Part 13

Now all were at point of departing: banners to staves they bound. Many of Gunther's liegemen the while were standing round: But that all was hollow semblance no man of these was ware. Sooth, mighty was the war-host arrayed round Siegfried there. The hauberks and the helmets on the horses laded they: Knights many stalwart and fearless would forth of the land straightway.

Then stole thence Hagen of Troneg: to the presence of Kriemhild he came, As who, ere they marched unto battle, would take his leave of the dame. "Now happy am I," said Kriemhild, "to have won to myself such a lord Who unto my friends belovèd is so mighty a battle-ward As Siegfried is to my brethren when he aideth them in fight; And for this am I heart-uplifted," said the Queen, "with abiding delight. Hagen, friend well-belovèd, I pray thee, of this take thought-- I have joyed to do thee service, nor borne thee malice in aught: Let this be requited in kindness to my belovèd lord. Let him suffer not for my speaking to Brunhild a hasty word. Thereof," said the noble lady, "constrained have I been to repent: He hath visited on my body in sorest chastisement My folly of speech in stirring the Queen unto angry mood: He hath verily well avenged her, that noble knight and good."

"Yet a little while, and atonement shall she accept of thee," He said, "dear Lady Kriemhild: now I pray thee, tell unto me In what wise I may do thee service through Siegfried thy lord and thy knight. None living would I, O lady, for thy kindness so gladly requite." "For him were I wholly dreadless," made answer Siegfried's wife, "Lest any in storm of battle should imperil mine hero's life, {P. 122} Were it not for his reckless defying of danger in battle's van; Else would he aye go scatheless, that good and valiant man." "O Lady, if this thou fearest," in his subtlety Hagen replied, "Lest in battle he haply be wounded, then unto me confide How best I may devise it, such peril to withstand; Then for his warding ever will I ride full near at hand."

She answered, "Thou art my kinsman, and of blood am I near unto thee. I commit my lord, my belovèd, to thy faith and thy fealty, That for my sake o'er my belovèd the shield of protection thou hold." Then to Hagen revealed she a story that had better been left untold. For she said, "My lord is fearless, and the strongest man of men; And he slew on a day mid the mountains the Dragon of the Fen; Then bathed the hero his body in the blood of the monster worm, Wherefore availeth to wound him no weapon that man may form. Yet ever mine heart is fearful when in forefront of battle he stands, And many a flying javelin is sped from warriors' hands, Lest I peradventure may lose him, mine hero of all loved best:-- Ah me, with what fears for Siegfried tosses mine heart in unrest! O friend, dear friend and kinsman, on thy faithful love I lean That thou wilt guard thy troth-plight given herein to a queen, When I tell to thee where my belovèd may be wounded of the steel. Now shalt thou hear: the secret to thine honour and love I reveal. When from the wounds of the Dragon flowed the hot-reeking blood, And when in the red pool bathed him that fearless knight and good, There fell on him 'twixt the shoulders one broad lime-tree leaf On that spot may he be wounded; and this is my sorrow and grief."

Answered her Hagen of Troneg: "Thou then with thine own hand sew On his vesture a little token that to me that spot may show The which, when we stand in the war-storm, with heed evermore must I shield." She thought from peril to save him; but so unto death was he sealed. She said, "I will sew on his garment with a silken thread spun fine A faintly-visible crosslet: there that strong hand of thine, {P. 123} Hero, shall guard mine husband, as he presseth aye to the front, And standeth begirt with foemen in the battle's sternest brunt." "Even this will I do, dear Lady," false Hagen made reply. She thought in her wifely yearning to redeem him from death thereby:-- Ah me, thereby did Kriemhild her lord unto death betray! Most courteous leave took Hagen, and with glad heart hasted away.

(C) Then asked of him King Gunther: "What secret hath Hagen learned?" "King, we will ride forth hunting when back is the war-march turned. Now have I gotten the knowledge whereby he shall surely die. Thou, wilt thou appoint this hunting?" Said the King, "Yea, that will I!" Now are the kinsmen of Gunther blithe, and their hearts are light! Never, I ween, thereafter to the end of time shall knight Devise such black betrayal as by these contrived hath been From the trust in knighthood's honour placed by a wife and a Queen!

On the morrow's morning early Siegfried the knight rode forth With a thousand men blithe-hearted, their faces set to the north. He weened he should take a vengeance for his friends' wrong fierce and fell. So nigh unto him rode Hagen that he marked his surcoat well. Then, when he spied the token, he sent all secretly To be bearers of other tidings two men of his company Which should say, "Let the great King's country in peace unmarred abide, For to make submission to Gunther hath Lüdeger bidden us ride." How passing loth was Siegfried to turn him back from the fight, From avenging friends and kinsmen on these that had done them despite! Scarce could the liegemen of Gunther persuade him to sheathe the sword. Back rode he at last to the traitor, and the King his thanks outpoured: "God guerdon thee, friend Siegfried, for thy good heart unto mine aid, That thou offeredst thee so freely what time for thine help I prayed! For this will I aye be beholden to thee, as well may I be. Beyond all friends and kinsmen do I put chief trust in thee! But seeing that now for a season war unto peace giveth place, Go to, let us hunt the wild-boar and hold the bear in chase {P. 124} In the Odenwald, as ofttimes in days overpast have I done." --By Hagen was all this plotted, the utter-treacherous one. "Each guest of mine by my message shall straightway be certified That tomorn we go forth hunting: whoso with me will ride, Let him hold him early ready: if any will bide here still Fleeting careless hours with the ladies, that doth he with my good will." With knightly courtesy Siegfried made answer thereunto: "If ye ride forth a-hunting, I will gladly go with you. So ye will but lend me a huntsman who shall rouse the quarry for me, And therewithal some sleuth-hounds, to the forest will I with thee." "One huntsman wilt thou only?" King Gunther straightway replied. "I will lend thee four, an it please thee, which know from side to side The forest and all the wood-ways, and every wild thing's lair, Lest thou err from the path unknowing when campward at even we fare."

Then rode the hero to Kriemhild, and told to her everything, The while that the tale of Hagen was told in the ears of the King, Even all his deadly devising against that noble thane:-- God grant such treachery never may be wrought by man again! (C) So when these royal hunters had woven the dark death-snare, Then told they the plot to their fellows. Yet Gernot and Giselher Would not with the rest go hunting. Wherefore from warning their friend They hardened their hearts, I know not. Fully paid was the price in the end.

XVI. How Siegfried was Murdered

Now Gunther the King and Hagen, those knights of high-born blood, Have contrived with treacherous purpose the hunt through the glades of the wood. O yea, with their spears keen-whetted will they pierce the forest-bear And the wild boar and the bison--what sport for the brave more fair? {P. 125} Forth rode with heart exultant Siegfried amidst of the rest. All manner of meats followed after for the feasting of host and guest. In the wood's dark heart cool-welling is a spring--there left he his life By the counselling of Brunhild, King Gunther's ruthless wife. But the bold knight, ere he departed, farewell to his wife would say. Already on sumpters laden was his goodly hunting array, And the gear of his woodland-fellows, for over the Rhine would they now. But behold, she wept--ah, never had she more cause, I trow! Soft on the lips he kissed her, his well-belovèd one: "God grant me to see thee, belovèd, safe and sound anon, And that thy sweet eyes may behold me!--with the friends thou boldest dear Fleet thou the time all-careless: I may not tarry here."

Then called she to mind the story--yet durst not tell him the tale-- Told erewhile unto Hagen: bitterly 'gan she bewail, That noble Daughter of Princes, that ever she saw the light; And brake into measureless weeping the bride of Siegfried the knight. And she spake to her lord: "I beseech thee, O let this hunting be! Last night was my dream a horror: two wild boars tracking thee Held thee in chase o'er a moorland--then flowers grew suddenly red! Cause have I for bitter weeping; for fear is mine heart as lead. I fear--oh, I needs must shudder at the thought of a treacherous blow, If haply offence hath been given to an unforgetting foe, Unto some who might visit their hatred and malice on thee and me. Stay here, dear lord: I beseech thee in love and in loyalty!"

But he said: "My wife, my belovèd, I shall be but a few days gone. Is there any that here bears hatred to me?--I know not one. Lo, one and all thy kinsmen unto me are gracious-willed, And I, I have earned no guerdon save the love wherewith they be filled." "Ah no, but my lord, but my Siegfried, thy very death do I dread! For I dreamed yet again for mine anguish: crashing down on thine head Suddenly fell two mountains--and I saw thee never again! If now from me thou departest, it shall be for mine uttermost pain." {P. 126} Then cast he his arms about her, the utter-faithful and dear, And essayed with loving kisses that fairest of women to cheer. This was their last leave-taking: lo, he is gone from her bower. Alas and alas, never living she beheld him from that hour!

So the King rode forth to the wood-lawns that the forest's arms enfold, Seeking the hunter's pastime, and many a baron bold With Gunther rode and his liegemen. Two only were lacking there, Twain in the city that tarried, Gernot and Giselher. Many a beast full-laden before them passed over Rhine For those blithe hunting-fellows bearing the bread and the wine, The flesh and withal the fishes, and abundance of everything Which beseemeth the lord of a kingdom when he goeth journeying. Then chose they a place for their camping on the skirts of the forest green Or ever the game brake cover, those lordly hunters keen: Thence would they slip the sleuth-hounds--'twas a river-mead wide-spread. And now overtook them Siegfried, and this to the King one said.

Then set they their watch of the huntsmen all round on every side At the outlets of the wild-wood: then Siegfried the mighty cried, And spake the valiant hero: "Now who shall show us the way, O valiant knights and stalwart, to the lairs of the woodland prey?" "Let us sunder each from other," spake Hagen unto the rest, "Or ever in chase of the quarry thicket and glade we quest. So shall I and my royal master make proof of you all, and say Who hath most cunning in woodcraft of all this hunter-array. Henchmen and hounds, we will part them, that each may take his share; Then, whithersoe'er each listeth, alone let each man fare. Who taketh the goodliest quarry, to him will we give the praise." Then short time tarried the heroes from tracking the wild-wood ways. Again spake Siegfried the noble: "Unto hounds have I no will, Save for one only setter so blooded by woodcraft-skill That he tracketh the slot unerring through the tangled forest wide. Now, ho for a fortunate hunting!" the lord of Kriemhild cried.

{P. 127}

Then a certain grey-haired hunter in the leash a sleuth-hound led, And he brought those barons, or ever long time in seeking had fled, Where they came on the wildwood's children; whatsoe'er from covert burst Was chased of those merry comrades, as huntsmen have done from the first. Whatsoe'er his sleuth-hound started, that by the swift right hand Was slain of Siegfried the valiant, the Hero of Netherland. So fleet were the feet of his good steed, that nought might his speed outrun; So the praise of cunning woodcraft before them all he won: In all manner of hunter's prowess he stood without a peer. The first of the forest-children that fell before his spear Was a strong young boar, and the javelin of Siegfried drank its blood. Not long thereafter a lion fierce-eyed before him stood. The hound gave tongue--forth leapt he--the hero shot with the bow Speeding the keen-tipped arrow drawn on his woodland foe. The shot struck home, and the lion thereafter leapt but thrice; And the hero's hunting-fellows acclaimed him with gladsome cries. A bison he smote thereafter; a huge elk low hath he laid; Four urochs strong, and a great stag, a giant of the glade. So swiftly his good horse bare him, there was nought that his speed outsped. Harts and hinds uncounted beneath his wood-spear bled. And now, uproused by the sleuth-hound, a wild boar burst from his lair: Even as to flight he turned him, behold, before him there Was the fleet-foot Lord of the Woodland, and Siegfried barred his path. Then charged on the gallant hero the monster foaming in wrath; But the sword of the lord of Kriemhild with a swift thrust laid him low: None other hunter living so featly had dealt the blow. When dead he lay by the thicket, they leashed the hound again. Now marvelled all Burgundians at the wealth of prey he had ta'en. "If the thing may be asked offenceless," his huntsman merrily said, "Leave unto us, Lord Siegfried, of the wild things some few head. Mountain and forest thou makest of tenants dispossessed!" Sunnily smiled the hero at the old rough woodland jest.

{P. 128}

Then halloo of men and baying of dogs burst forth all round: Uprose so mighty a clamour of voices of huntsman and hound That the mountain-side and the forest rang and rang again, For that four and twenty couples were unleashed by the hunters then. From the hearts of many children of the wild the life was riven, While hoped full many a hunter that unto him should be given The chiefest prize of woodcraft; but such might ne'er have been While yet beside the camp-fire Siegfried the mighty was seen.

By now came the hunt to an ending, but not so wholly so, But that still were the hunters bringing to the light of the camp-fire's glow Fells full many of wild things, and of venison good store:-- How busy now were the henchmen as the flesh to the spits they bore! Then gave the King commandment that the hunters princely-born Unto the supper be bidden: one long blast on the horn Pealed far through the aisles of the forest, telling to all their band That now at the place of the trysting waited the lord of the land. Then spake a hunter of Siegfried: "My lord, I hear the blast Of a horn that giveth us token that now must all we haste Back to the place of the trysting. Now will I answer thereto." Then long blasts crying "Where are ye?" to their fellow-hunters flew.

Made answer Siegfried the noble, "Now forth of the wood must we." Smoothly the good steed bare him, fast followed his company. They roused with their crashing and clamour a forest-beast fierce-eyed, A savage bear; and the hero unto them that followed cried: "I will show to our hunting-fellows a sport of merry glee. Yonder a bear have I sighted: the hound from the leash slip ye. Sir Bear to the place of the camping shall ride with us this day. O nay, he shall not escape us, flee he as fast as he may!" They slipped from the leash the sleuth-hound; swift turned the bear and fled, And Kriemhild's lord hard after to ride him down on-sped. But he won a ravine all-rocky, too rugged for hoof of steed; And the strong beast thought: "From the hunters now am I verily freed!" {P. 129} But the good knight leapt exultant from the saddle, and so on foot Rushed through the brake pursuing, and came unwares on the brute As slowly he threaded the tangle: his strong hands gripped straightway And cast it to earth unwounded, and swiftly bound the prey. Fangs, claws were all unavailing against his masterful might: Fast to the saddle he lashed it; then mounted the gallant knight, And on to the place of the camp-fire he bare it triumphant-souled To make sport for his hunting-fellows, that goodly thane and bold.

Ha, in what lordly splendour he rode amidst the throng, With the mighty hunting-javelin, of the keen broad blade and long, With the goodly battle-broadsword that low as his spur-tip hung, With the ruddy golden bugle from the hero's baldric slung! Of goodlier hunting-raiment never hath story told. His mighty frame did a doublet of the velvet black enfold: With the sable's fur dark-lustrous his golden hair was crowned; And ah, what rich-wrought fringes bordered his quiver round! A panther's fell, by reason that ever about it clung A strange sweet scent, encased it: from his shoulders a cross-bow swung So mighty, that, save with a windlass, none but himself alone Could bend its arch, yet lightly by his fingers was it done. Sea-otter's skin was his mantle, the fell from a far shore brought; From shoulder to heel with white tufts was it richly overwrought; And all throughout the fur-gloss shone flicker and glint of gold That over-rippled the mantle of that forest-master bold. Girt to his side was Balmung, that broad and sunbright brand, Of such exceeding sharpness that none might its edge withstand When lightened through battle's tempest that helmet-sundering sword. Well might he be heart-uplifted, that princely hunter-lord! If I needs must tell the story from end to end all o'er, I must sing of the goodly quiver and its plenteous arrow-store, Whose shafts had gold bands clamping the handbreadth heads thereto. Woe to the mark of that archer, for death on the points of them flew.

{P. 130}

On came that stately rider forth of the forest-glade, And the liegemen of Gunther beheld him like a king of hunters arrayed; And they ran to meet him coming, and his bridle held they for him:-- Lo, cast across his saddle a huge bear mighty of limb! Soon as on earth he lighted, from muzzle and shaggy paw Loosed he the bands that bound it, and all the bandogs saw That bear in their midst, and straightway all furiously they bayed. Then rushed for the forest the monster: ha, many were sore afraid; For the beast, from the tumult fleeing, through their woodland cooking-hall Burst--how from the fires did the henchmen leap, and asunder fall! Overturned was many a caldron, the brands hurled every way-- Woe's me for the goodly victual flung mid the ashes grey! Up from their seats on the greensward did earl and henchman spring: Fiercely the bear snarled fleeing: straightway commanded the King To loose the hound-pack on him, for by this all leashed they lay. Ah, the day had had blithe ending--had that been the end of the day!

With bows and with spears on rushed they, was none that tarried there. Fast followed the swift pursuers on the track of the fleeing bear: Yet no man dared loose arrow, so thronged the hounds at his heels. So loud was the tumult, the forest rang with the echo-peals. The brute from the host of the bandogs fled with his uttermost might: None save the lord of Kriemhild could follow that headlong flight; But he swooped on the maddened quarry, with his sword he smote him and slew; And the shaggy spoil to the camp-fire back the henchmen drew. Then cried they all which beheld it, "Sooth, here is a stalwart lord!" Now bade they the princely hunters to the forest banquet-board. There in a fair green wood-lawn they sat in a great wide ring. Unto these lordly hunters what goodly meats did they bring!

But the cupbearers far off lingered: no man with wine drew near, Else never had feasting heroes been served with nobler cheer. {P. 131} 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.

{P. 132}

The woodland spoil they laded upon wains, and bore through the land, Even all that in that day's hunting had fallen to Siegfried's hand. What folk soever beheld it the praise of the hero spoke Even in the hour when Hagen his faith with Siegfried broke.

When these to the broad lime shading the spring were at point to have sped, Even then spake Hagen of Troneg: "Oft have I heard this said, That none with the lord of Kriemhild in fleetness of foot may vie, If he put forth his strength in running: lo now, the truth let us try." Then the noble thane and valiant, the Hero of Netherland, spake: "Thereof may ye well make trial, if with me ye be minded to make A running-match to the well-head. If this shall of us be done, Whoso is first, account we him our fleetest one." "Good, let us thereof make trial," made answer Hagen the thane. Then again spake Siegfried the stalwart: "If ye pass me, either of twain, Then on the grass my body before your feet will I fling." How blithe to hear that promise was Gunther the traitor king! Then spake that fearless hero: "This too unto you will I say: I will bear on my body my raiment and all my war-array, My boar-spear, yea, and my buckler, and all mine hunter's weed." Therewithal with his sword and his quiver he girded himself with speed.