The Nibelungenlied - - (english love story books .txt) 📗

had despite.”

1569

Then one of the Burgundians, the noble Gernot, said:
“To-day I needs must sorrow for friends soon to be dead;
Since we have found no boatman waiting for us at hand,
How are we to come over? For that in fear I stand.”

1570

Right loudly then cried Hagen: “Lay down upon the green,
Ye squires, the horses’ trappings: I mind me I have been
The best of all the rowers that on the Rhine were found.
I’ll wager I can bring you across to Gelfrat’s ground.”

1571

That they might be the sooner ferried across the flood,
They drave the horses in it; whose swimming was so good,
That, strong as was the current, they cross’d it none the less;
Though some far downwards drifted in very weariness.

1572

Their gold and all their baggage unto the ship they bore,
Since from this journey’s ending they now could turn no more.
And Hagen was the captain; he ferried to the strand
Full many a gallant warrior into the unknown land.

1573

Of noble knights a thousand first brought he to the shore,
And after these his warriors, and ever there were more:
Of men-at-arms nine thousand he ferried safe to land,
Nor all day long did weary the gallant Tronian’s hand.

1574

When he the whole in safety across the flood had brought,
The warrior bold and eager of that strange story thought
Which the wild water-maidens erewhile to him had said.
Then for King Gunther’s chaplain the days were well-nigh sped!

1575

Amidst the chapel baggage he sought and found the priest,
Who on his hand was leaning, that on the Pyx did rest.
But little that avail’d him when Hagen him did spy:
The all-forsaken chaplain must suffer grievously.

1576

Out of the skiff he swung him, ere yet a moment pass’d,
Though many voices shouted: “Stay him, good sirs, avast.”
Young Giselher fell a-cursing in anger at the sight;
Yet would not Hagen heed him, but did it in despite.

1577

Then spake the noble Gernot, the lord of Burgundy:
“This chaplain’s death, O Hagen, now what avails it thee?
Had any other done it it would have pleased you ill.
For what default or reason sought’st thou the priest to kill.”

1578

As best he could he floated, and well escaped had he,
Had any dared to help him; but that was not to be,
Because the mightful Hagen was of too angry mood:
He thrust him under water⁠— that seem’d to no one good.

1579

Now when the wretched chaplain no help saw in his need,
Backward again he turn’d him; sore was his plight indeed.
Yet though to swim he knew not, God help’d him with His hand,
That safe and sound in body he got once more to land.

1580

There stood the hapless chaplain and shook his raiment out;
And thereby well knew Hagen that now there was no doubt
But true the tale was, told him by those wild water-wives.
Thought he: “Then all these warriors perforce must lose their lives.”

1581

When that the three kings’ lieges the ship had all unstored,
And unto land had carried whate’er they had on board,
Hagen to pieces hew’d it and flung it in the flood.
Whereover marvell’d greatly those warriors bold and good.

1582

“Why dost thou thus, O brother?” to him did Dankwart say:
“How shall we cross the water when on our homeward way,
We ride again from Hunsland unto the Rhine country?”
“Look you,” to him said Hagen, “that thing can never be!”

1583

Then spake the lord of Tronjé: “This do I with the thought
That, should we on this journey have any cravens brought,
Who fain would basely leave us, through cowardice of mind,
They must a shameful ending here in this river find.”

1584

A man there was amongst them from Burgundy who came,
By might of hand a hero, and Volker was his name.
Right cunningly he utter’d all that was in his mind,
And whatsoe’er did Hagen this minstrel good did find.

1585

The chargers now were ready, each packhorse had its load.
So far, the host no damage had suffered on the road
To daunt them, or to trouble, except the chaplain’s loss;
Who needs must to the Rhineland on foot the country cross.

Adventure XXVI How Gelfrat Was Slain by Dankwart

1586

When they were all come over unto the further strand,
The king began to question: “Who will throughout this land
Show us the proper pathways⁠— lest we should stray afar?”
Then spake the valiant Volker: “Alone for that I’ll care.”

1587

“Now bide ye yet,” said Hagen, “if squire you be or knight,
A friend’s word should be follow’d; that seems to me but right.
I have unwelcome tidings to make known unto ye:
No more shall we return to the land of Burgundy!

1588

“To-day, at early morning, told me mermaidens two,
That we should home return not. Now rede I what to do:
Look to your weapons, heroes, ye needs must well beware;
Here have we mighty foemen, and warily must fare.

1589

“I thought to catch her lying, that wily mermaiden:
She swore that none among us should ever come again
Alive unto our country, except the priest alone:
Whom therefore I this morning have done my best to drown.”

1590

Then quickly flew these tidings, from troop to troop they spread;
From the keen heroes’ faces for grief the colour fled;
To sorrow then began they that this court-ride should lead
To bitter death as ending: in sooth, they had good need.

1591

Nigh Moeringen the place was where they the flood had cross’d.
The ferryman of Else there, too, his life had lost.
And thereupon said Hagen: “Seeing that I have made
Foes on the road, I doubt not that we shall be waylaid.

1592

“To-day that self-same boatman at early dawn I slew;
Ye know right well the story. Now buckle quickly to,
That if this day should Gelfrat or Else here essay
To fall upon our people, they shall the damage pay.

1593

“For such bold men I know ye, this cannot fail to be.
’Twere well to let your horses, therefore, go quietly,
That none should deem we’re passing along the roads in flight.”
“That counsel will I follow,” said Giselher the knight.

1594

“But who shall now our people across the country show?”
They answer’d: “That shall Volker, for right well doth he know
The highways and the byways, a gallant minstrel he.”
Before their wish was utter’d, the fiddler they could see

1595

Standing well-arm’d before them. He bound his helmet on,
And on his battle-mantle the glorious colour shone.
As signal, on a lance-shaft, a pennon red he bore.
But with the kings, thereafter, he fell on trouble sore.

1596

Meanwhile the boatman’s murder became to Gelfrat known
By message all undoubted; and eke the news had gone
To Else the most mighty; and sore aggrieved were they.
They sent to call their chieftains, who came without delay.

1597

In space of time the shortest⁠— I would to you make known⁠—
Were seen unto them riding men, who erewhile had done
Sore scathe and dread achievements in direst stress of war.
Of such there came to Gelfrat seven hundred men or