Forth rode with heart exultant Siegfried amidst of the rest.
All manner of meats followed after for the feasting of host and guest.
In the wood’s dark heart cool-welling is a spring—there left he his life
By the counselling of Brunhild, King Gunther’s ruthless wife.
But the bold knight, ere he departed, farewell to his wife would say.
Already on sumpters laden was his goodly hunting array,
And the gear of his woodland-fellows, for over the Rhine would they now.
But behold, she wept—ah, never had she more cause, I trow!
Soft on the lips he kissed her, his well-belovèd one:
“God grant me to see thee, belovèd, safe and sound anon,