ts edges.

Then he sought the ferrymen up and down. He heard the splash of water
and began to listen. It came from mermaidens that bathed their bodies in
a clear brook to cool them.

Hagen spied them, and stole up secretly. When they were ware of him,
they fled. Well pleased were they to escape him. The hero took their
garments, but did them no further annoy.

Then one of the mermaids (she hight Hadburg) said, "We will tell thee,
noble Hagen, if thou give us our clothes again, how ye shall all fare on
this journey among the Huns."

They swayed like birds in the water before him. He deemed them wise and
worthy of belief, so that he trusted the more what they told him. They
informed him concerning all that he asked them. Hadburg said, "Ye may
ride safely into Etzel's land; I pledge my faith thereon, that never yet
heroes journeyed to any court to win more worship. I say sooth."

Hagen's heart was uplifted at her word; he gave them back their clothes
and stayed no longer. When they had put on their wonderful raiment, they
told him the truth about the journey.

The other mermaid, that hight Sieglind, said, "Be warned, Hagen, son of
Aldrian. My aunt hath lied to thee because of her clothes. If ye go to
the Huns, ye are ill-advised. Turn while there is time, for ye bold
knights have been bidden that ye may die in Etzel's land. Who rideth
thither hath death at his hand."

But Hagen said, "Your deceit is vain. How should we all tarry there,
dead, through the hate of one woman?"

Then they began to foretell it plainer, and Hadburg said also, "Ye are
doomed. Not one of you shall escape, save the king's chaplain: this we
know for a truth. He, only, shall return alive into Gunther's land."

Grimly wroth spake bold Hagen then. "It were a pleasant thing to tell my
masters that we must all perish among the Huns! Show us a way across the
water, thou wisest of womankind."

She answered, "Since thou wilt not be turned from the journey, up yonder
by the river standeth an inn. Within it is a boatman; there is none
beside."

He betook him thither to ask further. But the mermaidens cried after the
wrothful knight, "Stay, Sir Hagen. Thou art too hasty. Hearken first
concerning the way. The lord of this march hight Elsy. The name of his
brother is Gelfrat, a prince in Bavaria. It might go hard with thee if
thou wentest through his march. Look well to thyself, and proceed warily
with the boatman. He is s