I

From thence 'twas the fourth morning, when two and thirty men
To the court came riding; 'twas told King Gunther then,
That him and his Burgundians their task was to defy.
Woe were the fearful women from this foul-framed lie.

II

At once they got permission before the king to go,
And told him that from Ludeger they came, his former foe,
Of old o'ercome in battle by Siegfried's conquering hand,
And brought by him a captive into Gunther's land.

III

The messengers he greeted and each bade choose a seat.
Then one among them answer'd "To stand, my lord, is meet,
Till we have told our message, and all our duty done.
Know, that you have for foemen many a mother's son.

IV

"Ludegast and Ludeger you to the death defy,
The kings whom you entreated so hard in years gone by.
In arms into your country they are resolv'd to ride."
Full of wrath seem'd Gunther to hear himself defied.

V

Then were the false pretenders led to guest-chambers fair.
Ah! how could noble Siegfried, or any else beware
The trains of that vile treason, which, for the guiltless spread,
Soon brought down death and ruin on each contriver's head?

VI

The king about went whisp'ring with the friends he loved the best.
Hagan, the knight of Trony, never let him rest.
Many of the king's companions to stop the treason tried,
But Hagan from his counsel not once would turn aside.

VII

One day it fell that Siegfried close whisp'ring found the band,
When thus began to ask them the Knight of Netherland,
"Why creep the king and chieftains so sorrowful along?
I'll help you to revenge it, if you have suffer'd wrong."

VIII

"Good cause have I for sorrow," Gunther straight replied,
"Ludegast and Ludeger both have me defied.
With open force they threaten to ravage all my land."
Then spake the dauntless champion, "Their pride shall Siegfried's hand,

IX

"Both to your boot and honor, bring lower, and once more
I'll do unto those boasters e'en as I did before.
Ere I end, o'er castles, o'er lands, o'er all I'll spread
Wide waste and desolation, or fortfeit else my head.

X

"Do you and your good warriors sit by the chimney side;
With my knights here about me thither let me ride.
How willingly I serve you, my acts and deeds shall show,
And every one shall feel it who boasts himself your foe."

XI

"Ah! how this promise cheers me!" the king dissembling said,
As though rejoic'd in earnest at that free-proffer'd aid.
Low bow'd to him the false one with fawning semblance fair.
Then return'd Sir Siegfried, "Take now no further care."

XII

For the march the Burgundians prepar'd in show the while,
Yet Siegfried and his warriors 'twas done but to beguile.
Then bade he straight make ready each Netherlandish knight.
They sought out the best harness and surest arms they might.

XIII

Then spake the valiant Siegfried, "Sir Siegmund, father mine,
Best tarry here in quiet till we return to Rhine.
Conquest, if God befriend us, we shortly back shall bring.
Meanwhile live blithe and merry with our good host the king."

XIV

The flags anon were hoisted, and forward all would fare;
Among the men of Gunther many a one was there
Who knew not his lord's secret, and thought no treachery.
There might you see with Siegfried a mighty company.

XV

Their helms and eke their mailcoats upon their steeds were tied.
Many a knight of prowess ready was to ride.
Then Hagan, Lord of Trony, as had before been plann'd,
Went to take leave of Kriemhild ere yet they left the land.

XVI

"Ah! well is me," said Kriemhild, "that I've a lord who lends
Such firm assistance ever to back my dearest friends,
As now does my brave Siegfried for my brethren's sake;
Therefore," said the fair lady, "good courage will I take.

XVII

"My good friend, Sir Hagan, bear in remembrance still
How much I love my kinsmen, nor ever wish'd them ill.
For this requite my husband, nor let me vainly long;
He should not pay the forfeit, if I did Brunhild wrong.

XVIII

"My fault," pursued she sadly, "good cause had I to rue.
For it I have far'd badly; he beat me black and blue;
Such mischief-making tattle his patience could not brook,
And for it ample vengeance on my poor limbs he took."

XIX

"You'll be friends together," said he, "some other day.
But, Kriemhild, my dear lady, tell me now, I pray,
At my hands to your husband what service can be done,
Fain would I do it, lady, better love I none."

XX

The noble dame made answer, "Fear should I not at all,
That by the sword of any my lord in fight would fall,
But that he rashly follows his fiery martial mood.
Else could no harm befall him the noble knight and good."

XXI

"Lady," then answer'd Hagan, "since thus you harbor fear
Lest hostile force should slay him, let me yet further hear,
What best may serve our purpose the warrior to defend.
On foot, on horse, I'll watch him, his guardian and his friend."

XXII

Said she, "Thou art my cousin, and I alike am thine;
To thy good faith commend I this dearest lord of mine.
That thou wilt tend his welfare, assurance firm I hold."
Then told she him the secret far better left untold.

XXIII

Said she, "My husband's daring, and thereto stout of limb
Of old, when on the mountain he slew the dragon grim,
In its blood he bath'd him, and thence no more can feel
In his charmed person the deadly dint of steel.

XXIV

"Still am I ever anxious, whene'er in fight he stands,
And keen-edg'd darts are hailing from strong heroic hands,
Lest I by one should lose him, my own beloved make.
Ah! how my heart is beating still for my Siegfried's sake!

XXV

"So now I'll tell the secret, dear friend, alone to thee
(For thou, I doubt not, cousin, will keep thy faith with me),
Where sword may pierce my darling, and death sit on the thrust.
See, in thy truth and honor how full, how firm my trust!

XXVI

"As from the dragon's death-wounds gush'd out the crimson gore,
With the smoking torrent the warrior wash'd him o'er.
A leaf then 'twixt his shoulders fell from the linden bough.
There only steel can harm him; for that I tremble now."

XXVII

Then said the Chief of Trony, "A little token sew
Upon his outer garment; thus shall I surer know
The spot that needs protection as in the fight we stand."
She thought his life to lengthen, the while his death was plann'd.

XXVIII

Said she, "Upon his vesture with a fine silken thread
I'll sew a secret crosslet; by this small token led
Thy hand shall guard my husband, as through the press he goes,
And in the shock of battle confronts his swarming foes."

XXIX

"So will I do," said Hagan, "my honor'd lady dear."
She thought her lord to profit, and keep from danger clear,
But all she did to aid him serv'd but to betray.
Leave then took Sir Hagan, and joyous strode away.

XXX

What he had learn'd from Kriemhild his lord then bade him show
"Put off this march," said Hagan, "and let us hunting go;
Now have I all the secret; now in my hand is he;
Could you but contrive it?" "For that," said Gunther, "trust to me."

XXXI

The false king and his courtiers to hear his words were fain.
I ween, so base a treason knight ne'er will do again,
As then was done by Hagan, when to his faith for aid
So fair a lady trusted, and so foully was betrayed.

XXXII

Next morning on his journey in haste Sir Siegfried sped.
Of his men a thousand merrily he led.
He thought his foes to punish who had his friends defied.
Next him rode Sir Hagan, and close his vesture eyed.

XXXIII

Soon as the mark he noted, he bade in secret go
Two of his men some distance, and come as from the foe,
Saying, that only friendship to Burgundy was meant,
And that they to King Gunther from Ludeger were sent.

XXXIV

How then it irk'd Sir Siegfried to turn at once the rein,
Ere he in his friend's quarrel had battled once again!
Scarce could the men of Gunther divert him from his way.
So to the king back rode he, who thus his thanks 'gan pay.

XXXV

"Now God requite you, Siegfried, of all my friends the best!
Since you are always ready to do what I request,
I'll ever do my utmost to merit such good will.
Many are the friends I trust in, but you're the surest still.

XXXVI

"Now that we're free from foemen, and in firm peace abide,
Hence to the Wask forest a-hunting let us ride,
To chase the bears and wild swine, as oft I've done of yore."
The faithless, murderous Hagan had counsell'd this before.

XXXVII

"To all my guests and kinsmen it straight announc'd shall be,
I mean to start full early; whoe'er would ride with me,
Must forthwith make him ready; whoe'er would here abide,
Let him amuse the ladies; with both I'm satisfied."

XXXVIII

Then courteously made answer Siegfried the stout and strong,
"If you're inclined for hunting, gladly will I along.
So lend me but a huntsman and a good brach or two,
And I into the forest will find my way like you."

XXXIX

"If one will not suffice you," the fraudful king replied,
"I'll lend you four good huntsmen, who know the forest wide,
And every track soever where the wild beasts roam.
You'll never, with their guidance, come empty-handed home."

XL

Thence to his gentle lady rode off the warrior bold.
Quick to the king had Hagan the baleful tidings told,
How he would surely trap him, the champion frank and free.
Never was such foul treason, nor ever more will be.

XLI

When now was laid the death-plot by that base traitor pair,
The rest then all consented. Gernot and Giselher
Neither would join the hunting; I know not through what fear
Or spite they warn'd not Siegfried; soon paid they for it dear.