Of Bavaria the margrave / thereupon replied:
"Our enemies now seek we, / and swift upon them ride.
Fain would I discover / who hath my boatman slain.
A knight he was of valor, / whose death doth cause me grievous pain."
Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "And was the boatman thine
That would not take us over? / The guilt herein is mine.
Myself did slay the warrior, / and had, in sooth, good need,
For that beneath his valor / I myself full nigh lay dead.
"For pay I rich attire / did bid, and gold a store,
Good knight, that to thy country / he should us ferry o'er.
Thereat he raged full sorely / and on me swung a blow
With a mighty boat-pole, / whereat I eke did angry grow.
"For my sword then reached I / and made his rage to close
With a wound all gaping: / so thou thy knight didst lose.
I'll give thee satisfaction / as to thee seemeth good."
Straightway began the combat, / for high the twain in valor stood.
"Well know I," spake Gelfrat, / "when Gunther with his train
Rode through this my country / that we should suffer bane
From Hagen, knight of Tronje. / No more shall he go free,
But for my boatman's slaying / here a hostage must he be."