{P. 132} The woodland spoil they laded upon wains, and bore through the land, Even all that in that day's hunting had fallen to Siegfried's hand. What folk soever beheld it the praise of the hero spoke Even in the hour when Hagen his faith with Siegfried broke. When these to the broad lime shading the spring were at point to have sped, Even then spake Hagen of Troneg: "Oft have I heard this said, That none with the lord of Kriemhild in fleetness of foot may vie, If he put forth his strength in running: lo now, the truth let us try." Then the noble thane and valiant, the Hero of Netherland, spake: "Thereof may ye well make trial, if with me ye be minded to make A running-match to the well-head. If this shall of us be done, Whoso is first, account we him our fleetest one." "Good, let us thereof make trial," made answer Hagen the thane. Then again spake Siegfried the stalwart: "If ye pass me, either of twain, Then on the grass my body before your feet will I fling." How blithe to hear that promise was Gunther the traitor king! Then spake that fearless hero: "This too unto you will I say: I will bear on my body my raiment and all my war-array, My boar-spear, yea, and my buckler, and all mine hunter's weed." Therewithal with his sword and his quiver he girded himself with speed. Then these twain stripped all raiment from their limbs, and on earth they laid, And in nought save thin white tunics men saw their bodies arrayed. Bounding as two wild panthers they raced o'er the clover green; But long ere they won to the fountain, there standing was Siegfried seen. In all manner of prowess ever men gave him the chiefest renown. Straightway he unbuckled his war-glaive, his quiver laid he down, And he leaned the stubborn boar-spear on the linden-tree's smooth shaft. And the princely guest stood waiting where the dimpling ripples laughed: Yea, Siegfried then, as ever, his knightly courtesy showed. He laid on the earth his buckler hard by where the runnel flowed. How sorely he thirsted soever, not yet the hero drank Till first the King had drunken--he earned right evil thank! {P. 133} Clear was the spring as crystal, pure was the water and cool. Down on the brink bowed Gunther, and stooped his lips to the pool; And when to the full he had drunken, again to his feet did he rise, While still looked Siegfried the fearless on the water with longing eyes. For his courtesy heavily paid he!--his bow and his mighty sword Were borne away by Hagen from their noble-hearted lord. Back swiftly sprang the traitor; on the javelin his grasp he laid, And glared in search of the token at the vest of the man betrayed. Even as Siegfried the noble drank of the life-giving flood, Fair through the crosslet he stabbed him. Sprang from the wound the blood, His heart's blood; and Hagen's tunic was besprent with murder's stain. --Never may hand of warrior such villainy do again!