12 A LEGEND OF THE HUNS. 



The host of the Huns was, however, so great, that the Goths 

 at length began to give way. On seeing the slaughter of her 

 people, the heroic Hervor, grasping her sword with both 

 hands, and rushing into the thickest of the fight, cut down 

 all opposed to her. When at length she had approached 

 to within hearing of her brother Laudur, she challenged him 

 to single combat ; but he, declining the invitation, replied : 

 " I came not here thirsting after thy blood, my sister." 

 Thus frustrated in her vengeance, she plunged with re- 

 doubled fury into the densest ranks of the invaders, and 

 at length, covered with wounds, fell lifeless from her 

 horse. 



The death of the princess was the signal for the dispersion 

 of her men, for on witnessing her sad fate, they broke and 

 fled in every direction. 



Laudur mourned greatly over the heroine ; and when the 

 battle, which he had now completely gained, was over, he 

 gave her remains honourable sepulture. 



Ormer, together with all who had escaped, fled from the 

 ensanguined field, and riding night and day, he presented 

 himself before King Angantyr, and chaunted thus : 



" From the South am I come 

 To bring thee tidings ; 

 In flames is all the country, 

 And the heath of Morkved ; 

 And all Gota land is dyed 

 With the blood of thy faithful men." 



And afterwards he added : 



" But the maiden I saw, 

 The daughter of Heydrick, 

 Thy sister, 



