And by that sign known unto Hagen was the truth of the tale that the tongue
Of the wild mermaiden had uttered, of the doom no man might shun.
And he thought, “These knights of a surety be dead men every one!”
So soon as the barge was unladed, and men had borne ashore
The possessions of Gunther’s liegemen, and all the treasure-store,
Then Hagen shattered the planking, and thrust it forth on the flood
To founder: exceedingly marvelled the valiant knights and good.
“Why hast thou done this, brother?” did Dankwart wondering say.
“How shall we pass hereover on the homeward-faring way,
What time from the land of the Hunfolk back to the Rhine we ride?”