Had false hearts not thereunder been contriving treachery

Had false hearts not thereunder been contriving treachery, Those royal banquet-givers from reproach had been wholly free. (C) By the wings of death overshadowed, nought knew he, the hero betrayed, Neither dreamed of the snares of treason that round his feet were laid. Yea, he was the flower of knighthood, deceit in him there was none. —Ah, many that gat no profit thereof for his death must atone!

Then out spake Siegfried the noble: "In sooth, I marvel sore That, seeing they bring from the camp-fires of meat such plenteous store, The cupbearers bring not also therewithal the wine! If this be your wont, ye are henceforth no hunting-fellows of mine. Yet sure might I well deserve it, that ye fairly entreat your guest." Then spake from his place at the table the King with guileful breast: "For this will we yet make atonement, this one day's oversight. Blameworthy is Hagen only, who would slay us with thirst outright." Made answer Hagen of Troneg: "My lord and master dear, I weened that to-day our hunting should have been afar from here In the forest of the Spessart, and thither the wine I sent. If to-day ye be wineless, hereafter shall your hearts be well content."

Made answer Siegfried the noble: "Small thank for thy promise have thou! Of mead and of wine of the clearest seven sumpter-loads even now Should have been in our midst unladen; or, if this too hard were found, Nigher the good Rhine-water should have been our camping-ground." Made answer Hagen of Troneg: "My lords, and thou, O King, I know where nigh to us lieth a cool-upwelling spring. That ye be not indignant against me, I counsel that thither we go." —That rede unto many a hero was fraught with bitter woe!

Now by this was the good knight Siegfried with thirst-pangs sore distressed. "Now thrust ye aside the table," the hero cried to the rest; "I will hence away to the hill-side, and drink thereby of the well." So all that counsel of treason as the false lords plotted befell.