Many good knights, if we tempt it, I ween, shall we lose this day.”
“Wherefore essay to daunt me, Hagen?” the proud King said.
“For the sake of thy knightly honour no more speak counsels of dread!
Seek thou for a ford for our crossing over to yonder land,
Whereby our gear and our horses may be brought from strand to strand.”
“Not yet of my life so weary am I waxen,” Hagen replied,
“That I were contented to drown me in yonder waters wide.
Full many a warrior smitten by mine hands shall perish first
In the land of this King Etzel—yea, I am battle-athirst.
Tarry ye here by the water, ye thanes of knightly pride.