"Now hold," quoth Hagen, "both knight and squire. Certes, me-thinketh
right that we should heed our friends. With full monstrous tales I'll
make you acquaint: we shall never come again to the Burgundian land.
Two mermaids told me early in the morning that we should not come back
again. I will now counsel you what ye do: ye must arm you, ye heroes,
for we have mighty foes. Ye must guard you well and ride in warlike
guise. I thought to catch these mermaids in a lie. They swore that none
of us would come home safe and sound, save the chaplain alone. Therefore
would I fain have drowned him to-day."
These tidings flew from band to band and valiant heroes grew pale from
woe, as they began to fear a grewsome death on this journey to Etzel's
court. Forsooth they had great need. When they had crossed at Moering,
(2) where Else's ferryman had lost his life, Hagen spake again: "Sith I
have gained me foes upon the way, we shall surely be encountered. I slew
this same ferryman early on the morn to-day. Well they wot the tale. Now
lay on boldly, so that it may go hard with Gelfrat and Else, should they
match our fellowship here to-day. I know them to be so bold that 'twill
not be left undone. Let the steeds jog on more gently, that none ween we
be a-fleeing on the road."
"This counsel I will gladly follow," quoth Giselher, the knight; "but
who shall guide the fellowship across the land?"
They answered: "This let Folker do; the valiant minstrel knoweth both
road and path."
Ere the wish was fully spoken, men saw the doughty fiddler standing
there well armed. On his head he bound his helmet, of lordly color was
his fighting gear. On his spear shaft he tied a token, the which was
red. Later with the kings he fell into direst need.
Trustworthy tidings of the ferryman's death were now come to Gelfrat's
ears. The mighty Else had also heard the tale. Loth it was to both; they
sent to fetch their heroes, who soon stood ready. In a passing short
time, as I'll let you hear, one saw riding towards them those who
had wrought scathe and monstrous wounds in mighty battles. Full seven
hundred or more were come to Gelfrat. When they began to ride after
their savage foes, their lords did lead them, of a truth. A deal too
strong they hasted after the valiant strangers; they would avenge their
wrath. Therefore many of the lordings' friends were later lost.
Hagen of Troneg had well planned it (how might a hero ever guard his
kinsmen better), that he had in charge the rear guard, with his liegemen
and his brother Dankwart. This was wisely done.
The day had passed away; the night was come. For his friends he feared
both harm and woe, as beneath their shields they rode through the
Bavarian land. A short time thereafter the heroes were assailed. On
either side of the highway and in the rear hard by they heard the beat
of hoofs. Their foes pressed on too hard. Then spake hold Dankwart:
"They purpose to attack us here, so hind on your helmets, for that be
well to do."
They stayed their journey, as though it must needs he; in the gloom
they spied the gleam of shining shields. Hagen would no longer keep his
peace; he called: "Who chaseth us upon the highway?"
To this Gelfrat must needs give answer. Quoth the margrave of Bavaria:
"We seek our foes and have galloped on behind you. I know not who slew
my ferryman to-day, but it doth rue me enow, for he was a hero of his
hands."
Then spake Hagen of Troneg: "And was then the ferryman thine? The fault
was mine, he would not ferry us over, so I slew the knight. Forsooth I
had great need, for I had sheer gained at his hands my death. As meed I
offered him gold and trappings, that he ferry me across to thy land, Sir
Knight. This angered him so greatly that he smote me with a mighty oar.
At this I waxed grim enow. I seized my sword and fended him his anger
with a grievous wound. Thus the hero met his death. I'll make amends, as
doth think thee best."
"Well I wist," spake Gelfrat, "when Gunther and his fellowship rode
hither, that Hagen of Troneg would do us harm. Now he shall not live;
the knight must stand for the ferryman's life."
Over the bucklers Gelfrat and Hagen couched their spears for the thrust;
each would charge the other. Else and Dankwart rode full gloriously;
they tested who they were, fierce was the fight. How might heroes ever
prove each other better? From a mighty thrust Hagen was unhorsed by
Gelfrat's hand. His martingale snapped, he learnt what it was to fall.
The crash of shafts resounded from their fellowship. Hagen, who from the
thrust afore had come to earth, down on the grass, sprang up again. I
trow, he was not gentle of mood towards Gelfrat then. Who held their
steeds, I know not; both Hagen and Gelfrat had alighted on the sand and
rushed together. Their fellowship helped thereby and became acquaint
with strife. Albeit Hagen sprang at Gelfrat fiercely, the noble margrave
smote from his shield a mickle piece, so that the sparks flew wide. Full
nigh did Gunther's liegeman die therefrom. He began to call to Dankwart:
"O help, dear brother! Certes, a hero of his hands hath matched me, he
will not spare my life."