Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/343

XXV.]

High on his sword an armlet towards him did he hold—

All bright and shining was it, compact of ruddy gold—

That he, therefore, might row him across to Gelfrat’s land.

Then took the haughty boatman himself the oar in hand.

The ferryman was churlish and obstinate of will—

The lust of great possession doth often end in ill—

He wished to earn from Hagen that band of gold so red:

But from the warrior’s weapon grim death he got instead.

The ferryman pull’d stoutly unto the hitherside;

But when the man he found not, whose name he had heard cried,

Then was he wroth in earnest. At Hagen’s face look’d he,

And thus unto the hero he spake right bitterly:

“It may be that thou bearest the name of Amelrich;

To him of whom I mind me thou art in no wise like;

By father and by mother he brother was to me.

And as thou hast betray’d me, thou here canst bide!” said he.

“Not I, by God Almighty!” thereon, did Hagen speak:

“I am a stranger warrior, and help for others seek.

Take now in friendly fashion this wage I offer you

To put me o’er the water; I am your friend right true.”

The ferryman made answer: “Nay, that shall never be!

My well-belovéd masters have many an enemy;

Therefore I row no strangers across unto their land.

If life thou prizest, quickly step out upon the sand.”