Then answer'd he of Trony, "Was that same ferryman thine? He would not put us over; the guilt, if guilt, is mine. I slew him, I confess it, but what besides could I? Myself first by his fury was all but done to die. XX "I offer'd gold and raiment for meed (what could I more?) Into thy land, Sir Gelfrat, if he'd but put us o'er. He flew into a fury, and caught me o'er the crown With a heavy boat-pole, and knock'd me roughly down. XXI "I snatch'd my sword in anger; from his wrath I kept my life; A mortal wound I gave him; this clos'd at once the strife. Yet such amends I offer as you think just and right." They hearken'd but to vengeance, burning with scorn and spite. XXII "I knew full well," said Gelfrat, "if Gunther pass'd along This country with his meiny, that we should suffer wrong At the hands of Hagan; 'scape shall he not to-day; He did to death the ferryman, and for the deed shall pay." XXIII To smite above the bucklers they couch'd their lances straight. Gelfrat and Hagan both clos'd with eager hate. Elsy too and Dankwart each bore him like a knight; Each prov'd the other's manhood; stern and stubborn was the fight. XXIV Who better could defend them? who better could assail? Borne was the stalwart Hagan clean o'er his horse's tail, And on the grass lay floundering by Gelfrat's sturdy stroke. In the shock asunder his charger's pöitral broke. XXV Then knew he what was fighting; all round the lances crash'd; From the green Sir Hagan upstarted, unabash'd, Or rather kindling courage from overthrow so rude. He turn'd, I ween, on Gelfrat, not in the mildest mood. XXVI Who held them both their horses, is more than I can tell. To the ground the champions were both brought down from selle. They rush'd upon each other; they mingled sword and shield. Their comrades to the rescue flock'd round from all the field. XXVII However fiercely Hagan on noble Gelfrat sprung, A huge piece from his buckler (loud with the stroke it rung) Was hewn by the stout margrave; fire forth in sparkles flew; The ferryman like to follow was Gunther's liegeman true. XXVIII To the valiant Dankwart he shouted loud and high, "Help, help me, dearest brother, I've just been like to die By a stout-handed champion; he'll let me ne'er go free." Thereto replied bold Dankwart, "Then I'll your umpire be." XXIX Close to them leapt the hero; nothing more he said; Once his sword he lifted, down dropp'd Gelfrat dead. Elsy had fain reveng'd him, but forc'd was he to yield. He and his fear-struck comrades fled that disastrous field. XXX Slain was his valiant brother, himself was wounded sore, Of his war-practis'd champions eighty the best, or more, Lay with grim Death companion'd; what then beside could he But from the men of Gunther with loss and anguish flee? XXXI