Hagen, the most valiant of Gunther's vassals, takes up her cause, and seeks opportunity to kill Siegfried.A war against the Saxons is declared, in which Siegfried offers to assist Gunther.
On the eve of the departure to battle, Hagen visits Kriemhild.
She begs him to protect Siegfried, and tells him the story of her husband's one vulnerable spot--when Siegfried had killed the dragon, he bathed in its blood, and was rendered invulnerable, except in one spot, where a lime leaf fell between his shoulders.
This spot the dragon blood did not touch.Kriemhild promises to mark this spot with a silken cross, that Hagen may the better protect her husband.The next morning the excursion against the Saxons is withdrawn, and the heroes conclude to go on a hunting party.
THE HUNTING AND THE DEATH OF SIEGFRIED.
Stanzas 944-958.
Gunther and Hagan, the warriors fierce and bold, To execute their treason, resolved 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 fife.
'T was 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 thy 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 chace 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 from misconceiv'd offence.
Stay, my beloved Siegfried, take not my words amiss.
'T is 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 deserv'd otherwise.""Nay! do not, dearest Siegfried! 't is 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.
In the chase Siegfried prefers to hunt with a single limehound.
But he achieves most marvelous feats of skill and strength.
Stanzas 962-971.
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 is steed could race;He won from all high praises for mastery in the chace.
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 ureoxen, 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.
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!
The chase being done, the hunters are summoned to a feast in a neighboring glade.Here, though they are served with a profusion of sumptuous viands, there is, according to Hagen's plot, no wine to drink.When, toward the end of the meal Siegfried is tormented with thirst, Hagen tells him of a cool runnel near by under a linden, and proposes that he and Gunther and Siegfried shall try a race to this brook.Siegfried gaily consents, and boasts that he will run with all his clothing and his weapons upon him.
Stanzas 1005-1029.
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 grass they took, But seen was noble Siegfried before them at the brook.
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.
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 finished; he had full evil thank.
Cool was the little runnel, and sparkled clear as glass.
O'er the rill king Gunther knelt down upon the grass.
