Right joyous was Hagen at this speech. Back he handed to the maidens their weeds.
Then spake another mermaid, Sieglind: “Take warning from me, Hagen. Believe not the word of mine aunt, for she has sore deceived thee. Go not to Etzel’s land, for there you shall die. So turn again. Whoso rideth onward hath taken death by the hand.”
“I heed not thy words,” said Hagen, “for how should it be that all of us die there through the hate of anyone?”
“So must it be,” said Sieglind, “for none of you shall live, save the King’s chaplain, who alone will come again safe and sound to Gunther’s land.”
“Ye are wise wives,” laughed Hagen bitterly. “Well would Gunther and his lords believe me should I tell him this rede. I pray thee, show us over the stream.”
“So be it,” replied Sieglind; “since ye will not turn you from your journey. See you yonder inn by the water’s side? There is the only ferry over the river.”
At once Hagen made off. But Sieglind called after him: “Stay, Sir Knight; credit me, you are too much in haste. For the lord of these lands, who is called Else, and his brother, Knight Gelfrat, will make it go hard with you an ye cross their dominions. Guard you carefully and deal wisely with the ferryman, for he is liegeman unto Gelfrat, and if he will not cross the river to you, call for him, and say thou art named Amelrich, a hero of this land who left it some time agone.”
No more spake Hagen to the swan-maidens, but searching up the river banks, he found an inn upon the farther shore. Loudly he called across the flood. “Come for me, ferryman,” he said, “and I will bestow upon thee an armlet of ruddy gold.”
Now the ferryman was a noble and did not care for service, and those who helped him were as proud as he. They heard Hagen calling, but recked not of it. Loudly did he call across the water, which resounded to his cries. Then, his patience exhausted, he shouted:
“Come hither, for I am Amelrich, liegeman to Else, who left these lands because of a great feud.” As he spake he raised his spear, on which was an armlet of bright gold, cunningly fashioned.