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“We should indeed with gladness ride unto Etzel’s land:

There kings can have the service of many a hero’s hand,

When there we take our part in Kriemhilda’s revelry.”

Hagen the journey counsell’d: he rued it presently.

He would have been against it, if Gernot had not sought

With ill-adviséd speeches to set him so at naught:

Reminding him of Siegfried, the Lady Kriemhild’s lord;

Said he: “This ride to Hagen is therefore untoward.”

Then Hagen spake, of Tronjé: “Through fear I’ll not forego!

If such your will is, heroes, ’twere well to buckle to.

Gladly will I ride with you, e’en unto Etzel’s realm.”

Soon by his hand were shatter’d full many a shield and helm.

The boats were ready waiting, and many a man was there:

Whate’er they had of clothing on board forthwith they bare.

Unwearyingly wrought they until the fall of eve;

And full of joy and gladness at length their homes they leave.

Their tents and wooden cabins were pitch’d upon the green

Along the further Rhine-bank. When finish’d this had been,

The king’s fair wife besought him a while there to abide

For one night would she lay her his manly form beside.

With trumpeting and fluting the early morning brake,

To warn them to be starting: then did they ready make.

If any had a sweetheart her to his heart he laid;—

For them a bitter parting King Etzel’s wife soon made!