Their journey they directed / onward to the Main,
Up through East Frankish country, / the men of Gunther's train
Thither led by Hagen, / who well that country knew;
Marshal to them was Dankwart, / a knight of Burgundy full true.
On from East Frankish country / to Schwanefeld they went,
A train of valiant warriors / of high accomplishment,
The monarchs and their kinsmen, / all knights full worthy fame.
Upon the twelfth morning / the king unto the Danube came.
The knight of Tronje, Hagen, / the very van did lead,
Ever to the Nibelungen / a surest help in need.
First the thane full valiant / down leapt upon the ground,
And straightway then his charger / fast unto a tree he bound.
Flooded were the waters / and ne'er a boat was near,
Whereat began the Nibelungen / all in dread to fear
They ne'er might cross the river, / so mighty was the flood.
Dismounted on the shore, / full many a stately knight then stood.
"Ill may it," spake then Hagen, / "fare here with thee,
Lord of Rhine river. / Now thyself mayst see
How flooded are the waters, / and swift the current flows.
I ween, before the morrow / here many a goodly knight we lose."