977.
In all he put his hand to he won the prize from all.
Straightway his sword he loosen’d and let his quiver fall;
Against a bough of linden he let his stout spear rest;
Close by the flowing fountain now stood the stately guest.
978.
And herein also Siegfried did manifest his worth:
He laid his shield beside him where flow’d the fountain forth,
But, greatly as he thirsted, the hero tasted not
Before the king had drunken: base thanks from him he got.
979.
Cool was the spring of water, and clean, and bright, and good;
And Gunther bent him downwards to the refreshing flood;
As soon as he had quenchéd his thirst, away he came;
Then ready was bold Siegfried and would have done the same.
980.
His courtesy and breeding, then met with their reward:
For Hagen to the background withdrew his bow and sword.
Then back again ran quickly to where he found the spear,
And looked to find a token the hero’s coat did bear.
981.
And whilst the noble Siegfried drank of the rippling flood
He stabb’d him through the cross-mark, and through the wound his blood
Straight from his heart outspurted, and Hagen’s shirt was wet;
So foul a misdeed never befell a hero yet.
982.
He left the lance within him close to his heart stuck tight;
And grimly then did Hagen betake himself to flight,
As in his life he never from mortal man did flee.
The stalwart Siegfried, feeling how sorely smit was he,
