And then the other mermaid, that Sieglind hight, began, "I will warn thee, Hagan, thou son of Aldrian; My aunt has lied unto thee her raiment back to get; If once thou coms't to Hungary, thou'rt taken in the net. XXXV "Turn, while there's time for safety, turn, warriors most and least; For this, and for this only, you're bidden to the feast, That you perforce may perish in Etzel's bloody land. Whoever rideth thither, Death has he close at hand." XXXVI Thereto gave answer Hagan, "In vain you cheat and lie, How can it ever happen that there we all shall die, However fierce the hatred that one to us may bear?" They then began the future more fully to declare. XXXVII Then thus the first bespake him, "Yet so it needs must be; Not one of you his country again shall ever see, Not one but the king's chaplain; this well to us is known; To Gunther's land in safety return shall he alone." XXXVIII Then angrily Sir Hagan bespake her, frowning stern, "'Twere ill to tell my masters what they'd disdain and spurn, That we should all in Hungary death and destruction find. Now show us o'er the water, wisest of womankind." XXXIX Said she, "Since from this journey, it seems, thou wilt not turn, Up yonder by the river an inn thou may'st discern. A ferryman there dwelleth; no others here abide." The knight believ'd her answer, and took her words for guide. XL Him then the first call'd after as gloomily he went, "Stay yet awhile, Sir Hagan, why so on haste intent? Hear better our instructions to reach the farther strand. A margrave, that hight Elsy, is lord of all this land. XLI "He has a valiant brother (Sir Gelfrat men him call), A great lord in Bavaria; ill might it you befall, If through his march you travel; your course with caution plan, And smoothly deal and gently with yonder ferryman. XLII "He scarce will leave you scathless (so fierce is he and rude), Unless with sound discretion you temper his rough mood. Would you he'd put you over, pay down at once the fare. He is a friend of Gelfrat's and of this land has care. XLIII "And, should the ferryman tarry, across the river shout, And say your name is Amelrich, whom late a feud drove out Perforce from this, his country, a knight of birth and fame. Good speed will make the ferryman when once he hears the name." XLIV For all reply Sir Hagan to the wise ladies bow'd; Then in his gloomy silence strode off the warrior proud. Still higher up the river along the shore he hied, Until a lonely hostel on th' other bank he spied. XLV He straight across the water 'gan call with all his might, "Come, carry me over, ferryman," shouted the lusty knight. "Of ruddy gold an armlet I'll give thee for thy meed. Come, carry me, well thou knowest how pressing is my need." XLVI