Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/243

XVI.]

Then spake the noble Siegfried: “I marvel much hereat;—

Since from the kitchen plenty of food they send to eat,

Why come not the cupbearers to bring us also wine?

Let them treat hunters better, or ’tis no sport of mine!

“I have deserved that people more care of me should take.”

The king then from the table, in answer, falsely spake:

“However we have blunder’d we’ll mend it by-and-by;

’Tis all the fault of Hagen, who’d have us all go dry.”

Then Hagen spake, of Tronjé: “My dear lord list to me,

I reckon’d that the hunting to-day was fix’d to be

Right over in the Spessart, so sent the wine-flasks there.

If we to-day go thirsty, next time I’ll take more care!”

Then answer’d the lord Siegfried: “Small thanks, methinks, are thine!

Seven sumpters’ burden should they of mead and unmix’d wine

Have hither sent to meet us; or were that hard to do,

They should have pitch’d our quarters more nigh the Rhine unto.”

Then spake Hagen of Tronjé: “Ye noble knights and bold,

I know that here hard by is a spring of water cold,—

Pray be ye not offended,— ’tis thither we should go.”

To many a thane this counsel was fraught with mickle woe.

With pangs of thirst was Siegfried the warrior sorely smit:

The sooner then the table he gave them word to quit;

Along the hill-side would he unto the fountain wend.

Thus what the knights had plotted drew on towards its end.