The Nibelungenlied Part 62

L

Then said the n.o.ble Siegfried, "I needs must wonder here, That joyous wine is wanting with such abundant cheer.

When so o'erflows the kitchen, how is't the cellar's dry?

Treat merry hunters better, or hunt no more will I.

LI

"I have deserv'd in Rhineland more hospitable care."

Then answering from the table spoke Gunther false and fair.

"This fault shall soon be mended, and reason done you first.

For this we may thank Hagan, who makes us die of thirst."

LII

Then said the Chief of Trony, "My lord and master dear, I thought that this day's hunting was not to be held here, But in the wood of Spessart, so thither sent the wine.

The like shall never happen again by fault of mine."

LIII

Then said the Netherlander, "Little thank I such care.

I look'd for seven good sumpters to mend our thirsty fare With mead and wine of spices; if so we could not dine, Better by far have placed us close beside the Rhine."

LIV

Then spake the Chief of Trony, "Ye n.o.ble knights and bold, I know just to our wishes a runnel clear and cold Close by, so be not angry, but thither let us go."

Th' advice brought many a champion sorrow and mortal woe.

LV

Yet could not then his danger the death-doom'd hero spy.

Little thought he so foully by seeming friends to die.

His heart knew naught of falsehood; 'twas open, frank and plain.

For his death dear paid thereafter who fondly hop'd to gain.

LVI

The n.o.ble knight Sir Siegfried with thirst was sore opprest, So earlier rose from table, and could no longer rest, But straight would to the mountain the running brook to find, And so advanc'd the treason his faithless foes design'd.

LVII

Meanwhile were slowly lifted on many a groaning wain The beasts in that wild forest by Siegfried's manhood slain.

Each witness gave him honor, and loud his praises spoke.

Alas! that with him Hagan his faith so foully broke.

LVIII

Now when to the broad linden they all would take their way, Thus spake the fraudful Hagan, "Full oft have I heard say, That none a match in swiftness for Kriemhild's lord can be, Whene'er to race he pleases; would he grant us this to see?"

LIX

Then spake the Netherlander, Siegfried with open heart, "Well then! let's make the trial! together we will start From hence to yonder runnel; let us at once begin, And he shall pa.s.s for winner who shall be seen to win."

LX

"Agreed!" said treacherous Hagan, "let us each other try."

Thereto rejoin'd stout Siegfried, "And if you pa.s.s me by, Down at your feet I'll lay me humbled on the gra.s.s."

When these words heard Gunther, what joy could his surpa.s.s?

LXI

Then said the fearless champion, "And this I tell you more, I'll carry all th' equipment that in the chase I wore, My spear, my shield, my vesture--leave will I nothing out."

His sword then and his quiver he girt him quick about.

LXII

King Gunther and Sir Hagan to strip were nothing slow; Both for the race stood ready in shirts as white as snow.

Long bounds, like two wild panthers, o'er the gra.s.s they took, But seen was n.o.ble Siegfried before them at the brook.

LXIII

Whate'er he did, the warrior high o'er his fellows soar'd.

Now laid he down his quiver, and quick ungirt his sword.

Against the spreading linden he lean'd his mighty spear.

So by the brook stood waiting the chief without a peer.

LXIV

In every lofty virtue none with Sir Siegfried vied.

Down he laid his buckler by the water's side.

For all the thirst that parch'd him, one drop he never drank Till the king had finish'd; he had full evil thank.

LXV