"Thus mermaids twain did tell me, / who spake to me this morn,
That back we come not hither. / You would I therefore warn
That arméd well ye journey / and of all ills beware.
To meet with doughty foemen / well behooveth us prepare.
"I weened to turn to falsehood / what those wise mermaids spake,
Who said that safe this journey / none again should make
Home unto our country / save the chaplain alone:
Him therefore was I minded / to-day beneath the flood to drown."
From company to company / quickly flew the tale,
Whereon grew many a doughty / warrior's visage pale,
As gan he think in sorrow / how death should snatch away
All ere the journey ended; / and very need for grief had they.
By Moeringen was it / they had the river crossed,
Where also Else's boatman / thus his life had lost.
There again spake Hagen: / "Since in such wise by me
Wrath hath been incurréd, / assailed full surely shall we be.
"Myself that same ferryman / did this morning slay.
Far bruited are the tidings. / Now arm ye for the fray,
That if Gelfrat and Else / be minded to beset
Our train to-day, they surely / with sore discomfiture be met.