With bows and with spears on rushed they, was none that tarried there. Fast followed the swift pursuers on the track of the fleeing bear: Yet no man dared loose arrow, so thronged the hounds at his heels. So loud was the tumult, the forest rang with the echo-peals. The brute from the host of the bandogs fled with his uttermost might: None save the lord of Kriemhild could follow that headlong flight; But he swooped on the maddened quarry, with his sword he smote him and slew; And the shaggy spoil to the camp-fire back the henchmen drew. Then cried they all which beheld it, "Sooth, here is a stalwart lord!" Now bade they the princely hunters to the forest banquet-board. There in a fair green wood-lawn they sat in a great wide ring. Unto these lordly hunters what goodly meats did they bring! But the cupbearers far off lingered: no man with wine drew near, Else never had feasting heroes been served with nobler cheer. {P. 131} Had false hearts not thereunder been contriving treachery, Those royal banquet-givers from reproach had been wholly free. (C) By the wings of death overshadowed, nought knew he, the hero betrayed, Neither dreamed of the snares of treason that round his feet were laid. Yea, he was the flower of knighthood, deceit in him there was none. --Ah, many that gat no profit thereof for his death must atone! Then out spake Siegfried the noble: "In sooth, I marvel sore That, seeing they bring from the camp-fires of meat such plenteous store, The cupbearers bring not also therewithal the wine! If this be your wont, ye are henceforth no hunting-fellows of mine. Yet sure might I well deserve it, that ye fairly entreat your guest." Then spake from his place at the table the King with guileful breast: "For this will we yet make atonement, this one day's oversight. Blameworthy is Hagen only, who would slay us with thirst outright." Made answer Hagen of Troneg: "My lord and master dear, I weened that to-day our hunting should have been afar from here In the forest of the Spessart, and thither the wine I sent. If to-day ye be wineless, hereafter shall your hearts be well content." Made answer Siegfried the noble: "Small thank for thy promise have thou! Of mead and of wine of the clearest seven sumpter-loads even now Should have been in our midst unladen; or, if this too hard were found, Nigher the good Rhine-water should have been our camping-ground." Made answer Hagen of Troneg: "My lords, and thou, O King, I know where nigh to us lieth a cool-upwelling spring. That ye be not indignant against me, I counsel that thither we go." --That rede unto many a hero was fraught with bitter woe! Now by this was the good knight Siegfried with thirst-pangs sore distressed. "Now thrust ye aside the table," the hero cried to the rest; "I will hence away to the hill-side, and drink thereby of the well." So all that counsel of treason as the false lords plotted befell.