The Nibelungenlied Part 98

x.x.xI

Like water-hens they floated before him on the wave.

Him seem'd, their well-known wisdom of truth a.s.surance gave; Hence what they chose to tell him, he took with more belief.

Then thus they of the future resolv'd the listening chief.

x.x.xII

Said th' one, "To Etzel's country (doubt not what Hadburg saith) You well may ride and safely, for that I pledge my faith, And never band of heroes sought kingdom far or near To win such height of honor; 'tis true as we are here."

x.x.xIII

Well pleas'd her speech Sir Hagan, his heart wax'd light and gay; He gave them back their vesture, and would no longer stay; But when again the mermaids had donn'd their wondrous weed, They told in truth, how Gunther in Hungary should speed.

x.x.xIV

And then the other mermaid, that Sieglind hight, began, "I will warn thee, Hagan, thou son of Aldrian; My aunt has lied unto thee her raiment back to get; If once thou coms't to Hungary, thou'rt taken in the net.

x.x.xV

"Turn, while there's time for safety, turn, warriors most and least; For this, and for this only, you're bidden to the feast, That you perforce may perish in Etzel's b.l.o.o.d.y land.

Whoever rideth thither, Death has he close at hand."

x.x.xVI

Thereto gave answer Hagan, "In vain you cheat and lie, How can it ever happen that there we all shall die, However fierce the hatred that one to us may bear?"

They then began the future more fully to declare.

x.x.xVII

Then thus the first bespake him, "Yet so it needs must be; Not one of you his country again shall ever see, Not one but the king's chaplain; this well to us is known; To Gunther's land in safety return shall he alone."

x.x.xVIII

Then angrily Sir Hagan bespake her, frowning stern, "'Twere ill to tell my masters what they'd disdain and spurn, That we should all in Hungary death and destruction find.

Now show us o'er the water, wisest of womankind."

x.x.xIX

Said she, "Since from this journey, it seems, thou wilt not turn, Up yonder by the river an inn thou may'st discern.

A ferryman there dwelleth; no others here abide."

The knight believ'd her answer, and took her words for guide.

XL

Him then the first call'd after as gloomily he went, "Stay yet awhile, Sir Hagan, why so on haste intent?

Hear better our instructions to reach the farther strand.

A margrave, that hight Elsy, is lord of all this land.

XLI

"He has a valiant brother (Sir Gelfrat men him call), A great lord in Bavaria; ill might it you befall, If through his march you travel; your course with caution plan, And smoothly deal and gently with yonder ferryman.

XLII

"He scarce will leave you scathless (so fierce is he and rude), Unless with sound discretion you temper his rough mood.

Would you he'd put you over, pay down at once the fare.

He is a friend of Gelfrat's and of this land has care.

XLIII

"And, should the ferryman tarry, across the river shout, And say your name is Amelrich, whom late a feud drove out Perforce from this, his country, a knight of birth and fame.

Good speed will make the ferryman when once he hears the name."

XLIV

For all reply Sir Hagan to the wise ladies bow'd; Then in his gloomy silence strode off the warrior proud.

Still higher up the river along the sh.o.r.e he hied, Until a lonely hostel on th' other bank he spied.

XLV

He straight across the water 'gan call with all his might, "Come, carry me over, ferryman," shouted the l.u.s.ty knight.

"Of ruddy gold an armlet I'll give thee for thy meed.

Come, carry me, well thou knowest how pressing is my need."

XLVI

The ferryman was wealthy, to serve he scarce could bear, And hence it seldom happened he deign'd to take a fare.

His men were like their master, as moody and misproud.

Still on this side Sir Hagan stood ever shouting loud.

XLVII