LXXVIII
"What are you doing, brother?" Dankwart sudden cried,
"How shall we cross the river, when back we have to ride
To the Rhine from Hungary our homes again to see?"
Thereafter Hagan told him, that that was ne'er to be.
LXXIX
Then said the Knight of Trony, "I do it to this end,
That, should a coward among us upon this journey wend,
Who would perchance desert us through heart-appalling fear,
A shameful death may meet him in the wild waters here."
LXXX
Then when the priest saw Hagan the bark in pieces break,
Far o'er the boiling billows to the stern knight he spake.
"What did I to you ever, base murderer," he began,
"That you this day attempted to drown a guiltless man?"
LXXXI
Then answer gave Sir Hagan, "Now of this no more;
I tell you on my honor, Sir Priest, it irks me sore
That thus you have escap'd me; I neither jest nor feign."
"For this God prais'd be ever!" said the poor chaplain.
LXXXII
"I fear you not, assure you, though brought to death so nigh.
Now on with you to Hungary; over the Rhine will I.
God grant you never thither come back, you knight untrue!
So hence with my worst wishes, for what you could not do!"