So when they were now all mustered upon the Danube strand

So when they were now all mustered upon the Danube strand, Then spake to his men King Gunther: "Who through the unknown land Shall now on the right path guide us, that our feet err not from the same?" Out spake the valiant Volker: "This office for mine I claim." "Nay, halt ye a space," said Hagen: "halt, both squire and knight! His friends must a man needs follow, it seemeth me meet and right. But a tale of evil tidings now at my mouth must ye learn— Home to the land Burgundian not one of us all shall return. Unto me this morning early was it told of mermaids two That for us was no more returning: now counsel I what ye shall do: Gird on your armour, ye heroes: ward you with heedful care. Stark foemen await us: ride ye as men that battleward fare. I had hoped to prove those mermaids false in their prophecy, When they said unto me, that no man of all our array should see Again the home in the Rhineland, except the chaplain alone: Therefore would I so gladly have drowned him a little agone." From rank unto rank of their thousands the evil tidings flew. Pale with a ghastly foreboding many a good knight grew, As the hideous terror gripped them of the bitter death so near At the end of this festival-faring, and their hearts were cold with fear.