harness. The troop he gave in charge to Hagen, when he would
depart, and to Gernot, the valiant man. Thus he rode hence into
the Saxon land alone and many a helmet band he cut to pieces on
that day. Soon he spied the mighty host that lay encamped upon
the plain and far outweighed the forces of his men. Forty
thousand or better still there were. Full blithely Siegfried saw
this in lofty mood. Meantime a warrior full well arrayed had
mounted to the outlook 'gainst the foe. Him Sir Siegfried spied,
and the bold man saw him, too. Each began to watch the other in
hostile wise. Who it was, who stood on guard, I'll tell you now;
a gleaming shield of gold lay by his hand. It was the good King
Liudegast, who was guarding here his band. The noble stranger
pricked along in lordly wise.

Now had Sir Liudegast espied him with hostile eye. Into the
flanks of their horses they plunged the spurs; with all their
might they couched the spears against the shields. At this great
fear befell the mighty king. After the thrust the horses carried
past each other the royal knights, as though borne upon the wind.
With the bridles they wheeled in knightly wise and the two fierce
champions encountered with their swords. Then smote Sir
Siegfried, so that the whole field did ring. Through the hero's
hand from out the helmets, as from firebrands, flew the bright
red sparks. Each in the other found his match. Sir Liudegast,
too, struck many a savage blow; the might of each broke full upon
the shields. Thirty of Liudegast's men stood there on guard, but
ere they could come to his aid, Siegfried had won the fight, with
three groat wounds which he dealt the king through his gleaming
breastplate, the which was passing good. The blood from the
wounds gushed forth along the edges of the sword, whereat King