Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/176

118 Siegfried hath not merited forsooth such hate, that he should therefore lose his life. Certes, women oft grow angry over little things.”

“Shall we then raise cuckolds?” answered Hagen; “such good knights would gain from that but little honor. Because he hath boasted of my liege lady, I will rather die, an’ it cost him not his life.”

Then spake the king himself: “He hath shown us naught but love and honor, so let him live. What booteth it, if I now should hate the knight? He was ever faithful to us and that right willingly.”

Knight Ortwin of Metz then spake: “His great prowess shall not in sooth avail him aught. If my lord permit, I’ll do him every evil.”

So without cause the heroes had declared a feud against him. In this none followed, save that Hagen counselled all time Knight Gunther the that if Siegfried no longer lived, then many kingly lands would own his sway. At this the king grew sad, so they let it rest.

Jousting was seen once more. Ho, what stout shafts they splintered before the minster in the presence of Siegfried’s wife, even down to the hall! Enow of Gunther’s men were now in wrath. The king spake: “Let be this murderous rage, he is born to our honor and to our joy. Then, too, the wonderly bold man is so fierce of strength, that none durst match him, if he marked it.”

“No, not he,” spake Hagen then, “Ye may well keep still; I trow to bring it to pass in secret, that he rue Brunhild’s tears. Certes, Hagen hath broken with him for all time.”