Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/237

XVI]

The hunters then appointed the watchers where to take

Their places at the openings. Then he, the bold man, spake,

Siegfried the ever-stalwart, “Who leads us through the wood,

To show us where the game is, ye valiant thanes and good?”

“Suppose we part,” quoth Hagen, “or ever we begin

To beat about the forest to see what is therein.

That I and these my masters may reason have to know

Who are the better sportsmen that on this chase do go.

“The beaters and the hounds too, we’ll evenly divide:

Thus each his choice may follow where’er he please to ride.

Then he who is best sportsman shall have our thanks therefore.”

So spake he, and the hunters together stay’d no more.

Then said the noble Siegfried: “The hounds I value not,

Save but a single setter, who such a scent hath got

That he the track will follow where’er the game hath led;

Here’s to a merry hunting!” Kriemhilda’s husband said.

Thereon an aged huntsman took with him a sleuth-hound,

And brought the noble hunters to where much game they found

Without too long a-seeking. The comrades then did hunt

Whatever broke from covert, as sportsmen keen are wont.

Whate’er the setter mark’d him, that slew with his own hand

Siegfried the doughty hero, who came from Netherland.

His steed so swiftly bore him, that naught could him outrun;

Praise above all the others upon this chase he won.