So the King rode forth to the wood-lawns that the forest's arms enfold, Seeking the hunter's pastime, and many a baron bold With Gunther rode and his liegemen. Two only were lacking there, Twain in the city that tarried, Gernot and Giselher. Many a beast full-laden before them passed over Rhine For those blithe hunting-fellows bearing the bread and the wine, The flesh and withal the fishes, and abundance of everything Which beseemeth the lord of a kingdom when he goeth journeying. Then chose they a place for their camping on the skirts of the forest green Or ever the game brake cover, those lordly hunters keen: Thence would they slip the sleuth-hounds--'twas a river-mead wide-spread. And now overtook them Siegfried, and this to the King one said. Then set they their watch of the huntsmen all round on every side At the outlets of the wild-wood: then Siegfried the mighty cried, And spake the valiant hero: "Now who shall show us the way, O valiant knights and stalwart, to the lairs of the woodland prey?" "Let us sunder each from other," spake Hagen unto the rest, "Or ever in chase of the quarry thicket and glade we quest. So shall I and my royal master make proof of you all, and say Who hath most cunning in woodcraft of all this hunter-array. Henchmen and hounds, we will part them, that each may take his share; Then, whithersoe'er each listeth, alone let each man fare. Who taketh the goodliest quarry, to him will we give the praise." Then short time tarried the heroes from tracking the wild-wood ways. Again spake Siegfried the noble: "Unto hounds have I no will, Save for one only setter so blooded by woodcraft-skill That he tracketh the slot unerring through the tangled forest wide. Now, ho for a fortunate hunting!" the lord of Kriemhild cried. {P. 127}