That place was nigh unto Möring where they passed across the flood, Where the ferryman of Elsè poured out his life in blood. Again to the rest spake Hagen: "I have made for myself by the way Foes, and our march shall shortly be beset by their array. To-day have I slain their boatman while yet was the morning grey, And by this have they heard the tidings. Haste ye, prepare for the fray, { P. 218} That, soon as Gelfrat and Elsè fall on our company, They may fall on their own destruction, so stern shall their welcome be. They will nowise fail to attack us, for I know how bold is the foe; Wherefore let ye your horses all softly pacing go, That none of them all may imagine that we flee before them in dread." "Yea, I will follow thy counsel," the young Prince Giselher said. "Now by whom to our host on-marching through the land shall the ways be shown?" They answered: "Our guide shall be Volker, for unto him well-known Be highways alike and byways, the lordly minstrel-knight." And lo, ere any could ask him, he was there, all-armed as for fight, That valiant viol-minstrel: his helm on his head was laced; With blazonry splendour-tinted was his armour overtraced: On his spear was a crimson pennon, a fluttering tongue of flame. --Ah, soon with his royal masters into terrible peril he came!
And by this of his certain knowledge unto Gelfrat had one brought word Concerning the ferryman's slaying; and another withal had heard The tale, even Elsè the stalwart: they raged with wrathful pain, And they summoned their vassals, and ready with speed was their warrior-train. But a little while thereafter, as singeth still the Lay, To their banner came riding champions, whose hands in many a fray Had wrought wild havoc of carnage, a mighty chivalry; Unto Gelfrat thronged seven hundred, yea, more it may haply be. On the track of those grim foemen they set forth spurring in haste; But their lords, their battle-leaders, afront of them all on-raced Pursuing the fearless strangers: athirst for revenge they sped; Yet on to their own destruction full many a friend they led.
Now Hagen the Lord of Troneg had ordered their marching so-- How could a hero better ward friends against a foe?-- That himself with the men of his war-band rode ever in the rear, And with him Dankwart his brother: wise war-craft was verily here. { P. 219} Ran out the sands of the day-tide; all light faded away. On the hero's heart the peril of his comrades heavily lay. With shield on arm still rode they on through Bavaria-land: Well was it for them, for the onset of foes must they shortly withstand. On either side of the highway and behind them thundering close Heard they the sound of hoof-beats of reckless-riding foes.