Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/341

XXV.]

But Hagen spake in answer: “Ye fool me needlessly;

What rhyme or reason is it that all of us should die

Among the Hunfolk yonder, through hate of any man?”

More fully then their meaning to tell him they began.

And one of them spake further: “It must in sooth be so,

That none with life escapeth who to that land doth go,

Save only the king’s chaplain; that can we surely tell;

He unto Gunther’s kingdom will come back safe and well.”

Then, in grim mood, bold Hagen answer unto her made:

“’Twere hard to tell my masters what thou just now hast said,

That yonder ’mid the Hunfolk we all must lose our lives.

Show us across the water, thou wisest of all wives!”

She said: “Against this journey since thou wilt nothing hear,

There yonder in a hostel,  unto the river near,

A ferryman is dwelling—  and none there is elsewhere.”

Then knowing what he wanted he would not tarry there.

But one of them call’d after the knight discomfited:

“Nay, wait awhile, Sir Hagen, thou wilt too fast ahead!

Hear better how we tell you to cross the sands aright;

The warden of the marchland by name is Else hight.

“He hath a brother also, Gelfrat the knight is he,

A great lord in Bavaria. Not easy will it be

For you to pass his marches. Ye ought to well beware,—

And with the boatman also ye needs must deal with care.