Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/349

XXVI.]

“To-day, at early morning, told me mermaidens two,

That we should home return not. Now rede I what to do:

Look to your weapons, heroes, ye needs must well beware;

Here have we mighty foemen, and warily must fare.

“I thought to catch her lying, that wily mermaiden:

She swore that none among us should ever come again

Alive unto our country, except the priest alone:

Whom therefore I this morning have done my best to drown.”

Then quickly flew these tidings, from troop to troop they spread;

From the keen heroes’ faces for grief the colour fled;

To sorrow then began they that this court-ride should lead

To bitter death as ending: in sooth, they had good need.

Nigh Mœringen the place was where they the flood had cross’d.

The ferryman of Else there, too, his life had lost.

And thereupon said Hagen: “Seeing that I have made

Foes on the road, I doubt not that we shall be waylaid.

“To-day that self-same boatman at early dawn I slew;

Ye know right well the story. Now buckle quickly to,

That if this day should Gelfrat or Else here essay

To fall upon our people, they shall the damage pay.

“For such bold men I know ye, this cannot fail to be,

’Twere well to let your horses, therefore, go quietly,

That none should deem we’re passing along the roads in flight.”

“That counsel will I follow,” said Giselher the knight.