Ha, in what lordly splendour he rode amidst the throng, With the mighty hunting-javelin, of the keen broad blade and long, With the goodly battle-broadsword that low as his spur-tip hung, With the ruddy golden bugle from the hero's baldric slung! Of goodlier hunting-raiment never hath story told. His mighty frame did a doublet of the velvet black enfold: With the sable's fur dark-lustrous his golden hair was crowned; And ah, what rich-wrought fringes bordered his quiver round! A panther's fell, by reason that ever about it clung A strange sweet scent, encased it: from his shoulders a cross-bow swung So mighty, that, save with a windlass, none but himself alone Could bend its arch, yet lightly by his fingers was it done. Sea-otter's skin was his mantle, the fell from a far shore brought; From shoulder to heel with white tufts was it richly overwrought; And all throughout the fur-gloss shone flicker and glint of gold That over-rippled the mantle of that forest-master bold. Girt to his side was Balmung, that broad and sunbright brand, Of such exceeding sharpness that none might its edge withstand When lightened through battle's tempest that helmet-sundering sword. Well might he be heart-uplifted, that princely hunter-lord! If I needs must tell the story from end to end all o'er, I must sing of the goodly quiver and its plenteous arrow-store, Whose shafts had gold bands clamping the handbreadth heads thereto. Woe to the mark of that archer, for death on the points of them flew. {P. 130} On came that stately rider forth of the forest-glade, And the liegemen of Gunther beheld him like a king of hunters arrayed; And they ran to meet him coming, and his bridle held they for him:-- Lo, cast across his saddle a huge bear mighty of limb! Soon as on earth he lighted, from muzzle and shaggy paw Loosed he the bands that bound it, and all the bandogs saw That bear in their midst, and straightway all furiously they bayed. Then rushed for the forest the monster: ha, many were sore afraid; For the beast, from the tumult fleeing, through their woodland cooking-hall Burst--how from the fires did the henchmen leap, and asunder fall! Overturned was many a caldron, the brands hurled every way-- Woe's me for the goodly victual flung mid the ashes grey! Up from their seats on the greensward did earl and henchman spring: Fiercely the bear snarled fleeing: straightway commanded the King To loose the hound-pack on him, for by this all leashed they lay. Ah, the day had had blithe ending--had that been the end of the day!