In sooth, King Gunther’s liegeman mightily plied the oar.
He toiled, up-stream to turn her, with many a swift strong stroke,
Even till the stubborn oar-shank in his grasp asunder broke,
As he strove to steer to the waiting knights at the river-side.
Inasmuch as he had none other, swiftly around it he tied
His shield-strap, and firmly he spliced it with the narrow steel-strong band;
So hard by a certain coppice he guided the barge to the land.
There on the river-bank waiting his lords his coming abode,
And many a chosen warrior to meet him eagerly strode.
With gladsome greeting they hailed him, those noble knights and good;