Yet he needs must eat it, for hunger sore he hath

Yet he needs must eat it, for hunger sore he hath, And hard it is to any to meet with bitter death. Thro’ all the days so dreary, while with the maidens dwelling, To them his help most willing he ever gave, his thankfulness thus telling.

They, too, had him in keeping, that can I say for truth; He there grew up in sadness, throughout his early youth; Until, one day, the children, to make them greatly sorrow, Before their cavern-dwelling saw wonders rise, that threatened more to-morrow.

I know not from what border, tossing o’er sea to land, Came to those shores so rocky a holy pilgrim band. The ground-swell it was heavy, and rocked the bark full sorely; Thereat the banished maidens felt their care and sorrow growing hourly.

Soon the ship was shattered; not one his life could save. Quickly the stern old griffins came down beside the wave; Seizing many drowned ones, back to their nest they hurried. Many a woman was mourning, soon as the sorry tale to her was carried.

When to the hungry nestlings the food they took in haste, Back again the griffins came from their offspring’s nest; From what far spot I know not, along the sea-paths flying. Their young they left on the hillside, with a neighbor grim, while they were hither hieing.

One day the goods of the sailors Hagen saw near the sea, For many had been drowned there; holy men were they. He thought, among the wreckage, food might still lie hidden; But, through fear of the wicked griffins, he softly crept to the shore, by hunger bidden.