The boat meanwhile, ere Hagan its master yet had slain, Had dropp'd into the current; this wrought him mickle pain, For ere he round could bring it, faint he to wax began, Yet strongly row'd and stoutly King Gunther's large-limb'd man. LIX The brawny stranger turn'd it with many a sturdy stroke, Till in his grasp o'ermaster'd the oar asunder broke. He long'd to reach his comrades at a near landing-place, But oar had ne'er another, so this he join'd apace. LX With a shield-thong together (poor cord, but workman good!) And then adown the river made for a neighboring wood. There his good lords the warrior found waiting on the strand; Many a bold knight ran toward him as he drew nigh the land. LXI Him well his comrades greeted beside the foamy flood, But when they saw the shallop reeking all with blood From that grim wound, that sudden the ferryman did to death, They put a thousand questions to Hagan in a breath. LXII When beheld King Gunther the hot blood, how it ran About the heaving ferry, thus he straight began. "Here's a boat, Sir Hagan, but where's the boatman left? Your sturdy strength, I fear me, the wretch's life hath reft." LXIII With lying tongue he answer'd, "The shallop I espied Fast by a desert meadow, myself the same untied. I have seen no boatman; this I can truly say; And harm to none has happen'd by fault of mine to-day." LXIV Thereto the bold Burgundian Sir Gernot made reply, "To-day deep care besets me; many a dear friend must die. With not a boatman ready to put our people o'er, 'Twere hard to cross the river; this I must needs deplore." LXV Loud then shouted Hagan, "Lay down upon the grass Our riding-gear, ye yeomen! I recollect I was On Rhine the best of ferrymen that e'er took oar in hand. Trust me, I'll put you over safe into Gelfrat's land." XLVI To make their passage quicker, the horses in a throng They drove into the river; these swam so well and strong, That by the forceful current the warriors lost not one; A few down lower landed with weary toil foredone. LXVII Long and broad and massy was that huge ferry-boat. Five hundred men and better it all at once could float With their food and weapons from sounding shore to shore. That day many a good warrior perforce strain'd at the oar. LXVIII Aboard then plac'd the heroes their gold and eke their weed. The goal of dark destruction they sought with fatal speed. Hagan was master-boatman; his luckless skill alone Full many a gallant champion brought to that land unknown. LXIX Noble knights a thousand first he ferried o'er, Thereto his own stout followers; behind still tarried more. Nine thousand lusty varlets he after brought away. The hand of him of Trony had little rest that day. LXX