XIV

"This is my will and pleasure; to thee my infant heir, To thee I trust my country; of the women take good care; Whomever thou see'st weeping, his woe with comfort charm.

Sure at the hands of Kriemhild we ne'er can come to harm."

XV

For the kings and for their liegemen the steeds were ready ranged; How many then, with kisses of true love interchanged, Full flown with lively vigor, athirst for bold emprise, Left each a stately lady to droop in tears and sighs.

XVI

When light into their saddles up sprang the warriors good, Then might you see the women how sorrowful they stood.

All felt, they did for ever, and to their doom, depart, A dreary, dark foreboding, that shakes the firmest heart!

XVII

As the bold Burgundians rode forth in gallant show, To see them all the country ran hurrying to and fro.

On either side the mountains both men and women wept.

Little reck'd they the weepers; their joyous course they kept.

XVIII

In habergeons a thousand the knights of Nibelung's reign, Who many a lovely lady they ne'er should see again Had left at home in sorrow, rode gaily with the rest.

The wounds of Siegfried fester'd in Kriemhild's throbbing breast.

XIX

So went they ever onward until the Main they spied, Thence up through Eastern Frankland the men of Gunther hied.

Well knew the roads Sir Hagan, who led their steps aright; Their marshal was Sir Dankwart, the stout Burgundian knight.

XX

As on from Eastern Frankland to Schwanfeld still they rode, Their grace and stately courtesy and knightly bearing show'd, The princes and their kindred deserv'd their lofty fame.

The king on the twelfth morning unto the Danube came.

XXI

A s.p.a.ce the Knight of Trony rode on before the host; He still the Nibelungers best cheer'd and aided most.

The fear-defying champion alighted on the lea, And fast beside the river his horse tied to a tree.

XXII

Swoln was the roaring river, bark was there none to spy; Every bold Nibelunger look'd on with wistful eye In doubt how to pa.s.s over, the surges spread so wide.

Many a good knight from saddle down sprung the stream beside.

XXIII

"Good Lord of Rhine," said Hagan, "much mischief here may be, Much may'st thou have to suffer, as thou thyself may'st see.

Strong is the flood and furious, the stream can ill be cross'd.

Many a good knight, I fear me, will here to-day be lost."

XXIV

"Why dost thou check me, Hagan?" the troubled king 'gan say; "Do not, as thou are valiant, the daunted more dismay.

Look out a ford up higher, above these lower meads, Where we may pa.s.s in safety our baggage and our steeds."

XXV

"I never," answer'd Hagan, "my life so weary found, But in these burly billows 'twould irk me to be drown'd. Many a knight of Etzel's, ere yet my day be o'er, By this good hand shall perish; that, 'faith, would please me more.

XXVI

"So here beside the water, ye n.o.ble knights, abide; Myself will seek the ferrymen along the river side, And bid them bring us over hence into Gelfrat's land."

With that the st.u.r.dy Hagan took his good shield in hand.

XXVII

Well arm'd was the stern champion; he bore a shield of might; Strongly lac'd was his helmet, well-temper'd, burnish'd bright; His broadsword in a baldric hung o'er his armor sheen; Wounds could it cut full ghastly with both its edges keen.

XXVIII

As there and here for boatmen look'd out the warrior good, He heard a splash of water; listening awhile he stood.

The sound came from wise women, who took their pleasure near, Bathing for refreshment in a fountain cool and clear.

XXIX

'Ware of them was Hagan; nigh he closely crept; Sudden they espied him,--how away they swept!

That they had so escap'd him, their bosoms swell'd with joy; He seiz'd upon their raiment, nor wrought them more annoy.

x.x.x

Then one of them bespake him (Hadburg was her name), "n.o.ble knight, Sir Hagan, go seek a worthier game.

Give us back our raiment, and we will tell thee all That from this march to Hungary shall thee and thine befall."