[963]

Then spake who there had seen it, / he was a man of might.
Soon to the table bade they / come each noble knight,
And on a smiling meadow / the noble company sat.
Heigho, with what rare victuals / did they upon the huntsmen wait!

[964]

Ne'er appeared a butler / wine for them to pour.
Than they good knights were never / better served before,
And had there not in secret / been lurking treachery,
Then were the entertainers / from every cause of cavil free.

[965]

Then spake Sir Siegfried: / "A wonder 'tis to me,
Since that from the kitchen / so full supplied are we,
Why to us the butlers / of wine bring not like store:
If such the huntsman's service / a huntsman reckon me no more.

[966]

"Meseems I yet did merit / some share of courtesy."
The king who sat at table / spake then in treachery:
"Gladly shall be amended / wherein we're guilty so.
The fault it is of Hagen, / he'd willing see us thirsting go."

[967]

Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Good master, hear me say,
I weened for this our hunting / we did go to-day
Unto the Spessart forest: / the wine I thither sent.
Go we to-day a-thirsting, / I'll later be more provident."