a huntsman and some brach, (1) and I will
ride to the pines."

"Will ye have but one?" spake the king anon. "I'll lend you, an' ye
will, four men to whom both wood and paths be known where the game is
wont to go, and who will not let you miss the camp."

Then rode the full lusty warrior to his wife, whilst Hagen quickly told
the king how he thought to trap the doughty knight. A man should never
use such faithlessness.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Brach", 'hunting dog', cognate with M.H.G. "braeke", used
here.

ADVENTURE XVI. How Siegfried Was Slain.

Gunther and Hagen, the passing bold knights, faithlessly let cry
a-hunting in the woods, that with sharp spears they would hunt boars
and bears and bison. What might be braver? With them rode Siegfried
in lordly guise; many kinds of victual did they take along. At a cool
spring he later lost his life, the which Brunhild, King Gunther's wife,
had counseled. The bold knight then went to where he found Kriemhild.
His costly hunting garb and those of his fellowship were already bound
upon the sumpters, for they would cross the Rhine. Never could Kriemhild
have been more sorrowful. He kissed his love upon her mouth. "God let
me see thee, lady, still in health and grant that thine eyes may see me
too. Thou shalt have pastime with thy loving kinsmen. I may not stay at
home."

Then she thought of the tale she had told to Hagen, though she durst not
say a whit. The noble queen began to rue that she was ever born. Lord
Siegfried's wife wept out of measure. She spake to the knight: "Let be
your hunting. I had an evil dream last night, how two wild boars did
chase you across the heath; then flowers grew red. I have in truth great
cause to weep so sore. I be much adread of sundry plans and whether we
have not misserved some who might bear us hostile hate. Tarry here, dear
my lord, that I counsel by my troth."

He spake: "Dear love, I'll come back in a few short days. I wot not here
of people who bear me aught of hate. Each and all of thy kinsmen be my
friends, nor have I deserved it other of the knights."

"No, no, Sir Siegfried, in truth I fear thy fall. I had last night an
evil dream, how two mountains fell upon thee. I saw thee nevermore. It
doth cut me to the heart, that thou wilt part from me."

In his arms he clasped his courteous wife and kissed her tenderly. Then
in a short space he took his leave and parted hence. Alas, she never saw
him in health again.