The Nibelungenlied Part 60

With that an aged huntsman a watchful limehound took, And shortly brought the champion into a shady nook, Where store of beasts were couching; as each sprung from his lair, The warriors, like good hunters, fell on and caught them there.

XIX

All, that the limehound started, anon with mighty hand Were slain by n.o.ble Siegfried, the Chief of Netherland.

No beast could there outrun him, so swift his steed could race; He won from all high praises for mastery in the chase.

XX

Whatever he attempted, he went the best before.

The first beast he encounter'd was a fierce half-bred boar.

Him with a mighty death-stroke he stretch'd upon the ground; Just after in a thicket a lion huge he found.

XXI

Him the limehound started; his bow Sir Siegfried drew; With a keen-headed arrow he shot the lion through.

But three faint bounds thereafter the dying monster made.

His wond'ring fellow-huntsmen thanks to Sir Siegfried paid.

XXII

Then one upon another a buffalo, an elk He slew, four strong ure-oxen, and last a savage shelk.

No beast, how swift soever, could leave his steed behind; Scarcely their speed could profit the flying hart or hind.

XXIII

Next the sagacious limer a monstrous wild boar trac'd; Just then the master-hunter came sudden up in haste, And cross'd his path undaunted as he to fly began.

Straight the churning monster at his opponent ran.

XXIV

Then forward sprung Sir Siegfried, and with his sword him slew; Such feat, I ween, no hunter besides had dared to do.

Then leash'd they the good limehound, and from the thicket led, And told all the Burgundians how Siegfried's chase had sped.

XXV

Then said his merry huntsmen, "Sir Siegfried, be so kind As not our wood to empty, but leave some game behind.

There'll else be nothing living on mountain or on wold."

The champion at their jesting his laughter scarce could hold.

XXVI

They heard then all about them, throughout those forest grounds, Such shouting and such baying of huntsmen and of hounds, That hill and wood re-echoed with the wild uproar.

Th' attendants had uncoupled four and twenty dogs or more.

XXVII

Then full many a monster was doom'd his last to groan.

They thought with glad expectance to challenge for their own The praise for the best hunting; but lower sunk their pride, When to the tryst-fire shortly they saw Sir Siegfried ride.

XXVIII

The hunting now was over for the most part at least; Game was brought in plenty and skins of many a beast To the place of meeting, and laid the hearth before.

Ah! to the busy kitchen what full supplies they bore!

XXIX

Then bade Gunther summon the n.o.ble hunting crew To the royal breakfast; a horn a huntsman blew That far and wide re-echoed, and told to all around That by the tryst-fire ready the king was to be found.

x.x.x

Said one of Siegfried's huntsmen, "I heard a warning blast, That thrilling horn a.s.sures me our hunting time is past; We must back to our fellows; answer it will I."

So through the wood resounding rang question and reply.

x.x.xI

Then spake the good Sir Siegfried, "Well! let us leave the wood."

His courser bore him smoothly, fast p.r.i.c.k'd his comrades good.

With their noise they rous'd a monster, a wild bear fierce and grim.

Said Siegfried o'er his shoulder to those who follow'd him,

x.x.xII

"Now, comrades, look for pastime! see you yon thicket there?

Slip the dog directly; I spy a monstrous bear.

The same shall instant with us hence to the trysting-place.

To get off in safety swift he indeed must pace."

x.x.xIII

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.

x.x.xIV