Then answer gave Sir Hagan, "Now of this no more; I tell you on my honor, Sir Priest, it irks me sore That thus you have escap'd me; I neither jest nor feign."

"For this G.o.d prais'd be ever!" said the poor chaplain.

Lx.x.xII

"I fear you not, a.s.sure you, though brought to death so nigh.

Now on with you to Hungary; over the Rhine will I.

G.o.d grant you never thither come back, you knight untrue!

So hence with my worst wishes, for what you could not do!"

Lx.x.xIII

With those undaunted squadrons from Burgundy there came A bold quick-handed champion; Folker was his name.

Whate'er he thought, out-spake he with ready wit and light.

All that was done by Hagan, the minstrel held for right.

Lx.x.xIV

Their steeds were ready saddled; their sumpters loaded too; Not yet, throughout the journey, had one had cause to rue, Save only the king's chaplain, the nearly drown'd divine; He plod must weary homeward, and foot it to the Rhine.

TWENTY-SIXTH ADVENTURE

HOW DANKWART SLEW GELFRAT

I

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."

II

"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.

III

"'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.

IV

"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."

V

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.

VI

'Twas near the town of Mring 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.

VII

"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.

VIII

"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 n.o.body may fancy we rather flee than ride."

"That counsel will I follow," young Giselher replied.

IX

"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

X

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 b.l.o.o.d.y red.

Soon with the kings his masters to a dismal doom he sped.

XI

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 va.s.sals; all gather'd nothing loth;

XII

And I can well a.s.sure you, that scarce few hours were past, Ere, to find the wrong-doers, were p.r.i.c.king fiery fast A st.u.r.dy troop of warriors long prov'd in war before; In aid of n.o.ble Gelfrat seven hundred came or more.

XIII