_Enter_ SIEGFRIED; _as_ HAGEN _notices hint_.
HAGEN.
By all the fiends of hell! No! ten times no!
It were disgrace for us, and Siegfried thinks
Assuredly as I do. Here he comes!
Now speak, thou may'st decide it.--
(_As_ DANKWART _enters_.)
Though thy word
Can alter nothing more. The answer's gone.
(_To_ DANKWART.)
Thou surely hast not spared to scourge them well
(_To_ SIEGFRIED.)
Yet set thy seal upon it even so!
SIEGFRIED.
What's this?
HAGEN.
The dogs have come again to sue
For peace. I ordered that the worthless knaves
With scourges should be driven from the court
Before they gave their message.
SIEGFRIED.
'Twas well done!
HAGEN.
The King indeed reproves me, for he thinks
We know not what has happened.
SIEGFRIED.
What? Not know?
I know! For when a wolf is chased along,
He harms not those before him!
HAGEN.
That is true!
SIEGFRIED.
And more than that! Behind them is a horde
Of savage tribesmen who will never sow,
And yet they want to reap.
HAGEN.
Now do you see?
SIEGFRIED.
But you should show no mercy on the wolf
Because he has no time to guard himself.
HAGEN.
We surely shall not.
SIEGFRIED.
Come, we'll help the foxes
And drive him to his final hiding place,
Within the foxes' bellies.
HAGEN.
That we'll do;
Yet let us not exert ourselves in vain,
And so--Let's hunt today.
GISELHER.
I will not go.
GERENOT.
Nor will I either.
SIEGFRIED.
You are young and brave,
Yet follow not the chase, but bide at home?
They would have had to tie me, and the cords
I would have gnawed in two. Oh huntsman's joy!
If one could only sing it!
HAGEN.
Wilt thou go?
SIEGFRIED.
Go!--Friend, I am so full of rage and wrath
That I could quarrel now with any man,
And so I long for bloodshed.
HAGEN.
And I too!