Scared by the din and uproar he through the kitchen rac'd. Ah! how the cooks and scullions from round the fire he chas'd! Upset were pans and kettles, and store of savory hashes, Roast, boil'd, and stew'd together were hissing in the ashes. XLV From their seats upstarted the lords and all the band; The bear flew into fury; straight gave the king command The hounds to uncouple, and slip them on the prey. Had it all thus ended, it had been a merry day. XLVI With bows and mighty boar-spears (no more was quiet there) Upsprung the light-foot warriors and chas'd the flying bear. The dogs there were so many, none dar'd a dart to fling. With shouting and hallooing they made the mountains ring. XLVII Before the dogs he scamper'd; they follow'd where he led; But 'twas the swift-foot Siegfried that caught him as he fled. Once with his sword he smote him; he wallow'd in his gore. Back to the scatter'd tryst-fire his friends the monster bore. XLVIII Loud shouted each beholder that 'twas a matchless blow. Now the high-born hunters were bidden to table go. Down in a flowery meadow sat they right merrily. Ah! what dainty viands cheer'd that proud company! XLIX Still delay'd the attendants the ruddy wine to pour. Never else were warriors better serv'd before. But for the heinous treason with which they fram'd their plot, All that choice band of champions were free from blame or blot. L Then said the noble Siegfried, "I needs must wonder here, That joyous wine is wanting with such abundant cheer. When so o'erflows the kitchen, how is't the cellar's dry? Treat merry hunters better, or hunt no more will I. LI "I have deserv'd in Rhineland more hospitable care." Then answering from the table spoke Gunther false and fair. "This fault shall soon be mended, and reason done you first. For this we may thank Hagan, who makes us die of thirst." LII Then said the Chief of Trony, "My lord and master dear, I thought that this day's hunting was not to be held here, But in the wood of Spessart, so thither sent the wine. The like shall never happen again by fault of mine." LIII Then said the Netherlander, "Little thank I such care. I look'd for seven good sumpters to mend our thirsty fare With mead and wine of spices; if so we could not dine, Better by far have placed us close beside the Rhine." LIV Then spake the Chief of Trony, "Ye noble knights and bold, I know just to our wishes a runnel clear and cold Close by, so be not angry, but thither let us go." Th' advice brought many a champion sorrow and mortal woe. LV Yet could not then his danger the death-doom'd hero spy. Little thought he so foully by seeming friends to die. His heart knew naught of falsehood; 'twas open, frank and plain. For his death dear paid thereafter who fondly hop'd to gain. LVI