right hand, ’Twas I that slew King Ottelin And him could few withstand. “’Twas then I lost my acton good, And trusty courser grey, In yonder ice-cold winters When besieging Troy we lay.” Then up the hall she led them To a hundred of her train; With naked faulchions brandished, they Confront the heroes twain. “If any knight among ye be Who eat here of my bread, Will dare to slay my brother, I will give him gold so red.” p. 29When heard that Folker Spillemand He would no longer wait; His sword from out the sheath he drew, Down shivered fell the gate. p. 29 When he had bared the mighty blade He felt at heart so light; He slew full fifteen warriors With blows of manly might. “Ha, Ha,” said Folker Spillemand, “Right goes my fiddle now”— And then the Hero Hogen slew Full twenty blow by blow. It was the proud Dame Grimhild With wrath well nigh was wode: “Much better had ye stayed at home Than come to our abode. “Here will a hundred widows be ’Ere ye this fight have done.” Then answered Hero Hogen: “’Twas by thyself begun.” p. 30It was the Hero Hogen, His helmet lifted he: “All under my cuirass of steel I burn so furiously. p. 30 “I’m weary, weary to the heart, And weak in verity; O would to God in heaven is A horn of wine had I.”
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