Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/244

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The game that had been slaughter’d by Siegfried’s cunning hand,

They bade men pile on wagons, and carry through the land.

And everyone who saw it his praise and honour spake.

Right grievously did Hagen his troth to Siegfried break.

Whilst to the shady lindens they were upon their way,

Cried Hagen, lord of Tronjé: “Oft have I heard men say

That to Kriemhilda’s husband no one a match could be

When he would show his paces: ay! will he let us see!”

Then spake the Netherlander Siegfried, the valiant:

“Now is the time for trying, if ye a wager want,

From here unto the fountain; so soon as it be done

The onlookers shall settle which is the foremost one.”

“Now verily we’ll try it,” the warrior Hagen said.

Then quoth the stalwart Siegfried: “If ye come in ahead,

Before your feet I’ll lay me full length upon the grass.”

When Gunther heard the promise, how glad at heart he was!

Then spake the bold thane further: “Yet something more I’ll say,

I’ll carry all the clothing that I have worn to-day,—

My spear and eke my buckler, and all my hunting gear.”

His sword and quiver bound he around him then and there.

But they, the king and Hagen, their upper clothes did doff:

In two white shirts one saw them stand ready to be off.

As fleet as two wild panthers they through the clover ran:

Yet at the spring bold Siegfried came in the foremost man.