“I will not take thee o’er the Sound For all thy gold so red, If thou dost go to Hvenild’s land Thou wilt be smitten dead.” It was the Hero Hogen His faulchion round did whirl, And he struck off at a single blow The head of the Ferry-carl. He gave the gold ring off his arm Unto the dead man’s wife: “Take that as an atoning gift For the Ferryman’s young life.” Sir Gunter and Sir Gernot [17] The vessel pushed from shore; So wrathful was the weather then, So wild the waters’ roar. p. 18So furious then the weather was, So wild the waters grew, Asunder soon in Hogen’s hand The oar of iron flew. p. 18 The iron oar asunder flew In Hero Hogen’s hand, Then with their broad and gilded shields The heroes steered to land. They ’gan to scour their faulchions When they to land had won; And there so proud a Damsel stood, And their employ looked on. O she was slender at the waist, And just of proper height; Swelling was her white bosom, And maidenlike her gait. They went away to Nörborough, Where the gate was wont to stand: “O where is now the porter Who here should be at hand?” p. 19“O here am I the porter, To watch and ward I wait; Did I but know whence ye were come I’d bear your message straight.” p. 19 “O’er many a league of land and sea We hither have repaired; Dame Grimhild is our sister, The truth is now declared.” In then went the porter, His stand by the board he took; Quoth he: “Before our portal wait Two knights of noble look. “Two men of birth illustrious Now wait before our gate; The one he bears a fiddle, And a gilded helm his mate.” “O he no fiddle bears, I trow, For any noble’s pay; And whencesoever they are come A prince’s sons are they.” p. 20It was the proud Dame Grimhild drew Her mantle o’er her head; She hurried to the castle hall, And in her brothers bade. p. 20 “O will ye go to bower now And drink the mead and wine? Or will ye sleep in beds of silk With two fair maids of mine?”
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