irds they floated before him on the flood. Therefore him-thought
their senses strong and good; he believed the more what they would tell
him. Well they answered what he craved of them. Hadburg spake again: "Ye
may safely ride to Etzel's land. I'll stake my troth at once as pledge,
that heroes never rode better to any realm for such great honors. Now
believe that in truth."

In his heart Hagen was joyous at this rede. He gave them back their
clothes and no longer tarried. As they donned their strange attire, they
told him rightly of the journey to Etzel's land. The other mermaid spake
(Siegelind she hight): "I will warn thee, Hagen, son of Aldrian. (6) For
the sake of her weeds mine aunt hath lied to thee. An' thou comest to
the Huns, thou wilt be sore deceived. Time is, that thou shouldst turn
again, for ye heroes be bidden, that ye may die in Etzel's land. Whose
rideth hither, hath taken death by the hand."

Answered Hagen: "Ye deceive us needlessly. How might it come to pass
that we should all die there, through anybody's hate?"

Then gan they tell him the tale still more knowingly. The same one spake
again: "It must needs be that none of you shall live, save the king's
chaplain; this we know full well. He will come again safe and sound to
Gunther's land."

Then spake bold Hagen, fierce of mood: "It were not well to tell my
lords that we should all lose our lives among the Huns. Now show us over
the stream, thou wisest of all wives."

She answered: "Sith ye will not turn you from the journey, up yonder
where an inn doth stand, by the waterside, there is a ferryman and
elsewhere none."

At once he ceased to ask for further tidings. After the angry warrior
she called: "Pray bide a time, Sir Hagen! Forsooth ye are too much in
haste. List further to the tale of how ye may cross to the other bank.
The lord of these marches beareth the name of Else. (7) His brother is
hight Knight Gelfrat, a lord in the Bavarian land. 'Twill go hard with
you, an' ye will cross his land. Ye must guard you well and deal full
wisely with the ferryman. So grim of mood is he that he'll not let you
live, unless be that ye have your wits about you with the knight. An'
ye will that he guide you, then give him his meed. He guardeth this land
and is liegeman unto Gelfrat. And cometh he not betimes, so call across
the flood and say, ye hight Amelrich. (8) He was a doughty here that;
because of a feud did void this land. The ferryman will come wh