, but be of good cheer here at home. We shall return
shortly, safe and sound."

So they waited no longer, but lovingly took leave of their friends. When
the bold knights were gotten to horse, many women stood sorrowing. Their
hearts told them it was a long parting. None is merry of his cheer when
bitter woe is at hand.

The swift Burgundians rode off, and there was hurrying in the land. On
either side the mountains both men and women wept. But, for all the folk
could do, they pressed forward merrily. A thousand of the Nibelung
knights in habergeons went with them, that had left fair women at home,
the which they never saw more. The wounds of Siegfried gaped in
Kriemhild's heart.

The Christian faith was still weak in those days. Nevertheless they had
a chaplain with them to say mass. He returned alive, escaped from much
peril. The rest tarried dead among the Huns. Gunther's men shaped their
course toward the Main, up through East Frankland. Hagen led them, that
knew the way well. Their Marshal was Dankwart, the knight of Burgundy.
As they rode from East Frankland to Schwanfeld, the princes and their
kinsmen, knights of worship, were known by their stately mien.

On the twelfth morning the king reached the Danube. Hagen of Trony rode
in front of the rest. He was the helper and comforter of the Nibelungs.
The bold knight alighted there on the bank, and tied his horse to a
tree. The river was swoln, there was no boat, and the knights were
troubled how to win across. The water was too wide. Many a bold knight
sprang to the ground.

"Mischief might easily befall thee here, King of Rhineland," said Hagen;
"thou canst see for thyself that the river is swoln, and the current very
strong. I fear me we shall lose here to-day not a few good knights."

"Wherefore daunt me, Hagen?" said the proud king. "Of thy charity fright
us no more. Look out a ford for us, that we bring both horses and
baggage safe across."

"I am no so weary of life," said Hagen, "that I desire to drown in these
broad waves. Many a man in Etzel's land shall first fall by my hand.
That is more to my mind. Stay by the water side, ye proud knights and
good, and I will seek the ferrymen by the river, that will bring us safe
into Gelfrat's land."

Thereupon stark Hagen took his good shield. He was well armed. He bare
his buckler. He laced on his shining helmet. He wore a broad weapon
above his harness, that cut grimly with both i