Ludwig Fights with Herwig
In the tumult, Herwig encountered Ludwig; and when he beheld the old
King, whose blade dripped with the blood of heroes, he asked: "Who is
the aged warrior that so fiercely wields his reeking sword?"
Ludwig heard the words and shouted in reply: "My name is Ludwig, and of
this land I am the King. Doth any seek combat with me, let him step
forth!"
"If thou be he," answered Herwig, "then well hast thou earned my hatred.
Upon the Wulpensand thou didst slay King Hetel and many a comrade dear.
Also didst thou rob me of my fair betrothed. Wherefore now over thy body
will I win her back to me again."
"Boy, 'twere little need for thee to avow thyself," said Ludwig,
scornfully. "But dearly shalt thou atone for that threat of thine!"
Therewith the two Kings rushed at each other amid the shouts of their
followers. Herwig in his fury was like the raging sea; Ludwig, a great
gray rock against which the foaming billows dash in vain. The struggle
had lasted for some moments when Ludwig's sword descended with such
force on the head of his adversary that Herwig tottered and sank upon
his knee. Again the mighty blade fell and he would have been slain had
not one of his knights sprung forward and received the blow upon his own
body. The hero paid for his devotion with his life, but Herwig was borne
away by his friends and soon revived. Looking up at the turret, he
cried: "Shame were it to my knighthood that Gudrun should see me sink
upon my knee before yon hoary chief! Now will I hasten after him to
redeem my honor." And away he dashed, his men following with flying
banners.
Hearing these shouts, Ludwig turned about, and great was his amazement
to behold the young hero whom he had supposed slain. Once more they
fought till their shields grew hot from the shower of blows, but now as
Ludwig flung his sword aloft to deal the death-stroke to his royal foe,
Herwig thrust his own blade deep into the old King's breast. Down he
fell, and again Herwig smote; whereupon the head of the fierce Norman
monarch rolled in the sand, staining it crimson.
This was the death signal for Ludwig's band. Like a hurricane tearing
its way through the forest, on swept Herwig's knights against the foe,
and few indeed were those who survived that terrible onslaught.