Straight they slipp'd the limer; off leapt the bear with speed; Sir Siegfried thought to catch him through swiftness of his steed. He came on fallen timber, so thus it could not be; Then deem'd himself the monster from his fierce hunter free. XXXIV Down sprang from horse Sir Siegfried, and plied on foot the chase; Naught then could aid the monster o'ermaster'd in the race. Sir Siegfried strongly seized him, and cast a rope around, And, ere he once could wound him, the struggling bear he bound. XXXV So fast the warrior bound him, he could nor scratch nor bite, Then tied him to the saddle, and after mounted light. So to the tryst-fire laughing with his snorting load, By way of sport and pastime, the fearless warrior rode. XXXVI In his state how lordly thither he came along! Huge was his mighty boar-spear, weighty and broad and strong; To his spur descended the good sword that he wore; Of ruddy gold fair glittering a hunting horn he bore. XXXVII Of better hunting-vesture never heard I tell. His coat of darkest samite became the warrior well. His cap of richest sable sat with a careless grace, And his death-fraught quiver was bound with many a lace. XXXVIII With the skin of a panther the same was cover'd o'er For its balmy sweetness; a strong bow too he bore, Which none but with a windlass could draw, howe'er he strove, Unless himself was present at the mark to rove. XXXIX All his outer garment was of a lynx's hide, From head to foot with cunning 'twas speckled all and pied. On either side descending of the master-hunter bold From the rich fur there glitter'd many a bright thread of gold. XL Girded he was with Balmung, a broad and mighty blade, With such keen cutting edges, that straight its way it made Where'er it smote on helmet, and thousands did to die. 'Sooth was the lordly hunter of bearing proud and high. XLI Besides (of this my story to tell you every part) Fraught was his splendid quiver with many a dreary dart; The shaft of each was gilded, a hand's-breadth was the steel. 'Twas death of those grim arrows a single wound to feel. XLII So stately from the forest rode on the noble knights; The men of Gunther mark'd him soon as he came in sight, And ran, and held his courser, and gave him tendance fair. Meanwhile close to the saddle lay bound the groaning bear. XLIII The knight, from horse alighting, soft the band untied That bound his paws and muzzle; straight when the bear they spied, All the pack of yelpers open'd on him loud. The beast made for the forest, scattering the startled crowd. XLIV