e folk fell in great fear. Affrighted
by the noise, it ran through the kitchen. Nimbly started the scullions
from their place by the fire. Pots were upset and the brands strewed
over all. Alack! the good meats that tumbled into the ashes!

Then up sprang the princes and their men. The bear began to growl, and
the king gave order to slip the hounds that were on leash. I'faith, it
had been a merry day if it had ended so.

Hastily, with their bows and spears, the warriors, swift of foot, chased
the bear, but there were so many dogs that none durst shoot among them,
and the forest rang with the din. Then the bear fled before the dogs,
and none could keep pace with him save Kriemhild's husband, that ran up
to him and pierced him dead with his sword, and carried the carcase back
with him to the fire. They that saw it said he was a mighty man.

Then they bade the sportsmen to the table, and they sat down, a goodly
company enow, on a fair meadow. Ha! what dishes, meet for heroes, were
set before them. But the cup-bearers were tardy, that should have
brought the wine. Save for that, knights were never better served. If
there had not been false-hearted men among them, they had been without
reproach. The doomed man had no suspicion that might have warned him,
for his own heart was pure of all deceit. Many that his death profited
not at all had to pay for it bitterly.

Then said Sir Siegfried, "I marvel, since they bring us so much from the
kitchen, that they bring not the wine. If good hunters be entreated so,
I will hunt no more. Certes, I have deserved better at your hands."

Whereto the king at the table answered falsely, "What lacketh to-day we
will make good another time. The blame is Hagen's, that would have us
perish of thirst."

Then said Hagen of Trony, "Dear master, Methought we were to hunt to-day
at Spessart, and I sent the wine thither. For the present we must go
thirsty; another time I will take better care."

But Siegfried cried, "Small thank to him. Seven sumpters with meat and
spiced wines should he have sent here at the least, or, if that might not
be, we should have gone nigher to the Rhine."

Hagen of Trony answered, "I know of a cool spring close at hand. Be not
wroth with me, but take my counsel, and go thither." The which was done,
to the hurt of many warriors. Siegfried was sore athirst and bade push
back the table, that he might go to the spring at the foot of the
mountain. Fa