HAGEN (comes back and lays aside his weapons).

  The weapons will impede me when I stoop.

  [Retires again.]

  SIEGFRIED.

  Before the full assemblage of thy folk,
  Kriemhild will sue for pardon ere we go. 
  This pledge was freely given, but she longs
  To leave and hide her blushes.

  HAGEN (returns).

  Cold as ice!

  SIEGFRIED.

  Who next?

  VOLKER.

  First let us eat.

  SIEGFRIED.

  ’Tis well!
  [He goes toward the spring but turns back again.]

  Ah yes!

  [He lays aside his weapons.  Exit.]

  HAGEN (pointing to the weapons).

  Away with them!

  DANKWART (carries the weapons away).

  HAGEN (who has taken up his own weapons again and has
  meanwhile kept his back turned toward GUNTHER; takes
  a running start and throws his spear).

  SIEGFRIED (cries out).

  My friends!

  HAGEN (exclaims).

  Not quiet yet?

  (To the others.)

  No word with him, whatever he may say!

  SIEGFRIED (crawls forward).

  Murdered—­while I was drinking!  Gunther, Gunther? 
  Have I deserved this from thee?  In thy need
  I stood by thee.

  HAGEN.

  Lop branches from the trees,
  We need a bier.  Quick, choose the strongest limbs,
  For heavy is a dead man.

  SIEGFRIED.

  I am slain,
  But yet not wholly!

  [He springs up.]

  Where then is my sword? 
  They’ve taken it!  Oh, by thy manhood, Hagen,
  Give the dead man a sword!  I challenge thee
  E’en now to mortal combat!

  HAGEN.

  In his mouth
  He has his enemy, yet seeks him still.

  SIEGFRIED.

  My life drips from me like a candle spent,
  And e’en my sword this murderer denies,
  Though granting it would render him less vile. 
  For shame!  Such cowardice!  He fears my thumb,
  For that is all that’s left of me.

  [He stumbles over his shield.]

  My shield! 
  My faithful shield, I’ll throw thee at the hound!

  [He stoops over the shield, but cannot lift it, and rises
  unsteadily once more.]

  As if ’twere nailed there!  E’en for this revenge
  ’Tis now too late!

  HAGEN.

  Oh, if this chatterer
  Would maim his foolish tongue between his teeth
  Where it has sinned so long all unreproved—­
  His idle tongue that is not silenced yet!—­
  Then would he have revenge, for that alone
  Has brought him to this pass.

  SIEGFRIED.

  Thou liest!  ’Twas
  Thine envy!

  HAGEN.