[943]

Now the chase was ended, / —and yet complete 'twas not.
All they to camp who wended / with them thither brought
Skin of full many an animal / and of game good store.
Heigho! unto the table / how much the king's attendants bore!

[944]

Then bade the king the noble / hunters all to warn
That he would take refreshment, / and loud a hunting-horn
In one long blast was winded: / to all was known thereby
That the noble monarch / at camp did wait their company.

[945]

Spake one of Siegfried's huntsmen: / "Master, I do know
By blast of horn resounding / that we now shall go
Unto the place of meeting; / thereto I'll make reply."
Then for the merry hunters / blew the horn right lustily.

[946]

Then spake Sir Siegfried: / "Now leave we eke the green."
His charger bore him smoothly, / and followed huntsmen keen.
With their rout they started / a beast of savage kind,
That was a bear untaméd. / Then spake the knight to those behind

[947]

"For our merry party / some sport will I devise.
Let slip the hound then straightway, / a bear now meets my eyes,
And with us shall he thither / unto the camp-fire fare.
Full rapid must his flight be / shall he our company forbear."