On the morrow's morning early Siegfried the knight rode forth With a thousand men blithe-hearted, their faces set to the north. He weened he should take a vengeance for his friends' wrong fierce and fell. So nigh unto him rode Hagen that he marked his surcoat well. Then, when he spied the token, he sent all secretly To be bearers of other tidings two men of his company Which should say, "Let the great King's country in peace unmarred abide, For to make submission to Gunther hath Lüdeger bidden us ride." How passing loth was Siegfried to turn him back from the fight, From avenging friends and kinsmen on these that had done them despite! Scarce could the liegemen of Gunther persuade him to sheathe the sword. Back rode he at last to the traitor, and the King his thanks outpoured: "God guerdon thee, friend Siegfried, for thy good heart unto mine aid, That thou offeredst thee so freely what time for thine help I prayed! For this will I aye be beholden to thee, as well may I be. Beyond all friends and kinsmen do I put chief trust in thee! But seeing that now for a season war unto peace giveth place, Go to, let us hunt the wild-boar and hold the bear in chase {P. 124} In the Odenwald, as ofttimes in days overpast have I done." --By Hagen was all this plotted, the utter-treacherous one. "Each guest of mine by my message shall straightway be certified That tomorn we go forth hunting: whoso with me will ride, Let him hold him early ready: if any will bide here still Fleeting careless hours with the ladies, that doth he with my good will." With knightly courtesy Siegfried made answer thereunto: "If ye ride forth a-hunting, I will gladly go with you. So ye will but lend me a huntsman who shall rouse the quarry for me, And therewithal some sleuth-hounds, to the forest will I with thee." "One huntsman wilt thou only?" King Gunther straightway replied. "I will lend thee four, an it please thee, which know from side to side The forest and all the wood-ways, and every wild thing's lair, Lest thou err from the path unknowing when campward at even we fare." Then rode the hero to Kriemhild, and told to her everything, The while that the tale of Hagen was told in the ears of the King, Even all his deadly devising against that noble thane:-- God grant such treachery never may be wrought by man again! (C) So when these royal hunters had woven the dark death-snare, Then told they the plot to their fellows. Yet Gernot and Giselher Would not with the rest go hunting. Wherefore from warning their friend They hardened their hearts, I know not. Fully paid was the price in the end. XVI. How Siegfried was Murdered