How Gelfrat was Slain by Dankwart
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When now they all were gathered upon the farther strand,
To wonder gan the monarch: "Who shall through this land
On routes aright direct us, that not astray we fare?"
Then spake the doughty Volker: "Thereof will I alone have care."
"Now hark ye all," quoth Hagen, "knight and squire too,
And list to friendly counsel, as fitting is to do.
Full strange and dark the tidings now ye shall hear from me:
Home nevermore return we unto the land of Burgundy.
"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,
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