I

When now were all the warriors debark'd upon the strand,
The king began to question, "Who now can through the land
Direct us, lest we wander through wildering ways unknown?"
Then answer'd valiant Folker, "That task be mine alone."

II

"Now guard you well," said Hagan, "yeoman as well as knight,
And follow friendly counsel, for thus it seems me right;
News know I, sad to utter, and sad alike to learn;
Not one of us shall ever to Burgundy return.

III

"'Twas told me by two mermaids this morn without disguise,
That back should we come never; now hear what I advise.
Take to your arms, ye heroes, and wend your wary way
(Since here we have stout foemen) in battailous array.

IV

"I thought to prove the mermaids, and catch them in a lie,
Who said that we in Hungary were surely doom'd to die,
And that alone the chaplain should come to Rhenish ground,
So him in yonder river I gladly would have drown'd."

V

The woe-denouncing tidings flew quick from rank to rank;
With ashen cheeks the warriors astonied sat and blank,
As on their death they ponder'd by dismal doom decreed,
From that disastrous journey; each shudder'd on his steed.

VI

'Twas near the town of Moering that they the stream had cross'd;
'Twas there that Elsy's boatman his luckless life had lost.
Then thus bespake them Hagan, "This morning by the flood
I made me certain enemies, so look for wounds and blood.

VII

"I slew that self-same boatman at early dawn to-day;
By this, all know the story; so buckle to the fray;
If Gelfrat here and Elsy our onward journey cross,
Let it be, Burgundians, to their disgrace and loss.

VIII

"I know them for so valiant that they will ne'er abstain,
So let us pace our horses the slower o'er the plain,
That nobody may fancy we rather flee than ride."
"That counsel will I follow," young Giselher replied.

IX

"But who shall guide our party? This country's strange and lone."
All shouted, "That shall Folker (for well to him are known
The highways and the byways), the hardy minstrel good."
They scarce had breath'd their wishes, when in his armor stood

X

The ever-ready gleeman; his helmet on he bound;
He donn'd in haste his hauberk that brightly flash'd around,
And to his spear-shaft fasten'd a pennon bloody red.
Soon with the kings his masters to a dismal doom he sped.

XI

By this, to valiant Gelfrat his boatman's death was known;
Swift-wing'd are evil tidings; the news as soon had flown
To the redoubted Elsy; sore griev'd thereat were both.
Straight summon'd they their vassals; all gather'd nothing loth;

XII

And I can well assure you, that scarce few hours were past,
Ere, to find the wrong-doers, were pricking fiery fast
A sturdy troop of warriors long prov'd in war before;
In aid of noble Gelfrat seven hundred came or more.

XIII

All for revenge were thirsting, all eager for th' attack,
Their warlike lords were foremost; too hotly in the track
They follow'd of those strangers, and learnt it to their cost.
Many a good friend soon after their valiant leaders lost.

XIV

Hagan the cautious Tronian their hasty counsels marr'd;
How could a warrior better his friends and kinsmen guard?
He took in charge the rearward, and there his men array'd
With his brave brother Dankwart; all with one soul obey'd.

XV

The day had sunk and vanish'd; 'twas gloom and darkness all.
He fear'd lest harm or danger his comrades should befall.
Well marshall'd through Bavaria beneath their shields went they;
Yet in short time their foemen assail'd them by the way.

XVI

On either side the highway, though nothing met their view,
Hoofs heard they frequent trample, and close behind them too.
Then out spoke fearless Dankwart, "Upon us is the foe;
Bind fast your helmets, warriors; prudence would have it so."

XVII

Upon their march they halted, for now they were so nigh,
That bucklers faintly glimmering they through the dark could spy,
Nor longer wish'd Sir Hagan in silence to abide.
"Who hunts us on the highway?" the deep-voiced warrior cried.

XVIII

The stern Bavarian Margrave Gelfrat gave answer back,
"We're seeking out our foemen, and close are on their track.
I know not who among you this morn my boatman slew;
He was a knight of prowess; his loss I surely rue."

XIX

Then answer'd he of Trony, "Was that same ferryman thine?
He would not put us over; the guilt, if guilt, is mine.
I slew him, I confess it, but what besides could I?
Myself first by his fury was all but done to die.

XX

"I offer'd gold and raiment for meed (what could I more?)
Into thy land, Sir Gelfrat, if he'd but put us o'er.
He flew into a fury, and caught me o'er the crown
With a heavy boat-pole, and knock'd me roughly down.

XXI

"I snatch'd my sword in anger; from his wrath I kept my life;
A mortal wound I gave him; this clos'd at once the strife.
Yet such amends I offer as you think just and right."
They hearken'd but to vengeance, burning with scorn and spite.

XXII

"I knew full well," said Gelfrat, "if Gunther pass'd along
This country with his meiny, that we should suffer wrong
At the hands of Hagan; 'scape shall he not to-day;
He did to death the ferryman, and for the deed shall pay."

XXIII

To smite above the bucklers they couch'd their lances straight.
Gelfrat and Hagan both clos'd with eager hate.
Elsy too and Dankwart each bore him like a knight;
Each prov'd the other's manhood; stern and stubborn was the fight.

XXIV

Who better could defend them? who better could assail?
Borne was the stalwart Hagan clean o'er his horse's tail,
And on the grass lay floundering by Gelfrat's sturdy stroke.
In the shock asunder his charger's pÖitral broke.

XXV

Then knew he what was fighting; all round the lances crash'd;
From the green Sir Hagan upstarted, unabash'd,
Or rather kindling courage from overthrow so rude.
He turn'd, I ween, on Gelfrat, not in the mildest mood.

XXVI

Who held them both their horses, is more than I can tell.
To the ground the champions were both brought down from selle.
They rush'd upon each other; they mingled sword and shield.
Their comrades to the rescue flock'd round from all the field.

XXVII

However fiercely Hagan on noble Gelfrat sprung,
A huge piece from his buckler (loud with the stroke it rung)
Was hewn by the stout margrave; fire forth in sparkles flew;
The ferryman like to follow was Gunther's liegeman true.

XXVIII

To the valiant Dankwart he shouted loud and high,
"Help, help me, dearest brother, I've just been like to die
By a stout-handed champion; he'll let me ne'er go free."
Thereto replied bold Dankwart, "Then I'll your umpire be."

XXIX

Close to them leapt the hero; nothing more he said;
Once his sword he lifted, down dropp'd Gelfrat dead.
Elsy had fain reveng'd him, but forc'd was he to yield.
He and his fear-struck comrades fled that disastrous field.

XXX

Slain was his valiant brother, himself was wounded sore,
Of his war-practis'd champions eighty the best, or more,
Lay with grim Death companion'd; what then beside could he
But from the men of Gunther with loss and anguish flee?

XXXI

Soon as they of Bavaria gave way through ghastly fear,
Behind them deadly sword-strokes loud ringing you might hear.
So the bold men of Trony held their foes in chase,
Who sought to 'scape the forfeit and ever fled apace.

XXXII

Then Dankwart thus behind them loud shouted o'er the plain,
"Forthwith must we be wending back on our steps again;
So let them fly unfollow'd, each bleeding as he flies,
While we rejoin our comrades; this I in truth advise."

XXXIII

When back had come the warriors to where the fight had been,
Thus spoke the Knight of Trony, "Chiefs, now 'twere fit, I ween,
To reckon up the missing, and learn whom we to-night
Have lost through Gelfrat's anger in this sharp sudden fight."

XXXIV

Four of their friends had perish'd, slight cause had they to plain,
For they had well aveng'd them; on th' other hand were slain
Of the repuls'd Bavarians a hundred men or more,
The shields of the stout Tronians were dimm'd and soak'd with gore.

XXXV

From the clouds a moment broke out the gleaming moon;
"We shall overtake," said Hagan, "our friends and comrades soon;
But none to my good masters speak of this hasty fray;
Let them without suspicion remain till dawn of day."

XXXVI

When those who fought the battle had now rejoin'd the rest,
They found them with long travail exhausted and oppress'd.
"How long have we to journey?" asked many a champion brave.
"Here's neither host nor hostel," was th' answer Dankwart gave,

XXXVII

"You all must until morning ride on as best you can."
Next sent the nimble Folker, the leader of the van,
To ask the noble marshal, "Where shall we lodge the crew
To-night? Where rest the horses and our good masters too?"

XXXVIII

Then answer gave bold Dankwart, "That's more than I can say;
Rest must we ne'er a moment before the dawn of day,
And, wheresoe'er we meet it, lie down upon the green."
To most of those who heard him 'twas heavy news, I ween.

XXXIX

Long time remain'd unnotic'd the stains of bloody red,
Till the fair sun, up rising, his glittering radiance spread
At morn above the mountains; at once the king espied
That they had just been fighting, and full of anger cried,

XL

"How now, friend Hagan? so you, it seems, disdain'd
To have me for your comrade, when thus with blood was stain'd
And dabbled all your hauberks; who put you in that plight?"
Said he, "'Twas done by Elsy; he fell on us last night.

XLI

"To revenge his ferryman this fierce assault he plann'd
There slain was sturdy Gelfrat by my good brother's hand,
And Elsy scarce escap'd us; 'faith he was ill bestead.
We lost but four companions, and he a hundred dead."

XLII

We know not, where that morning the warriors laid them down,
Straight learn'd all the people in country and in town,
That noble Uta's children to court were on their road.
On them a hearty welcome was at Passau soon bestow'd.

XLIII

Well pleas'd was Bishop Pilgrin, the uncle of the queen.
That with so many champions, all cas'd in armor sheen,
His proud Burgundian nephews had come into the land.
Soon, what good will he bore them, he made them understand.

XLIV

Along the roads to lodge them their friends all did their best.
At Passau room was wanting to harbor every guest;
They cross'd perforce the water, where on an open ground
Were hasty tents erected, and rich pavilions pitch'd around.

XLV

They there were forc'd to tarry the space of one whole day,
And eke the night till morning; how well receiv'd were they!
Thence to the land of Rudeger they were to ride anew.
Swift to him the tidings of their coming flew.

XLVI

When the way-weary warriors had ta'en some needful rest,
And now were close approaching the country of their quest,
They found upon the border a man that sleeping lay;
Sir Hagan sprung upon him, and took his sword away.

XLVII

He was call'd Sir Eckewart, that sleep-oppressed knight;
Sore griev'd was he and downcast at his defenceless plight,
Stripp'd of so strong a weapon, and at a stranger's will.
They found the march of Rudeger watch'd and warded ill.

XLVIII

"Woe's me for this dishonor!" the grief-struck warrior cried,
"Alas that the Burgundians e'er hither thought to ride!
Sure, since I lost Sir Siegfried, all joy is flown from me.
Oh, well away, Sir Rudeger, how have I injur'd thee!"

XLIX

Sir Hagan scarcely waited to hear his sorrows through;
He gave him back his weapon, and six red armlets too.
"Take these, Sir Knight, as tokens that thou my friend wilt be:
Thou'rt a bold chief to slumber thus lonely on the lea."

L

"God quit you for your armlets!" Sir Eckewart replied;
"Yet much, I own, it grieves me that to the Huns you ride.
You took the life of Siegfried, all hate you deadly here;
As your true friend I warn you; watch well, and wisely fear."

LI

"Now God watch well and ward us," Hagan gave answer back;
"No care have these good warriors, save for what now they lack,
Fit and convenient quarters; fain would we learn aright
Where we, both kings and subjects, may hope to lodge to-night.

LII

"Our steeds by this long journey are ruin'd past a doubt,"
Said the bold warrior Hagan, "our stores are all run out;
Naught's to be had for money; we need (or else we're sped),
Some host, who of his goodness to-night would give us bread."

LIII

Straight Eckewart made answer, "I'll show you such a host,
That scarcely could a better be found in any coast,
Than he, who here, assure ye, your coming fain will greet,
If you be pleas'd, bold strangers, Sir Rudeger to meet.

LIV

"He dwells fast by the highway, and never yet on earth
Was there a host more liberal; his heart gives virtues birth,
As meadows grass and flowerets in the sweet month of May,
To do good knights good service he waxes blithe and gay."

LV

Straight answer'd then King Gunther, "Will you a message take,
So ask my dear friend Rudeger, if he will for my sake
Me and my kinsmen shelter and all this numerous clan?
To serve him ever after I'll do the best I can."

LVI

"Fain will I do your bidding," Eckewart replied.
With good will off he started; well his spurs he plied,
And what he brought to Rudeger he told without delay.
To him no such glad tidings had come for many a day.

LVII

A knight toward Bechlaren spurr'd fast as fast might be;
Rudeger himself discerned him; "On yonder road," said he,
"'Tis Kriemhild's liegeman Eckewart, that rides so hot a pace."
He thought his foes had harm'd him, and held him still in chase.

LVIII

To the gate he hurried; the knight there saw he stand,
Who straight his sword ungirded, and laid it from his hand.
The news that he brought with him he car'd not to withhold
From the host and those about him, but straight his story told.

LIX

He thus bespake the margrave, "A message you I bring
From my good master Gunther, the stout Burgundian king,
And Giselher his brother and noble Gernot too;
Every one of the warriors sends you his service true.

LX

"The same does also Hagan and Folker bold, as well,
With firm entire devotion, and I beside must tell
What from the king's marshal I have too in command,
That need have the good yeomen of lodging at your hand."

LXI

Merrily laugh'd Sir Rudeger as thus he made reply,
"I joy to hear these tidings, that kings so great and high
Deign to request my service; my zeal they soon shall see;
If they my dwelling enter, right happy shall I be."

LXII

"Dankwart the marshal also by me the number sends
Of those, who seek your homestead with your Burgundian friends;
Sixty nimble champions, good knights a thousand too,
And yeomen full nine thousand." Right glad the margrave grew.

LXIII

"In truth I shall be happy," said noble Rudeger,
"To see guests of such worship in my poor dwelling here,
To whom I have but rarely yet render'd service due.
Now ride ye forth to meet them, good friends and kinsmen true."

LXIV

With that in haste they mounted: forth flew squire and knight,
Whate'er their lord commanded, that pass'd with all for right;
The better thus their duties they did when need requir'd.
Yet nothing knew Dame Gotelind, who sat in power retir'd.