The Nibelungenlied Part 61

Down sprang from horse Sir Siegfried, and plied on foot the chase; Naught then could aid the monster o'ermaster'd in the race.

Sir Siegfried strongly seized him, and cast a rope around, And, ere he once could wound him, the struggling bear he bound.

x.x.xV

So fast the warrior bound him, he could nor scratch nor bite, Then tied him to the saddle, and after mounted light.

So to the tryst-fire laughing with his snorting load, By way of sport and pastime, the fearless warrior rode.

x.x.xVI

In his state how lordly thither he came along!

Huge was his mighty boar-spear, weighty and broad and strong; To his spur descended the good sword that he wore; Of ruddy gold fair glittering a hunting horn he bore.

x.x.xVII

Of better hunting-vesture never heard I tell.

His coat of darkest samite became the warrior well.

His cap of richest sable sat with a careless grace, And his death-fraught quiver was bound with many a lace.

x.x.xVIII

With the skin of a panther the same was cover'd o'er For its balmy sweetness; a strong bow too he bore, Which none but with a windla.s.s could draw, howe'er he strove, Unless himself was present at the mark to rove.

x.x.xIX

All his outer garment was of a lynx's hide, From head to foot with cunning 'twas speckled all and pied.

On either side descending of the master-hunter bold From the rich fur there glitter'd many a bright thread of gold.

XL

Girded he was with Balmung, a broad and mighty blade, With such keen cutting edges, that straight its way it made Where'er it smote on helmet, and thousands did to die.

'Sooth was the lordly hunter of bearing proud and high.

XLI

Besides (of this my story to tell you every part) Fraught was his splendid quiver with many a dreary dart; The shaft of each was gilded, a hand's-breadth was the steel.

'Twas death of those grim arrows a single wound to feel.

XLII

So stately from the forest rode on the n.o.ble knights; The men of Gunther mark'd him soon as he came in sight, And ran, and held his courser, and gave him tendance fair.

Meanwhile close to the saddle lay bound the groaning bear.

XLIII

The knight, from horse alighting, soft the band untied That bound his paws and muzzle; straight when the bear they spied, All the pack of yelpers open'd on him loud.

The beast made for the forest, scattering the startled crowd.

XLIV

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.