Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/339

XXV.]

“What art thou casting at me, Hagen?” the great king spake.

“Seek not again to daunt us for thine own honour’s sake.

The ford thou shalt find for us, which to that land doth cross,

That we both steeds and raiment may take there without loss.”

“My life to me,” quoth Hagen, “is not yet such a load

That I should wish to drown me in this wide, rushing flood!

For by my hands I’d sooner that many a man should die

In Etzel’s country yonder: good-will thereto have I.

“Proud warriors and goodly, stay by the water then,

Whilst I along the river myself seek ferrymen,

Who presently will take us across to Gelfrat’s land.”

Then took the doughty Hagen his good shield in his hand.

Well clad was he in armour; his shield he did thereon,

And on his head his helmet; brightly enow it shone.

Above his harness wore he a sword so broad of blade

That wounds right deep and ghastly with either edge it made.

Then up and down the river he sought some ferryman;

He heard a splash of water; to hearken he began.

’Twas made by elfin women within a fountain fair,

Who fain to cool their bodies were bathing themselves there.

As soon as Hagen saw them he slyly towards them crept.

No sooner had they seen him than off they swiftly leapt.

That thus they had escaped him did please them mightily;

He took their raiment from them, no further harm did he.