Beyond all friends and kinsmen do I put chief trust in thee!

But seeing that now for a season war unto peace giveth place,

Go to, let us hunt the wild-boar and hold the bear in chase

In the Odenwald, as ofttimes in days overpast have I done.”

—By Hagen was all this plotted, the utter-treacherous one.

“Each guest of mine by my message shall straightway be certified

That tomorn we go forth hunting: whoso with me will ride,

Let him hold him early ready: if any will bide here still

Fleeting careless hours with the ladies, that doth he with my good will.”

With knightly courtesy Siegfried made answer thereunto: