That, soon as Gelfrat and Elsè fall on our company

That, soon as Gelfrat and Elsè fall on our company, They may fall on their own destruction, so stern shall their welcome be. They will nowise fail to attack us, for I know how bold is the foe; Wherefore let ye your horses all softly pacing go, That none of them all may imagine that we flee before them in dread." "Yea, I will follow thy counsel," the young Prince Giselher said. "Now by whom to our host on-marching through the land shall the ways be shown?" They answered: "Our guide shall be Volker, for unto him well-known Be highways alike and byways, the lordly minstrel-knight." And lo, ere any could ask him, he was there, all-armed as for fight, That valiant viol-minstrel: his helm on his head was laced; With blazonry splendour-tinted was his armour overtraced: On his spear was a crimson pennon, a fluttering tongue of flame. —Ah, soon with his royal masters into terrible peril he came!

And by this of his certain knowledge unto Gelfrat had one brought word Concerning the ferryman's slaying; and another withal had heard The tale, even Elsè the stalwart: they raged with wrathful pain, And they summoned their vassals, and ready with speed was their warrior-train. But a little while thereafter, as singeth still the Lay, To their banner came riding champions, whose hands in many a fray Had wrought wild havoc of carnage, a mighty chivalry; Unto Gelfrat thronged seven hundred, yea, more it may haply be. On the track of those grim foemen they set forth spurring in haste; But their lords, their battle-leaders, afront of them all on-raced Pursuing the fearless strangers: athirst for revenge they sped; Yet on to their own destruction full many a friend they led.

Now Hagen the Lord of Troneg had ordered their marching so— How could a hero better ward friends against a foe?— That himself with the men of his war-band rode ever in the rear, And with him Dankwart his brother: wise war-craft was verily here.

Ran out the sands of the day-tide; all light faded away. On the hero's heart the peril of his comrades heavily lay. With shield on arm still rode they on through Bavaria-land: Well was it for them, for the onset of foes must they shortly withstand. On either side of the highway and behind them thundering close Heard they the sound of hoof-beats of reckless-riding foes.

Then cried the valiant Dankwart: "The foe be at point to set on! Bind on your brows your helmets: I trow it were wisely done!" Then, as needs must be, the riders drew rein, and rearward wheeled. Gleamed dancing lights through the darkness, the glint of many a shield. No longer might Hagen refrain him; he shouted his challenge-cry— "Who followeth us on the highway?" From Gelfrat rang the reply, And the lord of Bavarian marches flung fierce answer back: "We are in search of our foemen, we follow fast on their track. I know not who this morning my ferryman hath slain. He was a valiant warrior, and mine heart is hot with pain!" Made answer Hagen of Troneg: "And was that ferryman thine? He refused to ferry us over: the guilt of his blood is mine; I smote and I slew the strong one. Of a truth good cause had I, For of this thy stalwart liegeman was mine own death brought full nigh. I tendered to him fair guerdon, raiment and golden band, And prayed him to ferry us over, hero, into thy land; And thereat so flamed he with fury that he dealt me an evil blow With his oar-blade strong and massy; and my wrath waxed grim enow. Mine hand went unto my sword-hilt; from his wrath I warded mine head With a wound that was past all healing, and lo, thine hero was dead. For the deed am I ready to answer so soon as seemeth thee good." They addressed them straightway to battle, for exceeding fierce was their mood. "Full well did I know," cried Gelfrat, "that whene'er with his vassal-throng Gunther passed over the river, to us would be wrought foul wrong By the insolence of this Hagen! For this shall his heart's blood pay! Yea, for my ferryman's murder his life shall atone straightway!"