However much he asked them, they yet to tell were loath

However much he asked them, they yet to tell were loath, How unto them it happened grim death had spared them both, When erewhiles the griffin unto his nest had brought them. Many had been their sorrows; no more to speak of these the maids bethought them.

Then said the worthy leader, turning to the youth; “My dearest friend and fellow, now let me hear the truth; Since unto me these maidens their sorry tale have given, From you would I hear gladly, and learn the land and kin whence you were riven.”

To him wild Hagen answered: “That will I tell to you; One of those dreadful griffins bore me hither too. Sigeband was my father; in Ireland once was I living; But long with these lovely maidens I since have dwelt, with many sorrows striving.”

Then they all besought him to say how it befell That, living with the griffins he had come off so well. To them young Hagen answered: “To God it all was owing; But now I have cooled my anger; no more for them my heart with hate is glowing.”

Then spake the lord of Garadie: “I fain would learn from you How you were freed from danger?” He said: “I quickly slew Both the old and the young ones; not one of those is living By whom my life was threatened, and who to me such fear were daily giving.”

Then said all the sailors: “Your strength indeed was great; For every man and woman to praise you it were meet. A thousand of us truly ’gainst them in, vain had striven, Nor ever could have slain them; truly to you have blessings great been given.”

The earl and all his followers were of the boy afraid; His strength was past all measure, and sorrow for them made. They would by craft his weapons have taken from him gladly, But these he sternly guarded, and soon, thro’ him, it ended for them sadly.

Then spake the earl yet further: “It now has happened well, After our toilsome wanderings, and all that us befell. But since you are a kinsman of my foeman, Sigeband, And here have come from Ireland, I as a hostage hold you in my hand.

“You come to me most fitly, as you shall know ere long, For many of your kindred have done to me great wrong. In Garadie’s fair kingdom, which lies too near their border, In a heavy fight, my warriors were seized upon and murdered by their shameful order.”

Then answered him young Hagen: “Of all the wrongs they did I am wholly guiltless; if me to them you lead I their hearts will soften, and so will the strife be ended. Let hope to me be granted that I on my kinsmen’s shore may soon be landed.”

Then said the earl to Hagen: “For a pledge must you abide, And I shall keep these maidens to live at court by my side; They will swell my greatness, and I shall be their owner.” Then thought the youthful Hagen, such words to be to him a wrong and a dishonor.

He quickly said in anger: “No bondsman will I be; That may no man ask for, who would unscathed go free. And now, my worthy sailors, you needs to my land must bear me; I will reward you gladly, and to give you clothes and gold will never spare me.

“The earl has thought my maidens his own shall ever be; But they shall yet be happy, and shall of him be free. Whoe’er is blest with wisdom, let him my bidding follow; Look to your sails, and turn them, and guide the ship to Ireland, o’er the billow.”