The good knight then of Burgundy, / the gallant Gernot, spake:
"Dear friends full many, fear I, / the flood this day will take,
Since we of the boatmen / none ready here may find
To guide us o'er the current. / 'Tis mickle sorrow to my mind."
Full loudly cried then Hagen: / "Lay down upon the grass,
Ye squires, the horse equipments. / I ween a time there was,
Myself was best of boatmen / that dwelt the Rhine beside.
To Gelfrat's country trow I / to bring you safely o'er the tide."
That they might come the sooner / across the running flood,
Drove they in the horses. / Their swimming, it was good,
For of them never any / beneath the waves did sink,
Though many farther downward / must struggle sore to gain the brink.
Their treasure and apparel / unto the boat they bore,
Since by no means the journey / thought they to give o'er.
Hagen was director, / and safely reached the strand
With many a stalwart warrior / bound unto the unknown land.
Gallant knights a thousand / first he ferried o'er,
Whereafter came his own men. / Of others still were more,
For squires full nine thousand / he led unto that land.
That day no whit was idle / that valiant knight of Tronje's hand.