Thou then, if thy life thou lovest, step forth on the bank once more.”
“That will I not,” said Hagen, “for now am I bitter-souled.
Accept thou then as a friend’s gift the jewel of precious gold,
And bear us, a thousand horses and men, across the river,”
But that grim ferryman answered, “That will I do never!”
A mighty oar upswung he, massy and broad of blade,
And on Hagen’s head down dashed it—for the deed right dearly he paid!—
Back in the boat he staggered, and sank upon one knee.
So grim a ferryman never it befell to the hero to see!
To enkindle yet hotter the anger of the valiant stranger, he strake