Soon he yet had turned it, / so rapid was his stroke,
Until the mighty oar / beneath his vigor broke.
As strove he his companions / upon the bank to gain,
No second oar he found him. / Yet soon the same made fast again.
With quickly snatched shield-strap, / a fine and narrow band.
Downward where stood a forest / he sought again the land,
And there his master found he / standing upon the shore.
In haste came forth to meet him / many a stately warrior more.
The gallant knight they greeted / with right hearty mood.
When in the boat perceived they / reeking still the blood
That from the wound had issued / where Hagen's sword did swing,
Scarce could his companions / bring to an end their questioning.
When that royal Gunther / the streaming blood did see
Within the boat there running, / straightway then spake he:
"Where is now the ferryman, / tell me, Hagen, pray?
By thy mighty prowess / his life, I ween, is ta'en away."
Thereto replied he falsely: / "When the boat I found
Where slopeth a wild meadow, / I the same unbound.
Hereabout no ferryman / I to-day have seen,
Nor ever cause of sorrow / unto any have I been."