How Dankwart Slew Gelfrat, I–XXXV

When now were all the warriors debark'd upon the strand, The king began to question, "Who now can through the land Direct us, lest we wander through wildering ways unknown?" Then answer'd valiant Folker, "That task be mine alone."

"Now guard you well," said Hagan, "yeoman as well as knight, And follow friendly counsel, for thus it seems me right; News know I, sad to utter, and sad alike to learn; Not one of us shall ever to Burgundy return.

"'Twas told me by two mermaids this morn without disguise, That back should we come never; now hear what I advise. Take to your arms, ye heroes, and wend your wary way (Since here we have stout foemen) in battailous array.

"I thought to prove the mermaids, and catch them in a lie, Who said that we in Hungary were surely doom'd to die, And that alone the chaplain should come to Rhenish ground, So him in yonder river I gladly would have drown'd."

The woe-denouncing tidings flew quick from rank to rank; With ashen cheeks the warriors astonied sat and blank, As on their death they ponder'd by dismal doom decreed, From that disastrous journey; each shudder'd on his steed.

'Twas near the town of Mœring that they the stream had cross'd; 'Twas there that Elsy's boatman his luckless life had lost. Then thus bespake them Hagan, "This morning by the flood I made me certain enemies, so look for wounds and blood.

"I slew that self-same boatman at early dawn to-day; By this, all know the story; so buckle to the fray; If Gelfrat here and Elsy our onward journey cross, Let it be, Burgundians, to their disgrace and loss.

"I know them for so valiant that they will ne'er abstain, So let us pace our horses the slower o'er the plain, That nobody may fancy we rather flee than ride." "That counsel will I follow," young Giselher replied.

"But who shall guide our party? This country's strange and lone." All shouted, "That shall Folker (for well to him are known The highways and the byways), the hardy minstrel good." They scarce had breath'd their wishes, when in his armor stood

The ever-ready gleeman; his helmet on he bound; He donn'd in haste his hauberk that brightly flash'd around, And to his spear-shaft fasten'd a pennon bloody red. Soon with the kings his masters to a dismal doom he sped.

By this, to valiant Gelfrat his boatman's death was known; Swift-wing'd are evil tidings; the news as soon had flown To the redoubted Elsy; sore griev'd thereat were both. Straight summon'd they their vassals; all gather'd nothing loth;

And I can well assure you, that scarce few hours were past, Ere, to find the wrong-doers, were pricking fiery fast A sturdy troop of warriors long prov'd in war before; In aid of noble Gelfrat seven hundred came or more.

All for revenge were thirsting, all eager for th' attack, Their warlike lords were foremost; too hotly in the track They follow'd of those strangers, and learnt it to their cost. Many a good friend soon after their valiant leaders lost.

Hagan the cautious Tronian their hasty counsels marr'd; How could a warrior better his friends and kinsmen guard? He took in charge the rearward, and there his men array'd With his brave brother Dankwart; all with one soul obey'd.

The day had sunk and vanish'd; 'twas gloom and darkness all. He fear'd lest harm or danger his comrades should befall. Well marshall'd through Bavaria beneath their shields went they; Yet in short time their foemen assail'd them by the way.

On either side the highway, though nothing met their view, Hoofs heard they frequent trample, and close behind them too. Then out spoke fearless Dankwart, "Upon us is the foe; Bind fast your helmets, warriors; prudence would have it so."

Upon their march they halted, for now they were so nigh, That bucklers faintly glimmering they through the dark could spy, Nor longer wish'd Sir Hagan in silence to abide. "Who hunts us on the highway?" the deep-voiced warrior cried.

The stern Bavarian Margrave Gelfrat gave answer back, "We're seeking out our foemen, and close are on their track. I know not who among you this morn my boatman slew; He was a knight of prowess; his loss I surely rue."

Then answer'd he of Trony, "Was that same ferryman thine? He would not put us over; the guilt, if guilt, is mine. I slew him, I confess it, but what besides could I? Myself first by his fury was all but done to die.

"I offer'd gold and raiment for meed (what could I more?) Into thy land, Sir Gelfrat, if he'd but put us o'er. He flew into a fury, and caught me o'er the crown With a heavy boat-pole, and knock'd me roughly down.

"I snatch'd my sword in anger; from his wrath I kept my life; A mortal wound I gave him; this clos'd at once the strife. Yet such amends I offer as you think just and right." They hearken'd but to vengeance, burning with scorn and spite.

"I knew full well," said Gelfrat, "if Gunther pass'd along This country with his meiny, that we should suffer wrong At the hands of Hagan; 'scape shall he not to-day; He did to death the ferryman, and for the deed shall pay."

To smite above the bucklers they couch'd their lances straight. Gelfrat and Hagan both clos'd with eager hate. Elsy too and Dankwart each bore him like a knight; Each prov'd the other's manhood; stern and stubborn was the fight.

Who better could defend them? who better could assail? Borne was the stalwart Hagan clean o'er his horse's tail, And on the grass lay floundering by Gelfrat's sturdy stroke. In the shock asunder his charger's pöitral broke.

Then knew he what was fighting; all round the lances crash'd; From the green Sir Hagan upstarted, unabash'd, Or rather kindling courage from overthrow so rude. He turn'd, I ween, on Gelfrat, not in the mildest mood.

Who held them both their horses, is more than I can tell. To the ground the champions were both brought down from selle. They rush'd upon each other; they mingled sword and shield. Their comrades to the rescue flock'd round from all the field.

However fiercely Hagan on noble Gelfrat sprung, A huge piece from his buckler (loud with the stroke it rung) Was hewn by the stout margrave; fire forth in sparkles flew; The ferryman like to follow was Gunther's liegeman true.

To the valiant Dankwart he shouted loud and high, "Help, help me, dearest brother, I've just been like to die By a stout-handed champion; he'll let me ne'er go free." Thereto replied bold Dankwart, "Then I'll your umpire be."

Close to them leapt the hero; nothing more he said; Once his sword he lifted, down dropp'd Gelfrat dead. Elsy had fain reveng'd him, but forc'd was he to yield. He and his fear-struck comrades fled that disastrous field.

Slain was his valiant brother, himself was wounded sore, Of his war-practis'd champions eighty the best, or more, Lay with grim Death companion'd; what then beside could he But from the men of Gunther with loss and anguish flee?

Soon as they of Bavaria gave way through ghastly fear, Behind them deadly sword-strokes loud ringing you might hear. So the bold men of Trony held their foes in chase, Who sought to 'scape the forfeit and ever fled apace.

Then Dankwart thus behind them loud shouted o'er the plain, "Forthwith must we be wending back on our steps again; So let them fly unfollow'd, each bleeding as he flies, While we rejoin our comrades; this I in truth advise."

When back had come the warriors to where the fight had been, Thus spoke the Knight of Trony, "Chiefs, now 'twere fit, I ween, To reckon up the missing, and learn whom we to-night Have lost through Gelfrat's anger in this sharp sudden fight."

Four of their friends had perish'd, slight cause had they to plain, For they had well aveng'd them; on th' other hand were slain Of the repuls'd Bavarians a hundred men or more, The shields of the stout Tronians were dimm'd and soak'd with gore.

From the clouds a moment broke out the gleaming moon; "We shall overtake," said Hagan, "our friends and comrades soon; But none to my good masters speak of this hasty fray; Let them without suspicion remain till dawn of day."