Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/245

XVI]

In all he put his hand to he won the prize from all.

Straightway his sword he loosen’d and let his quiver fall;

Against a bough of linden he let his stout spear rest;

Close by the flowing fountain now stood the stately guest.

And herein also Siegfried did manifest his worth:

He laid his shield beside him where flow’d the fountain forth,

But, greatly as he thirsted, the hero tasted not

Before the king had drunken: base thanks from him he got.

Cool was the spring of water, and clean, and bright, and good;

And Gunther bent him downwards to the refreshing flood;

As soon as he had quenchéd his thirst, away he came;

Then ready was bold Siegfried and would have done the same.

His courtesy and breeding, then met with their reward:

For Hagen to the background withdrew his bow and sword.

Then back again ran quickly to where he found the spear,

And looked to find a token the hero’s coat did bear.

And whilst the noble Siegfried drank of the rippling flood

He stabb’d him through the cross-mark, and through the wound his blood

Straight from his heart outspurted, and Hagen’s shirt was wet;

So foul a misdeed never befell a hero yet.

He left the lance within him close to his heart stuck tight;

And grimly then did Hagen betake himself to flight,

As in his life he never from mortal man did flee.

The stalwart Siegfried, feeling how sorely smit was he,