I tendered to him fair guerdon, raiment and golden band,
And prayed him to ferry us over, hero, into thy land;
And thereat so flamed he with fury that he dealt me an evil blow
With his oar-blade strong and massy; and my wrath waxed grim enow.
Mine hand went unto my sword-hilt; from his wrath I warded mine head
With a wound that was past all healing, and lo, thine hero was dead.
For the deed am I ready to answer so soon as seemeth thee good.”
They addressed them straightway to battle, for exceeding fierce was their mood.
“Full well did I know,” cried Gelfrat, “that whene’er with his vassal-throng
Gunther passed over the river, to us would be wrought foul wrong