Forward set the Burgundians, a battle-eager band. Thronged and pressed to behold them the people of the land. To right and to left on the hill-sides men and women wept; But, how sorrowed the people soever, for joy their own hearts leapt. {P. 208} Forth also with these went riding Niblung men of war, A thousand heroes in hauberks: in the Niblung homes afar Fair women they left full many whom they saw not from that day. --Rankled the wounds of Siegfried in the heart of Kriemhild aye! (C) Albeit the faith of Christians was weak in those far-off days, Yet journeyed with these a chaplain for chanting of prayer and praise; And, though out of desperate peril, alive this man came home; But all the rest in the Hunland tarried, for death was their doom. Onward their way they wended far up the stream of Main, And upward through Eastern Frankland, that armour-glittering line. By Hagen still were they guided, for all the land knew he. And Dankwart was their marshal, the hero of Burgundy. On through the land of the East-Franks, through Swanfeld are they gone. It was like a procession of princes as the stately ranks swept on, Kings and their high-born kinsmen, heroes of world-sung fame. So at the twelfth day's dawning the King to the Danube came. There rode Hagen of Troneg afront of all the rest, Right good at need as a helper, and a stay unto men distressed. From the saddle that dauntless baron sprang by the river-side, And the bridle of his charger straightway to a tree hath he tied. In flood were the mighty waters, no boat might any see. Then were the Niblung warriors in sore perplexity How they should win thereover, so broad was the rolling flood. Down lighted beside the river full many a warrior good. "Evil may well befall thee," said Hagen, "in this place. See, Lord of Rhineland, the peril stareth thee in the face. Over-bank are the great flood-waters: too strong is their rush to essay: Many good knights, if we tempt it, I ween, shall we lose this day." "Wherefore essay to daunt me, Hagen?" the proud King said. "For the sake of thy knightly honour no more speak counsels of dread! {P. 209} Seek thou for a ford for our crossing over to yonder land, Whereby our gear and our horses may be brought from strand to strand." "Not yet of my life so weary am I waxen," Hagen replied, "That I were contented to drown me in yonder waters wide. Full many a warrior smitten by mine hands shall perish first In the land of this King Etzel--yea, I am battle-athirst. Tarry ye here by the water, ye thanes of knightly pride. Alone will I go, and for boatmen will I search by the river-side Which unto the land of Gelfrat shall ferry us over the spate." Then took the aweless Hagen his strong shield, goodly and great. Well was he armed against foemen: his shield from his shoulders was slung, And he laced on his head his helmet, a splendour of fight far-flung: