Hartmut Fights with Wate
When the warden on the tower made known the fall of King Ludwig, loud
shrieks and cries of woe arose within the castle. These Hartmut heard,
and asking their cause, was told his father had been slain. Then looking
about him and seeing how they were beset on all sides, he said to his
followers: "Honor enough have we won to-day. Let us withdraw into the
castle and await a more favorable opportunity for a fresh attack."
His knights followed him gladly, for they were weary with much strife;
but when they sought to turn back they found the way was barred. Wate
with his men was already fighting before the great gates. Beams and
stones were being flung upon them from the walls, and bolts fell thick
as hailstones from the clouds, but Wate heeded them not; his thoughts
were bent only upon victory. Between him and the Normans the dead lay
piled by hundreds, and Hartmut said:
"By my faith, 'tis a mighty foe we have to deal with, and well are they
wreaking vengeance for their ancient wrongs. If we would reach the gates
once more, we must encounter heavy odds, for look! the enemy is there
before us on every hand. Yonder wave Siegfried's colors, yet our
warriors press him hard. At the other gate, 'tis plain by the
swordpoints on his banner that Ortwin fights, and many shall fall ere he
sheathes his sword. On that side is Herwig with his followers. None can
deny 'tis in true knightly fashion he doth battle for his bride. In
truth, we have tarried too long on the field, and I know not which way
to turn. Long will they wait for us within the castle, much I fear, for
neither by craft nor yet by secret passage may we pass its walls. Naught
remains to us save to dismount and cleave a way for ourselves with our
swords."
Accordingly they all sprang from their horses, which they turned loose,
and therewith began their perilous attempt.
Hartmut sought out Wate, thinking if he could but slay that mighty
champion they might succeed in gaining entrance to the castle. No sooner
did Wate see Hartmut approaching than he sprang to meet him. High in the
air rose the dust from the feet of the heroes, and they smote one
another so fiercely that the clang of sword-strokes on shield and helm
was like the sound of hammers in a forge.