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“My love, in but a few days again I shall be here.

Nor know I of these people one who ill-will doth bear;

To me at all times friendly are all thy kith and kin:

Nor by these warriors elsewise entreated have I been.”

“Nay, nay, my dear lord Siegfried, I bode thy fate too well:

Last night my evil dreaming told how upon thee fell

Two mountains in the valley; I saw thee never more.

If thou wilt thus forsake me, ’twill wound me to the core.”

His wife so good and loving he in his arms did press,

And cherish’d her fair body with kisses numberless;

Then took his last leave of her, and tore himself away;

Alas, no more she saw him alive after that day!

Now rode they forth and came to a deep and shady wood,

For sake of sport, and many a warrior bold and good

Did follow after Gunther and with his sportsmen roam.

But Giselher and Gernot, they two remained at home.

And many horses, laden with stores of bread and wine

Provided for the huntsmen, went forward o’er the Rhine;

Both fish and flesh they carry, and many another cate

Such as a king so wealthy might duly have to eat.

They ordered their encampment, these hunters proud, hard by

The greenwood’s skirts, where mostly the quarry’s runs did lie

Which they to hunt were minded; ’twas on an eyot broad,

And thither too came Siegfried: as straight the king had word.