Classic Poem

How Siegfried was slain

916

Gunther and Hagen, / the knights full keen,
Proposed with evil forethought / a hunting in the green:
The boar within the forest / they'd chase with pointed spear,
And shaggy bear and bison. / — What sport to valiant men more dear?

917

With them rode also Siegfried / happy and light of heart:
Their load of rich refreshments / was made in goodly part.
Where a spring ran cooling / they took from him his life,
Whereto in chief had urged them / Brunhild, royal Gunther's wife.

918

Then went the valiant Siegfried / where he Kriemhild found;
Rich hunting-dress was laden / and now stood ready bound
For him and his companions / across the Rhine to go.
Than this a sadder hour / nevermore could Kriemhild know.

919

The spouse he loved so dearly / upon the mouth he kissed.
" God grant that well I find thee / again, if so He list,
And thine own eyes to see me. / 'Mid kin that hold thee dear
May now the time go gently, / the while I am no longer near. "

920

Then thought she of the story / — but silence must she keep —
Whereof once Hagen asked her: / then began to weep
The princess high and noble / that ever she was born,
And wept with tears unceasing / the valiant Siegfried's wife forlorn.

921

She spake unto her husband: / " Let now this hunting be
I dreamt this night of evil, / how wild boars hunted thee,
Two wild boars o'er the meadow, / wherefrom the flowers grew red.
That I do weep so sorely / have I poor woman direst need.

922

" Yea, do I fear, Sir Siegfried, / something treacherous,
If perchance have any / of those been wronged by us
Who might yet be able / to vent their enmity.
Tarry thou here, Sir Siegfried: / let that my faithful counsel be. "

923

Quoth he: " I come, dear lady, / when some short days are flown.
Of foes who bear us hatred / here know I never one.
All of thine own kindred / are gracious unto me,
Nor know I aught of reason / why they should other-minded be. "

924

" But nay, beloved Siegfried, / thy death I fear 'twill prove.
This night I dreamt misfortune, / how o'er thee from above
Down there fell two mountains: / I never saw thee more.
And wilt thou now go from me, / that must grieve my heart full sore. "

925

The lady rich in virtue / within his arms he pressed,
And with loving kisses / her fair form caressed.
From her thence he parted / ere long time was o'er:
Alas for her, she saw him / alive thereafter nevermore.

926

Then rode from thence the hunters / deep within a wold
In search of pleasant pastime. / Full many a rider bold
Followed after Gunther / in his stately train.
Gernot and Giselher, / — at home the knights did both remain.

927

Went many a horse well laden / before them o'er the Rhine,
That for the huntsmen carried / store of bread and wine,
Meat along with fishes / and other victualling,
The which upon his table / were fitting for so high a king.

928

Then bade they make encampment / before the forest green
Where game was like to issue, / those hunters proud and keen,
Who there would join in hunting, / on a meadow wide that spread.
Thither also was come Siegfried: / the same unto the king was said.

929

By the merry huntsmen / soon were watched complete
At every point the runways. / The company then did greet
Siegfried the keen and doughty: / " Who now within the green
Unto the game shall guide us, / ye warriors so bold and keen? "

930

" Now part we from each other, " / answered Hagen then,
" Ere that the hunting / we do here begin!
Thereby may be apparent / to my masters and to me
Who on this forest journey / of the hunters best may be.

931

" Let then hounds and huntsmen / be ta'en in equal share,
That wheresoever any / would go, there let him fare.
Who then is first in hunting / shall have our thanks this day. "
Not longer there together / did the merry hunters stay.

932

Thereto quoth Sir Siegfried: / " Of dogs have I no need,
More than one hound only / of trusty hunting breed
For scenting well the runway / of wild beast through the brake.
And now the chase begin we! " / — so the spouse of Kriemhild spake.

933

Then took a practised hunter / a good tracking-hound,
That did bring them where they / game in plenty found,
Nor kept them long awaiting. / Whate'er did spring from lair
Pursued the merry huntsmen, / as still good hunters everywhere.

934

As many as the hound started / slew with mighty hand
Siegfried the full doughty / hero of Netherland.
So swiftly went his charger / that none could him outrun;
And praise before all others / soon he in the hunting won.

935

He was in every feature / a valiant knight and true.
The first within the forest / that with his hand he slew
Was a half-grown wild-boar / that he smote to ground;
Thereafter he full quickly / a wild and mighty lion found.