andeth in the fight and many
javelins are cast by heroes' hands, that I may lose this dear husband of
mine. Alas, how oft I suffer sore for Siegfried's sake! Dear kinsman, in
the hope that thou wilt hold thy troth with me, I'll tell thee where
men may wound the dear lord of mine. I let thee hear this, 'tis done in
faith. When the hot blood gushed from the dragon's wounds and the bold
hero and a good bathed him therein, a broad linden leaf did fall betwixt
his shoulder blades. Therefore am I sore afraid that men may cut him
there."

Then spake Hagen of Troneg: "Sew a small mark upon his coat, whereby I
may know where I must guard him, when we stand in battle."

She weened to save her knight, but 'twas done unto his death. She spake:
"With fine silk I'll sew a secret cross upon his vesture. There, knight,
thy hand must guard my husband, when the strife is on and he standeth in
the battle before his foes."

"That will I well, dear my lady," Hagen then replied.

The lady weened that it would boot him aught, but Kriemhild's husband
was thereby betrayed. Hagen then took leave; merrily he hied him hence.
The king's liegeman was blithe of mood. I ween that nevermore will
warrior give such false counsel, as was done by him when Kriemhild
trusted in his troth.

Next morning Siegfried with a thousand of his men rode merrily forth. He
weened he should avenge the grievance of his kinsmen. Hagen rode so
near him that he could eye his clothes. When he saw the sign, he sent
in secret twain of his men, who should tell another tale: that Gunther's
land should still have peace and that Liudeger had sent them to the
king. How loth Siegfried now rode home again, or ever he had avenged his
kinsmen's wrongs! Gunther's men could hardly turn him back. He rode then
to the king; the host gan thank him. "Now God requite you of your will,
friend Siegfried, that ye do so willingly what I bid you. For this
I'll ever serve you, as I rightly should. I trust you more than all my
friends. Now that we be rid of this foray, I am minded to ride a-hunting
for bears and boars to the Vosges forest, as I have done oft-time." That
Hagen, the faithless knight, had counseled. "Let it be told to all my
guests, that we ride betimes. Those that would hunt with me must make
them ready. If any choose to stay at home to court the ladies, that
liketh me as well."

Then spake Sir Siegfried in lordly wise: "And ye would a-hunting, I'd
fain go with you. Pray lend me