How Siegfried Was Slain, I–XXXV

Gunther and Hagan, the warriors fierce and bold, To execute their treason, resolv'd to scour the wold, The bear, the boar, the wild bull, by hill or dale or fen, To hunt with keen-edg'd javelins; what fitter sport for valiant men?

In lordly pomp rode with them Siegfried the champion strong. Good store of costly viands they brought with them along. Anon by a cool runnel he lost his guiltless life. 'Twas so devis'd by Brunhild, King Gunther's moody wife.

But first he sought the chamber where he his lady found. He and his friends already had on the sumpters bound Their gorgeous hunting raiment; they o'er the Rhine would go. Never before was Kriemhild sunk so deep in woe.

On her mouth of roses he kiss'd his lady dear; "God grant me, dame, returning in health to see thee here; So may those eyes see me, too; meanwhile be blithe and gay Among the gentle kinsmen; I must hence away."

Then thought she on the secret (the truth she durst not tell) How she had told it Hagan; then the poor lady fell To wailing and lamenting that ever she was born. Then wept she without measure, sobbing and sorrow-worn.

She thus bespake her husband, "Give up that chase of thine. I dreamt last night of evil, how two fierce forest swine Over the heath pursued thee; the flowers turn'd bloody red. I cannot help thus weeping; I'm chill'd with mortal dread.

"I fear some secret treason, and cannot lose thee hence, Lest malice should be borne thee for misconceiv'd offence. Stay, my beloved Siegfried, take not my words amiss. 'Tis the true love I bear thee that bids me counsel this."

"Back shall I be shortly, my own beloved mate. Not a soul in Rhineland know I, who bears me hate. I'm well with all thy kinsmen; they're all my firm allies; Nor have I from any e'er deserved otherwise."

"Nay! do not, dearest Siegfried! 'tis e'en thy death I dread. Last night I dreamt, two mountains fell thundering on thy head, And I no more beheld thee; if thou from me wilt go, My heart will sure be breaking with bitterness of woe."

Round her peerless body his clasping arms he threw. Lovingly he kiss'd her, that faithful wife and true; Then took his leave, and parted;—in a moment all was o'er— Living, alas poor lady! she saw him never more.

Then rode they thence, and hasten'd to a wildering forest drear. Many a bold knight, on pastime intent and merry cheer, In the train of Gunther and Siegfried took his way. Stout Gernot and young Giselher at home preferr'd to stay.

Many a well-laden sumpter before them cross'd the Rhine, That for the fellow-hunters carried bread and wine. And flesh and fish in plenty, with every dainty thing That might become the table of such a mighty king.

Their course the noble hunters check'd in an open glade, Where the wild beasts, that haunted the neighboring greenwood shade, Pass'd to and fro by custom; the hunt they here would hold. Thither at length came Siegfried; straight to the king 'twas told.

Now every path and outlet the huntsmen had beset, When thus bespake Sir Siegfried the chiefs who there were met. "Ye bold and dauntless warriors! who will the honor claim To enter first the forest, and bring us to the game?"

"Ere we begin our pastime," Sir Hagan straight replied, "Here in this glade together, 'twere better first divide. We then shall see more clearly, my lords as well as I, Who's the most cunning sportsman of this fair company.

"Let us divide among us the huntsmen and the hounds, Then each, where'er he pleases, beat all these woody bounds, And who excels his comrades, shall thanks have from the rest." Not long the hunters linger'd, but started on their quest.

Then said the good Sir Siegfried, "I do not need a pack; One well-train'd hound will serve me the lurking beasts to track, And the close scent to follow through every bush and brake. We'll now begin our hunting." So Kriemhild's husband spake.

With that an aged huntsman a watchful limehound took, And shortly brought the champion into a shady nook, Where store of beasts were couching; as each sprung from his lair, The warriors, like good hunters, fell on and caught them there.

All, that the limehound started, anon with mighty hand Were slain by noble Siegfried, the Chief of Netherland. No beast could there outrun him, so swift his steed could race; He won from all high praises for mastery in the chase.

Whatever he attempted, he went the best before. The first beast he encounter'd was a fierce half-bred boar. Him with a mighty death-stroke he stretch'd upon the ground; Just after in a thicket a lion huge he found.

Him the limehound started; his bow Sir Siegfried drew; With a keen-headed arrow he shot the lion through. But three faint bounds thereafter the dying monster made. His wond'ring fellow-huntsmen thanks to Sir Siegfried paid.

Then one upon another a buffalo, an elk He slew, four strong ure-oxen, and last a savage shelk. No beast, how swift soever, could leave his steed behind; Scarcely their speed could profit the flying hart or hind.

Next the sagacious limer a monstrous wild boar trac'd; Just then the master-hunter came sudden up in haste, And cross'd his path undaunted as he to fly began. Straight the churning monster at his opponent ran.

Then forward sprung Sir Siegfried, and with his sword him slew; Such feat, I ween, no hunter besides had dared to do. Then leash'd they the good limehound, and from the thicket led, And told all the Burgundians how Siegfried's chase had sped.

Then said his merry huntsmen, "Sir Siegfried, be so kind As not our wood to empty, but leave some game behind. There'll else be nothing living on mountain or on wold." The champion at their jesting his laughter scarce could hold.

They heard then all about them, throughout those forest grounds, Such shouting and such baying of huntsmen and of hounds, That hill and wood re-echoed with the wild uproar. Th' attendants had uncoupled four and twenty dogs or more.

Then full many a monster was doom'd his last to groan. They thought with glad expectance to challenge for their own The praise for the best hunting; but lower sunk their pride, When to the tryst-fire shortly they saw Sir Siegfried ride.

The hunting now was over for the most part at least; Game was brought in plenty and skins of many a beast To the place of meeting, and laid the hearth before. Ah! to the busy kitchen what full supplies they bore!

Then bade Gunther summon the noble hunting crew To the royal breakfast; a horn a huntsman blew That far and wide re-echoed, and told to all around That by the tryst-fire ready the king was to be found.

Said one of Siegfried's huntsmen, "I heard a warning blast, That thrilling horn assures me our hunting time is past; We must back to our fellows; answer it will I." So through the wood resounding rang question and reply.

Then spake the good Sir Siegfried, "Well! let us leave the wood." His courser bore him smoothly, fast prick'd his comrades good. With their noise they rous'd a monster, a wild bear fierce and grim. Said Siegfried o'er his shoulder to those who follow'd him,

"Now, comrades, look for pastime! see you yon thicket there? Slip the dog directly; I spy a monstrous bear. The same shall instant with us hence to the trysting-place. To get off in safety swift he indeed must pace."

Straight they slipp'd the limer; off leapt the bear with speed; Sir Siegfried thought to catch him through swiftness of his steed. He came on fallen timber, so thus it could not be; Then deem'd himself the monster from his fierce hunter free.

Down sprang from horse Sir Siegfried, and plied on foot the chase; Naught then could aid the monster o'ermaster'd in the race. Sir Siegfried strongly seized him, and cast a rope around, And, ere he once could wound him, the struggling bear he bound.

So fast the warrior bound him, he could nor scratch nor bite, Then tied him to the saddle, and after mounted light. So to the tryst-fire laughing with his snorting load, By way of sport and pastime, the fearless warrior rode.