Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/351

XXVI.]

The day its course had ended and light they had no more.

He fear’d for friends and comrades with heavy dread and sore.

Their road throughout Bavaria beneath their shields they track’d,

And ere they long had ridden the heroes were attack’d.

On both sides of the roadway behind them, coming fast,

They heard the tramp of horse-hoofs, too noisy in their haste.

Then spake the gallant Dankwart: “Here will they fall on us!

Now fasten on your helmets,— ’twere wise to wait them thus.”

They halted on their journey, naught else was to be done.

They saw how in the darkness the polish’d bucklers shone,

Until at last would Hagen no longer brook delay:

“Who hunts us on the highway?” to him must Gelfrat say.

In this wise then the Margrave— he of Bavaria—spake:

“Our foemen we are seeking, and now are on their track.

I know not who hath slain me my ferryman this day,

He was a skilful hero, and sorrow well I may.”

To him spake he of Tronjé: “And was that boatman thine?

He would not take us over. The guilt thereof is mine,

For then I slew the warrior; in sooth, there was good need,

Since at his hands I elsewise had got my death instead.

“I offer’d him for guerdon good gold and raiment fine

To ferry us, O hero! unto this land of thine,

Which anger’d him so sorely that he at me a blow

Aim’d with a sturdy barge-pole; then I grew fierce enow,