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diff --git a/old/niebn10.txt b/old/niebn10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..56658d8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/niebn10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,18546 @@ +Project Gutenberg's The Nibelungenlied, trans. by George Henry Needler + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Nibelungenlied + Translated into Rhymed English Verse in the Metre of the Original + +Author: trans. by George Henry Needler + +Release Date: January, 2005 [EBook #7321] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on April 13, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NIBELUNGENLIED *** + + + + +Produced by David Starner, Thomas Berger, +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + +THE NIBELUNGENLIED + + +_Translated into Rhymed English Verse in the Metre of the Original_ + + +By + +George Henry Needler + +_Associate Professor of German in University College, Toronto_ + + * * * * * + +PREFACE + +This translation of the Nibelungenlied is published with the simple +purpose of placing one of the world's great epic poems within the reach +of English readers. Translations are at best but poor substitutes for +originals. A new translation of a poem implies also a criticism of those +that have preceded it. My apology for presenting this new English version +of the Nibelungenlied is that none of those hitherto made has reproduced +the metrical form of the original. In the hope of making the outlines of +the poem clearer for the modern reader, I have endeavored to supply in +the Introduction a historical background by summing up the results of +investigation into its origin and growth. The translation itself was +begun many years ago, when I studied the original under Zarncke in +Leipzig. + +G. H. N. + +University College, Toronto, September, 1904. + + * * * * * + +CONTENTS + +INTRODUCTION. + +I. THE NIBELUNGEN SAGA. + + 1. Origin of the Saga. + 2. The Northern Form of the Saga. + 3. The Saga as Preserved in the Nibelungenlied. + 4. Mythical Element and Historical Element. + +II. THE NIBELUNGENLIED. + + 1. The Manuscripts. + 2. Stages in the Evolution of the Poem. + 3. Character of the Poem. + 4. Later Forms of the Saga. + 5. Poem and Saga in Modern Literature. + 6. Modern German Translations. + 7. English Translations. + 8. Editions of the Nibelungenlied. + +THE NIBELUNGENLIED. + + FIRST ADVENTURE: Kriemhild's Dream. + SECOND ADVENTURE: Siegfried. + THIRD ADVENTURE: How Siegfried Came to Worms. + FOURTH ADVENTURE: How Siegfried Fought with the Saxons. + FIFTH ADVENTURE: How Siegfried first Saw Kriemhild. + SIXTH ADVENTURE: How Gunther Fared to Isenland to Brunhild. + SEVENTH ADVENTURE: How Gunther Won Brunhild. + EIGHTH ADVENTURE: How Siegfried Fared to his Knights, the Nibelungen. + NINTH ADVENTURE: How Siegfried was Sent to Worms. + TENTH ADVENTURE: How Brunhild was Received at Worms. + ELEVENTH ADVENTURE: How Siegfried Came Home with his Wife. + TWELFTH ADVENTURE: How Gunther Bade Siegfried to the Feast. + THIRTEENTH ADVENTURE: How They Fared to the Feast. + FOURTEENTH ADVENTURE: How the Queens Berated Each Other. + FIFTEENTH ADVENTURE: How Siegfried was Betrayed. + SIXTEENTH ADVENTURE: How Siegfried was Slain. + SEVENTEENTH ADVENTURE: How Kriemhild Mourned for Siegfried. + EIGHTEENTH ADVENTURE: How Sigmund Fared Home Again. + NINETEENTH ADVENTURE: How the Nibelungen Hoard was Brought to Worms. + TWENTIETH ADVENTURE: How King Etzel Sent for Kriemhild. + TWENTY-FIRST ADVENTURE: How Kriemhild Fared to the Huns. + TWENTY-SECOND ADVENTURE: How Etzel Kept the Wedding-feast. + TWENTY-THIRD ADVENTURE: How Kriemhild Thought to Avenge Her Wrong. + TWENTY-FOURTH ADVENTURE: How Werbel and Schwemmel Brought the Message. + TWENTY-FIFTH ADVENTURE: How the Knights all Fared to the Huns. + TWENTY-SIXTH ADVENTURE: How Gelfrat was Slain by Dankwart. + TWENTY-SEVENTH ADVENTURE: How They Came to Bechelaren. + TWENTY-EIGHTH ADVENTURE: How the Burgundians Came to Etzel's Castle. + TWENTY-NINTH ADVENTURE: How He Arose not before Her. + THIRTIETH ADVENTURE: How They Kept Guard. + THIRTY-FIRST ADVENTURE: How They Went to Mass. + THIRTY-SECOND ADVENTURE: How Bloedel was Slain. + THIRTY-THIRD ADVENTURE: How the Burgundians Fought with the Huns. + THIRTY-FOURTH ADVENTURE: How They Cast Out the Dead. + THIRTY-FIFTH ADVENTURE: How Iring was Slain. + THIRTY-SIXTH ADVENTURE: How the Queen Bade Set Fire to the Hall. + THIRTY-SEVENTH ADVENTURE: How the Margrave Ruediger was Slain. + THIRTY-EIGHTH ADVENTURE: How All Sir Dietrich's Knights were Slain. + THIRTY-NINTH ADVENTURE: How Gunther and Hagen and Kriemhild were Slain. + + * * * * * + +THE NIBELUNGENLIED + +I. THE NIBELUNGEN SAGA + +1. Origin of the Saga + +All the Aryan peoples have had their heroic age, the achievements of +which form the basis of later saga. For the Germans this was the period +of the Migrations, as it is called, in round numbers the two hundred +years from 400 to 600, at the close of which we find them settled in +those regions which they have, generally speaking, occupied ever since. +During these two centuries kaleidoscopic changes had been taking place in +the position of the various Germanic tribes. Impelled partly by a native +love of wandering, partly by the pressure of hostile peoples of other +race, they moved with astonishing rapidity hither and thither over the +face of Europe, generally in conflict with one another or buffeted by the +Romans in the west and south, and by the Huns in the east. In this stern +struggle for existence and search for a permanent place of settlement +some of them even perished utterly; amid the changing fortunes of all of +them deeds were performed that fixed themselves in the memory of the +whole people, great victories or great disasters became the subject of +story and song. We need only to recall such names as those of Ermanric +and Theodoric to remind ourselves what an important part was played by +the Germanic peoples of that Migration Period in the history of Europe. +During it a national consciousness was engendered, and in it we have the +faint beginnings of a national literature. Germanic saga rests almost +entirely upon the events of these two centuries, the fifth and sixth. +Although we get glimpses of the Germans during the four or five preceding +centuries, none of the historic characters of those earlier times have +been preserved in the national sagas. + +With these sagas based on history, however, have been mingled in most +cases primeval Germanic myths, possessions of the people from prehistoric +times. A most conspicuous example of this union of mythical and +originally historical elements is the Nibelungen saga, out of which grew +in course of time the great national epic, the Nibelungenlied. + +The Nibelungen saga is made up of two parts, on the one hand the mythical +story of Siegfried and on the other the story, founded on historic fact, +of the Burgundians. When and how the Siegfried myth arose it is +impossible to say; its origin takes us back into the impenetrable mists +of the unrecorded life of our Germanic forefathers, and its form was +moulded by the popular poetic spirit. The other part of the saga is based +upon the historic incident of the overthrow of the Burgundian kingdom by +the Huns in the year 437. This annihilation of a whole tribe naturally +impressed itself vividly upon the imagination of contemporaries. Then the +fact of history soon began to pass over into the realm of legend, and, +from causes which can no longer be determined, this tradition of the +vanished Burgundians became united with the mythical story of Siegfried. +This composite Siegfried-Burgundian saga then became a common possession +of the Germanic peoples, was borne with many of them to lands far distant +from the place of its origin, and was further moulded by each according +to its peculiar genius and surroundings. In the Icelandic Eddas, the +oldest of which we have as they were written down in the latter part of +the ninth century, are preserved the earliest records of the form it had +taken among the northern Germanic peoples. Our Nibelungenlied, which is +the chief source of our knowledge of the story as it developed in +Germany, dates from about the year 1200. These two versions, the Northern +and the German, though originating in this common source, had diverged +very widely in the centuries that elapsed between their beginning and the +time when the manuscripts were written in which they are preserved. Each +curtailed, re-arranged, or enlarged the incidents of the story in its own +way. The character of the chief actors and the motives underlying what we +may call the dramatic development assumed widely dissimilar forms. The +German Nibelungenlied may be read and appreciated as one of the world's +great epic poems without an acquaintance on the part of the reader with +the Northern version of the saga. In order, however, to furnish the +setting for a few episodes that would in that case remain either obscure +or colorless, and with a view to placing the readers of this translation +in a position to judge better the deeper significance of the epic as the +eloquent narrative of a thousand years of the life of the people among +whom it grew, the broad outlines of the saga in its Northern form will be +given here. + + +2. The Northern Form of the Saga + +Starting at the middle of the fifth century from the territory about +Worms on the Rhine where the Burgundians were overthrown, the saga soon +spread from the Franks to the other Germanic peoples. We have evidence of +its presence in northern Germany and Denmark. Allusions to it in the +Anglo-Saxon poem, the _Wanderer_, of the seventh century and in the great +Anglo-Saxon epic _Beowulf_ of a short time later, show us that it had +early become part of the national saga stock in England. Among the people +of Norway and Iceland it took root and grew with particular vigor. Here, +farthest away from its original home and least exposed to outward +influences, it preserved on the whole most fully its heathen Germanic +character, especially in its mythical part. By a fortunate turn of +events, too, the written record of it here is of considerably earlier +date than that which we have from Germany. The Eddas, as the extensive +collection of early Icelandic poems is called, are the fullest record of +Germanic mythology and saga that has been handed down to us, and in them +the saga of Siegfried and the Nibelungen looms up prominently. The +earliest of these poems date from about the year 850, and the most +important of them were probably written down within a couple of centuries +of that time. They are thus in part some three centuries older than the +German Nibelungenlied, and on the whole, too, they preserve more of the +original outlines of the saga. By bringing together the various episodes +of the saga from the Eddas and the Volsung saga, a prose account of the +mythical race of the Volsungs, we arrive at the following narrative. + +On their wanderings through the world the three gods Odin, Honir, and +Loki come to a waterfall where an otter is devouring a fish that it has +caught. Loki kills the otter with a stone, and they take off its skin. In +the evening they seek a lodging at the house of Hreidmar, to whom they +show the skin. Hreidmar recognizes it as that of his son, whom Loki has +killed when he had taken on the form of an otter. Assisted by his sons +Fafnir and Regin, Hreidmar seizes the three gods, and spares their lives +only on the promise that they will fill the skin, and also cover it +outwardly, with gold. Loki is sent to procure the ransom. With a net +borrowed from the sea-goddess Ran he catches at the waterfall the dwarf +Andvari in form of a fish and compels him to supply the required gold. +Andvari tries to keep back a ring, but this also Loki takes from him, +whereupon the dwarf utters a curse upon the gold and whosoever may +possess it. The ransom is now paid to Hreidmar; even the ring must, on +Hreidmar's demand, be given in order to complete the covering of the +otter's skin. Loki tells him of the curse connected with the ownership of +the gold. When Hreidmar refuses Fafnir and Regin a share in the treasure, +he is killed by Fafnir, who takes possession of the hoard to the +exclusion of Regin. In the form of a dragon Fafnir dwells on Gnita Heath +guarding the hoard, while Regin broods revenge. + +From Odin is descended King Volsung, who has a family of ten sons and one +daughter. The eldest son is Sigmund, twin-born with his sister Signy. +King Siggeir of Gautland sues for the hand of Signy, whom her father +gives to Siggeir against her will. In the midst of King Volsung's hall +stood a mighty oak-tree. As the wedding-feast is being held there enters +a stranger, an old man with one eye, his hat drawn down over his face and +bearing in his hand a sword. This sword he thrusts to the hilt into the +tree, saying that it shall belong to him who can draw it out again; after +which he disappears as he had come. All the guests try their strength in +vain upon the sword, but Sigmund alone is able to draw it forth. He +refuses to sell it to Siggeir for all his proffered gold. Siggeir plans +vengeance. He invites Volsung and his sons to Gautland, and returns home +thither with his bride Signy, who before going warns her father to be +upon his guard. + +At the appointed time King Volsung and his sons go as invited to +Gautland. In spite of Signy's repeated warning he will not flee from +danger, and falls in combat with Siggeir; his ten sons are taken +prisoners, and placed in stocks in the forest. For nine successive nights +a she-wolf comes and devours each night one of them, till only Sigmund +remains. By the aid of Signy he escapes. The she-wolf, it was said, was +the mother of Siggeir. + +To Sigmund, who has hidden in a wood, Signy sends her eldest boy of ten +years that Sigmund may test his courage and see if he is fit to be a +helper in seeking revenge. Neither he, however, nor his younger brother +stands the test. Signy sees that only a scion of the race of Volsung will +suffice, and accordingly disguises herself and lives three days with +Sigmund in the wood. From their union a son Sinfiotli is born, whom also, +after ten years, she sends out to Sigmund. He stands every test of +courage, and is trained by Sigmund, who thinks he is Siggeir's son. + +Bent on revenge, Sigmund repairs with Sinfiotli to Siggeir's castle. +After Sinfiotli has slain the king's two sons, he and Sigmund are +overpowered and condemned to be buried alive. With Sigmund's sword, +however, which Signy has managed to place in their hands, they cut their +way out, then set fire to Siggeir's hall. Signy comes forth and reveals +to Sigmund that Sinfiotli is their own son; and then, saying that her +work of revenge is complete and that she can live no longer, she returns +into the burning hall and perishes with Siggeir and all his race. + +Sigmund now returns home and rules as a mighty king. He marries Borghild, +who later kills Sinfiotli with a poisoned drink, and is cast away by +Sigmund. He then marries Hjordis. Lyngvi, the son of King Hunding, was +also a suitor and now invades Sigmund's land. The latter hews down many +of his enemies, until an old man with one eye, in hat and dark cloak, +interposes his spear, against which Sigmund's sword breaks in two. +Sigmund falls severely wounded. + +In the night Hjordis seeks the scene of the combat and finds Sigmund +still alive. He refuses to allow her to heal his wounds, saying that Odin +no longer wills that he swing the sword. He tells Hjordis to preserve +carefully the pieces of the broken sword; the son she bears in her womb +shall yet swing the sword when welded anew, and win thereby a glorious +name. At dawn Sigmund dies. Hjordis is borne off by Vikings and, after +the birth of her son, she becomes the wife of the Danish prince Alf. + +The son of Hjordis was called Sigurd. He grew up a boy of wondrous +strength and beauty, with eyes that sparkled brightly, and lived at the +court of King Hjalprek, the father of Alf. Regin, the dwarfish brother of +Fafnir, was his tutor. Regin welds together the pieces of the broken +sword Gram, so sharp and strong that with it Sigurd cleaves Regin's anvil +in twain. With men and ships that he has received from King Hjalprek +Sigurd goes against the sons of Hunding, whom he slays, thereby avenging +the death of his father. Regin has urged him to kill Fafnir and take +possession of the hoard. On the Gnita Heath he digs a ditch from which, +as the dragon Fafnir passes over it, he plunges the sword into his heart. +The dying Fafnir warns him of the curse attached to the possession of the +gold; also that Regin is to be guarded against. The latter bids him roast +the heart of Fafnir. While doing so he burns his finger by dipping it in +the blood to see if the heart is done, and to cool his finger puts it +into his mouth. Suddenly he is able to understand the language of the +birds in the wood. They warn him to beware of Regin, whom he straightway +slays. The birds tell him further of the beautiful valkyrie Brynhild, who +sleeps on the fire-encircled mountain awaiting her deliverer. Then Sigurd +places Fafnir's hoard upon his steed Grani, takes with him also Fafnir's +helm, and rides away to Frankenland. He sees a mountain encircled by a +zone of fire, makes his way into it and beholds there, as he deems it, a +man in full armor asleep. When he takes off the helmet he finds that it +is a woman. With his sword he cuts loose the armor. The woman wakes and +asks if it be the hero Sigurd who has awakened her. In joy that it is so, +Brynhild relates to him how Odin had punished her by this magic sleep for +disobedience, and how that she had yet obtained from him the promise that +she should be wakened only by a hero who knew no fear. She now teaches +Sigurd many wise runes, and tells him of harm to fear through love of +her. In spite of all, however, Sigurd does not waver, and they swear an +oath of mutual faithful love. + +Next Sigurd comes to King Gjuki at the Rhine, and joins in friendship +with him and his sons Gunnar and Hogni. Queen Grimhild gives Sigurd a +potion which causes him to forget Brynhild and be filled with love for +her own daughter Gudrun, whom he marries. Gunnar now seeks Brynhild for +wife, and Sigurd goes with him on his wooing-journey. They come to the +castle encircled by fire, where Brynhild lives. She will be wooed only by +him who will ride to her through the flames. Gunnar tries in vain to do +this, even when mounted on Sigurd's steed Grani. Sigurd and Gunnar then +exchange shapes and the former spurs Grani through the flames. He calls +himself Gunnar the son of Gjuki, and finally Brynhild consents to become +his wife. Three nights he shares her couch, but always his sharp sword +lies between them. He takes the ring from her finger and places in its +stead one from Fafnir's treasure. Then he exchanges form again with +Gunnar, who is soon after wedded to Brynhild. Only now does Sigurd +recollect the oath that he once swore to Brynhild himself. + +One day Brynhild and Gudrun are bathing in the Rhine. A quarrel arises +between them when Brynhild takes precedence of Gudrun by going into the +water above her in the stream, saying that her husband is a braver and +mightier man than Gudrun's. Gudrun retorts by revealing the secret that +it was Sigurd in Gunnar's form, and not Gunnar himself, who rode through +the flame, and in proof thereof shows her the ring taken by Sigurd from +Brynhild's finger. Pale as death, Brynhild goes quietly home: Gunnar must +die, she says in wrath. Sigurd tries to pacify her, even offering to +desert Gudrun. Now she will have neither him nor another, and when Gunnar +appears she demands of him Sigurd's death. In spite of Hogni's protest +Gunnar's stepbrother Gutthorm, who has not sworn blood-friendship with +Sigurd, is got to do the deed. He is given the flesh of wolf and serpent +to eat in order to make him savage. Twice Gutthorm goes to kill Sigurd, +but cowers before the piercing glance of his eyes; at last he steals upon +Sigurd asleep and thrusts his sword through him. The dying Sigurd hurls +the sword after the fleeing murderer and cuts him in two. To Gudrun, who +wakes from sleep by his side, he points to Brynhild as the instigator of +the crime, and dies. Brynhild rejoices at the sound of Gudrun's wailing. +Gudrun cannot find relief for her grief, the tears will not flow. Men and +women seek to console her by tales of greater woes befallen them. But +still Gudrun cannot weep as she sits by Sigurd's corpse. At last one of +the women lifts the cloth from Sigurd's face and lays his head upon +Gudrun's lap. Then Gudrun gazes on his blood-besmirched hair, his dimmed +eyes, and breast pierced by the sword: she sinks down upon the couch and +a flood of tears bursts at length from her eyes. + +Brynhild now tells Gunnar that Sigurd had really kept faith with him on +the wooing journey; but she will live with him no longer and pierces +herself with a sword, after foretelling to Gunnar his future fate and +that of Gudrun. In accord with her own request she is burned on one +funeral-pyre with Sigurd, the sword between them as once before. + +Atli,[1] king of the Huns, now seeks Gudrun for wife. She refuses, but +Grimhild gives her a potion which causes her to forget Sigurd and the +past, and then she becomes the wife of Atli. After Sigurd's death Gunnar +had taken possession of the Niflungen hoard, and this Atli now covets. He +treacherously invites Gunnar and the others to visit him, which they do +in spite of Gudrun's warnings, first of all, however, sinking the hoard +in the Rhine. On their arrival Atli demands of them the hoard, which, he +says, belongs of right to Gudrun. On their refusal he attacks them. Hosts +of fighters on both sides fall and in the end Gunnar and Hogni, the only +two of their number remaining, are bound in fetters. Gunnar refuses +Atli's command to reveal the hiding-place of the hoard, bidding them +bring to him the heart of Hogni. They kill a servant and bring his heart +to Gunnar; but Gunnar sees how it still quivers with fear, and knows it +is not the heart of the fearless Hogni. Then the latter is really killed, +and his heart is brought to Gunnar, who cries exultingly that now only +the Rhine knows where the hoard lies hidden. In spite of Gudrun Atli +orders that Gunnar be thrown into a den of serpents. With a harp +communicated to him by Gudrun he pacifies them all but one, which stings +him to the heart, and thus Gunnar dies. Gudrun is nominally reconciled +with Atli, but in secret plans revenge for the death of her brothers. She +kills Atli's two sons, gives him at a banquet their blood to drink and +their hearts to eat. In the night she plunges a sword into his own heart, +confesses herself to him as his murderer, and sets fire to the castle, in +which Atli and all his remaining men are consumed. + +[1] That is, Attila; the Etzel of the Nibelungenlied. + + +3. The Saga as preserved in the Nibelungenlied + +The saga as we find it in the German Nibelungenlied differs very widely +in form and substance from the Northern version which has just been +outlined, though the two have still enough points of similarity to +indicate clearly a common origin. Each bears the stamp of the poetic +genius of the people among whom it grew. Of all the sagas of the Germanic +peoples none holds so prominent a place as the Nibelungen saga, and it +may safely be said that the epic literature of the world, though offering +poems of more refined literary worth, has none that are at the same time +such valuable records of the growth of the poetic genius of two kindred +peoples through many centuries of their early civilization as the Edda +poems of this saga and the Nibelungenlied. It is impossible here to +undertake a comparison of the two and point out in detail their +parallelism and their respective significance as monuments of +civilization; suffice it to indicate briefly the chief points of +difference in the two stories, and note particularly those parts of the +Nibelungenlied that have, as it were, suffered atrophy, and that point to +earlier stages of the saga in which, as in the Northern version, they +played a more important role. + +First, as to the hoard. The Nibelungenlied knows nothing of its being +taken by Loki from Andvari, of the latter's curse upon it, and how it +came finally into the possession of Fafnir, the giant-dragon. Here it +belongs, as we learn from Hagen's account (strophes 86-99), to Siegfried +(Sigurd), who has slain the previous owners of it, Schilbung and +Nibelung, and wrested it from its guardian the dwarf Alberich (Andvari). +From this point onward its history runs nearly parallel in the two +versions. After Siegfried's death it remains for a time with Kriemhild +(Gudrun), is treacherously taken from her by Gunther (Gunnar) and Hagen +(Hogni), and finally, before their journey to Etzel (Atli), sunk in the +Rhine. + +The protracted narrative of Sigurd's ancestry and his descent from Odin +has no counterpart in the Nibelungenlied. Here we learn merely that +Siegfried is the son of Siegmund. His father plays an entirely different +part; and his mother's name is not Hjordis, as in the Edda, but +Siegelind. + +Of Siegfried's youth the Nibelungenlied knows very little. No mention is +made of his tutelage to the dwarf smith Regin and preparation for the +slaying of the dragon Fafnir. The account of him placed in the mouth of +Hagen (strophes 86-501), how he won the hoard, the _tarnkappe_, and the +sword Balmung, and slew the dragon, is evidently a faint echo of an +earlier version of this episode, which sounds out of place in the more +modern German form of the story. From the latter the mythical element has +almost entirely vanished. It is worthy of note, moreover, that the very +brief account of Siegfried's slaying of the dragon is given in the +Nibelungenlied as separate from his acquisition of the hoard, and differs +in detail from that of the Edda. Of Sigurd's steed Grani, his ride to +Frankenland, and his awakening of Brynhild the Nibelungenlied has nothing +to tell us. Through the account of Siegfried's assistance to Gunther in +the latter's wooing of Brunhild (Adventures 6 and 7) shimmers faintly, +however, the earlier tradition of the mythical Siegfried's awakening of +the fire-encircled valkyrie. Only by our knowledge of a more original +version can we explain, for example, Siegfried's previous acquaintance +with Brunhild which the Nibelungenlied takes for granted but says nothing +of. On this point of the relation between Sigurd and Brynhild it is +difficult to form a clear account owing to the confusion and even +contradictions that exist when the various Northern versions themselves +are placed side by side. The name of the valkyrie whom Sigurd awakens +from her magic sleep is not directly mentioned. Some of the accounts are +based on the presupposition that she is one with the Brynhild whom Sigurd +later wooes for Gunnar, while others either know nothing of the sleeping +valkyrie or treat the two as separate personages. The situation in the +Nibelungenlied is more satisfactorily explained by the theory that they +were originally identical. But we see at once that the figure of Brunhild +has here lost much of its original significance. It is her quarrel with +Kriemhild (Gudrun) that leads to Siegfried's death, though the motives +are not just the same in the two cases; and after the death of Siegfried +she passes unaccountably from the scene. + +But it is in the concluding part of the story--the part which, as we +shall see, has its basis in actual history--that the two accounts diverge +most widely. So strange, indeed, has been the evolution of the saga that +the central character of it, Kriemhild (Gudrun) holds a diametrically +opposite relation to her husband Etzel (Atli) at the final catastrophe in +the two versions. In the Nibelungenlied as in the Edda the widowed +Kriemhild (Gudrun) marries King Etzel (Atli), her consent in the former +resulting from a desire for revenge upon the murderers of Siegfried, in +the latter from the drinking of a potion which takes away her memory of +him; in the Nibelungenlied it is Kriemhild who treacherously lures +Gunther and his men to their destruction unknown to Etzel, in the Edda +the invitation comes from Atli, while Gudrun tries to warn them to stay +at home; in the former Kriemhild is the author of the attack on the +guests, in the latter Atli; in the former Kriemhild is the frenzied +avenger of her former husband Siegfried's death upon her brother Gunther, +in the latter Gudrun is the avenger of her brothers' death upon her +husband Atli. + + +4. Mythical Element and Historical Element + +A sifting of the Nibelungen saga reveals a mythical element (the story of +Siegfried) and a historical element (the story of the Burgundians and +Etzel). How, when, and where these two elements were blended together +must remain largely a matter of conjecture. This united central body +received then from time to time accessions of other elements, some of +them originally historical in character, some of them pure inventions of +the poetic imagination. + +The Siegfried myth is the oldest portion of the Nibelungen saga, and had +already passed through a long period of development before its union with +the story of the Burgundian kings. Like so many others of its kind, it is +part of the spiritual equipment of our Germanic ancestors at the dawn of +their recorded history. It grew gradually with the people themselves and +has its counterpart among other peoples. Such myths are a record of the +impressions made upon the mind of man by the mighty manifestations of the +world of nature in which he lives; their formation may be likened to the +unconscious impressions of its surroundings on the mind of the child. And +just as the grown man is unable to trace back the formation of his own +individuality to its very beginnings in infancy, so is it impossible for +the later nation in its advanced stage to peer back beyond the dawn of +its history. It is in the gloom beyond the dawn that such myths as this +of Siegfried have their origin. + +Though modern authorities differ greatly in their conjectures, it is +generally agreed that the Siegfried story was in its original form a +nature-myth. The young day slays the mist-dragon and awakens the +sun-maiden that sleeps on the mountain; at evening he falls a prey to the +powers of gloom that draw the sun down again beneath the earth. With this +day-myth was probably combined the parallel myth of the changing seasons: +the light returns in spring, slays the cloud-dragon, and frees the +budding earth from the bonds of winter.[2] + +[2] For the Siegfried saga in general see Symons in Paul's Grundriss der +germanischen Philologie, 2d ed., vol. III, pp. 651-671. + +In the course of time this nature-myth became transformed into a +hero-saga; the liberating power of light was humanized into the person of +the light-hero Siegfried. This stage of development had already been +reached at the time of our earliest records, and the evidences point to +the Rhine Franks, a West Germanic tribe settled in the fifth century in +the country about Cologne, as the people among whom the transformation +from nature-myth to hero-saga took place, for it is among them that the +saga in its earliest form is localized. By the Rhine Siegfried is born, +there he wins the Nibelungen hoard, and in Frankenland he finds the +sleeping valkyrie. By the Rhine, too, he enters into service with the +Nibelungen kings and weds their sister. + +The Franks had as neighbors up-stream in the first half of the fifth +century the Burgundians, an East Germanic tribe. These Burgundians, who +were closely allied to the Goths, had originally dwelt in the Baltic +region between the Vistula and the Oder, whence they had made their way +south westward across Germany and settled in the year 413 in _Germania +prima_ on the west bank of the Rhine about Worms. Here a tragic fate was +soon to overtake them. In the year 435 they had already suffered a +reverse in a conflict with the Romans under Aetius, and two years later, +in 437, they were practically annihilated by the Huns. Twenty thousand of +them, we are told, fell in battle, the remainder were scattered +southward. Beyond the brief record by a contemporary, Prosper, we know +but little of this event. It has been conjectured that the Huns were on +this occasion acting as auxiliaries of Aetius. At any rate it is fairly +certain that Attila was not personally on the scene. + +We can easily imagine what a profound impression this extinction of the +Burgundians would produce upon the minds of their neighbors the Rhine +Franks. Fact, too, would soon become mingled with fiction. This new feat +was ascribed to Attila himself, already too well known as the scourge of +Europe and the subduer of so many German tribes. A very few years later, +however, fate was to subdue the mighty conqueror himself. With the great +battle of Chalons in 451 the tide turned against him, and two years +afterwards he died a mysterious death. The historian Jordanes of the +sixth century relates that on the morning after Attila's wedding with a +German princess named Ildico (Hildiko) he was found lying in bed in a +pool of blood, having died of a hemorrhage. The mysteriousness of +Attila's ending inspired his contemporaries with awe, and the popular +fancy was not slow to clothe this event also in a dress of fiction. The +attendant circumstances peculiarly favored such a process. Historians +soon recorded the belief that Attila had perished at the hands of his +wife, and it was only a step further for the imagination to find the +motive for the deed in the desire of Hildiko to avenge the death of her +German kinsmen who had perished through Attila. The saga of Attila's +death is before long connected with the growing Burgundian saga, Hildiko +becomes the sister of the Burgundian kings Gundahari, Godomar, and +Gislahari, and her deed is vengeance taken upon Attila for his +destruction of her brothers. As is seen at once from the outline I have +already given (Chapter 2.) of the saga as we find it in the Edda, this is +the stage of development it had reached when it began to find its way +northward from the Rhine country to Norway and Iceland. + +It is unnecessary here to record the speculations--for beyond +speculations we cannot go--as to how the union of this historical saga of +the Burgundians and Attila with the Siegfried saga took place. In the +course of time, and naturally with greatest probability among the Rhine +Franks who followed the Burgundians as occupants of _Germania prima_, the +two were brought together, and the three Burgundian kings and their +sister were identified with the three Nibelungen kings and their sister +of the already localized Siegfried saga. It is also beyond the scope of +this introduction to follow the course of the saga northward or to note +its further evolution during its wanderings and in its new home until it +was finally recorded in poetic form in the Edda. We have now to consider +briefly the transformation it passed through in Germany between this date +(about 500) and the time (about 1200) when it emerges in written record +as the Nibelungenlied. + +An account has already been given (Chapter 3.) of the chief features in +which the Nibelungenlied differs from the Northern form. As we saw there, +the mythical element of the Siegfried saga has almost entirely evaporated +and the historical saga of the Burgundian kings and Attila has undergone +a complete transformation. That the originally mythical and heathen +Siegfried saga should dwindle away with the progress of civilization and +under the influence of Christianity was but natural. The character of the +valkyrie Brynhild who avenges upon Sigurd his infidelity to her, yet +voluntarily unites herself with him in death, as heathen custom demanded, +is no longer intelligible. She recedes into the background, and after +Siegfried's death, though she is still living, she plays no further part. +The Nibelungenlied found its final form on Upper German, doubtless +Austrian, territory. Here alone was it possible that that greatest of all +transformations could take place, namely, in the character of Attila. The +Franks of the Rhine knew him only as the awe-inspiring conqueror who had +annihilated their neighbors the Burgundians. In Austrian lands it was +quite otherwise. Many Germanic tribes, particularly the East Goths, had +fought under the banner of Attila, and in the tradition handed down from +them he lived as the embodiment of wisdom and generosity. Here it was +impossible that epic story should picture him as slaying the Burgundian +kings through a covetous desire for their gold. The annihilation of the +Burgundians is thus left without a motive. To supply this, Kriemhild's +character is placed upon an entirely different basis. Instead of avenging +upon Attila the death of her brothers the Burgundian kings, Kriemhild now +avenges upon her brothers the slaying of her first husband Siegfried. +This fundamental change in the character of Kriemhild has a deep ethical +reason. To the ancient heathen Germans the tie of blood-relationship was +stronger than that of wedlock, and thus in the original version of the +story Attila's wife avenges upon him the death of her _brothers_; to the +Christianized Germans of later times the marriage bond was the stronger, +and accordingly from the altered motive Kriemhild avenges upon her +brothers the slaying of her _husband_. In accordance, too, with this +ethical transformation the scene of the catastrophe is transferred from +Worms to Attila's court. Kriemhild now looms up as the central figure of +the second half of the drama, while Etzel remains to the last ignorant of +her designs for revenge. + +This transformation of the fundamental parts of the saga was accompanied +by another process, namely, the addition of new characters. Some of these +are the product of the poetic faculty of the people or individuals who +preserved and remoulded the story in the course of centuries, others are +based upon history. To the former class belong the Margrave Ruediger, the +ideal of gentle chivalry, and Volker the Fiddler-knight, doubtless a +creation of the _spielleute_. To the second class belong Dietrich of +Bern, in whom we see the mighty East Gothic king, Theodoric of Verona; +also Bishop Pilgrim of Passau, a very late importation, besides several +others in whom are perpetuated in more or less faint outline actual +persons of history. This introduction of fresh characters from time to +time as the saga grew has led to some strange anachronisms, which however +are a disturbing element only to us readers of a modern day, who with +sacrilegious hand lift the veil through which they were seen in a uniform +haze of romance by the eye of the knights and ladies of seven centuries +ago. _They_ neither knew nor cared to know, for instance, that Attila was +dead before Theodoric was born, and that Bishop Pilgrim flourished at +Passau the trifling space of five hundred years later still.[3] + + +[3] Attila lived from about 406 to 453; Theodoric, 475 to 526. Pilgrim + was Bishop of Passau, 971 to 991. + + + + +II. THE NIBELUNGENLIED + +1. The Manuscripts + +Among the German epic poems of the Middle Ages the Nibelungenlied [4] +enjoyed an exceptional popularity, as is evident from the large number of +manuscripts--some thirty, either complete or fragmentary--that have been +preserved from the centuries immediately following its appearance. Three +are of prime importance as texts, namely, those preserved now in Munich, +St. Gall, and Donaueschingen, and cited as A, B, and C respectively. +Since the time when Lachmann, about a century ago, made the first +scientific study of the poem, a whole flood of writings has been poured +forth discussing the relative merits of these texts. Each in turn has had +its claims advocated with warmth and even acrimony. None of these three +principal manuscripts, however, offers the poem in its earliest form; +they all point to a still earlier version. It is now generally admitted +that the St. Gall manuscript (B), according to which the present +translation has been made, contains the best and most nearly original +text. + +[4] The closing strophe of MS. C calls the poem der _Nibelunge liet_, or + Nibelungenlied, i.e. the lay of the Nibelungen, and this is the title + by which it is commonly known. MSS. A and B have in the corresponding + strophe _der Nibelunge not_, i.e. the 'need', 'distress', + 'downfall' of the Nibelungen. In the title of the poem 'Nibelungen' + is simply equivalent to 'Burgundians': the poem relates the downfall + of the Burgundian kings and their people. Originally the Nibelungen + were, as their name, which is connected with _nebel_, 'mist', + 'gloom', signifies, the powers of darkness to whom the light-hero + Siegfried fell a prey. After Siegfried obtains possession of the + treasure the name Nibelungen is still applied to Alberich and the + dwarfs who guard it and who are now Siegfried's vassals. Then after + Siegfried's death the name is given to the Burgundians. It is a + mistake to suppose that the name was applied in each case to those + who became possessors of the hoard, for Siegfried himself is never so + designated. + + +2. Stages in the Evolution of the Poem + +Hand in hand with the discussion of the relative authenticity of the +manuscripts went the consideration of another more important literary +question,--the evolution of the poem itself. Even if we knew nothing of +the history of the Nibelungen saga as revealed in the Edda and through +other literary and historic sources, a reading of the poem would give us +unmistakable hints that it is not, in its present form, a perfect +literary unit. We detect inconsistencies in matter and inequalities of +style that prove it to be a remodelling of material already existing in +some earlier form. What, then, has been the history of its evolution? How +did this primeval Siegfried myth, this historical saga of the Burgundians +and Attila, first come to be part of the poetic stock of the German +people? What was its earliest poetic form, and what series of +transformations did it pass through during seven centuries of growth? +These and many kindred questions present themselves, and the search for +answers to them takes us through many winding labyrinths of the nation's +contemporary history. Few products of German literature have so exercised +and tantalized critics as the Nibelungenlied. + +In this connection we have to remind ourselves that comparatively little +of what must have been the large body of native poetry in Germany +previous to the eleventh century has come down to us. Barely enough has +been preserved to show the path of the nation's literary progress. Some +of the important monuments have been saved by chance, while others of +equal or perhaps greater value have been irrecoverably lost. The interest +in the various incidents of the Nibelungen story was sufficient to keep +it alive among the people and hand it down orally through many +generations. If we could observe it as it passed from age to age we +should doubtless see it undergoing continuous change according to the +time and the class of the people that were the preservers of the native +literature in its many ups and downs. Lachmann in the year 1816 was the +first to bring scientific criticism to bear on the question of the +Nibelungenlied and its origin. Applying to it the same methods as had +recently been used by Wolf in his criticism of the Homeric poems, he +thought he was able to discover as the basis of the complete epic a cycle +of twenty separate _lieder_, ballads or shorter episodic poems, on the +strength of which belief he went so far as to publish an edition of the +poem in which he made the division into the twenty separate lays and +eliminated those strophes (more than one third of the whole number) that +he deemed not genuine. It is now generally admitted, however, that the +pioneer of Nibelungen investigation fell here into over-positive +refinements of literary criticism. Separate shorter poems there doubtless +existed narrating separate episodes of the story, but these are no longer +to be arrived at by a process of critical disintegration and pruning of +the epic as we have it. An examination of the twenty _lieder_ according +to Lachmann's division convinces us that they are not separate units in +the sense he conceived them to be. Though these twenty _lieder_ may be +based upon a number of earlier episodic poems, yet the latter already +constituted a connected series. They were already like so many scenes of +a gradually developing drama. Events were foreshadowed in one that were +only fulfilled in another, and the incidents of later ones are often only +intelligible on the supposition of an acquaintance with motives that +originated in preceding ones. It is in this sense only, not according to +Lachmann's overwrought theory, that we are justified in speaking of a +_liedercyclus_, or cycle of separate episodic poems, as the stage of the +epic antecedent to the complete form in which we now have it. But beyond +this cycle we cannot trace it back. How the mythical saga of Siegfried +and the Nibelungen, and the story of the Burgundians and Attila, were +first sung in alliterative lays in the Migration Period, how as heathen +song they were pushed aside or slowly influenced by the spirit of +Christianity, how with changing time they changed also their outward +poetical garb from alliteration to rhyme and altered verse-form, till at +last in the twelfth century they have become the cycle of poems from +which the great epic of the Nibelungenlied could be constructed--of all +this we may form a faint picture from the development of the literature +in general, but direct written record of it is almost completely wanting. + + +3. Character of the Poem + +The twelfth and thirteenth centuries witnessed far-reaching changes in +the social and intellectual life of the German lands, the leading feature +of which is the high development of all that is included under the name +of chivalry. It is marked, too, by a revival of the native literature +such as had not been known before, a revival which is due almost entirely +to its cultivation by the nobility. From emperor down to the simple +knight they were patrons of poetry and, what is most striking, nearly all +the poets themselves belong to the knightly class. The drama has not yet +begun, but in the field of epic and lyric there appear about the year +1200 poets who are among the greatest that German literature even down to +the present time has to show. The epic poetry of that period, though +written almost entirely by the knights, is of two distinct kinds +according to its subject: on the one hand what is called the Court Epic, +on the other hand the National, or Popular, Epic. The Court Epic follows +for the most part French models and deals chiefly with the life of +chivalry, whose ideals were embodied in king Arthur and his circle of +knights; the National Epic drew its subjects from the national German +saga, its two great products being the Nibelungenlied and the poem of +Gudrun. Court Epic and National Epic are further distinct in form, the +Court Epic being written in the rhymed couplets popularized in modern +times in English by Sir Walter Scott, while the National Epic is composed +in four-lined strophes. + +Though we know the name and more or less of the life of the authors of +the many court epics of the period, the name of the poet who gave the +Nibelungenlied its final form has not been recorded. As we have seen, the +poem is at bottom of a truly popular, national character, having its +beginnings in mythology and early national history. For centuries the +subject had been national property and connected with the name of no one +individual. We have it now in the form in which it was remodelled to suit +the taste of the court and the nobility, and like the court epic to be +read aloud in castle hall. That it is written in four-lined strophes[5] +and not in the usual rhymed couplets of the court epics is doubtless due +to the fact that the former verse-form had already been used in the +earlier ballads upon which it is based, and was simply taken over by the +final moulder of the poem. This latter was probably a member of the +nobility like the great majority of the epic poets of the time; he must +at least have been well acquainted with the manners, tastes, sentiments, +and general life of the nobility. Through him the poem was brought +outwardly more into line with the literary ideals of the court circles. +This shows itself chiefly in a negative way, namely, in the almost +complete avoidance of the coarse language and farcical situations so +common with the popular poet, the _spielmann_. Beyond this no violence is +done to the simple form of the original. The style is still inornate and +direct, facts still speak rather than words, and there is nothing +approaching the refined psychological dissection of characters and +motives such as we find in Wolfram von Eschenbach and the other court +writers. + +[5] For description of the Nibelungen strophe see below, Chapter 7. + +When we look to the inner substance we see that the ground ideals are +still those of the original Germanic heroic age. The chief characters are +still those of the first stages of the story--Siegfried, Brunhild, +Gunther, Kriemhild, Hagen. The fundamental theme is the ancient theme of +_triuwe_, unswerving personal loyalty and devotion, which manifests +itself above all in the characters of Kriemhild and Hagen. Kriemhild's +husband Siegfried is treacherously slain: her sorrow and revenge are the +motives of the drama. Hagen's mistress has, though with no evil intent on +Siegfried's part, received an insult to her honor: to avenge that insult +is Hagen's absorbing duty, which he fulfils with an utter disregard of +consequences. Over this their fundamental character the various persons +of the story have received a gloss of outward conduct in keeping with the +close of the twelfth century. The poet is at pains to picture them as +models of courtly bearing, excelling in _hofscheit_, _zuht_, _tugent_. +Great attention is paid to dress, and the preparation of fitting apparel +for court festivities is described and re-described with wearisome +prolixity. A cardinal virtue is _milte_, liberality in the bestowal of +gifts. Courtesy toward women is observed with the careful formality of +the age of the minnesingers. It was above all Siegfried, the light-hero +of the original myth, whose character lent itself to an idealization of +knighthood. Ruediger holds a like place in the latter part of the poem. +In the evident pleasure with which the minstrel-knight Volker of the +sword-fiddlebow is depicted, as well doubtless as in occasional gleams of +broader humor, the hand of the minstrels who wrought on the story in its +earlier ballad stages may be seen. And the whole poem, in keeping with +its form in an age strongly under church influence, has been tinged with +the ideals of Christianity. Not only does the ordinary conversation of +all the characters, including even the heathen Etzel, contain a great +number of formal imprecations of God, but Christian institutions and +Christian ethics come frequently into play. Mass is sung in the minster, +baptism, marriage, burial are celebrated in Christian fashion, the devil +is mentioned according to the Christian conception, we hear of priest, +chaplain, and bishop, Christians are contrasted with heathen, and +Kriemhild, in marrying Etzel, has a hope of turning him to Christianity. +In Hagen's attempt to drown the chaplain whom the Burgundians have with +them as they set out for the land of the Huns we have perhaps an +expression of the conflict between the heathen and the Christian +elements, possibly also a reflection of the traditional animosity of the +_spielmann_ to his clerical rival. + +The Nibelungenlied and the Iliad of Homer have often been compared, but +after all to no great purpose. The two epics are alike in having their +roots deep in national origins, but beyond this we have contrasts rather +than resemblances. The Iliad is a more varied and complete picture of the +whole Greek world than the Nibelungenlied is of the German, its religious +atmosphere has not been disturbed in the same way as that of the saga of +early Germanic times projected several centuries into a later Christian +age, and it possesses in every way a greater unity of sentiment. In the +varied beauty of its language, its wealth of imagery, its depth of +feeling and copiousness of incident the Iliad is superior to the +Nibelungenlied with its language of simple directness, its few lyrical +passages, its expression of feeling by deeds rather than by words. Homer, +too, is in general buoyant, the Nibelungenlied is sombre and stern. And +in one last respect the two epics differ most of all: the Iliad is +essentially narrative and descriptive, a series of episodes; the +Nibelungenlied is essentially dramatic, scene following scene of dramatic +necessity and pointing steadily to a final and inevitable catastrophe. + + +4. Later Forms of the Saga + +In the Northern Edda and in the German Nibelungenlied the Nibelungen saga +found its fullest and most poetic expression. But these were not to be +the only literary records of it. Both in Scandinavian lands and in +Germany various other monuments, scattered over the intervening +centuries, bear witness to the fact that it lived on in more or less +divergent forms. The Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus of the latter part +of the twelfth century has a reference to the story of Kriemhild's +treachery toward her brothers. About the year 1250 an extensive prose +narrative, known as the Thidrekssaga, was written by a Norwegian from +oral accounts given him by men from Bremen and Munster. This narrative is +interesting as showing the form the saga had taken by that date on Low +German territory, and holds an important place in the history of the +development of the saga. It has much more to say of the early history of +Siegfried than we find in the Nibelungenlied, and yet in the main +outlines of the story of Kriemhild's revenge it corresponds with the +German epic and not with the Northern Edda. A chronicle of the island of +Hven in the Sound, dating in its original form from the sixteenth +century, as well as Danish ballads on the same island that have lived on +into modern times, tell of Sivard (Siegfried), Brynhild, and also of +Grimild's (Kriemhild's) revenge. In Norway and Sweden traces of the saga +have recently been discovered; while songs that are sung on the Faroe +Islands, as an accompaniment to the dance on festive occasions, have been +recorded, containing over six hundred strophes in which is related in +more or less distorted form the Nibelungen story. + +In Germany the two poems known as the _Klage_ and _Hurnen Seyfrid_ are +the most noteworthy additional records of the Nibelungen saga, as +offering in part at least independent material. The _Klage_ is a poem of +over four thousand lines in rhymed couplets, about half of it being an +account of the mourning of Etzel, Dietrich, and Hildebrand as they seek +out the slain and prepare them for burial, the other half telling of the +bringing of the news to Bechlaren, Passau, and Worms. The poem was +written evidently very soon after the Nibelungenlied, the substance of +which was familiar to the author, though he also draws in part from other +sources. Compared with the Nibelungenlied it possesses but little poetic +merit and is written with distinctly Christian sentiment which is out of +harmony with the ground-tone of the Germanic tragedy. + +The _Hurnen Seyfrid_ is a poem of 179 four-lined strophes which is +preserved only in a print of the sixteenth century, but at least a +portion of whose substance reaches back in its original form to a period +preceding the composition of the Nibelungenlied. It is evidently, as we +have it, formed by the union of two earlier separate poems, which are +indeed to a certain extent contradictory of each other. The first tells +of the boyhood of Seyfrid (Siegfried) and his apprenticeship to the +smith; how he slew many dragons, burned them, and smeared over his body +with the resulting fluid horny substance (hence his name _hurnen_), which +made him invulnerable; how he further found the hoard of the dwarf +Nybling, and by service to King Gybich won the latter's daughter for his +wife. The second part tells how King Gybich reigned at Worms. He has +three sons, Gunther, Hagen, Gyrnot, and one daughter, Kriemhild. The +latter is borne off by a dragon, but finally rescued by Seyfrid, to whom +she is given in marriage. The three brothers are jealous of the might and +fame of Seyfrid, and after eight years Hagen slays him beside a cool +spring in the Ottenwald. + +The poem _Biterolf_, written soon after the Nibelungenlied, and +_Rosengarten_ of perhaps a half-century later, represent Dietrich in +conflict with Siegfried at Worms. The famous shoemaker-poet Hans Sachs of +Nuremberg in 1557 constructed a tragedy, _Der hornen Sewfriedt_, on the +story of Siegfried as he knew it from the _Hurnen Seyfrid_ and the +_Rosengarten_. A prose version of the _Hurnen Seyfrid_, with free +additions and alterations, is preserved in the _Volksbuch vom gehornten +Sigfrid_, the oldest print of which dates from the year 1726. Of the vast +number of Fairy Tales, those most genuine creations of the poetic +imagination of the people, in which live on, often to be sure in scarcely +recognizable form, many of the myths and sagas of the nation's infancy, +there are several that may with justice be taken as relics of the +Siegfried myth, for instance, The Two Brothers, The Young Giant, The +Earth-Manikin, The King of the Golden Mount, The Raven, The Skilled +Huntsman, and perhaps also the Golden Bird and The Water of Life;[6] +though it would seem from recent investigations that Thorn-Rose or the +Sleeping Beauty, is no longer to be looked upon as the counterpart of the +sleeping Brynhild. Finally, it is probable that several names in Germany +and in Northern countries preserve localized memories of the saga. + + +[6] These will be found in Grimm's Marchen as numbers 60, 90-93, 111, 57, + and 97. + + +5. Poem and Saga in Modern Literature + +Fundamentally different from the foregoing natural outgrowths of the +Nibelungen saga are the modern dramas and poems founded upon it since the +time of the romanticists at the beginning of the nineteenth century.[7] +Nearly all of these have already vanished as so much chaff from the +winnowing-mill of time: only two, perhaps, are now considered seriously, +namely, Hebbel's _Die Nibelungen_ and Richard Wagner's _Ring des +Nibelungen_. Hebbel in his grandly conceived drama in three parts follows +closely the story as we have it in our epic poem the Nibelungenlied, and +the skill with which he makes use of its tragic elements shows his +dramatic genius at its best. But not even the genius of Hebbel could make +these forms of myth and saga live again for us upon a modern stage, and +the failure of this work with its wealth of poetic beauty and many scenes +of highest dramatic effectiveness to maintain its place as an acting +drama is sufficient evidence that the yawning gap that separates the +sentiment of the modern world from that of the early centuries in which +these sagas grew is not to be bridged over by the drama, however easy and +indeed delightful it may be for us to allow ourselves to be transported +thither to that romantic land upon the wings of epic story. Wagner in his +music-drama in three parts and prelude has followed in the main the saga +in its Northern form [8] up to the death of Siegfried and Brunhild, but +to the entire exclusion of the latter part of the story in which Atli +(Etzel) figures; his work has accordingly hardly any connection with the +Nibelungenlied here offered in translation. Only the pious loyalty of +national sentiment can assign a high place in dramatic literature to +Wagner's work with its intended imitation of the alliterative form of +verse; while his philosophizing gods and goddesses are also but decadent +modern representatives of their rugged heathen originals. + +[7] The curious will find a list of these in the introduction to Piper's + edition, cited below, Chapter 7. +[8] See above, Chapter 2. + + +6. Modern German Translations + +The language of the Nibelungenlied presents about the same difficulty to +the German reader of to-day as that of our English Chaucer to us. Many +translations into modern German have accordingly been made to render it +accessible to the average reader without special study. In the year 1767 +Bodmer in Zurich published a translation into hexameters of a portion of +it, and since the investigations of Lachmann raised it to the position of +a national epic of first magnitude many more have appeared, both in prose +and verse. The best in prose is that by Scherr, of the year 1860. Of the +metrical translations that by Simrock, which in its later editions +follows pretty closely the text of MS. C, is deservedly the most popular +and has passed through a great number of editions. Bartsch has also made +a translation based on his edition of MS. B. These modern versions by +Simrock and Bartsch reproduce best the metrical quality of the original +strophe. Easily obtainable recent translations are those by Junghans (in +Reclam's Universalbibliothek) of text C, and by Hahn (Collection Spemann) +of text A. + + +7. English Translations[9] + +[9] For a complete list of these, also of magazine articles, etc., + relating to the Nibelungenlied, see F. E. Sandbach, The + _Nibelungenlied and Gudrun in England and America_, London, + 1903. + +Early in last century interest in the Nibelungenlied began to manifest +itself in England. A synopsis of it, with metrical translation of several +strophes, appeared in the year 1814 in Weber, Jamieson and Scott's +"Illustrations of Northern Antiquities" (London and Edinburgh), in which, +according to Lockhart, Sir Walter Scott's hand may perhaps be seen. +Carlyle, laboring as a pioneer to spread a knowledge of German literature +in England, contributed to the Westminster Review in 1831 his well-known +essay on the Nibelungenlied which, though containing an additional mass +of rather ill-arranged matter and now antiquated in many particulars, is +still well worth reading for its enthusiastic account of the epic itself +in the genuine style of the author. Carlyle here reproduces in metrical +form a few strophes. He has said elsewhere that one of his ambitions was +to make a complete English version of the poem. Since then an endless +number of accounts of it, chiefly worthless, has appeared in magazines +and elsewhere. The first attempt at a complete metrical translation was +made in 1848 by Jonathan Birch, who however only reproduces Lachmann's +twenty _lieder_, with some fifty-one strophes added on his own account. +His version of the first strophe runs thus: + + Legends of by-gone times reveal wonders and prodigies, + Of heroes worthy endless fame,--of matchless braveries,-- + Of jubilees and festal sports,--of tears and sorrows great,-- + And knights who daring combats fought:--the like I now relate. + +In 1850 appeared William Nansom Lettsom's translation of the whole poem +according to Braunfels' edition, with the opening strophe turned as +follows: + + In stories of our fathers high marvels we are told + Of champions well approved in perils manifold. + Of feasts and merry meetings, of weeping and of wail, + And deeds of gallant daring I'll tell you in my tale. + +The next metrical rendering is that by A. G. Foster-Barham in the year +1887. His first strophe reads: + + Many a wondrous story have the tales of old, + Of feats of knightly glory, and of the Heroes bold, + Of the delights of feasting, of weeping and of wail, + Of noble deeds of daring; you may list strange things in my tale. + +In the year 1898 follows still another, by Alice Horton (edited by E. +Bell). This latest translation is based on Bartsch's text of MS. B, and +is prefaced by Carlyle's essay. First strophe: + + To us, in olden legends, / is many a marvel told + Of praise-deserving heroes, / of labours manifold, + Of weeping and of wailing, / of joy and festival; + Of bold knights' battling shall you / now hear a wondrous tale. + +Apart from the many faults of interpretation all of the metrical +translations of the Nibelungenlied here enumerated are defective in one +all-important respect: they do not reproduce the poem in its _metrical +form_. Carlyle and other pioneers we may perhaps acquit of any intention +of following the original closely in this regard. None of the translators +of the complete poem, however, has retained in the English rendering what +is after all the very essence of a poem,--its exact metrical quality. +Birch has created an entirely different form of strophe in which all four +lines are alike, each containing seven principal accents, with the +caesura, following the fourth foot. Lettsom makes the first serious +attempt to reproduce the original strophe. It is evident from the +introduction to his translation (see p. xxvi) that he had made a careful +study of its form, and he does in fact reproduce the first three lines +exactly. Of the fourth line he says: "I have not thought it expedient to +make a rule of thus lengthening the fourth lines of the stanzas, though I +have lengthened them occasionally"(!). What moved him thus to deprive +the stanza of its most striking feature--and one, moreover, that is +easily preserved in English--he does not make clear. The versions of +Foster-Barham and of Horton and Bell show the same disfigurement, the +latter omitting the extra accent of the fourth line, as they say, "for +the sake of euphony"(!). It is just this lengthened close of each strophe +that gives the Nibelungenlied its peculiar metrical character and +contributes not a little to the avoidance of monotony in a poem of over +two thousand strophes. In theory the form of the fourth line as it stands +in the original is no more foreign to the genius of the English language +than to that of modern German, and few of the many Germans giving a +modernized version of the epic have been bold enough to lay sacrilegious +hands upon it to shorten it. + +A brief account of the Nibelungen strophe may not be out of place here, +owing to the fact that its character has generally been misunderstood. +The origin and evolution of the strophe have been the subject of much +discussion, the results of which we need not pause to formulate here. As +it appears in actual practice in our poem of about the year 1200, it was +as follows: Each strophe consists of four long lines, the first line +rhyming with the second, and the third with the fourth. The rhymes are +masculine, that is, rhymes on the end syllable. Each line is divided by a +clearly marked caesura into two halves; each half of the first three +lines and the first half of the fourth line has three accented syllables, +the second half of the fourth line has four accented syllables. The first +half of each line ends in an unaccented syllabic--or, strictly speaking, +in a syllable bearing a secondary accent; that is, each line has what is +called a "ringing" caesura. The metrical character of the Nibelungen +strophe is thus due to its fixed number of accented syllables. Of +unaccented syllables the number may vary within certain limits. +Ordinarily each accented syllable is preceded by an unaccented one; that +is, the majority of feet are iambic. The unaccented syllable may, +however, at times be wanting, or there may, on the other hand, be two or +even three of them together. A characteristic of the second half of the +last line is that there is very frequently no unaccented syllable between +the second and the third accented ones. Among occasional variations of +the normal strophe as here described may be mentioned the following: The +end-rhyme is in a few instances feminine instead of masculine; while on +the other hand the ending of the first half-lines is occasionally +masculine instead of feminine, that is, the caesura is not "ringing." In +a few scattered instances we find strophes that rhyme throughout in the +caesura as well as at the end of lines;[10] occasionally the first and +second lines, or still less frequently the third and fourth, alone have +caesural rhyme.[11] Rhyming of the caesura may be regarded as accidental +in most cases, but it is reproduced as exactly as possible in this +translation. + +[10] Strophes 1, 17, 102, and possibly 841. +[11] Strophes 18, 69, 103, 115, 129, 148, 177, 190, 198, 222, 231, + 239, 293, 325, 345, 363, 485, 584, 703, 712, 859, 864, 894, 937, + 1022, 1032, 1114, 1225, 1432, 1436, 1460, 1530, 1555, 1597, 1855, + 1909, 1944, 1956, 2133, 2200, 2206, 2338. + +In the original the opening strophe, which is altogether more regular +than the average and is, moreover, one of the few that have also complete +caesural rhyme, is as follows: + + Uns ist in alten maeren / wunders vil geseit + von heleden lobebaeren, / von grozer arebeit, + von frouden, hochgeziten, / von weinen und von klagen, + von kuener recken striten / muget ir nu wunder hoeren sagen. + +Here the only place where the unaccented syllable is lacking before the +accented is before _wunders_ at the beginning of the second half of the +first line. A strophe showing more typical irregularities is, for +instance, the twenty-second: + + In sinen besten ziten, / bi sinen jungen tagen, + man mohte michel wunder / von Sivride sagen, + waz eren an im wuchse / und wie scoene was sin lip. + sit heten in ze minne / diu vil waetlichen wip. + +Here the rhyme of the first and second lines is still masculine, _tagen_ +and _sagen_ being pronounced _tagn_ and _sagn_. The unaccented syllable +is lacking, e.g., before the second accent of the second half of line +two, also before the first and the third accent of the second half of +line four. There are two unaccented syllables at the beginning +(_Auftakt_) of the second half of line three. The absence of the +unaccented syllable between the second and the third accent of the last +half of the fourth line of a strophe, as here, is so frequent in the poem +as to amount almost to a rule; it shows an utter misconception, or +disregard, of its true character, nevertheless, to treat this last +half-line as having only three accented syllables, as all translators +hitherto have done. + + +8. Editions Of The Nibelungenlied + +MS. A. (Hohenems-Munich). + Lachmann, _Der Nibelunge Not und die Klage_, 5th ed., Berlin, 1878. + Several reprints of the text alone later. + +MS. B. (St. Gall). + Bartsch, _Das Nibelungenlied_, 6th ed., Leipzig, 1886. (Vol. 3 of the + series Deutsche Classiker des Mittelalters.) + Piper, _Die Nibelungen_. (Vol. 6 of Kurschner's Deutsche + National-Litteratur.) + +MS. C. (Donaueschingen). + Zarncke, _Das Nibelungenlied_, 6th ed., Leipzig, 1887. + + * * * * * + +THE NIBELUNGENLIED + + * * * * * + +FIRST ADVENTURE + +Kriemhild's Dream + +1 + +To us in olden story / are wonders many told +Of heroes rich in glory, / of trials manifold: +Of joy and festive greeting, / of weeping and of woe, +Of keenest warriors meeting, / shall ye now many a wonder know. + +2 + +There once grew up in Burgundy / a maid of noble birth, +Nor might there be a fairer / than she in all the earth: +Kriemhild hight the maiden, / and grew a dame full fair, +Through whom high thanes a many / to lose their lives soon doomed were. + +3 + +'Twould well become the highest / to love the winsome maid, +Keen knights did long to win her, / and none but homage paid. +Beauty without measure, / that in sooth had she, +And virtues wherewith many / ladies else adorned might be. + +4 + +Three noble lords did guard her, / great as well in might, +Gunther and Gernot, / each one a worthy knight, +And Giselher their brother, / a hero young and rare. +The lady was their sister / and lived beneath the princes' care. + +5 + +These lords were free in giving, / and born of high degree; +Undaunted was the valor / of all the chosen three. +It was the land of Burgundy / o'er which they did command, +And mighty deeds of wonder / they wrought anon in Etzel's land. + +6 + +At Worms amid their warriors / they dwelt, the Rhine beside, +And in their lands did serve them / knights of mickle pride, +Who till their days were ended / maintained them high in state. +They later sadly perished / beneath two noble women's hate. + +7 + +A high and royal lady, / Ute their mother hight, +Their father's name was Dankrat, / a man of mickle might. +To them his wealth bequeathed he / when that his life was done, +For while he yet was youthful / had he in sooth great honor won. + +8 + +In truth were these three rulers, / as I before did say, +Great and high in power, / and homage true had they +Eke of knights the boldest / and best that e'er were known, +Keen men all and valiant, / as they in battle oft had shown. + +9 + +There was of Tronje Hagen, / and of that princely line +His brother valiant Dankwart; / and eke of Metz Ortwein; +Then further the two margraves, / Gere and Eckewart; +Of Alzei was Volker, / a doughty man of dauntless heart. + +10 + +Rumold the High Steward, / a chosen man was he, +Sindold and Hunold / they tended carefully +Each his lofty office / in their three masters' state, +And many a knight beside them / that I the tale may ne'er relate. + +11 + +Dankwart he was Marshal; / his nephew, then, Ortwein +Upon the monarch waited / when that he did dine; +Sindold was Cup-bearer, / a stately thane was he, +And Chamberlain was Hunold, / masters all in courtesy. + +12 + +Of the kings' high honor / and their far-reaching might, +Of their full lofty majesty / and how each gallant knight +Found his chiefest pleasure / in the life of chivalry, +In sooth by mortal never / might it full related be. + +13 + +Amid this life so noble / did dream the fair Kriemhild +How that she reared a falcon, / in beauty strong and wild, +That by two eagles perished; / the cruel sight to see +Did fill her heart with sorrow / as great as in this world might be. + +14 + +The dream then to her mother / Queen Ute she told, +But she could not the vision / than thus more clear unfold: +"The falcon that thou rearedst, / doth mean a noble spouse: +God guard him well from evil / or thou thy hero soon must lose." + +15 + +"Of spouse, O darling mother, / what dost thou tell to me? +Without a knight to woo me, / so will I ever be, +Unto my latest hour / I'll live a simple maid, +That I through lover's wooing / ne'er be brought to direst need." + +16 + +"Forswear it not so rashly," / her mother then replied. +"On earth if thou wilt ever / cast all care aside, +'Tis love alone will do it; / thou shalt be man's delight, +If God but kindly grant thee / to wed a right good valiant knight." + +17 + +"Now urge the case, dear mother," / quoth she, "not further here. +Fate of many another / dame hath shown full clear +How joy at last doth sorrow / lead oft-times in its train. +That I no ruth may borrow, / from both alike I'll far remain." + +18 + +Long time, too, did Kriemhild / her heart from love hold free, +And many a day the maiden / lived right happily, +Ere good knight saw she any / whom she would wish to woo. +In honor yet she wedded / anon a worthy knight and true. + +19 + +He was that same falcon / she saw the dream within +Unfolded by her mother. / Upon her nearest kin, +That they did slay him later, / how wreaked she vengeance wild! +Through death of this one hero / died many another mother's child. + + + + +SECOND ADVENTURE + +Siegfried + +20 + +There grew likewise in Netherland / a prince of noble kind, +Siegmund hight his father, / his mother Siegelind-- +Within a lordly castle / well known the country o'er, +By the Rhine far downward: / Xanten was the name it bore. + +21 + +Siegfried they did call him, / this bold knight and good; +Many a realm he tested, / for brave was he of mood. +He rode to prove his prowess / in many a land around: +Heigh-ho! what thanes of mettle / anon in Burgundy he found! + +22 + +In the springtime of his vigor, / when he was young and bold, +Could tales of mickle wonder / of Siegfried be told, +How he grew up in honor, / and how fair he was to see: +Anon he won the favor / of many a debonair lady. + +23 + +As for a prince was fitting, / they fostered him with care: +Yet how the knightly virtues / to him native were! +'Twas soon the chiefest glory / of his father's land, +That he in fullest measure / endowed with princely worth did stand. + +24 + +He soon was grown in stature / that he at court did ride. +The people saw him gladly, / lady and maid beside +Did wish that his own liking / might lead him ever there. +That they did lean unto him / the knight was soon right well aware. + +25 + +In youth they let him never / without safe escort ride; +Soon bade Siegmund and Siegelind / apparel rich provide; +Men ripe in wisdom taught him, / who knew whence honor came. +Thus many lands and people / he won by his wide-honored name. + +26 + +Now was he of such stature / that he could weapons bear: +Of what thereto he needed / had he an ample share. +Then to think of loving / fair maids did he begin, +And well might they be honored / for wooer Siegfried bold to win. + +27 + +Then bade his father Siegmund / make known to one and all +That he with his good kinsmen / would hold high festival. +And soon were tidings carried / to all the neighboring kings; +To friends at home and strangers / steeds gave he and rich furnishings. + +28 + +Wherever they found any / who knight was fit to be +By reason of his kindred, / all such were courteously +Unto the land invited / to join the festal throng, +When with the prince so youthful / on them the knightly sword was hung. + +29 + +Of this high time of revelry / might I great wonders tell. +Siegmund and Siegelind / great honor won full well, +Such store of goodly presents / they dealt with generous hand, +That knights were seen full many / from far come pricking to their land. + +30 + +Four hundred lusty squires / were there to be clad +In knight's full garb with Siegfried. / Full many a beauteous maid +At work did never tire, / for dear they did him hold, +And many a stone full precious / those ladies laid within the gold, + +31 + +That they upon the doublets / embroidered cunningly +Of those soon to be knighted: / 't was thus it had to be, +Seats bade the host for many / a warrior bold make right +Against the high midsummer, / when Siegfried won the name of knight. + +32 + +Then went unto the minster / full many a noble knight +And gallant squires beside them. / The elder there with right +Did wait upon the younger, / as once for them was done. +They were all light-hearted, / in hope of pleasure every one. + +33 + +God to praise and honor / they sang the mass' song; +There, too, were crowds of people, / a great and surging throng, +When after knightly custom / knighthood received they then, +In such a stately pageant / as scarce might ever be again. + +34 + +They hastened where they found them / saddled many a steed; +In the court of Siegmund's castle / they tilted with such speed +That far the din resounded / through castle and through hall, +As in the play with clamor / did join the fiery riders all. + +35 + +Well-tried old knights and youthful / met there in frequent clash, +There was sound of shattered lances / that through the air did crash, +And along before the castle / were splinters seen to fly +From hands of knights a many: / each with other there did vie. + +36 + +The king he bade give over: / they led the chargers out: +There was seen all shattered / many a boss well-wrought, +And many a stone full costly / lay there upon the sward +From erstwhile shining shield-bands, / now broken in the jousting hard. + +37 + +The guests all went thereafter / where seats for them were reared; +They by the choicest viands / from weariness were cheered, +And wine, of all the rarest, / that then in plenty flowed. +Upon both friends and strangers / were fitting honors rich bestowed. + +38 + +In such merry manner / all day did last the feast. +Many a wandering minstrel / knew not any rest, +But sang to win the presents / dealt out with bounteous hand; +And with their praise was honored / far and wide King Siegmund's land. + +39 + +The monarch then did order / Siegfried his youthful son +In fee give lands and castles, / as he erstwhile had done. +To all his sword-companions / he gave with such full hand, +That joyed they o'er the journey / they now had made unto that land. + +40 + +The festival yet lasted / until the seventh day. +Siegelind after old custom / in plenty gave away +--For so her son she honored-- / rich gifts of shining gold: +In sooth deserved she richly / that all should him in honor hold. + +41 + +Never a wandering minstrel / was unprovided found: +Horses there and raiment / so free were dealt around, +As if to live they had not / beyond it one day more. +I ween a monarch's household / ne'er bestowed such gifts before. + +42 + +Thus closed the merry feasting / in this right worthy way, +And 't was well known thereafter / how those good knights did say +That they the youthful hero / for king would gladly have; +But this nowise he wished for, / Siegfried the stately knight and brave. + +43 + +While that they both were living, / Siegmund and Siegelind, +No crown their son desired, / --thereto he had no mind. +Yet would he fain be master / o'er all the hostile might +That in the lands around him / opposed the keen and fiery knight. + + + + +THIRD ADVENTURE. + +How Siegfried came to Worms + +44 + +Seldom in sooth, if ever, / the hero's heart was sad. +He heard them tell the story, / how that a winsome maid +There lived afar in Burgundy, / surpassing fair to see: +Great joy she brought him later, / but eke she brought him misery. + +45 + +Of her exceeding beauty / the fame spread far and near, +And of the thing, moreover, / were knights oft-times aware +How the maid's high spirit / no mortal could command: +The thing lured many a stranger / from far unto King Gunther's land. + +46 + +Although to win her favor / were many wooers bent, +In her own heart would never / Kriemhild thereto consent +That any one amongst them / for lover she would have: +Still to her was he a stranger / to whom anon her troth she gave. + +47 + +To true love turned his fancy / the son of Siegelind. +'Gainst his, all others' wooing / was like an idle wind: +Full well did he merit / a lady fair to woo, +And soon the noble Kriemhild / to Siegfried bold was wedded true. + +48 + +By friends he oft was counselled, / and many a faithful man, +Since to think of wooing / in earnest he began, +That he a wife should find him / of fitting high degree. +Then spoke the noble Siegfried: / "In sooth fair Kriemhild shall it be, + +49 + +"The noble royal maiden / in Burgundy that dwells, +For sake of all her beauty. / Of her the story tells, +Ne'er monarch was so mighty / that, if for spouse he sighed, +'Twere not for him befitting / to take the princess for his bride." + +50 + +Unto King Siegmund also / the thing was soon made known. +His people talked about it, / whereby to him was shown +The Prince's fixed purpose. / It grieved him sorely, too, +That his son intent was / the full stately maid to woo. + +51 + +Siegelind asked and learned it, / the noble monarch's wife. +For her loved son she sorrowed / lest he should lose his life, +For well she knew the humor / of Gunther and his men. +Then gan they from the wooing / strive to turn the noble thane. + +52 + +Then said the doughty Siegfried: / "O father dear to me, +Without the love of woman / would I ever be, +Could I not woo in freedom / where'er my heart is set. +Whate'er be said by any, / I'll keep the selfsame purpose yet." + +53 + +"Since thou wilt not give over," / the king in answer said, +"Am I of this thy purpose / inwardly full glad, +And straightway to fulfil it / I'll help as best I can, +Yet in King Gunther's service / is many a haughty-minded man. + +54 + +"And were there yet none other / than Hagen, warrior-knight, +He with such haughty bearing / is wont to show his might, +That I do fear right sorely / that sad our end may be, +If we set out with purpose / to win the stately maid for thee." + +55 + +"Shall we by that be hindered?" / outspake Siegfried then; +"Whate'er in friendly fashion / I cannot obtain +I'll yet in other manner / take that, with sword in hand. +I trow from them I'll further / wrest both their vassals and their land." + +56 + +"I grieve to hear thy purpose," / said Siegmund the king; +"If any one this story / unto the Rhine should bring, +Then durst thou never after / within that land be seen. +Gunther and Gernot, / --well known to me they long have been. + +57 + +"By force, however mighty, / no man can win the maid," +Spake King Siegmund further, / "to me hath oft been said. +But if with knightly escort / thither thou wilt ride, +Good friends--an have we any-- / shall soon be summoned to thy side." + +58 + +"No wish," then answered Siegfried, / "it ever was of mine, +That warrior knights should follow / with me unto the Rhine +As if arrayed for battle: / 'twould make my heart full sad, +To force in hostile manner / to yield to me the stately maid. + +59 + +"By my own hand--thus only-- / trust I to win my bride; +With none but twelve in company / to Gunther's land I'll ride. +In this, O royal father, / thy present help I pray." +Gray and white fur raiment / had his companions for the way. + +60 + +Siegelind his mother / then heard the story too, +And grieved she was on hearing / what her dear son would do, +For she did fear to lose him / at hands of Gunther's men. +Thereat with heart full heavy / began to weep the noble queen. + +61 + +Then came forth Sir Siegfried / where the queen he sought, +And to his weeping mother / thus gently spake his thought: +"No tear of grief thou shouldest / ever shed for me, +For I care not a tittle / for all the warriors that be. + +62 + +"So help me on my journey / to the land of Burgundy, +And furnish such apparel / for all my knights and me, +As warriors of our station / might well with honor wear. +Then I in turn right truly / to thee my gratitude will swear." + +63 + +"Since thou wilt not give over," / Siegelind then replied, +"My only son, I'll help thee / as fits thee forth to ride, +With the best apparel / that riders ever wore, +Thee and thy companions: / ye shall of all have goodly store." + +64 + +Then bowed the youthful Siegfried / the royal dame before, +And said: "Upon the journey / will I take no more, +But twelve good knights only: / for these rich dress provide, +For I would know full gladly / how 't doth with Kriemhild betide." + +65 + +Then sat at work fair women / by night and eke by day, +And rest indeed but little / from busy toil had they, +Until they had made ready / the dress Siegfried should wear. +Firm bent upon the journey, / no other counsel would he hear. + +66 + +His father bade a costly / garb for him prepare, +That leaving Siegmund's country / he the same might wear. +For all their glittering breastplates / were soon prepared beside, +And helmets firmly welded, / and shining shields long and wide. + +67 + +Then fast the day grew nearer / when they should thence depart. +Men and likewise women / went sorrowing in heart, +If that they should ever / see more their native land. +With full equipment laden / the sumpter horses there did stand. + +68 + +Their steeds were stately, furnished / with trappings rich with gold; +It were a task all bootless / to seek for knights more bold +Than were the gallant Siegfried / and his chosen band. +He longed to take departure / straightway for Burgundian land. + +69 + +Leave granted they with sadness, / both the king and queen, +The which to turn to gladness / sought the warrior keen, +And spake then: "Weep ye shall not / at all for sake of me, +Forever free from doubtings / about my safety may ye be." + +70 + +Stern warriors stood there sorrowing, / --in tears was many a maid. +I ween their hearts erred nothing, / as sad forebodings said +That 'mongst their friends so many / thereby were doomed to die. +Good cause had they to sorrow / at last o'er all their misery. + +71 + +Upon the seventh morning / to Worms upon the strand +Did come the keen knights riding. / Bright shone many a band +Of gold from their apparel / and rich equipment then; +And gently went their chargers / with Siegfried and his chosen men. + +72 + +New-made shields they carried / that were both strong and wide +And brightly shone their helmets / as thus to court did ride +Siegfried the keen warrior / into King Gunther's land. +Of knights before was never / beheld so richly clad a band. + +73 + +The points of their long scabbards / reached down unto the spur, +And spear full sharply pointed / bore each chosen warrior. +The one that Siegfried carried / in breadth was two good span, +And grimly cut its edges / when driven by the fearless man. + +74 + +Reins with gold all gleaming / held they in the hand, +The saddle-bands were silken. / So came they to the land. +On every side the people / to gape at them began, +And also out to meet them / the men that served King Gunther ran. + +75 + +Gallant men high-hearted, / knight and squire too, +Hastened to receive them, / for such respect was due, +And bade the guests be welcome / unto their master's land. +They took from them their chargers, / and shields as well from out the + hand. + +76 + +Then would they eke the chargers / lead forth unto their rest; +But straight the doughty Siegfried / to them these words addressed: +"Yet shall ye let our chargers / stand the while near by; +Soon take we hence our journey; / thereon resolved full well am I. + +77 + +"If that be known to any, / let him not delay, +Where I your royal master / now shall find, to say,-- +Gunther, king so mighty / o'er the land of Burgundy." +Then told him one amongst them / to whom was known where that might be: + +78 + +"If that the king thou seekest, / right soon may he be found. +Within that wide hall yonder / with his good knights around +But now I saw him sitting. / Thither do thou repair, +And thou may'st find around him / many a stately warrior there." + +79 + +Now also to the monarch / were the tidings told, +That within his castle / were knights arrived full bold, +All clad in shining armor / and apparelled gorgeously; +But not a man did know them / within the land of Burgundy. + +80 + +Thereat the king did wonder / whence were come to him +These knights adventure seeking / in dress so bright and trim, +And shields adorned so richly / that new and mighty were. +That none the thing could tell him / did grieve him sorely to hear. + +81 + +Outspake a knight then straightway, / Ortwein by name was he, +Strong and keen as any / well was he known to be: +"Since we of them know nothing, / bid some one quickly go +And fetch my uncle Hagen: / to him thou shalt the strangers show. + +82 + +"To him are known far kingdoms / and every foreign land, +And if he know these strangers / we soon shall understand." +The king then sent to fetch him: / with his train of men +Unto the king's high presence / in stately gear went he then. + +83 + +What were the king's good pleasure, / asked Hagen grim in war. +"In the court within my castle / are warriors from afar, +And no one here doth know them: / if them thou e'er didst see +In any land far distant, / now shalt thou, Hagen, tell to me." + +84 + +"That will I do, 'tis certain."-- / To a window then he went, +And on the unknown strangers / his keen eye he bent. +Well pleased him their equipment / and the rich dress they wore, +Yet ne'er had he beheld them / in land of Burgundy before. + +85 + +He said that whencesoever / these knights come to the Rhine, +They bear a royal message, / or are of princely line. +"Their steeds are so bedizened, / and their apparel rare: +No matter whence they journey, / high-hearted men in truth they are." + +86 + +Further then spake Hagen: / "As far as goes my ken, +Though I the noble Siegfried / yet have never seen, +Yet will I say meseemeth, / howe'er the thing may be, +This knight who seeks adventure, / and yonder stands so proud, is he. + +87 + +"'Tis some new thing he bringeth / hither to our land. +The valiant Nibelungen / fell by the hero's hand, +Schilbung and Nibelung, / from royal sire sprung; +Deeds he wrought most wondrous / anon when his strong arm he swung. + +88 + +"As once alone the hero / rode without company, +Found he before a mountain / --as hath been told to me-- +With the hoard of Nibelung / full many stalwart men; +To him had they been strangers / until he chanced to find them then. + +89 + +"The hoard of King Nibelung / entire did they bear +Forth from a mountain hollow. / And now the wonder hear, +How that they would share it, / these two Nibelung men. +This saw the fearless Siegfried, / and filled he was with wonder then. + +90 + +"He came so near unto them / that he the knights espied, +And they in turn him also. / One amongst them said: +'Here comes the doughty Siegfried, / hero of Netherland.' +Since 'mongst the Nibelungen / strange wonders wrought his mighty hand. + +91 + +"Right well did they receive him, / Schilbung and Nibelung, +And straight they both together, / these noble princes young, +Bade him mete out the treasure, / the full valorous man, +And so long time besought him / that he at last the task began. + +92 + +"As we have heard in story, / he saw of gems such store +That they might not be laden / on wagons full five score; +More still of gold all shining / from Nibelungenland. +'Twas all to be divided / between them by keen Siegfried's hand. + +93 + +"Then gave they him for hire / King Nibelung's sword. +And sooth to say, that service / brought them but small reward, +That for them there performed / Siegfried of dauntless mood. +His task he could not finish; / thereat they raged as were they wood. + +94 + +"They had there of their followers / twelve warriors keen, +And strong they were as giants: / what booted giants e'en? +Them slew straightway in anger / Siegfried's mighty hand, +And warriors seven hundred / he felled in Nibelungenland + +95 + +"With the sword full trusty, / Balmung that hight. +Full many a youthful warrior / from terror at the sight +Of that deadly weapon / swung by his mighty hand +Did render up his castle / and pledge him fealty in the land. + +96 + +"Thereto the kings so mighty, / them slew he both as well. +But into gravest danger / through Alberich he fell, +Who thought for his slain masters / vengeance to wreak straightway, +Until the mighty Siegfried / his wrath with strong arm did stay. + +97 + +"Nor could prevail against him / the Dwarf, howe'er he tried. +E'en as two wild lions / they coursed the mountainside, +Where he the sightless mantle[1] / from Alberich soon won. +Then Siegfried, knight undaunted, / held the treasure for his own. + +[1] This is the _tarnkappe_, a cloak that made the wearer invisible, + and also gave him the strength of twelve men. + +98 + +"Who then dared join the struggle, / all slain around they lay. +Then he bade the treasure / to draw and bear away +Thither whence 'twas taken / by the Nibelungen men. +Alberich for his valor / was then appointed Chamberlain. + +99 + +"An oath he had to swear him, / he'd serve him as his slave; +To do all kinds of service / his willing pledge he gave"-- +Thus spake of Tronje Hagen-- / "That has the hero done; +Might as great before him / was never in a warrior known. + +100 + +"Still know I more about him, / that has to me been told. +A dragon, wormlike monster, / slew once the hero bold. +Then in its blood he bathed him, / since when his skin hath been +So horn-hard, ne'er a weapon / can pierce it, as hath oft been seen. + +101 + +"Let us the brave knight-errant / receive so courteously +That we in nought shall merit / his hate, for strong is he. +He is so keen of spirit / he must be treated fair: +He has by his own valor / done many a deed of prowess rare." + +102 + +The monarch spake in wonder: / "In sooth thou tellest right. +Now see how proudly yonder / he stands prepared for fight, +He and his thanes together, / the hero wondrous keen! +To greet him we'll go thither, / and let our fair intent be seen." + +103 + +"That canst thou," out spake Hagen, / "well in honor do. +He is of noble kindred, / a high king's son thereto. +'Tis seen in all his bearing; / meseems in truth, God wot, +The tale is worth the hearing / that this bold knight has hither + brought." + +104 + +Then spake the mighty monarch: / "Be he right welcome here. +Keen is he and noble, / of fame known far and near. +So shall he be fair treated / in the land of Burgundy." +Down then went King Gunther, / and Siegfried with his men found he. + +105 + +The king and his knights with him / received so well the guest, +That the hearty greeting / did their good will attest. +Thereat in turn the stranger / in reverence bowed low, +That in their welcome to him / they did such courtesy bestow. + +106 + +"To me it is a wonder," / straightway spake the host, +"From whence, O noble Siegfried, / come to our land thou dost, +Or what here thou seekest / at Worms upon the Rhine." +Him the stranger answered: / "Put thou away all doubts of thine. + +107 + +"I oft have heard the tiding / within my sire's domain, +How at thy court resided / --and know this would I fain-- +Knights, of all the keenest, / --'tis often told me so-- +That e'er a monarch boasted: / now come I hither this to know. + +108 + +"Thyself have I heard also / high praised for knightly worth; +'Tis said a nobler monarch / ne'er lived in all the earth. +Thus speak of thee the people / in all the lands around. +Nor will I e'er give over / until in this the truth I've found. + +109 + +"I too am warrior noble / and born to wear a crown; +So would I right gladly / that thou of me shouldst own +That I of right am master / o'er people and o'er land. +Of this shall now my honor / and eke my head as pledges stand. + +110 + +"And art thou then so valiant / as hath to me been told, +I reck not, will he nill he / thy best warrior bold, +I'll wrest from thee in combat / whatever thou may'st have; +Thy lands and all thy castles / shall naught from change of masters + save." + +111 + +The king was seized with wonder / and all his men beside, +To see the manner haughty / in which the knight replied +That he was fully minded / to take from him his land. +It chafed his thanes to hear it, / who soon in raging mood did stand. + +112 + +"How could it be my fortune," / Gunther the king outspoke, +"What my sire long ruled over / in honor for his folk, +Now to lose so basely / through any vaunter's might? +In sooth 'twere nobly showing / that we too merit name of knight!" + +113 + +"Nowise will I give over," / was the keen reply. +"If peace through thine own valor / thy land cannot enjoy, +To me shall all be subject: / if heritage of mine +Through thy arm's might thou winnest, / of right shall all hence-forth be + thine. + +114 + +"Thy land and all that mine is, / at stake shall equal lie. +Whiche'er of us be victor / when now our strength we try, +To him shall all be subject, / the folk and eke the land." +But Hagen spake against it, / and Gernot too was quick at hand. + +115 + +"Such purpose have we never," / Gernot then said, +"For lands to combat ever, / that any warrior dead +Should lie in bloody battle. / We've mighty lands and strong; +Of right they call us master, / and better they to none belong." + +116 + +There stood full grim and moody / Gernot's friends around, +And there as well amongst them / was Ortwein to be found. +He spake: "This mild peace-making / doth grieve me sore at heart, +For by the doughty Siegfried / attacked all undeserved thou art. + +117 + +"If thou and thy two brothers / yourselves to help had naught, +And if a mighty army / he too had hither brought, +I trow I'd soon be able / to make this man so keen +His manner now so haughty / of need replace by meeker mien." + +118 + +Thereat did rage full sorely / the hero of Netherland: +"Never shall be measured / 'gainst me in fight thy hand. +I am a mighty monarch, / thou a king's serving-knight; +Of such as thou a dozen / dare not withstand me in the fight." + +119 + +For swords then called in anger / of Metz Sir Ortwein: +Son of Hagen's sister / he was, of Tronje's line. +That Hagen so long was silent / did grieve the king to see. +Gernot made peace between them: / a gallant knight and keen was he. + +120 + +Spake he thus to Ortwein: / "Curb now thy wrathful tongue, +For here the noble Siegfried / hath done us no such wrong; +We yet can end the quarrel / in peace,--such is my rede-- +And live with him in friendship; / that were for us a worthier deed." + +121 + +Then spake the mighty Hagen: / "Sad things do I forebode +For all thy train of warriors, / that this knight ever rode +Unto the Rhine thus armed. / 'Twere best he stayed at home; +For from my masters never / to him such wrong as this had come." + +122 + +But outspake Siegfried proudly, / whose heart was ne'er dismayed: +"An't please thee not, Sir Hagen, / what I now have said, +This arm shall give example / whereby thou plain shall see +How stern anon its power / here in Burgundy will be." + +123 + +"Yet that myself will hinder," / said then Gernot. +All his men forbade he / henceforth to say aught +With such unbridled spirit / to stir the stranger's ire. +Then Siegfried eke was mindful / of one most stately maid and fair. + +124 + +"Such strife would ill befit us," / Gernot spake again; +"For though should die in battle / a host of valiant men +'Twould bring us little honor / and ye could profit none." +Thereto gave Siegfried answer, / good King Siegmund's noble son: + +125 + +"Wherefore bides thus grim Hagen, / and Ortwein tardy is +To begin the combat / with all those friends of his, +Of whom he hath so many / here in Burgundy?" +Answer him they durst not, / for such was Gernot's stern decree. + +126 + +"Thou shalt to us be welcome," / outspake young Giselher, +"And all thy brave companions / that hither with thee fare. +Full gladly we'll attend thee, / I and all friends of mine." +For the guests then bade they / pour out in store of Gunther's wine. + +127 + +Then spake the stately monarch: / "But ask thou courteously, +And all that we call ours / stands at thy service free; +So with thee our fortune / we'll share in ill and good." +Thereat the noble Siegfried / a little milder was of mood. + +128 + +Then carefully was tended / all their knightly gear, +And housed in goodly manner / in sooth the strangers were, +All that followed Siegfried; / they found a welcome rest. +In Burgundy full gladly / anon was seen the noble guest. + +129 + +They showed him mickle honor / thereafter many a day, +And more by times a thousand / than I to you could say. +His might respect did merit, / ye may full well know that. +Scarce a man e'er saw him / who bore him longer any hate. + +130 + +And when they held their pastime, / the kings with many a man, +Then was he ever foremost; / whatever they began, +None there that was his equal, / --so mickle was his might-- +If they the stone were putting, / or hurling shaft with rival knight. + +131 + +As is the knightly custom, / before the ladies fair +To games they turned for pastime, / these knights of mettle rare; +Then ever saw they gladly / the hero of Netherland. +But he had fixed his fancy / to win one fairest maiden's hand. + +132 + +In all that they were doing / he'd take a ready part. +A winsome loving maiden / he bore within his heart; +Him only loved that lady, / whose face he ne'er had seen, +But she full oft in secret / of him spake fairest words, I ween. + +133 + +And when before the castle / they sped in tournament, +The good knights and squires, / oft-times the maiden went +And gazed adown from casement, / Kriemhild the princess rare. +Pastime there was none other / for her that could with this compare. + +134 + +And knew he she was gazing / whom in his heart he bore, +He joy enough had found him / in jousting evermore. +And might he only see her, / --that can I well believe-- +On earth through sight none other / his eyes could such delight receive. + +135 + +Whene'er with his companions / to castle court he went, +E'en as do now the people / whene'er on pleasure bent, +There stood 'fore all so graceful / Siegelind's noble son, +For whom in love did languish / the hearts of ladies many a one. + +136 + +Eke thought he full often: / "How shall it ever be, +That I the noble maiden / with my own eyes may see, +Whom I do love so dearly / and have for many a day? +To me is she a stranger, / which sorely grieves my heart to say." + +137 + +Whene'er the kings so mighty / rode o'er their broad domain, +Then of valiant warriors / they took a stately train. +With them abroad rode Siegfried, / which grieved those ladies sore: +--He too for one fair maiden / at heart a mickle burden bore. + +138 + +Thus with his hosts he lingered / --'tis every tittle true-- +In King Gunther's country / a year completely through, +And never once the meanwhile / the lovely maid did see, +Through whom such joy thereafter / for him, and eke such grief should be. + + + + +FOURTH ADVENTURE + +How Siegfried fought with the Saxons + +139 + +Now come wondrous tidings / to King Gunther's land, +By messengers brought hither / from far upon command +Of knights unknown who harbored / against him secret hate. +When there was heard the story, / at heart in sooth the grief was great. + +140 + +Of these I now will tell you: / There was King Luedeger +From out the land of Saxons, / a mighty warrior, +And eke from land of Denmark / Luedegast the king: +Whene'er they rode to battle / went they with mighty following. + +141 + +Come were now their messengers / to the land of Burgundy, +Sent forth by these foemen / in proud hostility. +Then asked they of the strangers / what tidings they did bring: +And when they heard it, straightway / led them to court before the king. + +142 + +Then spake to them King Gunther: / "A welcome, on my word. +Who 'tis that send you hither, / that have I not yet heard: +Now shall ye let me know it," / spake the monarch keen. +Then dreaded they full sorely / to see King Gunther's angry mien. + +143 + +"Wilt them, O king, permit us / the tidings straight to tell +That we now have brought thee, / no whit will we conceal, +But name thee both our masters / who us have hither sent: +Luedegast and Luedeger, / --to waste thy land is their intent. + +144 + +"Their hate hast thou incurred, / and thou shalt know in sooth +That high enraged against thee / are the monarchs both. +Their hosts they will lead hither / to Worms upon the Rhine; +They're helped by thanes full many-- / of this put off all doubts of + thine. + +145 + +"Within weeks a dozen / their march will they begin; +And if thy friends be valiant, / let that full quick be seen, +To help thee keep in safety / thy castles and thy land: +Full many a shield and helmet / shall here be cleft by warrior's hand. + +146 + +"Or wilt thou with them parley, / so let it quick be known, +Before their hosts so mighty / of warlike men come down +To Worms upon Rhine river / sad havoc here to make, +Whereby must death most certain / many a gallant knight o'ertake." + +147 + +"Bide ye now the meanwhile," / the king did answer kind, +"Till I take better counsel; / then shall ye know my mind. +Have I yet warriors faithful, / from these I'll naught conceal, +But to my friends I'll straightway / these warlike tidings strange + reveal." + +148 + +The lordly Gunther wondered / thereat and troubled sore, +As he the message pondered / in heart and brooded o'er. +He sent to fetch grim Hagen / and others of his men, +And bade likewise in hurry / to court bring hither Gernot then. + +149 + +Thus at his word his trusted / advisers straight attend. +He spake: "Our land to harry / foes all unknown will send +Of men a mighty army; / a grievous wrong is this. +Small cause have we e'er given / that they should wish us aught amiss." + +150 + +"Our swords ward such things from us," / Gernot then said; +"Since but the fated dieth, / so let all such lie dead. +Wherefore I'll e'er remember / what honor asks of me: +Whoe'er hath hate against us / shall ever here right welcome be." + +151 + +Then spake the doughty Hagen: / "Methinks 'twould scarce be good; +Luedegast and Luedeger / are men of wrathful mood. +Help can we never summon, / the days are now so few." +So spake the keen old warrior, / "'Twere well Siegfried the tidings + knew." + +152 + +The messengers in the borough / were harbored well the while, +And though their sight was hateful, / in hospitable style +As his own guests to tend them / King Gunther gave command, +Till 'mongst his friends he learned / who by him in his need would + stand. + +153 + +The king was filled with sorrow / and his heart was sad. +Then saw his mournful visage / a knight to help full glad, +Who could not well imagine / what 'twas that grieved him so. +Then begged he of King Gunther / the tale of this his grief to know. + +154 + +"To me it is great wonder," / said Siegfried to the king, +"How thou of late hast changed / to silent sorrowing +The joyous ways that ever / with us thy wont have been." +Then unto him gave answer / Gunther the full stately thane: + +155 + +"'Tis not to every person / I can the burden say +That ever now in secret / upon my heart doth weigh: +To well-tried friends and steady / are told our inmost woes." +--Siegfried at first was pallid, / but soon his blood like fire up-rose. + +156 + +He spake unto the monarch: / "To thee I've naught denied. +All ills that now do threaten / I'll help to turn aside. +And if but friends thou seekest, / of them the first I'll be, +And trow I well with honor / till death to serve thee faithfully." + +157 + +"God speed thee well, Sir Siegfried, / for this thy purpose fair: +And though such help in earnest / thy arm should render ne'er, +Yet do I joy at hearing / thou art so true to me. +And live I yet a season, / right heartily repaid 'twill be. + +158 + +"Know will I also let thee / wherefore I sorrowing stand. +Through messengers from my foemen / have tidings reached my land +That they with hosts of warriors / will ride my country o'er; +Such thing to us did never / thanes of any land before." + +159 + +"Small cause is that for grieving," / said then Siegfried; +"But calm thy troubled spirit / and hearken to my rede: +Let me for thee acquire / honor and vantage too, +And bid thou now assemble / for service eke thy warriors true. + +160 + +"And had thy mighty enemies / to help them now at hand +Good thanes full thirty thousand, / against them all I'd stand, +Had I but one good thousand: / put all thy trust in me." +Then answered him King Gunther: / "Thy help shall full requited be." + +161 + +"Then bid for me to summon / a thousand of thy men, +Since I now have with me / of all my knightly train +None but twelve knights only; / then will I guard thy land. +For thee shall service faithful / be done alway by Siegfried's hand. + +162 + +"Herein shall help us Hagen / and eke Ortwein, +Dankwart and Sindold, / those trusted knights of thine; +And with us too shall journey / Volker, the valiant man; +The banner he shall carry: / bestow it better ne'er I can. + +163 + +"Back to their native country / the messengers may go; +They'll see us there right quickly, / let them full surely know, +So that all our castles / peace undisturbed shall have." +Then bade the king to summon / his friends with all their warriors brave. + +164 + +To court returned the heralds / King Luedeger had sent, +And on their journey homeward / full joyfully they went. +King Gunther gave them presents / that costly were and good, +And granted them safe convoy; / whereat they were of merry mood. + +165 + +"Tell ye my foes," spake Gunther, / "when to your land ye come, +Than making journeys hither / they better were at home; +But if they still be eager / to make such visit here, +Unless my friends forsake me, / cold in sooth shall be their cheer." + +166 + +Then for the messengers / rich presents forth they bore, +Whereof in sooth to give them / Gunther had goodly store: +And they durst not refuse them / whom Luedeger had sent. +Leave then they took immediate, / and homeward joyfully they went. + +167 + +When to their native Denmark / the messengers returned, +And the king Luedegast / the answer too had learned, +They at the Rhine had sent him, / --when that to him was told, +His wrath was all unbounded / to have reply in words so bold. + +168 + +'Twas said their warriors numbered / many a man full keen: +"There likewise among them / with Gunther have we seen +Of Netherland a hero, / the same that Siegfried hight." +King Luedegast was grieved, / when he their words had heard aright. + +169 + +When throughout all Denmark / the tidings quick spread o'er, +Then in hot haste they summoned / helpers all the more, +So that King Luedegast, / 'twixt friends from far and near, +Had knights full twenty thousand / all furnished well with shield and + spear. + +170 + +Then too his men did summon / of Saxony Luedeger, +Till they good forty thousand, / and more, had gathered there, +With whom to make the journey / 'gainst the land of Burgundy. +--At home likewise the meanwhile / King Gunther had sent forth decree + +171 + +Mighty men to summon / of his own and brothers twain, +Who against the foemen / would join the armed train. +In haste they made them ready, / for right good cause they had. +Amongst them must thereafter / full many a noble thane lie dead. + +172 + +To march they quick made ready. / And when they thence would fare, +The banner to the valiant / Volker was given to bear, +As they began the journey / from Worms across the Rhine; +Strong of arm grim Hagen / was chosen leader of the line. + +173 + +With them there rode Sindold / and eke the keen Hunold +Who oft at hands of Gunther / had won rewards of gold; +Dankwart, Hagen's brother, / and Ortwein beside, +Who all could well with honor / in train of noble warriors ride. + +174 + +"King Gunther," spake then Siegfried, / "stay thou here at home; +Since now thy knights so gallant / with me will gladly come, +Rest thou here with fair ladies, / and be of merry mood: +I trow we'll keep in safety / thy land and honor as we should. + +175 + +"And well will I see to it / that they at home remain, +Who fain would ride against thee / to Worms upon the Rhine. +Against them straight we'll journey / into their land so far +That they'll be meeker minded / who now such haughty vaunters are." + +176 + +Then from the Rhine through Hesse / the hosts of knights rode on +Toward the land of Saxons, / where battle was anon. +With fire and sword they harried / and laid the country waste, +So that both the monarchs / full well the woes of war did taste. + +177 + +When came they to the border / the train-men onward pressed. +With thought of battle-order / Siegfried the thanes addressed: +"Who now shall guard our followers / from danger in the rear?" +In sooth like this the Saxons / in battle worsted never were. + +178 + +Then said they: "On the journey / the men shall guarded be +By the valiant Dankwart, / --a warrior swift is he; +So shall we lose the fewer / by men of Luedeger. +Let him and Ortwein with him / be chosen now to guard the rear." + +179 + +Spake then the valiant Siegfried: / "Myself will now ride on, +And against our enemies / will keep watch in the van, +Till I aright discover / where they perchance may be." +The son of fair Queen Siegelind / did arm him then immediately. + +180 + +The folk he left to Hagen / when ready to depart, +And as well to Gernot, / a man of dauntless heart. +Into the land of Saxons / alone he rode away, +And by his hand was severed / many a helmet's band that day. + +181 + +He found a mighty army / that lay athwart the plain, +Small part of which outnumbered / all those in his own train: +Full forty thousand were they / or more good men of might. +The hero high in spirit / saw right joyfully the sight. + +182 + +Then had eke a warrior / from out the enemy +To guard the van gone forward, / all armed cap-a-pie. +Him saw the noble Siegfried, / and he the valiant man; +Each one straight the other / to view with angry mien began. + +183 + +Who he was I'll tell you / that rode his men before, +--A shield of gold all shining / upon his arm he bore-- +In sooth it was King Luedegast / who there the van did guard. +Straightway the noble Siegfried / full eagerly against him spurred. + +184 + +Now singled out for combat / him, too, had Luedegast. +Then full upon each other / they spurred their chargers fast, +As on their shields they lowered / their lances firm and tight, +Whereat the lordly monarch / soon found himself in sorry plight. + +185 + +After the shock their chargers / bore the knights so fast +Onward past each other / as flew they on the blast. +Then turned they deftly backward / obedient to the rein, +As with their swords contested / the grim and doughty fighters twain. + +186 + +When Siegfried struck in anger / far off was heard the blow, +And flew from off the helmet, / as if 'twere all aglow, +The fiery sparks all crackling / beneath his hand around. +Each warrior in the other / a foeman worth his mettle found. + +187 + +Full many a stroke with vigor / dealt eke King Luedegast, +And on each other's buckler / the blows fell thick and fast. +Then thirty men discovered / their master's sorry plight: +But ere they came to help him / had doughty Siegfried won the fight. + +188 + +With three mighty gashes / which he had dealt the king +Through his shining breastplate / made fast with many a ring. +The sword with sharpest edges / from wounds brought forth the blood, +Whereat King Luedegast / apace fell into gloomy mood. + +189 + +To spare his life he begged him, / his land he pledged the knight, +And told him straight moreover, / that Luedegast he hight. +Then came his knights to help him, / they who there had seen +How that upon the vanguard / fierce fight betwixt the twain had been. + +190 + +After duel ended, / did thirty yet withstand +Of knights that him attended; / but there the hero's hand +Kept safe his noble captive / with blows of wondrous might. +And soon wrought greater ruin / Siegfried the full gallant knight. + +191 + +Beneath his arm of valor / the thirty soon lay dead. +But one the knight left living, / who thence full quickly sped +To tell abroad the story / how he the others slew; +In sooth the blood-red helmet / spake all the hapless tidings true. + +192 + +Then had the men of Denmark / for all their grief good cause, +When it was told them truly / their king a captive was. +They told it to King Luedeger, / when he to rage began +In anger all unbounded: / for him had grievous harm been done. + +193 + +The noble King Luedegast / was led a prisoner then +By hand of mighty Siegfried / back to King Gunther's men, +And placed in hands of Hagen: / and when they did hear +That 'twas the king of Denmark / they not a little joyful were. + +194 + +He bade the men of Burgundy / then bind the banners on. +"Now forward!" Siegfried shouted, / "here shall yet more be done, +An I but live to see it; / ere this day's sun depart, +Shall mourn in land of Saxons / full many a goodly matron's heart. + +195 + +"Ye warriors from Rhineland, / to follow me take heed, +And I unto the army / of Luedeger will lead. +Ere we again turn backward / to the land of Burgundy +Helms many hewn asunder / by hand of good knights there shall be." + +196 + +To horse then hastened Gernot / and with him mighty men. +Volker keen in battle / took up the banner then; +He was a doughty Fiddler / and rode the host before. +There, too, every follower / a stately suit of armor wore. + +197 + +More than a thousand warriors / they there had not a man, +Saving twelve knights-errant. / To rise the dust began +In clouds along the highway / as they rode across the fields, +And gleaming in the sunlight / were seen the brightly shining shields. + +198 + +Meanwhile eke was nearing / of Saxons a great throng, +Each a broadsword bearing / that mickle was and long, +With blade that cut full sorely / when swung in strong right hand. +'Gainst strangers were they ready / to guard their castles and their + land. + +199 + +The leaders forth to battle / led the warriors then. +Come was also Siegfried / with his twelve chosen men, +Whom he with him hither / had brought from Netherland. +That day in storm of battle / was blood-bespattered many a hand. + +200 + +Sindold and Hunold / and Gernot as well, +Beneath their hands in battle / full many a hero fell, +Ere that their deeds of valor / were known throughout the host. +Through them must many a stately / matron weep for warrior lost. + +201 + +Volker and Hagen / and Ortwein in the fight +Lustily extinguished / full many a helmet's light +With blood from wounds down flowing,-- / keen fighters every one. +And there by Dankwart also / was many a mickle wonder done. + +202 + +The knights of Denmark tested / how they could weapons wield. +Clashing there together / heard ye many a shield +And 'neath sharp swords resounding, / swung by many an arm. +The Saxons keen in combat / wrought 'mid their foes a grievous harm. + +203 + +When the men of Burgundy / pressed forward to the fight, +Gaping wounds full many / hewed they there with might. +Then flowing down o'er saddle / in streams was seen the blood, +So fought for sake of honor / these valiant riders keen and good. + +204 + +Loudly were heard ringing, / wielded by hero's hand, +The sharply-cutting weapons, / where they of Netherland +Their master followed after / into the thickest throng: +Wherever Siegfried led them / rode too those valiant knights along. + +205 + +Of warriors from Rhine river / could follow not a one. +There could be seen by any / a stream of blood flow down +O'er brightly gleaming helmet / 'neath Siegfried's mighty hand, +Until King Luedeger / before him with his men did stand. + +206 + +Three times hither and thither / had he the host cut through +From one end to the other. / Now come was Hagen too +Who helped him well in battle / to vent his warlike mood. +That day beneath his valor / must die full many a rider good. + +207 + +When the doughty Luedeger / Siegfried there found, +As he swung high in anger / his arm for blows around +And with his good sword Balmung / knights so many slew, +Thereat was the keen warrior / filled with grief and anger too. + +208 + +Then mickle was the thronging / and loud the broadswords clashed, +As all their valiant followers / 'gainst one another dashed. +Then struggled all the fiercer / both sides the fight to win; +The hosts joined with each other: / 'twas frightful there to hear the + din. + +209 + +To the monarch of the Saxons / it had been told before, +His brother was a captive, / which grieved his heart right sore. +He knew not that had done it / fair Siegelind's son, +For rumor said 'twas Gernot. / Full well he learned the truth anon. + +210 + +King Luedeger struck so mighty / when fierce his anger rose, +That Siegfried's steed beneath him / staggered from the blows, +But forthwith did recover; / then straight his rider keen +Let all his furious mettle / in slaughter of his foes be seen. + +211 + +There helped him well grim Hagen, / and Gernot in the fray, +Dankwart and Volker; / dead many a knight there lay. +Sindold and Hunold / and Ortwein, doughty thane, +By them in that fierce struggle / was many a valiant warrior slain. + +212 + +Unparted in storm of battle / the gallant leaders were, +Around them over helmet / flew there many a spear +Through shield all brightly shining, / from hand of mighty thane: +And on the glancing armor / was seen full many a blood-red stain. + +213 + +Amid the hurly-burly / down fell many a man +To ground from off his charger. / Straight 'gainst each other ran +Siegfried the keen rider / and eke King Luedeger. +Then flew from lance the splinters / and hurled was many a pointed spear. + +214 + +'Neath Siegfried's hand so mighty / from shield flew off the band. +And soon to win the victory / thought he of Netherland +Over the valiant Saxons, / of whom were wonders seen. +Heigh-ho! in shining mail-rings / many a breach made Dankwart keen! + +215 + +Upon the shining buckler / that guarded Siegfried's breast +Soon espied King Luedeger / a painted crown for crest; +By this same token knew he / it was the doughty man, +And to his friends he straightway / amid the battle loud began: + +216 + +"Give o'er from fighting further, / good warriors every one! +Amongst our foes now see I / Siegmund's noble son, +Of netherland the doughty / knight on victory bent. +Him has the evil Devil / to scourge the Saxons hither sent." + +217 + +Then bade he all the banners / amid the storm let down. +Peace he quickly sued for: / 'Twas granted him anon, +But he must now a hostage / be ta'en to Gunther's land. +This fate had forced upon him / the fear of Siegfried's mighty hand. + +218 + +They thus by common counsel / left off all further fight. +Hacked full many a helmet / and shields that late were bright +From hands down laid they weary; / as many as there might be, +With stains they all were bloody / 'neath hands of the men of Burgundy. + +219 + +Each whom he would took captive, / now they had won the fight. +Gernot, the noble hero, / and Hagen, doughty knight, +Bade bear forth the wounded. / Back led they with them then +Unto the land of Burgundy / five hundred stalwart fighting-men. + +220 + +The knights, of victory cheated, / their native Denmark sought, +Nor had that day the Saxons / with such high valor fought, +That one could praise them for it, / which caused the warriors pain. +Then wept their friends full sorely / at home for those in battle slain. + +221 + +For the Rhine then laden / they let their armor be. +Siegfried, the knight so doughty, / had won the victory +With his few chosen followers; / that he had nobly done, +Could not but free acknowledge / King Gunther's warriors every one. + +222 + +To Worms sent Gernot riding / now a messenger, +And of the joyous tiding / soon friends at home were ware, +How that it well had prospered / with him and all his men. +Fought that day with valor / for honor had those warriors keen. + +223 + +The messenger sped forward / and told the tidings o'er. +Then joyfully they shouted / who boded ill before, +To hear the welcome story / that now to them was told. +From ladies fair and noble / came eager questions manifold, + +224 + +Who all the fair fortune / of King Gunther's men would know. +One messenger they ordered / unto Kriemhild to go. +But that was done in secret: / she durst let no one see, +For he was 'mongst those warriors / whom she did love so faithfully. + +225 + +When to her own apartments / was come the messenger +Joyfully addressed him / Kriemhild the maiden fair: +"But tell me now glad tidings, / and gold I'll give to thee, +And if thou tell'st not falsely, / good friend thou'lt ever find in me. + +226 + +"How has my good brother / Gernot in battle sped, +And how my other kinsmen? / Lies any of them dead? +Who wrought most deeds of valor? / --That shall thou let me know." +Then spake the messenger truly: / "No knight but did high valor show. + +227 + +"But in the dire turmoil / rode rider none so well, +O Princess fair and noble, / since I must truly tell, +As the stranger knight full noble / who comes from Netherland; +There deeds of mickle wonder / were wrought by doughty Siegfried's hand. + +228 + +"Whate'er have all the warriors / in battle dared to do, +Dankwart and Hagen / and the other knights so true, +Howe'er they fought for honor, / 'twas naught but idle play +Beside what there wrought Siegfried, / King Siegmund's son, amid the + fray. + +229 + +"Beneath their hands in battle / full many a hero fell, +Yet all the deeds of wonder / no man could ever tell, +Wrought by the hand of Siegfried, / when rode he 'gainst the foe: +And weep aloud must women / for friends by his strong arm laid low. + +230 + +"There, too, the knight she loved / full many a maid must lose. +Were heard come down on helmet / so loud his mighty blows, +That they from gaping gashes / brought forth the flowing blood. +In all that maketh noble / he is a valiant knight and good. + +231 + +"Many a deed of daring / of Metz Sir Ortwein wrought: +For all was evil faring / whom he with broadsword caught, +Doomed to die that instant, / or wounded sore to fall. +And there thy valiant brother / did greater havoc work than all + +232 + +"That e'er in storm of battle / was done by warrior bold. +Of all those chosen warriors / let eke the truth be told: +The proud Burgundian heroes / have made it now right plain, +That they can free from insult / their country's honor well maintain. + +233 + +"Beneath their hands was often / full many a saddle bare, +When o'er the field resounding / their bright swords cut the air. +The warriors from Rhine river / did here such victory win +That for their foes 'twere better / if they such meeting ne'er had seen. + +234 + +"Keen the knights of Tronje / 'fore all their valor showed, +When with their stalwart followers / against their foes they rode; +Slain by the hand of Hagen / must knights so many be, +'Twill long be in the telling / here in the land of Burgundy. + +235 + +"Sindold and Hunold, / Gernot's men each one, +And the valiant Rumold / have all so nobly done, +King Luedeger will ever / have right good cause to rue +That he against thy kindred / at Rhine dared aught of harm to do. + +236 + +"And deeds of all most wondrous / e'er done by warrior keen +In earliest time or latest, / by mortal ever seen, +Wrought there in lusty manner / Siegfried with doughty hand. +Rich hostages he bringeth / with him unto Gunther's land. + +237 + +"By his own strength subdued them / the hero unsurpassed +And brought down dire ruin / upon King Luedegast, +Eke on the King of Saxons / his brother Luedeger. +Now hearken to the story / I tell thee, noble Princess fair. + +238 + +"Them both hath taken captive / Siegfried's doughty hand. +Hostages were so many / ne'er brought into this land +As to the Rhine come hither / through his great bravery." +Than these could never tidings / unto her heart more welcome be. + +239 + +"With captives home they're hieing, / five hundred men or mo', +And of the wounded dying / Lady shalt thou know, +Full eighty blood-stained barrows / unto Burgundian land, +Most part hewn down in battle / beneath keen Siegfried's doughty hand. + +240 + +"Who message sent defiant / unto the Rhine so late +Must now as Gunther's prisoners / here abide their fate. +Bringing such noble captives / the victors glad return." +Then glowed with joy the princess / when she the tidings glad did learn. + +241 + +Her cheeks so full of beauty / with joy were rosy-red, +That passed he had uninjured / through all the dangers dread, +The knight she loved so dearly, / Siegfried with doughty arm. +Good cause she had for joying / o'er all her friends escaped from harm. + +242 + +Then spake the beauteous maiden: / "Glad news thou hast told me, +Wherefor now rich apparel / thy goodly meed shall be, +And to thee shall be given / ten marks of gold as well." +'Tis thus a thing right pleasant / to ladies high such news to tell. + +243 + +The presents rich they gave him, / gold and apparel rare. +Then hastened to the casement / full many a maiden fair, +And on the street looked downward: / hither riding did they see +Many a knight high-hearted / into the land of Burgundy. + +244 + +There came who 'scaped uninjured, / and wounded borne along, +All glad to hear the greetings / of friends, a joyful throng. +To meet his friends the monarch / rode out in mickle glee: +In joying now was ended / all his full great anxiety. + +245 + +Then did he well his warriors / and eke the strangers greet; +And for a king so mighty / 'twere nothing else but meet +That he should thank right kindly / the gallant men each one, +Who had in storm of battle / the victory so bravely won. + +246 + +Then of his friends King Gunther / bade tidings tell straightway, +Of all his men how many / were fallen in the fray. +Lost had he none other / than warriors three score: +Then wept they for the heroes, / as since they did for many more. + +247 + +Shields full many brought they / all hewn by valiant hand, +And many a shattered helmet / into King Gunther's hand. +The riders then dismounted / from their steeds before the hall, +And a right hearty welcome / from friends rejoicing had they all. + +248 + +Then did they for the warriors / lodging meet prepare, +And for his guests the monarch / bade full well have care. +He bade them take the wounded / and tend them carefully, +And toward his enemies also / his gentle bearing might ye see. + +249 + +To Luedeger then spake he: / "Right welcome art thou here. +Through fault of thine now have I / lost many friends full dear, +For which, have I good fortune, / thou shall right well atone. +God rich reward my liegemen, / such faithfulness to me they've shown." + +250 + +"Well may'st thou thank them, truly," / spake then Luedeger; +"Hostages so noble / won a monarch ne'er. +For chivalrous protection / rich goods we offer thee, +That thou now right gracious / to us thy enemies shalt be." + +251 + +"I'll grant you both your freedom," / spake the king again; +"But that my enemies surely / here by me remain, +Therefor I'll have good pledges / they ne'er shall quit my land, +Save at my royal pleasure." / Thereto gave Luedeger the hand. + +252 + +Sweet rest then found the weary / their tired limbs to aid, +And gently soon on couches / the wounded knights were laid; +Mead and wine right ruddy / they poured out plenteously: +Than they and all their followers / merrier men there none might be. + +253 + +Their shields all hacked in battle / secure were laid away; +And not a few of saddles / stained with blood that day, +Lest women weep to see them, / hid they too from sight. +Full many a keen rider / home came aweary from the fight. + +254 + +The host in gentlest manner / did his guests attend: +The land around with stranger / was crowded, and with friend. +They bade the sorely wounded / nurse with especial care: +Whereby the knights high-hearted / 'neath all their wounds knew not + despair. + +255 + +Who there had skill in healing / received reward untold, +Silver all unweighed / and thereto ruddy gold +For making whole the heroes / after the battle sore. +To all his friends the monarch / gave presents rich in goodly store. + +256 + +Who there again was minded / to take his homeward way +They bade, as one a friend doth, / yet a while to stay. +The king did then take counsel / how to reward each one, +For they his will in battle / like liegemen true had nobly done. + +257 + +Then outspake royal Gernot: / "Now let them homeward go; +After six weeks are over, / --thus our friends shall know-- +To hold high feast they're bidden / hither to come again; +Many a knight now lying / sore wounded will be healed ere then. + +258 + +Of Netherland the hero / would also then take leave. +When of this King Gunther / did tidings first receive, +The knight besought he kindly / not yet his leave to take: +To this he'd ne'er consented / an it were not for Kriemhild's sake. + +259 + +A prince he was too noble / to take the common pay; +He had right well deserved it / that the king alway +And all his warriors held him / in honor, for they had seen +What by his arm in battle / bravely had accomplished been. + +260 + +He stayed there yet a little / for the maiden's sake alone, +Whom he would see so gladly. / And all fell out full soon +As he at heart had wished it: / well known to him was she. +Home to his father's country / joyously anon rode he. + +261 + +The king bade at all seasons / keep up the tournament, +And many a youthful rider / forth to the lists there went. +The while were seats made ready / by Worms upon the strand +For all who soon were coming / unto the Burgundian land. + +262 + +In the meantime also, / ere back the knights returned, +Had Kriemhild, noble lady, / the tidings likewise learned, +The king would hold high feasting / with all his gallant men. +There was a mickle hurry, / and busy were fair maidens then + +263 + +With dresses and with wimples / that they there should wear. +Ute, queen so stately, / the story too did hear, +How to them were coming / proud knights of highest worth. +Then from enfolding covers / were store of dresses rich brought forth. + +264 + +Such love she bore her children / she bade rich dress prepare, +Wherewith adorned were ladies / and many a maiden fair, +And not a few young riders / in the land of Burgundy. +For strangers many bade she / rich garments eke should measured be. + + + + +FIFTH ADVENTURE + +How Siegfried first saw Kriemhild + +265 + +Unto the Rhine now daily / the knights were seen to ride, +Who there would be full gladly / to share the festive tide. +To all that thither journeyed / to the king to show them true, +In plenty them were given / steeds and rich apparel too. + +266 + +And soon were seats made ready / for every noble guest, +As we have heard the story, / for highest and for best, +Two and thirty princes / at the festival. +Then vied with one another / to deck themselves the ladies all. + +267 + +Never was seen idle / the young Prince Giselher: +The guests and all their followers / received full kindly were +By him and eke by Gernot / and their men every one. +The noble thanes they greeted / as ever 'tis in honor done. + +268 + +With gold bright gleaming saddles / unto the land they brought, +Good store of rich apparel / and shields all richly wrought +Unto the Rhine they carried / to that high festival. +And joyous days were coming / for the wounded warriors all. + +269 + +They who yet on couches / lay wounded grievously +For joy had soon forgotten / how bitter death would be: +The sick and all the ailing / no need of pity had. +Anent the days of feasting / were they o'er the tidings glad, + +270 + +How they should make them merry / there where all were so. +Delight beyond all measure, / of joys an overflow, +Had in sooth the people / seen on every hand: +Then rose a mickle joyance / over all King Gunther's land. + +271 + +Full many a warrior valiant / one morn at Whitsuntide +All gorgeously apparelled / was thither seen to ride, +Five thousand men or over, / where the feast should be; +And vied in every quarter / knight with knight in revelry. + +272 + +Thereof the host was mindful, / for he well did understand +How at heart right warmly / the hero of Netherland +Loved alone his sister, / though her he ne'er had seen, +Who praised for wondrous beauty / before all maidens else had been. + +273 + +Then spake the thane so noble / of Metz Sir Ortwein: +"Wilt thou full be honored / by every guest of thine, +Then do them all the pleasure / the winsome maids to see, +That are held so high in honor / here in the land of Burgundy. + +274 + +"What were a man's chief pleasure, / his very joy of life, +An 't were not a lovely maiden / or a stately wife? +Then let the maid thy sister / before thy guests appear." +--Brave thanes did there full many / at heart rejoice the rede to hear. + +275 + +"Thy words I'll gladly follow," / then the monarch said, +And all the knights who heard him / ere thereat right glad. +Then told was Queen Ute / and eke her daughter fair, +That they with maids in waiting / unto the court should soon repair. + +276 + +Then in well-stored wardrobes / rich attire they sought, +And forth from folding covers / their glittering dresses brought, +Armbands and silken girdles / of which they many had. +And zealous to adorn her / was then full many a winsome maid. + +277 + +Full many a youthful squire / upon that day did try, +By decking of his person, / to win fair lady's eye; +For the which great good fortune / he'd take no monarch's crown: +They longed to see those maidens, / whom they before had never known. + +278 + +For her especial service / the king did order then +To wait upon his sister / a hundred of his men, +As well upon his mother: / they carried sword in hand. +That was the court attendance / there in the Burgundian land. + +279 + +Ute, queen so stately, / then came forth with her: +And with the queen in waiting / ladies fair there were, +A hundred or over, / in festal robes arrayed. +Eke went there with Kriemhild / full many a fair and winsome maid. + +280 + +Forth from their own apartments / they all were seen to go: +There was a mickle pressing / of good knights to and fro, +Who hoped to win the pleasure, / if such a thing might be, +The noble maiden Kriemhild, / delight of every eye, to see. + +281 + +Now came she fair and lovely, / as the ruddy sun of morn +From misty clouds emerging. / Straight he who long had borne +Her in his heart and loved her, / from all his gloom was freed, +As so stately there before him / he saw the fair and lovely maid. + +282 + +Her rich apparel glittered / with many a precious stone, +And with a ruddy beauty / her cheeks like roses shone. +Though you should wish to do so, / you could not say, I ween, +That e'er a fairer lady / in all the world before was seen. + +283 + +As in a sky all starlit / the moon shines out so bright, +And through the cloudlets peering / pours down her gentle light, +E'en so was Kriemhild's beauty / among her ladies fair: +The hearts of gallant heroes / were gladder when they saw her there. + +284 + +The richly clad attendants / moved stately on before, +And the valiant thanes high-hearted / stood patiently no more, +But pressed right eager forward / to see the lovely maid: +In noble Siegfried's bosom / alternate joy and anguish swayed. + +285 + +He thought with heart despairing, / "How could it ever be, +That I should win thy favor? / There hoped I foolishly. +But had I e'er to shun thee, / then were I rather dead." +And oft, to think upon it, / the color from his visage fled. + +286 + +The noble son of Siegmund / did there so stately stand +As if his form were pictured / by good old master's hand +Upon a piece of parchment. / All who saw, confessed +That he of all good heroes / was the stateliest and the best. + +287 + +The fair Kriemhild's attendants / gave order to make way +On all sides for the ladies, / and willing thanes obey. +To see their noble bearing / did every warrior cheer; +Full many a stately lady / of gentle manner born was there. + +288 + +Then outspake of Burgundy / Gernot the valiant knight: +"To him who thus has helped thee / so bravely in the fight, +Gunther, royal brother, / shalt thou like favor show, +A thane before all others; / he's worthy of it well, I trow. + +289 + +"Let then the doughty Siegfried / unto my sister go +To have the maiden's greetings, / --'twill be our profit so. +She that ne'er greeted hero / shall greet him courteously, +That thus the stately warrior / for aye our faithful friend may be." + +290 + +The king's knights hastened gladly / upon his high command +And told these joyous tidings / to the prince of Netherland. +"It is the king's good pleasure / that thou to court shalt go, +To have his sister's greetings; / to honor thee 'tis ordered so." + +291 + +Then was the thane full valiant / thereat soon filled with joy. +Yea, bore he in his bosom / delight without alloy +At thought that he should straightway / Ute's fair daughter see. +Siegfried anon she greeted / in courteous manner lovingly. + +292 + +As she saw the knight high-hearted / there before her stand, +Blushed red and spake the maiden, / the fairest of the land: +"A welcome, brave Sir Siegfried, / thou noble knight and good." +As soon as he had heard it, / the hearty greeting cheered his mood. + +293 + +Before her low he bended; / him by the hand took she, +And by her onward wended / the knight full willingly. +They cast upon each other / fond glances many a one, +The knight and eke the maiden; / furtively it all was done. + +294 + +Whether he pressed friendly / that hand as white as snow +From the love he bore her, / that I do not know; +Yet believe I cannot / that this was left undone, +For straightway showed the maiden / that he her heart had fully won. + +295 + +In the sunny summer season / and in the month of May +Had his heart seen never / before so glad a day, +Nor one so fully joyous, / as when he walked beside +That maiden rich in beauty / whom fain he'd choose to be his bride. + +296 + +Then thought many a warrior: / "Were it likewise granted me +To walk beside the maiden, / just as now I see, +Or to lie beside her, / how gladly were that done!" +But ne'er a knight more fully / had gracious lady's favor won. + +297 + +From all the lands far distant / were guests distinguished there, +But fixed each eye was only / upon this single pair. +By royal leave did Kriemhild / kiss then the stately knight: +In all the world he never / before had known so rare delight. + +298 + +Then full of strange forebodings, / of Denmark spake the king: +"This full loving greeting / to many woe will bring, +--My heart in secret warns me-- / through Siegfried's doughty hand. +God give that he may never / again be seen within my land." + +299 + +On all sides then 'twas ordered / 'fore Kriemhild and her train +Of women make free passage. / Full many a valiant thane +With her unto the minster / in courtly way went on. +But from her side was parted / the full stately knight anon. + +300 + +Then went she to the minster, / and with her many a maid. +In such rich apparel / Kriemhild was arrayed, +That hearty wishes many / there were made in vain: +Her comely form delighted / the eye of many a noble thane. + +301 + +Scarce could tarry Siegfried / till mass was sung the while. +And surely did Dame Fortune / upon him kindly smile, +To him she was so gracious / whom in his heart he bore. +Eke did he the maiden, / as she full well deserved, adore. + +302 + +As after mass then Kriemhild / came to the minster door, +The knight his homage offered, / as he had done before. +Then began to thank him / the full beauteous maid, +That he her royal brothers / did 'gainst their foes so nobly aid. + +303 + +"God speed thee, Sir Siegfried," / spake the maiden fair, +"For thou hast well deserved / that all these warriors are, +As it hath now been told me, / right grateful unto thee." +Then gan he cast his glances / on the Lady Kriemhild lovingly. + +304 + +"True will I ever serve them," / --so spake the noble thane-- +"And my head shall never / be laid to rest again, +Till I, if life remaineth, / have their good favor won. +In sooth, my Lady Kriemhild, / for thy fair grace it all is done." + +305 + +Ne'er a day passed over / for a twelve of happy days, +But saw they there beside him / the maiden all did praise, +As she before her kinsmen / to court would daily go: +It pleased the thane full highly / that they did him such honor show. + +306 + +Delight and great rejoicing, / a mighty jubilee, +Before King Gunther's castle / daily might ye see, +Without and eke within it, / 'mongst keen men many a one. +By Ortwein and by Hagen / great deeds and wondrous there were done. + +307 + +Whate'er was done by any, / in all they ready were +To join in way right lusty, / both the warriors rare: +Whereby 'mongst all the strangers / they won an honored name, +And through their deeds so wondrous / of Gunther's land spread far the + fame. + +308 + +Who erstwhile lay sore wounded / now were whole again, +And fain would share the pastime, / with all the king's good men; +With shields join in the combat, / and try the shaft so long. +Wherein did join them many / of the merry-making throng. + +309 + +To all who joined the feasting / the host in plenty bade +Supply the choicest viands: / so guarded well he had +'Gainst whate'er reproaches / could rise from spite or spleen. +Unto his guests right friendly / to go the monarch now was seen. + +310 + +He spake: "Ye thanes high-hearted, / ere now ye part from me, +Accept of these my presents; / for I would willingly +Repay your noble service. / Despise ye not, I pray, +What now I will share with you: / 'tis offered in right grateful way." + +311 + +Straightway they of Denmark / thus to the king replied: +"Ere now upon our journey / home again we ride, +We long for lasting friendship. / Thereof we knights have need, +For many a well-loved kinsman / at hands of thy good thanes lies dead." + +312 + +Luedegast was recovered / from all his wounds so sore, +And eke the lord of Saxons / from fight was whole once more. +Some amongst their warriors / left they dead behind. +Then went forth King Gunther / where he Siegfried might find. + +313 + +Unto the thane then spake he: / "Thy counsel give, I pray. +The foes whom we hold captive / fain would leave straightway, +And long for lasting friendship / with all my men and me. +Now tell me, good Sir Siegfried, / what here seemeth good to thee. + +314 + +"What the lords bid as ransom, / shall now to thee be told +Whate'er five hundred horses / might bear of ruddy gold, +They'd give to me right gladly, / would I but let them free." +Then spake the noble Siegfried: / "That were to do right foolishly. + +315 + +"Thou shalt let them freely / journey hence again; +And that they both hereafter / shall evermore refrain +From leading hostile army / against thee and thy land, +Therefor in pledge of friendship / let each now give to thee the hand." + +316 + +"Thy rede I'll gladly follow." / Straightway forth they went. +To those who offered ransom / the answer then was sent, +Their gold no one desired / which they would give before. +The warriors battle-weary / dear friends did yearn to see once more. + +317 + +Full many a shield all laden / with treasure forth they bore: +He dealt it round unmeasured / to friends in goodly store; +Each one had marks five hundred / and some had more, I ween. +Therein King Gunther followed / the rede of Gernot, knight full keen. + +318 + +Then was a great leave-taking, / as they departed thence. +The warriors all 'fore Kriemhild / appeared in reverence, +And eke there where her mother / Queen Ute sat near by. +Gallant thanes were never / dismissed as these so graciously. + +319 + +Bare were the lodging-places, / when away the strangers rode. +Yet in right lordly manner / there at home abode +The king with friends around him, / full noble men who were. +And them now saw they daily / at court before Kriemhild appear. + +320 + +Eke would the gallant hero / Siegfried thence depart, +The thing to gain despairing / whereon was set his heart. +The king was told the tidings / how that he would away. +Giselher his brother / did win the knight with them to stay. + +321 + +"Whither, O noble Siegfried, / wilt thou now from us ride? +Do as I earnest pray thee, / and with these thanes abide, +As guest here with King Gunther, / and live right merrily. +Here dwell fair ladies many: / them will he gladly let thee see." + +322 + +Then spake the doughty Siegfried: / "Our steeds leave yet at rest, +The while from this my purpose / to part will I desist. +Our shields once more take from us. / Though gladly home I would, +Naught 'gainst the fond entreaties / of Giselher avail me could." + +323 + +So stayed the knight full gallant / for sake of friendship there. +In sooth in ne'er another / country anywhere +Had he so gladly lingered: / iwis it was that he, +Now whensoe'er he wished it, / Kriemhild the maiden fair could see. + +324 + +'Twas her surpassing beauty / that made the knight to stay. +With many a merry pastime / they whiled the time away; +But love for her oppressed him, / oft-times grievously. +Whereby anon the hero / a mournful death was doomed to die. + + + + +SIXTH ADVENTURE + +How Gunther fared to Isenland to Brunhild + +325 + +Tidings unknown to any / from over Rhine now come, +How winsome maids a many / far yonder had their home. +Whereof the royal Gunther / bethought him one to win, +And o'er the thought the monarch / of full joyous mood was seen. + +326 + +There was a queenly maiden / seated over sea, +Like her nowhere another / was ever known to be. +She was in beauty matchless, / full mickle was her might; +Her love the prize of contest, / she hurled the shaft with valiant + knight. + +327 + +The stone she threw far distant, / wide sprang thereafter too. +Who turned to her his fancy / with intent to woo, +Three times perforce must vanquish / the lady of high degree; +Failed he in but one trial, / forfeited his head had he. + +328 + +This same the lusty princess / times untold had done. +When to a warrior gallant / beside the Rhine 'twas known, +He thought to take unto him / the noble maid for wife: +Thereby must heroes many / since that moment lose their life. + +329 + +Then spake of Rhine the master: / "I'll down unto the sea +Unto Brunhild journey, / fare as 'twill with me. +For her unmeasured beauty / I'll gladly risk my life, +Ready eke to lose it, / if she may not be my wife." + +330 + +"I counsel thee against it," / spake then Siegfried. +"So terrible in contest / the queen is indeed, +Who for her love is suitor / his zeal must dearly pay. +So shalt thou from the journey / truly be content to stay." + +331 + +"So will I give thee counsel," / outspake Hagen there, +"That thou beg of Siegfried / with thee to bear +The perils that await thee: / that is now my rede, +To him is known so fully / what with Brunhild will be thy need." + +332 + +He spake: "And wilt thou help me, / noble Siegfried, +To win the lovely maiden? / Do what now I plead; +And if in all her beauty / she be my wedded wife, +To meet thy fullest wishes / honor will I pledge and life." + +333 + +Thereto answered Siegfried, / the royal Siegmund's son: +"Giv'st thou me thy sister, / so shall thy will be done, +--Kriemhild the noble princess, / in beauty all before. +For toils that I encounter / none other meed I ask thee more." + +334 + +"That pledge I," spake then Gunther, / "Siegfried, in thy hand. +And comes the lovely Brunhild / thither to this land, +Thereunto thee my sister / for wife I'll truly give, +That with the lovely maiden / thou may'st ever joyful live." + +335 + +Oaths the knight full noble / upon the compact swore, +Whereby to them came troubles / and dangers all the more, +Ere they the royal lady / brought unto the Rhine. +Still should the warriors valiant / in sorest need and sorrow pine. + +336 + +With him carried Siegfried / that same mantle then, +The which with mickle trouble / had won the hero keen +From a dwarf in struggle, / Alberich by name. +They dressed them for the journey, / the valiant thanes of lofty fame. + +337 + +And when the doughty Siegfried / the sightless mantle wore, +Had he within it / of strength as good a store +As other men a dozen / in himself alone. +The full stately princess / anon by cunning art he won. + +338 + +Eke had that same mantle / such wondrous properties +That any man whatever / might work whate'er he please +When once he had it on him, / yet none could see or tell. +'Twas so that he won Brunhild; / whereby him evil since befell. + +339 + +"Ere we begin our journey, / Siegfried, tell to me, +That we with fullest honor / come unto the sea, +Shall we lead warriors with us / down to Brunhild's land? +Thanes a thirty thousand / straightway shall be called to hand." + +340 + +"Men bring we ne'er so many," / answered Siegfried then. +"So terrible in custom / ever is the queen, +That all would death encounter / from her angry mood. +I'll give thee better counsel, / thane in valor keen and good. + +341 + +"Like as knights-errant journey / down the Rhine shall we. +Those now will I name thee / who with us shall be; +But four in all the company / seaward shall we fare: +Thus shall we woo the lady, / what fortune later be our share. + +342 + +"Myself one of the company, / a second thou shalt be, +Hagen be the third one / --so fare we happily; +The fourth let it be Dankwart, / warrior full keen. +Never thousand others / dare in fight withstand us then." + +343 + +"The tale I would know gladly," / the king then further said, +"Ere we have parted thither / --of that were I full glad-- +What should we of apparel, / that would befit us well, +Wear in Brunhild's presence: / that shalt thou now to Gunther tell." + +344 + +"Weeds the very finest / that ever might be found +They wear in every season / in Brunhild's land: +So shall we rich apparel / before the lady wear, +That we have not dishonor / where men the tale hereafter hear." + +345 + +Then spake he to the other: / "Myself will go unto +My own loving mother, / if I from her may sue +That her fair tendant maidens / help that we be arrayed +As we may go in honor / before the high majestic maid." + +346 + +Then spake of Tronje Hagen / with noble courtliness: +"Why wilt thou of thy mother / beg such services? +Only let thy sister / hear our mind and mood: +So shall for this our journey / her good service be bestowed." + +347 + +Then sent he to his sister / that he her would see, +And with him also Siegfried. / Ere that such might be, +Herself had there the fair one / in rich apparel clad. +Sooth to tell, the visit / but little did displease the maid. + +348 + +Then also were her women / decked as for them was meet. +The princes both were coming: / she rose from off her seat, +As doth a high-born lady / when that she did perceive, +And went the guest full noble / and eke her brother to receive. + +349 + +"Welcome be my brother / and his companion too. +I'd know the story gladly," / spake the maiden so, +"What ye now are seeking / that ye are come to me: +I pray you straightway tell me / how 't with you valiants twain may be." + +350 + +Then spake the royal Gunther: / "Lady, thou shall hear: +Spite of lofty spirits / have we yet a care. +To woo a maid we travel / afar to lands unknown; +We should against the journey / have rich apparel for our own." + +351 + +"Seat thee now, dear brother," / spake the princess fair; +"Let me hear the story, / who the ladies are +That ye will seek as suitors / in stranger princes' land." +Both good knights the lady / took in greeting by the hand. + +352 + +With the twain then went she / where she herself had sat, +To couches rich and costly, / in sooth believe ye that, +Wrought in design full cunning / of gold embroidery. +And with these fair ladies / did pass the time right pleasantly. + +353 + +Many tender glances / and looks full many a one +Fondly knight and lady / each other cast upon. +Within his heart he bore her, / she was as his own life. +Anon the fairest Kriemhild / was the doughty Siegfried's wife. + +354 + +Then spake the mighty monarch: / "Full loving sister mine, +This may we ne'er accomplish / without help of thine. +Unto Brunhild's country / as suitor now we fare: +'Tis fitting that 'fore ladies / we do rich apparel wear." + +355 + +Then spake the royal maiden: / "Brother dear to me, +In whatsoever manner / my help may given be, +Of that I well assure you, / ready thereto am I. +To Kriemhild 'twere a sorrow / if any should the same deny. + +356 + +"Of me, O noble brother, / thou shalt not ask in vain: +Command in courteous manner / and I will serve thee fain. +Whatever be thy pleasure, / for that I'll lend my aid +And willingly I'll do it," / spake the fair and winsome maid. + +357 + +"It is our wish, dear sister, / apparel good to wear; +That shall now directing / the royal hand prepare; +And let thy maids see to it / that all is done aright, +For we from this same journey / turn not aside for word of wight." + +358 + +Spake thereupon the maiden: / "Now mark ye what I say: +Myself have silks in plenty; / now send us rich supply +Of stones borne on bucklers, / so vesture we'll prepare." +To do it royal Gunther / and Siegfried both right ready were. + +359 + +"And who are your companions," / further questioned she, +"Who with you apparelled / now for court shall be?" +"I it is and Siegfried, / and of my men are two, +Dankwart and Hagen, / who with us to court shall go. + +360 + +"Now rightly what we tell thee, / mark, O sister dear: +'Tis that we four companions / for four days may wear +Thrice daily change of raiment / so wrought with skilful hand +That we without dishonor / may take our leave of Brunhild's land." + +361 + +After fair leave-taking / the knights departed so. +Then of her attendants / thirty maids to go +Forth from her apartments / Kriemhild the princess bade, +Of those that greatest cunning / in such skilful working had. + +362 + +The silks that were of Araby / white as the snow in sheen, +And from the land of Zazamank / like unto grass so green, +With stones of price they broidered; / that made apparel rare. +Herself she cut them, Kriemhild / the royal maiden debonair. + +363 + +Fur linings fashioned fairly / from dwellers in the sea +Beheld by people rarely, / the best that e'er might be, +With silken stuffs they covered / for the knights to wear. +Now shall ye of the shining / weeds full many a wonder hear. + +364 + +From land of far Morocco / and eke from Libya +Of silks the very finest / that ever mortal saw +With any monarch's kindred, / they had a goodly store. +Well showed the Lady Kriemhild / that unto them good will she bore. + +365 + +Since they unto the journey / had wished that so it be, +Skins of costly ermine / used they lavishly, +Whereon were silken pieces / black as coal inlaid. +To-day were any nobles / in robes so fashioned well arrayed. + +366 + +From the gold of Araby / many a stone there shone. +The women long were busy / before the work was done; +But all the robes were finished / ere seven weeks did pass, +When also trusty armor / for the warriors ready was. + +367 + +When they at length were ready / adown the Rhine to fare, +A ship lay waiting for them / strong built with mickle care, +Which should bear them safely / far down unto the sea. +The maidens rich in beauty / plied their work laboriously. + +368 + +Then 'twas told the warriors / for them was ready there +The finely wrought apparel / that they were to wear; +Just as they had wished it, / so it had been made; +After that the heroes / there by the Rhine no longer stayed. + +369 + +To the knights departing / went soon a messenger: +Would they come in person / to view their new attire, +If it had been fitted / short and long aright. +'Twas found of proper measure, / and thanked those ladies fair each + knight. + +370 + +And all who there beheld them / they must needs confess +That in the world they never / had gazed on fairer dress: +At court to wear th' apparel / did therefore please them well. +Of warriors better furnished / never could a mortal tell. + +371 + +Thanks oft-times repeated / were there not forgot. +Leave of parting from them / the noble knights then sought: +Like thanes of noble bearing / they went in courteous wise. +Then dim and wet with weeping / grew thereat two shining eyes. + +372 + +She spake: "O dearest brother, / still here thou mightest stay, +And woo another woman-- / that were the better way-- +Where so sore endangered / stood not thus thy life. +Here nearer canst thou find thee / equally a high-born wife." + +373 + +I ween their hearts did tell them / what later came to pass. +They wept there all together, / whatever spoken was. +The gold upon their bosoms / was sullied 'neath the tears +That from their eyes in plenty / fell adown amid their fears. + +374 + +She spake: "O noble Siegfried, / to thee commended be +Upon thy truth and goodness / the brother dear to me, +That he come unscathed / home from Brunhild's land." +That plighted the full valiant / knight in Lady Kriemhild's hand. + +375 + +The mighty thane gave answer: / "If I my life retain, +Then shall thy cares, good Lady, / all have been in vain. +All safe I'll bring him hither / again unto the Rhine, +Be that to thee full sicker." / To him did the fair maid incline. + +376 + +Their shields of golden color / were borne unto the strand, +And all their trusty armor / was ready brought to hand. +They bade their horses bring them: / they would at last depart. +--Thereat did fairest women / weep with sad foreboding heart. + +377 + +Down from lofty casement / looked many a winsome maid, +As ship and sail together / by stirring breeze were swayed. +Upon the Rhine they found them, / the warriors full of pride. +Then outspake King Gunther: / "Who now is here the ship to guide?" + +378 + +"That will I," spake Siegfried; / "I can upon the flood +Lead you on in safety, / that know ye, heroes good; +For all the water highways / are known right well to me." +With joy they then departed / from the land of Burgundy. + +379 + +A mighty pole then grasped he, / Siegfried the doughty man, +And the ship from shore / forth to shove began. +Gunther the fearless also / himself took oar in hand. +The knights thus brave and worthy / took departure from the land. + +380 + +They carried rich provisions, / thereto the best of wine +That might in any quarter / be found about the Rhine. +Their chargers stood in comfort / and rested by the way: +The ship it moved so lightly / that naught of injury had they. + +381 + +Stretched before the breezes / were the great sail-ropes tight, +And twenty miles they journeyed / ere did come the night, +By fair breezes favored / down toward the sea. +Their toil repaid thereafter / the dauntless knights full grievously. + +382 + +Upon the twelfth morning, / as we in story hear, +Had they by the breezes / thence been carried far, +Unto Castle Isenstein / and Brunhild's country: +That to Siegfried only / was known of all the company. + +383 + +As soon as saw King Gunther / so many towers rise +And eke the boundless marches / stretch before his eyes, +He spake: "Tell me, friend Siegfried, / is it known to thee +Whose they are, the castles / and the majestic broad country?" + +384 + +Thereto gave answer Siegfried: / "That well to me is known: +Brunhild for their mistress / do land and people own +And Isenstein's firm towers, / as ye have heard me say. +Ladies fair a many / shall ye here behold to-day. + +385 + +"And I will give you counsel: / be it well understood +That all your words must tally / --so methinks 'twere good. +If ere to-day is over / our presence she command, +Must we leave pride behind us, / as before Brunhild we stand. + +386 + +"When we the lovely lady / 'mid her retainers see, +Then shall ye, good companions, / in all your speech agree +That Gunther is my master / and I his serving-man: +'Tis thus that all he hopeth / shall we in the end attain." + +387 + +To do as he had bidden / consented straight each one, +And spite of proudest spirit / they left it not undone. +All that he wished they promised, / and good it proved to be +When anon King Gunther / the fair Brunhild came to see. + +388 + +"Not all to meet thy wishes / do I such service swear, +But most 'tis for thy sister, / Kriemhild the maiden fair; +Just as my soul unto me / she is my very life, +And fain would I deserve it / that she in truth become my wife." + + + + +SEVENTH ADVENTURE + +How Gunther won Brunhild + +389 + +The while they thus did parley / their ship did forward glide +So near unto the castle / that soon the king espied +Aloft within the casements / many a maiden fair to see. +That all to him were strangers / thought King Gunther mournfully. + +390 + +He asked then of Siegfried, / who bare him company: +"Know'st thou aught of the maidens, / who the same may be, +Gazing yonder downward / upon us on the tide? +Howe'er is named their master, / minded are they high in pride." + +391 + +Then spake the valiant Siegfried: / "Now thither shalt thou spy +Unseen among the ladies, / then not to me deny +Which, wert thou free in choosing, / thou'dst take to be thy queen." +"That will I do," then answered / Gunther the valiant knight and keen. + +392 + +"I see there one among them / by yonder casement stand, +Clad in snow-white raiment: / 'tis she my eyes demand, +So buxom she in stature, / so fair she is to see. +An I were free in choosing, / she it is my wife must be." + +393 + +"Full well now in choosing / thine eyes have guided thee: +It is the stately Brunhild / the maiden fair to see, +That doth now unto her / thy heart and soul compel." +All the maiden's bearing / pleased the royal Gunther well. + +394 + +But soon the queen commanded / from casement all to go +Of those her beauteous maidens: / they should not stand there so +To be gazed at by the strangers. / They must obey her word. +What were the ladies doing, / of that moreover have we heard. + +395 + +Unto the noble strangers / their beauty they would show, +A thing which lovely women / are ever wont to do. +Unto the narrow casements / came they crowding on, +When they spied the strangers: / that they might also see, 'twas done. + +396 + +But four the strangers numbered, / who came unto that land. +Siegfried the doughty / the king's steed led in hand: +They saw it from the casements, / many a lovely maid, +And saw the willing service / unto royal Gunther paid. + +397 + +Then held he by the bridle / for him his gallant steed, +A good and fair-formed charger, / strong and of noble breed, +Until the royal Gunther / into the saddle sprung. +Thus did serve him Siegfried: / a service all forgot ere long. + +398 + +Then his own steed he also / led forth upon the shore. +Such menial service had he / full seldom done before, +That he should hold the stirrup / for monarch whomsoe'er. +Down gazing from the casements / beheld it ladies high and fair. + +399 + +At every point according, / the heroes well bedight +--Their dress and eke their chargers / of color snowy white-- +Were like unto each other, / and well-wrought shield each one +Of the good knights bore with him, / that brightly glimmered in the sun. + +400 + +Jewelled well was saddle / and narrow martingale +As they rode so stately / in front of Brunhild's Hall, +And thereon bells were hanging / of red gold shining bright. +So came they to that country, / as fitting was for men of might, + +401 + +With spears all newly polished, / with swords, well-made that were +And by the stately heroes / hung down unto the spur: +Such bore the valiant riders / of broad and cutting blade. +The noble show did witness / Brunhild the full stately maid. + +402 + +With him came then Dankwart / and Hagen, doughty thane. +The story further telleth / how that the heroes twain +Of color black as raven / rich attire wore, +And each a broad and mighty / shield of rich adornment bore. + +403 + +Rich stones from India's country / every eye could see, +Impending on their tunics, / sparkle full brilliantly. +Their vessel by the river / they left without a guard, +As thus the valiant heroes / rode undaunted castleward. + +404 + +Six and fourscore towers / without they saw rise tall, +Three spacious palaces / and moulded well a hall +All wrought of precious marble / green as blade of grass, +Wherein the royal Brunhild / with company of fair ladies was. + +405 + +The castle doors unbolted / were flung open wide +As out toward them / the men of Brunhild hied +And received the strangers / into their Lady's land. +Their steeds they bade take over, / and also shield from out the hand. + +406 + +Then spake a man-in-waiting: / "Give o'er the sword each thane, +And eke the shining armor."-- / "Good friend, thou ask'st in vain," +Spake of Tronje Hagen; / "the same we'd rather wear." +Then gan straightway Siegfried / the country's custom to declare. + +407 + +"'Tis wont within this castle, / --of that be now aware-- +That never any stranger / weapons here shall bear. +Now let them hence be carried: / well dost thou as I say." +In this did full unwilling / Hagen, Gunther's man, obey. + +408 + +They bade the strangers welcome / with drink and fitting rest. +Soon might you see on all sides / full many knights the best +In princely weeds apparelled / to their reception go: +Yet did they mickle gazing / who would the keen new-comers know. + +409 + +Then unto Lady Brunhild / the tidings strange were brought +How that unknown warriors / now her land had sought, +In stately apparel / come sailing o'er the sea. +The maiden fair and stately / gave question how the same might be. + +410 + +"Now shall ye straight inform me," / spake she presently, +"Who so unfamiliar / these warrior knights may be, +That within my castle / thus so lordly stand, +And for whose sake the heroes / have hither journeyed to my land." + +411 + +Then spake to her a servant: / "Lady, I well can say +Of them I've ne'er seen any / before this present day: +Be it not that one among them / is like unto Siegfried. +Him give a goodly welcome: / so is to thee my loyal rede. + +412 + +"The next of the companions / he is a worthy knight: +If that were in his power / he well were king of might +O'er wide domains of princes, / the which might reach his hand. +Now see him by the others / so right majestically stand. + +413 + +"The third of the companions, / that he's a man of spleen, +--Withal of fair-formed body, / know thou, stately Queen,-- +Do tell his rapid glances / that dart so free from him. +He is in all his thinking / a man, I ween, of mood full grim. + +414 + +"The youngest one among them / he is a worthy knight: +As modest as a maiden, / I see the thane of might +Goodly in his bearing / standing so fair to see, +We all might fear if any / affront to him should offered be. + +415 + +"How blithe soe'er his manner, / how fair soe'er is he, +Well could he cause of sorrow / to stately woman be, +If he gan show his anger. / In him may well be seen +He is in knightly virtues / a thane of valor bold and keen." + +416 + +Then spake the queen in answer: / "Bring now my robes to hand. +And is the mighty Siegfried / come unto this land, +For love of me brought thither, / he pays it with his life. +I fear him not so sorely / that I e'er become his wife." + +417 + +So was fair Brunhild / straightway well arrayed. +Then went with her thither / full many a beauteous maid, +A hundred good or over, / bedight right merrily. +The full beauteous maidens / would those stranger warriors see. + +418 + +And with them went the warriors / there of Isenland, +The knights attending Brunhild, / who bore sword in hand, +Five hundred men or over. / Scarce heart the strangers kept +As those knights brave and seemly / down from out the saddle leapt. + +419 + +When the royal lady / Siegfried espied, +Now mote ye willing listen / what there the maiden said. +"Welcome be thou, Siegfried, / hither unto this land. +What meaneth this thy journey, / gladly might I understand." + +420 + +"Full mickle do I thank thee, / my Lady, high Brunhild, +That thou art pleased to greet me, / noble Princess mild, +Before this knight so noble, / who stands before me here: +For he is my master, / whom first to honor fitting were. + +421 + +"Born is he of Rhineland: / what need I say more? +For thee 'tis highest favor / that we do hither fare. +Thee will he gladly marry, / an bring that whatsoe'er. +Betimes shalt thou bethink thee: / my master will thee never spare. + +422 + +"For his name is Gunther / and he a mighty king. +If he thy love hath won him, / more wants he not a thing. +In sooth the king so noble / hath bade me hither fare: +And gladly had I left it, / might I to thwart his wishes dare." + +423 + +She spake: "Is he thy master / and thou his vassal art, +Some games to him I offer, / and dare he there take part, +And comes he forth the victor, / so am I then his wife: +And be it I that conquer, / then shall ye forfeit each his life." + +424 + +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Lady, let us see +Thy games so fraught with peril. / Before should yield to thee +Gunther my master, / that well were something rare. +He trows he yet is able / to win a maid so passing fair." + +425 + +"Then shall ye try stone-putting / and follow up the cast, +And the spear hurl with me. / Do ye naught here in haste. +For well may ye pay forfeit / with honor eke and life: +Bethink ye thus full calmly," / spake she whom Gunther would for wife. + +426 + +Siegfried the valiant / stepped unto the king, +And bade him speak out freely / his thoughts upon this thing +Unto the queen so wayward, / he might have fearless heart. +"For to well protect thee / from her do I know an art." + +427 + +Then spake the royal Gunther: / "Now offer, stately Queen, +What play soe'er thou mayest. / And harder had it been, +Yet would I all have ventured / for all thy beauty's sake. +My head I'll willing forfeit / or thyself my wife I'll make." + +428 + +When therefore the Queen Brunhild / heard how the matter stood +The play she begged to hasten, / as indeed she should. +She bade her servants fetch her / therefor apparel trim, +A mail-coat ruddy golden / and shield well wrought from boss to rim. + +429 + +A battle-tunic silken / the maid upon her drew, +That in ne'er a contest / weapon pierced through, +Of skins from land of Libya, / and structure rare and fine; +And brilliant bands embroidered / might you see upon it shine. + +430 + +Meanwhile were the strangers / jibed with many a threat; +Dankwart and Hagen, / their hearts began to beat. +How here the king should prosper / were they of doubtful mood, +Thinking, "This our journey / shall bring us wanderers naught of good." + +431 + +The while did also Siegfried / the thane beyond compare, +Before 'twas marked by any, / unto the ship repair, +Where he found his sightless mantle[2] / that did hidden lie, +And slipped into 't full deftly: / so was he veiled from every eye. + +[2] See strophe 97, note. + +432 + +Thither back he hied him / and found great company +About the queen who ordered / what the high play should be. +There went he all in secret; / so cunningly 'twas done, +Of all around were standing / perceived him never any one. + +433 + +The ring it was appointed / wherein the play should be +'Fore many a keen warrior / who the same should see. +More than seven hundred / were seen their weapons bear, +That whoso were the victor / they might sure the same declare. + +434 + +Thither was come Brunhild; / all armed she did stand +Like as she were to combat / for many a royal land; +Upon her silken tunic / were gold bars many a one, +And glowing 'mid the armor / her flesh of winsome color shone. + +435 + +Then followed her attendants / and with them thither brought +At once a shield full stately, / of pure red gold 'twas wrought, +With steel-hard bands for facings, / full mickle 'twas and broad, +Wherewith in the contest / would guard herself the lovely maid. + +436 + +To hold the shield securely / a well-wrought band there was, +Whereon lay precious jewels / green as blade of grass. +Full many a ray their lustre / shot round against the gold. +He were a man full valiant / whom this high dame should worthy hold. + +437 + +The shield was 'neath the boss-point, / as to us is said, +Good three spans in thickness, / which should bear the maid. +Of steel 'twas wrought so richly / and had of gold such share, +That chamberlain and fellows / three the same scarce could bear. + +438 + +When the doughty Hagen / the shield saw thither brought, +Spake the knight of Tronje, / and savage was his thought: +"Where art thou now, King Gunther? / Shall we thus lose our life! +Whom here thou seekst for lover, / she is the very Devil's wife." + +439 + +List more of her apparel; / she had a goodly store. +Of silk of Azagang / a tunic made she wore, +All bedight full richly; / amid its color shone +Forth from the queen it covered, / full many a sparkling precious stone. + +440 + +Then brought they for the lady, / large and heavy there, +As she was wont to hurl it, / a sharply-pointed spear; +Strong and massive was it, / huge and broad as well, +And at both its edges / it cut with devastation fell. + +441 + +To know the spear was heavy / list ye wonders more: +Three spears of common measure / 'twould make, and something o'er. +Of Brunhild's attendants / three scarce the same could bear. +The heart of noble Gunther / thereat began to fill with fear. + +442 + +Within his soul he thought him: / "What pickle am I in? +Of hell the very Devil, / how might he save his skin? +Might I at home in Burgundy / safe and living be, +Should she for many a season / from proffered love of mine be free." + +443 + +Then spake Hagen's brother / the valiant Dankwart: +"In truth this royal journey / doth sorely grieve my heart. +We passed for good knights one time: / what caitiff's death, if we +Here in far-off country / a woman's game are doomed to be! + +444 + +"It rueth me full sorely / that I came to this land. +And had my brother Hagen / his good sword in hand, +And had I mine to help him, / a bit more gently then, +A little tame of spirit, / might show themselves all Brunhild's men. + +445 + +"And know it of a certain / to lord it thus they'd cease; +E'en though oaths a thousand / I'd sworn to keep the peace, +Before that I'd see perish / my dear lord shamefully, +Amid the souls departed / this fair maid herself should be." + +446 + +"Well should we unhampered / quit at last this land," +Spake his brother Hagen, / "did we in armor stand, +Such as we need for battle, / and bore we broadswords good: +'Twould be a little softened, / this doughty lady's haughty mood." + +447 + +Well heard the noble maiden / what the warriors spoke. +Back athwart her shoulder / she sent a smiling look: +"Now thinks he him so valiant, / so let them armed stand; +Their full keen-edged broadswords / give the warriors each in hand." + +448 + +When they their swords received, / as the maiden said, +The full valiant Dankwart / with joy his face grew red. +"Now play they what them pleaseth," / cried the warrior brave; +"Gunther is yet a freeman, / since now in hand good swords we have." + +449 + +The royal Brunhild's prowess / with terror was it shown. +Into the ring they bore her / in sooth a ponderous stone, +Great and all unwieldy, / huge it was and round: +And scarce good knights a dozen / together raised it from the ground. + +450 + +To put this was her custom / after trial with the spear. +Thereat the men of Burgundy / began to quake with fear. +"Alack! Alack!" quoth Hagen, / "what seeks the king for bride? +Beneath in hell 'twere better / the Devil had her by his side!" + +451 + +On her white arms the flowing / sleeves she backward flung, +Then with grasp of power / the shield in hand she swung, +And spear poised high above her. / So did the contest start. +Gunther and Siegfried / saw Brunhild's ire with falling heart. + +452 + +And were it not that Siegfried / a ready help did bring, +Surely then had perished / beneath her hand the king. +There went he unperceived / and the king's hand did touch. +Gunther at his cunning / artifice was troubled much. + +453 + +"What is that hath touched me?" / thought the monarch keen. +Then gazed he all around him: / none was there to be seen. +A voice spake: "Siegfried is it, / a friend that holds thee dear. +Before this royal maiden / shall thy heart be free from fear. + +454 + +"Thy shield in hand now give me / and leave it me to bear, +And do thou rightly mark thee / what thou now shalt hear. +Now make thyself the motions, / --the power leave to me." +When he did know him rightly, / the monarch's heart was filled with glee. + +455 + +"Now secret keep my cunning, / let none e'er know the same: +Then shall the royal maiden / here find but little game +Of glory to win from thee, / as most to her is dear. +Behold now how the lady / stands before thee void of fear." + +456 + +The spear the stately maiden / with might and main did wield, +And huge and broad she hurled it / upon the new-made shield, +That on his arm did carry / the son of Siegelind; +From the steel the sparks flew hissing / as if were blowing fierce the + wind. + +457 + +The mighty spear sharp-pointed / full through the shield did crash, +That ye from off the mail-rings / might see the lightning flash. +Beneath its force they stumbled, / did both those men of might; +But for the sightless mantle / they both were killed there outright. + +458 + +From mouth of the full doughty / Siegfried burst the blood. +Full soon he yet recovered; / then seized the warrior good +The spear that from her strong arm / thus his shield had rent, +And back with force as came it / the hand of doughty Siegfried sent. + +459 + +He thought: "To pierce the maiden / were but small glory earned," +And so the spear's sharp edges / backward pointing turned; +Against her mail-clad body / he made the shaft to bound, +And with such might he sent it / full loud her armor did resound. + +460 + +The sparks as if in stormwind / from mail-rings flew around. +So mightily did hurl it / the son of Siegmund +That she with all her power / could not the shaft withstand. +In sooth it ne'er was speeded / so swiftly by King Gunther's hand. + +461 + +But to her feet full sudden / had sprung Brunhild fair. +"A shot, O noble Gunther, / befitting hero rare." +She weened himself had done it, / and all unaided he, +Nor wot she one far mightier / was thither come so secretly. + +462 + +Then did she go full sudden, / wrathful was her mood, +A stone full high she heaved / the noble maiden good, +And the same far from her / with might and main she swung: +Her armor's mail-rings jingled / as she herself thereafter sprung. + +463 + +The stone, when it had fallen, / lay fathoms twelve from there, +And yet did spring beyond it / herself the maiden fair. +Then where the stone was lying / thither Siegfried went: +Gunther feigned to move it, / but by another arm 'twas sent. + +464 + +A valiant man was Siegfried / full powerful and tall. +The stone then cast he farther, / and farther sprang withal. +From those his arts so cunning / had he of strength such store +That as he leaped he likewise / the weight of royal Gunther bore. + +465 + +And when the leap was ended / and fallen was the stone, +Then saw they ne'er another / but Gunther alone. +Brunhild the fair maiden, / red grew she in wrath: +Siegfried yet had warded / from royal Gunther surest death. + +466 + +Unto her attendants / she spake in loud command, +When she saw 'cross the circle / the king unvanquished stand. +"Come hither quick, my kinsmen, / and ye that wait on me; +Henceforth unto Gunther / shall all be pledged faithfully." + +467 + +Then laid the knights full valiant / their swords from out the hand; +At feet 'fore mighty Gunther / from Burgundian land +Offered himself in service / full many a valiant knight. +They weened that he had conquered / in trial by his proper might. + +468 + +He gave her loving greeting, / right courteous was he. +Then by the hand she took him, / the maiden praiseworthy, +In pledge that all around him / was his to have and hold. +Whereat rejoiced Hagen / the warrior valorous and bold. + +469 + +Into the spacious palace / with her thence to go +Bade she the noble monarch. / When they had done so, +Then still greater honors / unto the knight were shown. +Dankwart and Hagen, / right willingly they saw it done. + +470 + +Siegfried the valiant, / by no means was he slow, +His sightless mantle did he / away in safety stow. +Then went he again thither / where many a lady sat. +He spake unto the monarch-- / full cunningly was done all that: + +471 + +"Why bidest thus, my master? / Wilt not the play begin, +To which so oft hath challenged / thee the noble queen? +Let us soon have example / what may the trial be." +As knew he naught about it, / did the knight thus cunningly. + +472 + +Then spake the queen unto him: / "How hath this ever been, +That of the play, Sir Siegfried, / nothing thou hast seen, +Wherein hath been the victor / Gunther with mighty hand?" +Thereto gave answer Hagen / a grim knight of Burgundian land. + +473 + +Spake he: "There dost thou, Lady, / think ill without a cause: +By the ship down yonder / the noble Siegfried was, +The while the lord of Rhineland / in play did vanquish thee: +Thus knows he nothing of it," / spake Gunther's warrior courteously. + +474 + +"A joy to me these tidings," / the doughty Siegfried spoke, +"That so thy haughty spirit / is brought beneath the yoke, +And that yet one there liveth / master to be of thine. +Now shalt thou, noble maiden, / us follow thither to the Rhine." + +475 + +Then spake the maiden shapely: / "It may not yet be so. +All my men and kindred / first the same must know. +In sooth not all so lightly / can I quit my home. +First must I bid my trusty / warriors that they hither come." + +476 + +Then bade she messengers / quickly forth to ride, +And summoned in her kindred / and men from every side. +Without delay she prayed them / to come to Isenstein, +And bade them all be given / fit apparel rare and fine. + +477 + +Then might ye see daily / 'twixt morn and eventide +Unto Brunhild's castle / many a knight to ride. +"God wot, God wot," quoth Hagen, / "we do an evil thing, +To tarry here while Brunhild / doth thus her men together bring. + +478 + +"If now into this country / their good men they've brought +--What thing the queen intendeth / thereof know we naught: +Belike her wrath ariseth, / and we are men forlorn-- +Then to be our ruin / were the noble maiden born." + +479 + +Then spake the doughty Siegfried: / "That matter leave to me. +Whereof thou now art fearful, / I'll never let it be. +Ready help I'll bring thee / hither unto this land, +Knights of whom thou wotst not / till now I'll bring, a chosen band. + +480 + +"Of me shalt thou ask not: / from hence will I fare. +May God of thy good honor / meanwhile have a care. +I come again right quickly / with a thousand men for thee, +The very best of warriors / hitherto are known to me." + +481 + +"Then tarry not unduly," / thus the monarch said. +"Glad we are full fairly / of this thy timely aid." +He spake: "Till I come to thee / full short shall be my stay. +That thou thyself hast sent me / shalt thou unto Brunhild say." + + + + +EIGHTH ADVENTURE + +How Siegfried fared to his Knights, the Nibelungen + +482 + +Thence went then Siegfried / out through the castle door +In his sightless mantle / to a boat upon the shore. +As Siegmund's son doth board it / him no mortal sees; +And quickly off he steers it / as were it wafted by the breeze. + +483 + +No one saw the boatman, / yet rapid was the flight +Of the boat forth speeding / driven by Siegfried's might. +They weened that did speed it / a swiftly blowing wind: +No, 'twas Siegfried sped it, / the son of fairest Siegelind. + +484 + +In that one day-time / and the following night +Came he to a country / by dint of mickle might, +Long miles a hundred distant, / and something more than this: +The Nibelungen were its people / where the mighty hoard was his. + +485 + +Alone did fare the hero / unto an island vast +Whereon the boat full quickly / the gallant knight made fast. +Of a castle then bethought him / high upon a hill, +And there a lodging sought him, / as wayworn men are wont to still. + +486 + +Then came he to the portals / that locked before him stood. +They guarded well their honor / as people ever should. +At the door he gan a-knocking, / for all unknown was he. +But full well 'twas guarded, / and within it he did see + +487 + +A giant who the castle / did guard with watchful eye, +And near him did at all times / his good weapons lie. +Quoth he: "Who now that knocketh / at the door in such strange wise?" +Without the valiant Siegfried / did cunningly his voice disguise. + +488 + +He spake: "A bold knight-errant / am I; unlock the gate. +Else will I from without here / disturbance rare create +For all who'd fain lie quiet / and their rest would take." +Wrathful grew the Porter / as in this wise Siegfried spake. + +489 + +Now did the giant valorous / his good armor don, +And placed on head his helmet; / then the full doughty man +His shield up-snatched quickly / and gate wide open swung. +How sore was he enraged / as himself upon Siegfried he flung! + +490 + +'How dared he thus awaken / brave knights within the hall?' +The blows in rapid showers / from his hand did fall. +Thereat the noble stranger / began himself to shield. +For so a club of iron / the Porter's mighty arm did wield, + +491 + +That splinters flew from buckler, / and Siegfried stood aghast +From fear that this same hour / was doomed to be his last, +So mightily the Porter's / blows about him fell. +To find such faithful warder / did please his master Siegfried well. + +492 + +So fiercely did they struggle / that castle far within +And hall where slept the Nibelungen / echoed back the din. +But Siegfried pressed the Porter / and soon he had him bound. +In all the land of Nibelungen / the story soon was bruited round. + +493 + +When the grim sound of fighting / afar the place had filled, +Alberich did hear it, / a Dwarf full brave and wild. +He donned his armor deftly, / and running thither found +This so noble stranger / where he the doughty Porter bound. + +494 + +Alberich was full wrathy, / thereto a man of power. +Coat of mail and helmet / he on his body wore, +And in his hand a heavy / scourge of gold he swung. +Where was fighting Siegfried, / thither in mickle haste he sprung. + +495 + +Seven knobs thick and heavy / on the club's end were seen, +Wherewith the shield that guarded / the knight that was so keen +He battered with such vigor / that pieces from it brake. +Lest he his life should forfeit / the noble stranger gan to quake. + +496 + +The shield that all was battered / from his hand he flung; +And into sheath, too, thrust he / his sword so good and long. +For his trusty chamberlain / he did not wish to slay, +And in such case he could not / grant his anger fullest sway. + +497 + +With but his hands so mighty / at Alberich he ran. +By the beard then seized he / the gray and aged man, +And in such manner pulled it / that he full loud did roar. +The youthful hero's conduct / Alberich did trouble sore. + +498 + +Loud cried the valiant steward: / "Have mercy now on me. +And might I other's vassal / than one good hero's be, +To whom to be good subject / I an oath did take, +Until my death I'd serve thee." / Thus the man of cunning spake. + +499 + +Alberich then bound he / as the giant before. +The mighty arm of Siegfried / did trouble him full sore. +The Dwarf began to question: / "Thy name, what may it be?" +Quoth he: "My name is Siegfried; / I weened I well were known to thee." + +500 + +"I joy to hear such tidings," / Dwarf Alberich replied. +"Well now have I found thee / in knightly prowess tried, +And with goodly reason / lord o'er lands to be. +I'll do whate'er thou biddest, / wilt thou only give me free." + +501 + +Then spake his master Siegfried: / "Quickly shalt thou go, +And bring me knights hither, / the best we have to show, +A thousand Nibelungen, / to stand before their lord." +Wherefore thus he wished it, / spake he never yet a word. + +502 + +The giant and Alberich / straightway he unbound. +Then ran Alberich quickly / where the knights he found. +The warriors of Nibelung / he wakened full of fear. +Quoth he: "Be up, ye heroes, / before Siegfried shall ye appear." + +503 + +From their couches sprang they / and ready were full soon, +Clothed well in armor / a thousand warriors boon, +And went where they found standing / Siegfried their lord. +Then was a mickle greeting / courteously in act and word. + +504 + +Candles many were lighted, / and sparkling wine he drank. +That they came so quickly, / therefor he all did thank. +Quoth he: "Now shall ye with me / from hence across the flood." +Thereto he found full ready / the heroes valiant and good. + +505 + +Good thirty hundred warriors / soon had hither pressed, +From whom were then a thousand / taken of the best. +For them were brought their helmets / and what they else did need. +For unto Brunhild's country / would he straightway the warriors lead. + +506 + +He spake: "Ye goodly nobles, / that would I have you hear, +In full costly raiment / shall ye at court appear, +For yonder must there see us / full many a fair lady. +Therefore shall your bodies / dight in good apparel be." + +507 + +Upon a morning early / went they on their way. +What host of brave companions / bore Siegfried company! +Good steeds took they with them / and garments rich to wear, +And did in courtly fashion / unto Brunhild's country fare. + +508 + +As gazed from lofty parapet / women fair to see, +Spake the queen unto them: / "Knows any who they be, +Whom I see yonder sailing / upon the sea afar? +Rich sails their ships do carry, / whiter than snow they are." + +509 + +Then spake the king of Rhineland: / "My good men they are, +That on my journey hither / left I lying near. +I've sent to call them to me: / now are they come, O Queen." +With full great amazing / were the stately strangers seen. + +510 + +There saw they Siegfried / out on the ship's prow stand +Clad in costly raiment, / and with him his good band. +Then spake Queen Brunhild: / "Good monarch, let me know, +Shall I go forth to greet them, / or shall I greetings high forego?" + +511 + +He spake: "Thou shalt to meet them / before the palace go, +So that we see them gladly / they may surely know." +Then did the royal lady / fulfil the king's behest. +Yet Siegfried in the greeting / was not honored with the rest. + +512 + +Lodgings were made ready / and their armor ta'en in hand. +Then was such host of strangers / come into that land, +On all sides they jostled / from the great company. +Then would the knights full valiant / homeward fare to Burgundy. + +513 + +Then spake Queen Brunhild: / "In favor would I hold +Who might now apportion / my silver and my gold +To my guests and the monarch's, / for goodly store I have." +Thereto an answer Dankwart, / Giselher's good warrior, gave: + +514 + +"Full noble royal Lady, / give me the keys to hold. +I trow I'll so divide it," / spake the warrior bold, +"If blame there be about it, / that shall be mine alone." +That he was not a niggard, / beyond a doubt he soon had shown. + +515 + +When now Hagen's brother / the treasure did command, +So many a lavish bounty / dealt out the hero's hand, +Whoso mark did covet, / to him was given such store +That all who once were poor men / might joyous live for evermore. + +516 + +In sooth good pounds a hundred / gave he to each and all. +A host in costly raiment / were seen before the hall, +Who in equal splendor / ne'er before were clad. +When the queen did hear it, / verily her heart was sad. + +517 + +Then spake the royal lady: / "Good King, it little needs, +That now thy chamberlain / of all my stately weeds +Leave no whit remaining, / and squander clean my gold. +Would any yet prevent it, / him would I aye in favor hold. + +518 + +"He deals with hand so lavish, / in sooth doth ween the thane +That death I've hither summoned; / but longer I'll remain. +Eke trow I well to spend all / my sire hath left to me." +Ne'er found queen a chamberlain / of such passing generosity. + +519 + +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Lady, be thou told, +That the king of Rhineland / raiment hath and gold +So plenteous to lavish / that we may well forego +To carry with us homeward / aught that Brunhild can bestow." + +520 + +"No; as high ye hold me," / spake the queen again, +"Let me now have filled / coffers twice times ten +Of gold and silken raiment, / that may deal out my hand, +When that we come over / into royal Gunther's land." + +521 + +Then with precious jewels / the coffers they filled for her. +The while her own chamberlain / must be standing near: +For no whit would she trust it / unto Giselher's man. +Whereat Gunther and Hagen / heartily to laugh began. + +522 + +Then spake the royal lady: / "To whom leave I my lands? +First must they now be given / in charge from out our hands." +Then spake the noble monarch: / "Whomsoe'er it pleaseth thee, +Bid him now come hither, / the same we'll let our Warden be." + +523 + +One of her highest kindred / near by the lady spied, +--He was her mother's brother-- / to him thus spake the maid: +"Now be to thee entrusted / the castles and eke the land, +Until that here shall govern / Gunther the king by his own hand." + +524 + +Trusty knights two thousand / from her company +Chose she to journey with her / unto Burgundy, +Beyond those thousand warriors / from Nibelungenland. +They made ready for the journey, / and downward rode unto the strand. + +525 + +Six and eighty ladies / led they thence with her, +Thereto good hundred maidens / that full beauteous were. +They tarried no whit longer, / for they to part were fain. +Of those they left behind them, / O how they all to weep began! + +526 + +In high befitting fashion / quitted she her land: +She kissed of nearest kindred / all who round did stand. +After fair leave-taking / they went upon the sea. +Back to her father's country / came never more that fair lady. + +527 + +Then heard you on the journey / many a kind of play: +Every pleasant pastime / in plenty had they. +Soon had they for their journey / a wind from proper art: +So with full great rejoicing / did they from that land depart. + +528 + +Yet would she on the journey / not be the monarch's spouse: +But was their pleasant pastime / reserved for his own house +At Worms within his castle / at a high festival, +Whither anon full joyous / came they with their warriors all. + + + + +NINTH ADVENTURE + +How Siegfried was sent to Worms + +529 + +When that they had journeyed / full nine days on their way, +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Now hear what I shall say. +We tarry with the tidings / for Worms upon the Rhine. +At Burgundy already / should now be messengers of thine." + +530 + +Then outspake King Gunther: / "There hast thou spoken true. +And this selfsame journey, / none were so fit thereto +As thyself, friend Hagen. / So do thou now ride on. +This our high court journey, / none else can better make it known." + +531 + +Thereto answered Hagen: / "Poor messenger am I. +Let me be treasure-warden. / Upon the ships I'll stay +Near by the women rather, / their guardian to be, +Till that we bring them safely / into the land of Burgundy. + +532 + +"Now do thou pray Siegfried / that he the message bear, +For he's a knight most fitting / this thing to have in care. +If he decline the journey, / then shalt thou courteously, +For kindness to thy sister, / pray that he not unwilling be." + +533 + +He sent for the good warrior / who came at his command. +He spake: "Since we are nearing / home in my own land, +So should I send a message / to sister dear of mine +And eke unto my mother, / that we are nigh unto the Rhine. + +534 + +"Thereto I pray thee, Siegfried, / now meet my wish aright," +Spake the noble monarch: / "I'll ever thee requite." +But Siegfried still refused it, / the full valiant man, +Till that King Gunther / sorely to beseech began. + +535 + +He spake: "Now bear the message, / in favor unto me +And eke unto Kriemhild / a maiden fair to see, +That the stately maiden / help me thy service pay." +When had heard it Siegfried, / ready was the knight straightway. + +536 + +"Now what thou wilt, command me: / 'twill not be long delayed. +This thing will I do gladly / for sake of that fair maid. +Why should I aught refuse her, / who all my heart hath won? +What thou for her commandest, / whate'er it be 'twill all be done." + +537 + +"Then say unto my mother, / Ute the queen, +That we on our journey / in joyous mood have been. +Let know likewise my brothers / what fortune us befell. +Eke unto all our kinsmen / shalt thou then merry tidings tell. + +538 + +"Unto my fair sister / shalt thou all confide. +From me bring her fair compliment / and from Brunhild beside, +And eke unto our household / and all my warriors brave. +What my heart e'er did strive for, / how well accomplished it I have! + +539 + +"And say as well to Ortwein / nephew dear of mine +That he do bid make ready / at Worms beside the Rhine. +And all my other kindred, / to them made known shall be, +With Brunhild I am minded / to keep a great festivity. + +540 + +"And say unto my sister, / when that she hath learned +That I am to my country / with many a guest returned, +She shall have care to welcome / my bride in fitting way. +So all my thoughts of Kriemhild / will be her service to repay." + +541 + +Then did Sir Siegfried / straightway in parting greet +High the Lady Brunhild, / as 'twas very meet, +And all her company; / then toward the Rhine rode he. +Nor in this world a better / messenger might ever be. + +542 + +With four and twenty warriors / to Worms did he ride. +When soon it was reported / the king came not beside, +Then did all the household / of direst news have dread: +They feared their royal master / were left in distant country dead. + +543 + +Then sprang they from the saddle, / full high they were of mood. +Full soon before them Giselher / the prince so youthful stood, +And Gernot his brother. / How quickly then spake he, +When he the royal Gunther / saw not in Siegfried's company: + +544 + +"Be thou welcome, Siegfried. / Yet shalt thou tell to me, +Why the king my brother / cometh not with thee. +Brunhild's prowess is it / hath taken him, I ween; +And so this lofty wooing / hath naught but our misfortune been." + +545 + +"Now cease such ill foreboding. / To you and friends hath sent +My royal companion / his good compliment. +Safe and sound I left him; / myself did he command +That I should be his herald / with tidings hither to your land. + +546 + +"Quickly shall ye see to it, / how that it may be, +That I the queen and likewise / your fair sister see. +From Gunther and Brunhild / the message will I tell +That hath now been sent them: / the twain do find them passing well." + +547 + +Then spake the youthful Giselher: / "So shalt thou go to her: +Here dost thou on my sister / a favor high confer. +In sooth she's mickle anxious / how't with my brother be. +The maid doth see thee gladly, / --of that will I be surety." + +548 + +Then outspake Sir Siegfried: / "If serve her aught I can, +That same thing most willing / in truth it shall be done. +Who now will tell the ladies / I would with them confer?" +Then was therein Giselher / the stately knight his messenger. + +549 + +Giselher the valiant / unto his mother kind +And sister spake the tidings / when he the twain did find: +"To us returned is Siegfried, / the hero of Netherlands +Unto the Rhine he cometh / at my brother Gunther's command. + +550 + +"He bringeth us the tidings / how't with the king doth fare. +Now shall ye give permission / that he 'fore you appear. +He'll tell the proper tidings / from Isenland o'er the main." +Yet mickle sad forebodings / did trouble still the ladies twain. + +551 + +They sprang for their attire / and donned it nothing slow. +Then bade they that Siegfried / to court should thither go. +That did he right willing / for he gladly them did see. +Kriemhild the noble maiden / spake to him thus graciously. + +552 + +"Welcome be, Sir Siegfried, / thou knight right praiseworthy. +Yet where may King Gunther / my noble brother be? +It is through Brunhild's prowess, / I ween, he is forlorn. +Alack of me, poor maiden, / that I into this world was born!" + +553 + +The valiant knight then answered: / "Give me news-bringer's meed +Know ye, fairest ladies, / ye weep without a need. +I left him well and happy, / that would I have you know; +They two have sent me hither / to bear the tidings unto you. + +554 + +"And offer thee good service / both his bride and he, +My full noble lady, / in love and loyalty. +Now give over weeping, / for straight will they be here." +They had for many a season / heard not a tale to them so dear. + +555 + +With fold of snow-white garment / then her eyes so bright +Dried she after weeping. / She gan thank the knight +Who of these glad tidings / had been the messenger. +Then was a mickle sorrow / and cause of weeping ta'en from her. + +556 + +She bade the knight be seated, / which he did willingly. +Then spake the lovely maiden: / "It were a joy to me, +Could I the message-bringer / with gold of mine repay. +Thereto art thou too high-born; / I'll serve thee then in other way." + +557 + +"If I alone were ruler," / spake he, "o'er thirty lands, +Yet gifts I'd take right gladly, / came they from thy fair hands." +Then spake the virtuous maiden: / "In truth it shall be so." +Then bade she her chamberlain / forth for message-money go. + +558 + +Four and twenty armlets / with stones of precious kind, +These gave she him for guerdon. / 'Twas not the hero's mind, +That he himself should keep them: / he dealt them all around +Unto her fair attendants / whom he within the chamber found. + +559 + +Of service, too, her mother / did kindly offer make. +"Then have I more to tell you," / the keen warrior spake: +"Of what the king doth beg you, / when comes he to the Rhine. +Wilt thou perform it, lady, / then will he e'er to thee incline. + +560 + +"The noble guests he bringeth, / --this heard I him request, +That ye shall well receive them; / and furthermore his hest, +That ye ride forth to meet him / 'fore Worms upon the strand. +So have ye from the monarch / faithfully his high command." + +561 + +Then spake the lovely maiden: / "Full ready there am I. +If I in aught can serve him, / I'll never that deny. +In all good faith and kindness / shall it e'er be done." +Then deeper grew her color / that from increase of joy she won. + +562 + +Never was royal message / better received before. +The lady sheer had kissed him, / if 'twere a thing to dare. +From those high ladies took he / his leave in courteous wise. +Then did they there in Burgundy / in way as Siegfried did advise. + +563 + +Sindold and Hunold / and Rumold the thane +In truth were nothing idle, / but wrought with might and main +To raise the sitting-places / 'fore Worms upon the strand. +There did the royal Steward / busy 'mid the workers stand. + +564 + +Ortwein and Gere / thought longer not to bide, +But sent unto their kinsmen / forth on every side. +They told of festive meeting / there that was to be; +And deck themselves to meet them / did the maidens fair to see. + +565 + +The walls throughout the palace / were dight full richly all, +Looking unto the strangers; / and King Gunther's hall +Full well with seats and tables / for many a noble guest. +And great was the rejoicing / in prospect of the mighty feast. + +566 + +Then rode from every quarter / hither through the land +The three monarchs' kinsmen, / who there were called to hand, +That they might be in waiting / for those expected there. +Then from enfolding covers / took they store of raiments rare. + +567 + +Some watchers brought the tidings / that Brunhild's followers were +Seen coming riding hither. / Then rose a mickle stir +Among the folk so many / in the land of Burgundy. +Heigh-ho! What valiant warriors / alike on both parts might you see! + +568 + +Then spake the fair Kriemhild: / "Of my good maidens, ye +Who at this reception / shall bear me company, +From out the chests now seek ye / attire the very best. +So shall praise and honor / be ours from many a noble guest." + +569 + +Then came the knights also / and bade bring forth to view +The saddles richly furnished / of ruddy golden hue, +That ladies fair should ride on / at Worms unto the Rhine. +Better horse-equipment / could never artisan design. + +570 + +Heigh-ho! What gold all glancing / from the steeds there shone! +Sparkled from their bridles / full many a precious stone. +Gold-wrought stools for mounting / and shining carpets good +Brought they for the ladies: / joyous were they all of mood. + +571 + +Within the court the heroes / bedight with trappings due +Awaited noble maidens, / as I have told to you. +A narrow band from saddle / went round each horse's breast, +Its beauty none could tell you: / of silk it was the very best. + +572 + +Six and eighty ladies / came in manner meet +Wearing each a wimple. / Kriemhild there to greet +They went, all fair to look on, / in shining garments clad. +Then came eke well apparelled / full many a fair and stately maid. + +573 + +Four and fifty were they / of the land of Burgundy, +And they were eke the noblest / that ever you might see. +Adorned with shining hair-bands / the fair-haired maids came on. +What now the king desired, / that most carefully was done. + +574 + +Made of stuffs all costly, / the best you might desire, +Before the gallant strangers / wore they such rich attire +As well did fit the beauty / of many amid the throng. +He sure had lost his senses, / who could have wished them any wrong. + +575 + +Of sable and of ermine / many a dress was worn. +Arms and hands a many / did they full well adorn +With rings o'er silken dresses / that there did clothe them well. +Of all the ready-making / none might ever fully tell. + +576 + +Full many a well-wrought girdle / in long and costly braid +About the shining garments / by many a hand was laid +On dress of precious ferrandine / of silk from Araby. +And full of high rejoicing / were those maids of high degree. + +577 + +With clasps before her bosom / was many a fair maid +Laced full beauteously. / She might well be sad, +Whose full beaming color / vied not with weeds she wore. +Such a stately company / ne'er possessed a queen before. + +578 + +When now the lovely maidens / attired you might see, +Soon were those beside them / should bear them company, +Of warriors high-hearted / a full mickle band. +And with their shields they carried / full many an ashen shaft in hand. + + + + +TENTH ADVENTURE + +How Brunhild was received at Worms + +579 + +On yonder side Rhine river / they saw a stately band, +The king and host of strangers, / ride down unto the strand, +And also many a lady / sitting on charger led. +By those who should receive them / was goodly preparation made. + +580 + +Soon they of Isenland / the ship had entered then, +And with them Siegfried's vassals / the Nibelungen men; +They strained unto the shore / with untiring hand +When they beheld the monarch's / friends upon the farther strand. + +581 + +Now list ye eke the story / of the stately queen, +Ute, how at her bidding / ladies fair were seen +Forth coming from the castle / to ride her company. +Then came to know each other / full many a knight and fair lady. + +582 + +The Margrave Gere / but to the castle gate +The bridle held for Kriemhild; / the keen Siegfried did wait +Thenceforward upon her. / She was a beauteous maid. +Well was the knight's good service / by the lady since repaid. + +583 + +Ortwein the valiant / Queen Ute rode beside, +And many a knight full gallant / was stately lady's guide. +At such a high reception, / that may we say, I ween, +Was ne'er such host of ladies / in company together seen. + +584 + +With show of rider's talent / the tilt was carried on, +For might the knights full gallant / naught fitting leave undone, +As passed down to the river / Kriemhild the lady bright. +Then helped was many a lady / fair from charger to alight. + +585 + +The king had then come over / and many a stranger too. +Heigh-ho! What strong shafts splintered / before the ladies flew! +Many a shaft go crashing / heard you there on shield. +Heigh-ho! What din of costly / arms resounded o'er the field. + +586 + +The full lovely maidens / upon the shore did stand, +As Gunther with the strangers / stepped upon the land; +He himself did Brunhild / by the hand lead on. +Then sparkled towards each other / rich dress and many a shining stone. + +587 + +Then went Lady Kriemhild / with fullest courtesy due, +To greet the Lady Brunhild / and her retinue. +And saw ye each the head-band / with fair hand move aside +When they kissed each other: / high courtesy did the ladies guide. + +588 + +Then spake the maiden Kriemhild, / a high-born lady she: +"Unto this our country / shalt thou right welcome be, +To me and to my mother / and each true friend of mine, +That we here have with us." / Then each did unto each incline. + +589 + +Within their arms the ladies / oft-times clasped each other. +Like this fond reception / heard ye of ne'er another, +As when both the ladies / there the bride did greet, +Queen Ute and her daughter; / oft-times they kissed her lips so sweet. + +590 + +When all of Brunhild's ladies / were come upon the strand, +Then was there taken / full fondly by the hand +By the warriors stately / many a fair lady. +Before the Lady Brunhild / the train of fair maids might ye see. + +591 + +Before their greetings ended / a mickle time was gone, +For lips of rosy color / were kissed there, many a one. +Long stood they together, / the royal ladies high, +And so to look upon them / pleased many a noble warrior's eye. + +592 + +Then spied with probing eye, too, / who before did hear +That till then was never / aught beheld so fair, +As those two royal ladies: / they found it was no lie. +In all their person might ye / no manner of deceit espy. + +593 + +Who there could spy fair ladies / and judge of beauty rare, +They praised the wife of Gunther / that she was passing fair; +Yet spake again the wise men / who looked with keener gaze, +They rather would to Kriemhild / before Brunhild award the praise. + +594 + +Then went unto each other / maid and fair lady. +Full many a fair one might ye / in rich adornment see. +There stood rich tents a many, / silken great and small, +Wherewith in every quarter / 'fore Worms the field was covered all. + +595 + +Of the king's high kindred / a mighty press there was. +Then bade they Brunhild / and Kriemhild on to pass, +And with them all the ladies, / where they in shade might be. +Thither did bring them warriors / of the land of Burgundy. + +596 + +When now the strangers also / on horse sat every one, +Plenteous knightly tilting / at shield was there begun. +Above the field rose dust-clouds, / as had the country been +All in flames a-burning; / who bore the honors there was seen. + +597 + +Looked on full many a maiden / as the knights did sport them so. +Meseemeth that Sir Siegfried / full many a to-and-fro +Did ride with his good followers / along 'fore many a tent. +With him of Nibelungen / a thousand stately men there went. + +598 + +Then came of Tronje Hagen, / whom the king did send; +He bade in pleasing manner / the tourney have an end, +Before in dust be buried / all the ladies fair. +And ready to obey him / soon the courteous strangers were. + +599 + +Then spake Sir Gernot: / "Now let the chargers stand, +Until the air is cooler, / for we must be at hand +As escort for fair ladies / unto the stately hall; +And will the king take saddle, / so let him find you ready all." + +600 + +When now the sound of tourney / o'er all the field was spent, +Then went for pleasant pastime / 'neath many a lofty tent +The knights unto the ladies, / and willing thither hied. +And there they passed the hours / till such time as they thence should + ride. + +601 + +Just before the evening / when the sun was in the west, +And the air grew cooler, / no longer did they rest, +But both knights and ladies / unto the castle passed. +And eyes in loving glances / on many a beauteous maid were cast. + +602 + +By hand of goodly warrior / many a coat was rent, +For in the country's custom / they tourneyed as they went, +Until before the palace / the monarch did dismount. +They tended fairest ladies / as knights high-spirited are wont. + +603 + +After fairest greeting / the queens did part again. +Dame Ute and her daughter, / thither passed the twain +With train of fair attendants / unto a hall full wide. +Din of merrymaking / heard ye there on every side. + +604 + +Arranged were sitting-places / where the king would be +With his guests at table. / By him might ye see +Standing the fair Brunhild. / She wore a royal crown +In the monarch's country, / the which might well such mistress own. + +605 + +Seats for all the people / at many a spacious board +There were, as saith the story, / where victuals rich were stored. +How little there was lacking / of all that makes a feast! +And by the monarch saw ye / sitting many a stately guest. + +606 + +The royal host's attendants / in basins golden red +Carried water forward. / And should it e'er be said +By any that a better / service did receive +Ever guests of monarch, / I never could such thing believe. + +607 + +Before the lord of Rhineland / with water was waited on, +Unto him Sir Siegfried, / as fitting was, had gone; +He called to mind a promise / that made by him had been +Ere that the Lady Brunhild / afar in Isenland he'd seen. + +608 + +He spake: "Thou shalt bethink thee / what once did plight thy hand, +If that the Lady Brunhild / should come unto this land, +Thou'dst give to me thy sister. / Where now what thou hast sworn? +In this thy wooing journey / not small the labor I have borne." + +609 + +Then to his guest the monarch: / "Well hast thou minded me, +And by this hand shall never / false word plighted be. +To gain thy wish I'd help thee / in the way as best I know." +Bidden then was Kriemhild / forth unto the king to go. + +610 + +With her full beauteous maidens / unto the Hall she passed. +Then sprang the youthful Giselher / adown the steps in haste +"Bid now these many maidens / wend their way again; +None but my sister only / unto the king shall enter in." + +611 + +Then led they Kriemhild thither / where the king was found, +With him were knights full noble / from many a land around. +Within that Hall so spacious / she waited the king's behest, +What time the Lady Brunhild / betook her likewise to the feast. + +612 + +Then spake the royal Gunther: / "Sister mine full fair, +Redeem the word I've given, / an hold'st thou virtue dear. +Thee to a knight I plighted: / An tak'st thou him to man, +Thereby my wish full truly / unto the warrior hast thou done." + +613 + +Then spake the noble maiden: / "Brother full dear to me, +Not long shalt thou entreat me. / In truth I'll ever be +Obedient to thy bidding; / that shall now be done, +And him I'll take full gladly, / my Lord, whom thou giv'st me for man." + +614 + +Before those fair eyes' glances / grew Siegfried's color red. +The knight to Lady Kriemhild / his service offered. +Within a ring together / then were led the twain, +And they asked the maiden, / if she to take the knight were fain. + +615 + +Upon her face not little / was the modest glow; +Nathless to joy of Siegfried / did fortune will it so, +That the maiden would not / refuse the knight her hand. +Eke swore his wife to make her / the noble king of Netherland. + +616 + +When he to her had plighted, / and eke to him the maid, +Siegfried to embrace her / nothing more delayed, +But clasped in arms full fondly / and oft the lady fair, +And stately knights were witness / how that he kissed the princess there. + +617 + +When that the maids attendant / from thence had ta'en their leave, +In place of honor seated / Siegfried might ye perceive +And by him fairest Kriemhild; / and many a knight at hand +Was seen of the Nibelungen / at Siegfried's service ready stand. + +618 + +There too was Gunther seated / and with him Queen Brunhild. +At sight of Kriemhild sitting / by Siegfried was she filled +With anger such as never / before her heart did swell: +She wept, and tears in plenty / adown her shining face there fell. + +619 + +Then spake who ruled the country: / "What aileth, lady mine, +That so thou let'st be dimmed / thine eyes that brightly shine? +Be straight of joyous spirit, / for now at thy command +My land and my good castles / and host of stately warriors stand." + +620 + +"Good cause to me for weeping," / spake the lady fair. +"For sake of this thy sister / sorrow now I bear, +Whom here behold I seated / by one that serveth thee. +That must forever grieve me, / shall she thus dishonored be." + +621 + +Then answered her King Gunther: / "But for the nonce be still. +At other time more fitting / the thing to thee I'll tell, +Wherefore thus my sister / to Siegfried I did give. +And truly with the hero / may she ever joyous live." + +622 + +She spake: "Her name and beauty / thus lost it grieveth me. +An knew I only whither, / from hence I'd surely flee, +This night nor e'er hereafter / to share thy royal bed, +Say'st thou not truly wherefore / Kriemhild thus hath Siegfried wed." + +623 + +Then spake the noble monarch: / "Then unto thee be known +That he as stately castles, / lands wide as I, doth own. +And know thou that full surely / a mighty monarch he; +Wherefore the fairest maiden / I grant him thus his wife to be." + +624 + +Whate'er the king did tell her, / sad was she yet of mood. +Then hastened from the tables / full many a warrior good, +And jousted that the castle / walls gave back the din. +Amid his guests the monarch / waiting longingly was seen. + +625 + +He deemed 'twere better lying / beside his fair lady. +Of thinking on that plaisance / his mind he could not free, +And what her love would bring him / before the night be past; +He many a glance full tender / upon the Lady Brunhild cast. + +626 + +The guests they bade give over / in joust who combated, +For that with spouse new-wedded / the monarch would to bed. +Leaving then the banquet, / there together met +Kriemhild and Brunhild: / their bitter hate was silent yet. + +627 + +At hand were their attendants; / they longer tarried not, +And chamberlains full lordly / lights for them had brought. +Then parted eke the followers / of the monarchs twain, +And bearing Siegfried company / went full many a worthy thane. + +628 + +The lords were both come thither / where that they should lie. +As each one bethought him / of loving victory +To win o'er winsome lady, / merry he grew of mood. +The noble Siegfried's pastime / it was beyond all measure good. + +629 + +As there Sir Siegfried / by fair Kriemhild lay +And to the maid devoted / himself in such fond way +As noble knight beseemeth, / they twain to him were one, +And not a thousand others / had he then ta'en for her alone. + +630 + +I'll tell you now no further / how he the lady plied, +But list ye first the story / what Gunther did betide +By Lady Brunhild lying. / In sooth the noble thane +By side of other ladies / a deal more happily had lain. + +631 + +Withdrawn were now attendants, / man and also maid; +Not long to lock the chamber / within the king delayed. +He weened to have good pleasure / of that fair lady, +Yet was the time still distant / when that she his wife should be. + +632 + +In gown of whitest linen / unto the bed she passed. +Then thought the knight full noble: / "Now have I here at last +All that I e'er desired / as long as I can tell." +Perforce her stately beauty / did please the monarch passing well. + +633 + +That they should shine more dimly / he placed the lights aside, +Then where did lie the lady / the thane full eager hied. +He placed himself a-nigh her, / his joy right great it was, +As in his arms the monarch / the winsome maid did there embrace. + +634 + +A loving plaisance had he / with vigor there begun +If that the noble lady / had let the same be done. +She then did rage so sorely / that grieved was he thereat; +He weened to find who loved him, / --instead he found him naught but + hate. + +635 + +Spake she: "Good knight and noble, / from this thing give o'er. +That which thou here hast hope of, / it may be nevermore. +A maid I still will keep me / --well mayest thou know that-- +Until I learn that story." / Gunther wrathy grew thereat. + +636 + +Her gown he wrought to ruin / to win her maidenhead. +Whereat did seize a girdle / the full stately maid, +A strong and silken girdle / that round her sides she wore, +And with the same the monarch / she soon had brought to pains full sore. + +637 + +His feet and his hands also, / together bound she all, +Unto a nail she bore him / and hung him on the wall. +Him who disturbed her sleeping / in his love she sorely let, +And from her mighty prowess, / he full nigh his death had met. + +638 + +Then gan he to entreat her, / who master late had been. +"From these my bonds now loose me, / my full noble queen. +Nor trow I e'er, fair lady, / victor o'er thee to be, +And henceforth will I seldom / seek to lie thus nigh to thee." + +639 + +She recked not how 'twere with him, / as she full softly lay. +There hung he, will he nill he, / the night through unto day, +Until the light of morning / through the windows shone. +Could he e'er boast of prowess, / small now the measure he did own. + +640 + +"Now tell me, lordly Gunther, / wert thou thereat so sad, +If that in bonds should find thee" / --spake the fairest maid-- +"Thy royal men-in-waiting, / bound by lady's hand?" +Then spake the knight full noble: / "Thou should'st in case most evil + stand. + +641 + +"Eke had I little honor / therefrom," continued he. +"For all thy royal honor / let me then go to thee. +Since that my fond embracements / do anger thee so sore, +With these my hands I pledge thee / to touch thy garment nevermore." + +642 + +Then she loosed him straightway / and he once more stood free. +To the bed he went as erstwhile / where rested his lady. +But far from her he laid him / and well he now forebore +To stir the lady's anger / by touching e'en the gown she wore. + +643 + +At length came their attendants / who garments fresh did bring, +Whereof was ready for them / good store on that morning. +Yet merry as his folk were, / a visage sad did own +The lord of that proud country, / for all he wore that day a crown. + +644 + +As was the country's custom, / a thing folk do of right, +Gunther and Brunhild / presently were dight +To go unto the minster / where the mass was sung. +Thither eke came Siegfried, / and in their trains a mighty throng. + +645 + +As fitted royal honor / for them was thither brought +The crown that each should carry / and garments richly wrought. +There were they consecrated; / and when the same was done, +Saw ye the four together / happy stand and wearing crown. + +646 + +There was knighted many a squire, / --six hundred or beyond-- +In honor of the crowning, / that shall ye understand. +Arose full great rejoicing / in the land of Burgundy +As hand of youthful warrior / did shatter shaft right valiantly. + +647 + +Then sat in castle casement / maidens fair to see, +And many a shield beneath them / gleamed full brilliantly. +Yet himself had sundered / from all his men the king; +Though joyous every other, / sad-visaged stood he sorrowing. + +648 + +He and the doughty Siegfried, / how all unlike their mood! +Well wist the thing did grieve him / that noble knight and good. +He went unto the monarch / and straight addressed him so: +"This night how hast thou fared? / In friendship give thou me to know." + +649 + +To his guest the king gave answer: / "Than shame and scathe I've naught. +The devil's dam I surely / into my house have brought. +When as I thought to have her / she bound me like a thrall; +Unto a nail she bore me / and hung me high upon the wall. + +650 + +"There hung I sore in anguish / the night through until day +Ere that she would unbind me, / the while she softly lay! +And hast thou friendly pity / know then the grief I bear." +Then spake the doughty Siegfried: / "Such grieves me verily to hear. + +651 + +"The which I'll show thee truly, / wilt thou me not deny. +I'll bring it that to-night she / so near to thee shall lie +That she to meet thy wishes / shall tarry nevermore." +Thereat rejoice did Gunther / to think perchance his trials o'er. + +652 + +Then further spake Sir Siegfried: / "With thee 'twill yet be right. +I ween that all unequal / we twain have fared this night. +To me thy sister Kriemhild / dearer is than life; +Eke shall the Lady Brunhild / be yet this coming night thy wife." + +653 + +"I'll come unto thy chamber / this night all secretly," +Spake he, "and wrapped in mantle / invisible I'll be, +That of this my cunning / naught shall any know; +And thy attendants shalt thou / bid to their apartments go. + +654 + +"The lights I'll all extinguish / held by each page in hand, +By the which same token / shalt thou understand +I present am to serve thee. / I'll tame thy shrewish wife +That thou this night enjoy her, / else forfeit be my caitiff life." + +655 + +"An thou wilt truly leave me" / --answered him the king-- +'My lady yet a maiden, / I joy o'er this same thing. +So do thou as thou willest; / and takest thou her life, +E'en that I'll let pass o'er me, / --to lose so terrible a wife." + +656 + +"Thereto," spake then Siegfried, / "plight I word of mine, +To leave her yet a maiden. / A sister fair of thine +Is to me before all women / I ever yet have seen." +Gunther believed right gladly / what had by Siegfried plighted been. + +657 + +Meanwhile the merry pastime / with joy and zest went on. +But all the din and bustle / bade they soon be done, +When band of fairest ladies / would pass unto the hall +'Fore whom did royal chamberlains / bid backward stand the people all. + +658 + +The chargers soon and riders / from castle court were sped. +Each of the noble ladies / by bishop high was led, +When that before the monarchs / they passed to banquet board, +And in their train did follow / to table many a stately lord. + +659 + +There sat the king all hopeful / and full of merriment; +What him did promise Siegfried, / thereon his mind was bent. +To him as long as thirty / did seem that single day; +To plaisance with his lady, / thither turned his thought alway. + +660 + +And scarce the time he bided / while that the feast did last. +Now unto her chamber / the stately Brunhild passed, +And for her couch did Kriemhild / likewise the table leave. +Before those royal ladies / what host ye saw of warriors brave! + +661 + +Full soon thereafter Siegfried / sat right lovingly +With his fair wife beside him, / and naught but joy had he. +His hand she clasped full fondly / within her hand so white, +Until--and how she knew not-- / he did vanish from her sight. + +662 + +When she the knight did fondle, / and straightway saw him not, +Unto her maids attendant / spake the queen distraught: +"Meseemeth a mickle wonder / where now the king hath gone. +His hands in such weird fashion / who now from out mine own hath drawn?" + +663 + +Yet further not she questioned. / Soon had he hither gone +Where with lights were standing / attendants many a one. +The same he did extinguish / in every page's hand; +That Siegfried then was present / Gunther thereby did understand. + +664 + +Well wist he what he would there; / so bade he thence be gone +Ladies and maids-in-waiting. / And when that was done, +Himself the mighty monarch / fast did lock the door: +Two bolts all wrought securely / he quickly shoved the same before. + +665 + +The lights behind the curtains / hid he presently. +Soon a play was started / (for thus it had to be), +Betwixt the doughty Siegfried / and the stately maid: +Thereat was royal Gunther / joyous alike and sad. + +666 + +Siegfried there laid him / by the maid full near. +Spake she: "Let be, now, Gunther, / an hast thou cause to fear +Those troubles now repeated / which befell thee yesternight." +And soon the valiant Siegfried / through the lady fell in sorry plight. + +667 + +His voice did he keep under / and ne'er a word spake he. +Intently listened Gunther, / and though he naught could see, +Yet knew he that in secret / nothing 'twixt them passed. +In sooth nor knight nor lady / upon the bed had mickle rest. + +668 + +He did there as if Gunther / the mighty king he were, +And in his arms he pressed her, / the maiden debonair. +Forth from the bed she hurled him / where a bench there stood, +And head of valiant warrior / against a stool went ringing loud. + +669 + +Up sprang again undaunted / the full doughty man, +To try for fortune better. / When he anew began +Perforce to curb her fury, / fell he in trouble sore. +I ween that ne'er a lady / did so defend herself before. + +670 + +When he would not give over, / up the maid arose: +"My gown so white thou never / thus shalt discompose. +And this thy villain's manner / shall sore by thee be paid, +The same I'll teach thee truly," / further spake the buxom maid. + +671 + +Within her arms she clasped him, / the full stately thane, +And thought likewise to bind him, / as the king yestreen, +That she the night in quiet / upon her couch might lie. +That her dress he thus did rumple, / avenged the lady grievously. + +672 + +What booted now his prowess / and eke his mickle might? +Her sovereignty of body / she proved upon the knight; +By force of arm she bore him, / --'twixt wall and mighty chest +(For so it e'en must happen) / him she all ungently pressed. + +673 + +"Ah me!"--so thought the hero-- / "shall I now my life +Lose at hand of woman, / then will every wife +Evermore hereafter / a shrewish temper show +Against her lord's good wishes, / who now such thing ne'er thinks to do." + +674 + +All heard the monarch meanwhile / and trembled for the man. +Sore ashamed was Siegfried, / and a-raging he began. +With might and main he struggled / again to make him free, +Ere which to sorest trouble / 'neath Lady Brunhild's hand fell he. + +675 + +Long space to him it seemed / ere Siegfried tamed her mood. +She grasped his hand so tightly / that 'neath the nails the blood +Oozed from the pressure, / which made the hero wince. +Yet the stately maiden / subdued he to obedience since. + +676 + +Her unrestrained temper / that she so late displayed, +All overheard the monarch, / though ne'er a word he said. +'Gainst the bed did press her Siegfried / that aloud she cried, +Ungentle was the treatment / that he meted to the bride. + +677 + +Then grasped she for a girdle / that round her sides she wore, +And thought therewith to bind him; / but her limbs and body o'er +Strained beneath the vigor / that his strong arm displayed. +So was the struggle ended / --Gunther's wife was vanquished. + +678 + +She spake: "O noble monarch, / take not my life away. +The harm that I have done thee / full well will I repay. +No more thy royal embraces / by me shall be withstood, +For now I well have seen it, / thou canst be lord o'er woman's mood." + +679 + +From the couch rose Siegfried, / lying he left the maid, +As if that he would from him / lay his clothes aside. +He drew from off her finger / a ring of golden sheen +Without that e'er perceived / his practice the full noble queen. + +680 + +Thereto he took her girdle / that was all richly wrought: +If from wanton spirit / he did it, know I not. +The same he gave to Kriemhild: / the which did sorrow bear. +Then lay by one another / Gunther and the maiden fair. + +681 + +Hearty were his embraces / as such king became: +Perforce must she relinquish / her anger and her shame. +In sooth not little pallid / within his arms she grew, +And in that love-surrender / how waned her mighty prowess too! + +682 + +Then was e'en she not stronger / than e'er another bride; +He lay with fond embraces / the beauteous dame beside. +And had she struggled further, / avail how could it aught? +Gunther, when thus he clasped her, / such change upon her strength had + wrought. + +683 + +And with right inward pleasure / she too beside him lay +In warmest love embracings / until the dawn of day! +Meantime now had Siegfried / departure ta'en from there, +And was full well received / by a lady debonair. + +684 + +Her questioning he avoided / and all whereon she thought, +And long time kept he secret / what he for her had brought, +Until in his own country / she wore a royal crown; +Yet what for her he destined, / how sure at last it was her own. + +685 + +Upon the morn was Gunther / by far of better mood +Than he had been before it; / joy thus did spread abroad +'Mid host of knights full noble / that from his lands around +To his court had been invited, / and there most willing service found. + +686 + +The merry time there lasted / until two weeks were spent, +Nor all the while did flag there / the din of merriment +And every kind of joyance / that knight could e'er devise; +With lavish hand expended / the king thereto in fitting wise. + +687 + +The noble monarch's kinsmen / upon his high command +By gifts of gold and raiment / told forth his generous hand, +By steed and thereto silver / on minstrel oft bestowed. +Who there did gift desire / departed thence in merry mood. + +688 + +All the store of raiment / afar from Netherland, +The which had Siegfried's thousand / warriors brought to hand +Unto the Rhine there with them, / complete 'twas dealt away, +And eke the steeds well saddled: / in sooth a lordly life led they. + +689 + +Ere all the gifts so bounteous / were dealt the guests among, +They who would straightway homeward / did deem the waiting long. +Ne'er had guests of monarch / such goodly gifts before; +And so as Gunther willed it / the merry feast at last was o'er. + + + + +ELEVENTH ADVENTURE + +How Siegfried came home with his Wife + +690 + +When that now the strangers / all from thence were gone, +Spake unto his followers / noble Siegmund's son: +"We shall eke make ready / home to my land to fare." +Unto his spouse was welcome / such news when she the same did hear. + +691 + +She spake unto her husband: / "When shall we hence depart? +Not hastily on the journey / I pray thee yet to start. +With me first my brothers / their wide lands shall share." +Siegfried yet it pleased not / such words from Kriemhild to hear. + +692 + +The princes went unto him / and spake they there all three: +"Now know thou well, Sir Siegfried, / for thee shall ever be +In faithfulness our service / ready while yet we live." +The royal thanes then thanked he / who thus did proof of friendship give. + +693 + +"With thee further share we," / spake young Giselher, +"The lands and eke the castles / by us that owned are. +In wide lands whatsoever / we rule o'er warriors brave, +Of the same with Kriemhild / a goodly portion shalt thou have. + +694 + +Then spake unto the princes / the son of Siegmund +When he their lofty purpose / did rightly understand: +"God grant your goodly heritage / at peace may ever be, +And eke therein your people. / The spouse in sooth so dear to me." + +695 + +"May well forego the portion / that ye to her would give. +For she a crown shall carry, / if to such day I live, +And queen more rich than any / that lives she then must be. +What else to her ye offer, / therein I'll meet you faithfully." + +696 + +Then spake the Lady Kriemhild: / "If wealth thou wilt not choose, +Yet gallant thanes of Burgundy / shalt thou not light refuse. +They're such as monarch gladly / would lead to his own land. +Of these shall make division / with me my loving brothers' hand." + +697 + +Thereto spake noble Gernot: / "Now take to please thy mind. +Who gladly will go with thee / full many here thou'lt find. +Of thirty hundred warriors / we give thee thousand men +To be thy royal escort." / Kriemhild did summon then + +698 + +Hagen of Tronje to her / and Ortwein instantly: +And would they and their kinsmen / make her good company? +To hear the same did Hagen / begin to rage full sore. +Quoth he: "E'en royal Gunther / may thus bestow us nevermore. + +699 + +"Other men that serve thee, / let them follow thee; +Thou know'st the men of Tronje / and what their pledges be: +Here must we by the monarchs / in service true abide; +Hereto as them we followed, / so shall we henceforth keep their side." + +700 + +And so the thing was ended: / to part they ready make. +A high and noble escort / did Kriemhild to her take, +Maidens two and thirty / and five hundred men also. +In Lady Kriemhild's company / the Margrave Eckewart did go. + +701 + +Leave took they all together, / squire and also knight, +Maidens and fair ladies, / as was their wont aright. +There parted they with kisses / and eke with clasp of hand: +Right merrily they journeyed / forth from royal Gunther's land. + +702 + +Their friends did give them escort / upon the way full far. +Night-quarters at every station / they bade for them prepare, +Where they might wish to tarry / as on their way they went. +Then straightway was a messenger / unto royal Siegmund sent, + +703 + +To him and Siegelind bearing / thereof the joyful sign +That his son was coming / from Worms upon the Rhine +And with him Ute's daughter, / Kriemhild the fair lady. +As this could other message / nevermore so welcome be. + +704 + +"Well is me!" quoth Siegmund, / "that I the day have known, +When the fair Lady Kriemhild / here shall wear a crown. +Thus higher shall my kingdom / stand in majesty. +My son the noble Siegfried / here himself the king shall be." + +705 + +Then dealt the Lady Siegelind / velvet red in store, +Silver and gold full heavy / to them the news that bore: +She joyed to hear the story / that there her ear did greet. +Then decked themselves her ladies / all in rich attire meet. + +706 + +'Twas told, with Siegfried coming / whom they did expect. +Then bade they sitting-places / straightway to erect, +Where he before his kinsmen / a crown in state should wear. +Then men of royal Siegmund / forward rode to meet him there. + +707 + +Was e'er more royal greeting, / news have I not to hand, +As came the knights full noble / into Siegmund's land. +There the royal Siegelind / to Kriemhild forth did ride +With ladies fair a many, / and followed gallant knights beside + +708 + +Out a full day's journey / to welcome each high guest. +And little with the strangers / did they ever rest +Until into a castle / wide they came once more, +The same was called Xanten, / where anon a crown they wore. + +709 + +With smiling lips Dame Siegelind / --and Siegmund eke did this-- +To show the love they bore her / full oft did Kriemhild kiss, +And eke the royal Siegfried: / far was their sorrow gone. +And all the merry company, / good welcome had they every one. + +710 + +The train of strangers bade they / 'fore Siegmund's Hall to lead, +And maidens fair a many / down from gallant steed +Helped they there dismounting. / Full many a man was there +To do them willing service / as was meet for ladies fair. + +711 + +How great soe'er the splendor / erstwhile beside the Rhine, +Here none the less was given / raiment yet more fine, +Nor were they e'er attired / in all their days so well. +Full many a wonder might I / of their rich apparel tell. + +712 + +How there in state resplendent / they sat and had full store, +And how each high attendant / gold-broidered raiment wore, +With stones full rare and precious / set with skill therein! +The while with care did serve them / Siegelind the noble queen. + +713 + +Then spake the royal Siegmund / before his people so: +"To every friend of Siegfried / give I now to know +That he before these warriors / my royal crown shall wear." +And did rejoice that message / the thanes of Netherland to hear. + +714 + +His crown to him he tendered / and rule o'er wide domain +Whereof he all was master. / Where'er did reach his reign +Or men were subject to him / bestowed his hand such care +That evil-doers trembled / before the spouse of Kriemhild fair. + +715 + +In such high honor truly / he lived, as ye shall hear, +And judged as lofty monarch / unto the tenth year, +What time his fairest lady / to him a son did bear. +Thereat the monarch's kinsmen / filled with mickle joyance were. + +716 + +They soon the same did christen / and gave to him a name, +Gunther, as hight his uncle, / nor cause was that for shame: +Grew he but like his kinsmen / then happy might he be. +As well he did deserve it, / him fostered they right carefully. + +717 + +In the selfsame season / did Lady Siegelind die, +When was full power wielded / by Ute's daughter high, +As meet so lofty lady / should homage wide receive. +That death her thus had taken / did many a worthy kinsman grieve. + +718 + +Now by the Rhine yonder, / as we likewise hear, +Unto mighty Gunther / eke a son did bear +Brunhild his fair lady / in the land of Burgundy. +In honor to the hero / Siegfried named eke was he. + +719 + +The child they also fostered / with what tender care! +Gunther the noble monarch / anon did masters rare +Find who should instruct him / a worthy man to grow. +Alas! by sad misfortune / to friends was dealt how fell a blow! + +720 + +At all times the story / far abroad was told, +How that in right worthy / way the warriors bold +Lived there in Siegmund's country / as noble knights should do. +Likewise did royal Gunther / eke amid his kinsmen true. + +721 + +Land of the Nibelungen / Siegfried as well did own, +--Amid his lofty kindred / a mightier ne'er was known-- +And Schilbung's knights did serve him, / with all that theirs had been. +That great was thus his power / did fill with joy the knight full keen. + +722 + +Hoard of all the greatest / that hero ever won, +Save who erstwhile did wield it, / now the knight did own, +The which before a mountain / he seized against despite, +And for whose sake he further / slew full many a gallant knight. + +723 + +Naught more his heart could wish for; / yet had his might been less, +Rightly must all people / of the high knight confess, +One was he of the worthiest / that e'er bestrode a steed. +Feared was his mickle prowess, / and, sooth to say, thereof was need. + + + + +TWELFTH ADVENTURE + +How Gunther bade Siegfried to the Feast + +724 + +Now all time bethought her / royal Gunther's wife: +"How now doth Lady Kriemhild / lead so haughty life? +In sooth her husband Siegfried / doth homage to us owe, +But now full long unto us / little service he doth show." + +725 + +That in her heart in secret / eke she pondered o'er. +That they were strangers to her / did grieve her heart full sore, +And so seldom sign of service / came from Siegfried's land. +How it thus was fallen, / that she fain would understand. + +726 + +She probed then the monarch, / if the thing might be, +That she the Lady Kriemhild / once again might see. +She spake it all in secret / whereon her heart did dwell; +The thing she then did speak of / pleased the monarch passing well. + +727 + +"How might we bring them hither" / --spake the mighty king-- +"Unto this my country? / 'Twere ne'er to do, such thing. +They dwell too distant from us, / the quest I fear to make." +Thereto gave answer Brunhild, / and in full crafty wise she spake: + +728 + +"How high soe'er and mighty / king's man were ever one, +Whate'er should bid his master, / may he not leave undone." +Thereat did smile King Gunther, / as such words spake she: +Ne'er bade he aught of service, / oft as Siegfried he did see. + +729 + +She spake: "Full loving master, / as thou hold'st me dear, +Help me now that Siegfried / and thy sister fair +Come to this our country, / that them we here may see; +In sooth no thing could ever / unto me more welcome be. + +730 + +"Thy sister's lofty bearing / and all her courtesy, +Whene'er I think upon it, / full well it pleaseth me, +How we did sit together / when erst I was thy spouse! +Well in sooth with honor / might she the valiant Siegfried choose." + +731 + +She pleaded with the monarch / so long till answered he: +"Know now that guests none other / so welcome were to me. +To gain thy wish 'tis easy: / straight messengers of mine +To both shall message carry, / that hither come they to the Rhine." + +732 + +Thereto the queen gave answer: / "Now further shalt thou say, +When thou them wilt summon, / or when shall be the day +That our dear friends come hither / unto our country. +Who'll bear thy message thither, / shalt thou eke make known to me." + +733 + +"That will I," spake the monarch. / "Thirty of my men +Shall thither ride unto them." / The same he summoned then, +And bade them with the message / to Siegfried's land to fare. +They joyed as gave them Brunhild / stately raiment rich to wear. + +734 + +Then further spake the monarch: / "Ye knights from me shall bring +This message, nor withhold ye / of it anything, +Unto the doughty Siegfried / and eke my sister fair: +In the world could never any / to them a better purpose bear. + +735 + +"And pray them both that hither / they come unto the Rhine. +With me will e'er my lady / such grace to pay combine, +Ere turn of sun in summer / he and his men shall know +That liveth here full many / to them would willing honor show. + +736 + +"Unto royal Siegmund / bear greeting fair from me, +That I and my friends ever / to him well-minded be. +And tell ye eke my sister / she shall no wise omit +Hither to friends to journey: / ne'er feast could better her befit." + +737 + +Brunhild and Ute / and ladies all at hand, +They sent a fairest greeting / unto Siegfried's land +To winsome ladies many / and many a warrior brave. +With godspeed from the monarch / and friends the messengers took leave. + +738 + +They fared with full equipment: / their steeds did ready stand +And rich were they attired: / so rode they from that land +They hastened on the journey / whither they would fare; +Escort safe the monarch / had bidden eke for them prepare. + +739 + +Their journey had they ended / e'er three weeks were spent. +At the Nibelungen castle, / whither they were sent, +In the mark of Norway / found they the knight they sought, +And weary were the horses / the messengers so far had brought. + +740 + +Then was told to Siegfried / and to Kriemhild fair +How knights were there arrived / who did raiment wear +Like as in land of Burgundy / of wont the warriors dressed. +Thereat did hasten Kriemhild / from couch where she did lying rest. + +741 + +Then bade eke to a window / one of her maids to go. +She saw the valiant Gere / stand in the court below, +And with him his companions, / who did thither fare. +To hear such joyous tidings, / how soon her heart forgot its care. + +742 + +She spake unto the monarch: / "Look now thitherward +Where with the doughty Gere / stand in the castle yard +Whom to us brother Gunther / adown the Rhine doth send!" +Thereto spake doughty Siegfried: / "With greeting fair we'll them + attend." + +743 + +Then hastened their retainers / all the guests to meet, +And each of them in special / manner then did greet +The messengers full kindly / and warmest welcome bade. +Siegmund did likewise / o'er their coming wax full glad. + +744 + +In fitting way was harbored / Gere and his men, +And steeds in charge were taken. / The messengers went then +Where beside Sir Siegfried / the Lady Kriemhild sat. +To court the guests were bidden, / where them did greeting fair await. + +745 + +The host with his fair lady, / straightway up stood he, +And greeted fairly Gere / of the land of Burgundy +And with him his companions / King Gunther's men also. +Gere, knight full mighty, / bade they to a settle go. + +746 + +"Allow that first the message / we give ere sit we down; +The while we'll stand, though weary / upon our journey grown. +Tidings bring we to you / what greetings high have sent +Gunther and Brunhild / who live in royal fair content. + +747 + +"Eke what from Lady Ute / thy mother now we've brought. +The youthful Giselher / and also Sir Gernot +And best among thy kinsmen / have sent us here to thee: +A fairest greeting send they / from the land of Burgundy." + +748 + +"God give them meed," spake Siegfried; / "Good will and faith withal +I trow full well they harbor, / as with friends we shall; +Likewise doth eke their sister. / Now further shall ye tell +If that our friends beloved / at home in high estate do dwell. + +749 + +"Since that we from them parted / hath any dared to do +Scathe to my lady's kinsmen? / That shall ye let me know. +I'll help them ever truly / all their need to bear +Till that their enemies / have good cause my help to fear." + +750 + +Then spake the Margrave / Gere, a knight full good: +"In all that maketh knighthood / right proud they stand of mood. +Unto the Rhine they bid you / to high festivity: +They'd see you there full gladly, / thereof may ye not doubtful be. + +751 + +"And bid they eke my Lady / Kriemhild that she too, +When ended is the winter, / thither come with you. +Ere turn of sun in summer / trust they you to see." +Then spake the doughty Siegfried: / "That same thing might hardly be." + +752 + +Thereto did answer Gere / of the land of Burgundy: +"Your high mother Ute / hath message sent by me, +Likewise Gernot and Giselher, / that they plead not in vain. +That you they see so seldom / daily hear I them complain. + +753 + +"Brunhild my mistress / and all her company +Of fair maids rejoice them; / if the thing might be +That they again should see you, / of merry mood they were." +Then joy to hear the tidings / filled the Lady Kriemhild fair. + +754 + +Gere to her was kinsman. / The host did bid him rest, +Nor long were they in pouring / wine for every guest. +Thither came eke Siegmund / where the strangers he did see, +And in right friendly manner / spake to the men of Burgundy: + +755 + +"Welcome be, ye warriors, / ye Gunther's men, each one. +Since that fair Kriemhild / Siegfried my son +For spouse did take unto him, / we should you ofter see +Here in this our country, / an ye good friends to us would be." + +756 + +They spake, whene'er he wished it, / full glad to come were they. +All their mickle weariness / with joy was ta'en away. +The messengers were seated / and food to them they bore, +Whereof did Siegfried offer / unto his guests a goodly store. + +757 + +Until nine days were over / must they there abide, +When did at last the valiant / knights begin to chide +That they did not ride thither / again unto their land. +Then did the royal Siegfried / summon his good knights to hand. + +758 + +He asked what they did counsel: / should they unto the Rhine? +"Me unto him hath bidden / Gunther, friend of mine, +He and his good kinsmen, / to high festivity. +Thither went I full gladly, / but that his land so far doth lie. + +759 + +"Kriemhild bid they likewise / that she with me shall fare. +Good friends, now give ye counsel / how we therefor prepare. +And were it armies thirty / to lead in distant land, +Yet must serve them gladly / evermore Siegfried's hand." + +760 + +Then answer gave his warriors. / "An't pleaseth thee to go +Thither to the festival, / we'll counsel what thou do. +Thou shalt with thousand warriors / unto Rhine river ride. +So may'st thou well with honor / in the land of Burgundy abide." + +761 + +Then spake of Netherland / Siegmund the king: +"Will ye to the festival, / why hide from me the thing! +I'll journey with you thither, / if it not displeasing be, +And lead good thanes a hundred / wherewith to swell your company." + +762 + +"And wilt thou with us journey, / father full dear to me," +Spake the valiant Siegfried, / "full glad thereat I'll be. +Before twelve days are over / from these my lands I fare." +To all who'd join the journey / steeds gave they and apparel rare. + +763 + +When now the lofty monarch / was minded thus to ride +Bade he the noble messengers / longer not to bide, +And to his lady's kinsmen / to the Rhine a message sent, +How that he would full gladly / join to make them merriment. + +764 + +Siegfried and Kriemhild, / this same tale we hear, +To the messengers gave so richly / that the burden could not bear +Their horses with them homeward, / such wealth in sooth he had. +The horses heavy-laden / drove they thence with hearts full glad. + +765 + +Siegfried and Siegmund / their people richly clad. +Eckewart the Margrave, / straightway he bade +For ladies choose rich clothing, / the best that might be found, +Or e'er could be procured / in all Siegfried's lands around. + +766 + +The shields and the saddles / gan they eke prepare, +To knights and fair ladies / who with them should fare +Lacked nothing that they wished for, / but of all they were possessed. +Then to his friends led Siegfried / many a high and stately guest. + +767 + +The messengers swift hasted / homeward on their way, +And soon again came Gere / to the land of Burgundy. +Full well was he received, / and there dismounted all +His train from off their horses / before the royal Gunther's Hall. + +768 + +Old knights and youthful squires / crowded, as is their way, +To ask of them the tidings. / Thus did the brave knight say: +"When to the king I tell them / then shall ye likewise hear." +He went with his companions / and soon 'fore Gunther did appear. + +769 + +Full of joy the monarch / did from the settle spring; +And did thank them also / for their hastening +Brunhild the fair lady. / Spake Gunther eagerly: +"How now liveth Siegfried, / whose arm hath oft befriended me?" + +770 + +Then spake the valiant Gere: / "Joy o'er the visage went +Of him and eke thy sister. / To friends was never sent +A more faithful greeting / by good knight ever one, +Than now the mighty Siegfried / and his royal sire have done." + +771 + +Then spake unto the Margrave / the noble monarch's wife: +"Now tell me, cometh Kriemhild? / And marketh yet her life +Aught of the noble bearing / did her erstwhile adorn?" +"She cometh to thee surely," / Gere answer did return. + +772 + +Ute straightway the messengers / to her did command. +Then might ye by her asking / full well understand +To her was joyous tidings / how Kriemhild did betide. +He told her how he found her, / and that she soon would hither ride. + +773 + +Eke of all the presents / did they naught withhold, +That had given them Siegfried: / apparel rich and gold +Displayed they to the people / of the monarchs three. +To him were they full grateful / who thus had dealt so bounteously. + +774 + +"Well may he," quoth Hagen, / "of his treasure give, +Nor could he deal it fully, / should he forever live: +Hoard of the Nibelungen / beneath his hand doth lie. +Heigh-ho, if came it ever / into the land of Burgundy!" + +775 + +All the king's retainers / glad they were thereat, +That the guests were coming. / Early then and late +Full little were they idle, / the men of monarchs three. +Seats builded they full many / toward the high festivity. + +776 + +The valiant knight Hunold / and Sindold doughty thane +Little had of leisure. / Meantime must the twain, +Stands erect full many, / as their high office bade. +Therein did help them Ortwein, / and Gunther's thanks therefor they had. + +777 + +Rumold the High Steward / busily he wrought +Among them that did serve him. / Full many a mighty pot, +And spacious pans and kettles, / how many might ye see! +For those to them were coming / prepared they victuals plenteously. + + + + +THIRTEENTH ADVENTURE + +How they fared to the Feast + +778 + +Leave we now the ardor / wherewith they did prepare, +And tell how Lady Kriemhild / and eke her maidens fair +From land of Nibelungen / did journey to the Rhine. +Ne'er did horses carry / such store of raiment rich and fine. + +779 + +Carrying-chests full many / for the way they made ready. +Then rode the thane Siegfried / with his friends in company +And eke the queen thither / where joy they looked to find. +Where now was high rejoicing / they soon in sorest grief repined. + +780 + +At home behind them left they / Lady Kriemhild's son +That she did bear to Siegfried / --'twas meet that that be done. +From this their festive journey / rose mickle sorrow sore: +His father and his mother / their child beheld they never more. + +781 + +Then eke with them thither / Siegmund the king did ride. +Had he e'er had knowledge / what should there betide +Anon from that high journey, / such had he never seen: +Ne'er wrought upon dear kindred / might so grievous wrong have been. + +782 + +Messengers sent they forward / that the tidings told should be. +Then forth did ride to meet them / with gladsome company +Ute's friends full many / and many a Gunther's man. +With zeal to make him ready / unto his guests the king began. + +783 + +Where he found Brunhild sitting, / thither straight went he. +"How received thee my sister, / as thou cam'st to this country? +Like preparations shalt thou / for Siegfried's wife now make." +"Fain do I that; good reason / have I to love her well," she spake. + +784 + +Then quoth the mighty monarch: / "The morn shall see them here. +Wilt thou go forth to meet them, / apace do thou prepare, +That not within the castle / their coming we await. +Guests more welcome never / greeted I of high estate." + +785 + +Her maidens and her ladies / straight did she command +To choose them rich apparel, / the best within the land, +In which the stately company / before the guests should go. +The same they did right gladly, / that may ye full surely know. + +786 + +Then eke to offer service / the men of Gunther hied, +And all his doughty warriors / saw ye by the monarch's side. +Then rode the queen full stately / the strangers forth to meet, +And hearty was the welcome / as she her loving guests did greet. + +787 + +With what glad rejoicings / the guests they did receive! +They deemed that Lady Kriemhild / did unto Brunhild give +Ne'er so warm a welcome / to the land of Burgundy. +Bold knights that yet were strangers / rejoiced each other there to see. + +788 + +Now come was also Siegfried / with his valiant men. +The warriors saw ye riding / thither and back again, +Where'er the plain extended, / with huge company. +From the dust and crowding / could none in all the rout be free. + +789 + +When the monarch of the country / Siegfried did see +And with him also Siegmund, / spake he full lovingly: +"Be ye to me full welcome / and to all these friends of mine. +Our hearts right glad they shall be / o'er this your journey to the + Rhine." + +790 + +"God give thee meed," spake Siegmund, / a knight in honor grown. +"Since that my son Siegfried / thee for a friend hath known, +My heart hath e'er advised me / that thee I soon should see." +Thereto spake royal Gunther: / "Joy hast thou brought full great to me." + +791 + +Siegfried was there received, / as fitted his high state, +With full lofty honors, / nor one did bear him hate. +There joined in way right courteous / Gernot and Giselher: +I ween so warm a welcome / did they make for strangers ne'er. + +792 + +The spouse of each high monarch / greeted the other there. +Emptied was many a saddle, / and many a lady fair +By hero's hand was lifted / adown upon the sward. +By waiting on fair lady / how many a knight sought high reward! + +793 + +So went unto each other / the ladies richly dight; +Thereat in high rejoicing / was seen full many a knight, +That by both the greeting / in such fair way was done. +By fair maidens standing / saw ye warriors many a one. + +794 + +Each took the hand of other / in all their company; +In courteous manner bending / full many might ye see +And loving kisses given / by ladies debonair. +Rejoiced the men of Gunther / and Siegfried to behold them there. + +795 + +They bided there no longer / but rode into the town. +The host bade to the strangers / in fitting way be shown, +That they were seen full gladly / in the land of Burgundy. +High knights full many tilting / before fair ladies might ye see. + +796 + +Then did of Tronje Hagen / and eke Ortwein +In high feats of valor / all other knights outshine. +Whate'er the twain commanded / dared none to leave undone; +By them was many a service / to their high guests in honor shown. + +797 + +Shields heard ye many clashing / before the castle gate +With din of lances breaking. / Long in saddle sate +The host and guests there with him, / ere that within they went. +With full merry pastime / joyfully the hours they spent. + +798 + +Unto the Hall so spacious / rode the merry company. +Many a silken cover / wrought full cunningly +Saw ye beyond the saddles / of the ladies debonair +On all sides down hanging. / King Gunther's men did meet them there. + +799 + +Led by the same the strangers / to their apartments passed. +Meanwhile oft her glances / Brunhild was seen to cast +Upon the Lady Kriemhild, / for she was passing fair. +In lustre vied her color / with the gold that she did wear. + +800 + +Within the town a clamor / at Worms on every hand +Arose amid their followers. / King Gunther gave command +To Dankwart his Marshal / to tend them all with care. +Then bade he fitting quarters / for the retinue prepare. + +801 + +Without and in the castle / the board for all was set: +In sooth were never strangers / better tended yet. +Whatever any wished for / did they straightway provide: +So mighty was the monarch / that naught to any was denied. + +802 + +To them was kind attention / and all good friendship shown. +The host then at the table / with his guests sat him down. +Siegfried they bade be seated / where he did sit before. +Then went with him to table / full many a stately warrior more. + +803 + +Gallant knights twelve hundred / in the circle there, I ween, +With him sat at table. / Brunhild the lofty queen +Did deem that never vassal / could more mighty be. +So well she yet was minded, / she saw it not unwillingly. + +804 + +There upon an evening, / as the king with guests did dine, +Full many a rich attire / was wet with ruddy wine, +As passed among the tables / the butlers to and fro. +And great was their endeavor / full honor to the guests to show. + +805 + +As long hath been the custom / at high festivity +Fit lodging there was given / to maid and high lady. +From whence soe'er they came there / they had the host's good care; +Unto each guest was meted / of fitting honors fullest share. + +806 + +When now the night was ended / and came forth the dawn, +From chests they carried with them, / full many a precious stone +Sparkled on costly raiment / by hand of lady sought. +Stately robes full many / forth to deck them then they brought. + +807 + +Ere dawn was full appeared, / before the Hall again +Came knights and squires many, / whereat arose the din +E'en before the matins / that for the king were sung. +Well pleased was the monarch / at joust to see the warriors young. + +808 + +Full lustily and loudly / many a horn did blare, +Of flutes and eke of trumpets / such din did rend the air +That loud came back the echo / from Worms the city wide. +The warriors high-hearted / to saddle sprung on every side. + +809 + +Arose there in that country / high a jousting keen +Of many a doughty warrior / whereof were many seen, +Whom there their hearts more youthful / did make of merry mood; +Of these 'neath shield there saw ye / many a stately knight and good. + +810 + +There sat within the casements / many a high lady +And maidens many with them, / the which were fair to see. +Down looked they where did tourney / many a valiant man. +The host with his good kinsmen / himself a-riding soon began. + +811 + +Thus they found them pastime, / and fled the time full well; +Then heard they from the minster / the sound of many a bell. +Forth upon their horses / the ladies thence did ride; +Many a knight full valiant / the lofty queens accompanied. + +812 + +They then before the minster / alighted on the grass. +Unto her guests Queen Brunhild / yet well-minded was. +Into the spacious minster / they passed, and each wore crown. +Their friendship yet was broken / by direst jealousy anon. + +813 + +When the mass was ended / went they thence again +In full stately manner. / Thereafter were they seen +Joyous at board together. / The pleasure full did last, +Until days eleven / amid the merry-making passed. + + + + +FOURTEENTH ADVENTURE + +How the Queens Berated Each Other + +814 + +Before the time of vespers / arose a mickle stir +On part of warriors many / upon the courtyard there. +In knightly fashion made they / the time go pleasantly; +Thither knights and ladies / went their merry play to see. + +815 + +There did sit together / the queens, a stately pair, +And of two knights bethought them, / that noble warriors were. +Then spake the fair Kriemhild: / "Such spouse in sooth have I, +That all these mighty kingdoms / might well beneath his sceptre lie." + +816 + +Then spake the Lady Brunhild: / "How might such thing be? +If that there lived none other / but himself and thee, +So might perchance his power / rule these kingdoms o'er; +The while that liveth Gunther, / may such thing be nevermore." + +817 + +Then again spake Kriemhild: / "Behold how he doth stand +In right stately fashion / before the knightly band, +Like as the bright moon beameth / before the stars of heaven. +In sooth to think upon it / a joyous mood to me is given." + +818 + +Then spake the Lady Brunhild: / "How stately thy spouse be, +Howe'er so fair and worthy, / yet must thou grant to me +Gunther, thy noble brother, / doth far beyond him go: +In sooth before all monarchs / he standeth, shalt thou truly know." + +819 + +Then again spake Kriemhild: / "So worthy is my spouse, +That I not have praised him / here without a cause. +In ways to tell full many / high honor doth he bear: +Believe well may'st thou, Brunhild, / he is the royal Gunther's peer." + +820 + +"Now guard thee, Lady Kriemhild, / my word amiss to take, +For not without good reason here / such thing I spake. +Both heard I say together, / when them I first did see, +When that erstwhile the monarch / did work his royal will o'er me, + +821 + +And when in knightly fashion / my love for him he won, +Then himself said Siegfried / he were the monarch's man. +For liegeman thus I hold him, / since he the same did say." +Then spake fair Lady Kriemhild: / "With me 'twere dealt in sorry way. + +822 + +"And these my noble brothers, / how could they such thing see, +That I of their own liegeman / e'er the wife should be? +Thus will I beg thee, Brunhild, / as friend to friend doth owe, +That thou, as well befits thee, / shalt further here such words forego." + +823 + +"No whit will I give over," / spake the monarch's spouse. +"Wherefore should I so many / a knight full valiant lose, +Who to us in service / is bounden with thy man?" +Kriemhild the fair lady / thereat sore to rage began. + +824 + +"In sooth must thou forego it / that he should e'er to thee +Aught of service offer. / More worthy e'en is he +Than is my brother Gunther, / who is a royal lord. +So shalt thou please to spare me / what I now from thee have heard. + +825 + +"And to me is ever wonder, / since he thy liegeman is, +And thou dost wield such power / over us twain as this, +That he so long his tribute / to thee hath failed to pay. +'Twere well thy haughty humor / thou should'st no longer here display." + +826 + +"Too lofty now thou soarest," / the queen did make reply. +"Now will I see full gladly / if in such honor high +This folk doth hold thy person / as mine own it doth." +Of mood full sorely wrathful / were the royal ladies both. + +827 + +Then spake the Lady Kriemhild: / "That straightway shall be seen. +Since that thou my husband / dost thy liegeman ween, +To-day shall all the followers / of both the monarchs know, +If I 'fore wife of monarch / dare unto the minster go. + +828 + +"That I free-born and noble / shalt thou this day behold, +And that my royal husband, / as now to thee I've told, +'Fore thine doth stand in honor, / by me shall well be shown. +Ere night shalt thou behold it, / how wife of him thou call'st thine own + +829 + +To court shall lead good warriors / in the land of Burgundy. +And ne'er a queen so lofty / as I myself shall be +Was seen by e'er a mortal, / or yet a crown did wear." +Then mickle was the anger / that rose betwixt the ladies there. + +830 + +Then again spake Brunhild: / "Wilt thou not service own, +So must thou with thy women / hold thyself alone +Apart from all my following, / as we to minster go." +Thereto gave answer Kriemhild: / "In truth the same I fain will do." + +831 + +"Now dress ye fair, my maidens," / Kriemhild gave command. +"Nor shall shame befall me / here within this land. +An have ye fair apparel, / let now be seen by you. +What she here hath boasted / may Brunhild have full cause to rue." + +832 + +But little need to urge them: / soon were they richly clad +In garments wrought full deftly, / lady and many a maid. +Then went with her attendants / the spouse of the monarch high; +And eke appeared fair Kriemhild, / her body decked full gorgeously, + +833 + +With three and forty maidens, / whom to the Rhine led she, +All clad in shining garments / wrought in Araby. +So came unto the minster / the maidens fair and tall. +Before the hall did tarry / for them the men of Siegfried all. + +834 + +The people there did wonder / how the thing might be, +That no more together / the queens they thus did see, +And that beside each other / they went not as before. +Thereby came thanes a many / anon to harm and trouble sore. + +835 + +Here before the minster / the wife of Gunther stood. +And good knights full many / were there of merry mood +With the fair ladies / that their eyes did see. +Then came the Lady Kriemhild / with a full stately company. + +836 + +Whate'er of costly raiment / decked lofty maids before, +'Twas like a windy nothing / 'gainst what her ladies wore. +The wives of thirty monarchs / --such riches were her own-- +Might ne'er display together / what there by Lady Kriemhild shown. + +837 + +Should any wish to do so / he could not say, I ween, +That so rich apparel / e'er before was seen +As there by her maidens / debonair was worn: +But that it grieved Brunhild / had Kriemhild that to do forborne. + +838 + +There they met together / before the minster high. +Soon the royal matron, / through mickle jealousy, +Kriemhild to pass no further, / did bid in rage full sore: +"She that doth owe her homage / shall ne'er go monarch's wife before." + +839 + +Then spake the Lady Kriemhild / --angry was her mood: +"An could'st thou but be silent / that for thee were good. +Thyself hast brought dishonor / upon thy fair body: +How might, forsooth, a harlot / ever wife of monarch be?" + +840 + +"Whom mak'st thou now a harlot?" / the king's wife answered her. +"That do I thee," spake Kriemhild, / "for that thy body fair +First was clasped by Siegfried, / knight full dear to me. +In sooth 'twas ne'er my brother / won first thy maidenhead from thee. + +841 + +"How did thy senses leave thee? / Cunning rare was this. +How let his love deceive thee, / since he thy liegeman is? +And all in vain," quoth Kriemhild, / "the plaint I hear thee bring." +"In sooth," then answered Brunhild, / "I'll tell it to my spouse the + king." + +842 + +"What reck I of such evil? / Thy pride hath thee betrayed, +That thou deem'st my homage / should e'er to thee be paid. +Know thou in truth full certain / the thing may never be: +Nor shall I e'er be ready / to look for faithful friend in thee." + +843 + +Thereat did weep Queen Brunhild: / Kriemhild waited no more, +But passed into the minster / the monarch's wife before, +With train of fair attendants. / Arose there mickle hate, +Whereby eyes brightly shining / anon did grow all dim and wet. + +844 + +However God they worshipped / or there the mass was sung, +Did deem the Lady Brunhild / the waiting all too long, +For that her heart was saddened / and angry eke her mood. +Therefore anon must suffer / many a hero keen and good. + +845 + +Brunhild with her ladies / 'fore the minster did appear. +Thought she: "Now must Kriemhild / further give me to hear +Of what so loud upbraideth / me this free-tongued wife. +And if he thus hath boasted, / amend shall Siegfried make with life." + +846 + +Now came the noble Kriemhild / followed by warrior band. +Then spake the Lady Brunhild: / "Still thou here shalt stand. +Thou giv'st me out for harlot: / let now the same be seen. +Know thou, what thus thou sayest / to me hath mickle sorrow been." + +847 + +Then spake the Lady Kriemhild: / "So may'st thou let me go. +With the ring upon my finger / I the same can show: +That brought to me my lover / when first by thee he lay." +Ne'er did Lady Brunhild / know grief as on this evil day. + +848 + +Quoth she: "This ring full precious / some hand from me did steal, +And from me thus a season / in evil way conceal: +Full sure will I discover / who this same thief hath been." +Then were the royal ladies / both in mood full angry seen. + +849 + +Then gave answer Kriemhild: / "I deem the thief not I. +Well hadst thou been silent, / hold'st thou thine honor high. +I'll show it with this girdle / that I around me wear, +That in this thing I err not: / Siegfried hath lain by thee full near." + +850 + +Wrought of silk of Nineveh / a girdle there she wore, +That of stones full precious / showed a goodly store. +When saw it Lady Brunhild / straight to weep gan she: +Soon must Gunther know it / and all the men of Burgundy. + +851 + +Then spake the royal matron: / "Bid hither come to me +Of Rhine the lofty monarch. / Hear straightway shall he +How that his sister / doth my honor stain. +Here doth she boast full open / that I in Siegfried's arms have lain." + +852 + +The king came with his warriors, / where he did weeping find +His royal spouse Brunhild, / then spake in manner kind: +"Now tell me, my dear lady, / who hath done aught to thee?" +She spake unto the monarch: / "Thy wife unhappy must thou see. + +853 + +"Me, thy royal consort, / would thy sister fain +Rob of all mine honor. / To thee must I complain: +She boasts her husband Siegfried / hath known thy royal bed." +Then spake the monarch Gunther: / "An evil thing she then hath said." + +854 + +"I did lose a girdle: / here by her 'tis worn, +And my ring all golden. / That I e'er was born, +Do I rue full sorely / if thou wardest not from me +This full great dishonor: / that will I full repay to thee." + +855 + +Then spake the monarch Gunther: / "Now shall he come near, +And hath he such thing boasted, / so shall he let us hear: +Eke must full deny it / the knight of Netherland." +Then straight the spouse of Kriemhild / hither to bring he gave command. + +856 + +When that angry-minded / Siegfried them did see, +Nor knew thereof the reason, / straightway then spake he: +"Why do weep these ladies? / I'd gladly know that thing, +Or wherefore to this presence / I am bidden by the king." + +857 + +Then spake the royal Gunther: / "Sore grieveth me this thing: +To me my Lady Brunhild / doth the story bring, +How that thereof thou boastest / that her fair body lay +First in thy embraces: / this doth thy Lady Kriemhild say." + +858 + +Thereto gave answer Siegfried: / "An if she thus hath said, +Full well shall she repent it / ere doth rest my head: +Before all thy good warriors / of that I'll make me free, +And swear by my high honor / such thing hath ne'er been told by me." + +859 + +Then spake of Rhine the monarch: / "That shalt thou let us see. +The oath that thou dost offer, / if such performed be, +Of all false accusation / shalt thou delivered stand." +In ring to take their station / did he the high-born thanes command. + +860 + +The full valiant Siegfried / in oath the hand did give. +Then spake the lordly monarch: / "Well now do I perceive +How thou art all blameless, / of all I speak thee free; +What here maintains my sister, / the same hath ne'er been done by thee." + +861 + +Thereto gave answer Siegfried: / "If gain should e'er accrue +Unto my spouse, that Brunhild / from her had cause to rue, +Know that to me full sorely / 'twould endless sorrow be." +Then looked upon each other / the monarchs twain right graciously. + +862 + +"So should we govern women," / spake the thane Siegfried, +"That to leave wanton babble / they should take good heed. +Forbid it to thy wife now, / to mine I'll do the same. +Such ill-becoming manner /in sooth doth fill my heart with shame." + +863 + +No more said many a lady / fair, but thus did part. +Then did the Lady Brunhild / grieve so sore at heart, +That it must move to pity / all King Gunther's men. +To go unto his mistress / Hagen of Tronje saw ye then. + +864 + +He asked to know her worry, / as he her weeping saw. +Then told she him the story. / To her straight made he vow, +That Lady Kriemhild's husband / must for the thing atone, +Else henceforth should never / a joyous day by him be known. + +865 + +Then came Ortwein and Gernot / where they together spake, +And there the knights did counsel / Siegfried's life to take. +Thither came eke Giselher, / son of Ute high. +When heard he what they counselled, / spake he free from treachery: + +866 + +"Ye good knights and noble, / wherefore do ye that? +Ne'er deserved hath Siegfried / in such way your hate, +That he therefor should forfeit / at your hands his life. +In sooth small matter is it / that maketh cause for woman's strife." + +867 + +"Shall we rear race of bastards?" / Hagen spake again: +"Therefrom but little honor / had many a noble thane. +The thing that he hath boasted / upon my mistress high, +Therefor my life I forfeit, / or he for that same thing shall die." + +868 + +Then spake himself the monarch: / "To us he ne'er did give +Aught but good and honor: / let him therefore live. +What boots it if my anger / I vent the knight upon? +Good faith he e'er hath shown us, / and that full willingly hath done." + +869 + +Then outspake of Metz / Ortwein the thane: +"In sooth his arm full doughty / may bring him little gain. +My vengeance full he'll suffer, / if but my lord allow." +The knights--nor reason had they-- / against him mortal hate did vow. + +870 + +None yet his words did follow, / but to the monarch's ear +Ne'er a day failed Hagen / the thought to whisper there: +If that lived not Siegfried, / to him would subject be +Royal lands full many. / The king did sorrow bitterly. + +871 + +Then did they nothing further: / soon began the play. +As from the lofty minster / passed they on their way, +What doughty shafts they shattered / Siegfried's spouse before! +Gunther's men full many / saw ye there in rage full sore. + +872 + +Spake the king: "Now leave ye / such mortal enmity: +The knight is born our honor / and fortune good to be. +Keen is he unto wonder, / hath eke so doughty arm +That, were the contest open, / none is who dared to work him harm." + +873 + +"Naught shall he know," quoth Hagen. / "At peace ye well may be: +I trow the thing to manage / so full secretly +That Queen Brunhild's weeping / he shall rue full sore. +In sooth shall he from Hagen / have naught but hate for evermore." + +874 + +Then spake the monarch Gunther: / "How might such thing e'er be?" +Thereto gave answer Hagen: / "That shalt thou hear from me. +We'll bid that hither heralds / unto our land shall fare, +Here unknown to any, / who shall hostile tidings bear. + +875 + +"Then say thou 'fore the strangers / that thou with all thy men +Wilt forth to meet the enemy. / He'll offer service then +If that thus thou sayest, / and lose thereby his life, +Can I but learn the story / from the valiant warrior's wife." + +876 + +The king in evil manner / did follow Hagen's rede, +And the two knights, ere any / man thereof had heed, +Had treachery together / to devise begun. +From quarrel of two women / died heroes soon full many a one. + + + + +FIFTEENTH ADVENTURE + +How Siegfried was Betrayed + +877 + +Upon the fourth morning / two and thirty men +Saw ye to court a-riding. / Unto King Gunther then +Were tidings borne that ready / he should make for foe-- +This lie did bring to women / many, anon full grievous woe. + +878 + +Leave had they 'fore the monarch's / presence to appear, +There to give themselves out / for men of Luedeger, +Him erstwhile was conquered / by Siegfried's doughty hand +And brought a royal hostage / bound unto King Gunther's land. + +879 + +The messengers he greeted / and to seat them gave command. +Then spake one amongst them: / "Allow that yet we stand +Until we tell the tidings / that to thee are sent. +Know thou that warriors many / on thee to wreak their hate are bent. + +880 + +"Defiance bids thee Luedegast / and eke Luedeger +Who at thy hands full sorely / erstwhile aggrieved were: +In this thy land with hostile / host they'll soon appear." +To rage begin the monarch / when such tidings he did hear. + +881 + +Those who did act thus falsely / they bade to lodge the while. +How himself might Siegfried / guard against such guile +As there they planned against him, / he or ever one? +Unto themselves 'twas sorrow / great anon that e'er 'twas done. + +882 + +With his friends the monarch / secret counsel sought. +Hagen of Tronje / let him tarry not. +Of the king's men yet were many / who fain would peace restore: +But nowise would Hagen / his dark purpose e'er give o'er. + +883 + +Upon a day came Siegfried / when they did counsel take, +And there the knight of Netherland / thus unto them spake: +"How goeth now so sorrowful / amid his men the king? +I'll help you to avenge it, / hath he been wronged in anything." + +884 + +Then spake the monarch Gunther: / "Of right do I lament, +Luedegast and Luedeger / have hostile message sent: +They will in open manner / now invade my land." +The knight full keen gave answer: / "That in sooth shall Siegfried's + hand, + +885 + +"As doth befit thy honor, / know well to turn aside. +As erstwhile to thy enemies, / shall now from me betide: +Their lands and eke their castles / laid waste by me shall be +Ere that I give over: / thereof my head be surety. + +886 + +"Thou and thy good warriors / shall here at home abide, +And let me with my company / alone against them ride. +That I do serve thee gladly, / that will I let them see; +By me shall thy enemies, / --that know thou-- full requited be." + +887 + +"Good tidings, that thou sayest," / then the monarch said, +As if he in earnest / did joy to have such aid. +Deep did bow before him / the king in treachery. +Then spake Sir Siegfried: / "Bring that but little care to thee." + +888 + +Then serving-men full many / bade they ready be: +'Twas done alone that Siegfried / and his men the same might see. +Then bade he make them ready / the knights of Netherland, +And soon did Siegfried's warriors / for fight apparelled ready stand. + +889 + +"My royal father Siegmund, / here shalt thou remain," +Spake then Sir Siegfried. / "We come full soon again +If God but give good fortune, / hither the Rhine beside; +Here shalt thou with King Gunther / full merrily the while abide." + +890 + +Then bound they on the banners / as they thence would fare. +Men of royal Gunther / were full many there, +Who naught knew of the matter, / or how that thing might be: +There with Siegfried saw ye / of knights a mickle company. + +891 + +Their helms and eke their mail-coats / bound on horse did stand: +And doughty knights made ready / to fare from out that land. +Then went of Tronje Hagen / where he Kriemhild found +And prayed a fair leave-taking, / for that to battle they were bound. + +892 + +"Now well is me, such husband / I have," Kriemhild said, +"That to my loving kindred / can bring so potent aid, +As my lord Siegfried / doth now to friends of me. +Thereby," spake the high lady, / "may I full joyous-minded be. + +893 + +"Now full dear friend Hagen, / call thou this to mind, +Good-will I e'er have borne thee, / nor hate in any kind. +Let now therefrom have profit / the husband dear to me. +If Brunhild aught I've injured / may't not to him requited be. + +894 + +"For that I since have suffered," / spake the high lady. +"Sore punishment hath offered / therefor the knight to me. +That I have aught e'er spoken / to make her sad of mood, +Vengeance well hath taken / on me the valiant knight and good." + +895 + +"In the days hereafter shall ye / be reconciled full well. +Kriemhild, beloved lady, / to me shalt thou tell +How that in Siegfried's person / I may service do to thee. +That do I gladly, lady, / and unto none more willingly." + +896 + +"No longer were I fearful," / spake his noble wife, +"That e'er in battle any / should take from him his life, +Would he but cease to follow / his high undaunted mood: +Secure were then forever / the thane full valiant and good." + +897 + +"Lady," spake then Hagen, / "an hast thou e'er a fear +That hostile blade should pierce him, / now shalt thou give to hear +With what arts of cunning / I may the same prevent. +On horse and foot to guard him / shall ever be my fair intent." + +898 + +She spake: "Of my kin art thou, / as I eke of thine. +In truth to thee commended / be then dear spouse of mine, +That him well thou guardest / whom full dear I hold." +She told to him a story / 'twere better had she left untold. + +899 + +She spake: "A valorous husband / is mine, and doughty too. +When he the worm-like dragon / by the mountain slew, +In its blood the stately / knight himself then bathed, +Since when from cutting weapons / in battle is he all unscathed. + +900 + +"Nathless my heart is troubled / when he in fight doth stand, +And full many a spear-shaft / is hurled by hero's hand, +Lest that I a husband / full dear should see no more. +Alack! How oft for Siegfried / must I sit in sorrow sore! + +901 + +"On thy good-will I rest me, / dear friend, to tell to thee, +And that thy faith thou fully / provest now to me, +Where that my spouse may smitten / be by hand of foe. +This I now shall tell thee, / and on thy honor this I do. + +902 + +"When from the wounded dragon / reeking flowed the blood, +And therein did bathe him / the valiant knight and good, +Fell down between his shoulders / full broad a linden leaf. +There may he be smitten; / 'tis cause to me of mickle grief.' + +903 + +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Upon his tunic sew +Thou a little token. / Thereby shall I know +Where I may protect him / when in the fight we strain." +She weened to save the hero, / yet wrought she nothing save his bane. + +904 + +She spake: "All fine and silken / upon his coat I'll sew +A little cross full secret. / There, doughty thane, shalt thou +From my knight ward danger / when battle rageth sore, +And when amid the turmoil / he stands his enemies before." + +905 + +"That will I do," quoth Hagen, / "lady full dear to me." +Then weened eke the lady / it should his vantage be, +But there alone did Kriemhild / her own good knight betray. +Leave of her took Hagen, / and joyously he went away. + +906 + +The followers of the monarch / were all of merry mood. +I ween that knight thereafter / never any could +Of treachery be guilty / such as then was he +When that Queen Kriemhild / did rest on his fidelity. + +907 + +With his men a thousand / upon the following day +Rode thence Sir Siegfried / full joyously away. +He weened he should take vengeance / for harm his friends did bear. +That he might view the tunic / Hagen rode to him full near. + +908 + +When he had viewed the token / sent Hagen thence away +Two of his men in secret / who did other tidings say: +How that King Gunther's country / had nothing now to fear +And that unto the monarch / had sent them royal Luedeger. + +909 + +'Twas little joy to Siegfried / that he must turn again +Ere for the hostile menace / vengeance he had ta'en. +In sooth the men of Gunther / could scarce his purpose bend. +Then rode he to the monarch, / who thus began his thanks to lend: + +910 + +"Now God reward thee for it, / my good friend Siegfried, +That thou with mind so willing / hast holpen me in need. +That shall I e'er repay thee, / as I may do of right. +To thee before all other / friends do I my service plight. + +911 + +"Now that from battle-journey / free we are once more, +So will I ride a-hunting / the wild bear and the boar +Away to the Vosges forest, / as I full oft have done." +The same had counselled Hagen, / the full dark and faithless man. + +912 + +"To all my guests here with me / shall now be told +That we ride forth at daybreak: / themselves shall ready hold, +Who will join the hunting; / will any here remain +For pastime with fair ladies, / the thing behold I eke full fain." + +913 + +Then outspake Sir Siegfried / as in manner due: +"If that thou rid'st a-hunting, / go I gladly too. +A huntsman shalt thou grant me / and good hound beside +That shall the game discover; / so with thee to the green I'll ride." + +914 + +Straightway spake the monarch: / "Wilt thou but one alone? +And wilt thou, four I'll grant thee, / to whom full well is known +The forest with the runways / where most the game doth stray, +And who unto the camp-fires / will help thee back to find thy way." + +915 + +Unto his spouse then rode he, / the gallant knight and bold. +Full soon thereafter Hagen / unto the king had told +How he within his power / would have the noble thane: +May deed so dark and faithless / ne'er by knight be done again! + + + + +SIXTEENTH ADVENTURE + +How Siegfried was slain + +916 + +Gunther and Hagen, / the knights full keen, +Proposed with evil forethought / a hunting in the green: +The boar within the forest / they'd chase with pointed spear, +And shaggy bear and bison. / --What sport to valiant men more dear? + +917 + +With them rode also Siegfried / happy and light of heart: +Their load of rich refreshments / was made in goodly part. +Where a spring ran cooling / they took from him his life, +Whereto in chief had urged them / Brunhild, royal Gunther's wife. + +918 + +Then went the valiant Siegfried / where he Kriemhild found; +Rich hunting-dress was laden / and now stood ready bound +For him and his companions / across the Rhine to go. +Than this a sadder hour / nevermore could Kriemhild know. + +919 + +The spouse he loved so dearly / upon the mouth he kissed. +"God grant that well I find thee / again, if so He list, +And thine own eyes to see me. / 'Mid kin that hold thee dear +May now the time go gently, / the while I am no longer near." + +920 + +Then thought she of the story / --but silence must she keep-- +Whereof once Hagen asked her: / then began to weep +The princess high and noble / that ever she was born, +And wept with tears unceasing / the valiant Siegfried's wife forlorn. + +921 + +She spake unto her husband: / "Let now this hunting be. +I dreamt this night of evil, / how wild boars hunted thee, +Two wild boars o'er the meadow, / wherefrom the flowers grew red. +That I do weep so sorely / have I poor woman direst need. + +922 + +"Yea, do I fear, Sir Siegfried, / something treacherous, +If perchance have any / of those been wronged by us +Who might yet be able / to vent their enmity. +Tarry thou here, Sir Siegfried: / let that my faithful counsel be." + +923 + +Quoth he: "I come, dear lady, / when some short days are flown. +Of foes who bear us hatred / here know I never one. +All of thine own kindred / are gracious unto me, +Nor know I aught of reason / why they should other-minded be." + +924 + +"But nay, beloved Siegfried, / thy death I fear 'twill prove. +This night I dreamt misfortune, / how o'er thee from above +Down there fell two mountains: / I never saw thee more. +And wilt thou now go from me, / that must grieve my heart full sore." + +925 + +The lady rich in virtue / within his arms he pressed, +And with loving kisses / her fair form caressed. +From her thence he parted / ere long time was o'er: +Alas for her, she saw him / alive thereafter nevermore. + +926 + +Then rode from thence the hunters / deep within a wold +In search of pleasant pastime. / Full many a rider bold +Followed after Gunther / in his stately train. +Gernot and Giselher, / --at home the knights did both remain. + +927 + +Went many a horse well laden / before them o'er the Rhine, +That for the huntsmen carried / store of bread and wine, +Meat along with fishes / and other victualling, +The which upon his table / were fitting for so high a king. + +928 + +Then bade they make encampment / before the forest green +Where game was like to issue, / those hunters proud and keen, +Who there would join in hunting, / on a meadow wide that spread. +Thither also was come Siegfried: / the same unto the king was said. + +929 + +By the merry huntsmen / soon were watched complete +At every point the runways. / The company then did greet +Siegfried the keen and doughty: / "Who now within the green +Unto the game shall guide us, / ye warriors so bold and keen?" + +930 + +"Now part we from each other," / answered Hagen then, +"Ere that the hunting / we do here begin! +Thereby may be apparent / to my masters and to me +Who on this forest journey / of the hunters best may be. + +931 + +"Let then hounds and huntsmen / be ta'en in equal share, +That wheresoever any / would go, there let him fare. +Who then is first in hunting / shall have our thanks this day." +Not longer there together / did the merry hunters stay. + +932 + +Thereto quoth Sir Siegfried: / "Of dogs have I no need, +More than one hound only / of trusty hunting breed +For scenting well the runway / of wild beast through the brake. +And now the chase begin we!" / --so the spouse of Kriemhild spake. + +933 + +Then took a practised hunter / a good tracking-hound, +That did bring them where they / game in plenty found, +Nor kept them long awaiting. / Whate'er did spring from lair +Pursued the merry huntsmen, / as still good hunters everywhere. + +934 + +As many as the hound started / slew with mighty hand +Siegfried the full doughty / hero of Netherland. +So swiftly went his charger / that none could him outrun; +And praise before all others / soon he in the hunting won. + +935 + +He was in every feature / a valiant knight and true. +The first within the forest / that with his hand he slew +Was a half-grown wild-boar / that he smote to ground; +Thereafter he full quickly / a wild and mighty lion found. + +936 + +When it the hound had started, / with bow he shot it dead, +Wherewith a pointed arrow / he had so swiftly sped +That the lion after / could forward spring but thrice. +All they that hunted with him / cried Siegfried's praise with merry + voice. + +937 + +Soon fell a prey unto him / an elk and bison more, +A giant stag he slew him / and huge ure-oxen four. +His steed bore him so swiftly / that none could him outrun; +Of stag or hind encountered / scarce could there escape him one. + +938 + +A boar full huge and bristling / soon was likewise found, +And when the same bethought him / to flee before the hound, +Came quick again the master / and stood athwart his path. +The boar upon the hero / full charged straightway in mickle wrath. + +939 + +Then the spouse of Kriemhild, / with sword the boar he slew, +A thing that scarce another / hunter had dared to do. +When he thus had felled him / they lashed again the hound, +And soon his hunting prowess / was known to all the people round. + +940 + +Then spake to him his huntsmen: / "If that the thing may be, +So let some part, Sir Siegfried, / of the forest game go free; +To-day thou makest empty / hillside and forest wild." +Thereat in merry humor / the thane so keen and valiant smiled. + +941 + +Then they heard on all sides / the din, from many a hound +And huntsmen eke the clamor / so great was heard around +That back did come the answer / from hill and forest tree-- +Of hounds had four-and-twenty / packs been set by hunter free. + +942 + +Full many a forest denizen / from life was doomed to part. +Each of all the hunters / thereon had set his heart, +To win the prize in hunting. / But such could never be, +When they the doughty Siegfried / at the camping-place did see. + +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 untamed. / 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." + +948 + +From leash the hound was loosened, / the bear sprang through the brake, +When that the spouse of Kriemhild / did wish him to o'ertake. +He sought a pathless thicket, / but yet it could not be, +As bruin fondly hoped it, / that from the hunter he was free. + +949 + +Then from his horse alighted / the knight of spirit high, +And gan a running after. / Bruin all unguardedly +Was ta'en, and could escape not. / Him caught straightway the knight, +And soon all unwounded / had him bound in fetters tight. + +950 + +Nor claws nor teeth availed him / for aught of injury, +But bound he was to saddle. / Then mounted speedily +The knight, and to the camp-fire / in right merry way +For pastime led he bruin, / the hero valiant and gay. + +951 + +In what manner stately / unto the camp he rode! +He bore a spear full mickle, / great of strength and broad. +A sword all ornamented / hung down unto his spur, +And wrought of gold all ruddy / at side a glittering horn he wore. + +952 + +Of richer hunting-garments / heard I ne'er tell before. +Black was the silken tunic / that the rider wore, +And cap of costly sable / did crown the gallant knight. +Heigho, and how his quiver / with well-wrought hands was rich bedight! + +953 + +A skin of gleaming panther / covered the quiver o'er, +Prized for its pleasant odor. / Eke a bow he bore, +The which to draw if ever / had wished another man, +A lever he had needed: / such power had Siegfried alone. + +954 + +Of fur of costly otter / his mantle was complete, +With other skins embroidered / from head unto the feet. +And 'mid the fur all shining, / full many a golden seam +On both sides of the valiant / huntsman saw ye brightly gleam. + +955 + +Balmung, a goodly weapon / broad, he also wore, +That was so sharp at edges / that it ne'er forbore +To cleave when swung on helmet: / blade it was full good. +Stately was the huntsman / as there with merry heart he rode. + +956 + +If that complete the story / to you I shall unfold, +Full many a goodly arrow / did his rich quiver hold +Whereof were gold the sockets, / and heads a hand-breadth each. +In sooth was doomed to perish / whate'er in flight the same did reach. + +957 + +Pricking like goodly huntsman / the noble knight did ride +When him the men of Gunther / coming thither spied. +They hasted out to meet him / and took from him his steed, +As bruin great and mighty / by the saddle he did lead. + +958 + +When he from horse alighted / he loosed him every band +From foot and eke from muzzle. / Straight on every hand +Began the dogs a howling / when they beheld the bear. +Bruin would to the forest: / among the men was mickle stir. + +959 + +Amid the clamor bruin / through the camp-fires sped: +Heigho, how the servants / away before him fled! +O'erturned was many a kettle / and flaming brands did fly: +Heigho, what goodly victuals / did scattered in the ashes lie! + +960 + +Then sprang from out the saddle / knights and serving-men. +The bear was wild careering: / the king bade loosen then +All the dogs that fastened / within their leashes lay. +If this thing well had ended, / then had there passed a merry day. + +961 + +Not longer then they waited / but with bow and eke with spear +Hasted the nimble hunters / to pursue the bear, +Yet none might shoot upon him / for all the dogs around. +Such clamor was of voices / that all the mountain did resound. + +962 + +When by the dogs pursued / the bear away did run, +None there that could o'ertake him / but Siegfried alone. +With his sword he came upon him / and killed him at a blow, +And back unto the camp-fire / bearing bruin they did go. + +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." + +968 + +Thereto replied Sir Siegfried: / "Small merit here is thine. +Good seven horses laden / with mead and sparkling wine +Should hither have been conducted. / If aught the same denied, +Then should our place of meeting / have nearer been the Rhine beside." + +969 + +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Ye noble knights and bold, +I know here nigh unto us / a spring that's flowing cold. +Be then your wrath appeased, / and let us thither go." +Through that same wicked counsel / came many a thane to grievous woe. + +970 + +Sore was the noble Siegfried / with the pangs of thirst: +To bid them rise from table / was he thus the first. +He would along the hillside / unto the fountain go: +In sooth they showed them traitors, / those knights who there did + counsel so. + +971 + +On wagons hence to carry / the game they gave command +Which had that day been slaughtered / by Siegfried's doughty hand. +He'd carried off the honors, / all who had seen did say. +Hagen his faith with Siegfried / soon did break in grievous way. + +972 + +When now they would go thither / to where the linden spread, +Spake of Tronje Hagen: / "To me hath oft been said, +That none could follow after / Kriemhild's nimble knight +Or vie with him in running: / would that he'd prove it to our sight!" + +973 + +Then spake of Netherland / bold Siegfried speedily: +"That may ye well have proof of, / will ye but run with me +In contest to the fountain. / When that the same be done, +To him be given honor / who the race hath fairly won." + +974 + +"Now surely make we trial," / quoth Hagen the thane. +Thereto the doughty Siegfried: / "I too will give you gain, +Afore your feet at starting / to lay me in the grass." +When that he had heard it, / thereat how joyous Gunther was! + +975 + +And spake again the warrior: / "And ye shall further hear: +All my clothing likewise / will I upon me wear, +The spear and shield full heavy / and hunting-dress I'll don." +His sword as well as quiver / had he full quickly girded on. + +976 + +Doffed they their apparel / and aside they laid it then: +Clothed in white shirts only / saw you there the twain. +Like unto two wild panthers / they coursed across the green: +Yet first beside the fountain / was the valiant Siegfried seen. + +977 + +No man in feats of valor / who with him had vied. +The sword he soon ungirded / and quiver laid aside, +The mighty spear he leaned / against the linden-tree: +Beside the running fountain / stood the knight stately to see. + +978 + +To Siegfried naught was lacking / that doth good knight adorn. +Down the shield then laid he / where did flow the burn, +Yet howsoe'er he thirsted / no whit the hero drank +Before had drunk the monarch: / therefor he earned but evil thank. + +979 + +There where ran clear the water / and cool from out the spring, +Down to it did bend him / Gunther the king. +And when his thirst was quenched / rose he from thence again: +Eke the valiant Siegfried, / how glad had he done likewise then. + +980 + +For his courtesy he suffered. / Where bow and sword there lay, +Both did carry Hagen / from him thence away, +And again sprang quickly thither / where the spear did stand: +And for a cross the tunic / of the valiant knight he scanned. + +981 + +As there the noble Siegfried / to drink o'er fountain bent, +Through the cross he pierced him, / that from the wound was sent +The blood nigh to bespatter / the tunic Hagen wore. +By hand of knight such evil / deed shall wrought be nevermore. + +982 + +The spear he left projecting / where it had pierced the heart. +In terror as that moment / did Hagen never start +In flight from any warrior / he ever yet had found. +Soon as the noble Siegfried / within him felt the mighty wound, + +983 + +Raging the knight full doughty / up from the fountain sprang, +The while from 'twixt his shoulders / stood out a spearshaft long. +The prince weened to find there / his bow or his sword: +Then in sooth had Hagen / found the traitor's meet reward. + +984 + +When from the sorely wounded / knight his sword was gone, +Then had he naught to 'venge him / but his shield alone. +This snatched he from the fountain / and Hagen rushed upon, +And not at all escape him / could the royal Gunther's man. + +985 + +Though he nigh to death was wounded / he yet such might did wield +That out in all directions / flew from off the shield +Precious stones a many: / the shield he clave in twain. +Thus vengeance fain had taken / upon his foe the stately thane. + +986 + +Beneath his hand must Hagen / stagger and fall to ground. +So swift the blow he dealt him, / the meadow did resound. +Had sword in hand been swinging, / Hagen had had his meed, +So sorely raged he stricken: / to rage in sooth was mickle need. + +987 + +Faded from cheek was color, / no longer could he stand, +And all his might of body / soon complete had waned, +As did a deathly pallor / over his visage creep. +Full many a fairest lady / for the knight anon must weep. + +988 + +So sank amid the flowers / Kriemhild's noble knight, +While from his wound flowed thickly / the blood before the sight. +Then gan he reviling / --for dire was his need-- +Who had thus encompassed / his death by this same faithless deed. + +989 + +Then spake the sorely wounded: / "O ye base cowards twain, +Doth then my service merit / that me ye thus have slain? +To you I e'er was faithful / and so am I repaid. +Alas, upon your kindred / now have ye shame eternal laid. + +990 + +"By this deed dishonored / hereafter evermore +Are their generations. / Your anger all too sore +Have ye now thus vented / and vengeance ta'en on me. +With shame henceforth be parted / from all good knights' company." + +991 + +All the hunters hastened / where he stricken lay, +It was in sooth for many / of them a joyless day. +Had any aught of honor, / he mourned that day, I ween, +And well the same did merit / the knight high-spirited and keen. + +992 + +As there the king of Burgundy / mourned that he should die, +Spake the knight sore wounded: / "To weep o'er injury, +Who hath wrought the evil / hath smallest need, I trow. +Reviling doth he merit, / and weeping may he well forego." + +993 + +Thereto quoth grim Hagen: / "Ye mourn, I know not why: +This same day hath ended / all our anxiety. +Few shall we find henceforward / for fear will give us need, +And well is me that from his / mastery we thus are freed." + +994 + +"Light thing is now thy vaunting," / did Siegfried then reply. +"Had I e'er bethought me / of this thy infamy +Well had I preserved / 'gainst all thy hate my life. +Me rueth naught so sorely / as Lady Kriemhild my wife. + +995 + +"Now may God have mercy / that to me a son was born, +That him alack!, the people / in times to come shall spurn, +That those he nameth kinsmen / have done the murderer's deed. +An had I breath," spake Siegfried, / "to mourn o'er this I well had + need." + +996 + +Then spake, in anguish praying, / the hero doomed to die: +"An wilt thou, king, to any / yet not good faith deny, +In all the world to any, / to thee commended be +And to thy loving mercy / the spouse erstwhile was wed to me. + +997 + +"Let it be her good fortune / that she thy sister is: +By all the princely virtues, / I beg thee pledge me this. +For me long time my father / and men henceforth must wait: +Upon a spouse was never / wrought, as mine, a wrong so great." + +998 + +All around the flowers / were wetted with the blood +As there with death he struggled. / Yet not for long he could, +Because the deadly weapon / had cut him all too sore: +And soon the keen and noble / knight was doomed to speak no more. + +999 + +When the lords perceived / how that the knight was dead, +Upon a shield they laid him / that was of gold full red, +And counsel took together / how of the thing should naught +Be known, but held in secret / that Hagen the deed had wrought. + +1000 + +Then spake of them a many: / "This is an evil day. +Now shall ye all conceal it / and all alike shall say, +When as Kriemhild's husband / the dark forest through +Rode alone a-hunting, / him the hand of robber slew." + +1001 + +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Myself will bring him home. +In sooth I reck but little / if to her ears it come, +Who my Lady Brunhild / herself hath grieved so sore. +It maketh me small worry, / an if she weep for evermore." + + + + +SEVENTEENTH ADVENTURE + +How Kriemhild mourned for Siegfried, and How he was Buried + +1002 + +There till the night they tarried / and o'er the Rhine they went. +By knights in chase might never / more evil day be spent; +For the game that there they hunted / wept many a noble maid. +In sooth by many a valiant / warrior must it since be paid. + +1003 + +Of humor fierce and wanton / list now and ye shall hear, +And eke of direst vengeance. / Hagen bade to bear +Siegfried thus lifeless, / of the Nibelung country, +Unto a castle dwelling / where Lady Kriemhild found might be. + +1004 + +He bade in secret manner / to lay him there before +Where she should surely find him / when she from out the door +Should pass to matins early, / ere that had come the day. +In sooth did Lady Kriemhild / full seldom fail the hour to pray. + +1005 + +When, as was wont, in minster / the bell to worship bade, +Kriemhild, fair lady, wakened / from slumber many a maid: +A light she bade them bring her / and eke her dress to wear. +Then hither came a chamberlain / who Siegfried's corse found waiting + there. + +1006 + +He saw him red and bloody, / all wet his clothing too. +That it was his master, / in sooth no whit he knew. +On unto the chamber / the light in hand he bore, +Whereby the Lady Kriemhild / did learn what brought her grief full sore. + +1007 + +When she with train of ladies / would to the minster go, +Then spake the chamberlain: / "Pause, I pray thee now: +Here before thy dwelling / a noble knight lies slain." +Thereat gan Lady Kriemhild / in grief unmeasured sore to plain. + +1008 + +Ere yet that 'twas her husband / she did rightly find, +Had she Hagen's question / begun to call to mind, +How might he protect him: / then first did break her heart, +For all her joy in living / did with his death from her depart. + +1009 + +Unto the earth then sank she / ere she a word did say, +And reft of all her pleasure / there the fair lady lay. +Soon had Kriemhild's sorrow / all measure passed beyond: +She shrieked, when past the swooning, / that did the chamber all resound. + +1010 + +Then spake her attendants: / "What if't a stranger were?" +From out her mouth the heart-blood / did spring from anguish sore. +Then spake she: "It is Siegfried / my husband, other none: +This thing hath counselled Brunhild, / and Hagen's hand the deed hath + done." + +1011 + +The lady bade them lead her / where did lie the knight, +And his fair head she raised / with her hand full white. +Red though it was and bloody / she knew him yet straightway, +As all forlorn the hero / of Nibelungenland there lay. + +1012 + +Then cried the queen in anguish, / whose hand such wealth might wield: +"O woe is me for sorrow! / Yet is not thy shield +With blow of sword now battered, / but murdered dost thou lie. +And knew I who hath done it, / by my counsel should he die." + +1013 + +All of her attendants / did weep and wail enow +With their beloved mistress, / for filled they were with woe +For their noble master / whom they should see no more. +For anger of Queen Brunhild / had Hagen wrought revenge full sore. + +1014 + +Then spake Kriemhild sorrowing: / "Hence now the message take, +And all the men of Siegfried / shall ye straightway awake. +Unto Siegmund likewise / tell ye my sorrow deep, +If that he will help me / for the doughty Siegfried weep." + +1015 + +Then ran straightway a messenger / and soon he found at hand, +Siegfried's valiant warriors / of Nibelungenland. +Of joy he all bereft him / with tale that he did bear, +Nor would they aught believe it / till sound of weeping met their ear. + +1016 + +The messenger came eke quickly / where the king did lie, +Yet closed was not in sleeping / the monarch Siegmund's eye: +I ween his heart did tell him / the thing that there had been, +And that his dear son living / might nevermore by him be seen. + +1017 + +"Awake, awake, Lord Siegmund. / Hither hath sent for thee +Kriemhild my mistress. / A wrong now beareth she, +A grief that 'fore all others / unto her heart doth go: +To mourn it shalt thou help her, / for sorely hast thou need thereto." + +1018 + +Up raised himself then Siegmund. / He spake: "What may it be +Of wrong that grieveth Kriemhild, / as thou hast told to me?" +The messenger spake weeping: / "Now may I naught withhold: +Know thou that of Netherland / Siegfried brave lies slain and cold." + +1019 + +Thereto gave answer Siegmund: / "Let now such mocking be +And tale of such ill tidings / --an thou regardest me-- +As that thou say'st to any / now he lieth slain: +An were it so, I never / unto my end might cease to plain." + +1020 + +"Wilt thou now believe not / the tidings that I bear, +So may'st thyself the Lady / Kriemhild weeping hear, +And all of her attendants, / that Siegfried lieth dead." +With terror filled was Siegmund: / whereof in very sooth was need. + +1021 + +He and his men a hundred / from their beds they sprang, +Then snatched in hand full quickly / swords both sharp and long, +And toward the sound of weeping / in sorrow sore did speed. +There came a thousand warriors / eke of the valiant knight Siegfried. + +1022 + +When they heard the women weeping / in such sore distress +Thought some, strict custom keeping, / we first must don our dress. +In sooth for very sorrow / their wits no more had they, +For on their hearts a burden / of grief full deep and heavy lay. + +1023 + +Then came the monarch Siegmund / where he Kriemhild espied. +He spake: "Alack that ever / to this country I did ride! +Who in such wondrous manner, / and while good friends are near, +Hath of my child bereft me / and thee of spouse thou hold'st so dear?" + +1024 + +"Ah, might I him discover," / spake the lady high, +"Evermore would mercy / I to him deny. +Such meed of vengeance should he / at my hands receive +That all who call him kinsman / reason good should have to grieve." + +1025 + +Siegmund the monarch / in arms the knight did press, +And of his friends there gathered / so great was the distress, +That from the mighty wailing / palace and wide hall +And Worms the city likewise / with sound of woe re-echoed all. + +1026 + +None was who aught might comfort / the wife of Siegfried there. +They drew the knight's attire / from off his body fair, +From wounds the blood, too, washed they / and laid him on the bier. +Then from all his people / a mighty wailing might ye hear. + +1027 + +Then outspake his warriors / of Nibelungenland: +"Until he be avenged / rest shall not our hand. +He is within this castle / who the deed hath done." +Then rushed to find their weapons / Siegfried's warriors every one. + +1028 + +The knights of chosen valor / with shields did thither throng, +Eleven hundred warriors, / that did to train belong +Of Siegmund the monarch. / That his son lay dead, +Would he wreak dire vengeance, / whereof in very sooth was need. + +1029 + +Yet knew they not whom should they / beset in battle then, +If it were not Gunther / and with him his men +With whom their lord Siegfried / unto the hunting rode. +Yet filled with fear was Kriemhild / when she beheld how armed they + stood. + +1030 + +How great soe'er her sorrow / and stern the grief she bore, +Yet for the Nibelungen / feared she death full sore +From her brother's warriors, / and bade them hold their wrath. +She gave them kindly warning / as friend to friend beloved doth. + +1031 + +Then spake she rich in sorrow: / "What thing beginnest thou, +Good my lord Siegmund? / This case thou dost not know. +In sooth hath here King Gunther / so many a valiant knight, +Lost are ye all together, / will ye the thanes withstand in fight." + +1032 + +With shields upraised they ready / for the fight did stand. +But the queen full noble / did straightway give command +To those high knights, and prayed them, / their purpose to give o'er. +That she might not dissuade them, / in sooth to her was sorrow sore. + +1033 + +Spake she thus: "Lord Siegmund, / thou shalt this thing let be +Until more fitting season. / Seek will I e'er with thee +Full to avenge my husband. / Who him from me hath ta'en, +An I shall know him guilty, / in me shall surely find his bane. + +1034 + +"Of warriors proud and mighty / are many here by Rhine, +Therefore will I advise not / the struggle to begin. +For one that we can muster / good thirty men have they; +As unto us their dealing, / God them requite in equal way. + +1035 + +"Here shall ye bide with me / and help my grief to bear; +Soon as dawns the morning, / ye noble knights and rare, +Help me my loved husband / prepare for burial." +"That shall be done full willing," / spake the doughty warriors all. + +1036 + +To you could never any / full the wonder say, +Of knights and noble ladies, / so full of grief were they, +That the sound of wailing / through the town was heard afar, +Whereat the noble burghers / hastily did gather there. + +1037 + +With the guests they mourned together, / for sore they grieved as well. +What was the guilt of Siegfried / none to them might tell, +Wherefore the knight so noble / thus his life should lose. +Then wept with the high ladies / many a worthy burgher's spouse. + +1038 + +Smiths they bade a casket / work full hastily +All of gold and silver / that great and strong should be. +They bade them fast to weld it / with bands of steel full good. +Then saw ye all the people / stand right sorrowful of mood. + +1039 + +Now the night was over, / for day, they said, drew near. +Then bade the noble lady / unto the minster bear +Siegfried her lord full loved / for whom she mourned so. +Whoe'er was friend unto him, / him saw ye weeping thither go. + +1040 + +As they brought him to the minster / bells full many rung. +On every hand then heard ye / how priests did chant their song. +Thither with his followers / came Gunther the king +And eke the grim knight Hagen / where was sound of sorrowing. + +1041 + +He spake: "Full loving sister, / alack for grief to thee, +And that from such great evil / spared we might not be! +Henceforth must we ever / mourn for Siegfried's sake." +"That do ye without reason," / full of woe the lady spake. + +1042 + +"If that ye grieved for it, / befallen were it not. +For say I may full truly, / me had ye all forgot +There where I thus was parted / from my husband dear. +Would it God," spake Kriemhild, / "that done unto myself it were!" + +1043 + +Fast they yet denied it. / Kriemhild spake again: +"If any speak him guiltless, / let here be seen full plain. +Unto the bier now shall he / before the people go; +Thus the truth full quickly / may we in this manner know." + +1044 + +It is a passing wonder / that yet full oft is seen, +Where blood-bespotted slayer / beside slain corse hath been, +That from the wounds come blood-drops, / as here it eke befell. +Thereby the guilt of Hagen / might they now full plainly tell. + +1045 + +Now ran the wounds all bloody /like as they did before. +Who erstwhile wept full sorely / now wept they mickle more. +Then spake the monarch Gunther: / "To thee the truth be known: +Slain hath he been by robbers, / nor is this deed by Hagen done." + +1046 + +"Of these same robbers," spake she, / "full well I understand. +God give that yet may vengeance / wreak some friendly hand. +Gunther and Hagen, / yourselves have done this deed." +Then looked for bloody conflict / the valiant thanes that served + Siegfried. + +1047 + +Then spake unto them Kriemhild: / "Now bear with me my need." +Knights twain came likewise hither / and did find him dead,-- +Gernot her brother / and the young Giselher. +With upright hearts then joined they / with the others grief to share. + +1048 + +They mourned for Kriemhild's husband / with hearts all full of woe. +A mass should then be chanted: / to the minster forth did go +Man and child and woman / gathered from every side. +E'en they did likewise mourn him / who little lost that Siegfried died. + +1049 + +Gernot and Giselher spake: / "O Sister dear, +Now comfort thee in sorrow, / for death is ever near. +Amends we'll make unto thee / the while that we shall live." +In the world might never any / unto her a comfort give. + +1050 + +His coffin was made ready / about the middle day. +From off the bier they raised him / whereupon he lay. +But yet would not the lady / let him be laid in grave. +Therefor must all the people / first a mickle trouble have. + +1051 + +In a shroud all silken / they the dead man wound. +I ween that never any / that wept not might be found. +There mourned full of sorrow / Ute the queen full high +And all of her attendants / that such a noble knight did die. + +1052 + +When did hear the people / how they in minster sung, +And that he there lay coffined, / came then a mickle throng: +For his soul's reposing / what offerings they bore! +E'en amid his enemies / found he of good friends a store. + +1053 + +Kriemhild the poor lady / to her attendants spake: +"Let them shun no trouble / to suffer for my sake, +Who to him are friendly-minded / and me in honor hold; +For the soul of Siegfried / meted be to them his gold." + +1054 + +Child so small there was not, / did it but reason have, +But offering carried thither. / Ere he was laid in grave, +More than a hundred masses / upon the day they sung, +Of all the friends of Siegfried / was gathered there a mickle throng. + +1055 + +When were the masses over, / the folk departed soon. +Then spake the Lady Kriemhild: / "Leave ye me not alone +To pass the night in watching / by this chosen thane now dead, +With whose passing from me / all my joy of life hath fled. + +1056 + +"Three days and three nights further / shall he lie on bier, +Until my heart find quiet / that weeps for spouse so dear. +God perchance commandeth / that death eke me do take: +That were for me poor Kriemhild / fit end of all my woe to make." + +1057 + +Then of the town the people / went to their homes again. +Priests and monks yet bade she / longer there remain, +And all the hero's followers / who willing served alway. +They watched a night all gruesome, / and full of toil was eke the day. + +1058 + +Meat and drink forgetting / abode there many a one. +If any were would take it / 'twas unto all made known, +That have they might in plenty: / thus did provide Siegmund. +Then for the Nibelungen / did trouble and sore need abound. + +1059 + +The while the three days lasted / --such the tale we hear-- +All who could join the chanting, / mickle must they bear +There of toil and trouble. / What gifts to them they bore! +Rich were seen full many / who did suffer need before. + +1060 + +As many poor as found they / who themselves had naught, +By them yet an offering / bade they there be brought, +Of gold of Siegfried's treasure. / Though he no more might live, +Yet for his soul's reposing / marks many thousand did they give. + +1061 + +Land of fruitful income / bestowed Kriemhild around, +Wheresoever cloisters / and worthy folk were found. +Silver and apparel / to the poor she gave in store, +And in good manner showed she / that truest love to him she bore. + +1062 + +Upon the third morning / at the mass' tide +Was there beside the minster / filled the church-yard wide +With country-folk a-weeping / that came from far and near: +In death they yet did serve him / as is meet for friend full dear. + +1063 + +And so it hath been told us, / ere these four days were o'er, +Marks full thirty thousand, / yea, in sooth, and more, +For his soul's reposing / to the poor were given there: +The while that lay all broken / his life and eke his body fair. + +1064 + +When ended was the service / and full the masses sung, +In unrestrained sorrow / there the flock did throng. +They bade that from the minster / he to the grave be borne. +Them that fain had kept him / there beheld ye weep and mourn. + +1065 + +Thence full loud lamenting / did the people with him pass. +Unmoved there never any / nor man nor woman was. +Ere that in grave they laid him / chanted they and read. +What host of priests full worthy / at his burial were gathered! + +1066 + +Ere that the wife of Siegfried / was come unto the grave, +With water from the fountain / full oft her face they lave, +So struggled with her sorrow / the faithful lady fair. +Great beyond all measure / was the grief that she did bear. + +1067 + +It was a mickle wonder / that e'er her life she kept. +Many a lady was there / that helped her as she wept. +Then spake the queen full noble: / "Ye men that service owe +To Siegfried, as ye love me, / now to me a mercy show. + +1068 + +"Upon this sorrow grant ye / the little grace to me +That I his shining visage / yet once more may see." +So filled she was with anguish / and so long time she sought, +Perforce they must break open / the casket all so fairly wrought. + +1069 + +Where she did see him lying / they then the lady led. +With hand full white and spotless / raised she his fair head; +Then kissed she there all lifeless / the good and noble knight,-- +And wept so that for sorrow / ran blood from out her eyes so bright. + +1070 + +Mournful was the parting / that then did rend the twain. +Thence away they bore her, / nor might she walk again, +But in a swoon did senseless / the stately lady lie. +In sooth her winsome body / for sorrow sore was like to die. + +1071 + +When they the knight full noble / now in the grave had laid, +Beheld ye every warrior / beyond all measure sad +That with him was come hither / from Nibelung country. +Full seldom joyous-hearted / might ye royal Siegmund see. + +1072 + +And many were among them / that for sorrow great +Till three days were over / did nor drink nor eat. +Yet might they not their bodies / long leave uncared-for so: +For food they turned from mourning / as people still are wont to do. + + + + +EIGHTEENTH ADVENTURE + +How Siegmund fared Home Again + +1073 + +Then went royal Siegmund / where he Kriemhild found. +Unto the queen spake he: / "Home must we now be bound. +We ween that guests unwelcome / here are we by the Rhine. +Kriemhild, beloved lady, / come now to country that is mine. + +1074 + +"Though from us hath been taken / by foul traitor's hand +Thy good spouse and noble / here in stranger land, +Thine be it not to suffer: / good friend thou hast in me +For sake of son beloved: / thereof shalt thou undoubting be. + +1075 + +"Eke shalt thou have, good lady, / all the power to hold, +The which erstwhile hath shown thee / Siegfried the thane full bold. +The land and the crown likewise, / be they thine own to call, +And gladly eke shall serve thee / Siegfried's doughty warriors all." + +1076 + +Then did they tell the servants / that they thence would ride, +And straight to fetch the horses / these obedient hied. +'Mid such as so did hate them / it grieved them more to stay: +Ladies high and maidens / were bidden dress them for the way. + +1077 + +When that for royal Siegmund / stood ready horse and man, +Her kinsmen Lady Kriemhild / to beseech began +That she from her mother / would still forbear to go. +Then spake the lofty lady: / "That might hardly yet be so. + +1078 + +"How might I for ever / look with eyes upon +Him that to me, poor woman, / such evil thing hath done?" +Then spake the youthful Giselher: / "Sister to me full dear, +By thy goodness shalt thou / tarry with thy mother here." + +1079 + +"Who in this wise have harmed thee / and so grieved thy heart, +Thyself may'st spurn their service: / of what is mine take part." +Unto the knight she answered: / "Such thing may never be. +For die I must for sorrow / when that Hagen I should see." + +1080 + +"From need thereof I'll save thee, / sister full dear to me, +For with thy brother Giselher / shalt thou ever be. +I'll help to still thy sorrow / that thy husband lieth dead." +Then spake she sorrow-stricken: / "Thereof in sooth had Kriemhild need." + +1081 + +When that the youthful Giselher / such kindly offer made, +Then her mother Ute / and Gernot likewise prayed, +And all her faithful kinsmen, / that she would tarry there: +For that in Siegfried's country / but few of her own blood there were. + +1082 + +"To thee they all are strangers," / did Gernot further say. +Nor lived yet man so mighty / but dead at last he lay. +Bethink thee that, dear sister, / in comfort of thy mood. +Stay thou amid thy kinsmen, / I counsel truly for thy good." + +1083 + +To Giselher she promised / that she would tarry there. +For the men of Siegmund / the horses ready were, +When they thence would journey / to the Nibelungen land: +On carrying-horses laden / the knights' attire did ready stand. + +1084 + +Went the royal Siegmund / unto Kriemhild then; +He spake unto the lady: / "Now do Siegfried's men +Await thee by the horses. / Straight shall we hence away, +For 'mid the men of Burgundy / unwilling would I longer stay." + +1085 + +Then spake the Lady Kriemhild: / "My friends have counselled me, +That by the love I bear them, / here my home shall be, +For that no kinsmen have I / in the Nibelungen land." +Grieved full sore was Siegmund / when he did Kriemhild understand. + +1086 + +Then spake the royal Siegmund: / "To such give not thine ear, +A queen 'mid all my kinsmen, / thou a crown shalt wear +And wield as lordly power / as e'er till now thou hast. +Nor thou a whit shalt forfeit, / that we the hero thus have lost. + +1087 + +"And journey with us thither, / for child's sake eke of thine: +Him shalt thou never, lady, / an orphan leave to pine. +When hath grown thy son to manhood, / he'll comfort thee thy mood. +Meanwhile shall ready serve thee / many a warrior keen and good." + +1088 + +She spake: "O royal Siegmund, / I may not thither ride, +For I here must tarry, / whate'er shall me betide, +'Mid them that are my kinsmen, / who'll help my grief to share." +The knights had sore disquiet / that such tidings they must hear. + +1089 + +"So might we say full truly," / spake they every one, +"That unto us still greater / evil now were done, +Would'st thou longer tarry / here amid our foes: +In sooth were never journey / of knights to court more full of woes." + +1090 + +"Now may ye free from trouble / in God's protection fare: +I'll bid that trusty escort / shall you have in care +Unto Siegmund's country. / My child full dear to me, +Unto your knights' good mercy / let it well commended be." + +1091 + +When that they well perceived / how she would not depart, +Wept all the men of Siegmund / and sad they were at heart. +In what right heavy sorrow / Siegmund then took leave +Of the Lady Kriemhild! / Full sore thereover must he grieve. + +1092 + +"Woe worth this journey hither," / the lofty monarch spake. +"Henceforth from merry meeting / shall nevermore o'ertake +King or his faithful kinsmen / what here our meed hath been. +Here 'mid the men of Burgundy / may we never be more seen." + +1093 + +Then spake the men of Siegfried / in open words and plain: +"An might we right discover / who our lord hath slain, +Warriors bent on vengeance / shall yet lay waste this ground. +Among his kin in plenty / may doughty foemen be found." + +1094 + +Anon he kissed Kriemhild / and spake sorrowfully, +When she there would tarry, / and he the same did see: +"Now ride we joy-forsaken / home unto our land. +First now what 'tis to sorrow / do I rightly understand." + +1095 + +From Worms away sans escort / unto the Rhine they rode: +I ween that they full surely / did go in such grim mood, +That had against them any / aught of evil dared, +Hand of keen Nibelungen / had known full well their life to guard. + +1096 + +Nor parting hand they offered / to any that were there. +Then might ye see how Gernot / and likewise Giselher +Did give him loving greeting. / That as their very own +They felt the wrong he suffered, / by the courteous knights and brave + was shown. + +1097 + +Then spake in words full kindly / the royal knight Gernot: +"God in heaven knoweth / that of guilt I've naught +In the death of Siegfried, / that e'er I e'en did hear +Who here to him were hostile. / Well may I of thy sorrow share." + +1098 + +An escort safe did furnish / the young knight Giselher: +Forth from out that country / he led them full of care, +The monarch with his warriors, / to Netherland their home. +How joyless is the greeting / as thither to their kin they come! + +1099 + +How fared that folk thereafter, / that can I nowise say. +Here heard ye Kriemhild plaining / as day did follow day, +That none there was to comfort / her heart and sorry mood, +Did Giselher not do it; / he faithful was to her and good. + +1100 + +The while the fair Queen Brunhild / in mood full haughty sat, +And weep howe'er did Kriemhild, / but little recked she that, +Nor whit to her of pity / displayed she evermore. +Anon was Lady Kriemhild / eke cause to her of sorrow sore. + + + + +NINETEENTH ADVENTURE + +How the Nibelungen Hoard was Brought to Worms + +1101 + +When that the noble Kriemhild / thus did widowed stand, +Remained there with his warriors / by her in that land +Eckewart the margrave, / and served her ever true. +And he did help his mistress / oft to mourn his master too. + +1102 + +At Worms a house they built her / the minster high beside, +That was both rich and spacious, / full long and eke full wide, +Wherein with her attendants / joyless did she dwell. +She sought the minster gladly, / --that to do she loved full well. + +1103 + +Seldom undone she left it, / but thither went alway +In sorry mood where buried / her loved husband lay. +God begged she in his mercy / his soul in charge to keep, +And, to the thane right faithful, / for him full often did she weep. + +1104 + +Ute and her attendants / all times a comfort bore, +But yet her heart was stricken / and wounded all so sore +That no whit might avail it / what solace e'er they brought. +For lover taken from her / with such grief her heart was fraught, + +1105 + +As ne'er for spouse beloved / a wife did ever show. +Thereby how high in virtue / she stood ye well might know. +She mourned until her ending / and while did last her life. +Anon a mighty vengeance / wreaked the valiant Siegfried's wife. + +1106 + +And so such load of sorrow / for her dead spouse she bore, +The story sayeth truly, / for years full three or more, +Nor ever unto Gunther / any word spake she, +And meantime eke her enemy / Hagen never might she see. + +1107 + +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Now seek'st thou such an end, +That unto thee thy sister / be well-disposed friend? +Then Nibelungen treasure / let come to this country: +Thereof thou much might'st win thee, / might Kriemhild friendly-minded + be." + +1108 + +He spake: "Be that our effort. / My brothers' love hath she: +Them shall we beg to win her / that she our friend may be, +And that she gladly see it / that we do share her store." +"I trow it well," spake Hagen, / "may such thing be nevermore." + +1109 + +Then did he Ortwein / unto the court command +And the margrave Gere. / When both were found at hand, +Thither brought they Gernot / and eke young Giselher. +In friendly manner sought they / to win the Lady Kriemhild there. + +1110 + +Then spake of Burgundy / Gernot the warrior strong: +"Lady, the death of Siegfried / thou mournest all too long. +Well will the monarch prove thee / that him he ne'er hath slain. +'Tis heard how that right sorely / thou dost for him unending plain." + +1111 + +She spake: "The king none chargeth: / t'was Hagen's hand that slew. +When Hagen me did question / where might one pierce him through, +How might e'er thought come to me / that hate his heart did bear? +Then 'gainst such thing to guard me," / spake she, "had I ta'en good + care. + +1112 + +"And kept me from betraying / to evil hands his life, +Nor cause of this my weeping / had I his poor lorn wife. +My heart shall hate forever / who this foul deed have done." +And further to entreat her / young Giselher had soon begun. + +1113 + +When that to greet the monarch / a willing mind spake she, +Him soon with noble kinsmen / before her might ye see. +Yet dare might never Hagen / unto her to go: +On her he'd wrought sore evil, / as well his guilty mind did know. + +1114 + +When she no hatred meted / unto Gunther as before, +By Hagen to be greeted / were fitting all the more. +Had but by his counsel / no ill to her been done, +So might he all undaunted / unto Kriemhild have gone. + +1115 + +Nor e'er was peace new offered / kindred friends among +Sealed with tears so many. / She brooded o'er her wrong. +To all she gave her friendship / save to one man alone. +Nor slain her spouse were ever, / were not the deed by Hagen done. + +1116 + +Small time it was thereafter / ere they did bring to pass +That with the Lady Kriemhild / the mighty treasure was, +That from Nibelungen country / she brought the Rhine unto. +It was her bridal portion / and 'twas fairly now her due. + +1117 + +For it did journey thither / Gernot and Giselher. +Warriors eighty hundred / Kriemhild commanded there +That they should go and fetch it / where hidden it did lie, +And where the good thane Alberich / with friends did guard it faithfully. + +1118 + +When saw they coming warriors / from Rhine the hoard to take, +Alberich the full valiant / to his friends in this wise spake: +"We dare not of the treasure / aught from them withhold: +It is her bridal portion, / --thus the noble queen hath told. + +1119 + +"Yet had we never granted," / spake Alberich, "this to do, +But that in evil manner / the sightless mantle too +With the doughty Siegfried / we alike did lose, +The which did wear at all times / the fair Kriemhild's noble spouse. + +1120 + +"Now alas hath Siegfried / had but evil gain +That from us the sightless mantle / the hero thus hath ta'en, +And so hath forced to serve him / all these lands around." +Then went forth the porter / where full soon the keys he found. + +1121 + +There stood before the mountain / ready Kriemhild's men, +And her kinsmen with them. / The treasure bore they then +Down unto the water / where the ships they sought: +To where the Rhine flowed downward / across the waves the hoard they + brought. + +1122 + +Now of the treasure further / may ye a wonder hear: +Heavy wains a dozen / scarce the same might bear +In four days and nights together / from the mountain all away, +E'en did each one of them / thrice the journey make each day. + +1123 + +In it was nothing other / than gold and jewels rare. +And if to every mortal / on earth were dealt a share, +Ne'er 'twould make the treasure / by one mark the less. +Not without good reason / forsooth would Hagen it possess. + +1124 + +The wish-rod lay among them, / of gold a little wand. +Whosoe'er its powers / full might understand, +The same might make him master / o'er all the race of men. +Of Alberich's kin full many / with Gernot returned again. + +1125 + +When they did store the treasure / in King Gunther's land, +And to royal Kriemhild / 'twas given 'neath her hand, +Storing-rooms and towers / could scarce the measure hold. +Nevermore such wonder / might of wealth again be told. + +1126 + +And had it e'en been greater, / yea a thousandfold, +If but again might Kriemhild / safe her Siegfried hold, +Fain were she empty-handed / of all the boundless store. +Spouse than she more faithful / won a hero nevermore. + +1127 + +When now she had the treasure, / she brought into that land +Knights many from far distance. / Yea, dealt the lady's hand +So freely that such bounty / ne'er before was seen. +High in honor held they / for her goodly heart the queen. + +1128 + +Unto both rich and needy / began she so to give +That fearful soon grew Hagen, / if that she would live +Long time in such high power, / lest she of warriors true +Such host might win to serve her, / that cause would be her strength to + rue. + +1129 + +Spake Gunther then: / "The treasure is hers and freedom too. +Wherefore shall I prevent her, / whate'er therewith she do? +Yea, nigh she did her friendship / from me evermore withhold. +Now reck we not who shareth / or her silver or her gold." + +1130 + +Unto the king spake Hagen: / "No man that boasteth wit +Should to any woman / such hoard to hold permit. +By gifts she yet will bring it / that will come the day +When valiant men of Burgundy / rue it with good reason may." + +1131 + +Then spake the monarch Gunther: / "To her an oath I swore, +That I would cause of evil / to her be nevermore, +Whereof henceforth I'll mind me: / sister she is to me." +Then spake further Hagen: / "Let me bear the guilt for thee." + +1132 + +Many they were that kept not / there their plighted word: +From the widow took they / all that mighty hoard: +Every key had Hagen / known to get in hand. +Rage filled her brother Gernot / when he the thing did understand. + +1133 + +Then spake the knight Giselher: / "Hagen here hath wrought +Sore evil to my sister: / permit this thing I'll not. +And were he not my kinsman, / he'd pay it with his life." +Anew did fall aweeping / then the doughty Siegfried's wife. + +1134 + +Then spake the knight Gernot: / "Ere that forever we +Be troubled with this treasure, / let first commanded be +Deep in the Rhine to sink it, / that no man have it more." +In sad manner plaining / Kriemhild stood Giselher before. + +1135 + +She spake: "Beloved brother, / be mindful thou of me: +What life and treasure toucheth / shalt thou my protector be." +Then spake he to the lady: / "That shall sure betide, +When we again come hither: / now called we are away to ride." + +1136 + +The monarch and his kinsmen / rode from out the land, +And in his train the bravest / ye saw on any hand: +Went all save Hagen only, / and there he stayed for hate, +That he did bear to Kriemhild, / and full gladly did he that. + +1137 + +Ere that the mighty monarch / was thither come again, +In that while had Hagen / all that treasure ta'en. +Where Loch is by the river / all in the Rhine sank he. +He weened thereof to profit, / yet such thing might never be. + +1138 + +The royal knights came thither / again with many a man. +Kriemhild with her maidens / and ladies then began +To mourn the wrong they suffered, / that pity was to hear. +Fain had the faithful Giselher / been unto her a comforter. + +1139 + +Then spake they all together: / "Done hath he grievous wrong." +But he the princes' anger / avoided yet so long +At last to win their favor. / They let him live sans scathe. +Then filled thereat was Kriemhild / as ne'er before with mickle wrath. + +1140 + +Ere that of Tronje Hagen / had hidden thus the hoard, +Had they unto each other / given firm plighted word, +That it should lie concealed / while one of them might live. +Thereof anon nor could they / to themselves nor unto other give. + +1141 + +With renewed sorrows / heavy she was of heart +That so her dear-loved husband / perforce from life must part, +And that of wealth they reft her. / Therefor she mourned alway, +Nor ever ceased her plaining / until was come her latest day. + +1142 + +After the death of Siegfried / dwelt she in sorrow then, +--Saith the tale all truly-- / full three years and ten, +Nor in that time did ever / for the knight mourn aught the less. +To him she was right faithful, / must all the folk of her confess. + + + + +TWENTIETH ADVENTURE + +How King Etzel sent to Burgundy for Kriemhild + +1143 + +In that same time when ended / was Lady Helke's life, +And that the monarch Etzel / did seek another wife, +To take a highborn widow / of the land of Burgundy +Hun his friends did counsel: / Lady Kriemhild hight was she. + +1144 + +Since that was ended / the fair Helke's life, +Spake they: "Wilt thou ever / win for thee noble wife, +The highest and the fairest / that ever king did win, +Take to thee this same lady / that doughty Siegfried's spouse hath been." + +1145 + +Then spake the mighty monarch: / "How might that come to pass +Since that I am a heathen, / nor named with sign of cross? +The lady is a Christian, / thereto she'll ne'er agree. +Wrought must be a wonder, / if the thing may ever be." + +1146 + +Then spake again his warriors: / "She yet may do the same. +For sake of thy great power / and thy full lofty name +Shalt thou yet endeavor / such noble wife to gain. +To woo the stately lady / might each monarch high be fain." + +1147 + +Then spake the noble monarch: / "Who is 'mong men of mine, +That knoweth land and people / dwelling far by Rhine?" +Spake then of Bechelaren / the trusty Ruediger: +"I have known from childhood / the noble queen that dwelleth there. + +1148 + +"And Gunther and Gernot, / the noble knights and good, +And hight the third is Giselher: / whatever any should +That standeth high in honor / and virtue, doth each one: +Eke from eld their fathers / have in like noble manner done." + +1149 + +Then spake again Etzel: / "Friend, now shalt thou tell, +If she within my country / crown might wear full well-- +For be she fair of body / as hath been told to me, +My friends for this their counsel / shall ever full requited be." + +1150 + +"She likeneth in beauty / well my high lady, +Helke that was so stately. / Nor forsooth might be +In all this world a fairer / spouse of king soe'er. +Whom taketh she for wooer, / glad of heart and mind he were." + +1151 + +He spake: "Make trial, Ruediger, / as thou hold'st me dear. +And if by Lady Kriemhild / e'er I lie full near, +Therefor will I requite thee / as in best mode I may: +So hast thou then fulfilled / all my wish in fullest way. + +1152 + +"Stores from out my treasure / I'll bid to thee to give, +That thou with thy companions / merry long shalt live, +Of steeds and rich apparel / what thou wilt have to share. +Thereof unto thy journey / I'll bid in measure full prepare." + +1153 + +Thereto did give him answer / the margrave Ruediger: +"Did I thy treasure covet / unworthy thing it were. +Gladly will I thy messenger / be unto the Rhine, +From my own store provided: / all have I e'en from hand of thine." + +1154 + +Then spake the mighty monarch: / "When now wilt thou fare +To seek the lovely lady? / God of thee have care +To keep thee on thy journey / and eke a wife to me. +Therein good fortune help me, / that she to us shall gracious be." + +1155 + +Then again spake Ruediger: / "Ere that this land we quit, +Must we first prepare us / arms and apparel fit, +That we may thus in honor / in royal presence stand. +To the Rhine I'll lead five hundred / warriors, a doughty band. + +1156 + +"Wherever they in Burgundy / me and my men may see, +Shall they all and single / then confess of thee +That ne'er from any monarch / so many warriors went +As now to bear thy message / thou far unto the Rhine hast sent. + +1157 + +"May it not, O mighty monarch, / thee from thy purpose move: +Erstwhile unto Siegfried / she gave her noble love, +Who scion is of Siegmund: / him thou here hast seen. +Worthy highest honor / verily the knight had been." + +1158 + +Then answered him King Etzel: / "Was she the warrior's wife, +So worthy was of honor / the noble prince in life, +That I the royal lady / therefor no whit despise. +'Tis her surpassing beauty / that shall be joy unto mine eyes." + +1159 + +Then further spake the margrave: / "Hear then what I do say: +After days four-and-twenty / shall we from hence away. +Tidings to Gotelinde / I'll send, my spouse full dear, +That I to Lady Kriemhild / myself will be thy messenger." + +1160 + +Away to Bechelaren / sent then Ruediger. +Both sad his spouse and joyous / was the news to hear. +He told how for the monarch / a wife he was to woo: +With love she well remembered / the fair Lady Helke too. + +1161 + +When that the margravine / did the message hear, +In part 'twas sorrow to her, / and weep she must in fear +At having other mistress / than hers had been before. +To think on Lady Helke / did grieve her inmost heart full sore. + +1162 + +Ruediger from Hunland / in seven days did part, +Whereat the monarch Etzel / merry was of heart. +When at Vienna city / all was ready for the way, +To begin the journey / might he longer not delay. + +1163 + +At Bechelaren waited / Gotelinde there, +And eke the young margravine, / daughter of Ruediger, +Was glad at thought her father / and all his men to see. +And many a lovely maiden / looked to the coming joyfully. + +1164 + +Ere that to Bechelaren / rode noble Ruediger +From out Vienna city, / was rich equipment there +For them in fullest measure / on carrying-horses brought, +That went in such wise guarded / that robber hand disturbed them not. + +1165 + +When they at Bechelaren / within the town did stand, +His fellows on the journey / did the host command +To lead to fitting quarters / and tend carefully. +The stately Gotelinde, / glad she was her spouse to see. + +1166 + +Eke his lovely daughter / the youthful margravine,-- +To her had nothing dearer / than his coming been. +The warriors too from Hunland, / what joy for her they make! +With a laughing spirit / to all the noble maiden spake: + +1167 + +"Be now to us right welcome, / my father and all his men." +Fairest thanks on all sides / saw ye offered then +Unto the youthful margravine / by many a valiant knight. +How Ruediger was minded / knew Gotelinde aright. + +1168 + +When then that night she / by Ruediger lay, +Questioned him the margravine / in full loving way, +Wherefore had sent him thither / the king of Hunland. +He spake: "My Lady Gotelinde, / that shalt thou gladly understand. + +1169 + +"My master now hath sent me / to woo him other wife, +Since that by death was ended / the fair Helke's life. +Now will I to Kriemhild / ride unto the Rhine: +She shall here in Hunland / be spouse to him and stately queen." + +1170 + +"God will it," spake Gotelinde, / "and well the same might be, +Since that so high in honor / ever standeth she. +The death of my good mistress / we then may better bear; +Eke might we grant her gladly / among the Huns a crown to wear." + +1171 + +Then spake to her the margrave: / "Thou shalt, dear lady mine, +To them that shall ride with me / thither unto the Rhine, +In right bounteous manner / deal out a goodly share. +Good knights go lighter-hearted / when they well provided fare." + +1172 + +She spake: "None is among them, / an he would take from me, +But I will give whatever / to him may pleasing be, +Ere that ye part thither, / thou and thy good men." +Thereto spake the margrave: / "So dost thou all my wishes then." + +1173 + +Silken stuffs in plenty / they from her chamber bore, +And to the knights full noble / dealt out in goodly store, +Mantles lined all richly / from collar down to spur. +What for the journey pleased him / did choose therefrom Sir Ruediger. + +1174 + +Upon the seventh morning / from Bechelaren went +The knight with train of warriors. / Attire and armament +Bore they in fullest measure / through the Bavarian land, +And ne'er upon the journey / dared assail them robber band. + +1175 + +Unto the Rhine then came they / ere twelve days were flown, +And there were soon the tidings / of their coming known. +'Twas told unto the monarch / and with him many a man, +How strangers came unto him. / To question then the king began, + +1176 + +If any was did know them, / for he would gladly hear. +They saw their carrying-horses / right heavy burdens bear: +That they were knights of power / knew they well thereby. +Lodgings they made them ready / in the wide city speedily. + +1177 + +When that the strangers / had passed within the gate +Every eye did gaze on / the knights that came in state, +And mickle was the wonder / whence to the Rhine they came. +Then sent the king for Hagen, / if he perchance might know the same. + +1178 + +Then spake he of Tronje: / "These knights I ne'er have seen, +Yet when we now behold them / I'll tell thee well, I ween, +From whence they now ride hither / unto this country. +An I not straightway know them, / from distant land in sooth they be." + +1179 + +For the guests fit lodgings / now provided were. +Clad in rich apparel / came the messenger, +And to the court his fellows / did bear him company. +Sumptuous attire / wore they, wrought full cunningly. + +1180 + +Then spake the doughty Hagen: / "As far as goes my ken, +For that long time the noble / knight I not have seen, +Come they in such manner / as were it Ruediger, +The valiant thane from Hunland, / that leads the stately riders here." + +1181 + +Then straightway spake the monarch: / "How shall I understand +That he of Bechelaren / should come unto this land?" +Scarce had King Gunther / his mind full spoken there, +When saw full surely Hagen / that 'twas the noble Ruediger. + +1182 + +He and his friends then hastened / with warmest welcoming. +Then saw ye knights five hundred / adown from saddle spring, +And were those knights of Hunland / received in fitting way. +Messengers ne'er beheld ye / attired in so fine array. + +1183 + +Hagen of Tronje, / with voice full loud spake he: +"Unto these thanes full noble / a hearty welcome be, +To the lord of Bechelaren / and his men every one." +Thereat was fitting honor / done to every valiant Hun. + +1184 + +The monarch's nearest kinsmen / went forth the guests to meet. +Of Metz the knight Sir Ortwein / Ruediger thus did greet: +"The while our life hath lasted, / never yet hath guest +Here been seen so gladly: / be that in very truth confessed." + +1185 + +For that greeting thanked they / the brave knights one and all. +With train of high attendants / they passed unto the hall, +Where valiant men a many / stood round the monarch's seat. +The king arose from settle / in courteous way the guests to greet. + +1186 + +Right courteously he greeted / then the messenger. +Gunther and Gernot, / full busy both they were +For stranger and companions / a welcome fit to make. +The noble knight Sir Ruediger / by the hand the king did take. + +1187 + +He led him to the settle / where himself he sat: +He bade pour for the strangers / (a welcome work was that) +Mead the very choicest / and the best of wine, +That e'er ye might discover / in all the lands about the Rhine. + +1188 + +Giselher and Gere / joined the company too, +Eke Dankwart and Volker, / when that they knew +The coming of the strangers: / glad they were of mood, +And greeted 'fore the monarch / fair the noble knights and good. + +1189 + +Then spake unto his master / of Tronje the knight: +"Let our thanes seek ever / fully to requite +What erstwhile the margrave / in love to us hath done: +Fair Gotelinde's husband / our gratitude full well hath won." + +1190 + +Thereto spake King Gunther: / "Withhold it not I may. +How they both do bear them, / tell me now, I pray, +Etzel and Helke / afar in Hunland." +Then answered him the margrave: / "Fain would I have thee understand." + +1191 + +Then rose he from the settle / and his men every one. +He spake unto the monarch: / "An may the thing be done, +And is't thy royal pleasure, / so will I naught withhold, +But the message that I bring thee / shall full willingly be told." + +1192 + +He spake: "What tale soever, / doth this thy message make, +I grant thee leave to tell it, / nor further counsel take. +Now shalt thou let us hear it, / me and my warriors too, +For fullest leave I grant thee / thy high purpose to pursue." + +1193 + +Then spake the upright messenger: / "Hither to thee at Rhine +Doth faithful service tender / master high of mine; +To all thy kinsmen likewise, / as many as may be: +Eke is this my message / borne in all good will to thee. + +1194 + +"To thee the noble monarch / bids tell his tale of need. +His folk 's forlorn and joyless; / my mistress high is dead, +Helke the full stately / my good master's wife, +Whereby now is orphaned / full many a fair maiden's life, + +1195 + +"Children of royal parents / for whom hath cared her hand: +Thereby doth the country / in plight full sorry stand. +Alack, nor is there other / that them with love may tend. +I ween the time long distant / eke when the monarch's grief shall end." + +1196 + +"God give him meed," spake Gunther, / "that he so willingly +Doth offer thus good service / to my kinsmen and to me-- +I joy that I his greeting / here have heard this day-- +The which with glad endeavor / my kinsmen and my men shall pay." + +1197 + +Thereto the knight of Burgundy, / the valiant Gernot, said: +"The world may ever rue it / that Helke fair lies dead, +So manifold the virtues / that did her life adorn." +A willing testimony / by Hagen to the words was borne. + +1198 + +Thereto again spake Ruediger / the noble messenger: +"Since thou, O king, dost grant it, / shalt thou now further hear +What message 'tis my master / beloved hath hither sent, +For that since death of Helke / his days he hath in sorrow spent. + +1199 + +"'Tis told my lord that Kriemhild / doth widowed live alone, +And dead is doughty Siegfried. / May now such thing be done, +And wilt thou grant that favor, / a crown she then shall wear +Before the knights of Etzel: / this message from my lord I bear." + +1200 + +Then spake the mighty monarch / --a king he was of grace-- +"My will in this same matter / she'll hear, an so she please. +Thereof will I instruct thee / ere three days are passed by-- +Ere I her mind have sounded, / wherefore to Etzel this deny?" + +1201 + +Meanwhile for the strangers / bade they make cheer the best +In sooth so were they tended / that Ruediger confessed +He had 'mong men of Gunther / of friends a goodly store. +Hagen full glad did serve him, / as he had Hagen served of yore. + +1202 + +Thus there did tarry Ruediger / until the third day. +The king did counsel summon / --he moved in wisest way-- +If that unto his kinsmen / seemed it fitting thing, +That Kriemhild take unto her / for spouse Etzel the king. + +1203 + +Together all save Hagen / did the thing advise, +And unto King Gunther / spake he in this wise: +"An hast thou still thy senses, / of that same thing beware, +That, be she ne'er so willing, / thou lend'st thyself her will to share." + +1204 + +"Wherefore," spake then Gunther, / "should I allow it not? +Whene'er doth fortune favor / Kriemhild in aught, +That shall I gladly grant her, / for sister dear is she. +Yea, ought ourselves to seek it, / might it but her honor be." + +1205 + +Thereto gave answer Hagen: / "Now such words give o'er. +Were Etzel known unto thee / as unto me of yore, +And did'st thou grant her to him, / as 'tis thy will I hear, +Then wouldst thou first have reason / for thy later weal to fear." + +1206 + +"Wherefore?" spake then Gunther. / "Well may I care for that, +E'er to thwart his temper / that so I aught of hate +At his hands should merit, / an if his wife she be." +Thereto gave answer Hagen: / "Such counsel hast thou ne'er of me." + +1207 + +Then did they bid for Gernot / and Giselher to go, +For wished they of the royal / twain their mind to know, +If that the mighty monarch / Kriemhild for spouse should take. +Yet Hagen and none other / thereto did opposition make. + +1208 + +Then spake of Burgundy / Giselher the thane: +"Well may'st thou now, friend Hagen, / show upright mind again: +For sorrows wrought upon her / may'st thou her well requite. +Howe'er she findeth fortune, / ne'er should it be in thy despite." + +1209 + +"Yea, hast thou to my sister / so many sorrows done," +So spake further Giselher, / the full noble thane, +"That fullest reason hath she / to mete thee naught but hate. +In sooth was never lady / than she bereft of joy more great." + +1210 + +"What I do know full certain, / that known to all I make: +If e'er shall come the hour / that she do Etzel take, +She'll work us yet sore evil, / howe'er the same she plan. +Then in sooth will serve her / full many a keen and doughty man." + +1211 + +In answer then to Hagen / the brave Gernot said: +"With us doth lie to leave it / until they both be dead, +Ere that we ride ever / unto Etzel's land. +That we be faithful to her / doth honor meantime sure command." + +1212 + +Thereto again spake Hagen: / "Gainsay me here may none. +And shall the noble Kriemhild / e'er sit 'neath Helke's crown, +Howe'er she that accomplish, / she'll do us grievous hurt. +Good knights, therefrom to keep you / doth better with your weal + consort." + +1213 + +In anger spake then Giselher / the son of Ute the fair: +"None shall yet among us / himself like traitor bear. +What honor e'er befall her, / rejoice thereat should we. +Whate'er thou sayest, Hagen, / true helper shall she find in me." + +1214 + +When that heard it Hagen / straightway waxed he wroth. +Gernot and Giselher / the knights high-minded both, +And Gunther, mighty monarch, / did counsel finally, +If that did wish it Kriemhild, / by them 'twould unopposed be. + +1215 + +Then spake the margrave Gere: / "That lady will I tell +How that of royal Etzel / she may think full well. +In fear are subject to him / brave warriors many a one: +Well may he recompense her / for wrong that e'er to her was done." + +1216 + +Then went the knight full valiant / where he did Kriemhild find, +And straightway spake unto her / upon her greeting kind: +"Me may'st thou gladly welcome / with messengers high meed. +Fortune hath come to part thee / now from all thy bitter need. + +1217 + +"For sake of love he bears thee, / lady, doth seek thy hand +One of all the highest / that e'er o'er monarch's land +Did rule in fullest honor, / or ever crown might wear: +High knights do bring the message, / which same thy brother bids thee + hear." + +1218 + +Then spake she rich in sorrow: / "Now God forbid to thee +And all I have of kinsmen / that aught of mockery +They do on me, poor woman. / What were I unto one, +Who e'er at heart the joyance / of a noble wife hath known?" + +1219 + +Much did she speak against it. / Anon as well came there +Gernot her brother / and the young Giselher. +In loving wise they begged her / her mourning heart to cheer: +An would she take the monarch, / verily her weal it were. + +1220 + +Yet might not then by any / the lady's mind be bent, +That any man soever / to love she would consent. +Thereon the thanes besought her: / "Now grant the thing to be, +An dost thou nothing further, / that the messenger thou deign'st to see." + +1221 + +"That will I not deny you," / spake the high lady, +"That the noble Ruediger / I full gladly see, +Such knightly grace adorns him. / Were he not messenger, +And came there other hither / by him I all unspoken were." + +1222 + +She spake: "Upon the morrow / bid him hither fare +Unto this my chamber. / Then shall he fully hear +How that do stand my wishes, / the which I'll tell him true." +Of her full grievous sorrow / was she minded thus anew. + +1223 + +Eke not else desired / the noble Ruediger +Than that by the lady / leave thus granted were: +He knew himself so skilful, / might he such favor earn, +So should he her full certain / from her spoken purpose turn. + +1224 + +Upon the morrow early / when that the mass was sung +Came the noble messengers, / whereof a mickle throng. +They that should Sir Ruediger / to court bear company, +Many a man full stately / in rich apparel might ye see. + +1225 + +Kriemhild, dame high-stated, / --full sad she was of mood-- +There Ruediger awaited, / the noble knight and good. +He found her in such raiment / as daily she did wear: +The while were her attendants / in dresses clad full rich and rare, + +1226 + +Unto the threshold went she / the noble guest to meet, +And the man of Etzel / did she full kindly greet. +Twelve knights there did enter, / himself and eleven more, +And well were they received: / to her such guests came ne'er before. + +1227 + +The messenger to seat him / and his men they gave command. +The twain valiant margraves / saw ye before her stand, +Eckewart and Gere, / the noble knights and keen, +Such was the lady's sorrow, / none saw ye there of cheerful mien. + +1228 + +They saw before her sitting / full many a lady fair, +And yet the Lady Kriemhild / did naught but sorrow there. +The dress upon her bosom / was wet with tears that fell, +And soon the noble margrave / perceived her mickle grief full well. + +1229 + +Then spake the lofty messenger: / "Daughter of king full high, +To me and these my fellows / that bear me company +Deign now the grace to grant us / that we before thee stand +And tell to thee the tidings / wherefore we rode unto thy land." + +1230 + +"That grace to thee is granted," / spake the lofty queen; +"Whate'er may be thy message, / I'll let it now be seen +That I do hear it gladly: / thou'rt welcome messenger." +That fruitless was their errand / deemed the others well to hear. + +1231 + +Then spake of Bechelaren / the noble Ruediger: +"Pledge of true love unto thee / from lofty king I bear, +Etzel who bids thee, lady, / here royal compliment: +He hath to woo thy favor / knights full worthy hither sent. + +1232 + +"His love to thee he offers / full heartily and free: +Fidelity that lasteth / he plighteth unto thee, +As erst to Lady Helke / who o'er his heart held sway. +Yea, thinking on her virtues / hath he full oft had joyless day." + +1233 + +Then spake the royal lady: / "O Margrave Ruediger, +If that known to any / my sharp sorrows were, +Besought then were I never / again to take me spouse. +Such ne'er was won by lady / as the husband I did lose." + +1234 + +"What is that sootheth sorrow," / the valiant knight replied, +"An be't not loving friendship / whene'er that may betide, +And that each mortal choose him / who his delight shall be? +Naught is that so availeth / to keep the heart from sorrow free. + +1235 + +"Wilt thou minded be to love him, / this noble master mine, +O'er mighty crowns a dozen / the power shall be thine. +Thereto of princes thirty / my lord shall give thee land, +The which hath all subdued / the prowess of his doughty hand. + +1236 + +"O'er many a knight full worthy / eke mistress shalt thou be +That my Lady Helke / did serve right faithfully, +And over many a lady / that served amid her train, +Of high and royal lineage," / spake the keen and valiant thane. + +1237 + +"Thereto my lord will give thee / --he bids to thee make known-- +If that beside the monarch / thou deign'st to wear a crown, +Power in fullest measure / that Helke e'er might boast: +The same in lordly manner / shalt thou wield o'er Etzel's host." + +1238 + +Then spake the royal lady: / "How might again my life +Have thereof desire / to be a hero's wife? +Hath death in one already / wrought me such sorrows sore, +That joyless must my days be / from this time for evermore." + +1239 + +Then spake the men of Hunland: / "O royal high lady, +Thy life shall there by Etzel / so full of honor be +Thy heart 'twill ever gladden / if but may be such thing: +Full many a thane right stately / doth homage to the mighty king. + +1240 + +"Might but Helke's maidens / and they that wait on thee +E'er be joined together / in one royal company, +Well might brave knights to see them / wax merry in their mood. +Be, lady, now persuaded / --'tis verily thy surest good." + +1241 + +She spake in courteous manner: / "Let further parley be +Until doth come the morrow. / Then hither come to me. +So will I give my answer / to bear upon your way." +The noble knights and worthy / must straight therein her will obey. + +1242 + +When all from thence were parted / and had their lodgings sought, +Then bade the noble lady / that Giselher be brought, +And eke with him her mother. / To both she then did tell +That meet for her was weeping, / and naught might fit her mood so well. + +1243 + +Then spake her brother Giselher: / "Sister, to me 'tis told-- +And well may I believe it-- / that thy grief manifold +Etzel complete will scatter, / an tak'st thou him for man. +Whate'er be other's counsel, / meseems it were a thing well done." + +1244 + +Further eke spake Giselher: / "Console thee well may he. +From Rhone unto Rhine river, / from Elbe unto the sea, +King there is none other / that holds so lordly sway. +An he for spouse do take thee, / gladden thee full well he may." + +1245 + +"Brother loved full dearly, / wherefore dost counsel it? +To mourn and weep forever / doth better me befit. +How may I 'mid warriors / appear in royal state? +Was ever fair my body, / of beauty now 'tis desolate." + +1246 + +Then spake the Lady Ute / her daughter dear unto: +"The thing thy brother counsels, / my loving child, that do. +By thy friends be guided, / then with thee well 'twill be. +Long time it now hath grieved me / thee thus disconsolate to see." + +1247 + +Then prayed she God with fervor / that he might her provide +With store of gold and silver / and raiment rich beside, +As erstwhile when her husband / did live a stately thane: +Since then so happy hour / never had she known again. + +1248 + +In her own bosom thought she: / "An shall I not deny +My body to a heathen / --a Christian lady I-- +So must I while life lasteth / have shame to be my own. +An gave he realms unnumbered, / such thing by me might ne'er be done." + +1249 + +And there withal she left it. / The night through until day, +Upon her couch the lady / with mind full troubled lay. +Nor yet her eyes full shining / of tears at all were free, +Until upon the morrow / forth to matins issued she. + +1250 + +When for mass was sounded, / came there the kings likewise. +Again did they their sister / by faithful word advise +To take for spouse unto her / of Hunland the king. +All joyless was the visage / they saw the lady thither bring. + +1251 + +They bade the men of Etzel / thither lead again, +Who unto their country / fain their leave had ta'en, +Their message won or fruitless, / how that soe'er might be. +Unto the court came Ruediger. / Full eager were his company + +1252 + +By the knight to be informed / how the thing befell, +And if betimes they knew it / 'twould please them all full well, +For weary was the journey / and long unto their land. +Soon did the noble Ruediger / again in Kriemhild's presence stand. + +1253 + +In full earnest manner / then the knight gan pray +The high royal lady / that she to him might say +What were from her the message / to Etzel he should bear. +Naught but denial only / did he from the lady hear, + +1254 + +For that her love might never / by man again be won. +Thereto spake the margrave: / "Ill such thing were done. +Wherefore such fair body / wilt thou to ruin give? +Spouse of knight full worthy / may'st thou yet in honor live." + +1255 + +Naught booted how they besought her, / till that Ruediger +Spake in secret manner / in the high lady's ear, +How Etzel should requite her / for ills she e'er did know. +Then gan her mickle sorrow / milder at the thought to grow. + +1256 + +Unto the queen then spake he: / "Let now thy weeping be. +If 'mong the Huns hadst thou / other none than me +And my faithful kinsmen / and my good men alone, +Sorely must he repay it / who hath aught to thee of evil done." + +1257 + +Thereat apace all lighter / the lady's sorrow grew, +She spake: "So swear thou truly, / what any 'gainst me do, +That thou wilt be the foremost / my sorrows to requite." +Thereto spake the margrave: / "Lady, to thee my word I plight." + +1258 + +With all his men together / sware then Ruediger +Faithfully to serve her, / and in all things whatsoe'er +Naught would e'er deny her / the thanes from Etzel's land, +Whereof she might have honor: / thereto gave Ruediger his hand. + +1259 + +Then thought the faithful lady: / "Since I thus have won +Band of friends so faithful, / care now have I none +How shall speak the people / in my sore need of me. +The death of my loved husband / perchance shall yet avenged be." + +1260 + +Thought she: "Since hath Etzel / so many knights and true, +An shall I but command them, / whate'er I will I do. +Eke hath he such riches / that free may be my hand: +Bereft of all my treasure / by Hagen's faithless art I stand." + +1261 + +Then spake she unto Ruediger: / "Were it not, as I do know, +The king is yet a heathen, / so were I fain to go +Whithersoe'er he willed it, / and take him for my lord." +Thereto spake the margrave: / "Lady, no longer hold such word. + +1262 + +"Such host he hath of warriors / who Christians are as we, +That beside the monarch / may care ne'er come to thee. +Yea, may he be baptized / through thee to Christian life: +Well may'st thou then rejoice thee / to be the royal Etzel's wife." + +1263 + +Then spake again her brother: / "Sister, thy favor lend, +That now all thy sorrow / thereby may have an end." +And so long they besought her / that full of sadness she +Her word at length had plighted / the monarch Etzel's wife to be. + +1264 + +She spake: "You will I follow, / I most lorn lady, +That I fare to Hunland, / as soon as it may be +That I friends have ready / to lead me to his land." +Before the knights assembled / fair Kriemhild pledged thereto her hand. + +1265 + +Then spake again the margrave: / "Two knights do serve thee true, +And I thereof have many: / 'tis easy thing to do, +That thee with fitting honor / across the Rhine we guide. +Nor shalt thou, lady, longer / here in Burgundy abide. + +1266 + +"Good men have I five hundred, / and eke my kinsmen stand +Ready here to serve thee / and far in Etzel's land, +Lady, at thy bidding. / And I do pledge the same, +Whene'er thou dost admonish, / to serve thee without cause for shame. + +1267 + +"Now bid with full equipment / thy horses to prepare: +Ruediger's true counsel / will bring thee sorrow ne'er; +And tell it to thy maidens / whom thou wilt take with thee. +Full many a chosen warrior / on the way shall join our company." + +1268 + +They had full rich equipment / that once their train arrayed +The while that yet lived Siegfried, / so might she many a maid +In honor high lead with her, / as she thence would fare. +What steeds all rich caparisoned / awaited the high ladies there! + +1269 + +If till that time they ever / in richest dress were clad, +Thereof now for their journey / full store was ready made, +For that they of the monarch / had such tidings caught. +From chests longtime well bolted / forth the treasures rich were brought. + +1270 + +Little were they idle / until the fifth day, +But sought rich dress that folded / secure in covers lay. +Kriemhild wide did open / all her treasure there, +And largess great would give she / unto the men of Ruediger. + +1271 + +Still had she of the treasure / of Nibelungenland, +(She weened the same in Hunland / to deal with bounteous hand) +So great that hundred horses / ne'er the whole might bear. +How stood the mind of Kriemhild, / came the tidings unto Hagen's ear. + +1272 + +He spake: "Since Kriemhild never / may me in favor hold, +E'en so here must tarry / Siegfried's store of gold. +Wherefore unto mine enemies / such mickle treasure go? +What with the treasure Kriemhild / intendeth, that full well I know. + +1273 + +"Might she but take it thither, / in sooth believe I that, +'Twould be dealt out in largess / to stir against me hate. +Nor own they steeds sufficient / the same to bear away. +'Twill safe be kept by Hagen / --so shall they unto Kriemhild say." + +1274 + +When she did hear the story, / with grief her heart was torn. +Eke unto the monarchs / all three the tale was borne. +Fain would they prevent it: / yet when that might not be, +Spake the noble Ruediger / in this wise full joyfully: + +1275 + +"Wherefore, queen full stately, / weep'st thou o'er this gold? +For thee will King Etzel / in such high favor hold +When but his eyes behold thee, / to thee such store he'll give +That ne'er thou may'st exhaust it: / that, lady, by my word believe." + +1276 + +Thereto the queen gave answer: / "Full noble Ruediger, +Greater treasure never / king's daughter had for share +Than this that Hagen from me / now hath ta'en away." +Then went her brother Gernot / to the chamber where the treasure lay. + +1277 + +With force he stuck the monarch's / key into the door, +And soon of Kriemhild's treasure / they from the chamber bore +Marks full thirty thousand / or e'en more plenteously. +He bade the guests to take it, / which pleased King Gunther well to see. + +1278 + +Then Gotelinde's husband / of Bechelaren spake: +"An if my Lady Kriemhild / with her complete might take +What treasure e'er came hither / from Nibelungenland, +Ne'er a whit would touch it / mine or my royal lady's hand. + +1279 + +"Now bid them here to keep it, / for ne'er the same I'll touch. +Yea brought I from my country / of mine own wealth so much, +That we upon our journey / may be full well supplied, +And ne'er have lack in outlay / as in state we homeward ride." + +1280 + +Chests well filled a dozen / from the time of old +Had for their own her maidens, / of the best of gold +That e'er ye might discover: / now thence away 'twas borne, +And jewels for the ladies / upon the journey to be worn. + +1281 + +Of the might she yet was fearful / of Hagen grim and bold. +Still had she of mass-money / a thousand marks in gold, +That gave she for the soul's rest / of her husband dear. +Such loving deed and faithful / did touch the heart of Ruediger. + +1282 + +Then spake the lady mournful: / "Who now that loveth me, +And for the love they bear me / may willing exiles be, +Who with me to Hunland / now away shall ride? +Take they of my treasure / and steeds and meet attire provide." + +1283 + +Then did the margrave Eckewart / answer thus the queen: +"Since I from the beginning / of thy train have been, +Have I e'er right faithful / served thee," spake the thane, +"And to the end I'll ever / thus faithful unto thee remain. + +1284 + +"Eke will I lead with me / five hundred of my men, +Whom I grant to serve thee / in faithful way again. +Nor e'er shall we be parted / till that we be dead." +Low bowing thanked him Kriemhild, / as verily might be his meed. + +1285 + +Forth were brought the horses, / for that they thence would fare. +Then was a mickle weeping / of friends that parted there. +Ute, queen full stately, / and many a lady more +Showed that from Lady Kriemhild / to part did grieve their hearts full + sore. + +1286 + +A hundred stately maidens / with her she led away, +And as for them was fitting, / full rich was their array. +Many a bitter tear-drop / from shining eye fell down: +Yet joys knew they full many / eke in Etzel's land anon. + +1287 + +Thither came Sir Giselher / and Gernot as well, +And with them train of followers, / as duty did compel. +Safe escort would they furnish / for their dear sister then, +And with them led of warriors / a thousand brave and stately men. + +1288 + +Then came the valiant Gere, / and Ortwein eke came he: +Rumold the High Steward / might not absent be. +Unto the Danube did they / night-quarters meet provide. +Short way beyond the city / did the royal Gunther ride. + +1289 + +Ere from the Rhine they started / had they forward sent +Messengers that full quickly / unto Hunland went, +And told unto the monarch / how that Ruediger +For spouse at length had won him / the high-born queen beyond compare. + + + + +TWENTY-FIRST ADVENTURE + +How Kriemhild fared to the Huns + +1290 + +The messengers leave we riding. / Now shall ye understand +How did the Lady Kriemhild / journey through the land, +And where from her were parted / Gernot and Giselher. +Upon her had they waited / as faithful unto her they were. + +1291 + +As far as to the Danube / at Vergen did they ride, +Where must be the parting / from their royal sister's side, +For that again they homeward / would ride unto the Rhine. +No eye but wet from weeping / in all the company was seen. + +1292 + +Giselher the valiant / thus to his sister said: +"If that thou ever, lady, / need hast of my aid, +And fronts thee aught of trouble, / give me to understand, +And straight I'll ride to serve thee / afar unto King Etzel's land." + +1293 + +Upon the mouth then kissed she / all her friends full dear. +The escort soon had taken / eke leave of Ruediger +And the margrave's warriors / in manner lovingly. +With the queen upon her journey / went many a maid full fair to see. + +1294 + +Four beyond a hundred / there were, all richly clad +In silk of cunning pattern. / Many a shield full broad +On the way did guard the ladies / in hand of valiant thane. +Full many a stately warrior / from thence did backward turn again. + +1295 + +Thence away they hastened / down through Bavarian land. +Soon were told the tidings / how that was at hand +A mickle host of strangers, / where a cloister stands from yore +And where the Inn its torrent / doth into Danube river pour. + +1296 + +At Passau in the city / a lordly bishop bode. +Empty soon each lodging / and bishop's palace stood: +To Bavarian land they hastened / the high guests to meet, +And there the Bishop Pilgrim / the Lady Kriemhild fair did greet. + +1297 + +The warriors of that country / no whit grieved they were +Thus to see follow with her / so many a maiden fair. +Upon those high-born ladies / their eyes with joy did rest, +Full comfortable quarters / prepared they for each noble guest. + +1298 + +With his niece the bishop / unto Passau rode. +When among the burghers / the story went abroad, +That thither was come Kriemhild, / the bishop's niece full fair, +Soon did the towns-people / reception meet for her prepare. + +1299 + +There to have them tarry / was the bishop fain. +To him spake Sir Eckewart: / "Here may we not remain. +Unto Ruediger's country / must we journey down. +Thanes many there await us, / to whom our coming well is known." + +1300 + +The tidings now knew likewise / Lady Gotelinde fair. +Herself and noble daughter / did them quick prepare. +Message she had from Ruediger / that he well pleased would be, +Should she unto Lady / Kriemhild show such courtesy, + +1301 + +That she ride forth to meet her, / and bring his warriors true +Upward unto the Ense. / When they the tidings knew, +Saw ye how on all sides / they thronged the busy way. +Forth to meet the strangers / rode and eke on foot went they. + +1302 + +As far as Everdingen / meanwhile was come the queen: +In that Bavarian country / on the way were never seen +Robbers seeking plunder, / as e'er their custom was: +Of fear from such a quarter / had the travellers little cause. + +1303 + +'Gainst that had well provided / the noble margrave: +A band he led that numbered / good thousand warriors brave. +There was eke come Gotelinde, / spouse of Ruediger, +And bearing her high company / full many noble knights there were. + +1304 + +When came they o'er the Traune / by Ense on the green, +There full many an awning / outstretched and tent was seen, +Wherein that night the strangers / should find them welcome rest. +Well was made provision / by Ruediger for each high guest. + +1305 + +Not long fair Gotelinde did in her quarters stay, +But left them soon behind her. / Then coursed upon the way +With merry jingling bridle / many a well-shaped steed. +Full fair was the reception: / whereat was Ruediger right glad. + +1306 + +On one side and the other / did swell the stately train +Knights that rode full gaily, / many a noble thane. +As they in joust disported, / full many a maid looked on, +Nor to the queen unwelcome / was the riders' service done. + +1307 + +As rode there 'fore the strangers / the men of Ruediger, +From shaft full many a splinter / saw ye fly in air +In hand of doughty warrior / that jousted lustily. +Them might ye 'fore the ladies / pricking in stately manner see. + +1308 + +Anon therefrom they rested. / Knights many then did greet +Full courteously each other. / Then forth Kriemhild to meet +Went the fair Gotelinde, / by gallant warriors led. +Those skilled in lady's service, / --little there the rest they had. + +1309 + +The lord of Bechelaren / unto his lady rode. +Soon the noble margravine / her high rejoicing showed, +That all safe and sound he / from the Rhine was come again. +The care that filled her bosom / by mickle joy from her was ta'en. + +1310 + +When him she had received, / her on the green he bade +Dismount with all the ladies / that in her train she led. +There saw ye all unidle / many a knight of high estate, +Who with full ready service / upon the ladies then did wait. + +1311 + +Then saw the Lady Kriemhild / the margravine where she stood +Amid her fair attendants: / nearer not she rode. +Upon the steed that bore her / the rein she drew full tight, +And bade them straightway help her / adown from saddle to alight. + +1312 + +The bishop saw ye leading / his sister's daughter fair, +And with him eke went Eckewart / to Gotelinde there. +The willing folk on all sides / made way before their feet. +With kiss did Gotelinde / the dame from land far distant greet. + +1313 + +Then spake in manner kindly / the wife of Ruediger; +"Right glad am I, dear lady, / that I thy visage fair +Have in this our country / with mine own eyes seen. +In these times might never / greater joy to me have been." + +1314 + +"God give thee meed," spake Kriemhild, / "Gotelinde, for this grace. +If with son of Botelung / happy may be my place, +May it henceforth be thy profit / that me thou here dost see." +Yet all unknown to either / was that which yet anon must be. + +1315 + +With curtsy to each other / went full many a maid, +The knights a willing service / unto the ladies paid. +After the greeting sat they / adown upon the green; +Knew many then each other / that hitherto had strangers been. + +1316 + +For the ladies they poured refreshment. / Now was come mid-day, +And did those high attendants / there no longer stay, +But went where found they ready / many a spreading tent. +Full willing was the service / unto the noble guests they lent. + +1317 + +The night through until morning / did they rest them there. +They of Bechelaren / meanwhile did prepare +That into fitting quarters / each high guest be brought. +'Twas by the care of Ruediger / that never one did want for aught. + +1318 + +Open ye saw the windows / the castle walls along, +And the burgh at Bechelaren / its gates wide open flung, +As through the guests went pricking, / that there full welcome were. +For them the lord full noble / had bidden quarters meet prepare. + +1319 + +Ruediger's fair daughter / with her attendant train +Came forth in loving manner / to greet the lofty queen. +With her was eke her mother / the stately margravine; +There full friendly greeting / of many a maiden fair was seen. + +1320 + +By the hand they took each other / and thence did pass each pair +Into a Hall full spacious, / the which was builded fair, +And 'neath its walls the Danube / flowed down with rushing tide. +As breezes cool played round them, / might they full happy there abide. + +1321 + +What they there did further, / tell it not I can. +That they so long did tarry, / heard ye the knights complain +That were of Kriemhild's company, / who unwilling there abode. +What host of valiant warriors / with them from Bechelaren rode! + +1322 + +Full kindly was the service / did render Ruediger, +Likewise gave Lady Kriemhild / twelve golden armbands rare +To Gotelinde's daughter, / and dress so richly wrought +That finer was none other / that into Etzel's land she brought. + +1323 + +Though Nibelungen treasure / from her erstwhile was ta'en, +Good-will of all that knew her / did she e'er retain +With such little portion / as yet she did command. +Unto her host's attendants / dealt she thereof with bounteous hand. + +1324 + +The Lady Gotelinde / such honors high again +Did pay in gracious manner / to the guests afar from Rhine +That of all the strangers / found ye never one +That wore not rich attire / from her, and many a precious stone. + +1325 + +When they their fast had broken / and would thence depart, +The lady of the castle / did pledge with faithful heart +Unto the wife of Etzel / service true to bear. +Kriemhild caressed full fondly / the margravine's young daughter fair. + +1326 + +To the queen then spake the maiden: / "If e'er it pleaseth thee, +Well know I that my father / dear full willingly +Unto thee will send me / where thou livest in Hunland." +That faithful was the maiden, / full well did Kriemhild understand. + +1327 + +Now ready were the horses / the castle steps before, +And soon the queen full stately / did take her leave once more +Of the lovely daughter / and spouse of Ruediger. +Eke parted with fair greeting / thence full many a maiden fair. + +1328 + +Each other they full seldom / thereafter might behold. +From Medelick were carried / beakers rich of gold +In hand and eke full many, / wherein was sparkling wine: +Upon the way were greeted / thus the strangers from the Rhine. + +1329 + +High there a lord was seated, / Astold the name he bore, +Who that into Osterland / did lead the way before +As far as to Mautaren / adown the Danube's side. +There did they fitting service / for the lofty queen provide. + +1330 + +Of his niece the bishop / took leave in loving wise. +That she well should bear her, / did he oft advise, +And that she win her honor / as Helke erst had done. +Ah, how great the honor / anon that 'mid the Huns she won! + +1331 + +Unto the Traisem brought they / forth the strangers then. +Fair had they attendance / from Ruediger's men, +Till o'er the country riding / the Huns came them to meet. +With mickle honor did they / then the royal lady greet. + +1332 + +For had the king of Hunland, / Traisem's stream beside, +A full mighty castle, / known afar and wide, +The same hight Traisenmauer: / Dame Helke there before +Did sit, such bounteous mistress / as scarce ye ever might see more, + +1333 + +An it were not Kriemhild / who could such bounty show, +That after days of sorrow / the pleasure she might know, +To be held in honor / by Etzel's men each one: +That praise in fullest measure / had she amid those thanes anon. + +1334 + +Afar the might of Etzel / so well was known around, +That at every season / within his court were found +Knights of all the bravest, / whereof ye e'er did hear +In Christian lands or heathen: / with him all thither come they were. + +1335 + +By him at every season, / as scarce might elsewhere be, +Knights both of Christian doctrine / and heathen use saw ye. +Yet in what mind soever / did each and every stand, +To all in fullest measure / dealt the king with bounteous hand. + + + + +TWENTY-SECOND ADVENTURE + +How Etzel kept the Wedding-feast with Kriemhild + +1336 + +At Traisenmauer she tarried / until the fourth day. +Upon the road the dust-clouds / meanwhile never lay. +But rose like smoke of fire / around on every side: +Onward then through Austria / King Etzel's warriors did ride. + +1337 + +Then eke unto the monarch / such tidings now were told, +That at the thought did vanish / all his grief of old, +In what high manner Kriemhild / should in his land appear. +Then gan the monarch hasten / where he did find the lady fair. + +1338 + +Of many a tongue and varied / upon the way were seen +Before King Etzel riding / full many warriors keen, +Of Christians and of heathen / a spreading company. +To greet their coming mistress / forth they rode in fair array. + +1339 + +Of Reuss men and Greeks there / great was the tale, +And rapid saw ye riding / the Wallach and the Pole +On chargers full of mettle / that they did deftly guide. +Their own country's custom / did they in no wise lay aside. + +1340 + +From the land of Kief / rode there full many a thane, +And the wild Petschenegers. / Full many a bow was drawn, +As at the flying wild-fowl / through air the bolt was sped. +With might the bow was bended / as far as to the arrow's head. + +1341 + +A city by the Danube / in Osterland doth stand, +Hight the same is Tulna: / of many a distant land +Saw Kriemhild there the customs, / ne'er yet to her were known. +To many there did greet her / sorrow befell through her anon. + +1342 + +Before the monarch Etzel / rode a company +Of merry men and mighty, / courteous and fair to see, +Good four-and-twenty chieftains, / mighty men and bold. +Naught else was their desire / save but their mistress to behold. + +1343 + +Then the Duke Ramung / from far Wallachia +With seven hundred warriors / dashed forth athwart her way: +Their going might ye liken / unto birds in flight. +Then came the chieftain Gibeke, / with his host a stately sight. + +1344 + +Eke the valiant Hornbog / with full thousand men +From the king went forward / to greet his mistress then. +After their country's custom / in joy they shouted loud; +The doughty thanes of Hunland / likewise in merry tourney rode. + +1345 + +Then came a chief from Denmark, / Hawart bold and keen, +And the valiant Iring, / in whom no guile was seen, +And Irnfried of Thuringia, / a stately knight to see: +Kriemhild they greeted / that honor high therefrom had she, + +1346 + +With good knights twelve hundred / whom led they in their train. +Thither with three thousand / came Bloedel eke, the thane +That was King Etzel's brother / out of Hunland: +Unto his royal mistress / led he then his stately band. + +1347 + +Then did come King Etzel / and Dietrich by his side +With all his doughty fellows. / In state there saw ye ride +Many a knight full noble, / valiant and void of fear. +The heart of Lady Kriemhild / did such host of warriors cheer. + +1348 + +Then to his royal mistress / spake Sir Ruediger: +"Lady, now give I greeting / to the high monarch here. +Whom to kiss I bid thee, / grant him such favor then: +For not to all like greeting / may'st thou give 'mid Etzel's men." + +1349 + +They lifted then from saddle / the dame of royal state. +Etzel the mighty monarch / might then no longer wait, +But sprang from off his charger / with many a warrior keen: +Unto Kriemhild hasting / full joyously he then was seen. + +1350 + +As is to us related, / did there high princes twain +By the lady walking / bear aloft her train, +As the royal Etzel / went forward her to meet, +And she the noble monarch / with kiss in kindly wise did greet. + +1351 + +Aside she moved her wimple, / whereat her visage fair +Gleamed 'mid the gold around it. / Though many a knight stood there, +They deemed that Lady Helke / did boast not fairer face. +Full close beside the monarch / his brother Bloedel had his place. + +1352 + +To kiss him then Margrave / Ruediger her did tell, +And eke the royal Gibeke / and Sir Dietrich as well. +Of highest knights a dozen / did Etzel's spouse embrace; +Other knights full many / she greeted with a lesser grace. + +1353 + +All the while that Etzel / stood by Kriemhild so, +Did the youthful riders / as still they're wont to do: +In varied tourney saw ye / each 'gainst the other pass, +Christian knights and heathen, / as for each the custom was. + +1354 + +From men that followed Dietrich / saw ye in kindly wise +Splinters from the lances / flying high arise +Aloft above their bucklers, / from hand of good knight sent! +By the German strangers / pierced was many a shield and rent. + +1355 + +From shaft of lances breaking / did far the din resound. +Together came the warriors / from all the land around, +Eke the guests of the monarch / and many a knight there was. +Thence did the mighty monarch / then with Lady Kriemhild pass. + +1356 + +Stretched a fair pavilion / beside them there was seen: +With tents as well was covered / all around the green, +Where they now might rest them / all that weary were. +By high-born knights was thither / led full many a lady fair. + +1357 + +With their royal mistress, / where in rich cushioned chair +Sat the queen full stately. / 'Twas by the margrave's care +That well had been provided, / with all that seemed good, +A worthy seat for Kriemhild: / thereat was Etzel glad of mood. + +1358 + +What was by Etzel spoken, / may I not understand. +In his right hand resting / lay her fair white hand. +They sat in loving fashion, / nor Ruediger would let +The king have secret converse / with Lady Kriemhild as yet. + +1359 + +'Twas bidden that the jousting / on all sides they give o'er. +The din of stately tourney / heard ye then no more. +All the men of Etzel / unto their tents did go, +For every warrior present / did they full spacious lodging show. + +1360 + +And now the day was ended / and they did rest the night +Until beheld they shining / once more the morning light. +Soon on charger mounted / again was many a man: +Heigho, what merry pastime, / the king to honor, they began! + +1361 + +By the Huns the monarch / bade honors high be shown. +Soon rode they forth from Tulna / unto Vienna town, +Where found they many a lady / decked out in fair array: +The same the monarch Etzel's / wife received in stately way. + +1362 + +In very fullest measure / upon them there did wait +Whate'er they might desire. / Of knights the joy was great, +Looking toward the revel. / Lodging then sought each one. +The wedding of the monarch / was in merry wise begun. + +1363 + +Yet not for all might lodging / within the town be had. +All that were not strangers, / Ruediger them bade +That they find them lodgings / beyond the city's bound. +I ween that at all seasons / by Lady Kriemhild's side was found + +1364 + +The noble Sir Dietrich / and many another thane, +Who amid their labors / but little rest had ta'en, +That the guests they harbored / of merry mood should be. +For Ruediger and his companions / went the time full pleasantly. + +1365 + +The wedding time was fallen / upon a Whitsuntide, +When the monarch Etzel / lay Kriemhild beside +In the town at Vienna. / So many men I ween +Through her former husband / had not in her service been. + +1366 + +Many that ne'er had seen her / did her rich bounty take, +And many a one among them / unto the strangers spake: +"We deemed that Lady Kriemhild / of wealth no more had aught +Now hath she by her giving / here full many a wonder wrought." + +1367 + +The wedding-feast it lasted / for days full seventeen. +Ne'er of other monarch / hath any told, I ween, +That wedded with more splendor: / of such no tale we hear. +All that there were present, / new-made apparel did they wear. + +1368 + +I ween that far in Netherland / sat she ne'er before +Amid such host of warriors. / And this believe I more: +Was Siegfried rich in treasure, / that yet he ne'er did gain, +As here she saw 'fore Etzel, / so many a high and noble thane. + +1369 + +Nor e'er gave any other / at his own wedding-tide +So many a costly mantle / flowing long and wide, +Nor yet so rich apparel / --so may ye well believe-- +As here from hand of Kriemhild / did they one and all receive. + +1370 + +Her friends and eke the strangers / were of a single mind, +That they would not be sparing / of treasure in any kind: +What any from them desired, / they gave with willing hand. +Many a thane from giving / himself of clothing reft did stand. + +1371 + +How by her noble husband / at the Rhine a queen she sat, +Of that she still was minded, / and her eye grew wet thereat. +Yet well she kept it hidden / that none the same might mark. +Now had she wealth of honor / after long years of sorrow dark. + +1372 + +What any did with bounty, / 'twas but an idle wind +By side of Dietrich's giving: / what Etzel's generous mind +Before to him had given, / complete did disappear. +Eke wrought there many a wonder / the hand of bounteous Ruediger. + +1373 + +Bloedelein the chieftain / that came from Hunland, +Full many a chest to empty / did he then command, +Of gold and eke of silver. / That did they freely give. +Right merrily the warriors / of the monarch saw ye live. + +1374 + +Likewise the monarch's minstrels / Werbel and Schwemmelein, +Won they at the wedding / each alone, I ween, +Marks a good thousand / or even more than that, +Whenas fair Lady Kriemhild / 'neath crown by royal Etzel sat. + +1375 + +Upon the eighteenth morning / from Vienna town they went. +Then in knightly pastime / many a shield was rent +By spear full well directed / by doughty rider's hand. +So came the royal Etzel / riding into Hunland. + +1376 + +At Heimburg's ancient castle / they tarried over night. +Tell the tale of people / no mortal ever might, +And the number of good warriors / did o'er the country come. +Ah, what fairest women / were gathered unto Etzel's home! + +1377 + +By Miesenburg's majestic / towers did they embark. +With horses eke and riders / the water all was dark, +As if 'twere earth they trod on, / as far as eye might see. +The way-worn ladies rested / now on board right pleasantly. + +1378 + +Now was lashed together / many a boat full good, +That no harm they suffered / from the waves and flood. +Many a stately awning / likewise above them spread, +Just as if beneath them / had they land and flowery mead. + +1379 + +When to Etzelburg the tidings / soon were borne along, +Therein of men and women / were seen a merry throng. +Who once the Lady Helke / as mistress did obey, +Anon by Lady Kriemhild / lived they many a gladsome day. + +1380 + +There did stand expectant / full many a maid high-born, +That since the death of Helke / had pined all forlorn. +Daughters of seven monarchs / Kriemhild there waiting found, +That were the high adornment / of all King Etzel's country round. + +1381 + +Herrat, a lofty princess, / did all the train obey, +Sister's child to Helke, / in whom high virtues lay, +Betrothed eke of Dietrich, / of royal lineage born, +Daughter of King Nentwein; / her did high honors eft adorn. + +1382 + +Against the strangers' coming / her heart with joy flowed o'er: +Eke was thereto devoted / of wealth a mickle store. +Who might e'er give the picture, / how the king eft sat on throne? +Nor had with any mistress / the Huns such joyous living known. + +1383 + +As with his spouse the monarch / up from the river came, +Unto the noble Kriemhild / of each they told the name +'Mong them that she did find there: / she fairer each did greet. +Ah, how mighty mistress / she long did sit in Helke's seat! + +1384 + +Ready and true the service / to her was offered there. +The queen dealt out in plenty / gold and raiment rare, +Silver eke and jewels. / What over Rhine she brought +With her unto Hunland, / soon thereof retained she naught. + +1385 + +Eke in faithful service / she to herself did win +All the king's warriors / and all his royal kin, +--So that ne'er did Lady Helke / so mighty power wield +As until death to Kriemhild / such host did willing service yield. + +1386 + +Thus stood so high in honor / the court and country round, +That there at every season / was pleasant pastime found +By each, whithersoever / his heart's desire might stand: +That wrought the monarch's favor / and the queen's full bounteous hand. + + + + +TWENTY-THIRD ADVENTURE + +How Kriemhild thought to avenge her Wrong + +1387 + +In full lordly honor, / --truth is that ye hear-- +Dwelt they with each other / until the seventh year. +Meanwhile Lady Kriemhild / a son to Etzel bore, +Nor gladder might the monarch / be o'er aught for evermore. + +1388 + +Yet would she not give over, / nor with aught be reconciled, +But that should be baptized / the royal Etzel's child +After Christian custom: / Ortlieb they did him call. +Thereat was mickle joyance / over Etzel's borders all. + +1389 + +Whate'er of highest virtues / in Lady Helke lay, +Strove the Lady Kriemhild / to rival her each day. +Herrat the stranger maiden / many a grace she taught, +Who yet with secret pining / for her mistress Helke was distraught. + +1390 + +To stranger and to native / full well she soon was known, +Ne'er monarch's country, said they, / did royal mistress own +That gave with freer bounty, / that held they without fear. +Such praise she bore in Hunland, / until was come the thirteenth year. + +1391 + +Now had she well perceived / how all obeyed her will, +As service to royal mistress / king's knights do render still, +And how at every season / twelve kings 'fore her were seen. +She thought of many a sorrow / that wrought upon her once had been. + +1392 + +Eke thought she of lordly power / in Nibelungenland +That she erstwhile had wielded, / and how that Hagen's hand +Of it all had reft her / with her lord Siegfried dead; +She thought for so great evil / how might he ever be repaid. + +1393 + +"'Twould be, might I but bring him / hither into this land." +She dreamed that fondly led her / full often by the hand +Giselher her brother, / full oft in gentle sleep +Thought she to have kissed him, / wherefrom he sorrow soon must reap. + +1394 + +I ween the evil demon / was Kriemhild's counsellor +That she her peace with Gunther / should sacred keep no more, +Whom she kissed in friendly token / in the land of Burgundy. +Adown upon her bosom / the burning tears fell heavily. + +1395 + +On her heart both late and early / lay the heavy thought, +How that, herself all guiltless, / thereto she had been brought, +That she must share in exile / a heathen monarch's bed. +Through Hagen eke and Gunther / come she was to such sore need. + +1396 + +From her heart such longing / seldom might she dismiss. +Thought she: "A queen so mighty / I am o'er wealth like this, +That I upon mine enemies / may yet avenge me well. +Fain were I that on Hagen / of Tronje yet my vengeance fell. + +1397 + +"For friends that once were faithful / full oft my heart doth long. +Were they but here beside me / that wrought on me such wrong, +Then were in sooth avenged / my lover reft of life; +Scarce may I bide that hour," / spake the royal Etzel's wife. + +1398 + +Kriemhild they loved and honored, / the monarch's men each one, +As they that came there with her: / well might the same be done. +The treasure wielded Eckewart, / and won good knights thereby. +The will of Lady Kriemhild might / none in all that land deny. + +1399 + +She mused at every season: / "The king himself I'll pray,"-- +That he to her the favor / might grant in friendly way, +To bring her kinsmen hither / unto Hunland. +What vengeful thought she cherished / might none soever understand. + +1400 + +As she in stillest night-time / by the monarch lay +(In his arms enclosed he held her, / as he was wont alway +To caress the noble lady: / she was to him as life), +Again unto her enemies / turned her thoughts his stately wife. + +1401 + +She spake unto the monarch: / "My lord full dear to me, +Now would I pray a favor, / if with thy grace it be, +That thou wilt show unto me / if merit such be mine +That unto my good kinsmen / truly doth thy heart incline." + +1402 + +The mighty monarch answered / (from guile his heart was free): +"Of a truth I tell thee, / if aught of good may be +The fortune of thy kinsmen, / --of that I were full fain, +For ne'er through love of woman / might I friends more faithful gain." + +1403 + +Thereat again spake Kriemhild: / "That mayst thou well believe, +Full high do stand my kinsmen; / the more it doth me grieve +That they deign so seldom / hither to take their way. +That here I live a stranger, / oft I hear the people say." + +1404 + +Then spake the royal Etzel: / "Beloved lady mine, +Seemed not too far the journey, / I'd bid from yond the Rhine +Whom thou wouldst gladly welcome / hither unto my land." +Thereat rejoiced the lady / when she his will did understand. + +1405 + +Spake she: "Wilt thou true favor / show me, master mine, +Then shall thou speed thy messengers / to Worms across the Rhine. +Were but my friends acquainted / what thing of them I would, +Then to this land came hither / full many a noble knight and good." + +1406 + +He spake: "Whene'er thou biddest, / straight the thing shall be. +Thyself mightst ne'er thy kinsmen / here so gladly see, +As I the sons of Ute, / high and stately queen. +It grieveth me full sorely / that strangers here so long they've been. + +1407 + +"If this thing doth please thee, / beloved lady mine, +Then gladly send I thither / unto those friends of thine +As messengers my minstrels / to the land of Burgundy." +He bade the merry fiddlers / lead before him presently. + +1408 + +Then hastened they full quickly / to where they found the king +By side of Kriemhild sitting. / He told them straight the thing, +How they should be his messengers / to Burgundy to fare. +Full stately raiment bade he / for them straightway eke prepare. + +1409 + +Four and twenty warriors / did they apparel well. +Likewise did the monarch / to them the message tell, +How that they King Gunther / and his men should bid aright. +Them eke the Lady Kriemhild / to secret parley did invite. + +1410 + +Then spake the mighty monarch: / "Now well my words attend. +All good and friendly greeting / unto my friends I send, +That they may deign to journey / hither to my country. +Few be the guests beside them / that were so welcome unto me. + +1411 + +"And if they be so minded / to meet my will in aught, +Kriemhild's lofty kinsmen, / that they forego it not +To come upon the summer / here where I hold hightide, +For that my joy in living / doth greatly with my friends abide." + +1412 + +Then spake the fiddle-player, / Schwemmelein full bold: +"When thinkst thou in this country / such high feast to hold, +That unto thy friends yonder / tell the same we may?" +Thereto spake King Etzel: / "When next hath come midsummer day." + +1413 + +"We'll do as thou commandest," / spake then Werbelein. +Unto her own chamber / commanded then the queen +To bring in secret manner / the messengers alone. +Thereby did naught but sorrow / befall full many a thane anon. + +1414 + +She spake unto the messengers: / "Mickle wealth I give to you, +If my will in this matter / right faithfully ye do, +And bear what tidings send I / home unto our country. +I'll make you rich in treasure / and fair apparelled shall ye be. + +1415 + +"And friends of mine so many / as ever see ye may +At Worms by Rhine river, / to them ye ne'er shall say +That any mood of sorrow / in me ye yet have seen. +Say ye that I commend me / unto the knights full brave and keen." + +1416 + +"Pray them that to King Etzel's / message they give heed, +Thereby to relieve me / of all my care and need, +Else shall the Huns imagine / that I all friendless am. +If I but a knight were, / oft would they see me at their home. + +1417 + +"Eke say ye unto Gernot, / brother to me full dear, +To him might never any / disposed be more fair; +Pray him that he bring hither / unto this country +All our friends most steadfast, / that we thereby shall honored be. + +1418 + +"Say further eke to Giselher / that he do have in mind, +That by his guilt I never / did cause for sorrow find; +Him therefore would I gladly / here with mine own eyes see, +And give him warmest welcome, / so faithful hath he been to me. + +1419 + +"How I am held in honor, / to my mother eke make plain. +And if of Tronje Hagen / hath mind there to remain, +By whom might they in coming / through unknown lands be shown? +The way to Hunland hither / from youth to him hath well been known." + +1420 + +No whit knew the messengers / wherefore she did advise +That they of Tronje Hagen / should not in any wise +Leave by the Rhine to tarry. / That was anon their bane: +Through him to dire destruction / was doomed full many a doughty thane. + +1421 + +Letters and kindly greeting / now to them they give; +They fared from thence rich laden, / and merrily might live. +Leave then they took of Etzel / and eke his lady fair, +And parted on their journey / dight in apparel rich and rare. + + + + +TWENTY-FOURTH ADVENTURE + +How Werbel and Schwemmel brought the Message + +1422 + +When to the Rhine King Etzel / his messengers had sent, +With hasty flight fresh tidings / from land to land there went: +With messengers full quickly / to his high festival +He bade them, eke and summoned. / To many thereby did death befall. + +1423 + +The messengers o'er the borders / of Hunland thence did fare +Unto the land of Burgundy; / thither sent they were +Unto three lordly monarchs / and eke their mighty men. +To Etzel's land to bid them / hastily they journeyed then. + +1424 + +Unto Bechelaren / rode they on their way, +Where found they willing service. / Nor did aught delay +Ruediger to commend him / and Gotelinde as well +And eke their fairest daughter / to them that by the Rhine did dwell. + +1425 + +They let them not unladen / with gifts from thence depart, +So did the men of Etzel / fare on with lighter heart. +To Ute and to her household / sent greeting Ruediger, +That never margrave any / to them more well disposed were. + +1426 + +Unto Brunhild also / did they themselves commend +With willing service offered / and steadfast to the end. +Bearing thus fair greeting / the messengers thence did fare, +And prayed the noble margravine / that God would have them in his care. + +1427 + +Ere the messengers had fully / passed o'er Bavarian ground, +Had the nimble Werbel / the goodly bishop found. +What greetings to his kinsmen / unto the Rhine he sent, +That I cannot tell you; / the messengers yet from him went + +1428 + +Laden with gold all ruddy, / to keep his memory. +Thus spake the Bishop Pilgrim: / "'Twere highest joy to me +Might I my sister's children / here see in home of mine, +For that I may but seldom / go unto them to the Rhine." + +1429 + +What were the ways they followed / as through the lands they fared, +That can I nowise tell you. / Yet never any dared +Rob them of wealth or raiment, / for fear of Etzel's hand: +A lofty king and noble, / mighty in sooth was his command. + +1430 + +Before twelve days were over / came they unto the Rhine, +And rode into Worms city / Werbel and Schwemmelein. +Told were soon the tidings / to the kings and their good men, +How that were come strange messengers. / Gunther the king did question + then. + +1431 + +And spake the monarch further: / "Who here may understand +Whence do come these strangers / riding unto our land?" +Yet was never any / might answer to him make, +Until of Tronje Hagen / thus unto King Gunther spake: + +1432 + +"To us hath come strange tidings / to hand this day, I ween, +For Etzel's fiddlers riding / hither have I seen. +The same have by thy sister / unto the Rhine been sent: +For sake of their high master / now give we them fair compliment." + +1433 + +E'en then did ride the messengers / unto the castle door, +And never royal minstrels / more stately went before. +By the monarch's servants / well received they were: +They gave them fitting lodging / and for their raiment had a care. + +1434 + +Rich and wrought full deftly / was the travelling-dress they wore, +Wherein they well with honor / might go the king before; +Yet they at court no longer / would the same garments wear. +The messengers inquired / if any were might wish them there. + +1435 + +In sooth in such condition / many eke were found, +Who would receive them gladly; / to such they dealt around. +Then decked themselves the strangers / in garments richer far, +Such as royal messengers / beseemeth well at court to wear. + +1436 + +By royal leave came forward / to where the monarch sat +The men that came from Etzel, / and joy there was thereat. +Hagen then to meet them / in courteous manner went, +And heartily did greet them, / whereat they gave fair compliment. + +1437 + +To know what were the tidings, / to ask he then began +How did find him Etzel / and each valiant man. +Then answer gave the fiddler: / "Ne'er higher stood the land, +Nor the folk so joyous: / that shall ye surely understand." + +1438 + +They went unto the monarch. / Crowded was the hall. +There were received the strangers / as of right men shall +Kindly greeting offer / in other monarch's land. +Many a valiant warrior / saw Werbel by King Gunther stand. + +1439 + +Right courteously the monarch / began to greet them then: +"Now be ye both right welcome, / Hunland's merry men, +And knights that give you escort. / Hither sent are ye +By Etzel mighty monarch / unto the land of Burgundy?" + +1440 + +They bowed before the monarch; / then spake Werbelein: +"My dear lord and master, / and Kriemhild, sister thine, +Hither to thy country / give fairest compliment. +In faith of kindly welcome / us unto you they now have sent." + +1441 + +Then spake the lofty ruler: / "I joy o'er this ye bring. +How liveth royal Etzel," / further spake the king, +"And Kriemhild, my sister, / afar in Hunland?" +Then answered him the fiddler: / "That shalt thou straightway understand. + +1442 + +"That never any people / more lordly life might show +Than they both do joy in, / --that shalt thou surely know,-- +Wherein do share their kinsmen / and all their doughty train. +When from them we parted, / of our journey were they fain." + +1443 + +"My thanks for these high greetings / ye bring at his command +And from my royal sister. / That high in joy they stand, +The monarch and his kinsmen, / rejoiceth me to hear. +For, sooth to say, the tidings / asked I now in mickle fear." + +1444 + +The twain of youthful princes / were eke come thitherward, +As soon as they the tidings / from afar had heard. +Right glad were seen the messengers / for his dear sister's sake +By the young Giselher, / who in such friendly manner spake: + +1445 + +"Right hearty were your welcome / from me and brother mine, +Would ye but more frequent / ride hither to the Rhine; +Here found ye friends full many / whom glad ye were to see, +And naught but friendly favors / the while that in this land ye be." + +1446 + +"To us how high thy favor," / spake Schwemmel, "know we well; +Nor with my best endeavor / might I ever tell +How kindly is the greeting / we bear from Etzel's hand +And from your noble sister, / who doth in highest honor stand. + +1447 + +"Your sometime love and duty / recalleth Etzel's queen, +And how to her devoted / in heart we've ever been, +But first to royal Gunther / do we a message bear, +And pray it be your pleasure / unto Etzel's land to fare. + +1448 + +"To beg of you that favor / commanded o'er and o'er +Etzel mighty monarch / and bids you know the more, +An will ye not your sister / your faces give to see, +So would he know full gladly / wherein by him aggrieved ye be, + +1449 + +"That ye thus are strangers / to him and all his men. +If that his spouse so lofty / to you had ne'er been known, +Yet well he thought to merit / that him ye'd deign to see; +In sooth could naught rejoice him / more than that such thing might be." + +1450 + +Then spake the royal Gunther: / "A sennight from this day +Shall ye have an answer, / whereon decide I may +With my friends in counsel. / The while shall ye repair +Unto your place of lodging, / and right goodly be your fare." + +1451 + +Then spake in answer Werbel: / "And might such favor be +That we the royal mistress / should first have leave to see, +Ute, the lofty lady, / ere that we seek our rest?" +To him the noble Giselher / in courteous wise these words addressed. + +1452 + +"That grace shall none forbid you. / Will ye my mother greet, +Therein do ye most fully / her own desire meet. +For sake of my good sister / fain is she you to see, +For sake of Lady Kriemhild / ye shall to her full welcome be." + +1453 + +Giselher then led him / unto the lofty dame, +Who fain beheld the messengers / from Hunland that came. +She greeted them full kindly / as lofty manner taught, +And in right courteous fashion / told they to her the tale they brought. + +1454 + +"Pledge of loyal friendship / sendeth unto thee +Now my lofty mistress," / spake Schwemmel. "Might it be, +That she should see thee often, / then shalt thou know full well, +In all the world there never / a greater joy to her befell." + +1455 + +Replied the royal lady: / "Such thing may never be. +Gladly as would I oft-times / my dearest daughter see, +Too far, alas, is distant / the noble monarch's wife. +May ever yet full happy / with King Etzel be her life. + +1456 + +"See that ye well advise me, / ere that ye hence are gone, +What time shall be your parting; / for messengers I none +Have seen for many seasons / as glad as greet I you." +The twain gave faithful promise / such courtesy full sure to do. + +1457 + +Forthwith to seek their lodgings / the men of Hunland went, +The while the mighty monarch / for trusted warriors sent, +Of whom did noble Gunther / straightway question make, +How thought they of the message. / Whereupon full many spake + +1458 + +That he might well with honor / to Etzel's land be bound, +The which did eke advise him / the highest 'mongst them found, +All save Hagen only, / whom sorely grieved such rede. +Unto the king in secret / spake he: "Ill shall be thy meed. + +1459 + +"What deed we twain compounded / art thou full well aware, +Wherefor good cause we ever / shall have Kriemhild to fear, +For that her sometime husband / I slew by my own hand. +How dare we ever journey / then unto King Etzel's land?" + +1460 + +Replied the king: "My sister / no hate doth harbor more. +As we in friendship kissed her, / vengeance she forswore +For evil that we wrought her, / ere that from hence she rode,-- +Unless this message, Hagen, / ill for thee alone forebode." + +1461 + +"Now be thou not deceived," / spake Hagen, "say what may +The messengers from Hunland. / If thither be thy way, +At Kriemhild's hands thou losest / honor eke and life, +For full long-avenging / is the royal Etzel's wife." + +1462 + +Added then his counsel / the princely Gernot there: +"Though be it thou hast reason / thine own death to fear +Afar in Hunnish kingdom, / should we for that forego +To visit our high sister, / that were in sooth but ill to do." + +1463 + +Unto that thane did likewise / Giselher then say: +"Since well thou know'st, friend Hagen, / what guilt on thee doth weigh, +Then tarry here behind us / and of thyself have care, +And let who dares the journey / with us unto my sister fare." + +1464 + +Thereat did rage full sorely / Tronje's doughty thane: +"So shall ye ne'er find any / that were to go more fain, +Nor who may better guide you / than I upon your way. +And will ye not give over, / know then my humor soon ye may." + +1465 + +Then spake the Kitchen Master, / Rumold a lofty thane: +"Here might ye guests and kinsmen / in plenty long maintain +After your own pleasure, / for ye have goodly store. +I ween ye ne'er found Hagen / traitor to you heretofore. + +1466 + +"If heed ye will not Hagen, / still Rumold doth advise +--For ye have faithful service / from me in willing wise-- +That here at home ye tarry / for the love of me, +And leave the royal Etzel / afar with Kriemhild to be. + +1467 + +"Where in the world might ever / ye more happy be +Than here where from danger / of every foeman free, +Where ye may go as likes you / in goodliest attire, +Drink wine the best, and stately / women meet your heart's desire. + +1468 + +"And daily is your victual / the best that ever knew +A king of any country. / And were the thing not true, +At home ye yet should tarry / for sake of your fair wife +Ere that in childish fashion / ye thus at venture set your life. + +1469 + +"Thus rede I that ye go not. / Mighty are your lands, +And at home more easy may ye / be freed from hostile hands +Than if ye pine in Hunland. / How there it is, who knows? +O Master, go not thither, / --such is the rede that Rumold owes." + +1470 + +"We'll ne'er give o'er the journey," / Gernot then did say, +"When thus our sister bids us / in such friendly way +And Etzel, mighty monarch. / Wherefore should we refrain? +Who goes not gladly thither, / here at home may he remain." + +1471 + +Thereto gave answer Hagen: / "Take not amiss, I pray, +These my words outspoken, / let befall what may. +Yet do I counsel truly, / as ye your safety prize, +That to the Huns ye journey / armed full well in warlike guise. + +1472 + +"Will ye then not give over, / your men together call, +The best that ye may gather / from districts one and all. +From out them all I'll choose you / a thousand knights full good, +Then may ye reck but little / the vengeful Kriemhild's angry mood." + +1473 + +"I'll gladly heed thy counsel," / straight the king replied, +And bade the couriers traverse / his kingdom far and wide. +Soon they brought together / three thousand men or more, +Who little weened what mickle / sorrow was for them in store. + +1474 + +Joyful came they riding / to King Gunther's land. +Steeds and equipment for them / all he did command, +Who should make the journey / thence from Burgundy. +Warriors many were there / to serve the king right willingly. + +1475 + +Hagen then of Tronje / to Dankwart did assign +Of their warriors eighty / to lead unto the Rhine. +Equipped in knightly harness / were they soon at hand. +Riding in gallant fashion / unto royal Gunther's land. + +1476 + +Came eke the doughty Volker, / a noble minstrel he, +With thirty goodly warriors / to join the company, +Who wore so rich attire / 'twould fit a monarch well. +That he would fare to Hunland, / bade he unto Gunther tell. + +1477 + +Who was this same Volker / that will I let you know: +He was a knight full noble, / to him did service owe +Many a goodly warrior / in the land of Burgundy. +For that he well could fiddle, / named the Minstrel eke was he. + +1478 + +Thousand men chose Hagen, / who well to him were known. +What things in storm of battle / their doughty arm had done, +Or what they wrought at all times, / that knew he full well. +Nor of them might e'er mortal / aught but deeds of valor tell. + +1479 + +The messengers of Kriemhild, / full loath they were to wait, +For of their master's anger / stood they in terror great. +Each day for leave to journey / more great their yearning grew, +But daily to withhold it / crafty Hagen pretext knew. + +1480 + +He spake unto his master: / "Well shall we beware +Hence to let them journey / ere we ourselves prepare +In seven days thereafter / to ride to Etzel's land: +If any mean us evil, / so may we better understand. + +1481 + +"Nor may the Lady Kriemhild / ready make thereto, +That any by her counsel / scathe to us may do. +Yet if such wish she cherish, / evil shall be her meed, +For many a chosen warrior / with us shall we thither lead." + +1482 + +Shields well-wrought and saddles, / with all the mickle gear +That into Etzel's country / the warriors should wear, +The same was now made ready / for many a knight full keen. +The messengers of Kriemhild / before King Gunther soon were seen. + +1483 + +When were come the messengers, / Gernot them addressed: +"King Gunther now is minded / to answer Etzel's quest. +Full gladly go we thither / with him to make high-tide +And see our lofty sister, / --of that set ye all doubt aside." + +1484 + +Thereto spake King Gunther: / "Can ye surely say +When shall be the high-tide, / or upon what day +We shall there assemble?" / Spake Schwemmel instantly: +"At turn of sun in summer / shall in sooth the meeting be." + +1485 + +The monarch leave did grant them, / ere they should take their way, +If that to Lady Brunhild / they would their homage pay, +His high pleasure was it / they unto her should go. +Such thing prevented Volker, / and did his mistress' pleasure so. + +1486 + +"In sooth, my Lady Brunhild / hath scarce such health to-day +As that she might receive you," / the gallant knight did say. +"Bide ye till the morrow, / may ye the lady see." +When thus they sought her presence, / might their wish not granted be. + +1487 + +To the messengers right gracious / was the mighty king, +And bade he from his treasure / on shields expansive bring +Shining gold in plenty / whereof he had great store. +Eke richest gifts received they / from his lofty kinsmen more. + +1488 + +Giselher and Gernot, / Gere and Ortwein, +That they were free in giving / soon full well was seen. +So costly gifts were offered / unto each messenger +That they dared not receive them, / for Etzel's anger did they fear. + +1489 + +Then unto King Gunther / Werbel spake again: +Sire, let now thy presents / in thine own land remain. +The same we may not carry, / my master hath decreed +That we accept no bounty. / Of that in sooth we've little need." + +1490 + +Thereat the lord of Rhineland / was seen in high displeasure, +That they should thus accept not / so mighty monarch's treasure? +In their despite yet took they / rich dress and gold in store, +The which moreover with them / home to Etzel's land they bore. + +1491 + +Ere that they thence departed / they Lady Ute sought, +Whereat the gallant Giselher / straight the minstrels brought +Unto his mother's presence. / Kind greetings sent the dame, +And wish that high in honor / still might stand her daughter's name. + +1492 + +Then bade the lofty lady / embroidered silks and gold +For the sake of Kriemhild, / whom loved she as of old, +And eke for sake of Etzel, / unto the minstrels give. +What thus so free was offered / might they in sooth right fain receive. + +1493 + +Soon now had ta'en departure / the messengers from thence, +From knight and fairest lady, / and joyous fared they hence +Unto Suabian country; / Gernot had given behest +Thus far for armed escort, / that none their journey might molest. + +1494 + +When these had parted from them, / safe still from harm were they, +For Etzel's might did guard them / wherever led their way. +Nor ever came there any / that aught to take would dare, +As into Etzel's country / they in mickle haste did fare. + +1495 + +Where'er they friends encountered, / to all they straight made known +How that they of Burgundy / should follow after soon +From Rhine upon their journey / unto the Huns' country. +The message brought they likewise / unto Bishop Pilgrim's see. + +1496 + +As down 'fore Bechelaren / they passed upon their way, +The tidings eke to Ruediger / failed they not to say, +And unto Gotelinde, / the margrave's wife the same. +At thought so soon to see them / was filled with joy the lofty dame. + +1497 + +Hasting with the tidings / each minstrel's courser ran, +Till found they royal Etzel / within his burgh at Gran. +Greeting upon greeting, / which they must all bestow, +They to the king delivered; / with joy his visage was aglow. + +1498 + +When that the lofty Kriemhild / did eke the tidings hear, +How that her royal brothers / unto the land would fare, +In sooth her heart was gladdened; / on the minstrels she bestowed +Richest gifts in plenty, / as she to her high station owed. + +1499 + +She spake: "Now shall ye, Werbel / and Schwemmel, tell to me +Who cometh of my kinsmen / to our festivity, +Who of all were bidden / this our land to seek? +Now tell me, when the message / heard he, what did Hagen speak?" + +1500 + +Answered: "He came to council / early upon a day, +But little was of pleasant / in what he there did say. +When learned he their intention, / in wrath did Hagen swear, +To death 'twere making journey, / to country of the Huns to fare. + +1501 + +"Hither all are coming, / thy royal brothers three, +And they right high in spirit. / Who more shall with them be, +The tale to tell entire / were more than I might do. +To journey with them plighted / Volker the valiant fiddler too." + +1502 + +"'Twere little lost, full truly," / answered then the queen, +"If by my eyes never / Volker here were seen. +'Tis Hagen hath my favor, / a noble knight is he, +And mickle is my pleasure / that him full soon we here may see." + +1503 + +Her way the Lady Kriemhild / then to the king did take, +And in right joyous manner / unto her consort spake: +"How liketh thee the tidings, / lord full dear to me? +What aye my heart hath yearned for, / that shall now accomplished be." + +1504 + +"Thy will my joy was ever," / the lofty monarch said. +"In sooth for my own kinsmen / I ne'er have been so glad, +To hear that they come hither / unto my country. +To know thy friends are coming, / hath parted sadness far from me." + +1505 + +Straight did the royal provosts / give everywhere decree +That hall and stately palace / well prepared should be +With seats, that unprovided / no worthy guest be left. +Anon by them the monarch / should be of mickle joy bereft. + + + + +TWENTY-FIFTH ADVENTURE + +How the Knights all fared to the Huns + +1506 + +Tell we now no further / how they here did fare. +Knights more high in spirit / saw ye journey ne'er +In so stately fashion / to the land of e'er a king. +Of arms and rich attire / lacked they never anything. + +1507 + +At Rhine the lordly monarch / equipped his warriors well, +A thousand knights and sixty, / as I did hear tell, +And eke nine thousand squires / toward the festivity. +Whom they did leave behind them / anon must mourn full grievously. + +1508 + +As at Worms across the courtyard / equipment full they bore +Spake there of Speyer / a bishop old and hoar +Unto Lady Ute: / "Our friends have mind to fare +Unto the festivity; / may God their honor have in care." + +1509 + +Then spake unto her children / Ute the noble dame: +"At home ye here should tarry, / ye knights full high in fame. +Me dreamt but yester even / a case of direst need, +How that in this country / all the feathered fowl were dead." + +1510 + +"Who recketh aught of dreamings," / Hagen then replied, +"Distraught is sure his counsel / when trouble doth betide, +Or he would of his honor / have a perfect care. +I counsel that my master / straight to take his leave prepare. + +1511 + +"Gladly shall we journey / into Etzel's land; +There at their master's service / may good knights ready stand, +For that we there shall witness / Kriemhild's festivity." +That Hagen gave such counsel, / rue anon full sore did he. + +1512 + +Yet in sooth far other / than this had been his word, +Had not with bitter mocking / Gernot his anger stirred. +He spake to him of Siegfried / whom Kriemhild loved so, +And said: "Therefore the journey / would Hagen willingly forego." + +1513 + +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Through fear I nothing do. +Whenever will ye, Masters, / set straight your hand thereto, +With you I'll gladly journey / unto Etzel's land." +Many a shield and helmet / there hewed anon his mighty hand. + +1514 + +The ships stood ready waiting, / whereunto ample store +Of clothing for the journey / men full many bore, +Nor had they time for resting / till shades of even fell. +Anon in mood full joyous / bade they friends at home farewell. + +1515 + +Tents full large and many / arose upon the green, +Yonder side Rhine river. / But yet the winsome queen +Caressed the doughty monarch / that night, and still did pray +That far from Etzel's country / among his kinsmen might he stay. + +1516 + +When sound of flute and trumpet / arose at break of day, +A signal for their parting, / full soon they took their way. +Each lover to his bosom / did friend more fondly press: +King Etzel's wife full many / did part anon in dire distress. + +1517 + +The sons of stately Ute, / a good knight had they, +A brave man and a faithful. / When they would thence away, +Apart unto the monarch / did he his mind reveal, +And spake: "That ye will journey, / may I naught but sorrow feel." + +1518 + +Hight the same was Rumold, / a man of doughty hand. +He spake: "To whom now leave ye / people here and land? +O that never any / might alter your intent! +Small good, methinks, may follow / message e'er by Kriemhild sent." + +1519 + +"The land to thee entrusted / and eke my child shall be, +And tender care of ladies, / --so hast command from me. +Whene'er thou seest weeping, / do there thy comfort give. +Yea, trust we free from sorrow / at hand of Etzel's wife to live." + +1520 + +For knight and royal master / the chargers ready were, +As with fond embracing / parted many there, +Who long in joy together / a merry life had led. +By winsome dame full many / therefor must bitter tear be shed. + +1521 + +As did those doughty warriors / into the saddle spring, +Might full many a lady / be seen there sorrowing; +For told them well their spirit / that thus so long to part +Did bode a dire peril, / the which must ever cloud the heart. + +1522 + +As mounted stood the valiant / thanes of Burgundy, +Might ye a mickle stirring / in that country see, +Both men and women weeping / on either riverside. +Yet pricked they gaily forward, / let what might their folk betide. + +1523 + +The Nibelungen warriors / in hauberks bright arrayed +Went with them, a thousand, / while at home behind them stayed +Full many a winsome lady, / whom saw they nevermore. +The wounds of doughty Siegfried / still grieved the Lady Kriemhild sore. + +1524 + +Their journey they directed / onward to the Main, +Up through East Frankish country, / the men of Gunther's train +Thither led by Hagen, / who well that country knew; +Marshal to them was Dankwart, / a knight of Burgundy full true. + +1525 + +On from East Frankish country / to Schwanefeld they went, +A train of valiant warriors / of high accomplishment, +The monarchs and their kinsmen, / all knights full worthy fame. +Upon the twelfth morning / the king unto the Danube came. + +1526 + +The knight of Tronje, Hagen, / the very van did lead, +Ever to the Nibelungen / a surest help in need. +First the thane full valiant / down leapt upon the ground, +And straightway then his charger / fast unto a tree he bound. + +1527 + +Flooded were the waters / and ne'er a boat was near, +Whereat began the Nibelungen / all in dread to fear +They ne'er might cross the river, / so mighty was the flood. +Dismounted on the shore, / full many a stately knight then stood. + +1528 + +"Ill may it," spake then Hagen, / "fare here with thee, +Lord of Rhine river. / Now thyself mayst see +How flooded are the waters, / and swift the current flows. +I ween, before the morrow / here many a goodly knight we lose." + +1529 + +"How wilt reproach me, Hagen?" / the lofty monarch spake. +I pray thee yet all comfort / not from our hearts to take. +The ford shalt thou discover / whereby we may pass o'er, +Horse and equipment bringing / safely unto yonder shore." + +1530 + +"In sooth, not I," quoth Hagen, / "am yet so weary grown +Of life, that in these waters / wide I long to drown. +Ere that, shall warriors sicken / in Etzel's far country +Beneath my own arm stricken: / --'tis my intent full certainly. + +1531 + +"Here tarry by the water, / ye gallant knights and good, +The while I seek the boatmen / myself along the flood, +Who will bring us over / into Gelfrat's land." +With that the doughty Hagen / took his trusty shield in hand. + +1532 + +He cap-a-pie was armed, / as thus he strode away, +Upon his head a helmet / that gleamed with brilliant ray, +And o'er his warlike harness / a sword full broad there hung, +That on both its edges / did fiercely cut, in battle swung. + +1533 + +He sought to find the boatmen / if any might be near, +When sound of falling waters / full soon upon his ear. +Beside a rippling fountain, / where ran the waters cool, +A group of wise mermaidens / did bathe themselves within the pool. + +1534 + +Ware of them soon was Hagen / and stole in secret near, +But fast away they hurried / when they the sound did hear. +That they at all escaped him, / filled they were with glee. +The knight did take their clothing, / yet wrought none other injury. + +1535 + +Then spake the one mermaiden, / Hadburg that hight: +"Hagen, knight full noble, / tell will we thee aright, +An wilt thou, valiant warrior, / our garments but give o'er, +What fortune may this journey / to Hunland have for thee in store." + +1536 + +They hovered there before him / like birds above the flood, +Wherefore did think the warrior / that tell strange things they could, +And all the more believed he / what they did feign to say, +As to his eager question / in ready manner answered they. + +1537 + +Spake one: "Well may ye journey / to Etzel's country. +Thereto my troth I give thee / in full security +That ne'er in any kingdom / might high guests receive +Such honors as there wait you, / --this may ye in sooth believe." + +1538 + +To hear such speech was Hagen / in sooth right glad of heart; +He gave to them their garments, / and straightway would depart. +But when in strange attire / they once more were dight, +Told they of the journey / into Etzel's land aright. + +1539 + +Spake then the other mermaid, / Siegelind that hight: +"I warn thee, son of Aldrian, / Hagen valiant knight, +'Twas but to gain her clothing / my cousin falsely said, +For, comest thou to Hunland, / sorely shalt thou be betrayed. + +1540 + +"Yea, that thou turnest backward / is fitter far, I ween; +For but your death to compass / have all ye warriors keen +Received now the bidding / unto Etzel's land. +Whose doth thither journey, / death leadeth surely by the hand." + +1541 + +Thereto gave answer Hagen: / "False speech hath here no gain. +How might it ever happen / that we all were slain +Afar in Etzel's country / through hate of any man?" +To tell the tale more fully / unto him she then began. + +1542 + +Spake again the other: / "The thing must surely be, +That of you never any / his home again shall see, +Save only the king's chaplain; / well do we understand +That he unscathed returneth / unto royal Gunther's land." + +1543 + +Then spake the valiant Hagen / again in angry way: +"Unto my royal masters / 'twere little joy to say +That we our lives must forfeit / all in Hunland. +Now show us, wisest woman, / how pass we safe to yonder strand." + +1544 + +She spake: "Since from thy purposed / journey thou wilt not turn, +Where upward by the water / a cabin stands, there learn +Within doth dwell a boatman, / nor other find thou mayst." +No more did Hagen question, / but strode away from there in haste. + +1545 + +As went he angry-minded / one from afar did say: +"Now tarry still, Sir Hagen; / why so dost haste away? +Give ear yet while we tell thee / how thou reachest yonder strand. +Master here is Else, / who doth rule this borderland. + +1546 + +"Hight is his brother Gelfrat, / and is a thane full rare, +Lord o'er Bavarian country. / Full ill with you 'twill fare, +Will ye pass his border. / Watchful must ye be, +And eke with the ferryman / 'twere well to walk right modestly. + +1547 + +"He is so angry-minded / that sure thy bane 'twill be, +Wilt thou not show the warrior / all civility. +Wilt thou that he transport thee, / give all the boatman's due. +He guardeth well the border / and unto Gelfrat is full true. + +1548 + +"If he be slow to answer, / then call across the flood +That thy name is Amelrich. / That was a knight full good, +Who for a feud did sometime / go forth from out this land. +The ferryman will answer, / when he the name doth understand. + +1549 + +Hagen high of spirit / before those women bent, +Nor aught did say, but silent / upon his way he went. +Along the shore he wandered / till higher by the tide +On yonder side the river / a cabin standing he espied. + +1550 + +He straight began a calling / across the flood amain. +"Now fetch me over, boatman," / cried the doughty thane. +"A golden armband ruddy / I'll give to thee for meed. +Know that to make this crossing / I in sooth have very need." + +1551 + +Not fitting 'twas high ferryman / his service thus should give, +And recompense from any / seldom might he receive; +Eke were they that served him / full haughty men of mood. +Still alone stood Hagen / on the hither side the flood. + +1552 + +Then cried he with such power / the wave gave back the sound, +For in strength far-reaching / did the knight abound: +"Fetch me now, for Amelrich, / Else's man, am I, +That for feud outbroken / erstwhile from this land did fly." + +1553 + +Full high upon his sword-point / an armband did he hold, +Fair and shining was it / made of ruddy gold, +The which he offered to him / for fare to Gelfrat's land. +The ferryman high-hearted / himself did take the oar in hand. + +1554 + +To do with that same boatman / was ne'er a pleasant thing; +The yearning after lucre / yet evil end doth bring. +Here where thought he Hagen's / gold so red to gain, +Must he by the doughty / warrior's fierce sword be slain. + +1555 + +With might across the river / his oar the boatman plied, +But he who there was named / might nowhere be espied. +His rage was all unbounded / when he did Hagen find, +And loud his voice resounded / as thus he spake his angry mind: + +1556 + +"Thou mayst forsooth be called / Amelrich by name: +Whom I here did look for, / no whit art thou the same. +By father and by mother / brother he was to me. +Since me thou thus hast cozened, / so yet this side the river be." + +1557 + +"Nay, by highest Heaven," / Hagen did declare. +"Here am I a stranger / that have good knights in care. +Now take in friendly manner / here my offered pay, +And guide me o'er the ferry; / my favor hast thou thus alway." + +1558 + +Whereat replied the boatman: / "The thing may never be. +There are that to my masters / do bear hostility; +Wherefore I never stranger / do lead into this land. +As now thy life thou prizest, / step straightway out upon the strand." + +1559 + +"Deny me not," quoth Hagen, / "for sad in sooth my mood. +Take now for remembrance / this my gold so good, +And carry men a thousand / and horses to yonder shore." +Quoth in rage the boatman: / "Such thing will happen nevermore." + +1560 + +Aloft he raised an oar / that mickle was and strong, +And dealt such blow on Hagen, / (but rued he that ere long,) +That in the boat did stumble / that warrior to his knee. +In sooth so savage boatman / ne'er did the knight of Tronje see. + +1561 + +With thought the stranger's anger / the more to rouse anew, +He swung a mighty boat-pole / that it in pieces flew +Upon the crown of Hagen;-- / he was a man of might. +Thereby did Else's boatman / come anon to sorry plight. + +1562 + +Full sore enraged was Hagen, / as quick his hand he laid +Upon his sword where hanging / he found the trusty blade. +His head he struck from off him / and flung into the tide. +Known was soon the story / to the knights of Burgundy beside. + +1563 + +While the time was passing / that he the boatman slew, +The waters bore him downward, / whereat he anxious grew. +Ere he the boat had righted / began his strength to wane, +So mightily was pulling / royal Gunther's doughty thane. + +1564 + +Soon he yet had turned it, / so rapid was his stroke, +Until the mighty oar / beneath his vigor broke. +As strove he his companions / upon the bank to gain, +No second oar he found him. / Yet soon the same made fast again. + +1565 + +With quickly snatched shield-strap, / a fine and narrow band. +Downward where stood a forest / he sought again the land, +And there his master found he / standing upon the shore. +In haste came forth to meet him / many a stately warrior more. + +1566 + +The gallant knight they greeted / with right hearty mood. +When in the boat perceived they / reeking still the blood +That from the wound had issued / where Hagen's sword did swing, +Scarce could his companions / bring to an end their questioning. + +1567 + +When that royal Gunther / the streaming blood did see +Within the boat there running, / straightway then spake he: +"Where is now the ferryman, / tell me, Hagen, pray? +By thy mighty prowess / his life, I ween, is ta'en away." + +1568 + +Thereto replied he falsely: / "When the boat I found +Where slopeth a wild meadow, / I the same unbound. +Hereabout no ferryman / I to-day have seen, +Nor ever cause of sorrow / unto any have I been." + +1569 + +The good knight then of Burgundy, / the gallant Gernot, spake: +"Dear friends full many, fear I, / the flood this day will take, +Since we of the boatmen / none ready here may find +To guide us o'er the current. / 'Tis mickle sorrow to my mind." + +1570 + +Full loudly cried then Hagen: / "Lay down upon the grass, +Ye squires, the horse equipments. / I ween a time there was, +Myself was best of boatmen / that dwelt the Rhine beside. +To Gelfrat's country trow I / to bring you safely o'er the tide." + +1571 + +That they might come the sooner / across the running flood, +Drove they in the horses. / Their swimming, it was good, +For of them never any / beneath the waves did sink, +Though many farther downward / must struggle sore to gain the brink. + +1572 + +Their treasure and apparel / unto the boat they bore, +Since by no means the journey / thought they to give o'er. +Hagen was director, / and safely reached the strand +With many a stalwart warrior / bound unto the unknown land. + +1573 + +Gallant knights a thousand / first he ferried o'er, +Whereafter came his own men. / Of others still were more, +For squires full nine thousand / he led unto that land. +That day no whit was idle / that valiant knight of Tronje's hand. + +1574 + +When he them all in safety / o'er the flood had brought, +Of that strange story / the valiant warrior thought, +Which erstwhile had told him / those women of the sea. +Lost thereby the chaplain's / life well-nigh was doomed to be. + +1575 + +Beside his priestly baggage / he saw the chaplain stand, +Upon the holy vestments / resting with his hand. +No whit was that his safety; / when Hagen him did see, +Must the priest full wretched / suffer sorest injury. + +1576 + +From out the boat he flung him / ere might the thing be told, +Whereat they cried together: / "Hold, O Master, hold!" +Soon had the youthful Giselher / to rage thereat begun, +And mickle was his sorrow / that Hagen yet the thing had done. + +1577 + +Then outspake Sir Gernot, / knight of Burgundy: +"What boots it thee, Sir Hagen, / that thus the chaplain die? +Dared any else to do it, / thy wrath 'twould sorely stir. +Wherein the priest's offending, / thus thy malice to incur?" + +1578 + +To swim the chaplain struggled. / He thought him yet to free, +If any but would help him. / Yet such might never be, +For that the doughty Hagen / full wrathful was of mood, +He sunk him to the bottom, / whereat aghast each warrior stood. + +1579 + +When that no help forthcoming / the wretched priest might see, +He sought the hither shore, / and fared full grievously. +Though failed his strength in swimming, / yet helped him God's own hand, +That he came securely / back again unto the land. + +1580 + +Safe yonder stood the chaplain / and shook his dripping dress. +Thereby perceived Hagen / how true was none the less +The story that did tell him / the strange women of the sea. +Thought he: "Of these good warriors / soon the days must ended be." + +1581 + +When that the boat was emptied, / and complete their store +All the monarch's followers / had borne upon the shore, +Hagen smote it to pieces / and cast it on the flood, +Whereat in mickle wonder / the valiant knights around him stood. + +1582 + +"Wherefore dost this, brother," / then Sir Dankwart spake; +"How shall we cross the river / when again we make +Our journey back from Hunland, / riding to the Rhine?" +Behold how Hagen bade him / all such purpose to resign. + +1583 + +Quoth the knight of Tronje: / "This thing is done by me, +That if e'er coward rideth / in all our company, +Who for lack of courage / from us away would fly, +He beneath these billows / yet a shameful death must die." + +1584 + +One there journeyed with them / from the land of Burgundy, +That was a knight of valor, / Volker by name was he. +He spake in cunning manner / whate'er might fill his mind, +And aught was done by Hagen / did the Fiddler fitting find. + +1585 + +Ready stood their chargers, / the carriers laden well; +At passage of the river / was there naught to tell +Of scathe to any happened, / save but the king's chaplain. +Afoot must he now journey / back unto the Rhine again. + + + + +TWENTY-SIXTH ADVENTURE + +How Gelfrat was Slain by Dankwart + +1586 + +When now they all were gathered / upon the farther strand, +To wonder gan the monarch: / "Who shall through this land +On routes aright direct us, / that not astray we fare?" +Then spake the doughty Volker: / "Thereof will I alone have care." + +1587 + +"Now hark ye all," quoth Hagen, / "knight and squire too, +And list to friendly counsel, / as fitting is to do. +Full strange and dark the tidings / now ye shall hear from me: +Home nevermore return we / unto the land of Burgundy. + +1588 + +"Thus mermaids twain did tell me, / who spake to me this morn, +That back we come not hither. / You would I therefore warn +That armed well ye journey / and of all ills beware. +To meet with doughty foemen / well behooveth us prepare. + +1589 + +"I weened to turn to falsehood / what those wise mermaids spake, +Who said that safe this journey / none again should make +Home unto our country / save the chaplain alone: +Him therefore was I minded / to-day beneath the flood to drown." + +1590 + +From company to company / quickly flew the tale, +Whereon grew many a doughty / warrior's visage pale, +As gan he think in sorrow / how death should snatch away +All ere the journey ended; / and very need for grief had they. + +1591 + +By Moeringen was it / they had the river crossed, +Where also Else's boatman / thus his life had lost. +There again spake Hagen: / "Since in such wise by me +Wrath hath been incurred, / assailed full surely shall we be. + +1592 + +"Myself that same ferryman / did this morning slay. +Far bruited are the tidings. / Now arm ye for the fray, +That if Gelfrat and Else / be minded to beset +Our train to-day, they surely / with sore discomfiture be met. + +1593 + +"So keen they are, well know I / the thing they'll not forego. +Your horses therefore shall ye / make to pace more slow, +That never man imagine / we flee away in fear." +"That counsel will I follow," / spake the young knight Giselher. + +1594 + +"Who will guide our vanguard / through this hostile land?" +"Volker shall do it," spake they, / "well doth he understand +Where leadeth path and highway, / a minstrel brave and keen." +Ere full the wish was spoken, / in armor well equipped was seen + +1595 + +Standing the doughty Fiddler. / His helmet fast he bound, +And from his stately armor / shot dazzling light around. +Eke to a staff he fastened / a banner, red of hue. +Anon with royal masters / came he to sorest sorrow too. + +1596 + +Unto Gelfrat meanwhile / had sure tidings flown, +How that was dead his boatman; / the story eke was known +Unto the doughty Else, / and both did mourn his fate. +Their warriors they summoned, / nor must long time for answer wait. + +1597 + +But little space it lasted / --that would I have you know-- +Ere that to them hasted / who oft a mickle woe +Had wrought in stress of battle / and injury full sore; +To Gelfrat now came riding / seven hundred knights or more. + +1598 + +When they their foes to follow / so bitterly began, +Led them both their masters. / Yet all too fast they ran +After the valiant strangers / vengeance straight to wreak. +Ere long from those same leaders / did death full many a warrior take. + +1599 + +Hagen then of Tronje / the thing had ordered there, +--How of his friends might ever / knight have better care?-- +That he did keep the rearguard / with warriors many a one, +And Dankwart eke, his brother; / full wisely the thing was done. + +1600 + +When now the day was over / and light they had no more, +Injury to his followers / gan he to dread full sore. +They shield in hand rode onward / through Bavarian land, +And ere they long had waited / beset they were by hostile band. + +1601 + +On either side the highway / and close upon their rear +Of hoofs was heard the clatter; / too keen the chasers were. +Then spake the valiant Dankwart: / "The foe is close at hand. +Now bind we on the helmet, / --wisdom doth the same command." + +1602 + +Upon the way they halted, / nor else they safe had been. +Through the gloom perceived they / of gleaming shields the sheen. +Thereupon would Hagen / longer not delay: +"Who rideth on the highway?"-- / That must Gelfrat tell straight-way. + +1603 + +Of Bavaria the margrave / thereupon replied: +"Our enemies now seek we, / and swift upon them ride. +Fain would I discover / who hath my boatman slain. +A knight he was of valor, / whose death doth cause me grievous pain." + +1604 + +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "And was the boatman thine +That would not take us over? / The guilt herein is mine. +Myself did slay the warrior, / and had, in sooth, good need, +For that beneath his valor / I myself full nigh lay dead. + +1605 + +"For pay I rich attire / did bid, and gold a store, +Good knight, that to thy country / he should us ferry o'er. +Thereat he raged full sorely / and on me swung a blow +With a mighty boat-pole, / whereat I eke did angry grow. + +1606 + +"For my sword then reached I / and made his rage to close +With a wound all gaping: / so thou thy knight didst lose. +I'll give thee satisfaction / as to thee seemeth good." +Straightway began the combat, / for high the twain in valor stood. + +1607 + +"Well know I," spake Gelfrat, / "when Gunther with his train +Rode through this my country / that we should suffer bane +From Hagen, knight of Tronje. / No more shall he go free, +But for my boatman's slaying / here a hostage must he be." + +1608 + +Against their shields then lowered / for the charge the spear +Gelfrat and Hagen; / eager to close they were. +Else and Dankwart / spurred eke in stately way, +Scanning each the other; / then both did valorous arm display. + +1609 + +How might ever heroes / show doughty arm so well? +Backward from off his charger / from mighty tilt there fell +Hagen the valiant, / by Gelfrat's hand borne down. +In twain was rent the breast-piece: / to Hagen thus a fall was known. + +1610 + +Where met in charge their followers, / did crash of shafts resound. +Risen eke was Hagen, / who erst unto the ground +Was borne by mighty lance-thrust, / prone upon the grass. +I ween that unto Gelfrat / nowise of gentle mood he was. + +1611 + +Who held their horses' bridles / can I not recount, +But soon from out their saddles / did they all dismount. +Hagen and Gelfrat / straightway did fierce engage, +And all their men around them / did eke a furious combat wage. + +1612 + +Though with fierce onslaught Hagen / upon Gelfrat sprung, +On his shield the noble margrave / a sword so deftly swung +That a piece from off the border / 'mid flying sparks it clave. +Well-nigh beneath its fury / fell dead King Gunther's warrior brave. + +1613 + +Unto Dankwart loudly / thereat he gan to cry: +"Help! ho! my good brother! / Encountered here have I +A knight of arm full doughty, / from whom I come not free." +Then spake the valiant Dankwart: / "Myself thereof the judge will be." + +1614 + +Nearer sprang the hero / and smote him such a blow +With a keen-edged weapon / that he in death lay low. +For his slain brother Else / vengeance thought to take, +But soon with all his followers / 'mid havoc swift retreat must make. + +1615 + +Slain was now his brother, / wound himself did bear, +And of his followers eighty / eke had fallen there, +By grim death snatched sudden. / Then must the doughty knight, +From Gunther's men to save him, / turn away in hasty flight. + +1616 + +When that they of Bavaria / did from the carnage flee, +The blows that followed after / resounded frightfully; +For close the knights of Tronje / upon their enemies chased, +Who to escape the fury / did quit the field in mickle haste. + +1617 + +Then spake upon their fleeing / Dankwart the doughty thane: +"Upon our way now let us / backward turn again, +And leave them hence to hasten / all wet with oozing blood. +Unto our friends return we, / this verily meseemeth good." + +1618 + +When back they were returned / where did the scathe befall, +Outspake of Tronje Hagen: / "Now look ye, warriors all, +Who of our tale is lacking, / or who from us hath been +Here in battle riven / through the doughty Gelfrat's spleen." + +1619 + +Lament they must for warriors / four from them were ta'en. +But paid for were they dearly, / for roundabout lay slain +Of their Bavarian foemen / a hundred or more. +The men of Tronje's bucklers / with blood were wet and tarnished o'er. + +1620 + +From out the clouds of heaven / a space the bright moon shone. +Then again spake Hagen: / "Bear report let none +To my beloved masters / how we here did fare. +Let them until the morrow / still be free from aught of care." + +1621 + +When they were back returned / who bore the battle's stress, +Sore troubled was their company / from very weariness. +"How long shall we keep saddle?" / was many a warrior's quest. +Then spake the valiant Dankwart: / "Not yet may we find place of rest, + +1622 + +"But on ye all must journey / till day come back again." +Volker, knight of prowess, / who led the foremost train, +Bade to ask the marshal: / "This night where shall we be, +That rest them may our chargers, / and eke my royal masters three?" + +1623 + +Thereto spake valiant Dankwart: / "The same I ne'er can say, +Yet may we never rest us / before the break of day. +Where then we find it fitting / we'll lay us on the grass." +When they did hear his answer, / what source of grief to all it was! + +1624 + +Still were they unbetrayed / by reeking blood and red, +Until the sun in heaven / its shining beams down shed +At morn across the hill-tops, / that then the king might see +How they had been in battle. / Spake he then full angrily: + +1625 + +"How may this be, friend Hagen? / Scorned ye have, I ween, +That I should be beside you, / where coats of mail have been +Thus wet with blood upon you. / Who this thing hath done?" +Quoth he: "The same did Else, / who hath this night us set upon. + +1626 + +"To avenge his boatman / did they attack our train. +By hand of my brother / hath Gelfrat been slain. +Then fled Else before us, / and mickle was his need. +Ours four, and theirs a thousand, / remained behind in battle dead." + +1627 + +Now can we not inform you / where resting-place they found. +But cause to know their passing / had the country-folk around, +When there the sons of Ute / to court did fare in state. +At Passau fit reception / did presently the knights await. + +1628 + +The noble monarchs' uncle, / Bishop Pilgrim that was, +Full joyous-hearted was he / that through the land did pass +With train of lusty warriors / his royal nephews three. +That willing was his service, / waited they not long to see. + +1629 + +To greet them on their journey / did friends lack no device, +Yet not to lodge them fully / might Passau's bounds suffice. +They must across the water / where spreading sward they found, +And lodge and tent erected / soon were stretching o'er the ground. + +1630 + +Nor from that spot they onward / might journey all that day, +And eke till night was over, / for pleasant was their stay. +Next to the land of Ruediger / must they in sooth ride on, +To whom full soon the story / of their coming eke was known. + +1631 + +When fitting rest had taken / the knights with travel worn, +And of Etzel's country / they had reached the bourn, +A knight they found there sleeping / that ne'er should aught but wake, +From whom of Tronje Hagen / in stealth a mighty sword did take. + +1632 + +Hight in sooth was Eckewart / that same valiant knight. +For what was there befallen / was he in sorry plight, +That by those heroes' passing / he had lost his sword. +At Ruediger's marches / found they meagre was the guard. + +1633 + +"O, woe is me dishonored," / Eckewart then cried; +"Yea, rueth me fully sorely, / this Burgundian ride. +What time was taken Siegfried, / did joy depart from me. +Alack, O Master Ruediger, / how ill my service unto thee!" + +1634 + +Hagen, full well perceiving / the noble warrior's plight, +Gave him again his weapon / and armbands six full bright. +"These take, good knight, in token / that thou art still my friend. +A valiant warrior art thou, / though dost thou lone this border tend." + +1635 + +"May God thy gifts repay thee," / Eckewart replied, +"Yet rueth me full sorely / that to the Huns ye ride. +Erstwhile slew ye Siegfried / and vengeance have to fear; +My rede to you is truly: / "Beware ye well of danger here." + +1636 + +"Now must God preserve us," / answered Hagen there. +"In sooth for nothing further / have these thanes a care +Than for place of shelter, / the kings and all their band, +And where this night a refuge / we may find within this land. + +1637 + +"Done to death our horses / with the long journey are, +And food as well exhausted," / Hagen did declare. +"Nor find we aught for purchase; / a host we need instead, +Who would in kindness give us, / ere this evening, of his bread." + +1638 + +Thereto gave answer Eckewart: / "I'll show you such a one, +That so warm a welcome / find ye never none +In country whatsoever / as here your lot may be, +An if ye, thanes full gallant, / the noble Ruediger will see. + +1639 + +He dwelleth by the highway / and is most bounteous host +That house e'er had for master. / His heart may graces boast, +As in the lovely May-time / the flowrets deck the mead. +To do good thanes a service / is for his heart most joyous deed." + +1640 + +Then spake the royal Gunther: / "Wilt thou my messenger be, +If will my dear friend Ruediger, / as favor done to me, +His hospitable shelter / with all my warriors share, +Therefor full to requite thee / shall e'er hereafter be my care." + +1641 + +"Thy messenger am I gladly," / Eckewart replied, +And in right willing manner / straight away did ride, +The message thus received / to Ruediger to bear. +Nor did so joyous tidings / for many a season greet his ear. + +1642 + +Hasting to Bechelaren / was seen a noble thane. +The same perceived Ruediger, / and spake: "O'er yonder plain +Hither hastens Eckewart, / who Kriemhild's might doth own." +He weened that by some foemen / to him had injury been done. + +1643 + +Then passed he forth the gateway / where the messenger did stand. +His sword he loosed from girdle / and laid from out his hand. +The message that he carried / might he not long withhold +From the master and his kinsmen; / full soon the same to them was told. + +1644 + +He spake unto the margrave: / "I come at high command +Of the lordly Gunther / of Burgundian land, +And Giselher and Gernot, / his royal brothers twain. +In service true commends him / unto thee each lofty thane. + +1645 + +"The like hath Hagen bidden / and Volker as well +With homage oft-times proffered. / And more have I to tell, +The which King Gunther's marshal / to thee doth send by me: +How that the valiant warriors / do crave thy hospitality." + +1646 + +With smiling visage Ruediger / made thereto reply: +"Now joyeth me the story / that the monarchs high +Do deign to seek my service, / that ne'er refused shall be. +Come they unto my castle, / 'tis joy and gladness unto me." + +1647 + +"Dankwart the marshal / hath bidden let thee know +Who seek with them thy shelter / as through thy land they go: +Three score of valiant leaders / and thousand knights right good, +With squires eke nine thousand." / Thereat was he full glad of mood. + +1648 + +"To me 'tis mickle honor," / Ruediger then spake, +"That through my castle's portals / such guests will entry make, +For ne'er hath been occasion / my service yet to lend. +Now ride ye, men and kinsmen, / and on these lofty knights attend." + +1649 + +Then to horse did hasten / knight and willing squire, +For glad they were at all times / to do their lord's desire, +And keen that thus their service / should not be rendered late. +Unwitting Lady Gotelinde / still within her chamber sate. + + + + +TWENTY-SEVENTH ADVENTURE + +How they came to Bechelaren + +1650 + +Then went forth the margrave / where two ladies sate, +His wife beside his daughter, / nor longer did he wait +To tell the joyful tidings / that unto him were brought, +How Kriemhild's royal brothers / his hospitality had sought. + +1651 + +"Dearly loved lady," / spake then Ruediger, +"Full kind be thy reception / to lordly monarchs here, +That now with train of warriors / to court do pass this way. +Fair be eke thy greeting / to Hagen, Gunther's man, this day. + +1652 + +"One likewise with them cometh, / Dankwart by name, +Volker hight the other, / a knight of gallant fame. +Thyself and eke thy daughter / with kiss these six shall greet; +Full courteous be your manner / as ye the doughty thanes shall meet." + +1653 + +Gave straight their word the ladies, / and willing were thereto. +From out great chests they gorgeous / attire in plenty drew, +Which they to meet the lofty / strangers thought to wear, +Mickle was the hurry / there of many a lady fair. + +1654 + +On ne'er a cheek might any / but nature's hue be seen. +Upon their head they carried / band of golden sheen, +That was a beauteous chaplet, / that so their glossy hair +By wind might not be ruffled: / that is truth as I declare. + +1655 + +At such employment busy / leave we those ladies now. +Here with mickle hurry / across the plain did see +Friends of noble Ruediger / the royal guests to meet, +And them with warmest welcome / unto the margrave's land did greet. + +1656 + +When coming forth the margrave / saw their forms appear, +How spake with heart full joyous / the valiant Ruediger! +"Welcome be ye, Sires, / and all your gallant band. +Right glad am I to see you / hither come unto my land." + +1657 + +Then bent the knights before him / each full courteously. +That he good-will did bear them / might they full quickly see. +Hagen had special greeting, / who long to him was known; +To Volker eke of Burgundy / was like highest honor shown. + +1658 + +Thus Dankwart eke he greeted, / when spake the doughty thane: +"While we thus well are harbored, / who then for all the train +Of those that follow with us / shall meet provision make?" +"Yourselves this night right easy / shall rest," the noble margrave + spake. + +1659 + +"And all that follow with you, / with equipment whatsoe'er +Ye bring into my country / of steed or warlike gear, +So sure shall it be guarded / that of all the sum, +E'en to one spur's value, / to you shall never damage come. + +1660 + +"Now stretch aloft, my squires, / the tents upon the plain. +What here ye have of losses / will I make good again. +Unbridle now the horses / and let them wander free." +Upon their way they seldom / did meet like hospitality. + +1661 + +Thereat rejoiced the strangers. / When thus it ordered was, +Rode the high knights forward. / All round upon the grass +Lay the squires attendant / and found a gentle rest. +I ween, upon their journey / was here provision costliest. + +1662 + +Out before the castle / the noble margravine +Had passed with her fair daughter. / In her train were seen +A band of lovely women / and many a winsome maid, +Whose arms with bracelets glittered, / and all in stately robes arrayed. + +1663 + +The costly jewels sparkled / with far-piercing ray +From out their richest vestments, / and buxom all were they. +Now came the strangers thither / and sprang upon the ground. +How high in noble courtesy / the men of Burgundy were found! + +1664 + +Six and thirty maidens / and many a fair lady, +--Nor might ye ever any / more winsome wish to see-- +Went then forth to meet them / with many a knight full keen. +At hands of noble ladies / fairest greeting then was seen. + +1665 + +The margrave's youthful daughter / did kiss the kings all three +As eke had done her mother. / Hagen stood thereby. +Her father bade her kiss him; / she looked the thane upon, +Who filled her so with terror, / she fain had left the thing undone. + +1666 + +When she at last must do it, / as did command her sire, +Mingled was her color, / both pale and hue of fire. +Likewise kissed she Dankwart / and the Fiddler eke anon: +That he was knight of valor / to him was such high favor shown. + +1667 + +The margrave's youthful daughter / took then by the hand +The royal knight Giselher / of Burgundian land. +E'en so led forth her mother / the gallant Gunther high. +With those guests so lofty / walked they there full joyfully. + +1668 + +The host escorted Gernot / to a spacious hall and wide, +Where knights and stately ladies / sate them side by side. +Then bade they for the strangers / pour good wine plenteously: +In sooth might never heroes / find fuller hospitality. + +1669 + +Glances fond and many / saw ye directed there +Upon Ruediger's daughter, / for she was passing fair. +Yea, in his thoughts caressed her / full many a gallant knight; +A lady high in spirit, / well might she every heart delight. + +1670 + +Yet whatsoe'er their wishes, / might none fulfilled be. +Hither oft and thither / glanced they furtively +On maidens and fair ladies, / whereof were many there. +Right kind the noble Fiddler / disposed was to Ruediger. + +1671 + +They parted each from other / as ancient custom was, +And knights and lofty ladies / did separating pass +When tables were made ready / within the spacious hall. +There in stately manner / they waited on the strangers all. + +1672 + +To do the guests high honor / likewise the table sought +With them the lofty margravine. / Her daughter led she not, +But left among the maidens, / where fitting was she sat. +That they might not behold her, grieved were the guests in sooth thereat. + +1673 + +The drinking and the feasting, / when 'twas ended all, +Escorted was the maiden / again into the hall. +Then of merry jesting / they nothing lacked, I ween, +Wherein was busy Volker, / a thane full gallant and keen. + +1674 + +Then spake the noble Fiddler / to all in lofty tone: +"Great mercy, lordly margrave, / God to thee hath shown, +For that he hath granted / unto thee a wife +Of so surpassing beauty, / and thereto a joyous life. + +1675 + +"If that I were of royal / birth," the Fiddler spake, +"And kingly crown should carry, / to wife I'd wish to take +This thy lovely daughter, / --my heart thus prompteth me. +A noble maid and gentle / and fair to look upon is she." + +1676 + +Then outspake the margrave: / "How might such thing be, +That king should e'er desire / daughter born to me? +Exiled from my country / here with my spouse I dwell: +What avails the maiden, / be she favored ne'er so well?" + +1677 + +Thereto gave answer Gernot, / a knight of manner kind: +"If to my desire / I ever spouse would find, +Then would I of such lady / right gladly make my choice." +In full kindly manner / added Hagen eke his voice: + +1678 + +"Now shall my master Giselher / take to himself a spouse. +The noble margrave's daughter / is of so lofty house, +That I and all his warriors / would glad her service own, +If that she in Burgundy / should ever wear a royal crown." + +1679 + +Glad thereat full truly / was Sir Ruediger, +And eke Gotelinde: / they joyed such words to hear. +Anon arranged the heroes / that her as bride did greet +The noble knight Giselher, / as was for any monarch meet. + +1680 + +What thing is doomed to happen, / who may the same prevent? +To come to the assembly / they for the maidens sent, +And to the knight they plighted / the winsome maid for wife, +Pledge eke by him was given, / his love should yet endure with life. + +1681 + +They to the maid allotted / castles and spreading land, +Whereof did give assurance / the noble monarch's hand +And eke the royal Gernot, / 'twould surely so be done. +Then spake to them the margrave: / "Lordly castles have I none, + +1682 + +"Yet true shall be my friendship / the while that I may live. +Unto my daughter shall I / of gold and silver give +What hundred sumpter-horses / full laden bear away, +That her husband's lofty kinsmen / find honor in the fair array." + +1683 + +They bade the knight and maiden / within a ring to stand, +As was of old the custom. / Of youths a goodly band, +That all were merry-hearted, / did her there confront, +And thought they on her beauty / as mind of youth is ever wont. + +1684 + +When they began to question / then the winsome maid, +Would she the knight for husband, / somewhat she was dismayed, +And yet forego she would not / to have him for her own. +She blushed to hear the question, / as many another maid hath done. + +1685 + +Her father Ruediger prompted / that Yes her answer be, +And that she take him gladly. / Unto her instantly +Sprang the young Sir Giselher, / and in his arm so white +He clasped her to his bosom. / --Soon doomed to end was her delight. + +1686 + +Then spake again the margrave: / "Ye royal knights and high, +When that home ye journey / again to Burgundy +I'll give to you my daughter, / as fitting is to do, +That ye may take her with you." / They gave their plighted word thereto. + +1687 + +What jubilation made they / yet at last must end. +The maiden then was bidden / unto her chamber wend, +And guests to seek their couches / and rest until the day. +For them the host provided / a feast in hospitable way. + +1688 + +When they had feasted fully / and to the Huns' country +Thence would onward journey, / "Such thing shall never be," +Spake the host full noble, / "but here ye still shall rest. +Seldom hath my good fortune / welcomed yet so many a guest." + +1689 + +Thereto gave answer Dankwart: / "In sooth it may not be. +Bread and wine whence hast thou / and food sufficiently, +Over night to harbor / of guests so great a train?" +When the host had heard it, / spake he: "All thy words are vain. + +1690 + +"Refuse not my petition, / ye noble lords and high. +A fortnight's full provision / might I in sooth supply, +For you and every warrior / that journeys in your train. +Till now hath royal Etzel / small portion of my substance ta'en." + +1691 + +Though fain they had declined it, / yet they there must stay +E'en to the fourth morning. / Then did the host display +So generous hand and lavish / that it was told afar. +He gave unto the strangers / horses and apparel rare. + +1692 + +The time at last was over / and they must journey thence. +Then did the valiant Ruediger / with lavish hand dispense +Unto all his bounty, / refused he unto none +Whate'er he might desire. / Well-pleased they parted every one. + +1693 + +His courteous retainers / to castle gateway brought +Saddled many horses, / and soon the place was sought +Eke by the gallant strangers / each bearing shield in hand, +For that they thence would journey / onward into Etzel's land. + +1694 + +The host had freely offered / rich presents unto all, +Ere that the noble strangers / passed out before the hall. +High in honor lived he, / a knight of bounty rare. +His fair daughter had he / given unto Giselher. + +1695 + +Eke gave he unto Gunther, / a knight of high renown, +What well might wear with honor / the monarch as his own, +--Though seldom gift received he-- / a coat of harness rare. +Thereat inclined King Gunther / before the noble Ruediger. + +1696 + +Then gave he unto Gernot / a good and trusty blade, +Wherewith anon in combat / was direst havoc made. +That thus the gift was taken / rejoiced the margrave's wife: +Thereby the noble Ruediger / was doomed anon to lose his life. + +1697 + +Gotelinde proffered Hagen, / as 'twas a fitting thing, +Her gifts in kindly manner. / Since scorned them not the king, +Eke he without her bounty / to the high festivity +Should thence not onward journey. / Yet loath to take the same was he. + +1698 + +"Of all doth meet my vision," / Hagen then spake, +"Would I wish for nothing / with me hence to take +But alone the shield that hanging / on yonder wall I see. +The same I'd gladly carry / into Etzel's land with me." + +1699 + +When the stately margravine / Hagen's words did hear, +Brought they to mind her sorrow, / nor might she stop a tear. +She thought again full sadly / how her son Nudung fell, +Slain by hand of Wittich; / and did her breast with anguish swell. + +1700 + +She spake unto the hero: / "The shield to thee I'll give. +O would to God in heaven / that he still did live, +Whose hand erstwhile did wield it! / In battle fell he low, +And I, a wretched mother, / must weep with never-ending woe. + +1701 + +Thereat the noble lady / up from the settle rose, +And soon her arms all snow-white / did the shield enclose. +She bore it unto Hagen, / who made obeisance low; +The gift she might with honor / upon so valiant thane bestow. + +1702 + +O'er it, to keep its color, / a shining cover lay +With precious stones all studded, / nor ever shone the day +Upon a shield more costly; / if e'er a longing eye +Did covet to possess it, / scarce thousand marks the same might buy. + +1703 + +The shield in charge gave Hagen / thence away to bear. +Before his host then Dankwart / himself presented there, +On whom the margrave's daughter / did costly dress bestow. +Wherein anon in Hunland / arrayed full stately he did go. + +1704 + +Whate'er of gifts by any / was accepted there, +Them had his hand ne'er taken, / but that intent all were +To do their host an honor / who gave with hand so free. +By his guests in combat / soon doomed was he slain to be. + +1705 + +Volker the valiant / to Gotelinde came +And stood in courteous manner / with fiddle 'fore the dame. +Sweet melodies he played her / and sang his songs thereby, +For thought he from Bechelaren / to take departure presently. + +1706 + +The margravine bade to her / a casket forth to bear. +And now of presents given / full freely may ye hear. +Therefrom she took twelve armbands / and drew them o'er his hand. +"These shall thou with thee carry, / as ridest thou to Etzel's land, + +1707 + +"And for my sake shalt wear them / when at court thou dost appear, +That when thou hither comest / I may the story hear +How thou hast done me honor / at the high festival." +What did wish the lady, / faithfully performed he all. + +1708 + +Thus to his guests the host spake: / "That ye more safely fare, +Myself will give you escort / and bid them well beware +That upon the highway / no ill on you be wrought." +Thereat his sumpter horses / straightway laden forth were brought + +1709 + +The host was well prepared / with five hundred men +With horse and rich attire. / These led he with him then +In right joyous humor / to the high festival. +Alive to Bechelaren / again came never one of all. + +1710 + +Thence took his leave Sir Ruediger / with kiss full lovingly; +As fitting was for Giselher, / likewise the same did he. +With loving arms enfolding / caressed they ladies fair. +To many a maid the parting / did bring anon full bitter tear. + +1711 + +On all sides then the windows / were open wide flung, +As with his train of warriors / the host to saddle sprung. +I ween their hearts did tell them / how they should sorrow deep. +For there did many a lady / and many a winsome maiden weep. + +1712 + +For dear friends left behind him / grieved many a knight full sore. +Whom they at Bechelaren / should behold no more. +Yet rode they off rejoicing / down across the sand +Hard by the Danube river / on their way to Etzel's land. + +1713 + +Then spake to the Burgundians / the gallant knight and bold, +Ruediger the noble: / "Now let us not withhold +The story of our coming / unto the Hun's country. +Unto the royal Etzel / might tidings ne'er more welcome be." + +1714 + +Down in haste through Austria / the messenger did ride, +Who told unto the people / soon on every side, +From Worms beyond Rhine river / were high guests journeying. +Nor unto Etzel's people / gladder tidings might ye bring. + +1715 + +Onward spurred the messengers / who did the message bear, +How now in Hunnish country / the Nibelungen were. +"Kriemhild, lofty lady, / warm thy welcome be; +In stately manner hither / come thy loving brothers three." + +1716 + +Within a lofty casement / the Lady Kriemhild stood, +Looking for her kinsmen, / as friend for friend full good. +From her father's country / saw she many a knight; +Eke heard the king the tidings, / and laughed thereat for sheer delight. + +1717 + +"Now well my heart rejoiceth," / spake Lady Kriemhild. +"Hither come my kinsmen / with many a new-wrought shield +And brightly shining hauberk: / who gold would have from me, +Be mindful of my sorrow; / to him I'll ever gracious be." + + + + +TWENTY-EIGHTH ADVENTURE + +How the Burgundians came to Etzel's Castle + +1718 + +When that the men of Burgundy / were come into the land, +He of Bern did hear it, / the aged Hildebrand. +He told it to his master, / who sore thereat did grieve; +The knight so keen and gallant / bade he in fitting way receive. + +1719 + +Wolfhart the valiant / bade lead the heroes forth. +In company with Dietrich / rode many a thane of worth, +As out to receive them / across the plain he went, +Where might ye see erected / already many a stately tent. + +1720 + +When that of Tronje Hagen / them far away espied, +Unto his royal masters / full courteously he said: +"Now shall ye, doughty riders, / down from the saddle spring, +And forward go to meet them / that here to you a welcome bring. + +1721 + +"A train there cometh yonder, / well knew I e'en when young. +Thanes they are full doughty / of the land of Amelung. +He of Bern doth lead them, / and high of heart they are; +To scorn their proffered greeting / shall ye in sooth full well beware." + +1722 + +Dismounted then with Dietrich, / (as was meet and right,) +Attended by his squire / many a gallant knight. +They went unto the strangers / and greeted courteously +The knights that far had ridden / from the land of Burgundy. + +1723 + +When then Sir Dietrich / saw them coming near, +What words the thane delivered, / now may ye willing hear, +Unto Ute's children. / Their journey grieved him sore. +He weened that Ruediger knowing / had warned what lay for them in store. + +1724 + +"Welcome be ye, Masters, / Gunther and Giselher, +Gernot and Hagen, / welcome eke Volker +And the valiant Dankwart. / Do ye not understand? +Kriemhild yet sore bemoaneth / the hero of Nibelungen land." + +1725 + +"Long time may she be weeping," / Hagen spake again; +"In sooth for years a many / dead he lies and slain. +To the monarch now of Hunland / should she devoted be: +Siegfried returneth never, / buried now long time is he." + +1726 + +"How Siegfried's death was compassed, / let now the story be: +While liveth Lady Kriemhild, / look ye for injury." +Thus did of Bern Sir Dietrich / unto them declare: +"Hope of the Nibelungen, / of her vengeance well beware." + +1727 + +"Whereof shall I be fearful?" / the lofty monarch spake: +"Etzel hath sent us message, / (why further question make?) +That we should journey hither / into his country. +Eke hath my sister Kriemhild / oft wished us here as guests to see. + +1728 + +"I give thee honest counsel," / Hagen then did say, +"Now shalt thou here Sir Dietrich / and his warriors pray +To tell thee full the story, / if aught may be designed, +And let thee know more surely / how stands the Lady Kriemhild's mind." + +1729 + +Then went to speak asunder / the lordly monarchs three, +Gunther and Gernot, / and Dietrich went he. +"Now tell us true, thou noble / knight of Bern and kind, +If that perchance thou knowest / how stands thy royal mistress' mind." + +1730 + +The lord of Bern gave answer: / "What need to tell you more? +I hear each day at morning / weeping and wailing sore +The wife of royal Etzel, / who piteous doth complain +To God in heaven that Siegfried / her doughty spouse from her was ta'en." + +1731 + +"Then must we e'en abide it," / was the fearless word +Of Volker the Fiddler, / "what we here have heard. +To court we yet shall journey / and make full clear to all, +If that to valiant warriors / may aught amid the Huns befall." + +1732 + +The gallant thanes of Burgundy / unto court then rode, +And went in stately manner / as was their country's mode. +Full many a man in Hunland / looked eagerly to see +Of what manner Hagen, / Tronje's doughty thane, might be. + +1733 + +For that was told the story / (and great the wonder grew) +How that of Netherland / Siegfried he slew, +That was the spouse of Kriemhild, / in strength without a peer, +Hence a mickle questioning / after Hagen might ye hear. + +1734 + +Great was the knight of stature, / may ye know full true, +Built with breast expansive; / mingled was the hue +Of his hair with silver; / long he was of limb; +As he strode stately forward / might ye mark his visage grim. + +1735 + +Then were the thanes of Burgundy / unto quarters shown, +But the serving-man of Gunther / by themselves alone. +Thus the queen did counsel, / so filled she was with hate. +Anon where they were harbored / the train did meet with direst fate. + +1736 + +Dankwart, Hagen's brother, / marshal was he. +To him the king his followers / commended urgently, +That he provide them plenty / and have of them good care. +The noble knight of Burgundy / their safety well in mind did bear. + +1737 + +By her train attended, / Queen Kriemhild went +To greet the Nibelungen, / yet false was her intent. +She kissed her brother Giselher / and took him by the hand: +Thereat of Tronje Hagen / did tighter draw his helmet's band. + +1733 + +"After such like greeting," / the doughty Hagen spake, +"Let all watchful warriors / full precaution take: +Differs wide the greeting / on masters and men bestowed. +Unhappy was the hour / when to this festival we rode." + +1739 + +She spake: "Now be ye welcome / to whom ye welcome be. +For sake of friendship never / ye greeting have from me. +Tell me now what bring ye / from Worms across the Rhine, +That ye so greatly welcome / should ever be to land of mine?" + +1740 + +"An I had only known it," / Hagen spake again, +"That thou didst look for present / from hand of every thane, +I were, methinks, so wealthy / --had I me bethought-- +That I unto this country / likewise to thee my gift had brought." + +1741 + +"Now shall ye eke the story / to me more fully say: +The Nibelungen treasure, / where put ye that away? +My own possession was it, / as well ye understand. +That same ye should have brought me / hither unto Etzel's land." + +1742 + +"In sooth, my Lady Kriemhild, / full many a day hath flown +Since of the Nibelungen / hoard I aught have known. +Into the Rhine to sink it / my lords commanded me: +Verily there must it / until the day of judgment be." + +1743 + +Thereto the queen gave answer: / "Such was e'en my thought. +Thereof right little have ye / unto me hither brought, +Although myself did own it / and once o'er it held sway. +'Tis cause that I for ever / have full many a mournful day." + +1744 + +"The devil have I brought thee," / Hagen did declare. +"My shield it is so heavy / that I have to bear, +And my plaited armor; / my shining helmet see, +And sword in hand I carry, / --so might I nothing bring for thee." + +1745 + +Then spake the royal lady / unto the warriors all: +"Weapon shall not any / bear into the hall. +To me now for safe keeping, / ye thanes shall give them o'er." +"In sooth," gave answer Hagen, / "such thing shall happen nevermore. + +1746 + +"Such honor ne'er I covet, / royal lady mild, +That to its place of keeping / thou shouldst bear my shield +With all my other armor, / --for thou art a queen. +Such taught me ne'er my sire: / myself will be my chamberlain." + +1747 + +"Alack of these my sorrows!" / the Lady Kriemhild cried; +"Wherefore will now my brother / and Hagen not confide +To me their shields for keeping? / Some one did warning give. +Knew I by whom 'twas given, / brief were the space that he might live." + +1748 + +Thereto the mighty Dietrich / in wrath his answer gave: +"'Tis I who now these noble / lords forewarned have, +And Hagen, knight full valiant / of the land of Burgundy. +Now on! thou devil's mistress, / let not the deed my profit be." + +1749 + +Great shame thereat did Kriemhild's / bosom quickly fill; +She feared lest Dietrich's anger / should work her grievous ill. +Naught she spake unto them / as thence she swiftly passed, +But fierce the lightning glances / that on her enemies she cast. + +1750 + +By hand then grasped each, other / doughty warriors twain: +Hight the one was Dietrich, / with Hagen, noble thane. +Then spake in courteous manner / that knight of high degree: +"That ye are come to Hunland, / 'tis very sorrow unto me; + +1751 + +"For what hath here been spoken / by the lofty queen." +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Small cause to grieve, I ween." +Held converse thus together / those brave warriors twain, +King Etzel which perceiving / thus a questioning began: + +1752 + +"I would learn full gladly," / --in such wise spake he-- +"Who were yonder warrior, / to whom so cordially +Doth greeting give Sir Dietrich. / Meseemeth high his mood. +Whosoe'er his sire, / a thane he is of mettle good." + +1753 + +Unto the king gave answer / of Kriemhild's train a knight: +"Born he was of Tronje, / Aldrian his sire hight. +How merry here his bearing, / a thane full grim is he. +That I have spoken truly, / shalt thou anon have cause to see." + +1754 + +"How may I then perceive it / that fierce his wrath doth glow?" +Naught of basest treachery / yet the king did know, +That anon Queen Kriemhild / 'gainst her kinsmen did contrive, +Whereby returned from Hunland / not one of all their train alive. + +1755 + +"Well knew I Aldrian, / he once to me was thane: +Praise and mickle honor / he here by me did gain. +Myself a knight did make him, / and gave him of my gold. +Helke, noble lady, / did him in highest favor hold. + +1756 + +"Thereby know I fully / what Hagen since befell. +Two stately youths as hostage / at my court did dwell, +He and Spanish Walter, / from youth to manhood led. +Hagen sent I homeward; / Walter with Hildegunde fled." + +1757 + +He thought on ancient story / that long ago befell. +His doughty friend of Tronje / knew he then right well, +Whose youthful valor erstwhile / did such assistance lend. +Through him in age he must be / bereft of many a dearest friend. + + + + +TWENTY-NINTH ADVENTURE + +How He arose not before Her + +1758 + +Then parted from each other / the noble warriors twain, +Hagen of Tronje / and Dietrich, lofty thane. +Then did King Gunther's warrior / cast a glance around, +Seeking a companion / the same he eke full quickly found. + +1759 + +As standing there by Giselher / he did Volker see, +He prayed the nimble Fiddler / to bear him company, +For that full well he knew it / how grim he was of mood, +And that in all things was he / a knight of mettle keen and good. + +1760 + +While yet their lords were standing / there in castle yard +Saw ye the two knights only / walking thitherward +Across the court far distant / before the palace wide. +The chosen thanes recked little / what might through any's hate betide. + +1761 + +They sate them down on settle / over against a hall, +Wherein dwelt Lady Kriemhild, / beside the palace wall. +Full stately their attire / on stalwart bodies shone. +All that did look upon them / right gladly had the warriors known. + +1762 + +Like unto beasts full savage / were they gaped upon, +The two haughty heroes, / by full many a Hun. +Eke from a casement Etzel's / wife did them perceive: +Once more to behold them / must fair Lady Kriemhild grieve. + +1763 + +It called to mind her sorrow, / and she to weep began, +Whereat did mickle wonder / many an Etzel's man, +What grief had thus so sudden / made her sad of mood. +Spake she: "That hath Hagen, / ye knights of mettle keen and good." + +1764 + +They to their mistress answered: / "Such thing, how hath it been? +For that thee right joyous / we but now have seen. +Ne'er lived he so daring / that, having wrought thee ill, +His life he must not forfeit, / if but to vengeance point thy will." + +1765 + +"I live but to requite him / that shall avenge my wrong; +Whate'er be his desire / shall unto him belong. +Prostrate I beseech you," / --so spake the monarch's wife-- +"Avenge me upon Hagen, / and forfeit surely be his life." + +1766 + +Three score of valiant warriors / made ready then straightway +To work the will of Kriemhild / and her best obey +By slaying of Sir Hagen, / the full valiant thane, +And eke the doughty Fiddler; / by shameful deed thus sought they gain. + +1767 + +When the queen beheld there / so small their company, +In full angry humor / to the warriors spake she: +"What there ye think to compass, / forego such purpose yet: +So small in numbers never / dare ye Hagen to beset. + +1768 + +"How doughty e'er be Hagen, / and known his valor wide, +A man by far more doughty / that sitteth him beside, +Volker the Fiddler: / a warrior grim is he. +In sooth may not so lightly / the heroes twain confronted be." + +1769 + +When that she thus had spoken, / ready soon were seen +Four hundred stalwart warriors; / for was the lofty queen +Full intent upon it / to work them evil sore. +Therefrom for all the strangers / was mickle sorrow yet in store. + +1770 + +When that complete attired / were here retainers seen, +Unto the knights impatient / in such wise spake the queen: +"Now bide ye yet a moment / and stand ye ready so, +While I with crown upon me / unto my enemies shall go. + +1771 + +"And list while I accuse him / how he hath wrought me bane, +Hagen of Tronje, / Gunther's doughty thane. +I know his mood so haughty, / naught he'll deny of all. +Nor reck I what of evil / therefrom may unto him befall." + +1772 + +Then saw the doughty Fiddler / --he was a minstrel keen-- +Adown the steps descending / the high and stately queen +Who issued from the castle. / When he the queen espied, +Spake the valiant Volker / to him was seated by his side: + +1773 + +"Look yonder now, friend Hagen, / how that she hither hies +Who to this land hath called us / in such treacherous wise. +No monarch's wife I ever / saw followed by such band +Of warriors armed for battle, / that carry each a sword in hand. + +1774 + +"Know'st thou, perchance, friend Hagen, / if hate to thee they bear? +Then would I well advise thee / of them full well beware +And guard both life and honor. / That methinks were good, +For if I much mistake not, / full wrathful is the warriors' mood. + +1775 + +"Of many eke among them / so broad the breasts do swell, +That who would guard him 'gainst them / betimes would do it well. +I ween that 'neath their tunics / they shining mail-coats wear: +Yet might I never tell thee, / 'gainst whom such evil mind they bear." + +1776 + +Then spake all wrathful-minded / Hagen the warrior keen: +"On me to vent their fury / is their sole thought, I ween, +That thus with brandished weapons / their onward press we see. +Despite them all yet trow I / to come safe home to Burgundy. + +1777 + +"Now tell me, friend Volker, / wilt thou beside me stand, +If seek to work me evil / here Kriemhild's band? +That let me hear right truly, / as I am dear to thee. +By thy side forever / shall my service faithful be." + +1778 + +"Full surely will I help thee," / the minstrel straight replied; +"And saw I e'en a monarch / with all his men beside +Hither come against us, / the while a sword I wield +Not fear shall ever prompt me / from thy side one pace to yield." + +1779 + +"Now God in heaven, O Volker, / give thy high heart its meed. +Will they forsooth assail me, / whereof else have I need? +Wilt thou thus stand beside me / as here is thy intent, +Let come all armed these warriors, / on whatsoever purpose bent." + +1780 + +"Now rise we from this settle," / the minstrel spake once more, +"While that the royal lady / passeth here before. +To her be done this honor / as unto lady high. +Ourselves in equal manner / shall we honor eke thereby." + +1781 + +"Nay, nay! as me thou lovest," / Hagen spake again, +"For so would sure imagine / here each hostile thane +That 'twere from fear I did it, / should I bear me so. +For sake of never any / will I from this settle go. + +1782 + +"Undone we both might leave it / in sooth more fittingly. +Wherefore should I honor / who bears ill-will to me? +Such thing will I do never, / the while I yet have life. +Nor reck I aught how hateth / me the royal Etzel's wife." + +1783 + +Thereat defiant Hagen / across his knee did lay +A sword that shone full brightly, / from whose knob did play +The light of glancing jasper / greener than blade of grass. +Well perceived Kriemhild / that it erstwhile Siegfried's was. + +1784 + +When she the sword espied, / to weep was sore her need. +The hilt was shining golden, / the sheath a band of red. +As it recalled her sorrow, / her tears had soon begun; +I ween for that same purpose / 'twas thus by dauntless Hagen done. + +1785 + +Eke the valiant Volker / a fiddle-bow full strong +Unto himself drew nearer; / mickle it was and long, +Like unto a broad-sword / full sharp that was and wide. +So sat they all undaunted / the stately warriors side by side. + +1786 + +There sat the thanes together / in such defiant wise +That would never either / from the settle rise +Through fear of whomsoever. / Then strode before their feet +The lofty queen, and wrathful / did thus the doughty warriors greet. + +1787 + +Quoth she: "Now tell me, Hagen, / upon whose command +Barest thou thus to journey / hither to this land, +And knowest well what sorrow / through thee my heart must bear. +Wert thou not reft of reason, / then hadst thou kept thee far from here." + +1788 + +"By none have I been summoned," / Hagen gave reply. +"Three lofty thanes invited / were to this country: +The same I own as masters / and service with them find. +Whene'er they make court journey / 'twere strange should I remain + behind." + +1789 + +Quoth she: "Now tell me further, / wherefore didst thou that +Whereby thou hast deserved / my everlasting hate? +'Twas thou that slewest Siegfried, / spouse so dear to me, +The which, till life hath ended, / must ever cause for weeping be." + +1790 + +Spake he: "Why parley further, / since further word were vain? +E'en I am that same Hagen / by whom was Siegfried slain, +That deft knight of valor. / How sore by him 'twas paid +That the Lady Kriemhild / dared the fair Brunhild upbraid! + +1791 + +"Beyond all cavil is it, / high and royal dame, +Of all the grievous havoc / I do bear the blame. +Avenge it now who wisheth, / woman or man tho't be. +An I unto thee lie not, / I've wrought thee sorest injury." + +1792 + +She spake: "Now hear, ye warriors, / how denies he not at all +The cause of all my sorrow. / Whate'er may him befall +Reck I not soever, / that know ye, Etzel's men." +The overweening warriors / blank gazed upon each other then. + +1793 + +Had any dared the onset, / seen it were full plain +The palm must be awarded / to the companions twain, +Who had in storm of battle / full oft their prowess shown. +What that proud band designed / through fear must now be left undone. + +1794 + +Outspake one of their number: / "Wherefore look thus to me? +What now I thought to venture / left undone shall be, +Nor for reward of any / think I my life to lose; +To our destruction lures us / here the royal Etzel's spouse." + +1795 + +Then spake thereby another: / "Like mind therein have I. +Though ruddy gold were offered / like towers piled high, +Yet would I never venture / to stir this Fiddler's spleen. +Such are the rapid glances / that darting from his eyes I've seen. + +1796 + +"Likewise know I Hagen / from youthful days full well, +Nor more about his valor / to me need any tell. +In two and twenty battles / I the knight have seen, +Whereby sorest sorrow / to many a lady's heart hath been. + +1797 + +"When here they were with Etzel, / he and the knight of Spain +Bore storm of many a battle / in many a warlike train +For sake of royal honor, / so oft thereof was need. +Wherefore of right are honors / high the valiant Hagen's meed. + +1798 + +"Then was yet the hero / but a child in years; +Now how hoary-headed / who were his youthful feres, +To wisdom now attained, / a warrior grim and strong, +Eke bears he with him Balmung, / the which he gained by mickle wrong." + +1799 + +Therewith the matter ended, / and none the fight dared start, +Whereat the Lady Kriemhild / full heavy was of heart. +Her warriors thence did vanish, / for feared they death indeed +At hands of the Fiddler, / whereof right surely was there need. + +1800 + +Outspake then the Fiddler: / "Well we now have seen, +That enemies here do greet us, / as we forewarned have been. +Back unto the monarchs / let us straight repair, +That none against our masters / to raise a hostile hand may dare. + +1801 + +"How oft from impious purpose / doth fear hold back the hand, +Where friend by friend doth only / firm in friendship stand, +Until right sense give warning / to leave the thing undone. +Thus wisdom hath prevented / the harm of mortals many a one." + +1802 + +"Heed I will thy counsel," / Hagen gave reply. +Then passed they where / the monarchs found they presently +In high state received / within the palace court. +Loud the valiant Volker / straight began after this sort + +1803 + +Unto his royal masters: / "How long will ye stand so, +That foes may press upon you? / To the king ye now shall go, +And from his lips hear spoken / how is his mind to you." +The valiant lords and noble / consorted then by two and two. + +1804 + +Of Bern the lofty Dietrich / took by the hand +Gunther the lordly monarch / of Burgundian land; +Irnfried escorted Gernot, / a knight of valor keen, +And Ruediger with Giselher / going unto the court was seen. + +1805 + +Howe'er with fere consorted / there any thane might be, +Volker and Hagen / ne'er parted company, +Save in storm of battle / when they did reach life's bourne, +'Twas cause that highborn ladies / anon in grievous way must mourn. + +1806 + +Unto the court then passing / with the kings were seen. +Of their lofty retinue / a thousand warriors keen, +And threescore thanes full valiant / that followed in their train; +The same from his own country / had doughty Hagen with him ta'en. + +1807 + +Hawart and eke Iring, / chosen warriors twain, +Saw ye walk together / in the royal train. +By Dankwart and Wolfhart, / a thane of high renown, +Was high courtly bearing / there before the others shown. + +1808 + +When the lord of Rhineland / passed into the hall, +Etzel mighty monarch / waited not at all, +But sprang from off his settle / when he beheld him nigh. +By monarch ne'er was given / greeting so right heartily. + +1809 + +"Welcome be, Lord Gunther, / and eke Sir Gernot too, +And your brother Giselher. / My greetings unto you +I sent with honest purpose / to Worms across the Rhine; +And welcome all your followers / shall be unto this land of mine. + +1810 + +"Right welcome be ye likewise, / doughty warriors twain, +Volker the full valiant, / and Hagen dauntless thane, +To me and to my lady / here in my country. +Unto the Rhine to greet you / many a messenger sent she." + +1811 + +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Thereof I'm well aware, +And did I with my masters / not thus to Hunland fare, +To do thee honor had I / ridden unto thy land." +Then took the lofty monarch / the honored strangers by the hand. + +1812 + +He led them to the settle / whereon himself he sat, +Then poured they for the strangers / --with care they tended that-- +In goblets wide and golden / mead and mulberry wine, +And bade right hearty welcome / unto the knights afar from Rhine. + +1813 + +Then spake the monarch Etzel: / "This will I freely say: +Naught in this world might happen / to bring my heart more joy, +Than that ye lofty heroes / thus are come to me. +The queen from mickle sadness / thereby make ye likewise free. + +1814 + +"To me 'twas mickle wonder / wherein had I transgressed, +That I for friends had won me / so many a noble guest, +Yet ye had never deigned / to come to my country. +'Tis now turned cause of gladness / that you as guests I here may see." + +1815 + +Thereto gave answer Ruediger, / a knight of lofty mind: +"Well mayst thou joy to see them; / right honor shalt thou find +And naught but noble bearing / in my high mistress' kin. +With them for guest thou likewise / many a stately thane dost win." + +1816 + +At turn of sun in summer / were the knights arrived +At mighty Etzel's palace. / Ne'er hath monarch lived +That lordly guests did welcome / with higher compliment. +When come was time of eating, / the king with them to table went. + +1817 + +Amid his guests more stately / a host was seated ne'er. +They had in fullest measure / of drink and goodly fare; +Whate'er they might desire, / they ready found the same. +Tales of mickle wonder / had spread abroad the heroes' fame. + + + + +THIRTIETH ADVENTURE + +How they kept Guard + +1818 + +And now the day was ended / and nearing was the night. +Came then the thought with longing / unto each way-worn knight, +When that they might rest them / and to their beds be shown. +'Twas mooted first by Hagen / and straight was answer then made known. + +1819 + +To Etzel spake then Gunther: / "Fair days may God thee give! +To bed we'll now betake us, / an be it by thy leave; +We'll come betimes at morning, / if so thy pleasure be." +From his guests the monarch / parted then full courteously. + +1820 + +Upon the guests on all sides / the Huns yet rudely pressed, +Whereat the valiant Volker / these words to them addressed: +"How dare ye 'fore these warriors / thus beset the way? +If that ye desist not, / rue such rashness soon ye may. + +1821 + +"Let fall will I on some one / such stroke of fiddle-bow, +That eyes shall fill with weeping / if he hath friend to show. +Why make not way before us, / as fitting were to do! +Knights by name ye all are, / but knighthood's ways unknown to you." + +1822 + +When outspake the Fiddler / thus so wrathfully +Backward glanced bold Hagen / to see what this might be. +Quoth he: "He redes you rightly, / this keen minstrel knight. +Ye followers of Kriemhild, / now pass to rest you for the night. + +1823 + +"The thing whereof ye're minded / will none dare do, I ween. +If aught ye purpose 'gainst us, / on the morrow be that seen, +And let us weary strangers / the night in quiet pass; +I ween, with knights of honor / such evermore the custom was." + +1824 + +Then were led the strangers / into a spacious hall +Where they found prepared / for the warriors one and all +Beds adorned full richly, / that were both wide and long. +Yet planned the Lady Kriemhild / to work on them the direst wrong. + +1825 + +Rich quilted mattress covers / of Arras saw ye there +Lustrous all and silken, / and spreading sheets there were +Wrought of silk of Araby, / the best might e'er be seen. +O'er them lay rich embroidered / stuffs that cast a brilliant sheen. + +1826 + +Coverlets of ermine / full many might ye see, +With sullen sable mingled, / whereunder peacefully +They should rest the night through / till came the shining day. +A king with all retinue / ne'er, I ween, so stately lay. + +1827 + +"Alack for these night-quarters!" / quoth young Giselher, +"Alack for my companions / who this our journey share! +How kind so e'er my sister's / hospitality, +Dead by her devising, / I fear me, are we doomed to be." + +1828 + +"Let now no fears disturb you," / Hagen gave reply; +"Through the hours of sleeping / keep the watch will I. +I trust full well to guard you / until return the day, +Thereof be never fearful; / let then preserve him well who may." + +1829 + +Inclined they all before him / thereat to give him grace. +Then sought they straight their couches; / in sooth 'twas little space +Until was softly resting / every stately man. +But Hagen, valiant hero, / the while to don his armor gan. + +1830 + +Spake then to him the Fiddler, / Volker a doughty thane: +"I'll be thy fellow, Hagen, / an wilt thou not disdain, +While watch this night thou keepest, / until do come the morn." +Right heartily the hero / to Volker then did thanks return. + +1831 + +"God in heaven requite thee, / Volker, trusty fere. +In all my time of trouble / wished I none other near, +None other but thee only, / when dangers round me throng. +I'll well repay that favor, / if death withhold its hand so long." + +1832 + +Arrayed in glittering armor / both soon did ready stand; +Each did take unto him / a mighty shield in hand, +And passed without the portal / there to keep the way. +Thus were the strangers guarded, / and trusty watchers eke had they. + +1833 + +Volker the valiant, / as he sat before the hall, +Leaned his trusty buckler / meanwhile against the wall, +Then took in hand his fiddle / as he was wont to do: +All times the thane would render / unto his friends a service true. + +1834 + +Beneath the hall's wide portal / he sat on bench of stone; +Than he a bolder fiddler / was there never none. +As from his chords sweet echoes / resounded through the hall, +Thanks for glad refreshment / had Volker from the warriors all. + +1835 + +Then from the strings an echo / the wide hall did fill, +For in his fiddle-playing / the knight had strength and skill. +Softer then and sweeter / to fiddle he began +And wiled to peaceful slumber / many an anxious brooding man. + +1836 + +When they were wrapped in slumber / and he did understand, +Then took again the warrior / his trusty shield in hand +And passed without the portal / to guard the entrance tower, +And safe to keep his fellows / where Kriemhild's crafty men did lower. + +1837 + +About the hour of midnight, / or earlier perchance, +The eye of valiant Volker / did catch a helmet's glance +Afar from out the darkness: / the men of Kriemhild sought +How that upon the strangers / might grievous scathe in stealth be + wrought. + +1838 + +Quoth thereat the Fiddler: / "Friend Hagen, 'tis full clear +That we do well together / here this watch to share. +I see before us yonder / men armed for the fight; +I ween they will attack us, / if I their purpose judge aright." + +1839 + +"Be silent, then," spake Hagen, / "and let them come more nigh. +Ere that they perceive us / shall helmets sit awry, +By good swords disjointed / that in our hands do swing. +Tale of vigorous greeting / shall they back to Kriemhild bring." + +1840 + +Amid the Hunnish warriors / one full soon did see, +That well the door was guarded; / straightway then cried he: +"The thing we here did purpose / 'tis need we now give o'er, +For I behold the Fiddler / standing guard before the door. + +1841 + +"Upon his head a helmet / of glancing light is seen, +Welded strong and skilful, / dintless, of clearest sheen. +The mail-rings of his armor / do sparkle like the fire, +Beside him stands eke Hagen; / safe are the strangers from our ire." + +1842 + +Straightway they back returned. / When Volker that did see, +Unto his companion / wrathfully spake he: +"Now let me to those caitiffs / across the court-yard go; +What mean they by such business, / from Kriemhild's men I fain would + know." + +1843 + +"No, as thou dost love me," / Hagen straight replied; +"If from this hall thou partest, / such ill may thee betide +At hands of these bold warriors / and from the swords they bear, +That I must haste to help thee, / though here our kinsmen's bane it were. + +1844 + +"Soon as we two together / have joined with them in fight, +A pair or two among them / will surely hasten straight +Hither to this hall here, / and work such havoc sore +Upon our sleeping brethren, / as must be mourned evermore." + +1845 + +Thereto gave answer Volker: / "So much natheless must be, +That they do learn full certain / how I the knaves did see, +That the men of Kriemhild / hereafter not deny +What they had wrought full gladly / here with foulest treachery." + +1846 + +Straightway then unto them / aloud did Volker call: +"How go ye thus in armor, / ye valiant warriors all? +Or forth, perchance, a-robbing, / Kriemhild's men, go ye? +Myself and my companion / shall ye then have for company." + +1847 + +Thereto no man gave answer. / Wrathful grew his mood: +"Fie, ye caitiff villains," / spake the hero good, +"Would ye us so foully / have murdered while we slept? +With knights so high in honor / full seldom thus hath faith been kept." + +1848 + +Then unto Queen Kriemhild / were the tidings borne, +How her men did fail their purpose: / 'twas cause for her to mourn. +Yet otherwise she wrought it, / for grim she was of mood: +Anon through her must perish / full many a valorous knight and good. + + + + +THIRTY-FIRST ADVENTURE + +How they went to Mass + +1849 + +"So cool doth grow my armor," / Volker made remark, +"I ween but little longer / will endure the dark. +By the air do I perceive it, / that soon will break the day." +Then waked they many a warrior / who still in deepest slumber lay. + +1850 + +When brake the light of morning / athwart the spacious hall, +Hagen gan awaken / the stranger warriors all, +If that they to the minster / would go to holy mass. +After the Christian custom, / of bells a mickle ringing was. + +1851 + +There sang they all uneven, / that plainly might ye see +How Christian men and heathen / did not full well agree. +Each one of Gunther's warriors / would hear the service sung, +So were they all together / up from their night-couches sprung. + +1852 + +Then did the warriors lace them / in so goodly dress, +That never heroes any, / that king did e'er possess, +More richly stood attired; / that Hagen grieved to see. +Quoth he: "Ye knights, far other / here must your attire be. + +1853 + +"Yea, know among you many / how here the case doth stand. +Bear ye instead of roses / your good swords in hand, +For chaplets all bejewelled / your glancing helmets good, +Since we have well perceived / how is the angry Kriemhild's mood. + +1854 + +"To-day must we do battle, / that will I now declare. +Instead of silken tunic / shall ye good hauberks wear, +And for embroidered mantle / a trusty shield and wide, +That ye may well defend you, / if ye must others' anger bide. + +1855 + +"My masters well beloved, / knights and kinsmen true, +'Tis meet that ye betake you / unto the minster too, +That God do not forsake you / in peril and in need, +For certain now I make you / that death is nigh to us indeed. + +1856 + +"Forget ye not whatever / wrong ye e'er have done, +But there 'fore God right meekly / all your errors own; +Thereto would I advise you, / ye knights of high degree, +For God alone in heaven / may will that other mass ye see." + +1857 + +Thus went they to the minster, / the princes and their men. +Within the holy churchyard / bade them Hagen then +Stand all still together / that they part not at all. +Quoth he: "Knows not any / what may at hands of Huns befall. + +1858 + +"Let stand, good friends, all ready, / your shields before your feet, +That if ever any / would you in malice greet, +With deep-cut wound ye pay him; / that is Hagen's rede, +That from men may never / aught but praises be your meed." + +1859 + +Volker and Hagen, / the twain thence did pass +Before the broad minster. / Therein their purpose was +That the royal Kriemhild / must meet them where they stood +There athwart her pathway. / In sooth full grim she was of mood. + +1860 + +Then came the royal Etzel / and eke his spouse full fair. +Attired were the warriors / all in raiment rare +That following full stately / with her ye might see; +The dust arose all densely / round Kriemhild's mickle company. + +1861 + +When the lofty monarch / thus all armed did see +The kings and their followers, / straightway then cried he: +"How see I in this fashion / my friends with helm on head? +By my troth I sorrow / if ill to them have happened. + +1862 + +"I'll gladly make atonement / as doth to them belong. +Hath any them affronted / or done them aught of wrong, +To me 'tis mickle sorrow, / well may they understand. +To serve them am I ready, / in whatsoever they command." + +1863 + +Thereto gave answer Hagen: / "Here hath wronged us none. +'Tis custom of my masters / to keep their armor on +Till full three days be over, / when high festival they hold. +Did any here molest us, / to Etzel would the thing be told." + +1864 + +Full well heard Kriemhild likewise / how Hagen gave reply. +Upon him what fierce glances / flashed furtively her eye! +Yet betray she would not / the custom of her country, +Though well she long had known it / in the land of Burgundy. + +1865 + +How grim soe'er and mighty / the hate to them she bore, +Had any told to Etzel / how stood the thing before, +Well had he prevented / what there anon befell. +So haughty were they minded / that none to him the same would tell. + +1866 + +With the queen came forward / there a mighty train, +But no two handbreadths yielded / yet those warriors twain +To make way before her. / The Huns did wrathful grow, +That their mistress passing / should by them be jostled so. + +1867 + +Etzel's highborn pages / were sore displeased thereat, +And had upon the strangers / straightway spent their hate, +But that they durst not do it / their high lord before. +There was a mickle pressing, / yet naught of anger happened more. + +1868 + +When they thence were parting / from holy service done, +On horse came quickly prancing / full many a nimble Hun. +With the Lady Kriemhild / went many a maiden fair, +And eke to make her escort / seven thousand knights rode there. + +1869 + +Kriemhild with her ladies / within the casement sat +By Etzel, mighty monarch, / --full pleased he was thereat. +They wished to view the tourney / of knights beyond compare. +What host of strangers riding / thronged the court before them there! + +1870 + +The marshal with the squires / not in vain ye sought, +Dankwart the full valiant: / with him had he brought +His royal master's followers / of the land of Burgundy. +For the valiant Nibelungen / the steeds well saddled might ye see. + +1871 + +When their steeds they mounted, / the kings and all their men, +Volker thane full doughty, / gave his counsel then, +That after their country's fashion / they ride a mass mellay. +His rede the heroes followed / and tourneyed in full stately way. + +1872 + +The knight had counsel given / in sooth that pleased them well; +The clash of arms in mellay / soon full loud did swell. +Many a valiant warrior / did thereto resort, +As Etzel and Kriemhild / looked down upon the spacious court. + +1873 + +Came there unto the mellay / six hundred knights of those +That followed Dietrich's bidding, / the strangers to oppose. +Pastime would they make them / with the men of Burgundy, +And if he leave had granted. / had done the same right willingly. + +1874 + +In their company rode there / how many a warrior bold! +When unto Sir Dietrich / then the thing was told, +Forbade he that 'gainst Gunther's / men they join the play. +He feared lest harm befall them, / and well his counsel did he weigh. + +1875 + +When of Bern the warriors / thence departed were, +Came they of Bechelaren, / the men of Ruediger, +Bearing shield five hundred, / and rode before the hall; +Rather had the margrave / that they came there not at all. + +1876 + +Prudently then rode he / amid their company +And told unto his warriors / how they might plainly see, +That the men of Gunther / were in evil mood: +Did they forego the mellay, / please him better far it would. + +1877 + +When they were thence departed, / the stately knights and bold, +Came they of Thuringia, / as hath to us been told, +And of them of Denmark / a thousand warriors keen. +From crash of spear up-flying / full frequent were the splinters seen. + +1878 + +Irnfried and Hawart / rode into the mellay, +Whom the gallant men of Rhineland / received in knightly play: +Full oft the men of Thuringia / they met in tournament, +Whereby the piercing lance-point / through many a stately shield was + sent. + +1879 + +Eke with three thousand warriors / came Sir Bloedel there. +Etzel and Kriemhild / were of his coming ware, +As this play of chivalry / before them they did see. +Now hoped the queen that evil / befall the men of Burgundy. + +1880 + +Schrutan and Gibecke / rode into the mellay, +Eke Ramung and Hornbog / after the Hunnish way; +Yet must they come to standstill / 'fore the thanes of Burgundy. +High against the palace / wall the splintered shafts did fly. + +1881 + +How keen soe'er the contest, / 'twas naught but knightly sport. +With shock of shields and lances / heard ye the palace court +Loud give back the echo / where Gunther's men rode on. +His followers in the jousting / on every side high honor won. + +1882 + +So long they held such pastime / and with so mickle heat +That through the broidered trappings / oozed clear drops of sweat +From the prancing chargers / whereon the knights did ride. +In full gallant manner / their skill against the Huns they tried. + +1883 + +Then outspake the Fiddler, / Volker deft of hand: +"These knights, I ween, too timid / are 'gainst us to stand. +Oft did I hear the story / what hate to us they bore; +Than this a fairer season / to vent it, find they nevermore." + +1884 + +"Lead back unto the stables," / once more spake Volker then, +"Now our weary chargers; / we'll ride perchance again +When comes the cool of evening, / if fitting time there be. +Mayhap the queen will honor / award to men of Burgundy." + +1885 + +Beheld they then prick hither / one dressed in state so rare +That of the Huns none other / might with him compare. +Belike from castle tower / did watch his fair lady; +So gay was his apparel / as it some knight's bride might be. + +1886 + +Then again quoth Volker: / "How may I stay my hand? +Yonder ladies' darling / a knock shall understand. +Let no man here deter me, / I'll give him sudden check. +How spouse of royal Etzel / thereat may rage, I little reck." + +1887 + +"Nay, as thou dost love me," / straight King Gunther spake; +"All men will but reproach us / if such affront we make. +The Huns be first offenders, / for such would more befit." +Still did the royal Etzel / in casement by Queen Kriemhild sit. + +1888 + +"I'll add unto the mellay," / Hagen did declare; +"Let now all these ladies / and knights be made aware +How we can ride a charger; / 'twere well we make it known, +For, come what may, small honor / shall here to Gunther's men be shown." + +1889 + +Once more the nimble Volker / into the mellay spurred, +Whereat full many a lady / soon to weep was heard. +His lance right through the body / of that gay Hun he sent: +'Twas cause that many a woman / and maiden fair must sore lament. + +1890 + +Straight dashed into the mellay / Hagen and his men. +With three score of his warriors / spurred he quickly then +Forward where the Fiddler / played so lustily. +Etzel and Kriemhild / full plainly might the passage see. + +1891 + +Then would the kings their minstrel / --that may ye fairly know-- +Leave not all defenceless / there amid the foe. +With them a thousand heroes / rode forth full dexterously, +And soon had gained their purpose / with show of proudest chivalry. + +1892 + +When in such rude fashion / the stately Hun was slain, +Might ye hear his kinsmen / weeping loud complain. +Then all around did clamor: / "Who hath the slayer been?" +"None but the Fiddler was it, / Volker the minstrel keen." + +1893 + +For swords and for shields then / called full speedily +That slain margrave's kinsmen / of the Hun's country. +To avenge him sought they / Volker in turn to slay. +In haste down from the casement / royal Etzel made his way. + +1894 + +Arose a mighty clamor / from the people all; +The kings and men of Burgundy / dismounted 'fore the hall, +And likewise their chargers / to the rear did send. +Came then the mighty Etzel / and sought to bring the strife to end. + +1895 + +From one of that Hun's kinsmen / who near by him did stand +Snatched he a mighty weapon / quick from out his hand, +And therewith backward smote them, / for fierce his anger wrought. +"Shall thus my hospitality / unto these knights be brought to naught?" + +1896 + +"If ye the valiant minstrel / here 'fore me should slay," +Spake the royal Etzel, / "it were an evil day. +When he the Hun impaled / I did observe full well, +That not through evil purpose / but by mishap it so befell. + +1897 + +"These my guests now must ye / ne'er disturb in aught." +Himself became their escort. / Away their steeds were brought +Unto the stables / by many a waiting squire, +Who ready at their bidding / stood to meet their least desire. + +1898 + +The host with the strangers / into the palace went, +Nor would he suffer any / further his wrath to vent. +Soon were the tables ready / and water for them did wait. +Many then had gladly / on them of Rhineland spent their hate. + +1899 + +Not yet the lords were seated / till some time was o'er. +For Kriemhild o'er her sorrow / meantime did trouble sore. +She spake: "Of Bern, O Master, / thy counsel grant to me, +Thy help and eke thy mercy, / for here in sorry plight I be." + +1900 + +To her gave answer Hildebrand, / a thane right praiseworthy: +"Who harms the Nibelungen / shall ne'er have help of me, +How great soe'er the guerdon. / Such deed he well may rue, +For never yet did any / these gallant doughty knights subdue." + +1901 + +Eke in courteous manner / Sir Dietrich her addressed: +"Vain, O lofty mistress, / unto me thy quest. +In sooth thy lofty kinsmen / have wronged me not at all, +That I on thanes so valorous / should thus with murderous purpose fall. + +1902 + +"Thy prayer doth thee small honor, / O high and royal dame, +That upon thy kinsmen / thou so dost counsel shame. +Thy grace to have they deemed / when came they to this land. +Nevermore shall Siegfried / avenged be by Dietrich's hand." + +1903 + +When she no guile discovered / in the knight of Bern, +Unto Bloedel straightway / did she hopeful turn +With promise of wide marches / that Nudung erst did own. +Slew him later Dankwart / that he forgot the gift full soon. + +1904 + +Spake she: "Do thou help me, / Sir Bloedel, I pray. +Yea, within the palace / are foes of mine this day, +Who erstwhile slew Siegfried, / spouse full dear to me. +Who helps me to avenge it, / to him I'll e'er beholden be." + +1905 + +Thereto gave answer Bloedel: / "Lady, be well aware, +Ne'er to do them evil / 'fore Etzel may I dare, +For to thy kinsmen, lady, / beareth he good will. +Ne'er might the king me pardon, / wrought I upon them aught of ill." + +1906 + +"But nay, Sir Bloedel, my favor / shall thou have evermore. +Yea, give I thee for guerdon / silver and gold in store, +And eke a fairest lady, / that Nudung erst should wed: +By her fond embraces / may'st thou well be comforted. + +1907 + +"The land and eke the castles, / all to thee I'll give; +Yea, may'st thou, knight full noble, / in joyance ever live, +Call'st thou thine the marches, / wherein did Nudung dwell. +Whate'er this day I promise, / fulfil it all I will full well." + +1908 + +When understood Sir Bloedel / what gain should be his share, +And pleased him well the lady / for that she was so fair, +By force of arms then thought he / to win her for his wife. +Thereby the knight aspirant / was doomed anon to lose his life. + +1909 + +"Unto the hall betake thee," / quoth he unto the queen, +"Alarum I will make thee / ere any know, I ween. +Atone shall surely Hagen / where he hath done thee wrong: +To thee I'll soon give over / King Gunther's man in fetters strong." + +1910 + +"To arms, to arms!" quoth Bloedel, / "my good warriors all: +In their followers' quarters / upon the foe we'll fall. +Herefrom will not release me / royal Etzel's wife. +To win this venture therefore / fear not each one to lose his life." + +1911 + +When at length Queen Kriemhild / found Bloedel well content +To fulfil her bidding, / she to table went +With the monarch Etzel / and eke a goodly band. +Dire was the treason / she against the guests had planned. + +1912 + +Since in none other manner / she knew the strife to start, +(Kriemhild's ancient sorrow / still rankled in her heart), +Bade she bring to table / Etzel's youthful son: +By woman bent on vengeance / how might more awful deed be done? + +1913 + +Went upon the instant / four of Etzel's men, +And soon came bearing Ortlieb, / the royal scion, then +Unto the princes' table, / where eke grim Hagen sate. +The child was doomed to perish / by reason of his deadly hate. + +1914 + +When the mighty monarch / then his child did see, +Unto his lady's kinsmen / in manner kind spake he: +"Now, my good friends, behold ye / here my only son, +And child of your high sister: / may it bring you profit every one. + +1915 + +"Grow he but like his kindred, / a valiant man he'll be, +A mighty king and noble, / doughty and fair to see. +Live I but yet a little, / twelve lands shall he command; +May ye have faithful service / from the youthful Ortlieb's hand. + +1916 + +"Therefore grant me favor, / ye good friends of mine; +When to your country ride ye / again unto the Rhine, +Shall ye then take with you / this your sister's son, +And at your hands may ever / by the child full fair be done. + +1917 + +"Bring him up in honor / until to manhood grown. +If then in any country / hath wrong to you been done, +He'll help you by his valor / vengeance swift to wreak." +Eke heard the Lady Kriemhild / royal Etzel thus to speak. + +1918 + +"Well might these my masters / on his faith rely, +Grew he e'er to manhood," / Hagen made reply: +"Yet is the prince, I fear me, / more early doomed of fate. +'Twere strange did any see me / ever at court on Ortlieb wait." + +1919 + +The monarch glanced at Hagen, / sore grieved at what he heard; +Although the king full gallant / thereto spake ne'er a word, +Natheless his heart was saddened / and heavy was his mind. +Nowise the mood of Hagen / was to merriment inclined. + +1920 + +It grieved all the princes / and the royal host +That of his child did Hagen / make such idle boast. +That they must likewise leave it / unanswered, liked they not: +They little weaned what havoc / should by the thane anon be wrought. + + + + +THIRTY-SECOND ADVENTURE + +How Bloedel was Slain + +1921 + +The knights by Bloedel summoned / soon armed and ready were, +A thousand wearing hauberks / straightway did repair +Where Dankwart sat at table / with many a goodly squire. +Soon knight on knight was seeking / in fiercest way to vent his ire. + +1922 + +When there Sir Bloedel / strode unto the board, +Dankwart the marshal / thus spoke courteous word: +"Unto this hall right welcome / good Sir Bloedel be. +What business hast thou hither / is cause of wonder yet to me." + +1923 + +"No greeting here befits thee," / spake Bloedel presently, +"For that this my coming / now thy end must be, +Through Hagen's fault, thy brother, / who Siegfried erstwhile slew +To the Huns thou mak'st atonement, / and many another warrior too." + +1924 + +"But nay, but nay, Sir Bloedel," / Dankwart spake thereto, +"For so should we have reason / our coming here to rue. +A child I was and little / when Siegfried lost his life, +Nor know I why reproacheth / me the royal Etzel's wife." + +1925 + +"In sooth I may the story / never fully tell. +Gunther and Hagen was it / by whom the deed befell. +Now guard you well, ye strangers, / for doomed in sooth are ye, +Unto Lady Kriemhild / must your lives now forfeit be." + +1926 + +"An so thou wilt desist not," / Dankwart declared, +"Regret I my entreaty, / my toil were better spared." +The nimble thane and valiant / up from the table sprung, +And drew a keen-edged weapon, / great in sooth that was and long. + +1927 + +Then smote he with it Bloedel / such a sudden blow +That his head full sudden / before his feet lay low. +"Be that thy wedding-dower," / the doughty Dankwart spake, +"Along with bride of Nudung / whom thou would'st to thy bosom take. + +1928 + +"To-morrow may she marry, / but some other one: +Will he have bridal portion, / e'en so to him be done." +A Hun that liked not treason / had given him to know +How that the queen upon him / thought to work so grievous woe. + +1929 + +When the men of Bloedel / saw thus their master slain, +To fall upon the strangers / would they longer not refrain. +With swords swung high above them / upon the squires they flew +In a grimmest humor. / Soon many must that rashness rue. + +1930 + +Full loudly cried then Dankwart / to all his company: +"Behold ye, noble squires, / the fate that ours must be. +Now quit yourselves with valor, / for evil is our pass, +Though fair to us the summons / hither from Lady Kriemhild was!" + +1931 + +They, too, reached down before them, / who no weapons bore, +And each a massive footstool / snatched from off the floor, +For the Burgundian squires / no whit were they dismayed; +And by the selfsame weapons / was many a dint in helmet made. + +1932 + +How fierce they fought to shield them / the strangers one and all! +E'en their armed foemen / drove they from the hall. +Or smote dead within it / hundreds five or more; +All the valiant fighters / saw ye drenched with ruddy gore. + +1933 + +Ere long the wondrous tidings / some messenger did tell +Unto Etzel's chieftain / --fierce did their anger swell-- +How that slain was Bloedel / and knights full many a one; +The which had Hagen's brother / with his lusty squires done. + +1934 + +The Huns, by anger driven, / ere Etzel was aware, +Two thousand men or over, / did quick themselves prepare. +They fell upon those squires / --e'en so it had to be-- +And never any living / they left of all that company. + +1935 + +A mickle host they faithless / unto those quarters brought, +But lustily the strangers / 'gainst their assailants fought. +What booted swiftest valor? / Soon must all lie dead. +A dire woe thereafter / on many a man was visited. + +1936 + +Now may ye hear a wondrous / tale of honor told: +Of squires full nine thousand / soon in death lay cold, +And eke good knights a dozen / there of Dankwart's band. +Forlorn ye saw him only / the last amid his foemen stand. + +1937 + +The din at last was ended / and lulled the battle-sound, +When the valiant Dankwart / did cast a glance around. +"Alack for my companions," / cried he, "now from me reft. +Alack that I now only / forlorn amid my foes am left." + +1938 + +The swords upon his body / fell full thick and fast, +Which rashness many a warrior's / widow mourned at last. +His shield he higher lifted / and drew the strap more low: +Down coats of ring-made armor / made he the ebbing blood to flow. + +1939 + +"O woe is me!" spake Dankwart, / the son of Aldrian. +"Now back, ye Hunnish fighters, / let me the open gain, +That the air give cooling / to me storm-weary wight." +In splendid valor moving / strode forward then anew the knight. + +1940 + +As thus he battle-weary / through the hall's portal sprang, +What swords of new-come fighters / upon his helmet rang! +They who not yet had witnessed / what wonders wrought his hand, +Rashly rushed they forward / to thwart him of Burgundian land. + +1941 + +"Now would to God," quoth Dankwart, / "I found a messenger +Who to my brother Hagen / might the tidings bear, +That 'fore host of foemen / in such sad case am I! +From hence he'd surely help me, / or by my side he slain would lie." + +1942 + +Then Hunnish knights gave answer: / "Thyself the messenger +Shalt be, when to thy brother / thee a corse we bear. +So shall that thane of Gunther / first true sorrow know. +Upon the royal Etzel / here hast thou wrought so grievous woe." + +1943 + +Quoth he: "Now leave such boasting / and yield me passage free, +Else shall mail-rings a many / with blood bespattered be. +Myself will tell the tidings / soon at Etzel's court, +And eke unto my masters / of this my travail make report." + +1944 + +Etzel's men around him / belabored he so sore +That they at sword-point / durst not withstand him more. +Spears shot into his shield he / so many there did stop +That he the weight unwieldy / must from out his hand let drop. + +1945 + +Then thought they to subdue him / thus of his shield bereft, +But lo! the mighty gashes / wherewith he helmets cleft! +Must there keen knights full many / before him stagger down, +High praise the valiant Dankwart / thereby for his valor won. + +1946 + +On right side and on left side / they still beset his way, +Yet many a one too rashly / did mingle in the fray. +Thus strode he 'mid the foemen / as doth in wood the boar +By yelping hounds beleaguered; / more stoutly fought he ne'er before. + +1947 + +As there he went, his pathway / with reeking blood was wet. +Yea, never any hero / more bravely battled yet +When by foes surrounded, / than he did might display. +To court did Hagen's brother / with splendid valor make his way. + +1948 + +When stewards and cup-bearers / heard how sword-blades rung, +Many a brimming goblet / from their hands they flung +And eke the viands ready / that they to table bore; +Thus many doughty foemen / withstood him where he sought the door. + +1949 + +"How now, ye stewards?" / cried the weary knight; +"'Twere better that ye tended / rather your guests aright, +Bearing to lords at table / choice food that fitteth well, +And suffered me these tidings / unto my masters dear to tell." + +1950 + +Whoe'er before him rashly / athwart the stairway sprung, +On him with blow so heavy / his mighty sword he swung, +That soon faint heart gave warning / before his path to yield. +Mickle wonder wrought he / where sword his doughty arm did wield. + + + + +THIRTY-THIRD ADVENTURE + +How the Burgundians fought with the Huns + +1951 + +Soon as the valiant Dankwart / stood beneath the door, +Bade he Etzel's followers / all make way before. +With blood from armor streaming / did there the hero stand; +A sharp and mighty weapon / bore he naked in his hand. + +1952 + +Into the hall then Dankwart / cried with voice full strong: +"At table, brother Hagen, / thou sittest all too long. +To thee and God in heaven / must I sore complain: +Knights and squires also / lie within their lodging slain." + +1953 + +Straight he cried in answer: / "Who hath done such deed?" +"That hath done Sir Bloedel / and knights that he did lead. +Eke made he meet atonement, / that may'st thou understand: +His head from off his body / have I struck with mine own hand." + +1954 + +"'Tis little cause for sorrow," / Hagen spake again, +"When they tell the story / of a valiant thane, +That he to death was smitten / by knight of high degree. +The less a cause for weeping / to winsome women shall it be. + +1955 + +"Now tell me, brother Dankwart, / how thou so red may'st be; +From thy wounds thou sufferest, / I ween, full grievously. +Lives he within this country / who serves thee in such way, +Him must the devil shelter, / or for the deed his life shall pay." + +1956 + +"Behold me here all scatheless. / My gear is wet with blood, +From wounds of others, natheless, / now hath flowed that flood, +Of whom this day so many / beneath my broadsword fell: +Must I make solemn witness, / ne'er knew I full the tale to tell." + +1957 + +He answered: "Brother Dankwart, / now take thy stand before, +And Huns let never any / make passage by the door. +I'll speak unto these warriors, / as needs must spoken be: +Dead lie all our followers, / slain by foulest treachery." + +1958 + +"Must I here be chamberlain," / replied the warrior keen, +"Well know I such high monarchs / aright to serve, I ween. +So will I guard the stairway / as sorts with honor well." +Ne'er to the thanes of Kriemhild / so sorry case before befell. + +1959 + +"To me 'tis mickle wonder," / Hagen spake again, +"What thing unto his neighbor / whispers each Hunnish thane. +I ween they'd forego the service / of him who keeps the door, +And who such high court tidings / to his friends of Burgundy bore. + +1960 + +"Long since of Lady Kriemhild / the story I did hear, +How unavenged her sorrow / she might no longer bear. +A memory-cup now quaff we / and pay for royal cheer! +The youthful lord of Hunland / shall make the first instalment here." + +1961 + +Thereat the child Ortlieb / doughty Hagen slew, +That from the sword downward / the blood to hand-grip flew, +And into lap of Kriemhild / the severed head down rolled. +Then might ye see 'mid warriors / a slaughter great and grim unfold. + +1962 + +By both hands swiftly wielded, / his blade then cut the air +And smote upon the tutor / who had the child in care, +That down before the table / his head that instant lay: +It was a sorry payment / wherewith he did the tutor pay. + +1963 + +His eye 'fore Etzel's table / a minstrel espied: +To whom in hasty manner / did wrathful Hagen stride, +Where moved it on the fiddle / his right hand off smote he; +"Have that for thy message / unto the land of Burgundy." + +1964 + +"Alack my hand!" did Werbel / that same minstrel moan; +"What, Sir Hagen of Tronje, / have I to thee done? +I bore a faithful message / unto thy master's land. +How may I more make music / thus by thee bereft of hand?" + +1965 + +Little in sooth recked Hagen, / fiddled he nevermore. +Then in the hall all wrathful / wrought he havoc sore +Upon the thanes of Etzel / whereof he many slew; +Ere they might find exit, / to death then smote he not a few. + +1966 + +Volker the full valiant / up sprang from board also: +In his hand full clearly / rang out his fiddle-bow, +For mightily did fiddle / Gunther's minstrel thane. +What host of foes he made him / because of Hunnish warriors slain! + +1967 + +Eke sprang from the table / the lofty monarchs three, +Who glad had stilled the combat / ere greater scathe might be. +Yet all their art availed not / their anger to assuage, +When Volker and Hagen / so mightily began to rage. + +1968 + +When the lord of Rhineland / saw how his toil was vain, +Gaping wounds full many / himself did smite amain +Through rings of shining mail-coats / there upon the foe. +He was a valiant hero, / as he full gallantly did show. + +1969 + +Strode eke into the combat / Gernot a doughty thane; +By whom of Hunnish warriors / full many a one was slain +With a sword sharp-edged / he had of Ruediger; +Oft sent to dire ruin / by him the knights of Etzel were. + +1970 + +The youthful son of Ute / eke to the combat sprang, +And merrily his broadsword / upon the helmets rang +Of many a Hunnish warrior / there in Etzel's land; +Feasts of mickle wonder / wrought Giselher with dauntless hand. + +1971 + +How bold soe'er was any, / of kings and warrior band, +Saw ye yet the foremost / Giselher to stand +There against the foemen, / a knight of valor good; +Wounded deep full many / made he to fall in oozing blood. + +1972 + +Eke full well defend them / did Etzel's warriors too. +There might ye see the strangers / their gory way to hew +With swords all brightly gleaming / adown that royal hall; +Heard ye there on all sides / loudly ring the battle-call. + +1973 + +Join friends within beleaguered / would they without full fain, +Yet might they at the portal / but little vantage gain. +Eke they within had gladly / gained the outer air; +Nor up nor down did Dankwart / suffer one to pass the stair. + +1974 + +There before the portal / surged a mighty throng, +And with a mickle clangor / on helm the broadsword rung. +Thus on the valiant Dankwart / his foes did sorely press, +And soon his trusty brother / was anxious grown o'er his distress. + +1975 + +Full loudly cried then Hagen / unto Volker: +"Trusty fere, behold'st thou / my brother standing there, +Where on him Hunnish warriors / their mighty blows do rain? +Good friend, save thou my brother / ere we do lose the valiant thane." + +1976 + +"That will I do full surely," / thereat the minstrel spake. +Adown the hall he fiddling / gan his way to make; +In his hand full often / a trusty sword rang out, +While grateful knights of Rhineland / acclaimed him with a mickle shout. + +1977 + +Soon did the valiant Volker / Dankwart thus address: +"Hard this day upon thee / hath weighed the battle's stress. +That I should come to help thee / thy brother gave command; +Keep thou without the portal, / I inward guarding here will stand." + +1978 + +Dankwart, thane right valiant, / stood without the door +And guarded so the stairway / that none might pass before. +There heard ye broadswords ringing, / swung by warrior's hand, +While inward in like manner / wrought Volker of Burgundian land. + +1979 + +There the valiant Fiddler / above the press did call: +"Securely now, friend Hagen, / closed is the hall. +Yea, so firmly bolted / is King Etzel's door +By hands of two good warriors, / as thousand bars were set before," + +1980 + +When Hagen thus of Tronje / the door did guarded find, +The warrior far renowned / swung his shield behind; +He first for harm received / revenge began to take, +Whereat all hope of living / did soon his enemies forsake. + +1981 + +When of Bern Sir Dietrich / rightly did perceive +How the doughty Hagen / did many a helmet cleave, +The king of Amelungen / upon a bench leaped up; +Quoth he: "Here poureth Hagen / for us exceeding bitter cup." + +1982 + +Great fear fell eke on Etzel, / as well might be the case, +(What trusty followers snatched they / to death before his face!) +For well nigh did his enemies / on him destruction bring. +There sat he all confounded. / What booted him to be a king? + +1983 + +Cried then aloud to Dietrich / Kriemhild, the high lady: +"Now help me, knight so noble, / that hence with life I flee, +By princely worth, I pray thee, / thou lord of Amelung's land; +If here do reach me Hagen, / straight find I death beneath his hand." + +1984 + +"How may my help avail thee, / noble queen and high?" +Answered her Sir Dietrich, / "Fear for myself have I. +Too sorely is enraged / each knight in Gunther's band, +To no one at this season / may I lend assisting hand." + +1985 + +"But nay, but nay, Sir Dietrich, / full noble knight and keen, +What maketh thy bright chivalry, / let it this day be seen, +And bring me hence to safety, / else am I death's sure prey." +Good cause was that on Kriemhild's / bosom fear so heavy lay. + +1986 + +"So will I here endeavor / to help thee as I may; +Yet shalt thou well believe me, / hath passed full many a day +Since saw I goodly warriors / of so bitter mood. +'Neath swords behold I flowing / through helmets plenteously the blood." + +1987 + +Lustily then cried he, / the warrior nobly born, +That his voice rang loudly / like blast from bison's horn, +That all around the palace / gave back the lusty sound; +Unto the might of Dietrich / never limit yet was found. + +1988 + +When did hear King Gunther / how called the doughty man +Above the storm of combat, / to hearken he began. +Quoth he: "The voice of Dietrich / hath fallen upon mine ear; +I ween some of his followers / before our thanes have fallen here. + +1989 + +"High on the board I see him; / he beckons with the hand. +Now my good friends and kinsmen / of Burgundian land, +Stay ye your hands from conflict, / let us hear and see +If done upon the chieftain / aught by my men of scathe there be." + +1990 + +When thus King Gunther / did beg and eke command, +With swords in stress of battle / stayed they all the hand. +'Twas token of his power / that straight the strife did pause. +Then him of Bern he questioned / what of his outcry were the cause. + +1991 + +He spake: "Full noble Dietrich, / what here on thee is wrought +By any of my warriors? / For truly is my thought +To make a full atonement / and amends to thee. +If here hath wronged thee any, / 'twere cause of mickle grief to me." + +1992 + +Then answered him Sir Dietrich: / "Myself do nothing grieve. +Grant me with thy protection / but this hall to leave +And quit the dire conflict, / with them that me obey. +Then surely will I ever / seek thy favor to repay." + +1993 + +"How plead'st thou thus so early?" / Wolfhart was heard; +"The Fiddler so securely / the door not yet hath barred, +But it so wide we'll open / to pass it through, I trow." +"Now hold thy peace," quoth Dietrich, / "wrought but little here hast + thou." + +1994 + +Then spake the royal Gunther: / "That grant I thee to do, +Forth from the hall lead many / or lead with thee few, +An if my foes it be not; / here stay they every one. +Upon me here in Hunland / hath grievous wrong by them been done." + +1995 + +When heard he Gunther's answer / he took beneath his arm +The noble Queen Kriemhild, / who dreaded mickle harm. +On the other side too led he / Etzel with him away; +Eke went thence with Dietrich / six hundred knights in fair array. + +1996 + +Then outspake the margrave, / the noble Ruediger: +"If leave to any others / be granted forth to fare, +Of those who glad would serve you, / give us the same to see. +Yea, peace that's never broken / 'twixt friends 'tis meet should ever + be." + +1997 + +Thereto gave answer Giselher / of the land of Burgundy: +"Peace and unbroken friendship / wish we e'er with thee, +With thee and all thy kinsmen, / as true thou ever art. +We grant thee all untroubled / with thy friends from hence to part." + +1998 + +When thus Sir Ruediger / from the hall did pass, +A train of knights five hundred / or more with him there was, +Of them of Bechelaren, / kinsmen and warriors true, +Whose parting gave King Gunther / anon full mickle cause to rue. + +1999 + +When did a Hunnish warrior / Etzel's passing see +'Neath the arm of Dietrich, / to profit him thought he. +Smote him yet the Fiddler / such a mighty blow, +That 'fore the feet of Etzel / sheer on the floor his head fell low. + +2000 + +When the country's monarch / had gained the outer air, +Turned he looking backward / and gazed on Volker. +"Alack such guests to harbor! / Ah me discomfited! +That all the knights that serve me / shall before their might lie dead. + +2001 + +"Alack their coming hither!" / spake the king once more. +"Within, a warrior fighteth / like to wild forest boar; +Hight the same is Volker, / and a minstrel is also; +To pass the demon scatheless / I to fortune's favor owe. + +2002 + +"Evil sound his melodies, / his strokes of bow are red, +Yea, beneath his music / full many a knight lies dead. +I know not what against us / hath stirred that player's ire, +For guests ne'er had I any / whereby to suffer woe so dire." + +2003 + +None other would they suffer / to pass the door than those. +Then 'neath the hall's high roof-tree / a mighty din arose. +For evil wrought upon them / those guests sore vengeance take. +Volker the doughty Fiddler, / what shining helmets there he brake! + +2004 + +Gunther, lofty monarch, / thither turned his ear. +"Hear'st thou the music, Hagen, / that yonder Volker +Doth fiddle for the Hun-men, / when near the door they go? +The stroke is red of color, / where he doth draw the fiddle-bow." + +2005 + +"Mickle doth it rue me," / Hagen spake again, +"That in the hall far severed / I am from that bold thane. +I was his boon companion / and he sworn friend to me: +Come we hence ever scatheless, / trusty feres we yet shall be. + +2006 + +"Behold now, lofty sire, / the faith of Volker bold! +With will he seeks to win him / thy silver and thy gold. +With fiddle-bow he cleaveth / e'en the steel so hard, +Bright-gleaming crests of helmets / are scattered by his mighty sword. + +2007 + +"Never saw I fiddler / so dauntless heart display, +As the doughty Volker / here hath done this day. +Through shield and shining helmet / his melodies ring clear; +Give him to ride good charger / and eke full stately raiment wear." + +2008 + +Of all the Hunnish kindred / that in the hall had been, +None now of all their number / therein to fight was seen. +Hushed was the din of battle / and strife no more was made: +From out their hands aweary / their swords the dauntless warriors laid. + + + + +THIRTY-FOURTH ADVENTURE + +How they cast out the Dead + +2009 + +From toil of battle weary / rested the warriors all. +Volker and Hagen / passed out before the hall, +And on their shields did lean them, / those knights whom naught + could daunt. +Then with full merry converse / gan the twain their foes to taunt. + +2010 + +Spake meanwhile of Burgundy / Giselher the thane: +"Not yet, good friends, may ye / think to rest again. +Forth from the hall the corses / shall ye rather bear. +Again we'll be assailed, / that would I now in sooth declare. + +2011 + +"Beneath our feet no longer / here the dead must lie. +But ere in storm of battle / at hand of Huns to die, +We'll deal such wounds around us / as 'tis my joy to see. +Thereon," spake Giselher, / "my heart is fixed right steadfastly." + +2012 + +"I joy in such a master," / Hagen spake again: +"Such counsel well befitteth / alone so valiant thane +As my youthful master / hath shown himself this day. +Therefor, O men of Burgundy, / every one rejoice ye may." + +2013 + +Then followed they his counsel / and from the hall they bore +Seven thousand bodies / and cast them from the door. +Adown the mounting stairway / all together fell, +Whereat a sound of wailing / did from mourning kinsmen swell. + +2014 + +Many a man among them / so slight wound did bear +That he were yet recovered / had he but gentle care, +Who yet falling headlong / now surely must be dead. +Thereat did grieve their kinsmen / as verily was sorest need. + +2015 + +Then outspake the Fiddler, / Volker a hero bold: +"Now do I find how truly / hath to me been told +That cowards are the Hun-men / who do like women weep. +Rather should be their effort / their wounded kin alive to keep." + +2016 + +These words deemed a margrave / spoken in kindly mood. +He saw one of his kinsmen / weltering in his blood. +In his arms he clasped him / and thought him thence to bear, +But as he bent above him / pierced him the valiant minstrel's spear. + +2017 + +When that beheld the others / all in haste they fled, +Crying each one curses / on that same minstrel's head. +From the ground then snatched he / a spear with point full keen, +That 'gainst him up the stairway / by a Hun had hurled been. + +2018 + +Across the court he flung it / with his arm of might +Far above the people. / Then did each Hunnish knight +Seek him safer quarters / more distant from the hall. +To see his mighty prowess / did fill with fear his foemen all. + +2019 + +As knights full many thousand / far 'fore the palace stood, +Volker and Hagen / gan speak in wanton mood +"Unto King Etzel, / nor did they aught withhold; +Wherefrom anon did sorrow / o'ertake those doughty warriors bold. + +2020 + +"'Twould well beseem," quoth Hagen, / "the people's lofty lord +Foremost in storm of battle / to swing the cutting sword, +As do my royal masters / each fair example show. +Where hew they through the helmets / their swords do make the blood to + flow." + +2021 + +To hear such words brave Etzel / snatched in haste his shield. +"Now well beware of rashness," / cried Lady Kriemhild, +"And offer to thy warriors / gold heaped on shield full high: +If yonder Hagen reach thee, / straightway shalt thou surely die." + +2022 + +So high was the king's mettle / that he would not give o'er, +Which case is now full seldom / seen in high princes more; +They must by shield-strap tugging / him perforce restrain. +Grim of mood then Hagen / began him to revile again. + +2023 + +"It was a distant kinship," / spake Hagen, dauntless knight, +"That Etzel unto Siegfried / ever did unite, +And husband he to Kriemhild / was ere thee she knew. +Wherefore, O king faint-hearted, / seek'st thou such thing 'gainst me to + do?" + +2024 + +Thereto eke must listen / the noble monarch's spouse, +And grievously to hear it / did Kriemhild's wrath arouse. +That he 'fore men of Etzel / durst herself upbraid; +To urge them 'gainst the strangers / she once more her arts essayed. + +2025 + +Cried she: "Of Tronje Hagen / whoso for me will slay, +And his head from body severed / here before me lay, +For him the shield of Etzel / I'll fill with ruddy gold, +Eke lands and lordly castles / I'll give him for his own to hold." + +2026 + +"I wot not why they tarry," / --thus the minstrel cried; +"Ne'er saw I heroes any / so their courage hide, +When to them was offered, / like this, reward so high. +'Tis cause henceforth that Etzel / for aye to them goodwill deny." + +2027 + +"Who in such craven manner / do eat their master's bread, +And like caitiffs fail him / in time of greatest need, +Here see I standing many / of courage all forlorn, +Yet would be men of valor; / all time be they upheld to scorn." + + + + +THIRTY-FIFTH ADVENTURE + +How Iring was Slain + +2028 + +Cried then he of Denmark, / Iring the margrave: +"Fixed on things of honor / my purpose long I have, +And oft in storm of battle, / where heroes wrought, was I. +Bring hither now my armor, / with Hagen I'll the combat try." + +2029 + +"I counsel thee against it," / Hagen then replied, +"Or bring a goodly company / of Hun-men by thy side. +If peradventure any / find entrance to the hall, +I'll cause that nowise scatheless / down the steps again they fall." + +2030 + +"Such words may not dissuade me," / Iring spake once more; +"A thing of equal peril / oft have I tried before. +Yea, will I with my broadsword / confront thee all alone. +Nor aught may here avail thee / thus to speak in haughty tone." + +2031 + +Soon the valiant Iring / armed and ready stood, +And Irnfried of Thuringia / a youth of mettle good, +And eke the doughty Hawart, / with thousand warriors tried. +Whate'er his purpose, Iring / should find them faithful by his side. + +2032 + +Advancing then with Iring / did the Fiddler see +All clad in shining armor / a mighty company, +And each a well-made helmet / securely fastened wore. +Thereat the gallant Volker / began to rail in anger sore. + +2033 + +"Seest thou, friend Hagen, / yonder Iring go, +Who all alone to front thee / with his sword did vow? +Doth lying sort with honor? / Scorned the thing must be. +A thousand knights or over / here bear him armed company." + +2034 + +"Now make me not a liar," / cried Hawart's man aloud, +"For firm is still my purpose / to do what now I vowed, +Nor will I turn me from it / through any cause of fear. +Alone I'll stand 'fore Hagen, / awful howsoe'er he were." + +2035 + +On ground did throw him Iring / before his warriors' feet, +That they leave might grant him / alone the knight to meet. +Loath they were to do it; / well known to them might be +The haughty Hagen's prowess / of the land of Burgundy. + +2036 + +Yet so long besought he / that granted was their leave; +When they that followed with him / did his firm mind perceive, +And how 'twas bent on honor, / they not restrained him. +Then closed the two chieftains / together in a combat grim. + +2037 + +Iring of Denmark / raised his spear on high, +And with the shield he covered / himself full skilfully; +He upward rushed on Hagen / unto the hall right close, +When round the clashing fighters / soon a mighty din arose. + +2038 + +Each hurled upon the other / the spear with arm of might, +That the firm shields were pierced / e'en to their mail-coats bright, +And outward still projecting / the long spear-shafts were seen. +In haste then snatched their broadswords / both the fighters grim and + keen. + +2039 + +In might the doughty Hagen / and prowess did abound, +As Iring smote upon him / the hall gave back the sound. +The palace all and towers / re-echoed from their blows, +Yet might that bold assailant / with victory ne'er the combat close. + +2040 + +On Hagen might not Iring / wreak aught of injury. +Unto the doughty Fiddler / in haste then turned he. +Him by his mighty sword-strokes / thought he to subdue, +But well the thane full gallant / to keep him safe in combat knew. + +2041 + +Then smote the doughty Fiddler / so lustily his shield +That from it flew its ornaments / where he the sword did wield. +Iring must leave unconquered / there the dauntless man; +Next upon King Gunther / of Burgundy in wrath he ran. + +2042 + +There did each in combat / show him man of might; +Howe'er did Gunther and Iring / yet each the other smite, +From wounds might never either / make the blood to flow, +So sheltered each his armor, / well wrought that was and strong enow. + +2043 + +Gunther left he standing, / upon Gernot to dash, +And when he smote ring-armor / the fire forth did flash. +But soon had he of Burgundy, / Gernot the doughty thane, +Well nigh his keen assailant / Iring of Denmark slain. + +2044 + +Yet from the prince he freed him, / for nimble was he too. +Four of the men of Burgundy / the knight full sudden slew +Of those that followed with them / from Worms across the Rhine. +Thereupon might nothing / the wrath of Giselher confine. + +2045 + +"God wot well, Sir Iring," / young Giselher then cried, +"Now must thou make requital / for them that here have died +'Neath thy hand so sudden." / He rushed upon him so +And smote the knight of Denmark / that he might not withstand the blow. + +2046 + +Into the blood down fell he / staggering 'neath its might, +That all who there beheld it / might deem the noble knight +Sword again would never / wield amid the fray. +Yet 'neath the stroke of Giselher / Iring all unwounded lay. + +2047 + +Bedazed by helmet's sounding / where ringing sword swung down, +Full suddenly his senses / so from the knight were flown: +That of his life no longer / harbored he a thought. +That the doughty Giselher / by his mighty arm had wrought. + +2048 + +When somewhat was subsided / the din within his head +From mighty blow so sudden / on him was visited, +Thought he: "I still am living / and bear no mortal wound. +How great the might of Giselher, / till now unwitting, have I found." + +2049 + +He hearkened how on all sides / his foes around did stand; +Knew they what he did purpose, / they had not stayed their hand. +He heard the voice of Giselher / eke in that company, +As cunning he bethought him / how yet he from his foes might flee. + +2050 + +Up from the blood he started / with fierce and sudden bound; +By grace alone of swiftness / he his freedom found. +With speed he passed the portal / where Hagen yet did stand, +And swift his sword he flourished / and smote him with his doughty hand. + +2051 + +To see such sight quoth Hagen: / "To death thou fall'st a prey; +If not the Devil shield thee, / now is thy latest day." +Yet Iring wounded Hagen / e'en through his helmet's crown. +That did the knight with Waske, / a sword that was of far renown. + +2052 + +When thus Sir Hagen / the smart of wound did feel, +Wrathfully he brandished / on high his blade of steel. +Full soon must yield before him / Hawart's daring man, +Adown the steps pursuing / Hagen swiftly after ran. + +2053 + +O'er his head bold Iring / his shield to guard him swung, +And e'en had that same stairway / been full three times as long, +Yet had he found no respite / from warding Hagen's blows. +How plenteously the ruddy / sparks above his helm arose! + +2054 + +Unscathed at last came Iring / where waited him his own. +Soon as was the story / unto Kriemhild known, +How that in fight on Hagen / he had wrought injury, +Therefor the Lady Kriemhild / him gan to thank full graciously. + +2055 + +"Now God requite thee, Iring, / thou valiant knight and good, +For thou my heart hast comforted / and merry made my mood. +Red with blood his armor, / see I yonder Hagen stand." +For joy herself did Kriemhild / take his shield from out his hand. + +2056 + +"Small cause hast thou to thank him," / thus wrathful Hagen spake; +"For gallant knight 'twere fitting / trial once more to make. +If then returned he scatheless, / a valiant man he were. +The wound doth boot thee little / that now from his hand I bear. + +2057 + +"That here from wound upon me / my mail-coat see'st thou red, +Shall bring woful reprisal / on many a warrior's head. +Now is my wrath aroused / in full 'gainst Hawart's thane. +As yet in sooth hath Iring / wrought on me but little bane." + +2058 + +Iring then of Denmark / stood where fanned the wind. +He cooled him in his armor / and did his helm unbind. +Then praised him all the people / and spoke him man of might, +Whereat the margrave's bosom / swelled full high with proud delight. + +2059 + +"Now hearken friends unto me," / Iring once more spake; +"Make me straightway ready, / new trial now to make +If I this knight so haughty / may yet perchance subdue." +New shield they brought, for Hagen / did his erstwhile asunder hew. + +2060 + +Soon stood again the warrior / in armor all bedight. +In hand a spear full massy / took the wrathful knight, +Wherewith on yonder Hagen / he thought to vent his hate. +With grim and fearful visage / on him the vengeful thane did wait. + +2061 + +Yet not abide his coming / might Hagen longer now. +Adown he rushed upon him / with many a thrust and blow, +Down where the stairway ended / for fierce did burn his ire. +Soon the might of Iring / must 'neath his furious onset tire, + +2062 + +Their shields they smote asunder / that the sparks began +To fly in ruddy showers. / Hawart's gallant man +Was by sword of Hagen / wounded all so sore +Through shield and shining cuirass, / that whole he found him never more. + +2063 + +When how great the wound was / Iring fully knew, +Better to guard his helm-band / his shield he higher drew. +The scathe he first received / he deemed sufficient quite, +Yet injury far greater / soon had he from King Gunther's knight. + +2064 + +From where it lay before him / Hagen a spear did lift +And hurled it upon Iring / with aim so sure and swift, +It pierced his head, and firmly / fixed the shaft did stand; +Full grim the end that met him / 'neath the doughty Hagen's hand. + +2065 + +Backward Iring yielded / unto his Danish men. +Ere for the knight his helmet / they undid again, +From his head they drew the spear-point; / to death he was anigh. +Wept thereat his kinsmen, / and sore need had verily. + +2066 + +Came thereto Queen Kriemhild / and o'er the warrior bent, +And for the doughty Iring / gan she there lament. +She wept to see him wounded, / and sorely grieved the queen. +Then spake unto his kinsmen / the warrior full brave and keen. + +2067 + +"I pray thee leave thy moaning, / royal high lady. +What avails thy weeping? / Yea, soon must ended be +My life from wounds outflowing / that here I did receive. +To serve thyself and Etzel / will death not longer grant me leave." + +2068 + +Eke spake he to them of Thuringia / and to them of Danish land: +"Of you shall never any / receive the gift in hand +From your royal mistress / of shining gold full red. +Whoe'er withstandeth Hagen / death calleth down upon his head." + +2069 + +From cheek the color faded, / death's sure token wore +Iring the gallant warrior: / thereat they grieved full sore. +Nor more in life might tarry / Hawart's valiant knight: +Enraged the men of Denmark / again did arm them for the fight. + +2070 + +Irnfried and Hawart / before the hall then sprang +Leading thousand warriors. / Full furious a clang +Of weapons then on all sides / loud and great ye hear. +Against the men of Burgundy / how hurled they many a mighty spear! + +2071 + +Straight the valiant Irnfried / the minstrel rushed upon, +But naught but grievous injury / 'neath his hand he won: +For the noble Fiddler / did the landgrave smite +E'en through the well-wrought helmet; / yea, grim and savage was the + knight. + +2072 + +Sir Irnfried then in answer / the valiant minstrel smote, +That must fly asunder / the rings of his mailed coat +Which showered o'er his cuirass / like sparks of fire red. +Soon must yet the landgrave / fall before the Fiddler dead. + +2073 + +Eke were come together / Hawart and Hagen bold, +And saw he deeds of wonder / who did the sight behold. +Swift flew the sword and fiercely / swung by each hero's hand. +But soon lay Hawart prostrate / before him of Burgundian land. + +2074 + +When Danish men and Thuringians / beheld their masters fall, +Fearful was the turmoil / that rose before the hall +As to the door they struggled, / on dire vengeance bent. +Full many a shield and helmet / was there 'neath sword asunder rent. + +2075 + +"Now backward yield," cried Volker / "and let them pass within; +Thus only are they thwarted / of what they think to win. +When but they pass the portals / are they full quickly slain. +With death shall they the bounty / of their royal mistress gain." + +2076 + +When thus with pride o'erweening / they did entrance find, +The head of many a warrior / was so to earth inclined, +That he must life surrender / 'neath blows that thickly fell. +Well bore him valiant Gernot / and eke Sir Giselher as well. + +2077 + +Four knights beyond a thousand / were come into the house; +The light from sword-blades glinted, / swift swung with mighty souse. +Not one of all their number / soon might ye living see; +Tell might ye mickle wonders / of the men of Burgundy. + +2078 + +Thereafter came a stillness, / and ceased the tumult loud. +The blood in every quarter / through the leak-holes flowed, +And out along the corbels / from men in death laid low. +That had the men of Rhineland / wrought with many a doughty blow. + +2079 + +Then sat again to rest them / they of Burgundian land, +Shield and mighty broadsword / they laid from out the hand. +But yet the valiant Fiddler / stood waiting 'fore the door, +If peradventure any / would seek to offer combat more. + +2080 + +Sorely did King Etzel / and eke his spouse lament, +Maidens and fair ladies / did sorrow sore torment. +Death long since upon them, / I ween, such ending swore. +To fall before the strangers / was doomed full many a warrior more. + + + + +THIRTY-SIXTH ADVENTURE + +How the Queen bade set fire to the Hall + +2081 + +"Now lay ye off the helmets," / the words from Hagen fell: +"I with a boon companion / will be your sentinel. +And seek the men of Etzel / to work us further harm, +For my royal masters / full quickly will I cry alarm." + +2082 + +Then freed his head of armor / many a warrior good. +They sate them on the corses, / that round them in the blood +Of wounds themselves had dealt them, / prostrate weltering lay. +Now to his guests so lofty / scant courtesy did Etzel pay. + +2083 + +Ere yet was come the even, / King Etzel did persuade, +And eke the Lady Kriemhild, / that once more essayed +The Hunnish knights to storm them. / Before them might ye see +Good twenty thousand warriors, / who soon for fight must ready be. + +2084 + +Then with a furious onset / the strangers they attacked. +Dankwart, Hagen's brother, / who naught of courage lacked, +Sprang out 'mid the besiegers / to ward them from the door. +'Twas deemed a deadly peril, / yet scatheless stood he there before. + +2085 + +Fierce the struggle lasted / till darkness brought an end. +Themselves like goodly heroes / the strangers did defend +Against the men of Etzel / all the long summer day. +What host of valiant warriors / before them fell to death a prey! + +2086 + +At turn of sun in summer / that havoc sore was wrought, +When the Lady Kriemhild / revenge so dire sought +Upon her nearest kinsmen / and many a knight beside, +Wherefore with royal Etzel / never more might joy abide. + +2087 + +As day at last was ending / sad they were of heart. +They deemed from life 'twere better / in sudden death to part +Than be thus long tormented / by great o'erhanging dread. +That respite now be granted, / the knights so proud and gallant prayed. + +2088 + +They prayed to lead the monarch / hither to them there. +As heroes blood-bespotted, / and stained from battle-gear, +Forth from the hall emerged / the lofty monarchs three. +They wist not to whom complained / might their full grievous sorrows be. + +2089 + +Etzel and Kriemhild / they soon before them found, +And great was now their company / from all their lands around. +Spake Etzel to the strangers: / "What will ye now of me? +Ye hope for end of conflict, / but hardly may such favor be. + +2090 + +"This so mighty ruin / that ye on me have wrought, +If death thwart not my purpose, / shall profit you in naught. +For child that here ye slew me / and kinsmen dear to me, +Shall peace and reconcilement / from you withheld forever be." + +2091 + +Thereto gave answer Gunther: / "To that drove sorest need. +Lay all my train of squires / before thy warriors dead +Where they for night assembled. / How bore I so great blame? +Of friendly mind I deemed thee, / as trusting in thy faith I came." + +2092 + +Then spake eke of Burgundy / the youthful Giselher: +"Ye knights that still are living / of Etzel, now declare +Whereof ye may reproach me! / How hath you harmed my hand? +For in right friendly manner / came I riding to this land." + +2093 + +Cried they: "Well is thy friendship / in burgh and country known +By sorrow of thy making. / Gladly had we foregone +The pleasure of thy coming / from Worms across the Rhine. +Our country hast thou orphaned, / thou and brother eke of thine." + +2094 + +In angry mood King Gunther / unto them replied: +"An ye this mighty hatred / appeased would lay aside, +Borne 'gainst us knights here homeless, / to both a gain it were +For Etzel's wrath against us / we in sooth no guilt do bear." + +2095 + +The host then to the strangers: / "Your sorrow here and mine +Are things all unequal. / For now must I repine +With honor all bespotted / and 'neath distress of woe. +Of you shall never any / hence from my country living go." + +2096 + +Then did the doughty Gernot / unto King Etzel say: +"God then in mercy move thee / to act in friendly way. +Slay us knights here homeless, / yet grant us down to go +To meet thee in the open: / thine honor biddeth thus to do. + +2097 + +"Whate'er shall be our portion, / let that straightway appear. +Men hast thou yet so many / that, should they banish fear, +Not one of us storm-weary / might keep his life secure. +How long shall we here friendless / this woeful travail yet endure?" + +2098 + +By the warriors of Etzel / their wish nigh granted was, +And leave well nigh was given / that from the hall they pass. +When Kriemhild knew their purpose, / high her anger swelled, +And straightway such a respite / was from the stranger knights withheld. + +2099 + +"But nay, ye Hunnish warriors! / what ye have mind to do, +Therefrom now desist ye, / --such is my counsel true; +Nor let foes so vengeful / pass without the hall, +Else must in death before them / full many of your kinsmen fall. + +2100 + +"If of them lived none other / but Ute's sons alone, +My three noble brothers, / and they the air had won +Where breeze might cool their armor, / to death ye were a prey. +In all this world were never / born more valiant thanes than they." + +2101 + +Then spake the youthful Giselher: / "Full beauteous sister mine, +When to this land thou bad'st me / from far beside the Rhine, +I little deemed such trouble / did here upon me wait. +Whereby have I deserved / from the Huns such mortal hate? + +2102 + +"To thee I ever faithful / was, nor wronged thee e'er. +In such faith confiding / did I hither fare, +That thou to me wert gracious, / O noble sister mine. +Show mercy now unto us, / we must to thee our lives resign." + +2103 + +"No mercy may I show you, / --unmerciful I'll be. +By Hagen, knight of Tronje, / was wrought such woe to me, +That ne'er is reconcilement / the while that I have life. +That must ye all atone for," / --quoth the royal Etzel's wife. + +2104 + +"Will ye but Hagen only / to me as hostage give, +Then will I not deny you / to let you longer live. +Born are ye of one mother / and brothers unto me, +So wish I that compounded / here with these warriors peace may be." + +2105 + +"God in heaven forfend it," / Gernot straightway said; +"E'en though we were a thousand, / lay we all rather dead, +We who are thy kinsmen, / ere that warrior one +Here we gave for hostage. / Never may such thing be done." + +2106 + +"Die must we all," quoth Giselher, / "for such is mortal's end. +Till then despite of any, / our knighthood we'll defend. +Would any test our mettle, / here may he trial make. +For ne'er, when help he needed, / did I a faithful friend forsake." + +2107 + +Then spake the valiant Dankwart, / a knight that knew no fear; +"In sooth stands not unaided / my brother Hagen here. +Who here have peace denied us / may yet have cause to rue. +I would that this ye doubt not, / for verily I tell you true." + +2108 + +The queen to those around her: / "Ye gallant warriors, go +Now nigher to the stairway / and straight avenge my woe. +I'll ever make requital / therefor, as well I may. +For his haughty humor / will I Hagen full repay. + +2109 + +"To pass without the portal / let not one at all, +For at its four corners / I'll bid ignite the hall. +So will I fullest vengeance / take for all my woe." +Straightway the thanes of Etzel / ready stood her hest to do. + +2110 + +Who still without were standing / were driven soon within +By sword and spear upon them, / that made a mighty din. +Yet naught might those good warriors / from their masters take, +By their faith would never / each the other's side forsake. + +2111 + +To burn the hall commanded / Etzel's wife in ire, +And tortured they those warriors / there with flaming fire; +Full soon with wind upon it / the house in flames was seen. +To any folk did never / sadder plight befall, I ween. + +2112 + +Their cries within resounded: / "Alack for sorest need! +How mickle rather lay we / in storm of battle dead. +'Fore God 'tis cause for pity, / for here we all must die! +Now doth the queen upon us / vengeance wreak full grievously." + +2113 + +Among them spake another: / "Our lives we here must end. +What now avails the greeting / the king to us did send? +So sore this heat oppresseth / and parched with thirst my tongue, +My life from very anguish / I ween I must resign ere long." + +2114 + +Then quoth of Tronje Hagen: / "Ye noble knights and good, +Whoe'er by thirst is troubled, / here let him drink the blood. +Than wine more potent is it / where such high heat doth rage, +Nor may we at this season / find us a better beverage." + +2115 + +Where fallen knight was lying, / thither a warrior went. +Aside he laid his helmet, / to gaping wound he bent, +And soon was seen a-quaffing / therefrom the flowing blood. +To him though all unwonted, / yet seemed he there such drinking good. + +2116 + +"Now God reward thee, Hagen," / the weary warrior said, +"That I so well have drunken, / thus by thy teaching led. +Better wine full seldom / hath been poured for me, +And live I yet a season / I'll ever faithful prove to thee." + +2117 + +When there did hear the others / how to him it seemed good, +Many more beheld ye / eke that drank the blood. +Each thereby new vigor / for his body won, +And eke for lover fallen / wept many a buxom dame anon. + +2118 + +The flaming brands fell thickly / upon them in the hall, +With upraised shields they kept them / yet scatheless from their fall, +Though smoke and heat together / wrought them anguish sore. +Beset were heroes never, / I ween, by so great woe before. + +2119 + +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Stand nigh unto the wall, +Let not the brands all flaming / upon your helmets fall. +Into the blood beneath you / tread them with your feet. +In sooth in evil fashion / us doth our royal hostess greet." + +2120 + +In trials thus endured / ebbed the night away. +Still without the portal / did the keen Fiddler stay +And Hagen his good fellow, / o'er shield their bodies leant; +They deemed the men of Etzel / still on further mischief bent. + +2121 + +Then was heard the Fiddler: / "Pass we into the hall, +For so the Huns shall fondly / deem we are perished all +Amid the mickle torture / we suffer at their hand. +Natheless shall they behold us / boun for fight before them stand." + +2122 + +Spake then of Burgundy / the young Sir Giselher: +"I ween 'twill soon be dawning, / for blows a cooler air. +To live in fuller joyance / now grant us God in heaven. +To us dire entertainment / my sister Kriemhild here hath given." + +2123 + +Spake again another: / "Lo! how I feel the day. +For that no better fortune / here await us may, +So don, ye knights, your armor, / and guard ye well your life. +Full soon, in sooth, we suffer / again at hands of Etzel's wife." + +2124 + +Fondly Etzel fancied / the strangers all were dead, +From sore stress of battle / and from the fire dread; +Yet within were living / six hundred men so brave, +That never thanes more worthy / a monarch for liegemen might have. + +2125 + +The watchers set to watch them / soon full well had seen +How still lived the strangers, / spite what wrought had been +Of harm and grievous evil, / on the monarchs and their band. +Within the hall they saw them / still unscathed and dauntless stand. + +2126 + +Told 'twas then to Kriemhild / how they from harm were free. +Whereat the royal lady / quoth, such thing ne'er might be +That any still were living / from that fire dread. +"Nay, believe I rather / that within they all lie dead." + +2127 + +Gladly yet the strangers / would a truce compound, +Might any grace to offer / amid their foes be found. +But such appeared not any / in them of Hunnish land. +Well to avenge their dying / prepared they then with willing hand. + +2128 + +About the dawn of morning / greeted they were again +With a vicious onslaught, / that paid full many a thane. +There was flung upon them / many a mighty spear, +While gallantly did guard them / the lofty thanes that knew not fear. + +2129 + +The warriors of Etzel / were all of eager mood, +And Kriemhild's promised bounty / win for himself each would; +To do the king's high bidding / did likewise urge their mind. +'Twas cause full soon that many / were doomed swift death in fight to + find. + +2130 + +Of store of bounty promised / might wonders great be told, +She bade on shields to carry / forth the ruddy gold, +And gave to him that wished it / or would but take her store; +In sooth a greater hire / ne'er tempted 'gainst the foe before. + +2131 + +A mickle host of warriors / went forth in battle-gear. +Then quoth the valiant Volker: / "Still may ye find us here. +Ne'er saw I move to battle / warriors more fain, +That to work us evil / the bounty of the king have ta'en." + +2132 + +Then cried among them many: / "Hither, ye knights, more nigh! +Since all at last must perish, / 'twere better instantly; +And here no warrior falleth / but who fore-doomed hath been." +With well-flung spears all bristling / full quickly then their shields + were seen. + +2133 + +What need of further story? / Twelve hundred stalwart men, +Repulsed in onset gory, / still returned again; +But dealing wounds around them / the strangers cooled their mood, +And there stood all unvanquished. / Flowing might ye see the blood + +2134 + +From deep wounds and mortal, / whereof were many slain. +For friends in battle fallen / heard ye loud complain; +Slain were all those warriors / that served the mighty king, +Whereat from loving kinsmen / arose a mickle sorrowing. + + + + +THIRTY-SEVENTH ADVENTURE + +How the Margrave Ruediger was Slain + +2135 + +At morning light the strangers / had wrought high deed of fame, +When the spouse of Gotelinde / unto the courtyard came. +To behold on both sides / such woe befallen there, +Might not refrain from weeping / sorely the faithful Ruediger. + +2136 + +"O woe is me!" exclaimed he, / "that ever I was born. +Alack that this great sorrow / no hand from us may turn! +Though I be ne'er so willing, / the king no peace will know, +For he beholds his sorrow / ever great and greater grow." + +2137 + +Then did the kindly Ruediger / unto Dietrich send, +If to the lofty monarchs / they yet might truce extend. +The knight of Bern gave message: / "How might such thing be? +For ne'er the royal Etzel / granteth to end it peacefully." + +2138 + +When a Hunnish warrior / saw standing Ruediger +As from eyes sore weeping / fell full many a tear, +To his royal mistress spake he: / "Behold how stands he there +With whom here by Etzel / none other may in might compare, + +2139 + +"And who commandeth service / of lands and people all. +How many lordly castles / Ruediger his own doth call, +That unto him hath given / the bounty of the king! +Not yet in valorous conflict / saw'st thou here his sword to swing. + +2140 + +"Methinks, but little recks he, / what may here betide, +Since now in fullest measure / his heart is satisfied. +'Tis told he is, surpassing / all men, forsooth, so keen, +But in this time of trials / his valor ill-displayed hath been." + +2141 + +Stood there full of sorrow / the brave and faithful man, +Yet whom he thus heard speaking / he cast his eyes upon. +Thought he: "Thou mak'st atonement, / who deem'st my mettle cold. +Thy thought here all too loudly / hast thou unto the people told." + +2142 + +His fist thereat he doubled / and upon him ran, +And smote with blow so mighty / there King Etzel's man +That prone before him straightway / fell that mocker dead. +So came but greater sorrow / on the royal Etzel's head. + +2143 + +"Hence thou basest caitiff," / cried then Ruediger; +"Here of pain and sorrow / enough I have to bear. +Wherefore wilt thou taunt me / that I the combat shun? +In sooth had I the utmost / of harm upon the strangers done, + +2144 + +"For that good reason have I / to bear them hate indeed, +But that myself the warriors / as friends did hither lead. +Yea, was I their safe escort / into my master's land; +So may I, man most wretched, / ne'er raise against them hostile hand." + +2145 + +Then spake the lofty Etzel / unto the margrave: +"What aid, O noble Ruediger, / here at thy hands we have! +Our country hath so many / already doomed to die, +We need not any other: / now hast thou wrought full wrongfully." + +2146 + +Returned the knight so noble: / "My heart he sore hath grieved, +And reproached me for high honors / at thy hand received +And eke for gifts unto me / by thee so freely made; +Dearly for his slander / hath the base traducer paid." + +2147 + +When had the queen come hither / and had likewise seen +How on the Hunnish warrior / his wrath had vented been, +Incontinent she mourned it, / and tears bedimmed her sight. +Spake she unto Ruediger: / "How dost thou now our love requite, + +2148 + +"That for me and thy master / thou bring'st increase of woe? +Now hast thou, noble Ruediger, / ever told us so, +How that thou life and honor / for our sake wouldst dare. +Eke heard I thanes full many / proclaim thee knight beyond compare. + +2149 + +"Of the oath I now remind thee / that thou to me didst swear, +When counsel first thou gavest / to Etzel's land to fare, +That thou wouldst truly serve me / till one of us were dead: +Of that I wretched woman / never stood so sore in need." + +2150 + +"Nor do I, royal mistress, / deny that so I sware +That I for thy well-being / would life and honor dare: +But eke my soul to forfeit, / --that sware I not indeed. +'Tis I thy royal brothers / hither to this land did lead." + +2151 + +Quoth she: "Bethink thee, Ruediger, / of thy fidelity +And oath once firmly plighted / that aught of harm to me +Should ever be avenged, / and righted every ill." +Replied thereto the margrave: / "Ne'er have I failed to work thy will." + +2152 + +Etzel the mighty monarch / to implore him then began, +And king and queen together / down knelt before their man, +Whereat the good margrave / was seen in sorest plight, +And gan to mourn his station / in piteous words the faithful knight. + +2153 + +"O woe is me most wretched," / he sorrow-stricken cried, +"That forced I am my honor / thus to set aside, +And bonds of faith and friendship / God hath imposed on me. +O Thou that rul'st in heaven! / come death, I cannot yet be free. + +2154 + +"Whate'er it be my effort / to do or leave undone, +I break both faith and honor / in doing either one; +But leave I both, all people / will cry me worthy scorn. +May He look down in mercy / who bade me wretched man be born!" + +2155 + +With many a prayer besought him / the king and eke his spouse, +Wherefore was many a warrior / soon doomed his life to lose +At hand of noble Ruediger, / when eke did die the thane. +Now hear ye how he bore him, / though filled his heart with sorest pain. + +2156 + +He knew how scathe did wait him / and boundless sorrowing, +And gladly had refused / to obey the king +And eke his royal mistress. / Full sorely did he fear, +That if one stranger slew he, / the scorn of all the world he'd bear. + +2157 + +Then spake unto the monarch / the full gallant thane: +"O royal sire, whatever / thou gavest, take again, +The land and every castle, / that naught remain to me. +On foot a lonely pilgrim / I'll wander to a far country." + +2158 + +Thereto replied King Etzel: / "Who then gave help to me? +My land and lordly castles / give I all to thee, +If on my foes, O Ruediger, / revenge thou wilt provide. +A mighty monarch seated, / shalt thou be by Etzel's side." + +2159 + +Again gave answer Ruediger: / "How may that ever be? +At my own home shared they / my hospitality. +Meat and drink I offered / to them in friendly way, +And gave them of my bounty: / how shall I seek them here to slay ? + +2160 + +"The folk belike will fancy / that I a coward be. +Ne'er hath faithful service / been refused by me +Unto the noble princes / and their warriors too; +That e'er I gained their friendship, / now 'tis cause for me to rue. + +2161 + +"For spouse unto Sir Giselher / gave I a daughter mine, +Nor into fairer keeping / might I her resign, +Where truth were sought and honor / and gentle courtesy: +Ne'er saw I thane so youthful / virtuous in mind as he." + +2162 + +Again gave answer Kriemhild: / "O noble Ruediger, +To me and royal Etzel / in mercy now give ear +For sorrows that o'erwhelm us. / Bethink thee, I implore, +That monarch never any / harbored so evil guests before." + +2163 + +Spake in turn the margrave / unto the monarch's wife: +"Ruediger requital / must make to-day with life +For that thou and my master / did me so true befriend. +Therefore must I perish; / now must my service find an end. + +2164 + +"E'en this day, well know I, / my castles and my land +Must surely lose their master / beneath a stranger's hand. +To thee my wife and children / commend I for thy care, +And with all the lorn ones / that wait by Bechelaren's towers fair." + +2165 + +"Now God reward thee, Ruediger," / thereat King Etzel quoth. +He and the queen together, / right joyful were they both. +"To us shall all thy people / full commended be; +Eke trow I by my fortune / no harm shall here befall to thee." + +2166 + +For their sake he ventured / soul and life to lose. +Thereat fell sore to weeping / the royal Etzel's spouse. +He spake: "I must unto you / my plighted word fulfil. +Alack! beloved strangers, / whom to assail forbids my will." + +2167 + +From the king there parting / ye saw him, sad of mood, +And passed unto his warriors / who at small distance stood. +"Don straightway now your armor, / my warriors all," quoth he. +"Alas! must I to battle / with the valiant knights of Burgundy." + +2168 + +Then straightway for their armor / did the warriors call. +A shining helm for this one, / for that a shield full tall +Soon did the nimble squires / before them ready hold. +Anon came saddest tidings / unto the stranger warriors bold. + +2169 + +With Ruediger there saw ye / five hundred men arrayed, +And noble thanes a dozen / that came unto his aid, +Thinking in storm of battle / to win them honor high. +In sooth but little knew they / how death awaited them so nigh. + +2170 + +With helm on head advancing / saw ye Sir Ruediger. +Swords that cut full keenly / the margrave's men did bear, +And eke in hand each carried / a broad shield shining bright. +Boundless was the Fiddler's / sorrow to behold the sight. + +2171 + +When saw the youthful Giselher / his bride's sire go +Thus with fastened helmet, / how might he ever know +What he therewith did purpose / if 'twere not only good? +Thereat the noble monarchs / right joyous might ye see of mood. + +2172 + +"I joy for friends so faithful," / spake Giselher the thane, +"As on our journey hither / we for ourselves did gain. +Full great shall be our vantage / that I found spouse so dear, +And high my heart rejoiceth / that plighted thus to wed we were." + +2173 + +"Small cause I see for comfort," / thereto the minstrel spake. +"When saw ye thanes so many / come a truce to make +With helmet firmly fastened / and bearing sword in hand? +By scathe to us will Ruediger / service do for tower and land." + +2174 + +The while that thus the Fiddler / had spoken to the end, +His way the noble Ruediger / unto the hall did wend. +His trusty shield he rested / on the ground before his feet, +Yet might he never offer / his friends in kindly way to greet. + +2175 + +Loudly the noble margrave / cried into the hall: +"Now guard you well, ye valiant / Nibelungen all. +From me ye should have profit: / now have ye harm from me. +But late we plighted friendship: / broken now these vows must be." + +2176 + +Then quailed to hear such tidings / those knights in sore distress, +For none there was among them / but did joy the less +That he would battle with them / for whom great love they bore. +At hand of foes already / had they suffered travail sore. + +2177 + +"Now God in heaven forfend it," / there King Gunther cried, +"That from mercy to us / thou so wilt turn aside, +And the faithful friendship / whereof hope had we. +I trow in sooth that never / may such thing be done by thee." + +2178 + +"Desist therefrom I may not," / the keen knight made reply, +"But now must battle with you, / for vow thereto gave I. +"Now guard you, gallant warriors, / as fear ye life to lose: +From plighted vow release me / will nevermore King Etzel's spouse." + +2179 + +"Too late thou turnst against us," / spake King Gunther there. +"Now might God requite thee, / O noble Ruediger, +For the faith and friendship / thou didst on us bestow, +If thou a heart more kindly / even to the end wouldst show. + +2180 + +"We'd ever make requital / for all that thou didst give,-- +I and all my kinsmen, / wouldst thou but let us live,-- +For thy gifts full stately, / as faithfully thou here +To Etzel's land didst lead us: / know that, O noble Ruediger." + +2181 + +"To me what pleasure were it," / Ruediger did say, +"With full hand of my treasure / unto you to weigh +And with a mind right willing / as was my hope to do! +Thus might no man reproach me / with lack of courtesy to you." + +2182 + +"Turn yet, O noble Ruediger." / Gernot spake again, +"For in so gracious manner / did never entertain +Any host the stranger, / as we were served by thee; +And live we yet a little, / shall thou well requited be." + +2183 + +"O would to God, full noble / Gernot," spake Ruediger, +"That ye were at Rhine river / and that dead I were +With somewhat saved of honor, / since I must be your foe! +Upon good knights was never / wrought by friends more bitter woe." + +2184 + +"Now God requite thee, Ruediger," / Gernot gave reply, +"For gifts so fair bestowed. / I rue to see thee die, +For that in thee shall perish / knight of so gentle mind. +Here thy sword I carry, / that gav'st thou me in friendship kind. + +2185 + +"It never yet hath failed me / in this our sorest need, +And 'neath its cutting edges / many a knight lies dead. +'Tis strong and bright of lustre, / cunning wrought and well. +I ween, whate'er was given / by knight it doth in worth excel. + +2186 + +"An wilt thou not give over / upon us here to fall, +And if one friend thou slayest / here yet within this hall, +With this same sword thou gavest, / I'll take from thee thy life. +I sorrow for thee Ruediger, / and eke thy fair and stately wife." + +2187 + +"Would God but give, Sir Gernot, / that such thing might be, +That thou thy will completely / here fulfilled mightst see, +And of thy friends not any / here his life should lose! +Yea, shalt thou live to comfort / both my daughter and my spouse." + +2188 + +Then out spake of Burgundy / the son of Ute fair: +"How dost thou so, Sir Ruediger? / All that with me are +To thee are well disposed. / Thou dost an evil thing, +And wilt thine own fair daughter / to widowhood too early bring. + +2189 + +"If thou with armed warriors / wilt thus assail me here, +In what unfriendly manner / thou makest to appear +How that in thee I trusted / beyond all men beside, +When thy fairest daughter / erstwhile I won to be my bride." + +2190 + +"Thy good faith remember, / O Prince of virtue rare, +If God from hence do bring thee," / --so spake Ruediger: +"Forsake thou not the maiden / when bereft of me, +But rather grant thy goodness / be dealt to her more graciously." + +2191 + +"That would I do full fairly," / spake Giselher again. +"But if my lofty kinsmen, / who yet do here remain, +Beneath thy hand shall perish, / severed then must be +The friendship true I cherish / eke for thy daughter and for thee." + +2192 + +"Then God to us give mercy," / the knight full valiant spake. +Their shields in hand then took they, / as who perforce would make +Their passage to the strangers / into Kriemhild's hall. +Adown the stair full loudly / did Hagen, knight of Tronje, call: + +2193 + +"Tarry yet a little, / O noble Ruediger, +For further would we parley," / --thus might ye Hagen hear-- +"I and my royal masters, / as presseth sorest need. +What might it boot to Etzel / that we strangers all lay dead. + +2194 + +"Great is here my trouble," / Hagen did declare: +"The shield that Lady Gotelinde / gave to me to bear +Hath now been hewn asunder / by Hun-men in my hand. +With friendly thought I bore it / hither into Etzel's land. + +2195 + +"Would that God in heaven / might grant in kindliness, +That I a shield so trusty / did for my own possess +As in thy hand thou bearest, / O noble Ruediger! +In battle-storm then need I / never hauberk more to wear." + +2196 + +"Full glad I'd prove my friendship / to thee with mine own shield, +Dared I the same to offer / before Lady Kriemhild. +But take it, natheless, Hagen, / and bear it in thy hand. +Would that thou mightst take it / again unto Burgundian land!" + +2197 + +When with mind so willing / he offered him his shield, +Saw ye how eyes full many / with scalding tears were filled; +For the last gift was it / that was offered e'er +Unto any warrior / by Bechelaren's margrave, Ruediger. + +2198 + +How grim soe'er was Hagen / and stern soe'er of mind, +That gift to pity moved him / that there the chieftain kind, +So near his latest moment, / did on him bestow. +From eyes of many another / began likewise the tears to flow. + +2199 + +"Now God in heaven requite thee, / O noble Ruediger! +Like unto thee none other / warrior was there e'er, +Unto knights all friendless / so bounteously to give. +God grant in his mercy / thy virtue evermore to live. + +2200 + +"Woe's me to hear such tiding," / Hagen did declare. +"Such load of grief abiding / already do we bear, +If we with friends must struggle, / to God our plaint must be." +Thereto replied the margrave: / "'Tis cause of sorrow sore to me." + +2201 + +"To pay thee for thy favor, / O noble Ruediger, +Howe'er these lofty warriors / themselves against thee bear, +Yet never thee in combat / here shall touch my hand, +E'en though complete thou slayest / them from out Burgundian land." + +2202 + +Thereat the lofty Ruediger / 'fore him did courteous bend. +On all sides was lamenting / that no man might end +These so great heart-sorrows / that sorely they must bear. +The father of all virtue / fell with noble Ruediger. + +2203 + +Then eke the minstrel Volker / from hall down glancing said: +"Since Hagen thus, my comrade, / peace with thee hath made, +Lasting truce thou likewise / receivest from my hand. +Well hast thou deserved it / as fared we hither to this land. + +2204 + +"Thou, O noble margrave, / my messenger shalt be. +These arm-bands ruddy golden / thy lady gave to me, +That here at this high festival / I the same should wear. +Now mayst thyself behold them / and of my faith a witness bear." + +2205 + +"Would God but grant," / spake Ruediger, "who ruleth high in heaven, +That to thee by my lady / might further gift be given! +I'll gladly tell thy tidings / to spouse full dear to me, +An I but live to see her: / from doubt thereof thou mayst be free." + +2206 + +When thus his word was given, / his shield raised Ruediger. +Nigh to madness driven / bode he no longer there, +But ran upon the strangers / like to a valiant knight. +Many a blow full rapid / smote the margrave in his might. + +2207 + +Volker and Hagen / made way before the thane, +As before had promised / to him the warriors twain. +Yet found he by the portal / so many a valiant man +That Ruediger the combat / with mickle boding sore began. + +2208 + +Gunther and Gernot / with murderous intent +Let him pass the portal, / as knights on victory bent. +Backward yielded Giselher, / with sorrow all undone; +He hoped to live yet longer, / and therefore Ruediger would shun. + +2209 + +Straight upon their enemies / the margrave's warriors sprung, +And following their master / was seen a valiant throng. +Swords with cutting edges / did they in strong arm wield, +'Neath which full many a helmet / was cleft, and many a fair wrought + shield. + +2210 + +The weary strangers likewise / smote many a whirring slash, +Wherefrom the men of Bechelaren / felt deep and long the gash +Through the shining ring-mail / e'en to their life's core. +In storm of battle wrought they / glorious deeds a many more. + +2211 + +All his trusty followers / now eke had gained the hall, +On whom Volker and Hagen / did soon in fury fall, +And mercy unto no man / save Ruediger they showed. +The blood adown through helmets, / where smote their swords, full + plenteous flowed. + +2212 + +How right furiously / were swords 'gainst armor driven! +On shields the well-wrought mountings / from their wards were riven, +And fell their jewelled facings / all scattered in the blood. +Ne'er again might warriors / show in fight so grim a mood. + +2213 + +The lord of Bechelaren / through foemen cut his way, +As doth each doughty warrior / in fight his might display. +On that day did Ruediger / show full plain that he +A hero was undaunted, / full bold and eke full praiseworthy. + +2214 + +Stood there two knights right gallant, / Gunther and Gernot, +And in the storm of battle / to death full many smote. +Eke Giselher and Dankwart, / never aught recked they +How many a lusty fighter / saw 'neath their hand his latest day. + +2215 + +Full well did show him Ruediger / a knight of mettle true, +Doughty in goodly armor. / What warriors there he slew! +Beheld it a Burgundian, / and cause for wrath was there. +Not longer now was distant / the death of noble Ruediger. + +2216 + +Gernot, knight full doughty, / addressed the margrave then, +Thus speaking to the hero: / "Wilt thou of all my men +Living leave not any, / O noble Ruediger? +That gives me grief unmeasured; / the sight I may not longer bear. + +2217 + +"Now must thy gift unto me / prove thy sorest bane, +Since of my friends so many / thou from me hast ta'en. +Now hither turn to front me, / thou bold and noble knight: +As far as might may bear me / I trust to pay thy gift aright." + +2218 + +Ere that full the margrave / might make his way to him, +Must rings of glancing mail-coats / with flowing blood grow dim. +Then sprang upon each other / those knights on honor bent, +And each from wounds deep cutting / sought to keep him all unshent. + +2219 + +Their swords cut so keenly / that might withstand them naught. +With mighty arm Sir Ruediger / Gernot then smote +Through the flint-hard helmet, / that downward flowed the blood. +Therefor repaid him quickly / the knight of keen and valiant mood. + +2220 + +The gift he had of Ruediger / high in hand he swung, +And though to death was wounded / he smote with blow so strong +That the good shield was cloven / and welded helmet through. +The spouse of fair Gotelinde, / then his latest breath he drew. + +2221 + +In sooth so sad requital / found rich bounty ne'er. +Slain fell they both together, / Gernot and Ruediger, +Alike in storm of battle, / each by the other's hand. +Sore was the wrath of Hagen / when he the harm did understand. + +2222 + +Cried there the lord of Tronje: / "Great is here our loss. +In death of these two heroes / such scathe befalleth us, +Wherefor land and people / shall repine for aye. +The warriors of Ruediger / must now to us the forfeit pay." + +2223 + +"Alack for this my brother, / snatched by death this day! +What host of woes unbidden / encompass me alway! +Eke must I moan it ever / that noble Ruediger fell. +Great is the scathe to both sides / and great the sorrowing as well." + +2224 + +When then beheld Sir Giselher / his lover's sire dead, +Must all that with him followed / suffer direst need. +There Death was busy seeking / to gather in his train, +And of the men of Bechelaren / came forth not one alive again. + +2225 + +Gunther and Giselher / and with them Hagen too, +Dankwart and Volker, / doughty thanes and true, +Went where found they lying / the two warriors slain, +Nor at the sight the heroes / might their grief and tears restrain. + +2226 + +"Death robbeth us right sorely," / spake young Sir Giselher: +"Yet now give o'er your weeping / and let us seek the air, +That the ringed mail grow cooler / on us storm-weary men. +God in sooth will grant us / not longer here to live, I ween." + +2227 + +Here sitting, and there leaning / was seen full many a thane, +Resting once more from combat, / the while that all lay slain +The followers of Ruediger. / Hushed was the battle's din. +At length grew angry Etzel, / that stillness was so long within. + +2228 + +"Alack for such a service!" / spake the monarch's wife; +"For never 'tis so faithful / that our foes with life +Must to us make payment / at Ruediger's hand. +He thinks in sooth to lead them / again unto Burgundian land. + +2229 + +"What boots it, royal Etzel, / that we did ever share +With him what he desired? / The knight doth evil there. +He that should avenge us, / the same a truce doth make." +Thereto the stately warrior / Volker in answer spake: + +2230 + +"Alas 'tis no such case here, / O high and royal dame. +Dared I but give the lie to / one of thy lofty name, +Thou hast in fiendish manner / Ruediger belied. +He and all his warriors / have laid all thoughts of truce aside. + +2231 + +"With so good heart obeyed he / his royal master's will +That he and all his followers / here in death lie still. +Look now about thee, Kriemhild, / who may thy hests attend. +Ruediger the hero / hath served thee faithful to the end. + +2232 + +"Wilt thou my words believe not, / to thee shall clear be shown." +To cause her heart a sorrow, / there the thing was done. +Wound-gashed they bore the hero / where him the king might see. +Unto the thanes of Etzel / ne'er might so great sorrow be. + +2233 + +When did they the margrave / a corse on bier behold, +By chronicler might never / written be nor told +All the wild lamenting / of women and of men, +As with grief all stricken / out-poured they their hearts' sorrow then. + +2234 + +Royal Etzel's sorrow / there did know no bound. +Like to the voice of lion / echoing rang the sound +Of the king's loud weeping, / wherein the queen had share. +Unmeasured they lamented / the death of noble Ruediger. + + + + +THIRTY-EIGHTH ADVENTURE + +How all Sir Dietrich's Knights were Slain + +2235 + +On all sides so great sorrow / heard ye there around, +That palace and high tower / did from the wail resound. +Of Bern a man of Dietrich / eke the same did hear, +And speedily he hastened / the tidings to his lord to bear. + +2236 + +Spake he unto his master: / "Sir Dietrich give me ear. +What yet hath been my fortune, / never did I hear +Lamenting past all measure, / as at this hour hath been. +Scathe unto King Etzel / himself hath happened, I ween. + +2237 + +"Else how might they ever / all show such dire need? +The king himself or Kriemhild, / one of them lieth dead, +By the doughty strangers / for sake of vengeance slain. +Unmeasured is the weeping / of full many a stately thane." + +2238 + +Then spake of Bern Sir Dietrich: / "Ye men to me full dear, +Now haste ye not unduly. / The deeds performed here +By the stranger warriors / show sore necessity. +That peace with them I blighted, / let it now their profit be." + +2239 + +Then spake the valiant Wolfhart: / "Thither will I run +To make question of it / what they now have done, +And straight will tidings bring thee, / master full dear to me, +When yonder I inform me, / whence may so great lamenting be." + +2240 + +Answer gave Sir Dietrich: / "Fear they hostility, +The while uncivil questioning / of their deed there be, +Lightly are stirred to anger / good warriors o'er the thing. +Yea, 'tis my pleasure, Wolfhart, / thou sparest them all such + questioning. + +2241 + +Helfrich he then commanded / thither with speed to go +That from men of Etzel / he might truly know, +Or from the strangers straightway, / what thing there had been. +As that, so sore lamenting / of people ne'er before was seen. + +2242 + +Questioned then the messenger: / "What hath here been wrought?" +Answered one among them: / "Complete is come to naught +What of joy we cherished / here in Hunnish land. +Slain here lieth Ruediger, / fallen 'neath Burgundian hand. + +2243 + +"Of them that entered with him / not one doth longer live." +Naught might ever happen / Helfrich more to grieve, +Nor ever told he tidings / so ruefully before. +Weeping sore the message / unto Dietrich then he bore. + +2244 + +"What the news thou bringst us?" / Dietrich spake once more; +"Yet, O doughty Helfrich, / wherefore dost weep so sore?" +Answered the noble warrior: / "With right may I complain: +Yonder faithful Ruediger / lieth by the Burgundians slain." + +2245 + +The lord of Bern gave answer: / "God let not such thing be! +That were a mighty vengeance, / and eke the Devil's glee. +Whereby had ever Ruediger / from them deserved such ill? +Well know I to the strangers / was ever well disposed his will." + +2246 + +Thereto gave answer Wolfhart: / "In sooth have they this done, +Therefor their lives shall forfeit / surely, every one. +And make we not requital, / our shame for aye it were; +Full manifold our service / from hand of noble Ruediger." + +2247 + +Then bade the lord of Amelungen / the case more full to learn. +He sat within a casement / and did full sadly mourn. +He prayed then that Hildebrand / unto the strangers go, +That he from their own telling / of the case complete might know. + +2248 + +The warrior keen in battle, / Master Hildebrand, +Neither shield nor weapon / bore he in his hand, +But would in chivalrous manner / unto the strangers go. +His sister's son reviled him / that he would venture thus to do. + +2249 + +Spake in anger Wolfhart: / "Goest thou all weaponless, +Must I of such action / free my thought confess: +Thou shalt in shameful fashion / hither come again; +Goest thou armed thither, / will all from harm to thee refrain." + +2250 + +So armed himself the old man / at counsel of the young. +Ere he was ware of it, / into their armor sprung +All of Dietrich's warriors / and stood with sword in hand. +Grieved he was, and gladly / had turned them Master Hildebrand. + +2251 + +He asked them whither would they. / "Thee company we'll bear, +So may, perchance, less willing / Hagen of Tronje dare, +As so oft his custom, / to give thee mocking word." +The thane his leave did grant them / at last when he their speech had + heard. + +2252 + +Keen Volker saw approaching, / in armor all arrayed, +Of Bern the gallant warriors / that Dietrich's word obeyed, +With sword at girdle hanging / and bearing shield in hand. +Straight he told the tidings / to his masters of Burgundian land. + +2253 + +Spake the doughty Fiddler: / "Yonder see I come near +The warriors of Dietrich / all clad in battle gear +And decked their heads with helmets, / as if our harm they mean. +For us knights here homeless / approacheth evil end, I ween." + +2254 + +Meanwhile was come anigh them / Master Hildebrand. +Before his foot he rested / the shield he bore in hand, +And soon began to question / the men of Gunther there: +"Alack, ye gallant warriors, / what harm hath wrought you Ruediger? + +2255 + +"Me did my master Dietrich / hither to you command: +If now the noble margrave / hath fallen 'neath the hand +Of any knight among you, / as word to us is borne, +Such a mighty sorrow / might we never cease to mourn." + +2256 + +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "True is the tale ye hear. +Though glad I were, if to you / had lied the messenger, +And if the faithful Ruediger / still his life might keep, +For whom both man and woman / must ever now in sorrow weep!" + +2257 + +When they for sooth the passing / of the hero knew, +Those gallant knights bemoaned him / like faithful friends and true; +On Dietrich's lusty warriors / saw ye fall the tear +Adown the bearded visage, / for sad of heart in truth they were. + +2258 + +Of Bern then a chieftain, / Siegstab, further cried: +"Of all the mickle comfort / now an end is made, +That Ruediger erst prepared us / after our days of pain. +The joy of exiled people / here lieth by you warriors slain." + +2259 + +Then spake of Amelungen / the thane Wolfwein: +"If that this day beheld I / dead e'en sire of mine, +No more might be my sorrow / than for this hero's life. +Alack! who bringeth comfort / now to the noble margrave's wife?" + +2260 + +Spake eke in angry humor / Wolfhart a stalwart thane: +"Who now shall lead our army / on the far campaign, +As full oft the margrave / of old hath led our host? +Alack! O noble Ruediger, / that in such manner thee we've lost!" + +2261 + +Wolfbrand and Helfrich / and Helmnot with warriors all +Mourned there together / that he in death must fall. +For sobbing might not further / question Hildebrand. +He spake: "Now do, ye warriors, / according to my lord's command. + +2262 + +"Yield unto us Ruediger's / corse from out the hall, +In whose death to sorrow / hath passed our pleasure all; +And let us do him service / for friendship true of yore +That e'er for us he cherished / and eke for many a stranger more. + +2263 + +"We too from home are exiles / like unto Ruediger. +Why keep ye us here waiting? / Him grant us hence to bear, +That e'en though death hath reft him / our service he receive, +Though fairer had we paid it / the while the hero yet did live." + +2264 + +Thereto spake King Gunther: / "No service equal may +That which, when death hath reft him, / to friend a friend doth pay. +Him deem I friend right faithful, / whoe'er the same may do. +Well make ye here requital / for many a service unto you." + +2265 + +"How long shall we beseech you," / spake Wolfhart the thane; +"Since he that best consoled us / by you now lieth slain, +And we, alas, no longer / his living aid may have, +Grant us hence to bear him / and lay the hero in his grave." + +2266 + +Thereto answered Volker: / "Thy prayer shall all deny. +From out the hall thou take him, / where doth the hero lie +'Neath deep wounds and mortal / in blood now smitten down. +So may by thee best service / here to Ruediger be shown." + +2267 + +Answered Wolfhart boldly: / "Sir Fiddleman, God wot +Thou shalt forbear to stir us, / for woe on us thou'st wrought. +Durst I despite my master, / uncertain were thy life; +Yet must we here keep silence, / for he did bid us shun the strife." + +2268 + +Then spake again the Fiddler: / "'Tis all too much of fear, +For that a thing's forbidden, / meekly to forbear. +Scarce may I deem it valor / worthy good knight to tell." +What said his faithful comrade, / did please the doughty Hagen well. + +2269 + +"For proof be not o'er-eager," / Wolfhart quick replied, +"Else so I'll tune thy fiddle / that when again ye ride +Afar unto Rhine river, / sad tale thou tellest there. +Thy haughty words no longer / may I now with honor bear." + +2270 + +Spake once more the Fiddler: / "If e'er the harmony +Of my fiddle-strings thou breakest, / thy helmet's sheen shall be +Made full dim of lustre / by stroke of this my hand, +Howe'er fall out my journey / homeward to Burgundian land." + +2271 + +Then would he rush upon him / but that him did restrain +Hildebrand his uncle / who seized him amain. +"I ween thou would'st be witless, / by youthful rage misled. +My master's favor had'st thou / evermore thus forfeited." + +2272 + +"Let loose the lion, Master, / that doth rage so sore. +If but my sword may reach him," / spake Volker further more, +"Though he the world entire / by his own might had slain, +I'll smite him that an answer / never may he chant again." + +2273 + +Thereat with anger straightway / the men of Bern were filled. +Wolfhart, thane right valiant, / grasped in haste his shield, +And like to a wild lion / out before them sped. +By friends a goodly number / full quickly was he followed. + +2274 + +Though by the hall went striding / ne'er so swift the thane, +O'ertook him Master Hildebrand / ere he the steps might gain, +For nowise would he let him / be foremost in the fray. +In the stranger warriors / worthy foemen soon found they. + +2275 + +Straight saw ye upon Hagen / rush Master Hildebrand, +And sword ye heard give music / in each foeman's hand. +Sore they were enraged, / as ye soon were ware, +For from their swinging broadswords / whirred the ruddy sparks in air. + +2276 + +Yet soon the twain were parted / in the raging fight: +The men of Bern so turned it / by their dauntless might. +Ere long then was Hildebrand / from Hagen turned away, +While that the doughty Wolfhart / the valiant Volker sought to slay. + +2277 + +Upon the helm the Fiddler / he smote with blow so fierce +That the sword's keen edges / unto the frame did pierce. +With mighty stroke repaid him / the valiant minstrel too, +And so belabored Wolfhart / that thick the sparks around him flew. + +2278 + +Hewing they made the fire / from mail-rings scintillate, +For each unto the other / bore a deadly hate. +Of Bern the thane Wolfwein / at length did part the two,-- +Which thing might none other / than man of mickle prowess do. + +2279 + +Gunther, knight full gallant, / received with ready hand +There the stately warriors / of Amelungen land. +Eke did young Giselher / of many a helmet bright, +With blood all red and reeking, / cause to grow full dim the light. + +2280 + +Dankwart, Hagen's brother, / was a warrior grim. +What erstwhile in combat / had been wrought by him +Against the men of Etzel / seemed now as toying vain, +As fought with flaming ire / the son of valiant Aldrian. + +2281 + +Ritschart and Gerbart, / Helfrich and Wichart +Had oft in storm of battle / with valor borne their part, +As now 'fore men of Gunther / they did clear display. +Likewise saw ye Wolfbrand / glorious amid the fray. + +2282 + +There old Master Hildebrand / fought as he were wode. +Many a doughty warrior / was stricken in the blood +By the sword that swinging / in Wolfhart's hand was seen. +Thus took dire vengeance / for Ruediger those knights full keen. + +2283 + +Havoc wrought Sir Siegstab / there with might and main. +Ho! in the hurly-burly / what helms he cleft in twain +Upon the crowns of foemen, / Dietrich's sister's son! +Ne'er in storm of battle / had he more feats of valor done. + +2284 + +When the doughty Volker / there aright had seen +How many a bloody rivulet / was hewn by Siegstab keen +From out the well-wrought mail-rings, / the hero's ire arose. +Quick he sprang toward him, / Siegstab then his life must lose. + +2285 + +Ere long time was over, / 'neath the Fiddler's hand, +Who of his art did give him / such share to understand +That beneath his broadsword / smitten to death he lay. +Old Hildebrand avenged him / as bade his mighty arm alway. + +2286 + +"Alack that knight so loved," / spake Master Hildebrand, +"Here should thus lie fallen / 'neath Volker's hand. +Now lived his latest hour / in sooth this Fiddler hath." +Filled was the hero Hildebrand / straightway with a mighty wrath. + +2287 + +With might smote he Volker / that severed flew the band +E'en to the hall's wide limit / far on either hand +From shield and eke from helmet / borne by the Fiddler keen; +Therewith the doughty Volker / reft of life at last had been. + +2288 + +Pressed eager to the combat / Dietrich's warriors true, +Smiting that the mail-rings / afar from harness flew, +And that the broken sword-points / soaring aloft ye saw, +The while that reeking blood-stains / did they from riven helmets draw. + +2289 + +There of Tronje Hagen / beheld Volker dead. +In that so bloody carnage / 'twas far the sorest need +Of all that did befall him / in death of friend and man. +Alack! for him what vengeance / Hagen then to wreak began! + +2290 + +"Therefrom shall profit never / Master Hildebrand. +Slain hath been here my helper / 'neath the warrior's hand, +The best of feres in battle / that fortune ever sent." +His shield upraised he higher / and hewing through the throng he went. + +2291 + +Next saw ye Dankwart / by doughty Helfrich slain, +Gunther and Giselher / did full sorely plain, +When they beheld him fallen / where fiercely raged the fray. +For his death beforehand / dearly did his foemen pay. + +2292 + +The while coursed Wolfhart / thither and back again, +Through Gunther's men before him / hewing wide a lane. +Thrice in sooth returning / strode he down the hall, +And many a lusty warrior / 'neath his doughty hand must fall. + +2293 + +Soon the young Sir Giselher / cried aloud to him: +"Alack, that I should ever / find such foeman grim! +Sir knight, so bold and noble, / now turn thee here to me. +I trow to end thy coursing, / the which will I no longer see." + +2294 + +To Giselher then turned him / Wolfhart in the fight, +And gaping wounds full many / did each the other smite. +With such a mighty fury / he to the monarch sped +That 'neath his feet went flying / the blood e'en high above his head. + +2295 + +With rapid blows and furious / the son of Ute fair +Received the valiant Wolfhart / as came he to him there. +How strong soe'er the thane was, / his life must ended be. +Never king so youthful / might bear himself more valiantly. + +2296 + +Straight he smote Wolfhart / through well-made cuirass, +That from the wound all gaping / the flowing blood did pass. +Unto death he wounded / Dietrich's liegeman true, +Which thing in sooth might never / any save knight full gallant do. + +2297 + +When the valiant Wolfhart / of the wound was ware, +His shield flung he from him / and high with hand in air +Raised he a mighty weapon / whose keen edge failed not. +Through helmet and through mail-rings / Giselher with might he smote. + +2298 + +Grimly each the other / there to death had done. +Of Dietrich's men no longer / lived there ever one. +When old Master Hildebrand / Wolfhart's fall had seen, +In all his life there never / such sorrow him befell, I ween. + +2299 + +Fallen now were Gunther's / warriors every one, +And eke the men of Dietrich. / Hildebrand the while had gone +Where Wolfhart had fallen / down in pool of blood. +In his arms then clasped he / the warrior of dauntless mood. + +2300 + +Forth from the hall to bear him / vainly did he try: +But all too great the burden / and there he still must lie. +The dying knight looked upward / from his bloody bed +And saw how that full gladly / him his uncle thence had led. + +2301 + +Spake he thus mortal wounded: / "Uncle full dear to me, +Now mayst thou at such season / no longer helpful be. +To guard thee well from Hagen / indeed me seemeth good, +For bears he in his bosom / a heart in sooth of grimmest mood. + +2302 + +"And if for me my kinsmen / at my death would mourn, +Unto the best and nearest / by thee be message borne +That for me they weep not, / --of that no whit is need. +At hand of valiant monarch / here lie I gloriously dead. + +2303 + +"Eke my life so dearly / within this hall I've sold, +That have sore cause for weeping / the wives of warriors bold. +If any make thee question, / then mayst thou freely say +That my own hand nigh hundred / warriors hath slain to-day." + +2304 + +Now was Hagen mindful / of the minstrel slain, +From whom the valiant Hildebrand / erstwhile his life had ta'en. +Unto the Master spake he: / "My woes shalt thou repay. +Full many a warrior gallant / thou hast ta'en from us hence away." + +2305 + +He smote upon Hildebrand / that loud was heard the tone +Of Balmung resounding / that erst did Siegfried own, +But Hagen bold did seize it / when he the hero slew. +The old warrior did guard him, / as he was knight of mettle true. + +2306 + +Dietrich's doughty liegeman / with broadsword did smite +That did cut full sorely, / upon Tronje's knight; +Yet had the man of Gunther / never any harm. +Through his cuirass well-jointed / Hagen smote with mighty arm. + +2307 + +Soon as his wound perceived / the aged Hildebrand, +Feared he more of damage / to take from Hagen's hand; +Across his back full deftly / his shield swung Dietrich's man, +And wounded deep, the hero / in flight 'fore Hagen's fury ran. + +2308 + +Now longer lived not any / of all that goodly train +Save Gunther and Hagen, / doughty warriors twain. +With blood from wound down streaming / fled Master Hildebrand, +Whom soon in Dietrich's presence, / saw ye with saddest tidings stand. + +2309 + +He found the chieftain sitting / with sorrow all distraught, +Yet mickle more of sadness / unto him he brought. +When Dietrich saw how Hildebrand / cuirass all blood-red wore, +With fearful heart he questioned, / what the news to him he bore. + +2310 + +"Now tell me, Master Hildebrand, / how thus wet thou be +From thy life-blood flowing, / or who so harmeth thee. +In hall against the strangers / thou'st drawn thy sword, I ween. +'Twere well my straight denial / here by these had honored been." + +2311 + +Replied he to his master: / "From Hagen cometh all. +This deep wound he smote me / there within the hall +When I from his fury / thought to turn away. +'Tis marvel that I living / saved me from the fiend this day." + +2312 + +Then of Bern spake Dietrich: / "Aright hast thou thy share, +For thou didst hear me friendship / unto these knights declare, +And now the peace hast broken, / that I to them did give. +If my disgrace it were not, / by this hand no longer shouldst thou live." + +2313 + +"Now be not, Master Dietrich, / so sorely stirred to wrath. +On me and on my kinsmen / is wrought too great a scathe. +Thence sought we Ruediger / to bear all peacefully, +The which by men of Gunther / to us no whit would granted be." + +2314 + +"Ah, woe is me for sorrow! / Is Ruediger then dead, +In all my need there never / such grief hath happened. +The noble Gotelinde / is cousin fair to me. +Alack for the poor orphans / that there in Bechelaren must be!" + +2315 + +Grief and anguish filled him / o'er Ruediger thus slain, +Nor might at all the hero / the flowing tears restrain. +"Alack for faithful helper / that death from me hath torn. +King Etzel's trusty liegeman / never may I cease to mourn. + +2316 + +"Canst thou, Master Hildebrand, / true the tidings say, +Who might be the warrior / that Ruediger did slay?" +"That did the doughty Gernot / with mighty arm," he said: +"Eke at hand of Ruediger / lieth the royal hero dead." + +2317 + +Spake he again to Hildebrand: / "Now let my warriors know, +That straightway they shall arm them, / for thither will I go. +And bid to fetch hither / my shining mail to me. +Myself those knights will question / of the land of Burgundy." + +2318 + +"Who here shall do thee service?" / spake Master Hildebrand; +"All that thou hast yet living, / thou seest before thee stand. +Of all remain I only; / the others, they are dead." +As was in sooth good reason, / filled the tale his soul with dread, + +2319 + +For in his life did never / such woe to him befall. +He spake: "Hath death so reft me / of my warriors all, +God hath forsaken Dietrich, / ah me, a wretched wight! +Sometime a lofty monarch / I was, high throned in wealth and might." + +2320 + +"How might it ever happen?" / Dietrich spake again, +"That so worthy heroes / here should all be slain +By the battle-weary / strangers thus beset? +Ill fortune me hath chosen, / else death had surely spared them yet. + +2321 + +"Since that fate not further / to me would respite give, +Then tell me, of the strangers / doth any longer live?" +Answered Master Hildebrand: / "God wot, never one +Save Hagen, and beside him / Gunther lofty king alone." + +2322 + +"Alack, O faithful Wolfhart, / must I thy death now mourn, +Soon have I cause to rue me / that ever I was born. +Siegstab and Wolfwein / and eke Wolfbrand! +Who now shall be my helpers / in the Amelungen land? + +2323 + +"Helfrich, thane full valiant, / and is he likewise slain? +For Gerbart and Wichart / when shall I cease to plain? +Of all my life's rejoicing / is this the latest day. +Alack that die for sorrow / never yet a mortal may!" + + + + +THIRTY-NINTH ADVENTURE + +How Gunther and Hagen and Kriemhild were Slain + +2324 + +Himself did then Sir Dietrich / his armor take in hand, +To don the which did help him / Master Hildebrand. +The doughty chieftain meanwhile / must make so loud complain +That from high palace casement / oft came back the sound again. + +2325 + +Natheless his proper humor / soon he did regain, +And armed full in anger / stood the worthy thane; +A shield all wrought full firmly / took he straight in hand, +And forth they strode together, / he and Master Hildebrand. + +2326 + +Spake then of Tronje Hagen: / "Lo, where doth hither wend +In wrath his way Sir Dietrich. / 'Tis plain he doth intend +On us to wreak sore vengeance / for harm befallen here. +To-day be full decided / who may the prize for valor bear! + +2327 + +"Let ne'er of Bern Sir Dietrich / hold him so high of might +Nor deem his arm so doughty / and terrible in fight +That, will he wreak his anger / on us for sorest scathe,"-- +Such were the words of Hagen, / --"I dare not well withstand his wrath." + +2328 + +Upon these words defiant / left Dietrich Hildebrand, +And to the warriors hither / came where both did stand +Without before the palace, / and leaning respite found. +His shield well proved in battle / Sir Dietrich lowered to the ground. + +2329 + +Addressed to them Sir Dietrich / these words of sorrowing: +"Wherefore hast thou such evil, / Gunther mighty king, +Wrought 'gainst me a stranger? / What had I done to thee, +Of my every comfort / in such manner reft to be? + +2330 + +"Seemed then not sufficient / the havoc unto you +When from us the hero / Ruediger ye slew, +That now from me ye've taken / my warriors one and all? +Through me did so great sorrow / ne'er to you good knights befall. + +2331 + +"Of your own selves bethink you / and what the scathe ye bore, +The death of your companions / and all your travail sore, +If not your hearts, good warriors, / thereat do heavy grow. +That Ruediger hath fallen, / --ah me! how fills my heart with woe! + +2332 + +"In all this world to any / more sorrow ne'er befell, +Yet have ye minded little / my loss and yours as well. +Whate'er I most rejoiced in / beneath your hands lies slain; +Yea, for my kinsmen fallen / never may I cease to plain." + +2333 + +"No guilt lies here upon us," / Hagen in answer spake. +"Unto this hall hither / your knights their way did take, +With goodly train of warriors / full armed for the fight. +Meseemeth that the story / hath not been told to thee aright." + +2334 + +"What shall I else believe in? / To me told Hildebrand +How, when the knights that serve me / of Amelungenland +Did beg the corse of Ruediger / to give them from the hall, +Nought offered ye but mockings / unto the valiant warriors all." + +2335 + +Then spake the King of Rhineland: / "Ruediger to bear away +Came they in company hither; / whose corse to them deny +I bade, despiting Etzel, / nor with aught malice more, +Whereupon did Wolfhart / begin to rage thereat full sore." + +2336 + +Then spake of Bern the hero: / "'Twas fated so to be. +Yet Gunther, noble monarch, / by thy kingly courtesy +Amends make for the sorrow / thou here on me hast wrought, +That so thy knightly honor / still unsullied be in aught. + +2337 + +"Then yield to me as hostage / thyself and eke thy man; +So will I surely hinder, / as with best might I can, +That any here in Hunland / harm unto thee shall do: +Henceforward shalt thou find me / ever well disposed and true." + +2338 + +"God in heaven forfend it," / Hagen spake again, +"That unto thee should yield them / ever warriors twain +Who in their strength reliant / all armed before thee stand, +And yet 'fore foes defiant / may freely swing a blade in hand." + +2339 + +"So shall ye not," spake Dietrich, / "proffered peace forswear, +Gunther and Hagen. / Misfortune such I bear +At both your hands, 'tis certain / ye did but do aright, +Would ye for so great sorrow / now my heart in full requite. + +2340 + +"I give you my sure promise / and pledge thereto my hand +That I will bear you escort / home unto your land; +With honors fit I'll lead you, / thereon my life I set, +And for your sake sore evil / suffered at your hands forget." + +2341 + +"Ask thou such thing no longer," / Hagen then replied. +"For us 'twere little fitting / the tale be bruited wide, +That twain of doughty warriors / did yield them 'neath thy hand. +Beside thee is none other / now but only Hildebrand." + +2342 + +Then answered Master Hildebrand: / "The hour may come, God wot, +Sir Hagen, when thus lightly / disdain it thou shalt not +If any man such offer / of peace shall make to thee. +Welcome might now my master's / reconciliation be." + +2343 + +"I'd take in sooth his friendship," / Hagen gave reply, +"Ere that I so basely / forth from a hall would fly. +As thou hast done but lately, / O Master Hildebrand. +I weened with greater valor / couldst thou 'fore a foeman stand." + +2344 + +Thereto gave answer Hildebrand: / "From thee reproach like that? +Who was then on shield so idle / 'fore the Waskenstein that sat, +The while that Spanish Walter / friend after friend laid low? +Such valor thou in plenty / hast in thine own self to show." + +2345 + +Outspake then Sir Dietrich: / "Ill fits it warriors bold +That they one another / like old wives should scold. +Thee forbid I, Hildebrand, / aught to parley more. +Ah me, most sad misfortune / weigheth on my heart full sore. + +2346 + +"Let me hear, Sir Hagen," / Dietrich further spake, +"What boast ye doughty warriors / did there together make, +When that ye saw me hither / come with sword in hand? +Thought ye then not singly / me in combat to withstand?" + +2347 + +"In sooth denieth no one," / bold Sir Hagen spake, +"That of the same with sword-blow / I would trial make, +An but the sword of Niblung / burst not within my hand. +Yea, scorn I that to yield us / thus haughtily thou mak'st demand." + +2348 + +When Dietrich now perceived / how Hagen raged amain, +Raise his shield full quickly / did the doughty thane. +As quick upon him Hagen / adown the perron sprang, +And the trusty sword of Niblung / full loud on Dietrich's armor rang. + +2349 + +Then knew full well Sir Dietrich / that the warrior keen +Savage was of humor, / and best himself to screen +Sought of Bern the hero / from many a murderous blow, +Whereby the valiant Hagen / straightway came he well to know. + +2350 + +Eke fear he had of Balmung, / a strong and trusty blade. +Each blow meanwhile Sir Dietrich / with cunning art repaid, +Till that he dealt to Hagen / a wound both deep and long, +Whereat give o'er the struggle / must the valiant knight and strong. + +2351 + +Bethought him then Sir Dietrich: / "Through toil thy strength has fled, +And little honor had I / shouldst thou lie before me dead. +So will I yet make trial / if I may not subdue +Thee unto me as hostage." / Light task 'twas not the same to do. + +2352 + +His shield down cast he from him / and with what strength he found +About the knight of Tronje / fast his arms he wound. +In such wise was subdued / by him the doughty knight; +Gunther the noble monarch / did weep to see his sorry plight. + +2353 + +Bind Hagen then did Dietrich, / and led him where did stand +Kriemhild the royal lady, / and gave into her hand +Of all the bravest warrior / that ever weapon bore. +After her mickle sorrow / had she merry heart once more. + +2354 + +For joy before Sir Dietrich / bent royal Etzel's wife: +"Blessed be thou ever / in heart while lasteth life. +Through thee is now forgotten / all my dire need; +An death do not prevent me, / from me shall ever be thy meed." + +2355 + +Then spake to her Sir Dietrich, / "Take not his life away, +High and royal lady, / for full will he repay +Thee for the mickle evil / on thee have wrought his hands. +Be it not his misfortune / that bound before thee here he stands." + +2356 + +Then bade she forth lead Hagen / to dungeon keep near by, +Wherein he lay fast bolted / and hid from every eye. +Gunther, the noble monarch, / with loudest voice did say: +"The knight of Bern who wrongs me, / whither hath he fled away?" + +2357 + +Meanwhile back towards him / the doughty Dietrich came, +And found the royal Gunther / a knight of worthy name. +Eke he might bide longer / but down to meet him sprang, +And soon with angry clamor / their swords before the palace rang. + +2358 + +How famed soe'er Sir Dietrich / and great the name he bore, +With wrath was filled King Gunther, / and eke did rage full sore +At thought of grievous sorrow / suffered at his hand: +Still tell they as high wonder / how Dietrich might his blows withstand. + +2359 + +In store of doughty valor / each did nothing lack. +From palace and from tower / the din of blows came back +As on well-fastened helmets / the lusty swords came down, +And royal Gunther's valor / in the fight full clear was shown. + +2360 + +The knight of Bern yet tamed him / as Hagen erst befell, +And oozing through his armor / the blood was seen to swell +From cut of sharpest weapon / in Dietrich's arm that swung. +Right worthily King Gunther / had borne him after labors long. + +2361 + +Bound was then the monarch / by Sir Dietrich's hand, +Albeit bonds should suffer / ne'er king of any land. +But deemed he, if King Gunther / and Hagen yet were free, +Secure might never any / from their searching vengeance be. + +2362 + +When in such manner Dietrich / the king secure had bound +By the hand he led him / where Kriemhild he found. +At sight of his misfortune / did sorrow from her flee: +Quoth she: "Welcome Gunther / from out the land of Burgundy." + +2363 + +He spake: "Then might I thank thee, / sister of high degree, +When that some whit more gracious / might thy greeting be. +So angry art thou minded / ever yet, O queen, +Full spare shall be thy greeting / to Hagen and to me, I ween." + +2364 + +Then spake of Bern the hero: / "Ne'er till now, O queen, +Given o'er as hostage / have knights so worthy been, +As I, O lofty lady, / in these have given to thee: +I pray thee higher evils / to spare them now for sake of me." + +2365 + +She vowed to do it gladly. / Then forth Sir Dietrich went +With weeping eyes to see there / such knights' imprisonment. +In grimmest ways thereafter / wreaked vengeance Etzel's wife: +Beneath her hand those chosen / warriors twain must end their life. + +2366 + +She let them lie asunder / the less at ease to be, +Nor did each the other / thenceforward ever see +Till that unto Hagen / her brother's head she bore. +In sooth did Kriemhild vengeance / wreak upon the twain full sore. + +2367 + +Forth where she should find Hagen / the queen her way did take, +And in right angry manner / she to the warrior spake: +"An thou wilt but restore me / that thou hast ta'en from me, +So may'st thou come yet living / home to the land of Burgundy." + +2368 + +Answered thereto grim Hagen: / "'Twere well thy breath to save, +Full high and royal lady. / Sworn by my troth I have +That I the hoard will tell not; / the while that yet doth live +Of my masters any, / the treasure unto none I'll give." + +2369 + +"Then ended be the story," / the noble lady spake. +She bade them from her brother / straightway his life to take. +His head they struck from off him, / which by the hair she bore +Unto the thane of Tronje. / Thereat did grieve the knight full sore. + +2370 + +When that he in horror / his master's head had seen, +Cried the doughty warrior / unto Kriemhild the queen: +"Now is thy heart's desire / at length accomplished. +And eke hath all befallen / as my foreboding heart hath said. + +2371 + +"Dead lieth now the noble / king of Burgundy, +Also youthful Giselher / and Sir Gernot eke doth he. +The treasure no one knoweth / but God and me alone, +Nor e'er by thee, she-devil, / shall its hiding-place be known." + +2372 + +Quoth she: "But ill requital / hast thou made to me. +Yet mine the sword of Siegfried / now henceforth shall be, +The which when last I saw him, / my loved husband bore, +In whom on me such sorrow / through guilt of thine doth weigh full sore." + +2373 + +She drew it from the scabbard, / nor might he say her nay, +Though thought she from the warrior / his life to take away. +With both hands high she raised it / and off his head struck she, +Whereat did grieve King Etzel / full sore the sorry sight to see. + +2374 + +"To arms!" cried then the monarch: / "here lieth foully slain +Beneath the hand of woman / of all the doughtiest thane +That e'er was seen in battle / or ever good shield bore! +Though foeman howsoever, / yet grieveth this my heart full sore." + +2375 + +Quoth then the aged Hildebrand: / "Reap no gain she shall, +That thus she dared to slay him. / Whate'er to me befall, +And though myself in direst / need through him have been, +By me shall be avenged / the death of Tronje's knight full keen." + +2376 + +In wrathful mood then Hildebrand / unto Kriemhild sprung, +And 'gainst the queen full swiftly / his massy blade he swung. +Aloud she then in terror / 'fore Hildebrand did wail, +Yet that she shrieked so loudly, / to save her what might that avail? + +2377 + +So all those warriors fated / by hand of death lay strewn, +And e'en the queen full lofty / in pieces eke was hewn. +Dietrich and royal Etzel / at length to weep began, +And grievously they mourned / kinsmen slain and many a man. + +2378 + +Who late stood high in honor / now in death lay low, +And fate of all the people / weeping was and woe. +To mourning now the monarch's / festal tide had passed, +As falls that joy to sorrow / turneth ever at the last. + +2379 + +Nor can I tell you further / what later did befall, +But that good knights and ladies / saw ye mourning all, +And many a noble squire, / for friends in death laid low. +Here hath the story ending, / --that is the Nibelungen woe. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Nibelungenlied +trans. by George Henry Needler + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NIBELUNGENLIED *** + +This file should be named niebn10.txt or niebn10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, niebn11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, niebn11a.txt + +Produced by David Starner, Thomas Berger, +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: The Nibelungenlied + Translated into Rhymed English Verse in the Metre of the Original + +Author: trans. by George Henry Needler + +Release Date: January, 2005 [EBook #7321] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on April 13, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NIBELUNGENLIED *** + + + + +Produced by David Starner, Thomas Berger, +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div align="center"> +<h1>The Nibelungenlied</h1> +<p> +<i>Translated into Rhymed English Verse in the +Metre of the Original</i></p> +<p> +By</p> +<p class="fbig"> +George Henry Needler</p> +<p class="fsmall"> +<i>Associate Professor of German in University College, Toronto</i></p> + +</div> +<br><hr><br> +<h2>PREFACE</h2> + +<p>This translation of the Nibelungenlied is published with the +simple purpose of placing one of the world's great epic poems +within the reach of English readers. Translations are at best but +poor substitutes for originals. A new translation of a poem implies +also a criticism of those that have preceded it. My apology for +presenting this new English version of the Nibelungenlied is that +none of those hitherto made has reproduced the metrical form of +the original. In the hope of making the outlines of the poem +clearer for the modern reader, I have endeavored to supply in the +Introduction a historical background by summing up the results +of investigation into its origin and growth. The translation itself +was begun many years ago, when I studied the original under +Zarncke in Leipzig.</p> + +<p>G. H. N.</p> + +<p>University College, Toronto, September, 1904.</p> +<br><hr><br> + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<p class="fbig">Introduction.</p> +<ol style="list-style-type:upper-roman"> + <li>The Nibelungen Saga. + <ol> + <li><a href="#I11">Origin of the Saga.</a> + <li><a href="#I12">The Northern Form of the Saga.</a> + <li><a href="#I13">The Saga as Preserved in the Nibelungenlied.</a> + <li><a href="#I14">Mythical Element and Historical Element.</a> + </ol> + <li>The Nibelungenlied. + <ol> + <li><a href="#I21">The Manuscripts.</a> + <li><a href="#I22">Stages in the Evolution of the Poem.</a> + <li><a href="#I23">Character of the Poem.</a> + <li><a href="#I24">Later Forms of the Saga.</a> + <li><a href="#I25">Poem and Saga in Modern Literature.</a> + <li><a href="#I26">Modern German Translations.</a> + <li><a href="#I27">English Translations.</a> + <li><a href="#I28">Editions of the Nibelungenlied.</a> + </ol> +</ol><br> +<p class="fbig">The Nibelungenlied.</p> + <ol style="list-style-type:none"> + <li>FIRST ADVENTURE: <a href="#A1">Kriemhild's Dream.</a> + <li>SECOND ADVENTURE: <a href="#A2">Siegfried.</a> + <li>THIRD ADVENTURE: <a href="#A3">How Siegfried Came to Worms.</a> + <li>FOURTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A4">How Siegfried Fought with the Saxons.</a> + <li>FIFTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A5">How Siegfried first Saw Kriemhild.</a> + <li>SIXTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A6">How Gunther Fared to Isenland to Brunhild.</a> + <li>SEVENTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A7">How Gunther Won Brunhild.</a> + <li>EIGHTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A8">How Siegfried Fared to his Knights, the Nibelungen.</a> + <li>NINTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A9">How Siegfried was Sent to Worms.</a> + <li>TENTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A10">How Brunhild was Received at Worms.</a> + <li>ELEVENTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A11">How Siegfried Came Home with his Wife.</a> + <li>TWELFTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A12">How Gunther Bade Siegfried to the Feast.</a> + <li>THIRTEENTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A13">How They Fared to the Feast.</a> + <li>FOURTEENTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A14">How the Queens Berated Each Other.</a> + <li>FIFTEENTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A15">How Siegfried was Betrayed.</a> + <li>SIXTEENTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A16">How Siegfried was Slain.</a> + <li>SEVENTEENTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A17">How Kriemhild Mourned for Siegfried.</a> + <li>EIGHTEENTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A18">How Sigmund Fared Home Again.</a> + <li>NINETEENTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A19">How the Nibelungen Hoard was Brought to Worms.</a> + <li>TWENTIETH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A20">How King Etzel Sent for Kriemhild.</a> + <li>TWENTY-FIRST ADVENTURE: <a href="#A21">How Kriemhild Fared to the Huns.</a> + <li>TWENTY-SECOND ADVENTURE: <a href="#A22">How Etzel Kept the Wedding-feast.</a> + <li>TWENTY-THIRD ADVENTURE: <a href="#A23">How Kriemhild Thought to Avenge Her Wrong.</a> + <li>TWENTY-FOURTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A24">How Werbel and Schwemmel Brought the Message.</a> + <li>TWENTY-FIFTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A25">How the Knights all Fared to the Huns.</a> + <li>TWENTY-SIXTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A26">How Gelfrat was Slain by Dankwart.</a> + <li>TWENTY-SEVENTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A27">How They Came to Bechelaren.</a> + <li>TWENTY-EIGHTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A28">How the Burgundians Came to Etzel's Castle.</a> + <li>TWENTY-NINTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A29">How He Arose not before Her.</a> + <li>THIRTIETH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A30">How They Kept Guard.</a> + <li>THIRTY-FIRST ADVENTURE: <a href="#A31">How They Went to Mass.</a> + <li>THIRTY-SECOND ADVENTURE: <a href="#A32">How Bloedel was Slain.</a> + <li>THIRTY-THIRD ADVENTURE: <a href="#A33">How the Burgundians Fought with the Huns.</a> + <li>THIRTY-FOURTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A34">How They Cast Out the Dead.</a> + <li>THIRTY-FIFTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A35">How Iring was Slain.</a> + <li>THIRTY-SIXTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A36">How the Queen Bade Set Fire to the Hall.</a> + <li>THIRTY-SEVENTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A37">How the Margrave Ruediger was Slain.</a> + <li>THIRTY-EIGHTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A38">How All Sir Dietrich's Knights were Slain.</a> + <li>THIRTY-NINTH ADVENTURE: <a href="#A39">How Gunther and Hagen and Kriemhild were Slain.</a> +</ol> + + +<br><hr><br> + +<h2>THE NIBELUNGENLIED</h2> + +<h3>I. The Nibelungen Saga</h3> + +<h4><a name="I11">1.</a> Origin of the Saga</h4> + +<p>All the Aryan peoples have had their heroic age, the achievements +of which form the basis of later saga. For the Germans +this was the period of the Migrations, as it is called, in round numbers +the two hundred years from 400 to 600, at the close of which +we find them settled in those regions which they have, generally +speaking, occupied ever since. During these two centuries kaleidoscopic +changes had been taking place in the position of the various +Germanic tribes. Impelled partly by a native love of wandering, +partly by the pressure of hostile peoples of other race, they +moved with astonishing rapidity hither and thither over the face +of Europe, generally in conflict with one another or buffeted by +the Romans in the west and south, and by the Huns in the east. +In this stern struggle for existence and search for a permanent +place of settlement some of them even perished utterly; amid the +changing fortunes of all of them deeds were performed that fixed +themselves in the memory of the whole people, great victories or +great disasters became the subject of story and song. We need +only to recall such names as those of Ermanric and Theodoric +to remind ourselves what an important part was played by the +Germanic peoples of that Migration Period in the history of Europe. +During it a national consciousness was engendered, and in it we +have the faint beginnings of a national literature. Germanic saga +rests almost entirely upon the events of these two centuries, the +fifth and sixth. Although we get glimpses of the Germans during +the four or five preceding centuries, none of the historic characters +of those earlier times have been preserved in the national sagas.</p> + +<p>With these sagas based on history, however, have been mingled +in most cases primeval Germanic myths, possessions of the people +from prehistoric times. A most conspicuous example of this union +of mythical and originally historical elements is the Nibelungen +saga, out of which grew in course of time the great national epic, +the Nibelungenlied.</p> + +<p>The Nibelungen saga is made up of two parts, on the one hand +the mythical story of Siegfried and on the other the story, founded +on historic fact, of the Burgundians. When and how the Siegfried +myth arose it is impossible to say; its origin takes us back into +the impenetrable mists of the unrecorded life of our Germanic +forefathers, and its form was moulded by the popular poetic spirit. +The other part of the saga is based upon the historic incident of +the overthrow of the Burgundian kingdom by the Huns in the +year 437. This annihilation of a whole tribe naturally impressed +itself vividly upon the imagination of contemporaries. Then the +fact of history soon began to pass over into the realm of legend, +and, from causes which can no longer be determined, this tradition +of the vanished Burgundians became united with the mythical +story of Siegfried. This composite Siegfried-Burgundian saga +then became a common possession of the Germanic peoples, was +borne with many of them to lands far distant from the place of +its origin, and was further moulded by each according to its peculiar +genius and surroundings. In the Icelandic Eddas, the oldest +of which we have as they were written down in the latter part of +the ninth century, are preserved the earliest records of the form +it had taken among the northern Germanic peoples. Our Nibelungenlied, +which is the chief source of our knowledge of the story +as it developed in Germany, dates from about the year 1200. These +two versions, the Northern and the German, though originating +in this common source, had diverged very widely in the centuries +that elapsed between their beginning and the time when the manuscripts +were written in which they are preserved. Each curtailed, +re-arranged, or enlarged the incidents of the story in its own way. +The character of the chief actors and the motives underlying what +we may call the dramatic development assumed widely dissimilar +forms. The German Nibelungenlied may be read and appreciated +as one of the world's great epic poems without an acquaintance +on the part of the reader with the Northern version of the saga. In +order, however, to furnish the setting for a few episodes that would +in that case remain either obscure or colorless, and with a view to +placing the readers of this translation in a position to judge better +the deeper significance of the epic as the eloquent narrative of a +thousand years of the life of the people among whom it grew, the +broad outlines of the saga in its Northern form will be given here.</p> + + +<h4><a name="I12">2.</a> The Northern Form of the Saga</h4> + +<p>Starting at the middle of the fifth century from the territory +about Worms on the Rhine where the Burgundians were overthrown, +the saga soon spread from the Franks to the other Germanic +peoples. We have evidence of its presence in northern Germany +and Denmark. Allusions to it in the Anglo-Saxon poem, the +<i>Wanderer</i>, of the seventh century and in the great Anglo-Saxon +epic <i>Beowulf</i> of a short time later, show us that it had early become +part of the national saga stock in England. Among the people +of Norway and Iceland it took root and grew with particular vigor. +Here, farthest away from its original home and least exposed to +outward influences, it preserved on the whole most fully its heathen +Germanic character, especially in its mythical part. By a fortunate +turn of events, too, the written record of it here is of considerably +earlier date than that which we have from Germany. The +Eddas, as the extensive collection of early Icelandic poems is called, +are the fullest record of Germanic mythology and saga that has +been handed down to us, and in them the saga of Siegfried and +the Nibelungen looms up prominently. The earliest of these +poems date from about the year 850, and the most important of +them were probably written down within a couple of centuries of +that time. They are thus in part some three centuries older than +the German Nibelungenlied, and on the whole, too, they preserve +more of the original outlines of the saga. By bringing together +the various episodes of the saga from the Eddas and the Volsung +saga, a prose account of the mythical race of the Volsungs, we arrive +at the following narrative.</p> + +<p>On their wanderings through the world the three gods Odin, +Hönir, and Loki come to a waterfall where an otter is devouring +a fish that it has caught. Loki kills the otter with a stone, and +they take off its skin. In the evening they seek a lodging at the +house of Hreidmar, to whom they show the skin. Hreidmar recognizes +it as that of his son, whom Loki has killed when he had taken +on the form of an otter. Assisted by his sons Fafnir and Regin, +Hreidmar seizes the three gods, and spares their lives only on the +promise that they will fill the skin, and also cover it outwardly, +with gold. Loki is sent to procure the ransom. With a net borrowed +from the sea-goddess Ran he catches at the waterfall the +dwarf Andvari in form of a fish and compels him to supply the +required gold. Andvari tries to keep back a ring, but this also +Loki takes from him, whereupon the dwarf utters a curse upon +the gold and whosoever may possess it. The ransom is now paid +to Hreidmar; even the ring must, on Hreidmar's demand, be given +in order to complete the covering of the otter's skin. Loki tells +him of the curse connected with the ownership of the gold. When +Hreidmar refuses Fafnir and Regin a share in the treasure, he is +killed by Fafnir, who takes possession of the hoard to the exclusion +of Regin. In the form of a dragon Fafnir dwells on Gnita Heath +guarding the hoard, while Regin broods revenge.</p> + +<p>From Odin is descended King Volsung, who has a family of +ten sons and one daughter. The eldest son is Sigmund, twin-born +with his sister Signy. King Siggeir of Gautland sues for +the hand of Signy, whom her father gives to Siggeir against her +will. In the midst of King Volsung's hall stood a mighty oak-tree. +As the wedding-feast is being held there enters a stranger, +an old man with one eye, his hat drawn down over his face and +bearing in his hand a sword. This sword he thrusts to the hilt +into the tree, saying that it shall belong to him who can draw it +out again; after which he disappears as he had come. All the +guests try their strength in vain upon the sword, but Sigmund +alone is able to draw it forth. He refuses to sell it to Siggeir for +all his proffered gold. Siggeir plans vengeance. He invites Volsung +and his sons to Gautland, and returns home thither with +his bride Signy, who before going warns her father to be upon +his guard.</p> + +<p>At the appointed time King Volsung and his sons go as invited +to Gautland. In spite of Signy's repeated warning he will not +flee from danger, and falls in combat with Siggeir; his ten sons +are taken prisoners, and placed in stocks in the forest. For nine +successive nights a she-wolf comes and devours each night one of +them, till only Sigmund remains. By the aid of Signy he escapes. +The she-wolf, it was said, was the mother of Siggeir.</p> + +<p>To Sigmund, who has hidden in a wood, Signy sends her eldest +boy of ten years that Sigmund may test his courage and see if he is +fit to be a helper in seeking revenge. Neither he, however, nor +his younger brother stands the test. Signy sees that only a scion +of the race of Volsung will suffice, and accordingly disguises herself +and lives three days with Sigmund in the wood. From their +union a son Sinfiotli is born, whom also, after ten years, she sends +out to Sigmund. He stands every test of courage, and is trained +by Sigmund, who thinks he is Siggeir's son.</p> + +<p>Bent on revenge, Sigmund repairs with Sinfiotli to Siggeir's +castle. After Sinfiotli has slain the king's two sons, he and Sigmund +are overpowered and condemned to be buried alive. With +Sigmund's sword, however, which Signy has managed to place +in their hands, they cut their way out, then set fire to Siggeir's hall. +Signy comes forth and reveals to Sigmund that Sinfiotli is their +own son; and then, saying that her work of revenge is complete +and that she can live no longer, she returns into the burning hall +and perishes with Siggeir and all his race.</p> + +<p>Sigmund now returns home and rules as a mighty king. He +marries Borghild, who later kills Sinfiotli with a poisoned drink, +and is cast away by Sigmund. He then marries Hjordis. Lyngvi, +the son of King Hunding, was also a suitor and now invades Sigmund's +land. The latter hews down many of his enemies, until +an old man with one eye, in hat and dark cloak, interposes his +spear, against which Sigmund's sword breaks in two. Sigmund +falls severely wounded.</p> + +<p>In the night Hjordis seeks the scene of the combat and finds +Sigmund still alive. He refuses to allow her to heal his wounds, +saying that Odin no longer wills that he swing the sword. He +tells Hjordis to preserve carefully the pieces of the broken sword; +the son she bears in her womb shall yet swing the sword when +welded anew, and win thereby a glorious name. At dawn Sigmund +dies. Hjordis is borne off by Vikings and, after the birth of +her son, she becomes the wife of the Danish prince Alf.</p> + +<p>The son of Hjordis was called Sigurd. He grew up a boy of +wondrous strength and beauty, with eyes that sparkled brightly, +and lived at the court of King Hjalprek, the father of Alf. Regin, +the dwarfish brother of Fafnir, was his tutor. Regin welds together +the pieces of the broken sword Gram, so sharp and strong that with +it Sigurd cleaves Regin's anvil in twain. With men and ships that +he has received from King Hjalprek Sigurd goes against the sons +of Hunding, whom he slays, thereby avenging the death of his +father. Regin has urged him to kill Fafnir and take possession of +the hoard. On the Gnita Heath he digs a ditch from which, as +the dragon Fafnir passes over it, he plunges the sword into his +heart. The dying Fafnir warns him of the curse attached to the +possession of the gold; also that Regin is to be guarded against. +The latter bids him roast the heart of Fafnir. While doing so he +burns his finger by dipping it in the blood to see if the heart is done, +and to cool his finger puts it into his mouth. Suddenly he is able to +understand the language of the birds in the wood. They warn +him to beware of Regin, whom he straightway slays. The birds +tell him further of the beautiful valkyrie Brynhild, who sleeps on the +fire-encircled mountain awaiting her deliverer. Then Sigurd places +Fafnir's hoard upon his steed Grani, takes with him also Fafnir's +helm, and rides away to Frankenland. He sees a mountain encircled +by a zone of fire, makes his way into it and beholds there, +as he deems it, a man in full armor asleep. When he takes off the +helmet he finds that it is a woman. With his sword he cuts loose +the armor. The woman wakes and asks if it be the hero Sigurd +who has awakened her. In joy that it is so, Brynhild relates to +him how Odin had punished her by this magic sleep for disobedience, +and how that she had yet obtained from him the promise +that she should be wakened only by a hero who knew no fear. +She now teaches Sigurd many wise runes, and tells him of harm +to fear through love of her. In spite of all, however, Sigurd does +not waver, and they swear an oath of mutual faithful love.</p> + +<p>Next Sigurd comes to King Gjuki at the Rhine, and joins in +friendship with him and his sons Gunnar and Hogni. Queen +Grimhild gives Sigurd a potion which causes him to forget Brynhild +and be filled with love for her own daughter Gudrun, whom he +marries. Gunnar now seeks Brynhild for wife, and Sigurd goes +with him on his wooing-journey. They come to the castle encircled +by fire, where Brynhild lives. She will be wooed only by him who +will ride to her through the flames. Gunnar tries in vain to do this, +even when mounted on Sigurd's steed Grani. Sigurd and Gunnar +then exchange shapes and the former spurs Grani through the +flames. He calls himself Gunnar the son of Gjuki, and finally +Brynhild consents to become his wife. Three nights he shares +her couch, but always his sharp sword lies between them. He +takes the ring from her finger and places in its stead one from +Fafnir's treasure. Then he exchanges form again with Gunnar, +who is soon after wedded to Brynhild. Only now does Sigurd +recollect the oath that he once swore to Brynhild himself.</p> + +<p>One day Brynhild and Gudrun are bathing in the Rhine. A +quarrel arises between them when Brynhild takes precedence of +Gudrun by going into the water above her in the stream, saying +that her husband is a braver and mightier man than Gudrun's. +Gudrun retorts by revealing the secret that it was Sigurd in Gunnar's +form, and not Gunnar himself, who rode through the flame, +and in proof thereof shows her the ring taken by Sigurd from Brynhild's +finger. Pale as death, Brynhild goes quietly home: Gunnar +must die, she says in wrath. Sigurd tries to pacify her, even +offering to desert Gudrun. Now she will have neither him nor +another, and when Gunnar appears she demands of him Sigurd's +death. In spite of Hogni's protest Gunnar's stepbrother Gutthorm, +who has not sworn blood-friendship with Sigurd, is got to +do the deed. He is given the flesh of wolf and serpent to eat in +order to make him savage. Twice Gutthorm goes to kill Sigurd, +but cowers before the piercing glance of his eyes; at last he steals +upon Sigurd asleep and thrusts his sword through him. The dying +Sigurd hurls the sword after the fleeing murderer and cuts him in +two. To Gudrun, who wakes from sleep by his side, he points to +Brynhild as the instigator of the crime, and dies. Brynhild rejoices +at the sound of Gudrun's wailing. Gudrun cannot find relief +for her grief, the tears will not flow. Men and women seek to console +her by tales of greater woes befallen them. But still Gudrun +cannot weep as she sits by Sigurd's corpse. At last one of the +women lifts the cloth from Sigurd's face and lays his head upon +Gudrun's lap. Then Gudrun gazes on his blood-besmirched hair, +his dimmed eyes, and breast pierced by the sword: she sinks down +upon the couch and a flood of tears bursts at length from her eyes.</p> + +<p>Brynhild now tells Gunnar that Sigurd had really kept faith +with him on the wooing journey; but she will live with him no +longer and pierces herself with a sword, after foretelling to Gunnar +his future fate and that of Gudrun. In accord with her own +request she is burned on one funeral-pyre with Sigurd, the sword +between them as once before.</p> + +<p>Atli,[<a href="#1">1</a>] king of the Huns, now seeks Gudrun for wife. She +refuses, but Grimhild gives her a potion which causes her to forget +Sigurd and the past, and then she becomes the wife of Atli. After +Sigurd's death Gunnar had taken possession of the Niflungen +hoard, and this Atli now covets. He treacherously invites Gunnar +and the others to visit him, which they do in spite of Gudrun's +warnings, first of all, however, sinking the hoard in the Rhine. +On their arrival Atli demands of them the hoard, which, he says, +belongs of right to Gudrun. On their refusal he attacks them. +Hosts of fighters on both sides fall and in the end Gunnar and +Hogni, the only two of their number remaining, are bound in fetters. +Gunnar refuses Atli's command to reveal the hiding-place of the +hoard, bidding them bring to him the heart of Hogni. They kill +a servant and bring his heart to Gunnar; but Gunnar sees how it +still quivers with fear, and knows it is not the heart of the fearless +Hogni. Then the latter is really killed, and his heart is brought +to Gunnar, who cries exultingly that now only the Rhine knows +where the hoard lies hidden. In spite of Gudrun Atli orders +that Gunnar be thrown into a den of serpents. With a harp communicated +to him by Gudrun he pacifies them all but one, which +stings him to the heart, and thus Gunnar dies. Gudrun is nominally +reconciled with Atli, but in secret plans revenge for the death of +her brothers. She kills Atli's two sons, gives him at a banquet +their blood to drink and their hearts to eat. In the night she plunges +a sword into his own heart, confesses herself to him as his murderer, +and sets fire to the castle, in which Atli and all his remaining men +are consumed.</p> + +<p class="note">[<a name="1">1</a>] That is, Attila; the Etzel of the Nibelungenlied.</p> + + +<h4><a name="I13">3.</a> The Saga as preserved in the Nibelungenlied</h4> + +<p>The saga as we find it in the German Nibelungenlied differs +very widely in form and substance from the Northern version +which has just been outlined, though the two have still enough +points of similarity to indicate clearly a common origin. Each +bears the stamp of the poetic genius of the people among whom +it grew. Of all the sagas of the Germanic peoples none holds +so prominent a place as the Nibelungen saga, and it may safely +be said that the epic literature of the world, though offering poems +of more refined literary worth, has none that are at the same time +such valuable records of the growth of the poetic genius of two +kindred peoples through many centuries of their early civilization +as the Edda poems of this saga and the Nibelungenlied. It is +impossible here to undertake a comparison of the two and point +out in detail their parallelism and their respective significance as +monuments of civilization; suffice it to indicate briefly the chief +points of difference in the two stories, and note particularly those +parts of the Nibelungenlied that have, as it were, suffered atrophy, +and that point to earlier stages of the saga in which, as in the Northern +version, they played a more important rôle.</p> + +<p>First, as to the hoard. The Nibelungenlied knows nothing of +its being taken by Loki from Andvari, of the latter's curse upon +it, and how it came finally into the possession of Fafnir, the +giant-dragon. Here it belongs, as we learn from Hagen's account +(strophes 86-99), to Siegfried (Sigurd), who has slain the previous +owners of it, Schilbung and Nibelung, and wrested it from its +guardian the dwarf Alberich (Andvari). From this point onward +its history runs nearly parallel in the two versions. After +Siegfried's death it remains for a time with Kriemhild (Gudrun), is +treacherously taken from her by Gunther (Gunnar) and Hagen +(Hogni), and finally, before their journey to Etzel (Atli), sunk in +the Rhine.</p> + +<p>The protracted narrative of Sigurd's ancestry and his descent +from Odin has no counterpart in the Nibelungenlied. Here we +learn merely that Siegfried is the son of Siegmund. His father +plays an entirely different part; and his mother's name is not +Hjordis, as in the Edda, but Siegelind.</p> + +<p>Of Siegfried's youth the Nibelungenlied knows very little. No +mention is made of his tutelage to the dwarf smith Regin and +preparation for the slaying of the dragon Fafnir. The account +of him placed in the mouth of Hagen (strophes 86-501), how he +won the hoard, the <i>tarnkappe</i>, and the sword Balmung, and slew +the dragon, is evidently a faint echo of an earlier version of this +episode, which sounds out of place in the more modern German +form of the story. From the latter the mythical element has almost +entirely vanished. It is worthy of note, moreover, that the very +brief account of Siegfried's slaying of the dragon is given in the +Nibelungenlied as separate from his acquisition of the hoard, and +differs in detail from that of the Edda. Of Sigurd's steed Grani, +his ride to Frankenland, and his awakening of Brynhild the Nibelungenlied +has nothing to tell us. Through the account of Siegfried's +assistance to Gunther in the latter's wooing of Brunhild (Adventures +6 and 7) shimmers faintly, however, the earlier tradition of +the mythical Siegfried's awakening of the fire-encircled valkyrie. +Only by our knowledge of a more original version can we explain, +for example, Siegfried's previous acquaintance with Brunhild +which the Nibelungenlied takes for granted but says nothing of. +On this point of the relation between Sigurd and Brynhild it is +difficult to form a clear account owing to the confusion and even +contradictions that exist when the various Northern versions +themselves are placed side by side. The name of the valkyrie +whom Sigurd awakens from her magic sleep is not directly mentioned. +Some of the accounts are based on the presupposition that she +is one with the Brynhild whom Sigurd later wooes for Gunnar, +while others either know nothing of the sleeping valkyrie or treat +the two as separate personages. The situation in the Nibelungenlied +is more satisfactorily explained by the theory that they +were originally identical. But we see at once that the figure of +Brunhild has here lost much of its original significance. It is her +quarrel with Kriemhild (Gudrun) that leads to Siegfried's death, +though the motives are not just the same in the two cases; and +after the death of Siegfried she passes unaccountably from the +scene.</p> + +<p>But it is in the concluding part of the story—the part which, +as we shall see, has its basis in actual history—that the two accounts +diverge most widely. So strange, indeed, has been the evolution +of the saga that the central character of it, Kriemhild (Gudrun) +holds a diametrically opposite relation to her husband Etzel (Atli) +at the final catastrophe in the two versions. In the Nibelungenlied +as in the Edda the widowed Kriemhild (Gudrun) marries King +Etzel (Atli), her consent in the former resulting from a desire for +revenge upon the murderers of Siegfried, in the latter from the +drinking of a potion which takes away her memory of him; in the +Nibelungenlied it is Kriemhild who treacherously lures Gunther +and his men to their destruction unknown to Etzel, in the Edda +the invitation comes from Atli, while Gudrun tries to warn them +to stay at home; in the former Kriemhild is the author of the attack +on the guests, in the latter Atli; in the former Kriemhild is the +frenzied avenger of her former husband Siegfried's death upon +her brother Gunther, in the latter Gudrun is the avenger of her +brothers' death upon her husband Atli.</p> + + +<h4><a name="I14">4.</a> Mythical Element and Historical Element</h4> + +<p>A sifting of the Nibelungen saga reveals a mythical element +(the story of Siegfried) and a historical element (the story of the +Burgundians and Etzel). How, when, and where these two elements +were blended together must remain largely a matter of conjecture. +This united central body received then from time to +time accessions of other elements, some of them originally historical +in character, some of them pure inventions of the poetic imagination.</p> + +<p>The Siegfried myth is the oldest portion of the Nibelungen +saga, and had already passed through a long period of development +before its union with the story of the Burgundian kings. +Like so many others of its kind, it is part of the spiritual equipment +of our Germanic ancestors at the dawn of their recorded history. +It grew gradually with the people themselves and has its counterpart +among other peoples. Such myths are a record of the impressions +made upon the mind of man by the mighty manifestations of the +world of nature in which he lives; their formation may be likened +to the unconscious impressions of its surroundings on the mind +of the child. And just as the grown man is unable to trace back +the formation of his own individuality to its very beginnings in +infancy, so is it impossible for the later nation in its advanced +stage to peer back beyond the dawn of its history. It is in the +gloom beyond the dawn that such myths as this of Siegfried have +their origin.</p> + +<p>Though modern authorities differ greatly in their conjectures, +it is generally agreed that the Siegfried story was in its original +form a nature-myth. The young day slays the mist-dragon and +awakens the sun-maiden that sleeps on the mountain; at evening +he falls a prey to the powers of gloom that draw the sun down again +beneath the earth. With this day-myth was probably combined +the parallel myth of the changing seasons: the light returns in +spring, slays the cloud-dragon, and frees the budding earth from +the bonds of winter.[<a href="#2">2</a>] </p> + +<p class="note">[<a name="2">2</a>] For the Siegfried saga in general see Symons in Paul's Grundriss + der germanischen Philologie, 2d ed., vol. III, pp. 651-671.</p> + +<p>In the course of time this nature-myth became transformed into +a hero-saga; the liberating power of light was humanized into +the person of the light-hero Siegfried. This stage of development +had already been reached at the time of our earliest records, and +the evidences point to the Rhine Franks, a West Germanic tribe +settled in the fifth century in the country about Cologne, as the +people among whom the transformation from nature-myth to hero-saga +took place, for it is among them that the saga in its earliest +form is localized. By the Rhine Siegfried is born, there he wins +the Nibelungen hoard, and in Frankenland he finds the sleeping +valkyrie. By the Rhine, too, he enters into service with the Nibelungen +kings and weds their sister.</p> + +<p>The Franks had as neighbors up-stream in the first half of the +fifth century the Burgundians, an East Germanic tribe. These +Burgundians, who were closely allied to the Goths, had originally +dwelt in the Baltic region between the Vistula and the Oder, whence +they had made their way south westward across Germany and settled +in the year 413 in <i>Germania prima</i> on the west bank of the Rhine +about Worms. Here a tragic fate was soon to overtake them. +In the year 435 they had already suffered a reverse in a conflict +with the Romans under Aëtius, and two years later, in 437, they +were practically annihilated by the Huns. Twenty thousand of +them, we are told, fell in battle, the remainder were scattered +southward. Beyond the brief record by a contemporary, Prosper, we +know but little of this event. It has been conjectured that the +Huns were on this occasion acting as auxiliaries of Aëtius. At any +rate it is fairly certain that Attila was not personally on the scene.</p> + +<p>We can easily imagine what a profound impression this extinction +of the Burgundians would produce upon the minds of their +neighbors the Rhine Franks. Fact, too, would soon become mingled +with fiction. This new feat was ascribed to Attila himself, already +too well known as the scourge of Europe and the subduer of so +many German tribes. A very few years later, however, fate was +to subdue the mighty conqueror himself. With the great battle of +Châlons in 451 the tide turned against him, and two years afterwards +he died a mysterious death. The historian Jordanes of the +sixth century relates that on the morning after Attila's wedding +with a German princess named Ildico (Hildikô) he was found +lying in bed in a pool of blood, having died of a hemorrhage. The +mysteriousness of Attila's ending inspired his contemporaries with +awe, and the popular fancy was not slow to clothe this event also in +a dress of fiction. The attendant circumstances peculiarly favored +such a process. Historians soon recorded the belief that Attila +had perished at the hands of his wife, and it was only a step further +for the imagination to find the motive for the deed in the desire +of Hildikô to avenge the death of her German kinsmen who had +perished through Attila. The saga of Attila's death is before long +connected with the growing Burgundian saga, Hildikô becomes +the sister of the Burgundian kings Gundahari, Godomar, and +Gislahari, and her deed is vengeance taken upon Attila for his +destruction of her brothers. As is seen at once from the outline I +have already given (<a href="#I12">Chapter 2</a>.) of the saga as we find it in the Edda, +this is the stage of development it had reached when it began to +find its way northward from the Rhine country to Norway and +Iceland.</p> + +<p>It is unnecessary here to record the speculations—for beyond +speculations we cannot go—as to how the union of this historical +saga of the Burgundians and Attila with the Siegfried saga took +place. In the course of time, and naturally with greatest probability +among the Rhine Franks who followed the Burgundians +as occupants of <i>Germania prima</i>, the two were brought together, +and the three Burgundian kings and their sister were identified +with the three Nibelungen kings and their sister of the already +localized Siegfried saga. It is also beyond the scope of this introduction +to follow the course of the saga northward or to note its +further evolution during its wanderings and in its new home until +it was finally recorded in poetic form in the Edda. We have now +to consider briefly the transformation it passed through in Germany +between this date (about 500) and the time (about 1200) +when it emerges in written record as the Nibelungenlied.</p> + +<p>An account has already been given (<a href="#I13">Chapter 3</a>.) of the chief +features in which the Nibelungenlied differs from the Northern +form. As we saw there, the mythical element of the Siegfried saga +has almost entirely evaporated and the historical saga of the Burgundian +kings and Attila has undergone a complete transformation. +That the originally mythical and heathen Siegfried saga should +dwindle away with the progress of civilization and under the influence +of Christianity was but natural. The character of the valkyrie +Brynhild who avenges upon Sigurd his infidelity to her, yet +voluntarily unites herself with him in death, as heathen custom +demanded, is no longer intelligible. She recedes into the background, +and after Siegfried's death, though she is still living, she +plays no further part. The Nibelungenlied found its final form +on Upper German, doubtless Austrian, territory. Here alone was it +possible that that greatest of all transformations could take place, +namely, in the character of Attila. The Franks of the Rhine knew +him only as the awe-inspiring conqueror who had annihilated their +neighbors the Burgundians. In Austrian lands it was quite otherwise. +Many Germanic tribes, particularly the East Goths, had +fought under the banner of Attila, and in the tradition handed +down from them he lived as the embodiment of wisdom and generosity. +Here it was impossible that epic story should picture him +as slaying the Burgundian kings through a covetous desire for their +gold. The annihilation of the Burgundians is thus left without a +motive. To supply this, Kriemhild's character is placed upon an +entirely different basis. Instead of avenging upon Attila the death +of her brothers the Burgundian kings, Kriemhild now avenges upon +her brothers the slaying of her first husband Siegfried. This fundamental +change in the character of Kriemhild has a deep ethical +reason. To the ancient heathen Germans the tie of blood-relationship +was stronger than that of wedlock, and thus in the original +version of the story Attila's wife avenges upon him the death of +her <i>brothers</i>; to the Christianized Germans of later times the marriage +bond was the stronger, and accordingly from the altered +motive Kriemhild avenges upon her brothers the slaying of her +<i>husband</i>. In accordance, too, with this ethical transformation the +scene of the catastrophe is transferred from Worms to Attila's court. +Kriemhild now looms up as the central figure of the second half of +the drama, while Etzel remains to the last ignorant of her designs +for revenge.</p> + +<p>This transformation of the fundamental parts of the saga was +accompanied by another process, namely, the addition of new +characters. Some of these are the product of the poetic faculty +of the people or individuals who preserved and remoulded the +story in the course of centuries, others are based upon history. +To the former class belong the Margrave Ruediger, the ideal of +gentle chivalry, and Volker the Fiddler-knight, doubtless a creation +of the <i>spielleute</i>. To the second class belong Dietrich of Bern, +in whom we see the mighty East Gothic king, Theodoric of Verona; +also Bishop Pilgrim of Passau, a very late importation, besides +several others in whom are perpetuated in more or less faint outline +actual persons of history. This introduction of fresh characters +from time to time as the saga grew has led to some strange +anachronisms, which however are a disturbing element only to +us readers of a modern day, who with sacrilegious hand lift the veil +through which they were seen in a uniform haze of romance by +the eye of the knights and ladies of seven centuries ago. <i>They</i> +neither knew nor cared to know, for instance, that Attila was dead +before Theodoric was born, and that Bishop Pilgrim flourished +at Passau the trifling space of five hundred years later still.[<a href="#3">3</a>]</p> + +<p class="note">[<a name="3">3</a>] Attila lived from about 406 to 453; Theodoric, 475 to 526. Pilgrim + was Bishop of Passau, 971 to 991.</p> + + + +<br> +<h3>II. The Nibelungenlied</h3> + +<h4><a name="I21">1.</a> The Manuscripts</h4> + +<p>Among the German epic poems of the Middle Ages the Nibelungenlied [<a href="#4">4</a>] +enjoyed an exceptional popularity, as is evident +from the large number of manuscripts—some thirty, either complete or +fragmentary—that have been preserved from the centuries +immediately following its appearance. Three are of prime importance +as texts, namely, those preserved now in Munich, St. Gall, +and Donaueschingen, and cited as A, B, and C respectively. Since +the time when Lachmann, about a century ago, made the first +scientific study of the poem, a whole flood of writings has been +poured forth discussing the relative merits of these texts. Each in +turn has had its claims advocated with warmth and even acrimony. +None of these three principal manuscripts, however, offers the +poem in its earliest form; they all point to a still earlier version. +It is now generally admitted that the St. Gall manuscript (B), +according to which the present translation has been made, contains +the best and most nearly original text.</p> + +<p class="note">[<a name="4">4</a>] The closing strophe of MS. C calls the poem der <i>Nibelunge liet</i>, or + Nibelungenlied, i.e. the lay of the Nibelungen, and this is the title + by which it is commonly known. MSS. A and B have in the corresponding + strophe <i>der Nibelunge nôt</i>, i.e. the 'need', 'distress', + 'downfall' of the Nibelungen. In the title of the poem 'Nibelungen' + is simply equivalent to 'Burgundians': the poem relates the downfall + of the Burgundian kings and their people. Originally the Nibelungen + were, as their name, which is connected with <i>nebel</i>, 'mist', + 'gloom', signifies, the powers of darkness to whom the light-hero + Siegfried fell a prey. After Siegfried obtains possession of the + treasure the name Nibelungen is still applied to Alberich and the + dwarfs who guard it and who are now Siegfried's vassals. Then after + Siegfried's death the name is given to the Burgundians. It is a + mistake to suppose that the name was applied in each case to those + who became possessors of the hoard, for Siegfried himself is never so + designated.</p> + + +<h4><a name="I22">2.</a> Stages in the Evolution of the Poem</h4> + +<p>Hand in hand with the discussion of the relative authenticity +of the manuscripts went the consideration of another more important +literary question,—the evolution of the poem itself. Even +if we knew nothing of the history of the Nibelungen saga as revealed +in the Edda and through other literary and historic sources, a +reading of the poem would give us unmistakable hints that it is +not, in its present form, a perfect literary unit. We detect +inconsistencies in matter and inequalities of style that prove it to be a +remodelling of material already existing in some earlier form. +What, then, has been the history of its evolution? How did this +primeval Siegfried myth, this historical saga of the Burgundians +and Attila, first come to be part of the poetic stock of the German +people? What was its earliest poetic form, and what series of +transformations did it pass through during seven centuries of growth? +These and many kindred questions present themselves, and the +search for answers to them takes us through many winding labyrinths +of the nation's contemporary history. Few products of German +literature have so exercised and tantalized critics as the +Nibelungenlied.</p> + +<p>In this connection we have to remind ourselves that comparatively +little of what must have been the large body of native poetry in Germany +previous to the eleventh century has come down to us. Barely +enough has been preserved to show the path of the nation's literary +progress. Some of the important monuments have been saved by +chance, while others of equal or perhaps greater value have been +irrecoverably lost. The interest in the various incidents of the +Nibelungen story was sufficient to keep it alive among the people +and hand it down orally through many generations. If we could +observe it as it passed from age to age we should doubtless see it +undergoing continuous change according to the time and the class +of the people that were the preservers of the native literature in its +many ups and downs. Lachmann in the year 1816 was the first to +bring scientific criticism to bear on the question of the Nibelungenlied +and its origin. Applying to it the same methods as had recently +been used by Wolf in his criticism of the Homeric poems, he thought +he was able to discover as the basis of the complete epic a cycle +of twenty separate <i>lieder</i>, ballads or shorter episodic poems, on the +strength of which belief he went so far as to publish an edition of +the poem in which he made the division into the twenty separate +lays and eliminated those strophes (more than one third of the +whole number) that he deemed not genuine. It is now generally +admitted, however, that the pioneer of Nibelungen investigation +fell here into over-positive refinements of literary criticism. Separate +shorter poems there doubtless existed narrating separate +episodes of the story, but these are no longer to be arrived at by a +process of critical disintegration and pruning of the epic as we +have it. An examination of the twenty <i>lieder</i> according to Lachmann's +division convinces us that they are not separate units in +the sense he conceived them to be. Though these twenty <i>lieder</i> +may be based upon a number of earlier episodic poems, yet the +latter already constituted a connected series. They were already +like so many scenes of a gradually developing drama. Events were +foreshadowed in one that were only fulfilled in another, and the +incidents of later ones are often only intelligible on the supposition +of an acquaintance with motives that originated in preceding ones. +It is in this sense only, not according to Lachmann's overwrought +theory, that we are justified in speaking of a <i>liedercyclus</i>, or cycle +of separate episodic poems, as the stage of the epic antecedent to +the complete form in which we now have it. But beyond this +cycle we cannot trace it back. How the mythical saga of Siegfried +and the Nibelungen, and the story of the Burgundians and Attila, +were first sung in alliterative lays in the Migration Period, how as +heathen song they were pushed aside or slowly influenced by the +spirit of Christianity, how with changing time they changed also +their outward poetical garb from alliteration to rhyme and altered +verse-form, till at last in the twelfth century they have become +the cycle of poems from which the great epic of the Nibelungenlied +could be constructed—of all this we may form a faint picture +from the development of the literature in general, but direct written +record of it is almost completely wanting.</p> + + +<h4><a name="I23">3.</a> Character of the Poem</h4> + +<p>The twelfth and thirteenth centuries witnessed far-reaching +changes in the social and intellectual life of the German lands, +the leading feature of which is the high development of all that +is included under the name of chivalry. It is marked, too, by a +revival of the native literature such as had not been known before, +a revival which is due almost entirely to its cultivation by the +nobility. From emperor down to the simple knight they were patrons of +poetry and, what is most striking, nearly all the poets themselves +belong to the knightly class. The drama has not yet begun, but in +the field of epic and lyric there appear about the year 1200 poets +who are among the greatest that German literature even down to +the present time has to show. The epic poetry of that period, +though written almost entirely by the knights, is of two distinct +kinds according to its subject: on the one hand what is called the +Court Epic, on the other hand the National, or Popular, Epic. The +Court Epic follows for the most part French models and deals +chiefly with the life of chivalry, whose ideals were embodied in king +Arthur and his circle of knights; the National Epic drew its subjects +from the national German saga, its two great products being +the Nibelungenlied and the poem of Gudrun. Court Epic and +National Epic are further distinct in form, the Court Epic being +written in the rhymed couplets popularized in modern times in +English by Sir Walter Scott, while the National Epic is composed +in four-lined strophes.</p> + +<p>Though we know the name and more or less of the life of the +authors of the many court epics of the period, the name of the poet +who gave the Nibelungenlied its final form has not been recorded. +As we have seen, the poem is at bottom of a truly popular, national +character, having its beginnings in mythology and early national +history. For centuries the subject had been national property +and connected with the name of no one individual. We have it +now in the form in which it was remodelled to suit the taste of the +court and the nobility, and like the court epic to be read aloud in +castle hall. That it is written in four-lined strophes[<a href="#5">5</a>] and not in +the usual rhymed couplets of the court epics is doubtless due to the +fact that the former verse-form had already been used in the earlier +ballads upon which it is based, and was simply taken over by the +final moulder of the poem. This latter was probably a member +of the nobility like the great majority of the epic poets of the time; +he must at least have been well acquainted with the manners, tastes, +sentiments, and general life of the nobility. Through him the +poem was brought outwardly more into line with the literary ideals +of the court circles. This shows itself chiefly in a negative way, +namely, in the almost complete avoidance of the coarse language +and farcical situations so common with the popular poet, the <i>spielmann</i>. +Beyond this no violence is done to the simple form of the +original. The style is still inornate and direct, facts still speak +rather than words, and there is nothing approaching the refined +psychological dissection of characters and motives such as we find +in Wolfram von Eschenbach and the other court writers.</p> + +<p class="note">[<a name="5">5</a>] For description of the Nibelungen strophe see below, +<a href="#I27">Chapter 7</a>.</p> + +<p>When we look to the inner substance we see that the ground +ideals are still those of the original Germanic heroic age. The +chief characters are still those of the first stages of the +story—Siegfried, Brunhild, Gunther, Kriemhild, Hagen. The fundamental +theme is the ancient theme of <i>triuwe</i>, unswerving personal loyalty +and devotion, which manifests itself above all in the characters +of Kriemhild and Hagen. Kriemhild's husband Siegfried is +treacherously slain: her sorrow and revenge are the motives of +the drama. Hagen's mistress has, though with no evil intent on +Siegfried's part, received an insult to her honor: to avenge that +insult is Hagen's absorbing duty, which he fulfils with an utter +disregard of consequences. Over this their fundamental character +the various persons of the story have received a gloss of outward +conduct in keeping with the close of the twelfth century. The +poet is at pains to picture them as models of courtly bearing, excelling +in <i>höfscheit</i>, <i>zuht</i>, <i>tugent</i>. Great attention is paid to dress, +and the preparation of fitting apparel for court festivities is described +and re-described with wearisome prolixity. A cardinal virtue is +<i>milte</i>, liberality in the bestowal of gifts. Courtesy toward women +is observed with the careful formality of the age of the minnesingers. +It was above all Siegfried, the light-hero of the original myth, whose +character lent itself to an idealization of knighthood. Ruediger +holds a like place in the latter part of the poem. In the evident +pleasure with which the minstrel-knight Volker of the sword-fiddlebow +is depicted, as well doubtless as in occasional gleams of +broader humor, the hand of the minstrels who wrought on the +story in its earlier ballad stages may be seen. And the whole poem, +in keeping with its form in an age strongly under church influence, +has been tinged with the ideals of Christianity. Not only does the +ordinary conversation of all the characters, including even the +heathen Etzel, contain a great number of formal imprecations +of God, but Christian institutions and Christian ethics come frequently +into play. Mass is sung in the minster, baptism, marriage, +burial are celebrated in Christian fashion, the devil is mentioned +according to the Christian conception, we hear of priest, chaplain, +and bishop, Christians are contrasted with heathen, and Kriemhild, +in marrying Etzel, has a hope of turning him to Christianity. In +Hagen's attempt to drown the chaplain whom the Burgundians +have with them as they set out for the land of the Huns we have +perhaps an expression of the conflict between the heathen and +the Christian elements, possibly also a reflection of the traditional +animosity of the <i>spielmann</i> to his clerical rival.</p> + +<p>The Nibelungenlied and the Iliad of Homer have often been +compared, but after all to no great purpose. The two epics are +alike in having their roots deep in national origins, but beyond +this we have contrasts rather than resemblances. The Iliad is +a more varied and complete picture of the whole Greek world +than the Nibelungenlied is of the German, its religious atmosphere +has not been disturbed in the same way as that of the saga of early +Germanic times projected several centuries into a later Christian +age, and it possesses in every way a greater unity of sentiment. +In the varied beauty of its language, its wealth of imagery, its depth +of feeling and copiousness of incident the Iliad is superior to the +Nibelungenlied with its language of simple directness, its few +lyrical passages, its expression of feeling by deeds rather than by +words. Homer, too, is in general buoyant, the Nibelungenlied is +sombre and stern. And in one last respect the two epics differ +most of all: the Iliad is essentially narrative and descriptive, a +series of episodes; the Nibelungenlied is essentially dramatic, +scene following scene of dramatic necessity and pointing steadily +to a final and inevitable catastrophe.</p> + + +<h4><a name="I24">4.</a> Later Forms of the Saga</h4> + +<p>In the Northern Edda and in the German Nibelungenlied the +Nibelungen saga found its fullest and most poetic expression. But +these were not to be the only literary records of it. Both in +Scandinavian lands and in Germany various other monuments, scattered +over the intervening centuries, bear witness to the fact that it lived +on in more or less divergent forms. The Danish historian Saxo +Grammaticus of the latter part of the twelfth century has a reference +to the story of Kriemhild's treachery toward her brothers. About +the year 1250 an extensive prose narrative, known as the Thidrekssaga, +was written by a Norwegian from oral accounts given him +by men from Bremen and Münster. This narrative is interesting +as showing the form the saga had taken by that date on Low German +territory, and holds an important place in the history of the +development of the saga. It has much more to say of the early +history of Siegfried than we find in the Nibelungenlied, and yet +in the main outlines of the story of Kriemhild's revenge it corresponds +with the German epic and not with the Northern Edda. +A chronicle of the island of Hven in the Sound, dating in its original +form from the sixteenth century, as well as Danish ballads on the +same island that have lived on into modern times, tell of Sivard +(Siegfried), Brynhild, and also of Grimild's (Kriemhild's) revenge. +In Norway and Sweden traces of the saga have recently been discovered; +while songs that are sung on the Faroe Islands, as an +accompaniment to the dance on festive occasions, have been +recorded, containing over six hundred strophes in which is related +in more or less distorted form the Nibelungen story.</p> + +<p>In Germany the two poems known as the <i>Klage</i> and <i>Hürnen +Seyfrid</i> are the most noteworthy additional records of the Nibelungen +saga, as offering in part at least independent material. The +<i>Klage</i> is a poem of over four thousand lines in rhymed couplets, +about half of it being an account of the mourning of Etzel, Dietrich, +and Hildebrand as they seek out the slain and prepare them +for burial, the other half telling of the bringing of the news to +Bechlaren, Passau, and Worms. The poem was written evidently +very soon after the Nibelungenlied, the substance of which was +familiar to the author, though he also draws in part from other +sources. Compared with the Nibelungenlied it possesses but little +poetic merit and is written with distinctly Christian sentiment +which is out of harmony with the ground-tone of the Germanic +tragedy.</p> + +<p>The <i>Hürnen Seyfrid</i> is a poem of 179 four-lined strophes which +is preserved only in a print of the sixteenth century, but at least +a portion of whose substance reaches back in its original form to a +period preceding the composition of the Nibelungenlied. It is +evidently, as we have it, formed by the union of two earlier separate +poems, which are indeed to a certain extent contradictory of each +other. The first tells of the boyhood of Seyfrid (Siegfried) and his +apprenticeship to the smith; how he slew many dragons, burned +them, and smeared over his body with the resulting fluid horny +substance (hence his name <i>hürnen</i>), which made him invulnerable; +how he further found the hoard of the dwarf Nybling, and by service to +King Gybich won the latter's daughter for his wife. The +second part tells how King Gybich reigned at Worms. He has +three sons, Günther, Hagen, Gyrnot, and one daughter, Kriemhild. +The latter is borne off by a dragon, but finally rescued by Seyfrid, +to whom she is given in marriage. The three brothers are jealous +of the might and fame of Seyfrid, and after eight years Hagen +slays him beside a cool spring in the Ottenwald.</p> + +<p>The poem <i>Biterolf</i>, written soon after the Nibelungenlied, and +<i>Rosengarten</i> of perhaps a half-century later, represent Dietrich in +conflict with Siegfried at Worms. The famous shoemaker-poet +Hans Sachs of Nuremberg in 1557 constructed a tragedy, <i>Der hörnen +Sewfriedt</i>, on the story of Siegfried as he knew it from the <i>Hürnen +Seyfrid</i> and the <i>Rosengarten</i>. A prose version of the <i>Hürnen Seyfrid</i>, +with free additions and alterations, is preserved in the <i>Volksbuch +vom gehörnten Sigfrid</i>, the oldest print of which dates from the +year 1726. Of the vast number of Fairy Tales, those most genuine +creations of the poetic imagination of the people, in which live +on, often to be sure in scarcely recognizable form, many of the +myths and sagas of the nation's infancy, there are several that may +with justice be taken as relics of the Siegfried myth, for instance, +The Two Brothers, The Young Giant, The Earth-Manikin, The +King of the Golden Mount, The Raven, The Skilled Huntsman, +and perhaps also the Golden Bird and The Water of Life;[<a href="#6">6</a>] though +it would seem from recent investigations that Thorn-Rose or the +Sleeping Beauty, is no longer to be looked upon as the counterpart of the +sleeping Brynhild. Finally, it is probable that several +names in Germany and in Northern countries preserve localized +memories of the saga.</p> + +<p class="note">[<a name="6">6</a>] These will be found in Grimm's Märchen as numbers 60, 90-93, 111, 57, + and 97.</p> + + +<h4><a name="I25">5.</a> Poem and Saga in Modern Literature</h4> + +<p>Fundamentally different from the foregoing natural outgrowths +of the Nibelungen saga are the modern dramas and poems founded +upon it since the time of the romanticists at the beginning of the +nineteenth century.[<a href="#7">7</a>] Nearly all of these have already vanished +as so much chaff from the winnowing-mill of time: only two, perhaps, are +now considered seriously, namely, Hebbel's <i>Die Nibelungen</i> +and Richard Wagner's <i>Ring des Nibelungen</i>. Hebbel in his grandly +conceived drama in three parts follows closely the story as we have +it in our epic poem the Nibelungenlied, and the skill with which +he makes use of its tragic elements shows his dramatic genius at +its best. But not even the genius of Hebbel could make these +forms of myth and saga live again for us upon a modern stage, +and the failure of this work with its wealth of poetic beauty and +many scenes of highest dramatic effectiveness to maintain its +place as an acting drama is sufficient evidence that the yawning +gap that separates the sentiment of the modern world from that +of the early centuries in which these sagas grew is not to be bridged +over by the drama, however easy and indeed delightful it may be +for us to allow ourselves to be transported thither to that romantic +land upon the wings of epic story. Wagner in his music-drama +in three parts and prelude has followed in the main the saga in +its Northern form [<a href="#8">8</a>] up to the death of Siegfried and Brunhild, +but to the entire exclusion of the latter part of the story in which +Atli (Etzel) figures; his work has accordingly hardly any connection with +the Nibelungenlied here offered in translation. Only +the pious loyalty of national sentiment can assign a high place in +dramatic literature to Wagner's work with its intended imitation +of the alliterative form of verse; while his philosophizing gods +and goddesses are also but decadent modern representatives of +their rugged heathen originals.</p> + +<p class="note">[<a name="7">7</a>] The curious will find a list of these in the introduction to Piper's + edition, cited below, <a href="#I27">Chapter 7</a>.<br> +[<a name="8">8</a>] See above, <a href="#I12">Chapter 2</a>.</p> + + +<h4><a name="I26">6.</a> Modern German Translations</h4> + +<p>The language of the Nibelungenlied presents about the same +difficulty to the German reader of to-day as that of our English +Chaucer to us. Many translations into modern German have +accordingly been made to render it accessible to the average reader +without special study. In the year 1767 Bodmer in Zurich published +a translation into hexameters of a portion of it, and since the +investigations of Lachmann raised it to the position of a national epic +of first magnitude many more have appeared, both in prose and verse. +The best in prose is that by Scherr, of the year 1860. Of the metrical +translations that by Simrock, which in its later editions follows +pretty closely the text of MS. C, is deservedly the most popular +and has passed through a great number of editions. Bartsch +has also made a translation based on his edition of MS. B. These +modern versions by Simrock and Bartsch reproduce best the metrical +quality of the original strophe. Easily obtainable recent translations +are those by Junghans (in Reclam's Universalbibliothek) +of text C, and by Hahn (Collection Spemann) of text A.</p> + + +<h4><a name="I27">7.</a> English Translations[<a href="#9">9</a>]</h4> + +<p class="note">[<a name="9">9</a>] For a complete list of these, also of magazine articles, etc., + relating to the Nibelungenlied, see F. E. Sandbach, The + <i>Nibelungenlied and Gudrun in England and America</i>, London, + 1903.</p> + +<p>Early in last century interest in the Nibelungenlied began +to manifest itself in England. A synopsis of it, with metrical +translation of several strophes, appeared in the year 1814 in Weber, +Jamieson and Scott's "Illustrations of Northern Antiquities" (London and +Edinburgh), in which, according to Lockhart, Sir Walter +Scott's hand may perhaps be seen. Carlyle, laboring as a pioneer to +spread a knowledge of German literature in England, contributed +to the Westminster Review in 1831 his well-known essay on the +Nibelungenlied which, though containing an additional mass of +rather ill-arranged matter and now antiquated in many particulars, +is still well worth reading for its enthusiastic account of the epic +itself in the genuine style of the author. Carlyle here reproduces +in metrical form a few strophes. He has said elsewhere that one +of his ambitions was to make a complete English version of the +poem. Since then an endless number of accounts of it, chiefly +worthless, has appeared in magazines and elsewhere. The first +attempt at a complete metrical translation was made in 1848 by +Jonathan Birch, who however only reproduces Lachmann's twenty +<i>lieder</i>, with some fifty-one strophes added on his own account. His +version of the first strophe runs thus:</p> +<blockquote> + Legends of by-gone times reveal wonders and prodigies,<br> + Of heroes worthy endless fame,—of matchless braveries,—<br> + Of jubilees and festal sports,—of tears and sorrows great,—<br> + And knights who daring combats fought:—the like I now relate. +</blockquote> +<p>In 1850 appeared William Nansom Lettsom's translation of the +whole poem according to Braunfels' edition, with the opening +strophe turned as follows:</p> +<blockquote> + In stories of our fathers high marvels we are told<br> + Of champions well approved in perils manifold.<br> + Of feasts and merry meetings, of weeping and of wail,<br> + And deeds of gallant daring I'll tell you in my tale. +</blockquote> +<p>The next metrical rendering is that by A. G. Foster-Barham in +the year 1887. His first strophe reads:</p> +<blockquote> + Many a wondrous story have the tales of old,<br> + Of feats of knightly glory, and of the Heroes bold,<br> + Of the delights of feasting, of weeping and of wail,<br> + Of noble deeds of daring; you may list strange things in my tale. +</blockquote> +<p>In the year 1898 follows still another, by Alice Horton (edited by +E. Bell). This latest translation is based on Bartsch's text of +MS. B, and is prefaced by Carlyle's essay. First strophe:</p> +<blockquote> + To us, in olden legends, / is many a marvel told<br> + Of praise-deserving heroes, / of labours manifold,<br> + Of weeping and of wailing, / of joy and festival;<br> + Of bold knights' battling shall you / now hear a wondrous tale. +</blockquote> +<p>Apart from the many faults of interpretation all of the metrical +translations of the Nibelungenlied here enumerated are defective +in one all-important respect: they do not reproduce the poem in +its <i>metrical form</i>. Carlyle and other pioneers we may perhaps +acquit of any intention of following the original closely in this regard. +None of the translators of the complete poem, however, has retained +in the English rendering what is after all the very essence of a +poem,—its exact metrical quality. Birch has created an entirely +different form of strophe in which all four lines are alike, each +containing seven principal accents, with the cæsura, following the fourth +foot. Lettsom makes the first serious attempt to reproduce the original +strophe. It is evident from the introduction to his translation +(see p. xxvi) that he had made a careful study of its form, and he +does in fact reproduce the first three lines exactly. Of the fourth +line he says: "I have not thought it expedient to make a rule of +thus lengthening the fourth lines of the stanzas, though I have +lengthened them occasionally"(!). What moved him thus to +deprive the stanza of its most striking feature—and one, moreover, +that is easily preserved in English—he does not make clear. +The versions of Foster-Barham and of Horton and Bell show the +same disfigurement, the latter omitting the extra accent of the +fourth line, as they say, "for the sake of euphony"(!). It is just +this lengthened close of each strophe that gives the Nibelungenlied +its peculiar metrical character and contributes not a little to the +avoidance of monotony in a poem of over two thousand strophes. +In theory the form of the fourth line as it stands in the original +is no more foreign to the genius of the English language than to +that of modern German, and few of the many Germans giving +a modernized version of the epic have been bold enough to lay +sacrilegious hands upon it to shorten it.</p> + +<p>A brief account of the Nibelungen strophe may not be out of +place here, owing to the fact that its character has generally been +misunderstood. The origin and evolution of the strophe have +been the subject of much discussion, the results of which we need +not pause to formulate here. As it appears in actual practice +in our poem of about the year 1200, it was as follows: Each strophe +consists of four long lines, the first line rhyming with the second, +and the third with the fourth. The rhymes are masculine, that +is, rhymes on the end syllable. Each line is divided by a clearly +marked caesura into two halves; each half of the first three lines +and the first half of the fourth line has three accented syllables, +the second half of the fourth line has four accented syllables. The +first half of each line ends in an unaccented syllabic—or, strictly +speaking, in a syllable bearing a secondary accent; that is, each +line has what is called a "ringing" caesura. The metrical character +of the Nibelungen strophe is thus due to its fixed number of accented +syllables. Of unaccented syllables the number may vary within +certain limits. Ordinarily each accented syllable is preceded +by an unaccented one; that is, the majority of feet are iambic. The +unaccented syllable may, however, at times be wanting, or there +may, on the other hand, be two or even three of them together. +A characteristic of the second half of the last line is that there is +very frequently no unaccented syllable between the second and +the third accented ones. Among occasional variations of the +normal strophe as here described may be mentioned the following: +The end-rhyme is in a few instances feminine instead of masculine; +while on the other hand the ending of the first half-lines is +occasionally masculine instead of feminine, that is, the caesura is not +"ringing." In a few scattered instances we find strophes that rhyme +throughout in the caesura as well as at the end of lines;[<a href="#10">10</a>] +occasionally the first and second lines, or still less frequently the +third and fourth, alone have caesural rhyme.[<a href="#11">11</a>] Rhyming of the caesura +may be regarded as accidental in most cases, but it is reproduced as +exactly as possible in this translation.</p> + +<p class="note">[<a name="10">10</a>] Strophes <a href="#s1">1</a>, <a href="#s17">17</a>, +<a href="#s102">102</a>, and possibly <a href="#s841">841</a>.<br> +[<a name="11">11</a>] Strophes <a href="#s18">18</a>, <a href="#s69">69</a>, <a href="#s103">103</a>, + <a href="#s115">115</a>, <a href="#s129">129</a>, <a href="#s148">148</a>, + <a href="#s177">177</a>, <a href="#s190">190</a>, <a href="#s198">198</a>, + <a href="#s222">222</a>, <a href="#s231">231</a>, + <a href="#s239">239</a>, <a href="#s293">293</a>, <a href="#s325">325</a>, + <a href="#s345">345</a>, <a href="#s363">363</a>, <a href="#s485">485</a>, + <a href="#s584">584</a>, <a href="#s703">703</a>, <a href="#s712">712</a>, + <a href="#s859">859</a>, <a href="#s864">864</a>, <a href="#s894">894</a>, + <a href="#s937">937</a>, <a href="#s1022">1022</a>, <a href="#s1032">1032</a>, + <a href="#s1114">1114</a>, <a href="#s1225">1225</a>, <a href="#s1432">1432</a>, + <a href="#s1436">1436</a>, <a href="#s1460">1460</a>, <a href="#s1530">1530</a>, + <a href="#s1555">1555</a>, <a href="#s1597">1597</a>, <a href="#s1855">1855</a>, + <a href="#s1909">1909</a>, <a href="#s1944">1944</a>, <a href="#s1956">1956</a>, + <a href="#s2133">2133</a>, <a href="#s2200">2200</a>, <a href="#s2206">2206</a>, + <a href="#s2338">2338</a>.</p> + +<p>In the original the opening strophe, which is altogether more +regular than the average and is, moreover, one of the few that have +also complete caesural rhyme, is as follows:</p> +<blockquote> + Uns ist in alten maeren / wunders vil geseit<br> + von heleden lobebaeren, / von grôzer arebeit,<br> + von fröuden, hochgezîten, / von weinen und von klagen,<br> + von küener recken strîten / muget ir nu wunder hoeren sagen. +</blockquote> +<p>Here the only place where the unaccented syllable is lacking before +the accented is before <i>wunders</i> at the beginning of the second half +of the first line. A strophe showing more typical irregularities is, +for instance, the twenty-second:</p> +<blockquote> + In sînen besten zîten, / bî sînen jungen tagen,<br> + man möhte michel wunder / von Sîvride sagen,<br> + waz êren an im wüchse / und wie scoene was sîn lîp.<br> + sît heten in ze minne / diu vil waetlîchen wîp. +</blockquote> +Here the rhyme of the first and second lines is still masculine, <i>tagen</i> +<p>and <i>sagen</i> being pronounced <i>tagn</i> and <i>sagn</i>. The unaccented +syllable is lacking, e.g., before the second accent of the second +half of line two, also before the first and the third accent of the +second half of line four. There are two unaccented syllables at +the beginning (<i>Auftakt</i>) of the second half of line three. The absence +of the unaccented syllable between the second and the third accent +of the last half of the fourth line of a strophe, as here, is so frequent +in the poem as to amount almost to a rule; it shows an utter +misconception, or disregard, of its true character, nevertheless, to +treat this last half-line as having only three accented syllables, as all +translators hitherto have done.</p> + + +<h4><a name="I28">8.</a> Editions Of The Nibelungenlied</h4> +<ol style="list-style-type:none"> +<li><p>MS. A. (Hohenems-Munich).<br> + Lachmann, <i>Der Nibelunge Nôt und die Klage</i>, 5th ed., + Berlin, 1878. Several reprints of the text alone later.</p> +<li><p>MS. B. (St. Gall).<br> + Bartsch, <i>Das Nibelungenlied</i>, 6th ed., Leipzig, 1886. (Vol. + 3 of the series Deutsche Classiker des Mittelalters.)<br> + Piper, <i>Die Nibelungen</i>. (Vol. 6 of Kürschner's Deutsche + National-Litteratur.)</p> +<li><p>MS. C. (Donaueschingen).<br> + Zarncke, <i>Das Nibelungenlied</i>, 6th ed., Leipzig, 1887.</p> +</ol> + <br><hr><br> + +<h2>THE NIBELUNGENLIED</h2> +<br><hr> + <br> + +<h3><a name="A1">FIRST</a> ADVENTURE</h3> + +<p class="head">Kriemhild's Dream</p> +<p> +<a name="s1">1</a></p> +<p> +To us in olden story / are wonders many told<br> +Of heroes rich in glory, / of trials manifold:<br> +Of joy and festive greeting, / of weeping and of woe,<br> +Of keenest warriors meeting, / shall ye now many a wonder know.</p> + +<p><a name="s2">2</a></p> +<p> +There once grew up in Burgundy / a maid of noble birth,<br> +Nor might there be a fairer / than she in all the earth:<br> +Kriemhild hight the maiden, / and grew a dame full fair,<br> +Through whom high thanes a many / to lose their lives soon dooméd were.</p> +<p> +<a name="s3">3</a></p> +<p> +'Twould well become the highest / to love the winsome maid,<br> +Keen knights did long to win her, / and none but homage paid.<br> +Beauty without measure, / that in sooth had she,<br> +And virtues wherewith many / ladies else adorned might be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s4">4</a></p> +<p> +Three noble lords did guard her, / great as well in might,<br> +Gunther and Gernot, / each one a worthy knight,<br> +And Giselher their brother, / a hero young and rare.<br> +The lady was their sister / and lived beneath the princes' care.</p> +<p> +<a name="s5">5</a></p> +<p> +These lords were free in giving, / and born of high degree;<br> +Undaunted was the valor / of all the chosen three.<br> +It was the land of Burgundy / o'er which they did command,<br> +And mighty deeds of wonder / they wrought anon in Etzel's land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s6">6</a></p> +<p> +At Worms amid their warriors / they dwelt, the Rhine beside,<br> +And in their lands did serve them / knights of mickle pride,<br> +Who till their days were ended / maintained them high in state.<br> +They later sadly perished / beneath two noble women's hate.</p> +<p> +<a name="s7">7</a></p> +<p> +A high and royal lady, / Ute their mother hight,<br> +Their father's name was Dankrat, / a man of mickle might.<br> +To them his wealth bequeathed he / when that his life was done,<br> +For while he yet was youthful / had he in sooth great honor won.</p> +<p> +<a name="s8">8</a></p> +<p> +In truth were these three rulers, / as I before did say,<br> +Great and high in power, / and homage true had they<br> +Eke of knights the boldest / and best that e'er were known,<br> +Keen men all and valiant, / as they in battle oft had shown.</p> +<p> +<a name="s9">9</a></p> +<p> +There was of Tronje Hagen, / and of that princely line<br> +His brother valiant Dankwart; / and eke of Metz Ortwein;<br> +Then further the two margraves, / Gere and Eckewart;<br> +Of Alzei was Volker, / a doughty man of dauntless heart.</p> +<p> +<a name="s10">10</a></p> +<p> +Rumold the High Steward, / a chosen man was he,<br> +Sindold and Hunold / they tended carefully<br> +Each his lofty office / in their three masters' state,<br> +And many a knight beside them / that I the tale may ne'er relate.</p> +<p> +<a name="s11">11</a></p> +<p> +Dankwart he was Marshal; / his nephew, then, Ortwein<br> +Upon the monarch waited / when that he did dine;<br> +Sindold was Cup-bearer, / a stately thane was he,<br> +And Chamberlain was Hunold, / masters all in courtesy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s12">12</a></p> +<p> +Of the kings' high honor / and their far-reaching might,<br> +Of their full lofty majesty / and how each gallant knight<br> +Found his chiefest pleasure / in the life of chivalry,<br> +In sooth by mortal never / might it full related be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s13">13</a></p> +<p> +Amid this life so noble / did dream the fair Kriemhild<br> +How that she reared a falcon, / in beauty strong and wild,<br> +That by two eagles perished; / the cruel sight to see<br> +Did fill her heart with sorrow / as great as in this world might be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s14">14</a></p> +<p> +The dream then to her mother / Queen Ute she told,<br> +But she could not the vision / than thus more clear unfold:<br> +"The falcon that thou rearedst, / doth mean a noble spouse:<br> +God guard him well from evil / or thou thy hero soon must lose."</p> +<p> +<a name="s15">15</a></p> +<p> +"Of spouse, O darling mother, / what dost thou tell to me?<br> +Without a knight to woo me, / so will I ever be,<br> +Unto my latest hour / I'll live a simple maid,<br> +That I through lover's wooing / ne'er be brought to direst need."</p> +<p> +<a name="s16">16</a></p> +<p> +"Forswear it not so rashly," / her mother then replied.<br> +"On earth if thou wilt ever / cast all care aside,<br> +'Tis love alone will do it; / thou shalt be man's delight,<br> +If God but kindly grant thee / to wed a right good valiant knight."</p> +<p> +<a name="s17">17</a></p> +<p> +"Now urge the case, dear mother," / quoth she, "not further here.<br> +Fate of many another / dame hath shown full clear<br> +How joy at last doth sorrow / lead oft-times in its train.<br> +That I no ruth may borrow, / from both alike I'll far remain."</p> +<p> +<a name="s18">18</a></p> +<p> +Long time, too, did Kriemhild / her heart from love hold free,<br> +And many a day the maiden / lived right happily,<br> +Ere good knight saw she any / whom she would wish to woo.<br> +In honor yet she wedded / anon a worthy knight and true.</p> +<p> +<a name="s19">19</a></p> +<p> +He was that same falcon / she saw the dream within<br> +Unfolded by her mother. / Upon her nearest kin,<br> + +That they did slay him later, / how wreaked she vengeance wild!<br> +Through death of this one hero / died many another mother's child.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> + +<h3><a name="A2">SECOND</a> ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">Siegfried</p> +<p> +<a name="s20">20</a></p> +<p> +There grew likewise in Netherland / a prince of noble kind,<br> +Siegmund hight his father, / his mother Siegelind—<br> +Within a lordly castle / well known the country o'er,<br> +By the Rhine far downward: / Xanten was the name it bore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s21">21</a></p> +<p> +Siegfried they did call him, / this bold knight and good;<br> +Many a realm he tested, / for brave was he of mood.<br> +He rode to prove his prowess / in many a land around:<br> +Heigh-ho! what thanes of mettle / anon in Burgundy he found!</p> +<p> +<a name="s22">22</a></p> +<p> +In the springtime of his vigor, / when he was young and bold,<br> +Could tales of mickle wonder / of Siegfried be told,<br> +How he grew up in honor, / and how fair he was to see:<br> +Anon he won the favor / of many a debonair lady.</p> +<p> +<a name="s23">23</a></p> +<p> +As for a prince was fitting, / they fostered him with care:<br> +Yet how the knightly virtues / to him native were!<br> +'Twas soon the chiefest glory / of his father's land,<br> +That he in fullest measure / endowed with princely worth did stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s24">24</a></p> +<p> +He soon was grown in stature / that he at court did ride.<br> +The people saw him gladly, / lady and maid beside<br> +Did wish that his own liking / might lead him ever there.<br> +That they did lean unto him / the knight was soon right well aware.</p> +<p> +<a name="s25">25</a></p> +<p> +In youth they let him never / without safe escort ride;<br> +Soon bade Siegmund and Siegelind / apparel rich provide;<br> +Men ripe in wisdom taught him, / who knew whence honor came.<br> +Thus many lands and people / he won by his wide-honored name.</p> +<p> +<a name="s26">26</a></p> +<p> +Now was he of such stature / that he could weapons bear:<br> +Of what thereto he needed / had he an ample share.<br> +Then to think of loving / fair maids did he begin,<br> +And well might they be honored / for wooer Siegfried bold to win.</p> +<p> +<a name="s27">27</a></p> +<p> +Then bade his father Siegmund / make known to one and all<br> +That he with his good kinsmen / would hold high festival.<br> +And soon were tidings carried / to all the neighboring kings;<br> +To friends at home and strangers / steeds gave he and rich furnishin</p> +<p> +<a name="s28">28</a></p> +<p> +Wherever they found any / who knight was fit to be<br> +By reason of his kindred, / all such were courteously<br> +Unto the land invited / to join the festal throng,<br> +When with the prince so youthful / on them the knightly sword was hung.</p> +<p> +<a name="s29">29</a></p> +<p> +Of this high time of revelry / might I great wonders tell.<br> +Siegmund and Siegelind / great honor won full well,<br> +Such store of goodly presents / they dealt with generous hand,<br> +That knights were seen full many / from far come pricking to their land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s30">30</a></p> +<p> +Four hundred lusty squires / were there to be clad<br> +In knight's full garb with Siegfried. / Full many a beauteous maid<br> +At work did never tire, / for dear they did him hold,<br> +And many a stone full precious / those ladies laid within the gold,</p> +<p> +<a name="s31">31</a></p> +<p> +That they upon the doublets / embroidered cunningly<br> +Of those soon to be knighted: / 't was thus it had to be,<br> +Seats bade the host for many / a warrior bold make right<br> +Against the high midsummer, / when Siegfried won the name of knight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s32">32</a></p> +<p> +Then went unto the minster / full many a noble knight<br> +And gallant squires beside them. / The elder there with right<br> +Did wait upon the younger, / as once for them was done.<br> +They were all light-hearted, / in hope of pleasure every one.</p> +<p> +<a name="s33">33</a></p> +<p> +God to praise and honor / they sang the mass' song;<br> +There, too, were crowds of people, / a great and surging throng,<br> +When after knightly custom / knighthood received they then,<br> +In such a stately pageant / as scarce might ever be again.</p> +<p> +<a name="s34">34</a></p> +<p> +They hastened where they found them / saddled many a steed;<br> +In the court of Siegmund's castle / they tilted with such speed<br> +That far the din resounded / through castle and through hall,<br> +As in the play with clamor / did join the fiery riders all.</p> +<p> +<a name="s35">35</a></p> +<p> +Well-tried old knights and youthful / met there in frequent clash,<br> +There was sound of shattered lances / that through the air did crash,<br> +And along before the castle / were splinters seen to fly<br> +From hands of knights a many: / each with other there did vie.</p> +<p> +<a name="s36">36</a></p> +<p> +The king he bade give over: / they led the chargers out:<br> +There was seen all shattered / many a boss well-wrought,<br> +And many a stone full costly / lay there upon the sward<br> +From erstwhile shining shield-bands, / now broken in the jousting hard.</p> +<p> +<a name="s37">37</a></p> +<p> +The guests all went thereafter / where seats for them were reared;<br> +They by the choicest viands / from weariness were cheered,<br> +And wine, of all the rarest, / that then in plenty flowed.<br> +Upon both friends and strangers / were fitting honors rich bestowed.</p> +<p> +<a name="s38">38</a></p> +<p> +In such merry manner / all day did last the feast.<br> +Many a wandering minstrel / knew not any rest,<br> +But sang to win the presents / dealt out with bounteous hand;<br> +And with their praise was honored / far and wide King Siegmund's land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s39">39</a></p> +<p> +The monarch then did order / Siegfried his youthful son<br> +In fee give lands and castles, / as he erstwhile had done.<br> +To all his sword-companions / he gave with such full hand,<br> +That joyed they o'er the journey / they now had made unto that land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s40">40</a></p> +<p> +The festival yet lasted / until the seventh day.<br> +Siegelind after old custom / in plenty gave away<br> +—For so her son she honored— / rich gifts of shining gold:<br> +In sooth deserved she richly / that all should him in honor hold.</p> +<p> +<a name="s41">41</a></p> +<p> +Never a wandering minstrel / was unprovided found:<br> +Horses there and raiment / so free were dealt around,<br> +As if to live they had not / beyond it one day more.<br> +I ween a monarch's household / ne'er bestowed such gifts before.</p> +<p> +<a name="s42">42</a></p> +<p> +Thus closed the merry feasting / in this right worthy way,<br> +And 't was well known thereafter / how those good knights did say<br> +That they the youthful hero / for king would gladly have;<br> +But this nowise he wished for, / Siegfried the stately knight and brave.</p> +<p> +<a name="s43">43</a></p> +<p> +While that they both were living, / Siegmund and Siegelind,<br> +No crown their son desired, / —thereto he had no mind.<br> +Yet would he fain be master / o'er all the hostile might<br> +That in the lands around him / opposed the keen and fiery knight.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> + +<h3><a name="A3">THIRD</a> ADVENTURE.</h3> +<p class="head">How Siegfried came to Worms</p> +<p> +<a name="s44">44</a></p> +<p> +Seldom in sooth, if ever, / the hero's heart was sad.<br> +He heard them tell the story, / how that a winsome maid<br> +There lived afar in Burgundy, / surpassing fair to see:<br> +Great joy she brought him later, / but eke she brought him misery.</p> +<p> +<a name="s45">45</a></p> +<p> +Of her exceeding beauty / the fame spread far and near,<br> +And of the thing, moreover, / were knights oft-times aware<br> +How the maid's high spirit / no mortal could command:<br> +The thing lured many a stranger / from far unto King Gunther's land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s46">46</a></p> +<p> +Although to win her favor / were many wooers bent,<br> +In her own heart would never / Kriemhild thereto consent<br> +That any one amongst them / for lover she would have:<br> +Still to her was he a stranger / to whom anon her troth she gave.</p> +<p> +<a name="s47">47</a></p> +<p> +To true love turned his fancy / the son of Siegelind.<br> +'Gainst his, all others' wooing / was like an idle wind:<br> +Full well did he merit / a lady fair to woo,<br> +And soon the noble Kriemhild / to Siegfried bold was wedded true.</p> +<p> +<a name="s48">48</a></p> +<p> +By friends he oft was counselled, / and many a faithful man,<br> +Since to think of wooing / in earnest he began,<br> +That he a wife should find him / of fitting high degree.<br> +Then spoke the noble Siegfried: / "In sooth fair Kriemhild shall it be,</p> +<p> +<a name="s49">49</a></p> +<p> +"The noble royal maiden / in Burgundy that dwells,<br> +For sake of all her beauty. / Of her the story tells,<br> +Ne'er monarch was so mighty / that, if for spouse he sighed,<br> +'Twere not for him befitting / to take the princess for his bride."</p> +<p> +<a name="s50">50</a></p> +<p> +Unto King Siegmund also / the thing was soon made known.<br> +His people talked about it, / whereby to him was shown<br> +The Prince's fixéd purpose. / It grieved him sorely, too,<br> +That his son intent was / the full stately maid to woo.</p> +<p> +<a name="s51">51</a></p> +<p> +Siegelind asked and learned it, / the noble monarch's wife.<br> +For her loved son she sorrowed / lest he should lose his life,<br> +For well she knew the humor / of Gunther and his men.<br> +Then gan they from the wooing / strive to turn the noble thane.</p> +<p> +<a name="s52">52</a></p> +<p> +Then said the doughty Siegfried: / "O father dear to me,<br> +Without the love of woman / would I ever be,<br> +Could I not woo in freedom / where'er my heart is set.<br> +Whate'er be said by any, / I'll keep the selfsame purpose yet."</p> +<p> +<a name="s53">53</a></p> +<p> +"Since thou wilt not give over," / the king in answer said,<br> +"Am I of this thy purpose / inwardly full glad,<br> +And straightway to fulfil it / I'll help as best I can,<br> +Yet in King Gunther's service / is many a haughty-minded man.</p> +<p> +<a name="s54">54</a></p> +<p> +"And were there yet none other / than Hagen, warrior-knight,<br> +He with such haughty bearing / is wont to show his might,<br> +That I do fear right sorely / that sad our end may be,<br> +If we set out with purpose / to win the stately maid for thee."</p> +<p> +<a name="s55">55</a></p> +<p> +"Shall we by that be hindered?" / outspake Siegfried then;<br> +"Whate'er in friendly fashion / I cannot obtain<br> +I'll yet in other manner / take that, with sword in hand.<br> +I trow from them I'll further / wrest both their vassals and their land."</p> +<p> +<a name="s56">56</a></p> +<p> +"I grieve to hear thy purpose," / said Siegmund the king;<br> +"If any one this story / unto the Rhine should bring,<br> +Then durst thou never after / within that land be seen.<br> +Gunther and Gernot, / —well known to me they long have been.</p> +<p> +<a name="s57">57</a></p> +<p> +"By force, however mighty, / no man can win the maid,"<br> +Spake King Siegmund further, / "to me hath oft been said.<br> +But if with knightly escort / thither thou wilt ride,<br> +Good friends—an have we any— / shall soon be summoned to thy side."</p> +<p> +<a name="s58">58</a></p> +<p> +"No wish," then answered Siegfried, / "it ever was of mine,<br> +That warrior knights should follow / with me unto the Rhine<br> +As if arrayed for battle: / 'twould make my heart full sad,<br> +To force in hostile manner / to yield to me the stately maid.</p> +<p> +<a name="s59">59</a></p> +<p> +"By my own hand—thus only— / trust I to win my bride;<br> +With none but twelve in company / to Gunther's land I'll ride.<br> +In this, O royal father, / thy present help I pray."<br> +Gray and white fur raiment / had his companions for the way.</p> +<p> +<a name="s60">60</a></p> +<p> +Siegelind his mother / then heard the story too,<br> +And grieved she was on hearing / what her dear son would do,<br> +For she did fear to lose him / at hands of Gunther's men.<br> +Thereat with heart full heavy / began to weep the noble queen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s61">61</a></p> +<p> +Then came forth Sir Siegfried / where the queen he sought,<br> +And to his weeping mother / thus gently spake his thought:<br> +"No tear of grief thou shouldest / ever shed for me,<br> +For I care not a tittle / for all the warriors that be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s62">62</a></p> +<p> +"So help me on my journey / to the land of Burgundy,<br> +And furnish such apparel / for all my knights and me,<br> +As warriors of our station / might well with honor wear.<br> +Then I in turn right truly / to thee my gratitude will swear."</p> +<p> +<a name="s63">63</a></p> +<p> +"Since thou wilt not give over," / Siegelind then replied,<br> +"My only son, I'll help thee / as fits thee forth to ride,<br> +With the best apparel / that riders ever wore,<br> +Thee and thy companions: / ye shall of all have goodly store."</p> +<p> +<a name="s64">64</a></p> +<p> +Then bowed the youthful Siegfried / the royal dame before,<br> +And said: "Upon the journey / will I take no more,<br> +But twelve good knights only: / for these rich dress provide,<br> +For I would know full gladly / how 't doth with Kriemhild betide."</p> +<p> +<a name="s65">65</a></p> +<p> +Then sat at work fair women / by night and eke by day,<br> +And rest indeed but little / from busy toil had they,<br> +Until they had made ready / the dress Siegfried should wear.<br> +Firm bent upon the journey, / no other counsel would he hear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s66">66</a></p> +<p> +His father bade a costly / garb for him prepare,<br> +That leaving Siegmund's country / he the same might wear.<br> +For all their glittering breastplates / were soon prepared beside,<br> +And helmets firmly welded, / and shining shields long and wide.</p> +<p> +<a name="s67">67</a></p> +<p> +Then fast the day grew nearer / when they should thence depart.<br> +Men and likewise women / went sorrowing in heart,<br> +If that they should ever / see more their native land.<br> +With full equipment laden / the sumpter horses there did stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s68">68</a></p> +<p> +Their steeds were stately, furnished / with trappings rich with gold;<br> +It were a task all bootless / to seek for knights more bold<br> +Than were the gallant Siegfried / and his chosen band.<br> +He longed to take departure / straightway for Burgundian land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s69">69</a></p> +<p> +Leave granted they with sadness, / both the king and queen,<br> +The which to turn to gladness / sought the warrior keen,<br> +And spake then: "Weep ye shall not / at all for sake of me,<br> +Forever free from doubtings / about my safety may ye be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s70">70</a></p> +<p> +Stern warriors stood there sorrowing, / —in tears was many a maid.<br> +I ween their hearts erred nothing, / as sad forebodings said<br> +That 'mongst their friends so many / thereby were doomed to die.<br> +Good cause had they to sorrow / at last o'er all their misery.</p> +<p> +<a name="s71">71</a></p> +<p> +Upon the seventh morning / to Worms upon the strand<br> +Did come the keen knights riding. / Bright shone many a band<br> +Of gold from their apparel / and rich equipment then;<br> +And gently went their chargers / with Siegfried and his chosen men.</p> +<p> +<a name="s72">72</a></p> +<p> +New-made shields they carried / that were both strong and wide<br> +And brightly shone their helmets / as thus to court did ride<br> +Siegfried the keen warrior / into King Gunther's land.<br> +Of knights before was never / beheld so richly clad a band.</p> +<p> +<a name="s73">73</a></p> +<p> +The points of their long scabbards / reached down unto the spur,<br> +And spear full sharply pointed / bore each chosen warrior.<br> +The one that Siegfried carried / in breadth was two good span,<br> +And grimly cut its edges / when driven by the fearless man.</p> +<p> +<a name="s74">74</a></p> +<p> +Reins with gold all gleaming / held they in the hand,<br> +The saddle-bands were silken. / So came they to the land.<br> +On every side the people / to gape at them began,<br> +And also out to meet them / the men that served King Gunther ran.</p> +<p> +<a name="s75">75</a></p> +<p> +Gallant men high-hearted, / knight and squire too,<br> +Hastened to receive them, / for such respect was due,<br> +And bade the guests be welcome / unto their master's land.<br> +They took from them their chargers, / and shields as well from out the +hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s76">76</a></p> +<p> +Then would they eke the chargers / lead forth unto their rest;<br> +But straight the doughty Siegfried / to them these words addressed:<br> +"Yet shall ye let our chargers / stand the while near by;<br> +Soon take we hence our journey; / thereon resolved full well am I.</p> +<p> +<a name="s77">77</a></p> +<p> +"If that be known to any, / let him not delay,<br> +Where I your royal master / now shall find, to say,—<br> +Gunther, king so mighty / o'er the land of Burgundy."<br> +Then told him one amongst them / to whom was known where that might be:</p> +<p> +<a name="s78">78</a></p> +<p> +"If that the king thou seekest, / right soon may he be found.<br> +Within that wide hall yonder / with his good knights around<br> +But now I saw him sitting. / Thither do thou repair,<br> +And thou may'st find around him / many a stately warrior there."</p> +<p> +<a name="s79">79</a></p> +<p> +Now also to the monarch / were the tidings told,<br> +That within his castle / were knights arrived full bold,<br> +All clad in shining armor / and apparelled gorgeously;<br> +But not a man did know them / within the land of Burgundy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s80">80</a></p> +<p> +Thereat the king did wonder / whence were come to him<br> +These knights adventure seeking / in dress so bright and trim,<br> +And shields adorned so richly / that new and mighty were.<br> +That none the thing could tell him / did grieve him sorely to hear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s81">81</a></p> +<p> +Outspake a knight then straightway, / Ortwein by name was he,<br> +Strong and keen as any / well was he known to be:<br> +"Since we of them know nothing, / bid some one quickly go<br> +And fetch my uncle Hagen: / to him thou shalt the strangers show.</p> +<p> +<a name="s82">82</a></p> +<p> +"To him are known far kingdoms / and every foreign land,<br> +And if he know these strangers / we soon shall understand."<br> +The king then sent to fetch him: / with his train of men<br> +Unto the king's high presence / in stately gear went he then.</p> +<p> +<a name="s83">83</a></p> +<p> +What were the king's good pleasure, / asked Hagen grim in war.<br> +"In the court within my castle / are warriors from afar,<br> +And no one here doth know them: / if them thou e'er didst see<br> +In any land far distant, / now shalt thou, Hagen, tell to me."</p> +<p> +<a name="s84">84</a></p> +<p> +"That will I do, 'tis certain."— / To a window then he went,<br> +And on the unknown strangers / his keen eye he bent.<br> +Well pleased him their equipment / and the rich dress they wore,<br> +Yet ne'er had he beheld them / in land of Burgundy before.</p> +<p> +<a name="s85">85</a></p> +<p> +He said that whencesoever / these knights come to the Rhine,<br> +They bear a royal message, / or are of princely line.<br> +"Their steeds are so bedizened, / and their apparel rare:<br> +No matter whence they journey, / high-hearted men in truth they are."</p> +<p> +<a name="s86">86</a></p> +<p> +Further then spake Hagen: / "As far as goes my ken,<br> +Though I the noble Siegfried / yet have never seen,<br> +Yet will I say meseemeth, / howe'er the thing may be,<br> +This knight who seeks adventure, / and yonder stands so proud, is he.</p> +<p> +<a name="s87">87</a></p> +<p> +"'Tis some new thing he bringeth / hither to our land.<br> +The valiant Nibelungen / fell by the hero's hand,<br> +Schilbung and Nibelung, / from royal sire sprung;<br> +Deeds he wrought most wondrous / anon when his strong arm he swung.</p> +<p> +<a name="s88">88</a></p> +<p> +"As once alone the hero / rode without company,<br> +Found he before a mountain / —as hath been told to me—<br> +With the hoard of Nibelung / full many stalwart men;<br> +To him had they been strangers / until he chanced to find them then.</p> +<p> + +<a name="s89">89</a></p> +<p> +"The hoard of King Nibelung / entire did they bear<br> +Forth from a mountain hollow. / And now the wonder hear,<br> +How that they would share it, / these two Nibelung men.<br> +This saw the fearless Siegfried, / and filled he was with wonder then.</p> +<p> +<a name="s90">90</a></p> +<p> +"He came so near unto them / that he the knights espied,<br> +And they in turn him also. / One amongst them said:<br> +'Here comes the doughty Siegfried, / hero of Netherland.'<br> +Since 'mongst the Nibelungen / strange wonders wrought his mighty hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s91">91</a></p> +<p> +"Right well did they receive him, / Schilbung and Nibelung,<br> +And straight they both together, / these noble princes young,<br> +Bade him mete out the treasure, / the full valorous man,<br> +And so long time besought him / that he at last the task began.</p> +<p> +<a name="s92">92</a></p> +<p> +"As we have heard in story, / he saw of gems such store<br> +That they might not be laden / on wagons full five score;<br> +More still of gold all shining / from Nibelungenland.<br> +'Twas all to be divided / between them by keen Siegfried's hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s93">93</a></p> +<p> +"Then gave they him for hire / King Nibelung's sword.<br> +And sooth to say, that service / brought them but small reward,<br> +That for them there performed / Siegfried of dauntless mood.<br> +His task he could not finish; / thereat they raged as were they wood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s94">94</a></p> +<p> +"They had there of their followers / twelve warriors keen,<br> +And strong they were as giants: / what booted giants e'en?<br> +Them slew straightway in anger / Siegfried's mighty hand,<br> +And warriors seven hundred / he felled in Nibelungenland</p> +<p> +<a name="s95">95</a></p> +<p> +"With the sword full trusty, / Balmung that hight.<br> +Full many a youthful warrior / from terror at the sight<br> +Of that deadly weapon / swung by his mighty hand<br> +Did render up his castle / and pledge him fealty in the land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s96">96</a></p> +<p> +"Thereto the kings so mighty, / them slew he both as well.<br> +But into gravest danger / through Alberich he fell,<br> +Who thought for his slain masters / vengeance to wreak straightway,<br> +Until the mighty Siegfried / his wrath with strong arm did stay.</p> +<p> +<a name="s97">97</a></p> +<p> +"Nor could prevail against him / the Dwarf, howe'er he tried.<br> +E'en as two wild lions / they coursed the mountainside,<br> +Where he the sightless mantle[<a href="#01">1</a>] / from Alberich soon won.<br> +Then Siegfried, knight undaunted, / held the treasure for his own.</p> +<p class="note">[<a name="01">1</a>] This is the <i>tarnkappe</i>, a cloak that made the + wearer invisible, + and also gave him the strength of twelve men.</p> +<p> +<a name="s98">98</a></p> +<p> +"Who then dared join the struggle, / all slain around they lay.<br> +Then he bade the treasure / to draw and bear away<br> +Thither whence 'twas taken / by the Nibelungen men.<br> +Alberich for his valor / was then appointed Chamberlain.</p> +<p> +<a name="s99">99</a></p> +<p> +"An oath he had to swear him, / he'd serve him as his slave;<br> +To do all kinds of service / his willing pledge he gave"—<br> +Thus spake of Tronje Hagen— / "That has the hero done;<br> +Might as great before him / was never in a warrior known.</p> +<p> +<a name="s100">100</a></p> +<p> +"Still know I more about him, / that has to me been told.<br> +A dragon, wormlike monster, / slew once the hero bold.<br> +Then in its blood he bathed him, / since when his skin hath been<br> +So horn-hard, ne'er a weapon / can pierce it, as hath oft been seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s101">101</a></p> +<p> +"Let us the brave knight-errant / receive so courteously<br> +That we in nought shall merit / his hate, for strong is he.<br> +He is so keen of spirit / he must be treated fair:<br> +He has by his own valor / done many a deed of prowess rare."</p> +<p> +<a name="s102">102</a></p> +<p> +The monarch spake in wonder: / "In sooth thou tellest right.<br> +Now see how proudly yonder / he stands prepared for fight,<br> +He and his thanes together, / the hero wondrous keen!<br> +To greet him we'll go thither, / and let our fair intent be seen."</p> +<p> +<a name="s103">103</a></p> +<p> +"That canst thou," out spake Hagen, / "well in honor do.<br> +He is of noble kindred, / a high king's son thereto.<br> +'Tis seen in all his bearing; / meseems in truth, God wot,<br> +The tale is worth the hearing / that this bold knight has hither + brought."</p> +<p> +<a name="s104">104</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the mighty monarch: / "Be he right welcome here.<br> +Keen is he and noble, / of fame known far and near.<br> +So shall he be fair treated / in the land of Burgundy."<br> +Down then went King Gunther, / and Siegfried with his men found he.</p> +<p> +<a name="s105">105</a></p> +<p> +The king and his knights with him / received so well the guest,<br> +That the hearty greeting / did their good will attest.<br> +Thereat in turn the stranger / in reverence bowed low,<br> +That in their welcome to him / they did such courtesy bestow.</p> +<p> +<a name="s106">106</a></p> +<p> +"To me it is a wonder," / straightway spake the host,<br> +"From whence, O noble Siegfried, / come to our land thou dost,<br> +Or what here thou seekest / at Worms upon the Rhine."<br> +Him the stranger answered: / "Put thou away all doubts of thine.</p> +<p> +<a name="s107">107</a></p> +<p> +"I oft have heard the tiding / within my sire's domain,<br> +How at thy court resided / —and know this would I fain—<br> +Knights, of all the keenest, / —'tis often told me so—<br> +That e'er a monarch boasted: / now come I hither this to know.</p> +<p> +<a name="s108">108</a></p> +<p> +"Thyself have I heard also / high praised for knightly worth;<br> +'Tis said a nobler monarch / ne'er lived in all the earth.<br> +Thus speak of thee the people / in all the lands around.<br> +Nor will I e'er give over / until in this the truth I've found.</p> +<p> +<a name="s109">109</a></p> +<p> +"I too am warrior noble / and born to wear a crown;<br> +So would I right gladly / that thou of me shouldst own<br> +That I of right am master / o'er people and o'er land.<br> +Of this shall now my honor / and eke my head as pledges stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s110">110</a></p> +<p> +"And art thou then so valiant / as hath to me been told,<br> +I reck not, will he nill he / thy best warrior bold,<br> +I'll wrest from thee in combat / whatever thou may'st have;<br> +Thy lands and all thy castles / shall naught from change of masters + save."</p> +<p> +<a name="s111">111</a></p> +<p> +The king was seized with wonder / and all his men beside,<br> +To see the manner haughty / in which the knight replied<br> +That he was fully minded / to take from him his land.<br> +It chafed his thanes to hear it, / who soon in raging mood did stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s112">112</a></p> +<p> +"How could it be my fortune," / Gunther the king outspoke,<br> +"What my sire long ruled over / in honor for his folk,<br> +Now to lose so basely / through any vaunter's might?<br> +In sooth 'twere nobly showing / that we too merit name of knight!"</p> +<p> +<a name="s113">113</a></p> +<p> +"Nowise will I give over," / was the keen reply.<br> +"If peace through thine own valor / thy land cannot enjoy,<br> +To me shall all be subject: / if heritage of mine<br> +Through thy arm's might thou winnest, / of right shall all hence-forth be + thine.</p> +<p> +<a name="s114">114</a></p> +<p> +"Thy land and all that mine is, / at stake shall equal lie.<br> +Whiche'er of us be victor / when now our strength we try,<br> +To him shall all be subject, / the folk and eke the land."<br> +But Hagen spake against it, / and Gernot too was quick at hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s115">115</a></p> +<p> +"Such purpose have we never," / Gernot then said,<br> +"For lands to combat ever, / that any warrior dead<br> +Should lie in bloody battle. / We've mighty lands and strong;<br> +Of right they call us master, / and better they to none belong."</p> +<p> +<a name="s116">116</a></p> +<p> +There stood full grim and moody / Gernot's friends around,<br> +And there as well amongst them / was Ortwein to be found.<br> +He spake: "This mild peace-making / doth grieve me sore at heart,<br> +For by the doughty Siegfried / attacked all undeserved thou art.</p> +<p> +<a name="s117">117</a></p> +<p> +"If thou and thy two brothers / yourselves to help had naught,<br> +And if a mighty army / he too had hither brought,<br> +I trow I'd soon be able / to make this man so keen<br> +His manner now so haughty / of need replace by meeker mien."</p> +<p> +<a name="s118">118</a></p> +<p> +Thereat did rage full sorely / the hero of Netherland:<br> +"Never shall be measured / 'gainst me in fight thy hand.<br> +I am a mighty monarch, / thou a king's serving-knight;<br> +Of such as thou a dozen / dare not withstand me in the fight."</p> +<p> +<a name="s119">119</a></p> +<p> +For swords then called in anger / of Metz Sir Ortwein:<br> +Son of Hagen's sister / he was, of Tronje's line.<br> +That Hagen so long was silent / did grieve the king to see.<br> +Gernot made peace between them: / a gallant knight and keen was he.</p> +<p> +<a name="s120">120</a></p> +<p> +Spake he thus to Ortwein: / "Curb now thy wrathful tongue,<br> +For here the noble Siegfried / hath done us no such wrong;<br> +We yet can end the quarrel / in peace,—such is my rede—<br> +And live with him in friendship; / that were for us a worthier deed."</p> +<p> +<a name="s121">121</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the mighty Hagen: / "Sad things do I forebode<br> +For all thy train of warriors, / that this knight ever rode<br> +Unto the Rhine thus arméd. / 'Twere best he stayed at home;<br> +For from my masters never / to him such wrong as this had come."</p> +<p> +<a name="s122">122</a></p> +<p> +But outspake Siegfried proudly, / whose heart was ne'er dismayed:<br> +"An't please thee not, Sir Hagen, / what I now have said,<br> +This arm shall give example / whereby thou plain shall see<br> +How stern anon its power / here in Burgundy will be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s123">123</a></p> +<p> +"Yet that myself will hinder," / said then Gernot.<br> +All his men forbade he / henceforth to say aught<br> +With such unbridled spirit / to stir the stranger's ire.<br> +Then Siegfried eke was mindful / of one most stately maid and fair.</p> +<p> +<a name="s124">124</a></p> +<p> +"Such strife would ill befit us," / Gernot spake again;<br> +"For though should die in battle / a host of valiant men<br> +'Twould bring us little honor / and ye could profit none."<br> +Thereto gave Siegfried answer, / good King Siegmund's noble son:</p> +<p> +<a name="s125">125</a></p> +<p> +"Wherefore bides thus grim Hagen, / and Ortwein tardy is<br> +To begin the combat / with all those friends of his,<br> +Of whom he hath so many / here in Burgundy?"<br> +Answer him they durst not, / for such was Gernot's stern decree.</p> +<p> +<a name="s126">126</a></p> +<p> +"Thou shalt to us be welcome," / outspake young Giselher,<br> +"And all thy brave companions / that hither with thee fare.<br> +Full gladly we'll attend thee, / I and all friends of mine."<br> +For the guests then bade they / pour out in store of Gunther's wine.</p> +<p> +<a name="s127">127</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the stately monarch: / "But ask thou courteously,<br> +And all that we call ours / stands at thy service free;<br> +So with thee our fortune / we'll share in ill and good."<br> +Thereat the noble Siegfried / a little milder was of mood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s128">128</a></p> +<p> +Then carefully was tended / all their knightly gear,<br> +And housed in goodly manner / in sooth the strangers were,<br> +All that followed Siegfried; / they found a welcome rest.<br> +In Burgundy full gladly / anon was seen the noble guest.</p> +<p> +<a name="s129">129</a></p> +<p> +They showed him mickle honor / thereafter many a day,<br> +And more by times a thousand / than I to you could say.<br> +His might respect did merit, / ye may full well know that.<br> +Scarce a man e'er saw him / who bore him longer any hate.</p> +<p> +<a name="s130">130</a></p> +<p> +And when they held their pastime, / the kings with many a man,<br> +Then was he ever foremost; / whatever they began,<br> +None there that was his equal, / —so mickle was his might—<br> +If they the stone were putting, / or hurling shaft with rival knight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s131">131</a></p> +<p> +As is the knightly custom, / before the ladies fair<br> +To games they turned for pastime, / these knights of mettle rare;<br> +Then ever saw they gladly / the hero of Netherland.<br> +But he had fixed his fancy / to win one fairest maiden's hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s132">132</a></p> +<p> +In all that they were doing / he'd take a ready part.<br> +A winsome loving maiden / he bore within his heart;<br> +Him only loved that lady, / whose face he ne'er had seen,<br> +But she full oft in secret / of him spake fairest words, I ween.</p> +<p> +<a name="s133">133</a></p> +<p> +And when before the castle / they sped in tournament,<br> +The good knights and squires, / oft-times the maiden went<br> +And gazed adown from casement, / Kriemhild the princess rare.<br> +Pastime there was none other / for her that could with this compare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s134">134</a></p> +<p> +And knew he she was gazing / whom in his heart he bore,<br> +He joy enough had found him / in jousting evermore.<br> +And might he only see her, / —that can I well believe—<br> +On earth through sight none other / his eyes could such delight receive.</p> +<p> +<a name="s135">135</a></p> +<p> +Whene'er with his companions / to castle court he went,<br> +E'en as do now the people / whene'er on pleasure bent,<br> +There stood 'fore all so graceful / Siegelind's noble son,<br> +For whom in love did languish / the hearts of ladies many a one.</p> +<p> +<a name="s136">136</a></p> +<p> +Eke thought he full often: / "How shall it ever be,<br> +That I the noble maiden / with my own eyes may see,<br> +Whom I do love so dearly / and have for many a day?<br> +To me is she a stranger, / which sorely grieves my heart to say."</p> +<p> +<a name="s137">137</a></p> +<p> +Whene'er the kings so mighty / rode o'er their broad domain,<br> +Then of valiant warriors / they took a stately train.<br> +With them abroad rode Siegfried, / which grieved those ladies sore:<br> +—He too for one fair maiden / at heart a mickle burden bore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s138">138</a></p> +<p> +Thus with his hosts he lingered / —'tis every tittle true—<br> +In King Gunther's country / a year completely through,<br> +And never once the meanwhile / the lovely maid did see,<br> +Through whom such joy thereafter / for him, and eke such grief should be.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> + +<h3><a name="A4">FOURTH</a> ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Siegfried fought with the Saxons</p> +<p> +<a name="s139">139</a></p> +<p> +Now come wondrous tidings / to King Gunther's land,<br> +By messengers brought hither / from far upon command<br> +Of knights unknown who harbored / against him secret hate.<br> +When there was heard the story, / at heart in sooth the grief was great.</p> +<p> +<a name="s140">140</a></p> +<p> +Of these I now will tell you: / There was King Luedeger<br> +From out the land of Saxons, / a mighty warrior,<br> +And eke from land of Denmark / Luedegast the king:<br> +Whene'er they rode to battle / went they with mighty following.</p> +<p> +<a name="s141">141</a></p> +<p> +Come were now their messengers / to the land of Burgundy,<br> +Sent forth by these foemen / in proud hostility.<br> +Then asked they of the strangers / what tidings they did bring:<br> +And when they heard it, straightway / led them to court before the king.</p> +<p> +<a name="s142">142</a></p> +<p> +Then spake to them King Gunther: / "A welcome, on my word.<br> +Who 'tis that send you hither, / that have I not yet heard:<br> +Now shall ye let me know it," / spake the monarch keen.<br> +Then dreaded they full sorely / to see King Gunther's angry mien.</p> +<p> +<a name="s143">143</a></p> +<p> +"Wilt them, O king, permit us / the tidings straight to tell<br> +That we now have brought thee, / no whit will we conceal,<br> +But name thee both our masters / who us have hither sent:<br> +Luedegast and Luedeger, / —to waste thy land is their intent.</p> +<p> +<a name="s144">144</a></p> +<p> +"Their hate hast thou incurréd, / and thou shalt know in sooth<br> +That high enraged against thee / are the monarchs both.<br> +Their hosts they will lead hither / to Worms upon the Rhine;<br> +They're helped by thanes full many— / of this put off all doubts of + thine.</p> +<p> +<a name="s145">145</a></p> +<p> +"Within weeks a dozen / their march will they begin;<br> +And if thy friends be valiant, / let that full quick be seen,<br> +To help thee keep in safety / thy castles and thy land:<br> +Full many a shield and helmet / shall here be cleft by warrior's hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s146">146</a></p> +<p> +"Or wilt thou with them parley, / so let it quick be known,<br> +Before their hosts so mighty / of warlike men come down<br> +To Worms upon Rhine river / sad havoc here to make,<br> +Whereby must death most certain / many a gallant knight o'ertake."</p> +<p> +<a name="s147">147</a></p> +<p> +"Bide ye now the meanwhile," / the king did answer kind,<br> +"Till I take better counsel; / then shall ye know my mind.<br> +Have I yet warriors faithful, / from these I'll naught conceal,<br> +But to my friends I'll straightway / these warlike tidings strange + reveal."</p> +<p> +<a name="s148">148</a></p> +<p> +The lordly Gunther wondered / thereat and troubled sore,<br> +As he the message pondered / in heart and brooded o'er.<br> +He sent to fetch grim Hagen / and others of his men,<br> +And bade likewise in hurry / to court bring hither Gernot then.</p> +<p> +<a name="s149">149</a></p> +<p> +Thus at his word his trusted / advisers straight attend.<br> +He spake: "Our land to harry / foes all unknown will send<br> +Of men a mighty army; / a grievous wrong is this.<br> +Small cause have we e'er given / that they should wish us aught amiss."</p> +<p> +<a name="s150">150</a></p> +<p> +"Our swords ward such things from us," / Gernot then said;<br> +"Since but the fated dieth, / so let all such lie dead.<br> +Wherefore I'll e'er remember / what honor asks of me:<br> +Whoe'er hath hate against us / shall ever here right welcome be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s151">151</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the doughty Hagen: / "Methinks 'twould scarce be good;<br> +Luedegast and Luedeger / are men of wrathful mood.<br> +Help can we never summon, / the days are now so few."<br> +So spake the keen old warrior, / "'Twere well Siegfried the tidings + knew."</p> +<p> +<a name="s152">152</a></p> +<p> +The messengers in the borough / were harbored well the while,<br> +And though their sight was hateful, / in hospitable style<br> +As his own guests to tend them / King Gunther gave command,<br> +Till 'mongst his friends he learnéd / who by him in his need would + stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s153">153</a></p> +<p> +The king was filled with sorrow / and his heart was sad.<br> +Then saw his mournful visage / a knight to help full glad,<br> +Who could not well imagine / what 'twas that grieved him so.<br> +Then begged he of King Gunther / the tale of this his grief to know.</p> +<p> +<a name="s154">154</a></p> +<p> +"To me it is great wonder," / said Siegfried to the king,<br> +"How thou of late hast changéd / to silent sorrowing<br> +The joyous ways that ever / with us thy wont have been."<br> +Then unto him gave answer / Gunther the full stately thane:</p> +<p> +<a name="s155">155</a></p> +<p> +"'Tis not to every person / I can the burden say<br> +That ever now in secret / upon my heart doth weigh:<br> +To well-tried friends and steady / are told our inmost woes."<br> +—Siegfried at first was pallid, / but soon his blood like fire up-rose.</p> +<p> +<a name="s156">156</a></p> +<p> +He spake unto the monarch: / "To thee I've naught denied.<br> +All ills that now do threaten / I'll help to turn aside.<br> +And if but friends thou seekest, / of them the first I'll be,<br> +And trow I well with honor / till death to serve thee faithfully."</p> +<p> +<a name="s157">157</a></p> +<p> +"God speed thee well, Sir Siegfried, / for this thy purpose fair:<br> +And though such help in earnest / thy arm should render ne'er,<br> +Yet do I joy at hearing / thou art so true to me.<br> +And live I yet a season, / right heartily repaid 'twill be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s158">158</a></p> +<p> +"Know will I also let thee / wherefore I sorrowing stand.<br> +Through messengers from my foemen / have tidings reached my land<br> +That they with hosts of warriors / will ride my country o'er;<br> +Such thing to us did never / thanes of any land before."</p> +<p> +<a name="s159">159</a></p> +<p> +"Small cause is that for grieving," / said then Siegfried;<br> +"But calm thy troubled spirit / and hearken to my rede:<br> +Let me for thee acquire / honor and vantage too,<br> +And bid thou now assemble / for service eke thy warriors true.</p> +<p> +<a name="s160">160</a></p> +<p> +"And had thy mighty enemies / to help them now at hand<br> +Good thanes full thirty thousand, / against them all I'd stand,<br> +Had I but one good thousand: / put all thy trust in me."<br> +Then answered him King Gunther: / "Thy help shall full requited be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s161">161</a></p> +<p> +"Then bid for me to summon / a thousand of thy men,<br> +Since I now have with me / of all my knightly train<br> +None but twelve knights only; / then will I guard thy land.<br> +For thee shall service faithful / be done alway by Siegfried's hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s162">162</a></p> +<p> +"Herein shall help us Hagen / and eke Ortwein,<br> +Dankwart and Sindold, / those trusted knights of thine;<br> +And with us too shall journey / Volker, the valiant man;<br> +The banner he shall carry: / bestow it better ne'er I can.</p> +<p> +<a name="s163">163</a></p> +<p> +"Back to their native country / the messengers may go;<br> +They'll see us there right quickly, / let them full surely know,<br> +So that all our castles / peace undisturbed shall have."<br> +Then bade the king to summon / his friends with all their warriors brave.</p> +<p> +<a name="s164">164</a></p> +<p> +To court returned the heralds / King Luedeger had sent,<br> +And on their journey homeward / full joyfully they went.<br> +King Gunther gave them presents / that costly were and good,<br> +And granted them safe convoy; / whereat they were of merry mood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s165">165</a></p> +<p> +"Tell ye my foes," spake Gunther, / "when to your land ye come,<br> +Than making journeys hither / they better were at home;<br> +But if they still be eager / to make such visit here,<br> +Unless my friends forsake me, / cold in sooth shall be their cheer."</p> +<p> +<a name="s166">166</a></p> +<p> +Then for the messengers / rich presents forth they bore,<br> +Whereof in sooth to give them / Gunther had goodly store:<br> +And they durst not refuse them / whom Luedeger had sent.<br> +Leave then they took immediate, / and homeward joyfully they went.</p> +<p> +<a name="s167">167</a></p> +<p> +When to their native Denmark / the messengers returned,<br> +And the king Luedegast / the answer too had learned,<br> +They at the Rhine had sent him, / —when that to him was told,<br> +His wrath was all unbounded / to have reply in words so bold.</p> +<p> +<a name="s168">168</a></p> +<p> +'Twas said their warriors numbered / many a man full keen:<br> +"There likewise among them / with Gunther have we seen<br> +Of Netherland a hero, / the same that Siegfried hight."<br> +King Luedegast was grievéd, / when he their words had heard aright.</p> +<p> +<a name="s169">169</a></p> +<p> +When throughout all Denmark / the tidings quick spread o'er,<br> +Then in hot haste they summoned / helpers all the more,<br> +So that King Luedegast, / 'twixt friends from far and near,<br> +Had knights full twenty thousand / all furnished well with shield and + spear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s170">170</a></p> +<p> +Then too his men did summon / of Saxony Luedeger,<br> +Till they good forty thousand, / and more, had gathered there,<br> +With whom to make the journey / 'gainst the land of Burgundy.<br> +—At home likewise the meanwhile / King Gunther had sent forth decree</p> +<p> +<a name="s171">171</a></p> +<p> +Mighty men to summon / of his own and brothers twain,<br> +Who against the foemen / would join the armed train.<br> +In haste they made them ready, / for right good cause they had.<br> +Amongst them must thereafter / full many a noble thane lie dead.</p> +<p> +<a name="s172">172</a></p> +<p> +To march they quick made ready. / And when they thence would fare,<br> +The banner to the valiant / Volker was given to bear,<br> +As they began the journey / from Worms across the Rhine;<br> +Strong of arm grim Hagen / was chosen leader of the line.</p> +<p> +<a name="s173">173</a></p> +<p> +With them there rode Sindold / and eke the keen Hunold<br> +Who oft at hands of Gunther / had won rewards of gold;<br> +Dankwart, Hagen's brother, / and Ortwein beside,<br> +Who all could well with honor / in train of noble warriors ride.</p> +<p> +<a name="s174">174</a></p> +<p> +"King Gunther," spake then Siegfried, / "stay thou here at home;<br> +Since now thy knights so gallant / with me will gladly come,<br> +Rest thou here with fair ladies, / and be of merry mood:<br> +I trow we'll keep in safety / thy land and honor as we should.</p> +<p> +<a name="s175">175</a></p> +<p> +"And well will I see to it / that they at home remain,<br> +Who fain would ride against thee / to Worms upon the Rhine.<br> +Against them straight we'll journey / into their land so far<br> +That they'll be meeker minded / who now such haughty vaunters are."</p> +<p> +<a name="s176">176</a></p> +<p> +Then from the Rhine through Hesse / the hosts of knights rode on<br> +Toward the land of Saxons, / where battle was anon.<br> +With fire and sword they harried / and laid the country waste,<br> +So that both the monarchs / full well the woes of war did taste.</p> +<p> +<a name="s177">177</a></p> +<p> +When came they to the border / the train-men onward pressed.<br> +With thought of battle-order / Siegfried the thanes addressed:<br> +"Who now shall guard our followers / from danger in the rear?"<br> +In sooth like this the Saxons / in battle worsted never were.</p> +<p> +<a name="s178">178</a></p> +<p> +Then said they: "On the journey / the men shall guarded be<br> +By the valiant Dankwart, / —a warrior swift is he;<br> +So shall we lose the fewer / by men of Luedeger.<br> +Let him and Ortwein with him / be chosen now to guard the rear."</p> +<p> +<a name="s179">179</a></p> +<p> +Spake then the valiant Siegfried: / "Myself will now ride on,<br> +And against our enemies / will keep watch in the van,<br> +Till I aright discover / where they perchance may be."<br> +The son of fair Queen Siegelind / did arm him then immediately.</p> +<p> +<a name="s180">180</a></p> +<p> +The folk he left to Hagen / when ready to depart,<br> +And as well to Gernot, / a man of dauntless heart.<br> +Into the land of Saxons / alone he rode away,<br> +And by his hand was severed / many a helmet's band that day.</p> +<p> +<a name="s181">181</a></p> +<p> +He found a mighty army / that lay athwart the plain,<br> +Small part of which outnumbered / all those in his own train:<br> +Full forty thousand were they / or more good men of might.<br> +The hero high in spirit / saw right joyfully the sight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s182">182</a></p> +<p> +Then had eke a warrior / from out the enemy<br> +To guard the van gone forward, / all arméd cap-a-pie.<br> +Him saw the noble Siegfried, / and he the valiant man;<br> +Each one straight the other / to view with angry mien began.</p> +<p> +<a name="s183">183</a></p> +<p> +Who he was I'll tell you / that rode his men before,<br> +—A shield of gold all shining / upon his arm he bore—<br> +In sooth it was King Luedegast / who there the van did guard.<br> +Straightway the noble Siegfried / full eagerly against him spurred.</p> +<p> +<a name="s184">184</a></p> +<p> +Now singled out for combat / him, too, had Luedegast.<br> +Then full upon each other / they spurred their chargers fast,<br> +As on their shields they lowered / their lances firm and tight,<br> +Whereat the lordly monarch / soon found himself in sorry plight.</p> + +<p> +<a name="s185">185</a></p> +<p> +After the shock their chargers / bore the knights so fast<br> +Onward past each other / as flew they on the blast.<br> +Then turned they deftly backward / obedient to the rein,<br> +As with their swords contested / the grim and doughty fighters twain.</p> +<p> +<a name="s186">186</a></p> +<p> +When Siegfried struck in anger / far off was heard the blow,<br> +And flew from off the helmet, / as if 'twere all aglow,<br> +The fiery sparks all crackling / beneath his hand around.<br> +Each warrior in the other / a foeman worth his mettle found.</p> +<p> +<a name="s187">187</a></p> +<p> +Full many a stroke with vigor / dealt eke King Luedegast,<br> +And on each other's buckler / the blows fell thick and fast.<br> +Then thirty men discovered / their master's sorry plight:<br> +But ere they came to help him / had doughty Siegfried won the fight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s188">188</a></p> +<p> +With three mighty gashes / which he had dealt the king<br> +Through his shining breastplate / made fast with many a ring.<br> +The sword with sharpest edges / from wounds brought forth the blood,<br> +Whereat King Luedegast / apace fell into gloomy mood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s189">189</a></p> +<p> +To spare his life he begged him, / his land he pledged the knight,<br> +And told him straight moreover, / that Luedegast he hight.<br> +Then came his knights to help him, / they who there had seen<br> +How that upon the vanguard / fierce fight betwixt the twain had been.</p> +<p> +<a name="s190">190</a></p> +<p> +After duel ended, / did thirty yet withstand<br> +Of knights that him attended; / but there the hero's hand<br> +Kept safe his noble captive / with blows of wondrous might.<br> +And soon wrought greater ruin / Siegfried the full gallant knight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s191">191</a></p> +<p> +Beneath his arm of valor / the thirty soon lay dead.<br> +But one the knight left living, / who thence full quickly sped<br> +To tell abroad the story / how he the others slew;<br> +In sooth the blood-red helmet / spake all the hapless tidings true.</p> +<p> +<a name="s192">192</a></p> +<p> +Then had the men of Denmark / for all their grief good cause,<br> +When it was told them truly / their king a captive was.<br> +They told it to King Luedeger, / when he to rage began<br> +In anger all unbounded: / for him had grievous harm been done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s193">193</a></p> +<p> +The noble King Luedegast / was led a prisoner then<br> +By hand of mighty Siegfried / back to King Gunther's men,<br> +And placed in hands of Hagen: / and when they did hear<br> +That 'twas the king of Denmark / they not a little joyful were.</p> +<p> +<a name="s194">194</a></p> +<p> +He bade the men of Burgundy / then bind the banners on.<br> +"Now forward!" Siegfried shouted, / "here shall yet more be done,<br> +An I but live to see it; / ere this day's sun depart,<br> +Shall mourn in land of Saxons / full many a goodly matron's heart.</p> +<p> +<a name="s195">195</a></p> +<p> +"Ye warriors from Rhineland, / to follow me take heed,<br> +And I unto the army / of Luedeger will lead.<br> +Ere we again turn backward / to the land of Burgundy<br> +Helms many hewn asunder / by hand of good knights there shall be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s196">196</a></p> +<p> +To horse then hastened Gernot / and with him mighty men.<br> +Volker keen in battle / took up the banner then;<br> +He was a doughty Fiddler / and rode the host before.<br> +There, too, every follower / a stately suit of armor wore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s197">197</a></p> +<p> +More than a thousand warriors / they there had not a man,<br> +Saving twelve knights-errant. / To rise the dust began<br> +In clouds along the highway / as they rode across the fields,<br> +And gleaming in the sunlight / were seen the brightly shining shields.</p> +<p> +<a name="s198">198</a></p> +<p> +Meanwhile eke was nearing / of Saxons a great throng,<br> +Each a broadsword bearing / that mickle was and long,<br> +With blade that cut full sorely / when swung in strong right hand.<br> +'Gainst strangers were they ready / to guard their castles and their + land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s199">199</a></p> +<p> +The leaders forth to battle / led the warriors then.<br> +Come was also Siegfried / with his twelve chosen men,<br> +Whom he with him hither / had brought from Netherland.<br> +That day in storm of battle / was blood-bespattered many a hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s200">200</a></p> +<p> +Sindold and Hunold / and Gernot as well,<br> +Beneath their hands in battle / full many a hero fell,<br> +Ere that their deeds of valor / were known throughout the host.<br> +Through them must many a stately / matron weep for warrior lost.</p> +<p> +<a name="s201">201</a></p> +<p> +Volker and Hagen / and Ortwein in the fight<br> +Lustily extinguished / full many a helmet's light<br> +With blood from wounds down flowing,— / keen fighters every one.<br> +And there by Dankwart also / was many a mickle wonder done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s202">202</a></p> +<p> +The knights of Denmark tested / how they could weapons wield.<br> +Clashing there together / heard ye many a shield<br> +And 'neath sharp swords resounding, / swung by many an arm.<br> +The Saxons keen in combat / wrought 'mid their foes a grievous harm.</p> +<p> +<a name="s203">203</a></p> +<p> +When the men of Burgundy / pressed forward to the fight,<br> +Gaping wounds full many / hewed they there with might.<br> +Then flowing down o'er saddle / in streams was seen the blood,<br> +So fought for sake of honor / these valiant riders keen and good.</p> +<p> +<a name="s204">204</a></p> +<p> +Loudly were heard ringing, / wielded by hero's hand,<br> +The sharply-cutting weapons, / where they of Netherland<br> +Their master followed after / into the thickest throng:<br> +Wherever Siegfried led them / rode too those valiant knights along.</p> +<p> +<a name="s205">205</a></p> +<p> +Of warriors from Rhine river / could follow not a one.<br> +There could be seen by any / a stream of blood flow down<br> +O'er brightly gleaming helmet / 'neath Siegfried's mighty hand,<br> +Until King Luedeger / before him with his men did stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s206">206</a></p> +<p> +Three times hither and thither / had he the host cut through<br> +From one end to the other. / Now come was Hagen too<br> +Who helped him well in battle / to vent his warlike mood.<br> +That day beneath his valor / must die full many a rider good.</p> +<p> +<a name="s207">207</a></p> +<p> +When the doughty Luedeger / Siegfried there found,<br> +As he swung high in anger / his arm for blows around<br> +And with his good sword Balmung / knights so many slew,<br> +Thereat was the keen warrior / filled with grief and anger too.</p> +<p> +<a name="s208">208</a></p> +<p> +Then mickle was the thronging / and loud the broadswords clashed,<br> +As all their valiant followers / 'gainst one another dashed.<br> +Then struggled all the fiercer / both sides the fight to win;<br> +The hosts joined with each other: / 'twas frightful there to hear the + din.</p> +<p> +<a name="s209">209</a></p> +<p> +To the monarch of the Saxons / it had been told before,<br> +His brother was a captive, / which grieved his heart right sore.<br> +He knew not that had done it / fair Siegelind's son,<br> +For rumor said 'twas Gernot. / Full well he learned the truth anon.</p> +<p> +<a name="s210">210</a></p> +<p> +King Luedeger struck so mighty / when fierce his anger rose,<br> +That Siegfried's steed beneath him / staggered from the blows,<br> +But forthwith did recover; / then straight his rider keen<br> +Let all his furious mettle / in slaughter of his foes be seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s211">211</a></p> +<p> +There helped him well grim Hagen, / and Gernot in the fray,<br> +Dankwart and Volker; / dead many a knight there lay.<br> +Sindold and Hunold / and Ortwein, doughty thane,<br> +By them in that fierce struggle / was many a valiant warrior slain.</p> +<p> +<a name="s212">212</a></p> +<p> +Unparted in storm of battle / the gallant leaders were,<br> +Around them over helmet / flew there many a spear<br> +Through shield all brightly shining, / from hand of mighty thane:<br> +And on the glancing armor / was seen full many a blood-red stain.</p> +<p> +<a name="s213">213</a></p> +<p> +Amid the hurly-burly / down fell many a man<br> +To ground from off his charger. / Straight 'gainst each other ran<br> +Siegfried the keen rider / and eke King Luedeger.<br> +Then flew from lance the splinters / and hurled was many a pointed spear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s214">214</a></p> +<p> +'Neath Siegfried's hand so mighty / from shield flew off the band.<br> +And soon to win the victory / thought he of Netherland<br> +Over the valiant Saxons, / of whom were wonders seen.<br> +Heigh-ho! in shining mail-rings / many a breach made Dankwart keen!</p> +<p> +<a name="s215">215</a></p> +<p> +Upon the shining buckler / that guarded Siegfried's breast<br> +Soon espied King Luedeger / a painted crown for crest;<br> +By this same token knew he / it was the doughty man,<br> +And to his friends he straightway / amid the battle loud began:</p> +<p> +<a name="s216">216</a></p> +<p> +"Give o'er from fighting further, / good warriors every one!<br> +Amongst our foes now see I / Siegmund's noble son,<br> +Of netherland the doughty / knight on victory bent.<br> +Him has the evil Devil / to scourge the Saxons hither sent."</p> +<p> +<a name="s217">217</a></p> +<p> +Then bade he all the banners / amid the storm let down.<br> +Peace he quickly sued for: / 'Twas granted him anon,<br> +But he must now a hostage / be ta'en to Gunther's land.<br> +This fate had forced upon him / the fear of Siegfried's mighty hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s218">218</a></p> +<p> +They thus by common counsel / left off all further fight.<br> +Hacked full many a helmet / and shields that late were bright<br> +From hands down laid they weary; / as many as there might be,<br> +With stains they all were bloody / 'neath hands of the men of Burgundy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s219">219</a></p> +<p> +Each whom he would took captive, / now they had won the fight.<br> +Gernot, the noble hero, / and Hagen, doughty knight,<br> +Bade bear forth the wounded. / Back led they with them then<br> +Unto the land of Burgundy / five hundred stalwart fighting-men.</p> +<p> +<a name="s220">220</a></p> +<p> +The knights, of victory cheated, / their native Denmark sought,<br> +Nor had that day the Saxons / with such high valor fought,<br> +That one could praise them for it, / which caused the warriors pain.<br> +Then wept their friends full sorely / at home for those in battle slain.</p> +<p> +<a name="s221">221</a></p> +<p> +For the Rhine then laden / they let their armor be.<br> +Siegfried, the knight so doughty, / had won the victory<br> +With his few chosen followers; / that he had nobly done,<br> +Could not but free acknowledge / King Gunther's warriors every one.</p> +<p> +<a name="s222">222</a></p> +<p> +To Worms sent Gernot riding / now a messenger,<br> +And of the joyous tiding / soon friends at home were ware,<br> +How that it well had prospered / with him and all his men.<br> +Fought that day with valor / for honor had those warriors keen.<br> +<br> +<a name="s223">223</a><br> +<br> +The messenger sped forward / and told the tidings o'er.<br> +Then joyfully they shouted / who boded ill before,<br> +To hear the welcome story / that now to them was told.<br> +From ladies fair and noble / came eager questions manifold,</p> +<p> +<a name="s224">224</a></p> +<p> +Who all the fair fortune / of King Gunther's men would know.<br> +One messenger they ordered / unto Kriemhild to go.<br> +But that was done in secret: / she durst let no one see,<br> +For he was 'mongst those warriors / whom she did love so faithfully.</p> +<p> +<a name="s225">225</a></p> +<p> +When to her own apartments / was come the messenger<br> +Joyfully addressed him / Kriemhild the maiden fair:<br> +"But tell me now glad tidings, / and gold I'll give to thee,<br> +And if thou tell'st not falsely, / good friend thou'lt ever find in me.</p> +<p> +<a name="s226">226</a></p> +<p> +"How has my good brother / Gernot in battle sped,<br> +And how my other kinsmen? / Lies any of them dead?<br> +Who wrought most deeds of valor? / —That shall thou let me know."<br> +Then spake the messenger truly: / "No knight but did high valor show.</p> +<p> +<a name="s227">227</a></p> +<p> +"But in the dire turmoil / rode rider none so well,<br> +O Princess fair and noble, / since I must truly tell,<br> +As the stranger knight full noble / who comes from Netherland;<br> +There deeds of mickle wonder / were wrought by doughty Siegfried's hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s228">228</a></p> +<p> +"Whate'er have all the warriors / in battle dared to do,<br> +Dankwart and Hagen / and the other knights so true,<br> +Howe'er they fought for honor, / 'twas naught but idle play<br> +Beside what there wrought Siegfried, / King Siegmund's son, amid the + fray.</p> +<p> +<a name="s229">229</a></p> +<p> +"Beneath their hands in battle / full many a hero fell,<br> +Yet all the deeds of wonder / no man could ever tell,<br> +Wrought by the hand of Siegfried, / when rode he 'gainst the foe:<br> +And weep aloud must women / for friends by his strong arm laid low.</p> +<p> +<a name="s230">230</a></p> +<p> +"There, too, the knight she loved / full many a maid must lose.<br> +Were heard come down on helmet / so loud his mighty blows,<br> +That they from gaping gashes / brought forth the flowing blood.<br> +In all that maketh noble / he is a valiant knight and good.</p> +<p> +<a name="s231">231</a></p> +<p> +"Many a deed of daring / of Metz Sir Ortwein wrought:<br> +For all was evil faring / whom he with broadsword caught,<br> +Doomed to die that instant, / or wounded sore to fall.<br> +And there thy valiant brother / did greater havoc work than all</p> +<p> +<a name="s232">232</a></p> +<p> +"That e'er in storm of battle / was done by warrior bold.<br> +Of all those chosen warriors / let eke the truth be told:<br> +The proud Burgundian heroes / have made it now right plain,<br> +That they can free from insult / their country's honor well maintain.</p> +<p> +<a name="s233">233</a></p> +<p> +"Beneath their hands was often / full many a saddle bare,<br> +When o'er the field resounding / their bright swords cut the air.<br> +The warriors from Rhine river / did here such victory win<br> +That for their foes 'twere better / if they such meeting ne'er had seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s234">234</a></p> +<p> +"Keen the knights of Tronje / 'fore all their valor showed,<br> +When with their stalwart followers / against their foes they rode;<br> +Slain by the hand of Hagen / must knights so many be,<br> +'Twill long be in the telling / here in the land of Burgundy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s235">235</a></p> +<p> +"Sindold and Hunold, / Gernot's men each one,<br> +And the valiant Rumold / have all so nobly done,<br> +King Luedeger will ever / have right good cause to rue<br> +That he against thy kindred / at Rhine dared aught of harm to do.</p> +<p> +<a name="s236">236</a></p> +<p> +"And deeds of all most wondrous / e'er done by warrior keen<br> +In earliest time or latest, / by mortal ever seen,<br> +Wrought there in lusty manner / Siegfried with doughty hand.<br> +Rich hostages he bringeth / with him unto Gunther's land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s237">237</a></p> +<p> +"By his own strength subdued them / the hero unsurpassed<br> +And brought down dire ruin / upon King Luedegast,<br> +Eke on the King of Saxons / his brother Luedeger.<br> +Now hearken to the story / I tell thee, noble Princess fair.</p> +<p> +<a name="s238">238</a></p> +<p> +"Them both hath taken captive / Siegfried's doughty hand.<br> +Hostages were so many / ne'er brought into this land<br> +As to the Rhine come hither / through his great bravery."<br> +Than these could never tidings / unto her heart more welcome be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s239">239</a></p> +<p> +"With captives home they're hieing, / five hundred men or mo',<br> +And of the wounded dying / Lady shalt thou know,<br> +Full eighty blood-stained barrows / unto Burgundian land,<br> +Most part hewn down in battle / beneath keen Siegfried's doughty hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s240">240</a></p> +<p> +"Who message sent defiant / unto the Rhine so late<br> +Must now as Gunther's prisoners / here abide their fate.<br> +Bringing such noble captives / the victors glad return."<br> +Then glowed with joy the princess / when she the tidings glad did learn.</p> +<p> +<a name="s241">241</a></p> +<p> +Her cheeks so full of beauty / with joy were rosy-red,<br> +That passed he had uninjured / through all the dangers dread,<br> +The knight she loved so dearly, / Siegfried with doughty arm.<br> +Good cause she had for joying / o'er all her friends escaped from +harm.</p> +<p> +<a name="s242">242</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the beauteous maiden: / "Glad news thou hast told me,<br> +Wherefor now rich apparel / thy goodly meed shall be,<br> +And to thee shall be given / ten marks of gold as well."<br> +'Tis thus a thing right pleasant / to ladies high such news to tell.</p> +<p> +<a name="s243">243</a></p> +<p> +The presents rich they gave him, / gold and apparel rare.<br> +Then hastened to the casement / full many a maiden fair,<br> +And on the street looked downward: / hither riding did they see<br> +Many a knight high-hearted / into the land of Burgundy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s244">244</a></p> +<p> +There came who 'scaped uninjured, / and wounded borne along,<br> +All glad to hear the greetings / of friends, a joyful throng.<br> +To meet his friends the monarch / rode out in mickle glee:<br> +In joying now was ended / all his full great anxiety.</p> +<p> +<a name="s245">245</a></p> +<p> +Then did he well his warriors / and eke the strangers greet;<br> +And for a king so mighty / 'twere nothing else but meet<br> +That he should thank right kindly / the gallant men each one,<br> +Who had in storm of battle / the victory so bravely won.</p> +<p> +<a name="s246">246</a></p> +<p> +Then of his friends King Gunther / bade tidings tell straightway,<br> +Of all his men how many / were fallen in the fray.<br> +Lost had he none other / than warriors three score:<br> +Then wept they for the heroes, / as since they did for many more.</p> +<p> +<a name="s247">247</a></p> +<p> +Shields full many brought they / all hewn by valiant hand,<br> +And many a shattered helmet / into King Gunther's hand.<br> +The riders then dismounted / from their steeds before the hall,<br> +And a right hearty welcome / from friends rejoicing had they all. </p> +<p> +<a name="s248">248</a></p> +<p> +Then did they for the warriors / lodging meet prepare,<br> +And for his guests the monarch / bade full well have care.<br> +He bade them take the wounded / and tend them carefully,<br> +And toward his enemies also / his gentle bearing might ye see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s249">249</a></p> +<p> +To Luedeger then spake he: / "Right welcome art thou here.<br> +Through fault of thine now have I / lost many friends full dear,<br> +For which, have I good fortune, / thou shall right well atone.<br> +God rich reward my liegemen, / such faithfulness to me they've shown."</p> +<p> +<a name="s250">250</a></p> +<p> +"Well may'st thou thank them, truly," / spake then Luedeger;<br> +"Hostages so noble / won a monarch ne'er.<br> +For chivalrous protection / rich goods we offer thee,<br> +That thou now right gracious / to us thy enemies shalt be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s251">251</a></p> +<p> +"I'll grant you both your freedom," / spake the king again;<br> +"But that my enemies surely / here by me remain,<br> +Therefor I'll have good pledges / they ne'er shall quit my land,<br> +Save at my royal pleasure." / Thereto gave Luedeger the hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s252">252</a></p> +<p> +Sweet rest then found the weary / their tired limbs to aid,<br> +And gently soon on couches / the wounded knights were laid;<br> +Mead and wine right ruddy / they poured out plenteously:<br> +Than they and all their followers / merrier men there none might be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s253">253</a></p> +<p> +Their shields all hacked in battle / secure were laid away;<br> +And not a few of saddles / stained with blood that day,<br> +Lest women weep to see them, / hid they too from sight.<br> +Full many a keen rider / home came aweary from the fight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s254">254</a></p> +<p> +The host in gentlest manner / did his guests attend:<br> +The land around with stranger / was crowded, and with friend.<br> +They bade the sorely wounded / nurse with especial care:<br> +Whereby the knights high-hearted / 'neath all their wounds knew not + despair.</p> +<p> +<a name="s255">255</a></p> +<p> +Who there had skill in healing / received reward untold,<br> +Silver all unweighéd / and thereto ruddy gold<br> +For making whole the heroes / after the battle sore.<br> +To all his friends the monarch / gave presents rich in goodly store.</p> +<p> +<a name="s256">256</a></p> +<p> +Who there again was minded / to take his homeward way<br> +They bade, as one a friend doth, / yet a while to stay.<br> +The king did then take counsel / how to reward each one,<br> +For they his will in battle / like liegemen true had nobly done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s257">257</a></p> +<p> +Then outspake royal Gernot: / "Now let them homeward go;<br> +After six weeks are over, / —thus our friends shall know—<br> +To hold high feast they're bidden / hither to come again;<br> +Many a knight now lying / sore wounded will be healed ere then.</p> +<p> +<a name="s258">258</a></p> +<p> +Of Netherland the hero / would also then take leave.<br> +When of this King Gunther / did tidings first receive,<br> +The knight besought he kindly / not yet his leave to take:<br> +To this he'd ne'er consented / an it were not for Kriemhild's sake.</p> +<p> +<a name="s259">259</a></p> +<p> +A prince he was too noble / to take the common pay;<br> +He had right well deserved it / that the king alway<br> +And all his warriors held him / in honor, for they had seen<br> +What by his arm in battle / bravely had accomplished been.</p> +<p> +<a name="s260">260</a></p> +<p> +He stayed there yet a little / for the maiden's sake alone,<br> +Whom he would see so gladly. / And all fell out full soon<br> +As he at heart had wished it: / well known to him was she.<br> +Home to his father's country / joyously anon rode he.</p> +<p> +<a name="s261">261</a></p> +<p> +The king bade at all seasons / keep up the tournament,<br> +And many a youthful rider / forth to the lists there went.<br> +The while were seats made ready / by Worms upon the strand<br> +For all who soon were coming / unto the Burgundian land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s262">262</a></p> +<p> +In the meantime also, / ere back the knights returned,<br> +Had Kriemhild, noble lady, / the tidings likewise learned,<br> +The king would hold high feasting / with all his gallant men.<br> +There was a mickle hurry, / and busy were fair maidens then</p> +<p> +<a name="s263">263</a></p> +<p> +With dresses and with wimples / that they there should wear.<br> +Ute, queen so stately, / the story too did hear,<br> +How to them were coming / proud knights of highest worth.<br> +Then from enfolding covers / were store of dresses rich brought forth.</p> +<p> +<a name="s264">264</a></p> +<p> +Such love she bore her children / she bade rich dress prepare,<br> +Wherewith adorned were ladies / and many a maiden fair,<br> +And not a few young riders / in the land of Burgundy.<br> +For strangers many bade she / rich garments eke should measured be.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> + +<h3><a name="A5">FIFTH</a> ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Siegfried first saw Kriemhild</p> +<p> +<a name="s265">265</a></p> +<p> +Unto the Rhine now daily / the knights were seen to ride,<br> +Who there would be full gladly / to share the festive tide.<br> +To all that thither journeyed / to the king to show them true,<br> +In plenty them were given / steeds and rich apparel too.</p> +<p> +<a name="s266">266</a></p> +<p> +And soon were seats made ready / for every noble guest,<br> +As we have heard the story, / for highest and for best,<br> +Two and thirty princes / at the festival.<br> +Then vied with one another / to deck themselves the ladies all.</p> +<p> +<a name="s267">267</a></p> +<p> +Never was seen idle / the young Prince Giselher:<br> +The guests and all their followers / received full kindly were<br> +By him and eke by Gernot / and their men every one.<br> +The noble thanes they greeted / as ever 'tis in honor done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s268">268</a></p> +<p> +With gold bright gleaming saddles / unto the land they brought,<br> +Good store of rich apparel / and shields all richly wrought<br> +Unto the Rhine they carried / to that high festival.<br> +And joyous days were coming / for the woúnded warriors all.</p> +<p> +<a name="s269">269</a></p> +<p> +They who yet on couches / lay wounded grievously<br> +For joy had soon forgotten / how bitter death would be:<br> +The sick and all the ailing / no need of pity had.<br> +Anent the days of feasting / were they o'er the tidings glad,</p> +<p> +<a name="s270">270</a></p> +<p> +How they should make them merry / there where all were so.<br> +Delight beyond all measure, / of joys an overflow,<br> +Had in sooth the people / seen on every hand:<br> +Then rose a mickle joyance / over all King Gunther's land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s271">271</a></p> +<p> +Full many a warrior valiant / one morn at Whitsuntide<br> +All gorgeously apparelled / was thither seen to ride,<br> +Five thousand men or over, / where the feast should be;<br> +And vied in every quarter / knight with knight in revelry.</p> +<p> +<a name="s272">272</a></p> +<p> +Thereof the host was mindful, / for he well did understand<br> +How at heart right warmly / the hero of Netherland<br> +Loved alone his sister, / though her he ne'er had seen,<br> +Who praised for wondrous beauty / before all maidens else had been.</p> +<p> +<a name="s273">273</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the thane so noble / of Metz Sir Ortwein:<br> +"Wilt thou full be honored / by every guest of thine,<br> +Then do them all the pleasure / the winsome maids to see,<br> +That are held so high in honor / here in the land of Burgundy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s274">274</a></p> +<p> +"What were a man's chief pleasure, / his very joy of life,<br> +An 't were not a lovely maiden / or a stately wife?<br> +Then let the maid thy sister / before thy guests appear."<br> +—Brave thanes did there full many / at heart rejoice the rede to hear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s275">275</a></p> +<p> +"Thy words I'll gladly follow," / then the monarch said,<br> +And all the knights who heard him / ere thereat right glad.<br> +Then told was Queen Ute / and eke her daughter fair,<br> +That they with maids in waiting / unto the court should soon repair.</p> +<p> +<a name="s276">276</a></p> +<p> +Then in well-stored wardrobes / rich attire they sought,<br> +And forth from folding covers / their glittering dresses brought,<br> +Armbands and silken girdles / of which they many had.<br> +And zealous to adorn her / was then full many a winsome maid.</p> +<p> +<a name="s277">277</a></p> +<p> +Full many a youthful squire / upon that day did try,<br> +By decking of his person, / to win fair lady's eye;<br> +For the which great good fortune / he'd take no monarch's crown:<br> +They longed to see those maidens, / whom they before had never known.</p> +<p> +<a name="s278">278</a></p> +<p> +For her especial service / the king did order then<br> +To wait upon his sister / a hundred of his men,<br> +As well upon his mother: / they carried sword in hand.<br> +That was the court attendance / there in the Burgundian land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s279">279</a></p> +<p> +Ute, queen so stately, / then came forth with her:<br> +And with the queen in waiting / ladies fair there were,<br> +A hundred or over, / in festal robes arrayed.<br> +Eke went there with Kriemhild / full many a fair and winsome maid.</p> +<p> +<a name="s280">280</a></p> +<p> +Forth from their own apartments / they all were seen to go:<br> +There was a mickle pressing / of good knights to and fro,<br> +Who hoped to win the pleasure, / if such a thing might be,<br> +The noble maiden Kriemhild, / delight of every eye, to see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s281">281</a></p> +<p> +Now came she fair and lovely, / as the ruddy sun of morn<br> +From misty clouds emerging. / Straight he who long had borne<br> +Her in his heart and loved her, / from all his gloom was freed,<br> +As so stately there before him / he saw the fair and lovely maid.</p> +<p> +<a name="s282">282</a></p> +<p> +Her rich apparel glittered / with many a precious stone,<br> +And with a ruddy beauty / her cheeks like roses shone.<br> +Though you should wish to do so, / you could not say, I ween,<br> +That e'er a fairer lady / in all the world before was seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s283">283</a></p> +<p> +As in a sky all starlit / the moon shines out so bright,<br> +And through the cloudlets peering / pours down her gentle light,<br> +E'en so was Kriemhild's beauty / among her ladies fair:<br> +The hearts of gallant heroes / were gladder when they saw her there.</p> +<p> +<a name="s284">284</a></p> +<p> +The richly clad attendants / moved stately on before,<br> +And the valiant thanes high-hearted / stood patiently no more,<br> +But pressed right eager forward / to see the lovely maid:<br> +In noble Siegfried's bosom / alternate joy and anguish swayed.</p> +<p> +<a name="s285">285</a></p> +<p> +He thought with heart despairing, / "How could it ever be,<br> +That I should win thy favor? / There hoped I foolishly.<br> +But had I e'er to shun thee, / then were I rather dead."<br> +And oft, to think upon it, / the color from his visage fled.</p> +<p> +<a name="s286">286</a></p> +<p> +The noble son of Siegmund / did there so stately stand<br> +As if his form were pictured / by good old master's hand<br> +Upon a piece of parchment. / All who saw, confessed<br> +That he of all good heroes / was the stateliest and the best.</p> +<p> +<a name="s287">287</a></p> +<p> +The fair Kriemhild's attendants / gave order to make way<br> +On all sides for the ladies, / and willing thanes obey.<br> +To see their noble bearing / did every warrior cheer;<br> +Full many a stately lady / of gentle manner born was there.</p> +<p> +<a name="s288">288</a></p> +<p> +Then outspake of Burgundy / Gernot the valiant knight:<br> +"To him who thus has helped thee / so bravely in the fight,<br> +Gunther, royal brother, / shalt thou like favor show,<br> +A thane before all others; / he's worthy of it well, I trow.</p> +<p> +<a name="s289">289</a></p> +<p> +"Let then the doughty Siegfried / unto my sister go<br> +To have the maiden's greetings, / —'twill be our profit so.<br> +She that ne'er greeted hero / shall greet him courteously,<br> +That thus the stately warrior / for aye our faithful friend may be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s290">290</a></p> +<p> +The king's knights hastened gladly / upon his high command<br> +And told these joyous tidings / to the prince of Netherland.<br> +"It is the king's good pleasure / that thou to court shalt go,<br> +To have his sister's greetings; / to honor thee 'tis ordered so."</p> +<p> +<a name="s291">291</a></p> +<p> +Then was the thane full valiant / thereat soon filled with joy.<br> +Yea, bore he in his bosom / delight without alloy<br> +At thought that he should straightway / Ute's fair daughter see.<br> +Siegfried anon she greeted / in courteous manner lovingly.</p> +<p> +<a name="s292">292</a></p> +<p> +As she saw the knight high-hearted / there before her stand,<br> +Blushed red and spake the maiden, / the fairest of the land:<br> +"A welcome, brave Sir Siegfried, / thou noble knight and good."<br> +As soon as he had heard it, / the hearty greeting cheered his mood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s293">293</a></p> +<p> +Before her low he bended; / him by the hand took she,<br> +And by her onward wended / the knight full willingly.<br> +They cast upon each other / fond glances many a one,<br> +The knight and eke the maiden; / furtively it all was done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s294">294</a></p> +<p> +Whether he pressed friendly / that hand as white as snow<br> +From the love he bore her, / that I do not know;<br> +Yet believe I cannot / that this was left undone,<br> +For straightway showed the maiden / that he her heart had fully won.</p> +<p> +<a name="s295">295</a></p> +<p> +In the sunny summer season / and in the month of May<br> +Had his heart seen never / before so glad a day,<br> +Nor one so fully joyous, / as when he walked beside<br> +That maiden rich in beauty / whom fain he'd choose to be his bride.</p> +<p> +<a name="s296">296</a></p> +<p> +Then thought many a warrior: / "Were it likewise granted me<br> +To walk beside the maiden, / just as now I see,<br> +Or to lie beside her, / how gladly were that done!"<br> +But ne'er a knight more fully / had gracious lady's favor won.</p> +<p> +<a name="s297">297</a></p> +<p> +From all the lands far distant / were guests distinguished there,<br> +But fixed each eye was only / upon this single pair.<br> +By royal leave did Kriemhild / kiss then the stately knight:<br> +In all the world he never / before had known so rare delight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s298">298</a></p> +<p> +Then full of strange forebodings, / of Denmark spake the king:<br> +"This full loving greeting / to many woe will bring,<br> +—My heart in secret warns me— / through Siegfried's doughty hand.<br> +God give that he may never / again be seen within my land."</p> +<p> +<a name="s299">299</a></p> +<p> +On all sides then 'twas ordered / 'fore Kriemhild and her train<br> +Of women make free passage. / Full many a valiant thane<br> +With her unto the minster / in courtly way went on.<br> +But from her side was parted / the full stately knight anon.</p> +<p> +<a name="s300">300</a></p> +<p> +Then went she to the minster, / and with her many a maid.<br> +In such rich apparel / Kriemhild was arrayed,<br> +That hearty wishes many / there were made in vain:<br> +Her comely form delighted / the eye of many a noble thane.</p> +<p> +<a name="s301">301</a></p> +<p> +Scarce could tarry Siegfried / till mass was sung the while.<br> +And surely did Dame Fortune / upon him kindly smile,<br> +To him she was so gracious / whom in his heart he bore.<br> +Eke did he the maiden, / as she full well deserved, adore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s302">302</a></p> +<p> +As after mass then Kriemhild / came to the minster door,<br> +The knight his homage offered, / as he had done before.<br> +Then began to thank him / the full beauteous maid,<br> +That he her royal brothers / did 'gainst their foes so nobly aid.</p> +<p> +<a name="s303">303</a></p> +<p> +"God speed thee, Sir Siegfried," / spake the maiden fair,<br> +"For thou hast well deservéd / that all these warriors are,<br> +As it hath now been told me, / right grateful unto thee."<br> +Then gan he cast his glances / on the Lady Kriemhild lovingly.</p> +<p> +<a name="s304">304</a></p> +<p> +"True will I ever serve them," / —so spake the noble thane—<br> +"And my head shall never / be laid to rest again,<br> +Till I, if life remaineth, / have their good favor won.<br> +In sooth, my Lady Kriemhild, / for thy fair grace it all is done."</p> +<p> +<a name="s305">305</a></p> +<p> +Ne'er a day passed over / for a twelve of happy days,<br> +But saw they there beside him / the maiden all did praise,<br> +As she before her kinsmen / to court would daily go:<br> +It pleased the thane full highly / that they did him such honor show.</p> +<p> +<a name="s306">306</a></p> +<p> +Delight and great rejoicing, / a mighty jubilee,<br> +Before King Gunther's castle / daily might ye see,<br> +Without and eke within it, / 'mongst keen men many a one.<br> +By Ortwein and by Hagen / great deeds and wondrous there were done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s307">307</a></p> +<p> +Whate'er was done by any, / in all they ready were<br> +To join in way right lusty, / both the warriors rare:<br> +Whereby 'mongst all the strangers / they won an honored name,<br> +And through their deeds so wondrous / of Gunther's land spread far the + fame.</p> +<p> +<a name="s308">308</a></p> +<p> +Who erstwhile lay sore wounded / now were whole again,<br> +And fain would share the pastime, / with all the king's good men;<br> +With shields join in the combat, / and try the shaft so long.<br> +Wherein did join them many / of the merry-making throng.</p> +<p> +<a name="s309">309</a></p> +<p> +To all who joined the feasting / the host in plenty bade<br> +Supply the choicest viands: / so guarded well he had<br> +'Gainst whate'er reproaches / could rise from spite or spleen.<br> +Unto his guests right friendly / to go the monarch now was seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s310">310</a></p> +<p> +He spake: "Ye thanes high-hearted, / ere now ye part from me,<br> +Accept of these my presents; / for I would willingly<br> +Repay your noble service. / Despise ye not, I pray,<br> +What now I will share with you: / 'tis offered in right grateful way."</p> +<p> +<a name="s311">311</a></p> +<p> +Straightway they of Denmark / thus to the king replied:<br> +"Ere now upon our journey / home again we ride,<br> +We long for lasting friendship. / Thereof we knights have need,<br> +For many a well-loved kinsman / at hands of thy good thanes lies dead."</p> +<p> +<a name="s312">312</a></p> +<p> +Luedegast was recovered / from all his wounds so sore,<br> +And eke the lord of Saxons / from fight was whole once more.<br> +Some amongst their warriors / left they dead behind.<br> +Then went forth King Gunther / where he Siegfried might find.</p> +<p> +<a name="s313">313</a></p> +<p> +Unto the thane then spake he: / "Thy counsel give, I pray.<br> +The foes whom we hold captive / fain would leave straightway,<br> +And long for lasting friendship / with all my men and me.<br> +Now tell me, good Sir Siegfried, / what here seemeth good to thee.</p> +<p> +<a name="s314">314</a></p> +<p> +"What the lords bid as ransom, / shall now to thee be told<br> +Whate'er five hundred horses / might bear of ruddy gold,<br> +They'd give to me right gladly, / would I but let them free."<br> +Then spake the noble Siegfried: / "That were to do right foolishly.</p> +<p> +<a name="s315">315</a></p> +<p> +"Thou shalt let them freely / journey hence again;<br> +And that they both hereafter / shall evermore refrain<br> +From leading hostile army / against thee and thy land,<br> +Therefor in pledge of friendship / let each now give to thee the hand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s316">316</a></p> +<p> +"Thy rede I'll gladly follow." / Straightway forth they went.<br> +To those who offered ransom / the answer then was sent,<br> +Their gold no one desired / which they would give before.<br> +The warriors battle-weary / dear friends did yearn to see once more.</p> +<p> +<a name="s317">317</a></p> +<p> +Full many a shield all laden / with treasure forth they bore:<br> +He dealt it round unmeasured / to friends in goodly store;<br> +Each one had marks five hundred / and some had more, I ween.<br> +Therein King Gunther followed / the rede of Gernot, knight full keen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s318">318</a></p> +<p> +Then was a great leave-taking, / as they departed thence.<br> +The warriors all 'fore Kriemhild / appeared in reverence,<br> +And eke there where her mother / Queen Ute sat near by.<br> +Gallant thanes were never / dismissed as these so graciously.</p> +<p> +<a name="s319">319</a></p> +<p> +Bare were the lodging-places, / when away the strangers rode.<br> +Yet in right lordly manner / there at home abode<br> +The king with friends around him, / full noble men who were.<br> +And them now saw they daily / at court before Kriemhild appear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s320">320</a></p> +<p> +Eke would the gallant hero / Siegfried thence depart,<br> +The thing to gain despairing / whereon was set his heart.<br> +The king was told the tidings / how that he would away.<br> +Giselher his brother / did win the knight with them to stay.</p> +<p> +<a name="s321">321</a></p> +<p> +"Whither, O noble Siegfried, / wilt thou now from us ride?<br> +Do as I earnest pray thee, / and with these thanes abide,<br> +As guest here with King Gunther, / and live right merrily.<br> +Here dwell fair ladies many: / them will he gladly let thee see."</p> +<p> +<a name="s322">322</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the doughty Siegfried: / "Our steeds leave yet at rest,<br> +The while from this my purpose / to part will I desist.<br> +Our shields once more take from us. / Though gladly home I would,<br> +Naught 'gainst the fond entreaties / of Giselher avail me could."</p> +<p> +<a name="s323">323</a></p> +<p> +So stayed the knight full gallant / for sake of friendship there.<br> +In sooth in ne'er another / country anywhere<br> +Had he so gladly lingered: / iwis it was that he,<br> +Now whensoe'er he wished it, / Kriemhild the maiden fair could see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s324">324</a></p> +<p> +'Twas her surpassing beauty / that made the knight to stay.<br> +With many a merry pastime / they whiled the time away;<br> +But love for her oppressed him, / oft-times grievously.<br> +Whereby anon the hero / a mournful death was doomed to die.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> + +<h3><a name="A6">SIXTH</a> ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Gunther fared to Isenland to Brunhild</p> +<p> +<a name="s325">325</a></p> +<p> +Tidings unknown to any / from over Rhine now come,<br> +How winsome maids a many / far yonder had their home.<br> +Whereof the royal Gunther / bethought him one to win,<br> +And o'er the thought the monarch / of full joyous mood was seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s326">326</a></p> +<p> +There was a queenly maiden / seated over sea,<br> +Like her nowhere another / was ever known to be.<br> +She was in beauty matchless, / full mickle was her might;<br> +Her love the prize of contest, / she hurled the shaft with valiant + knight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s327">327</a></p> +<p> +The stone she threw far distant, / wide sprang thereafter too.<br> +Who turned to her his fancy / with intent to woo,<br> +Three times perforce must vanquish / the lady of high degree;<br> +Failed he in but one trial, / forfeited his head had he.</p> +<p> +<a name="s328">328</a></p> +<p> +This same the lusty princess / times untold had done.<br> +When to a warrior gallant / beside the Rhine 'twas known,<br> +He thought to take unto him / the noble maid for wife:<br> +Thereby must heroes many / since that moment lose their life.</p> +<p> +<a name="s329">329</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Rhine the master: / "I'll down unto the sea<br> +Unto Brunhild journey, / fare as 'twill with me.<br> +For her unmeasured beauty / I'll gladly risk my life,<br> +Ready eke to lose it, / if she may not be my wife."</p> +<p> +<a name="s330">330</a></p> +<p> +"I counsel thee against it," / spake then Siegfried.<br> +"So terrible in contest / the queen is indeed,<br> +Who for her love is suitor / his zeal must dearly pay.<br> +So shalt thou from the journey / truly be content to stay."</p> +<p> +<a name="s331">331</a></p> +<p> +"So will I give thee counsel," / outspake Hagen there,<br> +"That thou beg of Siegfried / with thee to bear<br> +The perils that await thee: / that is now my rede,<br> +To him is known so fully / what with Brunhild will be thy need."</p> +<p> +<a name="s332">332</a></p> +<p> +He spake: "And wilt thou help me, / noble Siegfried,<br> +To win the lovely maiden? / Do what now I plead;<br> +And if in all her beauty / she be my wedded wife,<br> +To meet thy fullest wishes / honor will I pledge and life."</p> +<p> +<a name="s333">333</a></p> +<p> +Thereto answered Siegfried, / the royal Siegmund's son:<br> +"Giv'st thou me thy sister, / so shall thy will be done,<br> +—Kriemhild the noble princess, / in beauty all before.<br> +For toils that I encounter / none other meed I ask thee more."</p> +<p> +<a name="s334">334</a></p> +<p> +"That pledge I," spake then Gunther, / "Siegfried, in thy hand.<br> +And comes the lovely Brunhild / thither to this land,<br> +Thereunto thee my sister / for wife I'll truly give,<br> +That with the lovely maiden / thou may'st ever joyful live."</p> +<p> +<a name="s335">335</a></p> +<p> +Oaths the knight full noble / upon the compact swore,<br> +Whereby to them came troubles / and dangers all the more,<br> +Ere they the royal lady / brought unto the Rhine.<br> +Still should the warriors valiant / in sorest need and sorrow pine.</p> +<p> +<a name="s336">336</a></p> +<p> +With him carried Siegfried / that same mantle then,<br> +The which with mickle trouble / had won the hero keen<br> +From a dwarf in struggle, / Alberich by name.<br> +They dressed them for the journey, / the valiant thanes of lofty fame.</p> +<p> +<a name="s337">337</a></p> +<p> +And when the doughty Siegfried / the sightless mantle wore,<br> +Had he within it / of strength as good a store<br> +As other men a dozen / in himself alone.<br> +The full stately princess / anon by cunning art he won.</p> +<p> +<a name="s338">338</a></p> +<p> +Eke had that same mantle / such wondrous properties<br> +That any man whatever / might work whate'er he please<br> +When once he had it on him, / yet none could see or tell.<br> +'Twas so that he won Brunhild; / whereby him evil since befell.</p> +<p> +<a name="s339">339</a></p> +<p> +"Ere we begin our journey, / Siegfried, tell to me,<br> +That we with fullest honor / come unto the sea,<br> +Shall we lead warriors with us / down to Brunhild's land?<br> +Thanes a thirty thousand / straightway shall be called to hand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s340">340</a></p> +<p> +"Men bring we ne'er so many," / answered Siegfried then.<br> +"So terrible in custom / ever is the queen,<br> +That all would death encounter / from her angry mood.<br> +I'll give thee better counsel, / thane in valor keen and good.</p> +<p> +<a name="s341">341</a></p> +<p> +"Like as knights-errant journey / down the Rhine shall we.<br> +Those now will I name thee / who with us shall be;<br> +But four in all the company / seaward shall we fare:<br> +Thus shall we woo the lady, / what fortune later be our share.</p> +<p> +<a name="s342">342</a></p> +<p> +"Myself one of the company, / a second thou shalt be,<br> +Hagen be the third one / —so fare we happily;<br> +The fourth let it be Dankwart, / warrior full keen.<br> +Never thousand others / dare in fight withstand us then."</p> +<p> +<a name="s343">343</a></p> +<p> +"The tale I would know gladly," / the king then further said,<br> +"Ere we have parted thither / —of that were I full glad—<br> +What should we of apparel, / that would befit us well,<br> +Wear in Brunhild's presence: / that shalt thou now to Gunther tell."</p> +<p> +<a name="s344">344</a></p> +<p> +"Weeds the very finest / that ever might be found<br> +They wear in every season / in Brunhild's land:<br> +So shall we rich apparel / before the lady wear,<br> +That we have not dishonor / where men the tale hereafter hear."</p> +<p> +<a name="s345">345</a></p> +<p> +Then spake he to the other: / "Myself will go unto<br> +My own loving mother, / if I from her may sue<br> +That her fair tendant maidens / help that we be arrayed<br> +As we may go in honor / before the high majestic maid."</p> +<p> +<a name="s346">346</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Tronje Hagen / with noble courtliness:<br> +"Why wilt thou of thy mother / beg such services?<br> +Only let thy sister / hear our mind and mood:<br> +So shall for this our journey / her good service be bestowed."</p> +<p> +<a name="s347">347</a></p> +<p> +Then sent he to his sister / that he her would see,<br> +And with him also Siegfried. / Ere that such might be,<br> +Herself had there the fair one / in rich apparel clad.<br> +Sooth to tell, the visit / but little did displease the maid.</p> +<p> +<a name="s348">348</a></p> +<p> +Then also were her women / decked as for them was meet.<br> +The princes both were coming: / she rose from off her seat,<br> +As doth a high-born lady / when that she did perceive,<br> +And went the guest full noble / and eke her brother to receive.</p> +<p> +<a name="s349">349</a></p> +<p> +"Welcome be my brother / and his companion too.<br> +I'd know the story gladly," / spake the maiden so,<br> +"What ye now are seeking / that ye are come to me:<br> +I pray you straightway tell me / how 't with you valiants twain may be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s350">350</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the royal Gunther: / "Lady, thou shall hear:<br> +Spite of lofty spirits / have we yet a care.<br> +To woo a maid we travel / afar to lands unknown;<br> +We should against the journey / have rich apparel for our own."</p> +<p> +<a name="s351">351</a></p> +<p> +"Seat thee now, dear brother," / spake the princess fair;<br> +"Let me hear the story, / who the ladies are<br> +That ye will seek as suitors / in stranger princes' land."<br> +Both good knights the lady / took in greeting by the hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s352">352</a></p> +<p> +With the twain then went she / where she herself had sat,<br> +To couches rich and costly, / in sooth believe ye that,<br> +Wrought in design full cunning / of gold embroidery.<br> +And with these fair ladies / did pass the time right pleasantly.</p> +<p> +<a name="s353">353</a></p> +<p> +Many tender glances / and looks full many a one<br> +Fondly knight and lady / each other cast upon.<br> +Within his heart he bore her, / she was as his own life.<br> +Anon the fairest Kriemhild / was the doughty Siegfried's wife.</p> +<p> +<a name="s354">354</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the mighty monarch: / "Full loving sister mine,<br> +This may we ne'er accomplish / without help of thine.<br> +Unto Brunhild's country / as suitor now we fare:<br> +'Tis fitting that 'fore ladies / we do rich apparel wear."</p> +<p> +<a name="s355">355</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the royal maiden: / "Brother dear to me,<br> +In whatsoever manner / my help may given be,<br> +Of that I well assure you, / ready thereto am I.<br> +To Kriemhild 'twere a sorrow / if any should the same deny.</p> +<p> +<a name="s356">356</a></p> +<p> +"Of me, O noble brother, / thou shalt not ask in vain:<br> +Command in courteous manner / and I will serve thee fain.<br> +Whatever be thy pleasure, / for that I'll lend my aid<br> +And willingly I'll do it," / spake the fair and winsome maid.</p> +<p> +<a name="s357">357</a></p> +<p> +"It is our wish, dear sister, / apparel good to wear;<br> +That shall now directing / the royal hand prepare;<br> +And let thy maids see to it / that all is done aright,<br> +For we from this same journey / turn not aside for word of wight."</p> +<p> +<a name="s358">358</a></p> +<p> +Spake thereupon the maiden: / "Now mark ye what I say:<br> +Myself have silks in plenty; / now send us rich supply<br> +Of stones borne on bucklers, / so vesture we'll prepare."<br> +To do it royal Gunther / and Siegfried both right ready were.</p> +<p> +<a name="s359">359</a></p> +<p> +"And who are your companions," / further questioned she,<br> +"Who with you apparelled / now for court shall be?"<br> +"I it is and Siegfried, / and of my men are two,<br> +Dankwart and Hagen, / who with us to court shall go.</p> +<p> +<a name="s360">360</a></p> +<p> +"Now rightly what we tell thee, / mark, O sister dear:<br> +'Tis that we four companions / for four days may wear<br> +Thrice daily change of raiment / so wrought with skilful hand<br> +That we without dishonor / may take our leave of Brunhild's land."</p> +<p> +<a name="s361">361</a></p> +<p> +After fair leave-taking / the knights departed so.<br> +Then of her attendants / thirty maids to go<br> +Forth from her apartments / Kriemhild the princess bade,<br> +Of those that greatest cunning / in such skilful working had.</p> +<p> +<a name="s362">362</a></p> +<p>ks that were of Araby / white as the snow in sheen,<br> +And from the land of Zazamank / like unto grass so green,<br> +With stones of price they broidered; / that made apparel rare.<br> +Herself she cut them, Kriemhild / the royal maiden debonair.</p> +<p> +<a name="s363">363</a></p> +<p> +Fur linings fashioned fairly / from dwellers in the sea<br> +Beheld by people rarely, / the best that e'er might be,<br> +With silken stuffs they covered / for the knights to wear.<br> +Now shall ye of the shining / weeds full many a wonder hear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s364">364</a></p> +<p> +From land of far Morocco / and eke from Libya<br> +Of silks the very finest / that ever mortal saw<br> +With any monarch's kindred, / they had a goodly store.<br> +Well showed the Lady Kriemhild / that unto them good will she bore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s365">365</a></p> +<p> +Since they unto the journey / had wished that so it be,<br> +Skins of costly ermine / used they lavishly,<br> +Whereon were silken pieces / black as coal inlaid.<br> +To-day were any nobles / in robes so fashioned well arrayed.</p> +<p> +<a name="s366">366</a></p> +<p> +From the gold of Araby / many a stone there shone.<br> +The women long were busy / before the work was done;<br> +But all the robes were finished / ere seven weeks did pass,<br> +When also trusty armor / for the warriors ready was.</p> +<p> +<a name="s367">367</a></p> +<p> +When they at length were ready / adown the Rhine to fare,<br> +A ship lay waiting for them / strong built with mickle care,<br> +Which should bear them safely / far down unto the sea.<br> +The maidens rich in beauty / plied their work laboriously.</p> +<p> +<a name="s368">368</a></p> +<p> +Then 'twas told the warriors / for them was ready there<br> +The finely wrought apparel / that they were to wear;<br> +Just as they had wished it, / so it had been made;<br> +After that the heroes / there by the Rhine no longer stayed.</p> +<p> +<a name="s369">369</a></p> +<p> +To the knights departing / went soon a messenger:<br> +Would they come in person / to view their new attire,<br> +If it had been fitted / short and long aright.<br> +'Twas found of proper measure, / and thanked those ladies fair each + knight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s370">370</a></p> +<p> +And all who there beheld them / they must needs confess<br> +That in the world they never / had gazed on fairer dress:<br> +At court to wear th' apparel / did therefore please them well.<br> +Of warriors better furnished / never could a mortal tell.</p> +<p> +<a name="s371">371</a></p> +<p> +Thanks oft-times repeated / were there not forgot.<br> +Leave of parting from them / the noble knights then sought:<br> +Like thanes of noble bearing / they went in courteous wise.<br> +Then dim and wet with weeping / grew thereat two shining eyes.</p> +<p> +<a name="s372">372</a></p> +<p> +She spake: "O dearest brother, / still here thou mightest stay,<br> +And woo another woman— / that were the better way—<br> +Where so sore endangered / stood not thus thy life.<br> +Here nearer canst thou find thee / equally a high-born wife."</p> +<p> +<a name="s373">373</a></p> +<p> +I ween their hearts did tell them / what later came to pass.<br> +They wept there all together, / whatever spoken was.<br> +The gold upon their bosoms / was sullied 'neath the tears<br> +That from their eyes in plenty / fell adown amid their fears.</p> +<p> +<a name="s374">374</a></p> +<p> +She spake: "O noble Siegfried, / to thee commended be<br> +Upon thy truth and goodness / the brother dear to me,<br> +That he come unscathed / home from Brunhild's land."<br> +That plighted the full valiant / knight in Lady Kriemhild's hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s375">375</a></p> +<p> +The mighty thane gave answer: / "If I my life retain,<br> +Then shall thy cares, good Lady, / all have been in vain.<br> +All safe I'll bring him hither / again unto the Rhine,<br> +Be that to thee full sicker." / To him did the fair maid incline.</p> +<p> +<a name="s376">376</a></p> +<p> +Their shields of golden color / were borne unto the strand,<br> +And all their trusty armor / was ready brought to hand.<br> +They bade their horses bring them: / they would at last depart.<br> +—Thereat did fairest women / weep with sad foreboding heart.</p> +<p> +<a name="s377">377</a></p> +<p> +Down from lofty casement / looked many a winsome maid,<br> +As ship and sail together / by stirring breeze were swayed.<br> +Upon the Rhine they found them, / the warriors full of pride.<br> +Then outspake King Gunther: / "Who now is here the ship to guide?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s378">378</a></p> +<p> +"That will I," spake Siegfried; / "I can upon the flood<br> +Lead you on in safety, / that know ye, heroes good;<br> +For all the water highways / are known right well to me."<br> +With joy they then departed / from the land of Burgundy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s379">379</a></p> +<p> +A mighty pole then grasped he, / Siegfried the doughty man,<br> +And the ship from shore / forth to shove began.<br> +Gunther the fearless also / himself took oar in hand.<br> +The knights thus brave and worthy / took departure from the land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s380">380</a></p> +<p> +They carried rich provisions, / thereto the best of wine<br> +That might in any quarter / be found about the Rhine.<br> +Their chargers stood in comfort / and rested by the way:<br> +The ship it moved so lightly / that naught of injury had they.</p> +<p> +<a name="s381">381</a></p> +<p> +Stretched before the breezes / were the great sail-ropes tight,<br> +And twenty miles they journeyed / ere did come the night,<br> +By fair breezes favored / down toward the sea.<br> +Their toil repaid thereafter / the dauntless knights full grievously.</p> +<p> +<a name="s382">382</a></p> +<p> +Upon the twelfth morning, / as we in story hear,<br> +Had they by the breezes / thence been carried far,<br> +Unto Castle Isenstein / and Brunhild's country:<br> +That to Siegfried only / was known of all the company.</p> +<p> +<a name="s383">383</a></p> +<p> +As soon as saw King Gunther / so many towers rise<br> +And eke the boundless marches / stretch before his eyes,<br> +He spake: "Tell me, friend Siegfried, / is it known to thee<br> +Whose they are, the castles / and the majestic broad country?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s384">384</a></p> +<p> +Thereto gave answer Siegfried: / "That well to me is known:<br> +Brunhild for their mistress / do land and people own<br> +And Isenstein's firm towers, / as ye have heard me say.<br> +Ladies fair a many / shall ye here behold to-day.</p> +<p> +<a name="s385">385</a></p> +<p> +"And I will give you counsel: / be it well understood<br> +That all your words must tally / —so methinks 'twere good.<br> +If ere to-day is over / our presence she command,<br> +Must we leave pride behind us, / as before Brunhild we stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s386">386</a></p> +<p> +"When we the lovely lady / 'mid her retainers see,<br> +Then shall ye, good companions, / in all your speech agree<br> +That Gunther is my master / and I his serving-man:<br> +'Tis thus that all he hopeth / shall we in the end attain."</p> +<p> +<a name="s387">387</a></p> +<p> +To do as he had bidden / consented straight each one,<br> +And spite of proudest spirit / they left it not undone.<br> +All that he wished they promised, / and good it proved to be<br> +When anon King Gunther / the fair Brunhild came to see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s388">388</a></p> +<p> +"Not all to meet thy wishes / do I such service swear,<br> +But most 'tis for thy sister, / Kriemhild the maiden fair;<br> +Just as my soul unto me / she is my very life,<br> +And fain would I deserve it / that she in truth become my wife."</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A7">SEVENTH</a> ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Gunther won Brunhild</p> +<p> +<a name="s389">389</a></p> +<p> +The while they thus did parley / their ship did forward glide<br> +So near unto the castle / that soon the king espied<br> +Aloft within the casements / many a maiden fair to see.<br> +That all to him were strangers / thought King Gunther mournfully.</p> +<p> +<a name="s390">390</a></p> +<p> +He asked then of Siegfried, / who bare him company:<br> +"Know'st thou aught of the maidens, / who the same may be,<br> +Gazing yonder downward / upon us on the tide?<br> +Howe'er is named their master, / minded are they high in pride."</p> +<p> +<a name="s391">391</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the valiant Siegfried: / "Now thither shalt thou spy<br> +Unseen among the ladies, / then not to me deny<br> +Which, wert thou free in choosing, / thou'dst take to be thy queen."<br> +"That will I do," then answered / Gunther the valiant knight and keen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s392">392</a></p> +<p> +"I see there one among them / by yonder casement stand,<br> +Clad in snow-white raiment: / 'tis she my eyes demand,<br> +So buxom she in stature, / so fair she is to see.<br> +An I were free in choosing, / she it is my wife must be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s393">393</a></p> +<p> +"Full well now in choosing / thine eyes have guided thee:<br> +It is the stately Brunhild / the maiden fair to see,<br> +That doth now unto her / thy heart and soul compel."<br> +All the maiden's bearing / pleased the royal Gunther well.</p> +<p> +<a name="s394">394</a></p> +<p> +But soon the queen commanded / from casement all to go<br> +Of those her beauteous maidens: / they should not stand there so<br> +To be gazed at by the strangers. / They must obey her word.<br> +What were the ladies doing, / of that moreover have we heard.</p> +<p> +<a name="s395">395</a></p> +<p> +Unto the noble strangers / their beauty they would show,<br> +A thing which lovely women / are ever wont to do.<br> +Unto the narrow casements / came they crowding on,<br> +When they spied the strangers: / that they might also see, 'twas done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s396">396</a></p> +<p> +But four the strangers numbered, / who came unto that land.<br> +Siegfried the doughty / the king's steed led in hand:<br> +They saw it from the casements, / many a lovely maid,<br> +And saw the willing service / unto royal Gunther paid.</p> +<p> +<a name="s397">397</a></p> +<p> +Then held he by the bridle / for him his gallant steed,<br> +A good and fair-formed charger, / strong and of noble breed,<br> +Until the royal Gunther / into the saddle sprung.<br> +Thus did serve him Siegfried: / a service all forgot ere long.</p> +<p> +<a name="s398">398</a></p> +<p> +Then his own steed he also / led forth upon the shore.<br> +Such menial service had he / full seldom done before,<br> +That he should hold the stirrup / for monarch whomsoe'er.<br> +Down gazing from the casements / beheld it ladies high and fair.</p> +<p> +<a name="s399">399</a></p> +<p> +At every point according, / the heroes well bedight<br> +—Their dress and eke their chargers / of color snowy white—<br> +Were like unto each other, / and well-wrought shield each one<br> +Of the good knights bore with him, / that brightly glimmered in the sun.</p> +<p> +<a name="s400">400</a></p> +<p> +Jewelled well was saddle / and narrow martingale<br> +As they rode so stately / in front of Brunhild's Hall,<br> +And thereon bells were hanging / of red gold shining bright.<br> +So came they to that country, / as fitting was for men of might,</p> +<p> +<a name="s401">401</a></p> +<p> +With spears all newly polished, / with swords, well-made that were<br> +And by the stately heroes / hung down unto the spur:<br> +Such bore the valiant riders / of broad and cutting blade.<br> +The noble show did witness / Brunhild the full stately maid.</p> +<p> +<a name="s402">402</a></p> +<p> +With him came then Dankwart / and Hagen, doughty thane.<br> +The story further telleth / how that the heroes twain<br> +Of color black as raven / rich attire wore,<br> +And each a broad and mighty / shield of rich adornment bore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s403">403</a></p> +<p> +Rich stones from India's country / every eye could see,<br> +Impending on their tunics, / sparkle full brilliantly.<br> +Their vessel by the river / they left without a guard,<br> +As thus the valiant heroes / rode undaunted castleward.</p> +<p> +<a name="s404">404</a></p> +<p> +Six and fourscore towers / without they saw rise tall,<br> +Three spacious palaces / and moulded well a hall<br> +All wrought of precious marble / green as blade of grass,<br> +Wherein the royal Brunhild / with company of fair ladies was.</p> +<p> +<a name="s405">405</a></p> +<p> +The castle doors unbolted / were flung open wide<br> +As out toward them / the men of Brunhild hied<br> +And received the strangers / into their Lady's land.<br> +Their steeds they bade take over, / and also shield from out the hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s406">406</a></p> +<p> +Then spake a man-in-waiting: / "Give o'er the sword each thane,<br> +And eke the shining armor."— / "Good friend, thou ask'st in vain,"<br> +Spake of Tronje Hagen; / "the same we'd rather wear."<br> +Then gan straightway Siegfried / the country's custom to declare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s407">407</a></p> +<p> +"'Tis wont within this castle, / —of that be now aware—<br> +That never any stranger / weapons here shall bear.<br> +Now let them hence be carried: / well dost thou as I say."<br> +In this did full unwilling / Hagen, Gunther's man, obey.</p> +<p> +<a name="s408">408</a></p> +<p> +They bade the strangers welcome / with drink and fitting rest.<br> +Soon might you see on all sides / full many knights the best<br> +In princely weeds apparelled / to their reception go:<br> +Yet did they mickle gazing / who would the keen new-comers know.</p> +<p> +<a name="s409">409</a></p> +<p> +Then unto Lady Brunhild / the tidings strange were brought<br> +How that unknown warriors / now her land had sought,<br> +In stately apparel / come sailing o'er the sea.<br> +The maiden fair and stately / gave question how the same might be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s410">410</a></p> +<p> +"Now shall ye straight inform me," / spake she presently,<br> +"Who so unfamiliar / these warrior knights may be,<br> +That within my castle / thus so lordly stand,<br> +And for whose sake the heroes / have hither journeyed to my land."</p> +<p> +<a name="s411">411</a></p> +<p> +Then spake to her a servant: / "Lady, I well can say<br> +Of them I've ne'er seen any / before this present day:<br> +Be it not that one among them / is like unto Siegfried.<br> +Him give a goodly welcome: / so is to thee my loyal rede.</p> +<p> +<a name="s412">412</a></p> +<p> +"The next of the companions / he is a worthy knight:<br> +If that were in his power / he well were king of might<br> +O'er wide domains of princes, / the which might reach his hand.<br> +Now see him by the others / so right majestically stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s413">413</a></p> +<p> +"The third of the companions, / that he's a man of spleen,<br> +—Withal of fair-formed body, / know thou, stately Queen,—<br> +Do tell his rapid glances / that dart so free from him.<br> +He is in all his thinking / a man, I ween, of mood full grim.</p> +<p> +<a name="s414">414</a></p> +<p> +"The youngest one among them / he is a worthy knight:<br> +As modest as a maiden, / I see the thane of might<br> +Goodly in his bearing / standing so fair to see,<br> +We all might fear if any / affront to him should offered be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s415">415</a></p> +<p> +"How blithe soe'er his manner, / how fair soe'er is he,<br> +Well could he cause of sorrow / to stately woman be,<br> +If he gan show his anger. / In him may well be seen<br> +He is in knightly virtues / a thane of valor bold and keen."</p> +<p> +<a name="s416">416</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the queen in answer: / "Bring now my robes to hand.<br> +And is the mighty Siegfried / come unto this land,<br> +For love of me brought thither, / he pays it with his life.<br> +I fear him not so sorely / that I e'er become his wife."</p> +<p> +<a name="s417">417</a></p> +<p> +So was fair Brunhild / straightway well arrayed.<br> +Then went with her thither / full many a beauteous maid,<br> +A hundred good or over, / bedight right merrily.<br> +The full beauteous maidens / would those stranger warriors see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s418">418</a></p> +<p> +And with them went the warriors / there of Isenland,<br> +The knights attending Brunhild, / who bore sword in hand,<br> +Five hundred men or over. / Scarce heart the strangers kept<br> +As those knights brave and seemly / down from out the saddle leapt.</p> +<p> +<a name="s419">419</a></p> +<p> +When the royal lady / Siegfried espied,<br> +Now mote ye willing listen / what there the maiden said.<br> +"Welcome be thou, Siegfried, / hither unto this land.<br> +What meaneth this thy journey, / gladly might I understand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s420">420</a></p> +<p> +"Full mickle do I thank thee, / my Lady, high Brunhild,<br> +That thou art pleased to greet me, / noble Princess mild,<br> +Before this knight so noble, / who stands before me here:<br> +For he is my master, / whom first to honor fitting were.</p> +<p> +<a name="s421">421</a></p> +<p> +"Born is he of Rhineland: / what need I say more?<br> +For thee 'tis highest favor / that we do hither fare.<br> +Thee will he gladly marry, / an bring that whatsoe'er.<br> +Betimes shalt thou bethink thee: / my master will thee never spare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s422">422</a></p> +<p> +"For his name is Gunther / and he a mighty king.<br> +If he thy love hath won him, / more wants he not a thing.<br> +In sooth the king so noble / hath bade me hither fare:<br> +And gladly had I left it, / might I to thwart his wishes dare."</p> +<p> +<a name="s423">423</a></p> +<p> +She spake: "Is he thy master / and thou his vassal art,<br> +Some games to him I offer, / and dare he there take part,<br> +And comes he forth the victor, / so am I then his wife:<br> +And be it I that conquer, / then shall ye forfeit each his life."</p> +<p> +<a name="s424">424</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Lady, let us see<br> +Thy games so fraught with peril. / Before should yield to thee<br> +Gunther my master, / that well were something rare.<br> +He trows he yet is able / to win a maid so passing fair."</p> +<p> +<a name="s425">425</a></p> +<p> +"Then shall ye try stone-putting / and follow up the cast,<br> +And the spear hurl with me. / Do ye naught here in haste.<br> +For well may ye pay forfeit / with honor eke and life:<br> +Bethink ye thus full calmly," / spake she whom Gunther would for wife.<br> +<br> +<a name="s426">426</a><br> +<br> +Siegfried the valiant / stepped unto the king,<br> +And bade him speak out freely / his thoughts upon this thing<br> +Unto the queen so wayward, / he might have fearless heart.<br> +"For to well protect thee / from her do I know an art."</p> +<p> +<a name="s427">427</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the royal Gunther: / "Now offer, stately Queen,<br> +What play soe'er thou mayest. / And harder had it been,<br> +Yet would I all have ventured / for all thy beauty's sake.<br> +My head I'll willing forfeit / or thyself my wife I'll make."</p> +<p> +<a name="s428">428</a></p> +<p> +When therefore the Queen Brunhild / heard how the matter stood<br> +The play she begged to hasten, / as indeed she should.<br> +She bade her servants fetch her / therefor apparel trim,<br> +A mail-coat ruddy golden / and shield well wrought from boss to rim.</p> +<p> +<a name="s429">429</a></p> +<p> +A battle-tunic silken / the maid upon her drew,<br> +That in ne'er a contest / weapon piercéd through,<br> +Of skins from land of Libya, / and structure rare and fine;<br> +And brilliant bands embroidered / might you see upon it shine.</p> +<p> +<a name="s430">430</a></p> +<p> +Meanwhile were the strangers / jibed with many a threat;<br> +Dankwart and Hagen, / their hearts began to beat.<br> +How here the king should prosper / were they of doubtful mood,<br> +Thinking, "This our journey / shall bring us wanderers naught of good."</p> +<p> +<a name="s431">431</a></p> +<p>le did also Siegfried / the thane beyond compare,<br> +Before 'twas marked by any, / unto the ship repair,<br> +Where he found his sightless mantle[<a href="#02">2</a>] / that did hidden lie,<br> +And slipped into 't full deftly: / so was he veiled from every eye.</p> +<p class="note">[<a name="02">2</a>] See <a href="#01">strophe 97, note</a>.</p> +<p> +<a name="s432">432</a></p> +<p> +Thither back he hied him / and found great company<br> +About the queen who ordered / what the high play should be.<br> +There went he all in secret; / so cunningly 'twas done,<br> +Of all around were standing / perceived him never any one.</p> +<p> +<a name="s433">433</a></p> +<p> +The ring it was appointed / wherein the play should be<br> +'Fore many a keen warrior / who the same should see.<br> +More than seven hundred / were seen their weapons bear,<br> +That whoso were the victor / they might sure the same declare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s434">434</a></p> +<p> +Thither was come Brunhild; / all arméd she did stand<br> +Like as she were to combat / for many a royal land;<br> +Upon her silken tunic / were gold bars many a one,<br> +And glowing 'mid the armor / her flesh of winsome color shone.</p> +<p> +<a name="s435">435</a></p> +<p> +Then followed her attendants / and with them thither brought<br> +At once a shield full stately, / of pure red gold 'twas wrought,<br> +With steel-hard bands for facings, / full mickle 'twas and broad,<br> +Wherewith in the contest / would guard herself the lovely maid.</p> +<p> +<a name="s436">436</a></p> +<p> +To hold the shield securely / a well-wrought band there was,<br> +Whereon lay precious jewels / green as blade of grass.<br> +Full many a ray their lustre / shot round against the gold.<br> +He were a man full valiant / whom this high dame should worthy hold.</p> +<p> +<a name="s437">437</a></p> +<p> +The shield was 'neath the boss-point, / as to us is said,<br> +Good three spans in thickness, / which should bear the maid.<br> +Of steel 'twas wrought so richly / and had of gold such share,<br> +That chamberlain and fellows / three the same scarce could bear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s438">438</a></p> +<p> +When the doughty Hagen / the shield saw thither brought,<br> +Spake the knight of Tronje, / and savage was his thought:<br> +"Where art thou now, King Gunther? / Shall we thus lose our life!<br> +Whom here thou seekst for lover, / she is the very Devil's wife."</p> +<p> +<a name="s439">439</a></p> +<p> +List more of her apparel; / she had a goodly store.<br> +Of silk of Azagang / a tunic made she wore,<br> +All bedight full richly; / amid its color shone<br> +Forth from the queen it covered, / full many a sparkling precious stone.</p> +<p> +<a name="s440">440</a></p> +<p> +Then brought they for the lady, / large and heavy there,<br> +As she was wont to hurl it, / a sharply-pointed spear;<br> +Strong and massive was it, / huge and broad as well,<br> +And at both its edges / it cut with devastation fell.</p> +<p> +<a name="s441">441</a></p> +<p> +To know the spear was heavy / list ye wonders more:<br> +Three spears of common measure / 'twould make, and something o'er.<br> +Of Brunhild's attendants / three scarce the same could bear.<br> +The heart of noble Gunther / thereat began to fill with fear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s442">442</a></p> +<p> +Within his soul he thought him: / "What pickle am I in?<br> +Of hell the very Devil, / how might he save his skin?<br> +Might I at home in Burgundy / safe and living be,<br> +Should she for many a season / from proffered love of mine be free."</p> +<p> +<a name="s443">443</a></p> +<p> +Then spake Hagen's brother / the valiant Dankwart:<br> +"In truth this royal journey / doth sorely grieve my heart.<br> +We passed for good knights one time: / what caitiff's death, if we<br> +Here in far-off country / a woman's game are doomed to be!</p> +<p> +<a name="s444">444</a></p> +<p> +"It rueth me full sorely / that I came to this land.<br> +And had my brother Hagen / his good sword in hand,<br> +And had I mine to help him, / a bit more gently then,<br> +A little tame of spirit, / might show themselves all Brunhild's men.</p> +<p> +<a name="s445">445</a></p> +<p> +"And know it of a certain / to lord it thus they'd cease;<br> +E'en though oaths a thousand / I'd sworn to keep the peace,<br> +Before that I'd see perish / my dear lord shamefully,<br> +Amid the souls departed / this fair maid herself should be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s446">446</a></p> +<p> +"Well should we unhampered / quit at last this land,"<br> +Spake his brother Hagen, / "did we in armor stand,<br> +Such as we need for battle, / and bore we broadswords good:<br> +'Twould be a little softened, / this doughty lady's haughty mood."</p> +<p> +<a name="s447">447</a></p> +<p> +Well heard the noble maiden / what the warriors spoke.<br> +Back athwart her shoulder / she sent a smiling look:<br> +"Now thinks he him so valiant, / so let them arméd stand;<br> +Their full keen-edged broadswords / give the warriors each in hand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s448">448</a></p> +<p> +When they their swords received, / as the maiden said,<br> +The full valiant Dankwart / with joy his face grew red.<br> +"Now play they what them pleaseth," / cried the warrior brave;<br> +"Gunther is yet a freeman, / since now in hand good swords we have."</p> +<p> +<a name="s449">449</a></p> +<p> +The royal Brunhild's prowess / with terror was it shown.<br> +Into the ring they bore her / in sooth a ponderous stone,<br> +Great and all unwieldy, / huge it was and round:<br> +And scarce good knights a dozen / together raised it from the ground.</p> +<p> +<a name="s450">450</a></p> +<p> +To put this was her custom / after trial with the spear.<br> +Thereat the men of Burgundy / began to quake with fear.<br> +"Alack! Alack!" quoth Hagen, / "what seeks the king for bride?<br> +Beneath in hell 'twere better / the Devil had her by his side!"</p> +<p> +<a name="s451">451</a></p> +<p> +On her white arms the flowing / sleeves she backward flung,<br> +Then with grasp of power / the shield in hand she swung,<br> +And spear poised high above her. / So did the contest start.<br> +Gunther and Siegfried / saw Brunhild's ire with falling heart.</p> +<p> +<a name="s452">452</a></p> +<p> +And were it not that Siegfried / a ready help did bring,<br> +Surely then had perished / beneath her hand the king.<br> +There went he unperceived / and the king's hand did touch.<br> +Gunther at his cunning / artifice was troubled much.</p> +<p> +<a name="s453">453</a></p> +<p> +"What is that hath touched me?" / thought the monarch keen.<br> +Then gazed he all around him: / none was there to be seen.<br> +A voice spake: "Siegfried is it, / a friend that holds thee dear.<br> +Before this royal maiden / shall thy heart be free from fear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s454">454</a></p> +<p> +"Thy shield in hand now give me / and leave it me to bear,<br> +And do thou rightly mark thee / what thou now shalt hear.<br> +Now make thyself the motions, / —the power leave to me."<br> +When he did know him rightly, / the monarch's heart was filled with glee.</p> +<p> +<a name="s455">455</a></p> +<p> +"Now secret keep my cunning, / let none e'er know the same:<br> +Then shall the royal maiden / here find but little game<br> +Of glory to win from thee, / as most to her is dear.<br> +Behold now how the lady / stands before thee void of fear."</p> +<p> +<a name="s456">456</a></p> +<p> +The spear the stately maiden / with might and main did wield,<br> +And huge and broad she hurled it / upon the new-made shield,<br> +That on his arm did carry / the son of Siegelind;<br> +From the steel the sparks flew hissing / as if were blowing fierce the + wind.</p> +<p> +<a name="s457">457</a></p> +<p> +The mighty spear sharp-pointed / full through the shield did crash,<br> +That ye from off the mail-rings / might see the lightning flash.<br> +Beneath its force they stumbled, / did both those men of might;<br> +But for the sightless mantle / they both were killed there outright.</p> +<p> +<a name="s458">458</a></p> +<p> +From mouth of the full doughty / Siegfried burst the blood.<br> +Full soon he yet recovered; / then seized the warrior good<br> +The spear that from her strong arm / thus his shield had rent,<br> +And back with force as came it / the hand of doughty Siegfried sent.</p> +<p> +<a name="s459">459</a></p> +<p> +He thought: "To pierce the maiden / were but small glory earned,"<br> +And so the spear's sharp edges / backward pointing turned;<br> +Against her mail-clad body / he made the shaft to bound,<br> +And with such might he sent it / full loud her armor did resound.</p> +<p> +<a name="s460">460</a></p> +<p> +The sparks as if in stormwind / from mail-rings flew around.<br> +So mightily did hurl it / the son of Siegmund<br> +That she with all her power / could not the shaft withstand.<br> +In sooth it ne'er was speeded / so swiftly by King Gunther's hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s461">461</a></p> +<p> +But to her feet full sudden / had sprung Brunhild fair.<br> +"A shot, O noble Gunther, / befitting hero rare."<br> +She weened himself had done it, / and all unaided he,<br> +Nor wot she one far mightier / was thither come so secretly.</p> +<p> +<a name="s462">462</a></p> +<p> +Then did she go full sudden, / wrathful was her mood,<br> +A stone full high she heaved / the noble maiden good,<br> +And the same far from her / with might and main she swung:<br> +Her armor's mail-rings jingled / as she herself thereafter sprung.</p> +<p> +<a name="s463">463</a></p> +<p> +The stone, when it had fallen, / lay fathoms twelve from there,<br> +And yet did spring beyond it / herself the maiden fair.<br> +Then where the stone was lying / thither Siegfried went:<br> +Gunther feigned to move it, / but by another arm 'twas sent.</p> +<p> +<a name="s464">464</a></p> +<p> +A valiant man was Siegfried / full powerful and tall.<br> +The stone then cast he farther, / and farther sprang withal.<br> +From those his arts so cunning / had he of strength such store<br> +That as he leaped he likewise / the weight of royal Gunther bore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s465">465</a></p> +<p> +And when the leap was ended / and fallen was the stone,<br> +Then saw they ne'er another / but Gunther alone.<br> +Brunhild the fair maiden, / red grew she in wrath:<br> +Siegfried yet had warded / from royal Gunther surest death.</p> +<p> +<a name="s466">466</a></p> +<p> +Unto her attendants / she spake in loud command,<br> +When she saw 'cross the circle / the king unvanquished stand.<br> +"Come hither quick, my kinsmen, / and ye that wait on me;<br> +Henceforth unto Gunther / shall all be pledged faithfully."</p> +<p> +<a name="s467">467</a></p> +<p> +Then laid the knights full valiant / their swords from out the hand;<br> +At feet 'fore mighty Gunther / from Burgundian land<br> +Offered himself in service / full many a valiant knight.<br> +They weened that he had conquered / in trial by his proper might.</p> +<p> +<a name="s468">468</a></p> +<p> +He gave her loving greeting, / right courteous was he.<br> +Then by the hand she took him, / the maiden praiseworthy,<br> +In pledge that all around him / was his to have and hold.<br> +Whereat rejoiced Hagen / the warrior valorous and bold.</p> +<p> +<a name="s469">469</a></p> +<p> +Into the spacious palace / with her thence to go<br> +Bade she the noble monarch. / When they had done so,<br> +Then still greater honors / unto the knight were shown.<br> +Dankwart and Hagen, / right willingly they saw it done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s470">470</a></p> +<p> +Siegfried the valiant, / by no means was he slow,<br> +His sightless mantle did he / away in safety stow.<br> +Then went he again thither / where many a lady sat.<br> +He spake unto the monarch— / full cunningly was done all that:</p> +<p> +<a name="s471">471</a></p> +<p> +"Why bidest thus, my master? / Wilt not the play begin,<br> +To which so oft hath challenged / thee the noble queen?<br> +Let us soon have example / what may the trial be."<br> +As knew he naught about it, / did the knight thus cunningly.</p> +<p> +<a name="s472">472</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the queen unto him: / "How hath this ever been,<br> +That of the play, Sir Siegfried, / nothing thou hast seen,<br> +Wherein hath been the victor / Gunther with mighty hand?"<br> +Thereto gave answer Hagen / a grim knight of Burgundian land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s473">473</a></p> +<p> +Spake he: "There dost thou, Lady, / think ill without a cause:<br> +By the ship down yonder / the noble Siegfried was, <br> +The while the lord of Rhineland / in play did vanquish thee:<br> +Thus knows he nothing of it," / spake Gunther's warrior courteously.</p> +<p> +<a name="s474">474</a></p> +<p> +"A joy to me these tidings," / the doughty Siegfried spoke,<br> +"That so thy haughty spirit / is brought beneath the yoke,<br> +And that yet one there liveth / master to be of thine.<br> +Now shalt thou, noble maiden, / us follow thither to the Rhine."</p> +<p> +<a name="s475">475</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the maiden shapely: / "It may not yet be so.<br> +All my men and kindred / first the same must know.<br> +In sooth not all so lightly / can I quit my home.<br> +First must I bid my trusty / warriors that they hither come."</p> +<p> +<a name="s476">476</a></p> +<p> +Then bade she messengers / quickly forth to ride,<br> +And summoned in her kindred / and men from every side.<br> +Without delay she prayed them / to come to Isenstein,<br> +And bade them all be given / fit apparel rare and fine.</p> +<p> +<a name="s477">477</a></p> +<p> +Then might ye see daily / 'twixt morn and eventide<br> +Unto Brunhild's castle / many a knight to ride.<br> +"God wot, God wot," quoth Hagen, / "we do an evil thing,<br> +To tarry here while Brunhild / doth thus her men together bring.</p> +<p> +<a name="s478">478</a></p> +<p> +"If now into this country / their good men they've brought<br> +—What thing the queen intendeth / thereof know we naught:<br> +Belike her wrath ariseth, / and we are men forlorn—<br> +Then to be our ruin / were the noble maiden born."</p> +<p> +<a name="s479">479</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the doughty Siegfried: / "That matter leave to me.<br> +Whereof thou now art fearful, / I'll never let it be.<br> +Ready help I'll bring thee / hither unto this land,<br> +Knights of whom thou wotst not / till now I'll bring, a chosen band.</p> +<p> +<a name="s480">480</a></p> +<p> +"Of me shalt thou ask not: / from hence will I fare.<br> +May God of thy good honor / meanwhile have a care.<br> +I come again right quickly / with a thousand men for thee,<br> +The very best of warriors / hitherto are known to me."</p> +<p> +<a name="s481">481</a></p> +<p> +"Then tarry not unduly," / thus the monarch said.<br> +"Glad we are full fairly / of this thy timely aid."<br> +He spake: "Till I come to thee / full short shall be my stay.<br> +That thou thyself hast sent me / shalt thou unto Brunhild say."</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> + +<h3><a name="A8">EIGHTH</a> ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Siegfried fared to his Knights, the Nibelungen</p> +<p> +<a name="s482">482</a></p> +<p> +Thence went then Siegfried / out through the castle door<br> +In his sightless mantle / to a boat upon the shore.<br> +As Siegmund's son doth board it / him no mortal sees;<br> +And quickly off he steers it / as were it wafted by the breeze.</p> +<p> +<a name="s483">483</a></p> +<p> +No one saw the boatman, / yet rapid was the flight<br> +Of the boat forth speeding / driven by Siegfried's might.<br> +They weened that did speed it / a swiftly blowing wind:<br> +No, 'twas Siegfried sped it, / the son of fairest Siegelind.</p> +<p> +<a name="s484">484</a></p> +<p> +In that one day-time / and the following night<br> +Came he to a country / by dint of mickle might,<br> +Long miles a hundred distant, / and something more than this:<br> +The Nibelungen were its people / where the mighty hoard was his.</p> +<p> +<a name="s485">485</a></p> +<p> +Alone did fare the hero / unto an island vast<br> +Whereon the boat full quickly / the gallant knight made fast.<br> +Of a castle then bethought him / high upon a hill,<br> +And there a lodging sought him, / as wayworn men are wont to still.</p> +<p> +<a name="s486">486</a></p> +<p> +Then came he to the portals / that locked before him stood.<br> +They guarded well their honor / as people ever should.<br> +At the door he gan a-knocking, / for all unknown was he.<br> +But full well 'twas guarded, / and within it he did see</p> +<p> +<a name="s487">487</a></p> +<p> +A giant who the castle / did guard with watchful eye,<br> +And near him did at all times / his good weapons lie.<br> +Quoth he: "Who now that knocketh / at the door in such strange wise?"<br> +Without the valiant Siegfried / did cunningly his voice disguise.</p> +<p> +<a name="s488">488</a></p> +<p> +He spake: "A bold knight-errant / am I; unlock the gate.<br> +Else will I from without here / disturbance rare create<br> +For all who'd fain lie quiet / and their rest would take."<br> +Wrathful grew the Porter / as in this wise Siegfried spake.</p> +<p> +<a name="s489">489</a></p> +<p> +Now did the giant valorous / his good armor don,<br> +And placed on head his helmet; / then the full doughty man<br> +His shield up-snatched quickly / and gate wide open swung.<br> +How sore was he enraged / as himself upon Siegfried he flung!</p> +<p> +<a name="s490">490</a></p> +<p> +'How dared he thus awaken / brave knights within the hall?'<br> +The blows in rapid showers / from his hand did fall.<br> +Thereat the noble stranger / began himself to shield.<br> +For so a club of iron / the Porter's mighty arm did wield,</p> +<p> +<a name="s491">491</a></p> +<p> +That splinters flew from buckler, / and Siegfried stood aghast<br> +From fear that this same hour / was doomed to be his last,<br> +So mightily the Porter's / blows about him fell.<br> +To find such faithful warder / did please his master Siegfried well.</p> +<p> +<a name="s492">492</a></p> +<p> +So fiercely did they struggle / that castle far within<br> +And hall where slept the Nibelungen / echoed back the din.<br> +But Siegfried pressed the Porter / and soon he had him bound.<br> +In all the land of Nibelungen / the story soon was bruited round.</p> +<p> +<a name="s493">493</a></p> +<p> +When the grim sound of fighting / afar the place had filled,<br> +Alberich did hear it, / a Dwarf full brave and wild.<br> +He donned his armor deftly, / and running thither found<br> +This so noble stranger / where he the doughty Porter bound.</p> +<p> +<a name="s494">494</a></p> +<p> +Alberich was full wrathy, / thereto a man of power.<br> +Coat of mail and helmet / he on his body wore,<br> +And in his hand a heavy / scourge of gold he swung.<br> +Where was fighting Siegfried, / thither in mickle haste he sprung. </p> +<p> +<a name="s495">495</a></p> +<p> +Seven knobs thick and heavy / on the club's end were seen,<br> +Wherewith the shield that guarded / the knight that was so keen<br> +He battered with such vigor / that pieces from it brake.<br> +Lest he his life should forfeit / the noble stranger gan to quake.</p> +<p> +<a name="s496">496</a></p> +<p> +The shield that all was battered / from his hand he flung;<br> +And into sheath, too, thrust he / his sword so good and long.<br> +For his trusty chamberlain / he did not wish to slay,<br> +And in such case he could not / grant his anger fullest sway.</p> +<p> +<a name="s497">497</a></p> +<p> +With but his hands so mighty / at Alberich he ran.<br> +By the beard then seized he / the gray and aged man,<br> +And in such manner pulled it / that he full loud did roar.<br> +The youthful hero's conduct / Alberich did trouble sore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s498">498</a></p> +<p> +Loud cried the valiant steward: / "Have mercy now on me.<br> +And might I other's vassal / than one good hero's be,<br> +To whom to be good subject / I an oath did take,<br> +Until my death I'd serve thee." / Thus the man of cunning spake.</p> +<p> +<a name="s499">499</a></p> +<p> +Alberich then bound he / as the giant before.<br> +The mighty arm of Siegfried / did trouble him full sore.<br> +The Dwarf began to question: / "Thy name, what may it be?"<br> +Quoth he: "My name is Siegfried; / I weened I well were known to thee."</p> +<p> +<a name="s500">500</a></p> +<p> +"I joy to hear such tidings," / Dwarf Alberich replied.<br> +"Well now have I found thee / in knightly prowess tried,<br> +And with goodly reason / lord o'er lands to be.<br> +I'll do whate'er thou biddest, / wilt thou only give me free."</p> +<p> +<a name="s501">501</a></p> +<p> +Then spake his master Siegfried: / "Quickly shalt thou go,<br> +And bring me knights hither, / the best we have to show,<br> +A thousand Nibelungen, / to stand before their lord."<br> +Wherefore thus he wished it, / spake he never yet a word.</p> +<p> +<a name="s502">502</a></p> +<p> +The giant and Alberich / straightway he unbound.<br> +Then ran Alberich quickly / where the knights he found.<br> +The warriors of Nibelung / he wakened full of fear.<br> +Quoth he: "Be up, ye heroes, / before Siegfried shall ye appear."</p> +<p> +<a name="s503">503</a></p> +<p> +From their couches sprang they / and ready were full soon,<br> +Clothed well in armor / a thousand warriors boon,<br> +And went where they found standing / Siegfried their lord.<br> +Then was a mickle greeting / courteously in act and word.</p> +<p> +<a name="s504">504</a></p> +<p> +Candles many were lighted, / and sparkling wine he drank.<br> +That they came so quickly, / therefor he all did thank.<br> +Quoth he: "Now shall ye with me / from hence across the flood." <br> +Thereto he found full ready / the heroes valiant and good.</p> +<p> +<a name="s505">505</a></p> +<p> +Good thirty hundred warriors / soon had hither pressed,<br> +From whom were then a thousand / taken of the best.<br> +For them were brought their helmets / and what they else did need.<br> +For unto Brunhild's country / would he straightway the warriors lead.</p> +<p> +<a name="s506">506</a></p> +<p> +He spake: "Ye goodly nobles, / that would I have you hear,<br> +In full costly raiment / shall ye at court appear,<br> +For yonder must there see us / full many a fair lady.<br> +Therefore shall your bodies / dight in good apparel be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s507">507</a></p> +<p> +Upon a morning early / went they on their way.<br> +What host of brave companions / bore Siegfried company!<br> +Good steeds took they with them / and garments rich to wear,<br> +And did in courtly fashion / unto Brunhild's country fare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s508">508</a></p> +<p> +As gazed from lofty parapet / women fair to see,<br> +Spake the queen unto them: / "Knows any who they be,<br> +Whom I see yonder sailing / upon the sea afar?<br> +Rich sails their ships do carry, / whiter than snow they are."</p> +<p> +<a name="s509">509</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the king of Rhineland: / "My good men they are,<br> +That on my journey hither / left I lying near.<br> +I've sent to call them to me: / now are they come, O Queen."<br> +With full great amazing / were the stately strangers seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s510">510</a></p> +<p> +There saw they Siegfried / out on the ship's prow stand<br> +Clad in costly raiment, / and with him his good band.<br> +Then spake Queen Brunhild: / "Good monarch, let me know,<br> +Shall I go forth to greet them, / or shall I greetings high forego?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s511">511</a></p> +<p> +He spake: "Thou shalt to meet them / before the palace go,<br> +So that we see them gladly / they may surely know."<br> +Then did the royal lady / fulfil the king's behest.<br> +Yet Siegfried in the greeting / was not honored with the rest.</p> +<p> +<a name="s512">512</a></p> +<p> +Lodgings were made ready / and their armor ta'en in hand.<br> +Then was such host of strangers / come into that land,<br> +On all sides they jostled / from the great company.<br> +Then would the knights full valiant / homeward fare to Burgundy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s513">513</a></p> +<p> +Then spake Queen Brunhild: / "In favor would I hold<br> +Who might now apportion / my silver and my gold<br> +To my guests and the monarch's, / for goodly store I have."<br> +Thereto an answer Dankwart, / Giselher's good warrior, gave:</p> +<p> +<a name="s514">514</a></p> +<p> +"Full noble royal Lady, / give me the keys to hold.<br> +I trow I'll so divide it," / spake the warrior bold,<br> +"If blame there be about it, / that shall be mine alone."<br> +That he was not a niggard, / beyond a doubt he soon had shown.</p> +<p> +<a name="s515">515</a></p> +<p> +When now Hagen's brother / the treasure did command,<br> +So many a lavish bounty / dealt out the hero's hand,<br> +Whoso mark did covet, / to him was given such store<br> +That all who once were poor men / might joyous live for evermore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s516">516</a></p> +<p> +In sooth good pounds a hundred / gave he to each and all.<br> +A host in costly raiment / were seen before the hall,<br> +Who in equal splendor / ne'er before were clad.<br> +When the queen did hear it, / verily her heart was sad.</p> +<p> +<a name="s517">517</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the royal lady: / "Good King, it little needs,<br> +That now thy chamberlain / of all my stately weeds<br> +Leave no whit remaining, / and squander clean my gold.<br> +Would any yet prevent it, / him would I aye in favor hold.</p> +<p> +<a name="s518">518</a></p> +<p> +"He deals with hand so lavish, / in sooth doth ween the thane<br> +That death I've hither summoned; / but longer I'll remain.<br> +Eke trow I well to spend all / my sire hath left to me."<br> +Ne'er found queen a chamberlain / of such passing generosity.</p> +<p> +<a name="s519">519</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Lady, be thou told,<br> +That the king of Rhineland / raiment hath and gold<br> +So plenteous to lavish / that we may well forego<br> +To carry with us homeward / aught that Brunhild can bestow."</p> +<p> +<a name="s520">520</a></p> +<p> +"No; as high ye hold me," / spake the queen again,<br> +"Let me now have filled / coffers twice times ten<br> +Of gold and silken raiment, / that may deal out my hand,<br> +When that we come over / into royal Gunther's land."</p> +<p> +<a name="s521">521</a></p> +<p> +Then with precious jewels / the coffers they filled for her.<br> +The while her own chamberlain / must be standing near:<br> +For no whit would she trust it / unto Giselher's man.<br> +Whereat Gunther and Hagen / heartily to laugh began.</p> +<p> +<a name="s522">522</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the royal lady: / "To whom leave I my lands?<br> +First must they now be given / in charge from out our hands."<br> +Then spake the noble monarch: / "Whomsoe'er it pleaseth thee,<br> +Bid him now come hither, / the same we'll let our Warden be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s523">523</a></p> +<p> +One of her highest kindred / near by the lady spied,<br> +—He was her mother's brother— / to him thus spake the maid:<br> +"Now be to thee entrusted / the castles and eke the land,<br> +Until that here shall govern / Gunther the king by his own hand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s524">524</a></p> +<p> +Trusty knights two thousand / from her company<br> +Chose she to journey with her / unto Burgundy,<br> +Beyond those thousand warriors / from Nibelungenland.<br> +They made ready for the journey, / and downward rode unto the strand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s525">525</a></p> +<p> +Six and eighty ladies / led they thence with her,<br> +Thereto good hundred maidens / that full beauteous were.<br> +They tarried no whit longer, / for they to part were fain.<br> +Of those they left behind them, / O how they all to weep began!</p> +<p> +<a name="s526">526</a></p> +<p> +In high befitting fashion / quitted she her land:<br> +She kissed of nearest kindred / all who round did stand.<br> +After fair leave-taking / they went upon the sea.<br> +Back to her father's country / came never more that fair lady.</p> +<p> +<a name="s527">527</a></p> +<p> +Then heard you on the journey / many a kind of play:<br> +Every pleasant pastime / in plenty had they.<br> +Soon had they for their journey / a wind from proper art:<br> +So with full great rejoicing / did they from that land depart.</p> +<p> +<a name="s528">528</a></p> +<p> +Yet would she on the journey / not be the monarch's spouse:<br> +But was their pleasant pastime / reserved for his own house<br> +At Worms within his castle / at a high festival,<br> +Whither anon full joyous / came they with their warriors all.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> + +<h3><a name="A9">NINTH</a> ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Siegfried was sent to Worms</p> +<p> +<a name="s529">529</a></p> +<p> +When that they had journeyed / full nine days on their way,<br> +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Now hear what I shall say.<br> +We tarry with the tidings / for Worms upon the Rhine.<br> +At Burgundy already / should now be messengers of thine."</p> +<p> +<a name="s530">530</a></p> +<p> +Then outspake King Gunther: / "There hast thou spoken true.<br> +And this selfsame journey, / none were so fit thereto<br> +As thyself, friend Hagen. / So do thou now ride on.<br> +This our high court journey, / none else can better make it known."</p> +<p> +<a name="s531">531</a></p> +<p> +Thereto answered Hagen: / "Poor messenger am I.<br> +Let me be treasure-warden. / Upon the ships I'll stay<br> +Near by the women rather, / their guardian to be,<br> +Till that we bring them safely / into the land of Burgundy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s532">532</a></p> +<p> +"Now do thou pray Siegfried / that he the message bear,<br> +For he's a knight most fitting / this thing to have in care.<br> +If he decline the journey, / then shalt thou courteously,<br> +For kindness to thy sister, / pray that he not unwilling be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s533">533</a></p> +<p> +He sent for the good warrior / who came at his command.<br> +He spake: "Since we are nearing / home in my own land,<br> +So should I send a message / to sister dear of mine<br> +And eke unto my mother, / that we are nigh unto the Rhine.</p> +<p> +<a name="s534">534</a></p> +<p> +"Thereto I pray thee, Siegfried, / now meet my wish aright,"<br> +Spake the noble monarch: / "I'll ever thee requite."<br> +But Siegfried still refused it, / the full valiant man,<br> +Till that King Gunther / sorely to beseech began.</p> +<p> +<a name="s535">535</a></p> +<p> +He spake: "Now bear the message, / in favor unto me<br> +And eke unto Kriemhild / a maiden fair to see,<br> +That the stately maiden / help me thy service pay."<br> +When had heard it Siegfried, / ready was the knight straightway.</p> +<p> +<a name="s536">536</a></p> +<p> +"Now what thou wilt, command me: / 'twill not be long delayed.<br> +This thing will I do gladly / for sake of that fair maid.<br> +Why should I aught refuse her, / who all my heart hath won?<br> +What thou for her commandest, / whate'er it be 'twill all be done."</p> +<p> +<a name="s537">537</a></p> +<p> +"Then say unto my mother, / Ute the queen,<br> +That we on our journey / in joyous mood have been.<br> +Let know likewise my brothers / what fortune us befell.<br> +Eke unto all our kinsmen / shalt thou then merry tidings tell.</p> +<p> +<a name="s538">538</a></p> +<p> +"Unto my fair sister / shalt thou all confide.<br> +From me bring her fair compliment / and from Brunhild beside,<br> +And eke unto our household / and all my warriors brave.<br> +What my heart e'er did strive for, / how well accomplished it I have!</p> +<p> +<a name="s539">539</a></p> +<p> +"And say as well to Ortwein / nephew dear of mine<br> +That he do bid make ready / at Worms beside the Rhine.<br> +And all my other kindred, / to them made known shall be,<br> +With Brunhild I am minded / to keep a great festivity.</p> +<p> +<a name="s540">540</a></p> +<p> +"And say unto my sister, / when that she hath learned<br> +That I am to my country / with many a guest returned,<br> +She shall have care to welcome / my bride in fitting way.<br> +So all my thoughts of Kriemhild / will be her service to repay."</p> +<p> +<a name="s541">541</a></p> +<p> +Then did Sir Siegfried / straightway in parting greet<br> +High the Lady Brunhild, / as 'twas very meet,<br> +And all her company; / then toward the Rhine rode he.<br> +Nor in this world a better / messenger might ever be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s542">542</a></p> +<p> +With four and twenty warriors / to Worms did he ride.<br> +When soon it was reported / the king came not beside,<br> +Then did all the household / of direst news have dread:<br> +They feared their royal master / were left in distant country dead.</p> +<p> +<a name="s543">543</a></p> +<p> +Then sprang they from the saddle, / full high they were of mood.<br> +Full soon before them Giselher / the prince so youthful stood,<br> +And Gernot his brother. / How quickly then spake he,<br> +When he the royal Gunther / saw not in Siegfried's company:</p> +<p> +<a name="s544">544</a></p> +<p> +"Be thou welcome, Siegfried. / Yet shalt thou tell to me,<br> +Why the king my brother / cometh not with thee.<br> +Brunhild's prowess is it / hath taken him, I ween;<br> +And so this lofty wooing / hath naught but our misfortune been."</p> +<p> +<a name="s545">545</a></p> +<p> +"Now cease such ill foreboding. / To you and friends hath sent<br> +My royal companion / his good compliment.<br> +Safe and sound I left him; / myself did he command<br> +That I should be his herald / with tidings hither to your land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s546">546</a></p> +<p> +"Quickly shall ye see to it, / how that it may be,<br> +That I the queen and likewise / your fair sister see.<br> +From Gunther and Brunhild / the message will I tell<br> +That hath now been sent them: / the twain do find them passing well."</p> +<p> +<a name="s547">547</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the youthful Giselher: / "So shalt thou go to her:<br> +Here dost thou on my sister / a favor high confer.<br> +In sooth she's mickle anxious / how't with my brother be.<br> +The maid doth see thee gladly, / —of that will I be surety."</p> +<p> +<a name="s548">548</a></p> +<p> +Then outspake Sir Siegfried: / "If serve her aught I can,<br> +That same thing most willing / in truth it shall be done.<br> +Who now will tell the ladies / I would with them confer?"<br> +Then was therein Giselher / the stately knight his messenger.</p> +<p> +<a name="s549">549</a></p> +<p> +Giselher the valiant / unto his mother kind<br> +And sister spake the tidings / when he the twain did find:<br> +"To us returned is Siegfried, / the hero of Netherlands<br> +Unto the Rhine he cometh / at my brother Gunther's command.</p> +<p> +<a name="s550">550</a></p> +<p> +"He bringeth us the tidings / how't with the king doth fare.<br> +Now shall ye give permission / that he 'fore you appear.<br> +He'll tell the proper tidings / from Isenland o'er the main."<br> +Yet mickle sad forebodings / did trouble still the ladies twain.</p> +<p> +<a name="s551">551</a></p> +<p> +They sprang for their attire / and donned it nothing slow.<br> +Then bade they that Siegfried / to court should thither go.<br> +That did he right willing / for he gladly them did see.<br> +Kriemhild the noble maiden / spake to him thus graciously.</p> +<p> +<a name="s552">552</a></p> +<p> +"Welcome be, Sir Siegfried, / thou knight right praiseworthy.<br> +Yet where may King Gunther / my noble brother be?<br> +It is through Brunhild's prowess, / I ween, he is forlorn.<br> +Alack of me, poor maiden, / that I into this world was born!"</p> +<p> +<a name="s553">553</a></p> +<p> +The valiant knight then answered: / "Give me news-bringer's meed<br> +Know ye, fairest ladies, / ye weep without a need.<br> +I left him well and happy, / that would I have you know;<br> +They two have sent me hither / to bear the tidings unto you.</p> +<p> +<a name="s554">554</a></p> +<p> +"And offer thee good service / both his bride and he,<br> +My full noble lady, / in love and loyalty.<br> +Now give over weeping, / for straight will they be here."<br> +They had for many a season / heard not a tale to them so dear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s555">555</a></p> +<p> +With fold of snow-white garment / then her eyes so bright<br> +Dried she after weeping. / She gan thank the knight<br> +Who of these glad tidings / had been the messenger.<br> +Then was a mickle sorrow / and cause of weeping ta'en from her.</p> +<p> +<a name="s556">556</a></p> +<p> +She bade the knight be seated, / which he did willingly.<br> +Then spake the lovely maiden: / "It were a joy to me,<br> +Could I the message-bringer / with gold of mine repay.<br> +Thereto art thou too high-born; / I'll serve thee then in other way."</p> +<p> +<a name="s557">557</a></p> +<p> +"If I alone were ruler," / spake he, "o'er thirty lands,<br> +Yet gifts I'd take right gladly, / came they from thy fair hands."<br> +Then spake the virtuous maiden: / "In truth it shall be so."<br> +Then bade she her chamberlain / forth for message-money go.</p> +<p> +<a name="s558">558</a></p> +<p> +Four and twenty armlets / with stones of precious kind,<br> +These gave she him for guerdon. / 'Twas not the hero's mind,<br> +That he himself should keep them: / he dealt them all around<br> +Unto her fair attendants / whom he within the chamber found.</p> +<p> +<a name="s559">559</a></p> +<p> +Of service, too, her mother / did kindly offer make.<br> +"Then have I more to tell you," / the keen warrior spake:<br> +"Of what the king doth beg you, / when comes he to the Rhine.<br> +Wilt thou perform it, lady, / then will he e'er to thee incline.</p> +<p> +<a name="s560">560</a></p> +<p> +"The noble guests he bringeth, / —this heard I him request,<br> +That ye shall well receive them; / and furthermore his hest,<br> +That ye ride forth to meet him / 'fore Worms upon the strand.<br> +So have ye from the monarch / faithfully his high command."</p> +<p> +<a name="s561">561</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the lovely maiden: / "Full ready there am I.<br> +If I in aught can serve him, / I'll never that deny.<br> +In all good faith and kindness / shall it e'er be done."<br> +Then deeper grew her color / that from increase of joy she won.</p> +<p> +<a name="s562">562</a></p> +<p> +Never was royal message / better received before.<br> +The lady sheer had kissed him, / if 'twere a thing to dare.<br> +From those high ladies took he / his leave in courteous wise.<br> +Then did they there in Burgundy / in way as Siegfried did advise.</p> +<p> +<a name="s563">563</a></p> +<p> +Sindold and Hunold / and Rumold the thane<br> +In truth were nothing idle, / but wrought with might and main<br> +To raise the sitting-places / 'fore Worms upon the strand.<br> +There did the royal Steward / busy 'mid the workers stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s564">564</a></p> +<p> +Ortwein and Gere / thought longer not to bide,<br> +But sent unto their kinsmen / forth on every side.<br> +They told of festive meeting / there that was to be;<br> +And deck themselves to meet them / did the maidens fair to see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s565">565</a></p> +<p> +The walls throughout the palace / were dight full richly all,<br> +Looking unto the strangers; / and King Gunther's hall<br> +Full well with seats and tables / for many a noble guest.<br> +And great was the rejoicing / in prospect of the mighty feast.</p> +<p> +<a name="s566">566</a></p> +<p> +Then rode from every quarter / hither through the land<br> +The three monarchs' kinsmen, / who there were called to hand,<br> +That they might be in waiting / for those expected there.<br> +Then from enfolding covers / took they store of raiments rare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s567">567</a></p> +<p> +Some watchers brought the tidings / that Brunhild's followers were<br> +Seen coming riding hither. / Then rose a mickle stir<br> +Among the folk so many / in the land of Burgundy.<br> +Heigh-ho! What valiant warriors / alike on both parts might you see!</p> +<p> +<a name="s568">568</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the fair Kriemhild: / "Of my good maidens, ye<br> +Who at this reception / shall bear me company,<br> +From out the chests now seek ye / attire the very best.<br> +So shall praise and honor / be ours from many a noble guest."</p> +<p> +<a name="s569">569</a></p> +<p> +Then came the knights also / and bade bring forth to view<br> +The saddles richly furnished / of ruddy golden hue,<br> +That ladies fair should ride on / at Worms unto the Rhine.<br> +Better horse-equipment / could never artisan design.</p> +<p> +<a name="s570">570</a></p> +<p> +Heigh-ho! What gold all glancing / from the steeds there shone!<br> +Sparkled from their bridles / full many a precious stone.<br> +Gold-wrought stools for mounting / and shining carpets good<br> +Brought they for the ladies: / joyous were they all of mood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s571">571</a></p> +<p> +Within the court the heroes / bedight with trappings due<br> +Awaited noble maidens, / as I have told to you.<br> +A narrow band from saddle / went round each horse's breast,<br> +Its beauty none could tell you: / of silk it was the very best.</p> +<p> +<a name="s572">572</a></p> +<p> +Six and eighty ladies / came in manner meet<br> +Wearing each a wimple. / Kriemhild there to greet<br> +They went, all fair to look on, / in shining garments clad.<br> +Then came eke well apparelled / full many a fair and stately maid.</p> +<p> +<a name="s573">573</a></p> +<p> +Four and fifty were they / of the land of Burgundy,<br> +And they were eke the noblest / that ever you might see.<br> +Adorned with shining hair-bands / the fair-haired maids came on.<br> +What now the king desired, / that most carefully was done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s574">574</a></p> +<p> +Made of stuffs all costly, / the best you might desire,<br> +Before the gallant strangers / wore they such rich attire<br> +As well did fit the beauty / of many amid the throng.<br> +He sure had lost his senses, / who could have wished them any wrong.</p> +<p> +<a name="s575">575</a></p> +<p> +Of sable and of ermine / many a dress was worn.<br> +Arms and hands a many / did they full well adorn<br> +With rings o'er silken dresses / that there did clothe them well.<br> +Of all the ready-making / none might ever fully tell.</p> +<p> +<a name="s576">576</a></p> +<p> +Full many a well-wrought girdle / in long and costly braid<br> +About the shining garments / by many a hand was laid<br> +On dress of precious ferrandine / of silk from Araby.<br> +And full of high rejoicing / were those maids of high degree.</p> +<p> +<a name="s577">577</a></p> +<p> +With clasps before her bosom / was many a fair maid<br> +Laced full beauteously. / She might well be sad,<br> +Whose full beaming color / vied not with weeds she wore.<br> +Such a stately company / ne'er possessed a queen before.</p> +<p> +<a name="s578">578</a></p> +<p> +When now the lovely maidens / attired you might see,<br> +Soon were those beside them / should bear them company,<br> +Of warriors high-hearted / a full mickle band.<br> +And with their shields they carried / full many an ashen shaft in hand.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A10">TENTH</a> ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Brunhild was received at Worms</p> +<p> +<a name="s579">579</a></p> +<p> +On yonder side Rhine river / they saw a stately band,<br> +The king and host of strangers, / ride down unto the strand,<br> +And also many a lady / sitting on charger led.<br> +By those who should receive them / was goodly preparation made.</p> +<p> +<a name="s580">580</a></p> +<p> +Soon they of Isenland / the ship had entered then,<br> +And with them Siegfried's vassals / the Nibelungen men;<br> +They strained unto the shore / with untiring hand<br> +When they beheld the monarch's / friends upon the farther strand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s581">581</a></p> +<p> +Now list ye eke the story / of the stately queen,<br> +Ute, how at her bidding / ladies fair were seen<br> +Forth coming from the castle / to ride her company.<br> +Then came to know each other / full many a knight and fair lady.</p> +<p> +<a name="s582">582</a></p> +<p> +The Margrave Gere / but to the castle gate<br> +The bridle held for Kriemhild; / the keen Siegfried did wait<br> +Thenceforward upon her. / She was a beauteous maid.<br> +Well was the knight's good service / by the lady since repaid.</p> +<p> +<a name="s583">583</a></p> +<p> +Ortwein the valiant / Queen Ute rode beside,<br> +And many a knight full gallant / was stately lady's guide.<br> +At such a high reception, / that may we say, I ween,<br> +Was ne'er such host of ladies / in company together seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s584">584</a></p> +<p> +With show of rider's talent / the tilt was carried on,<br> +For might the knights full gallant / naught fitting leave undone,<br> +As passed down to the river / Kriemhild the lady bright.<br> +Then helped was many a lady / fair from charger to alight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s585">585</a></p> +<p> +The king had then come over / and many a stranger too.<br> +Heigh-ho! What strong shafts splintered / before the ladies flew!<br> +Many a shaft go crashing / heard you there on shield.<br> +Heigh-ho! What din of costly / arms resounded o'er the field.</p> +<p> +<a name="s586">586</a></p> +<p> +The full lovely maidens / upon the shore did stand,<br> +As Gunther with the strangers / stepped upon the land;<br> +He himself did Brunhild / by the hand lead on.<br> +Then sparkled towards each other / rich dress and many a shining stone.</p> +<p> +<a name="s587">587</a></p> +<p> +Then went Lady Kriemhild / with fullest courtesy due,<br> +To greet the Lady Brunhild / and her retinue.<br> +And saw ye each the head-band / with fair hand move aside<br> +When they kissed each other: / high courtesy did the ladies guide.</p> +<p> +<a name="s588">588</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the maiden Kriemhild, / a high-born lady she:<br> +"Unto this our country / shalt thou right welcome be,<br> +To me and to my mother / and each true friend of mine,<br> +That we here have with us." / Then each did unto each incline.</p> +<p> +<a name="s589">589</a></p> +<p> +Within their arms the ladies / oft-times clasped each other.<br> +Like this fond reception / heard ye of ne'er another,<br> +As when both the ladies / there the bride did greet,<br> +Queen Ute and her daughter; / oft-times they kissed her lips so sweet.</p> +<p> +<a name="s590">590</a></p> +<p> +When all of Brunhild's ladies / were come upon the strand,<br> +Then was there taken / full fondly by the hand<br> +By the warriors stately / many a fair lady.<br> +Before the Lady Brunhild / the train of fair maids might ye see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s591">591</a></p> +<p> +Before their greetings ended / a mickle time was gone,<br> +For lips of rosy color / were kissed there, many a one.<br> +Long stood they together, / the royal ladies high,<br> +And so to look upon them / pleased many a noble warrior's eye.</p> +<p> +<a name="s592">592</a></p> +<p> +Then spied with probing eye, too, / who before did hear<br> +That till then was never / aught beheld so fair,<br> +As those two royal ladies: / they found it was no lie.<br> +In all their person might ye / no manner of deceit espy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s593">593</a></p> +<p> +Who there could spy fair ladies / and judge of beauty rare,<br> +They praised the wife of Gunther / that she was passing fair;<br> +Yet spake again the wise men / who looked with keener gaze,<br> +They rather would to Kriemhild / before Brunhild award the praise.</p> +<p> +<a name="s594">594</a></p> +<p> +Then went unto each other / maid and fair lady.<br> +Full many a fair one might ye / in rich adornment see.<br> +There stood rich tents a many, / silken great and small,<br> +Wherewith in every quarter / 'fore Worms the field was covered all.</p> +<p> +<a name="s595">595</a></p> +<p> +Of the king's high kindred / a mighty press there was.<br> +Then bade they Brunhild / and Kriemhild on to pass,<br> +And with them all the ladies, / where they in shade might be.<br> +Thither did bring them warriors / of the land of Burgundy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s596">596</a></p> +<p> +When now the strangers also / on horse sat every one,<br> +Plenteous knightly tilting / at shield was there begun.<br> +Above the field rose dust-clouds, / as had the country been<br> +All in flames a-burning; / who bore the honors there was seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s597">597</a></p> +<p> +Looked on full many a maiden / as the knights did sport them so.<br> +Meseemeth that Sir Siegfried / full many a to-and-fro<br> +Did ride with his good followers / along 'fore many a tent.<br> +With him of Nibelungen / a thousand stately men there went.</p> +<p> +<a name="s598">598</a></p> +<p> +Then came of Tronje Hagen, / whom the king did send;<br> +He bade in pleasing manner / the tourney have an end,<br> +Before in dust be buried / all the ladies fair.<br> +And ready to obey him / soon the courteous strangers were.</p> +<p> +<a name="s599">599</a></p> +<p> +Then spake Sir Gernot: / "Now let the chargers stand,<br> +Until the air is cooler, / for we must be at hand<br> +As escort for fair ladies / unto the stately hall;<br> +And will the king take saddle, / so let him find you ready all."</p> +<p> +<a name="s600">600</a></p> +<p> +When now the sound of tourney / o'er all the field was spent,<br> +Then went for pleasant pastime / 'neath many a lofty tent<br> +The knights unto the ladies, / and willing thither hied.<br> +And there they passed the hours / till such time as they thence should + ride.</p> +<p> +<a name="s601">601</a></p> +<p> +Just before the evening / when the sun was in the west,<br> +And the air grew cooler, / no longer did they rest,<br> +But both knights and ladies / unto the castle passed.<br> +And eyes in loving glances / on many a beauteous maid were cast.</p> +<p> +<a name="s602">602</a></p> +<p> +By hand of goodly warrior / many a coat was rent,<br> +For in the country's custom / they tourneyed as they went,<br> +Until before the palace / the monarch did dismount.<br> +They tended fairest ladies / as knights high-spirited are wont.</p> +<p> +<a name="s603">603</a></p> +<p> +After fairest greeting / the queens did part again.<br> +Dame Ute and her daughter, / thither passed the twain<br> +With train of fair attendants / unto a hall full wide.<br> +Din of merrymaking / heard ye there on every side.</p> +<p> +<a name="s604">604</a></p> +<p> +Arranged were sitting-places / where the king would be<br> +With his guests at table. / By him might ye see<br> +Standing the fair Brunhild. / She wore a royal crown<br> +In the monarch's country, / the which might well such mistress own.</p> +<p> +<a name="s605">605</a></p> +<p> +Seats for all the people / at many a spacious board<br> +There were, as saith the story, / where victuals rich were stored.<br> +How little there was lacking / of all that makes a feast!<br> +And by the monarch saw ye / sitting many a stately guest.</p> +<p> +<a name="s606">606</a></p> +<p> +The royal host's attendants / in basins golden red<br> +Carried water forward. / And should it e'er be said<br> +By any that a better / service did receive<br> +Ever guests of monarch, / I never could such thing believe.</p> +<p> +<a name="s607">607</a></p> +<p> +Before the lord of Rhineland / with water was waited on,<br> +Unto him Sir Siegfried, / as fitting was, had gone;<br> +He called to mind a promise / that made by him had been<br> +Ere that the Lady Brunhild / afar in Isenland he'd seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s608">608</a></p> +<p> +He spake: "Thou shalt bethink thee / what once did plight thy hand,<br> +If that the Lady Brunhild / should come unto this land,<br> +Thou'dst give to me thy sister. / Where now what thou hast sworn?<br> +In this thy wooing journey / not small the labor I have borne."</p> +<p> +<a name="s609">609</a></p> +<p> +Then to his guest the monarch: / "Well hast thou minded me,<br> +And by this hand shall never / false word plighted be.<br> +To gain thy wish I'd help thee / in the way as best I know."<br> +Bidden then was Kriemhild / forth unto the king to go.</p> +<p> +<a name="s610">610</a></p> +<p> +With her full beauteous maidens / unto the Hall she passed.<br> +Then sprang the youthful Giselher / adown the steps in haste<br> +"Bid now these many maidens / wend their way again;<br> +None but my sister only / unto the king shall enter in."</p> +<p> +<a name="s611">611</a></p> +<p> +Then led they Kriemhild thither / where the king was found,<br> +With him were knights full noble / from many a land around.<br> +Within that Hall so spacious / she waited the king's behest,<br> +What time the Lady Brunhild / betook her likewise to the feast.</p> +<p> +<a name="s612">612</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the royal Gunther: / "Sister mine full fair,<br> +Redeem the word I've given, / an hold'st thou virtue dear.<br> +Thee to a knight I plighted: / An tak'st thou him to man,<br> +Thereby my wish full truly / unto the warrior hast thou done."</p> +<p> +<a name="s613">613</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the noble maiden: / "Brother full dear to me,<br> +Not long shalt thou entreat me. / In truth I'll ever be<br> +Obedient to thy bidding; / that shall now be done,<br> +And him I'll take full gladly, / my Lord, whom thou giv'st me for man."</p> +<p> +<a name="s614">614</a></p> +<p> +Before those fair eyes' glances / grew Siegfried's color red.<br> +The knight to Lady Kriemhild / his service offeréd.<br> +Within a ring together / then were led the twain,<br> +And they asked the maiden, / if she to take the knight were fain.</p> +<p> +<a name="s615">615</a></p> +<p> +Upon her face not little / was the modest glow;<br> +Nathless to joy of Siegfried / did fortune will it so,<br> +That the maiden would not / refuse the knight her hand.<br> +Eke swore his wife to make her / the noble king of Netherland.</p> +<p> +<a name="s616">616</a></p> +<p> +When he to her had plighted, / and eke to him the maid,<br> +Siegfried to embrace her / nothing more delayed,<br> +But clasped in arms full fondly / and oft the lady fair,<br> +And stately knights were witness / how that he kissed the princess there.</p> +<p> +<a name="s617">617</a></p> +<p> +When that the maids attendant / from thence had ta'en their leave,<br> +In place of honor seated / Siegfried might ye perceive<br> +And by him fairest Kriemhild; / and many a knight at hand<br> +Was seen of the Nibelungen / at Siegfried's service ready stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s618">618</a></p> +<p> +There too was Gunther seated / and with him Queen Brunhild.<br> +At sight of Kriemhild sitting / by Siegfried was she filled<br> +With anger such as never / before her heart did swell:<br> +She wept, and tears in plenty / adown her shining face there fell.<br> +<br> +<a name="s619">619</a><br> +<br> +Then spake who ruled the country: / "What aileth, lady mine,<br> +That so thou let'st be dimméd / thine eyes that brightly shine?<br> +Be straight of joyous spirit, / for now at thy command<br> +My land and my good castles / and host of stately warriors stand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s620">620</a></p> +<p> +"Good cause to me for weeping," / spake the lady fair.<br> +"For sake of this thy sister / sorrow now I bear,<br> +Whom here behold I seated / by one that serveth thee.<br> +That must forever grieve me, / shall she thus dishonored be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s621">621</a></p> +<p> +Then answered her King Gunther: / "But for the nonce be still.<br> +At other time more fitting / the thing to thee I'll tell,<br> +Wherefore thus my sister / to Siegfried I did give.<br> +And truly with the hero / may she ever joyous live."</p> +<p> +<a name="s622">622</a></p> +<p> +She spake: "Her name and beauty / thus lost it grieveth me.<br> +An knew I only whither, / from hence I'd surely flee,<br> +This night nor e'er hereafter / to share thy royal bed,<br> +Say'st thou not truly wherefore / Kriemhild thus hath Siegfried wed."</p> +<p> +<a name="s623">623</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the noble monarch: / "Then unto thee be known<br> +That he as stately castles, / lands wide as I, doth own.<br> +And know thou that full surely / a mighty monarch he;<br> +Wherefore the fairest maiden / I grant him thus his wife to be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s624">624</a></p> +<p> +Whate'er the king did tell her, / sad was she yet of mood.<br> +Then hastened from the tables / full many a warrior good,<br> +And jousted that the castle / walls gave back the din.<br> +Amid his guests the monarch / waiting longingly was seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s625">625</a></p> +<p> +He deemed 'twere better lying / beside his fair lady.<br> +Of thinking on that plaisance / his mind he could not free,<br> +And what her love would bring him / before the night be past;<br> +He many a glance full tender / upon the Lady Brunhild cast.</p> +<p> +<a name="s626">626</a></p> +<p> +The guests they bade give over / in joust who combated,<br> +For that with spouse new-wedded / the monarch would to bed.<br> +Leaving then the banquet, / there together met<br> +Kriemhild and Brunhild: / their bitter hate was silent yet.</p> +<p> +<a name="s627">627</a></p> +<p> +At hand were their attendants; / they longer tarried not,<br> +And chamberlains full lordly / lights for them had brought.<br> +Then parted eke the followers / of the monarchs twain,<br> +And bearing Siegfried company / went full many a worthy thane.</p> +<p> +<a name="s628">628</a></p> +<p> +The lords were both come thither / where that they should lie.<br> +As each one bethought him / of loving victory<br> +To win o'er winsome lady, / merry he grew of mood.<br> +The noble Siegfried's pastime / it was beyond all measure good.</p> +<p> +<a name="s629">629</a></p> +<p> +As there Sir Siegfried / by fair Kriemhild lay<br> +And to the maid devoted / himself in such fond way<br> +As noble knight beseemeth, / they twain to him were one,<br> +And not a thousand others / had he then ta'en for her alone.</p> +<p> +<a name="s630">630</a></p> +<p> +I'll tell you now no further / how he the lady plied,<br> +But list ye first the story / what Gunther did betide<br> +By Lady Brunhild lying. / In sooth the noble thane<br> +By side of other ladies / a deal more happily had lain.</p> +<p> +<a name="s631">631</a></p> +<p> +Withdrawn were now attendants, / man and also maid;<br> +Not long to lock the chamber / within the king delayed.<br> +He weened to have good pleasure / of that fair lady,<br> +Yet was the time still distant / when that she his wife should be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s632">632</a></p> +<p> +In gown of whitest linen / unto the bed she passed.<br> +Then thought the knight full noble: / "Now have I here at last<br> +All that I e'er desired / as long as I can tell."<br> +Perforce her stately beauty / did please the monarch passing well.</p> +<p> +<a name="s633">633</a></p> +<p> +That they should shine more dimly / he placed the lights aside,<br> +Then where did lie the lady / the thane full eager hied.<br> +He placed himself a-nigh her, / his joy right great it was,<br> +As in his arms the monarch / the winsome maid did there embrace.</p> +<p> +<a name="s634">634</a></p> +<p> +A loving plaisance had he / with vigor there begun<br> +If that the noble lady / had let the same be done.<br> +She then did rage so sorely / that grieved was he thereat;<br> +He weened to find who loved him, / —instead he found him naught but + hate.</p> +<p> +<a name="s635">635</a></p> +<p> +Spake she: "Good knight and noble, / from this thing give o'er.<br> +That which thou here hast hope of, / it may be nevermore.<br> +A maid I still will keep me / —well mayest thou know that—<br> +Until I learn that story." / Gunther wrathy grew thereat.</p> +<p> +<a name="s636">636</a></p> +<p> +Her gown he wrought to ruin / to win her maidenhead.<br> +Whereat did seize a girdle / the full stately maid,<br> +A strong and silken girdle / that round her sides she wore,<br> +And with the same the monarch / she soon had brought to pains full sore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s637">637</a></p> +<p> +His feet and his hands also, / together bound she all,<br> +Unto a nail she bore him / and hung him on the wall.<br> +Him who disturbed her sleeping / in his love she sorely let,<br> +And from her mighty prowess, / he full nigh his death had met.</p> +<p> +<a name="s638">638</a></p> +<p> +Then gan he to entreat her, / who master late had been.<br> +"From these my bonds now loose me, / my full noble queen.<br> +Nor trow I e'er, fair lady, / victor o'er thee to be,<br> +And henceforth will I seldom / seek to lie thus nigh to thee."</p> +<p> +<a name="s639">639</a></p> +<p> +She recked not how 'twere with him, / as she full softly lay.<br> +There hung he, will he nill he, / the night through unto day,<br> +Until the light of morning / through the windows shone.<br> +Could he e'er boast of prowess, / small now the measure he did own.</p> +<p> +<a name="s640">640</a></p> +<p> +"Now tell me, lordly Gunther, / wert thou thereat so sad,<br> +If that in bonds should find thee" / —spake the fairest maid—<br> +"Thy royal men-in-waiting, / bound by lady's hand?"<br> +Then spake the knight full noble: / "Thou should'st in case most evil + stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s641">641</a></p> +<p> +"Eke had I little honor / therefrom," continued he.<br> +"For all thy royal honor / let me then go to thee.<br> +Since that my fond embracements / do anger thee so sore,<br> +With these my hands I pledge thee / to touch thy garment nevermore."</p> +<p> +<a name="s642">642</a></p> +<p> +Then she loosed him straightway / and he once more stood free.<br> +To the bed he went as erstwhile / where rested his lady.<br> +But far from her he laid him / and well he now forebore<br> +To stir the lady's anger / by touching e'en the gown she wore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s643">643</a></p> +<p> +At length came their attendants / who garments fresh did bring,<br> +Whereof was ready for them / good store on that morning.<br> +Yet merry as his folk were, / a visage sad did own<br> +The lord of that proud country, / for all he wore that day a crown.</p> +<p> +<a name="s644">644</a></p> +<p> +As was the country's custom, / a thing folk do of right,<br> +Gunther and Brunhild / presently were dight<br> +To go unto the minster / where the mass was sung.<br> +Thither eke came Siegfried, / and in their trains a mighty throng.</p> +<p> +<a name="s645">645</a></p> +<p> +As fitted royal honor / for them was thither brought<br> +The crown that each should carry / and garments richly wrought. <br> +There were they consecrated; / and when the same was done,<br> +Saw ye the four together / happy stand and wearing crown.</p> +<p> +<a name="s646">646</a></p> +<p> +There was knighted many a squire, / —six hundred or beyond—<br> +In honor of the crowning, / that shall ye understand.<br> +Arose full great rejoicing / in the land of Burgundy<br> +As hand of youthful warrior / did shatter shaft right valiantly.</p> +<p> +<a name="s647">647</a></p> +<p> +Then sat in castle casement / maidens fair to see,<br> +And many a shield beneath them / gleamed full brilliantly.<br> +Yet himself had sundered / from all his men the king;<br> +Though joyous every other, / sad-visaged stood he sorrowing.</p> +<p> +<a name="s648">648</a></p> +<p> +He and the doughty Siegfried, / how all unlike their mood!<br> +Well wist the thing did grieve him / that noble knight and good.<br> +He went unto the monarch / and straight addressed him so:<br> +"This night how hast thou fared? / In friendship give thou me to know."</p> +<p> +<a name="s649">649</a></p> +<p> +To his guest the king gave answer: / "Than shame and scathe I've naught.<br> +The devil's dam I surely / into my house have brought.<br> +When as I thought to have her / she bound me like a thrall;<br> +Unto a nail she bore me / and hung me high upon the wall.</p> +<p> +<a name="s650">650</a></p> +<p> +"There hung I sore in anguish / the night through until day<br> +Ere that she would unbind me, / the while she softly lay!<br> +And hast thou friendly pity / know then the grief I bear."<br> +Then spake the doughty Siegfried: / "Such grieves me verily to hear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s651">651</a></p> +<p> +"The which I'll show thee truly, / wilt thou me not deny.<br> +I'll bring it that to-night she / so near to thee shall lie<br> +That she to meet thy wishes / shall tarry nevermore."<br> +Thereat rejoice did Gunther / to think perchance his trials o'er.</p> +<p> +<a name="s652">652</a></p> +<p> +Then further spake Sir Siegfried: / "With thee 'twill yet be right.<br> +I ween that all unequal / we twain have fared this night.<br> +To me thy sister Kriemhild / dearer is than life;<br> +Eke shall the Lady Brunhild / be yet this coming night thy wife."</p> +<p> +<a name="s653">653</a></p> +<p> +"I'll come unto thy chamber / this night all secretly,"<br> +Spake he, "and wrapped in mantle / invisible I'll be,<br> +That of this my cunning / naught shall any know;<br> +And thy attendants shalt thou / bid to their apartments go.</p> +<p> +<a name="s654">654</a></p> +<p> +"The lights I'll all extinguish / held by each page in hand,<br> +By the which same token / shalt thou understand<br> +I present am to serve thee. / I'll tame thy shrewish wife<br> +That thou this night enjoy her, / else forfeit be my caitiff life."</p> +<p> +<a name="s655">655</a></p> +<p> +"An thou wilt truly leave me" / —answered him the king—<br> +'My lady yet a maiden, / I joy o'er this same thing.<br> +So do thou as thou willest; / and takest thou her life,<br> +E'en that I'll let pass o'er me, / —to lose so terrible a wife."</p> +<p> +<a name="s656">656</a></p> +<p> +"Thereto," spake then Siegfried, / "plight I word of mine,<br> +To leave her yet a maiden. / A sister fair of thine<br> +Is to me before all women / I ever yet have seen."<br> +Gunther believed right gladly / what had by Siegfried plighted been.</p> +<p> +<a name="s657">657</a></p> +<p> +Meanwhile the merry pastime / with joy and zest went on.<br> +But all the din and bustle / bade they soon be done,<br> +When band of fairest ladies / would pass unto the hall<br> +'Fore whom did royal chamberlains / bid backward stand the people all.</p> +<p> +<a name="s658">658</a></p> +<p> +The chargers soon and riders / from castle court were sped.<br> +Each of the noble ladies / by bishop high was led,<br> +When that before the monarchs / they passed to banquet board,<br> +And in their train did follow / to table many a stately lord.</p> +<p> +<a name="s659">659</a></p> +<p> +There sat the king all hopeful / and full of merriment;<br> +What him did promise Siegfried, / thereon his mind was bent.<br> +To him as long as thirty / did seem that single day;<br> +To plaisance with his lady, / thither turned his thought alway.</p> +<p> +<a name="s660">660</a></p> +<p> +And scarce the time he bided / while that the feast did last.<br> +Now unto her chamber / the stately Brunhild passed,<br> +And for her couch did Kriemhild / likewise the table leave.<br> +Before those royal ladies / what host ye saw of warriors brave!</p> +<p> +<a name="s661">661</a></p> +<p> +Full soon thereafter Siegfried / sat right lovingly<br> +With his fair wife beside him, / and naught but joy had he.<br> +His hand she clasped full fondly / within her hand so white,<br> +Until—and how she knew not— / he did vanish from her sight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s662">662</a></p> +<p> +When she the knight did fondle, / and straightway saw him not,<br> +Unto her maids attendant / spake the queen distraught:<br> +"Meseemeth a mickle wonder / where now the king hath gone.<br> +His hands in such weird fashion / who now from out mine own hath drawn?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s663">663</a></p> +<p> +Yet further not she questioned. / Soon had he hither gone<br> +Where with lights were standing / attendants many a one.<br> +The same he did extinguish / in every page's hand;<br> +That Siegfried then was present / Gunther thereby did understand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s664">664</a></p> +<p> +Well wist he what he would there; / so bade he thence be gone<br> +Ladies and maids-in-waiting. / And when that was done,<br> +Himself the mighty monarch / fast did lock the door:<br> +Two bolts all wrought securely / he quickly shoved the same before.</p> +<p> +<a name="s665">665</a></p> +<p> +The lights behind the curtains / hid he presently.<br> +Soon a play was started / (for thus it had to be),<br> +Betwixt the doughty Siegfried / and the stately maid:<br> +Thereat was royal Gunther / joyous alike and sad.</p> +<p> +<a name="s666">666</a></p> +<p> +Siegfried there laid him / by the maid full near.<br> +Spake she: "Let be, now, Gunther, / an hast thou cause to fear<br> +Those troubles now repeated / which befell thee yesternight."<br> +And soon the valiant Siegfried / through the lady fell in sorry plight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s667">667</a></p> +<p> +His voice did he keep under / and ne'er a word spake he.<br> +Intently listened Gunther, / and though he naught could see,<br> +Yet knew he that in secret / nothing 'twixt them passed.<br> +In sooth nor knight nor lady / upon the bed had mickle rest.</p> +<p> +<a name="s668">668</a></p> +<p> +He did there as if Gunther / the mighty king he were,<br> +And in his arms he pressed her, / the maiden debonair.<br> +Forth from the bed she hurled him / where a bench there stood,<br> +And head of valiant warrior / against a stool went ringing loud.</p> +<p> +<a name="s669">669</a></p> +<p> +Up sprang again undaunted / the full doughty man,<br> +To try for fortune better. / When he anew began<br> +Perforce to curb her fury, / fell he in trouble sore.<br> +I ween that ne'er a lady / did so defend herself before.</p> +<p> +<a name="s670">670</a></p> +<p> +When he would not give over, / up the maid arose:<br> +"My gown so white thou never / thus shalt discompose.<br> +And this thy villain's manner / shall sore by thee be paid,<br> +The same I'll teach thee truly," / further spake the buxom maid.</p> +<p> +<a name="s671">671</a></p> +<p> +Within her arms she clasped him, / the full stately thane,<br> +And thought likewise to bind him, / as the king yestreen,<br> +That she the night in quiet / upon her couch might lie.<br> +That her dress he thus did rumple, / avenged the lady grievously.</p> +<p> +<a name="s672">672</a></p> +<p> +What booted now his prowess / and eke his mickle might?<br> +Her sovereignty of body / she proved upon the knight;<br> +By force of arm she bore him, / —'twixt wall and mighty chest<br> +(For so it e'en must happen) / him she all ungently pressed.</p> +<p> +<a name="s673">673</a></p> +<p> +"Ah me!"—so thought the hero— / "shall I now my life<br> +Lose at hand of woman, / then will every wife<br> +Evermore hereafter / a shrewish temper show<br> +Against her lord's good wishes, / who now such thing ne'er thinks to do."</p> +<p> +<a name="s674">674</a></p> +<p> +All heard the monarch meanwhile / and trembled for the man.<br> +Sore ashamed was Siegfried, / and a-raging he began.<br> +With might and main he struggled / again to make him free,<br> +Ere which to sorest trouble / 'neath Lady Brunhild's hand fell he.</p> +<p> +<a name="s675">675</a></p> +<p> +Long space to him it seeméd / ere Siegfried tamed her mood.<br> +She grasped his hand so tightly / that 'neath the nails the blood<br> +Oozéd from the pressure, / which made the hero wince.<br> +Yet the stately maiden / subdued he to obedience since.</p> +<p> +<a name="s676">676</a></p> +<p> +Her unrestrainéd temper / that she so late displayed,<br> +All overheard the monarch, / though ne'er a word he said.<br> +'Gainst the bed did press her Siegfried / that aloud she cried,<br> +Ungentle was the treatment / that he meted to the bride.</p> +<p> +<a name="s677">677</a></p> +<p> +Then grasped she for a girdle / that round her sides she wore,<br> +And thought therewith to bind him; / but her limbs and body o'er<br> +Strained beneath the vigor / that his strong arm displayed.<br> +So was the struggle ended / —Gunther's wife was vanquishéd.</p> +<p> +<a name="s678">678</a></p> +<p> +She spake: "O noble monarch, / take not my life away.<br> +The harm that I have done thee / full well will I repay.<br> +No more thy royal embraces / by me shall be withstood,<br> +For now I well have seen it, / thou canst be lord o'er woman's mood."</p> +<p> +<a name="s679">679</a></p> +<p> +From the couch rose Siegfried, / lying he left the maid,<br> +As if that he would from him / lay his clothes aside.<br> +He drew from off her finger / a ring of golden sheen<br> +Without that e'er perceivéd / his practice the full noble queen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s680">680</a></p> +<p> +Thereto he took her girdle / that was all richly wrought:<br> +If from wanton spirit / he did it, know I not.<br> +The same he gave to Kriemhild: / the which did sorrow bear.<br> +Then lay by one another / Gunther and the maiden fair.</p> +<p> +<a name="s681">681</a></p> +<p> +Hearty were his embraces / as such king became:<br> +Perforce must she relinquish / her anger and her shame.<br> +In sooth not little pallid / within his arms she grew,<br> +And in that love-surrender / how waned her mighty prowess too!</p> +<p> +<a name="s682">682</a></p> +<p> +Then was e'en she not stronger / than e'er another bride;<br> +He lay with fond embraces / the beauteous dame beside.<br> +And had she struggled further, / avail how could it aught?<br> +Gunther, when thus he clasped her, / such change upon her strength had + wrought.</p> +<p> +<a name="s683">683</a></p> +<p> +And with right inward pleasure / she too beside him lay<br> +In warmest love embracings / until the dawn of day!<br> +Meantime now had Siegfried / departure ta'en from there,<br> +And was full well receivéd / by a lady debonair.</p> +<p> +<a name="s684">684</a></p> +<p> +Her questioning he avoided / and all whereon she thought,<br> +And long time kept he secret / what he for her had brought,<br> +Until in his own country / she wore a royal crown;<br> +Yet what for her he destined, / how sure at last it was her own.</p> +<p> +<a name="s685">685</a></p> +<p> +Upon the morn was Gunther / by far of better mood<br> +Than he had been before it; / joy thus did spread abroad<br> +'Mid host of knights full noble / that from his lands around<br> +To his court had been invited, / and there most willing service found.</p> +<p> +<a name="s686">686</a></p> +<p> +The merry time there lasted / until two weeks were spent,<br> +Nor all the while did flag there / the din of merriment<br> +And every kind of joyance / that knight could e'er devise;<br> +With lavish hand expended / the king thereto in fitting wise.</p> +<p> +<a name="s687">687</a></p> +<p> +The noble monarch's kinsmen / upon his high command<br> +By gifts of gold and raiment / told forth his generous hand,<br> +By steed and thereto silver / on minstrel oft bestowed.<br> +Who there did gift desire / departed thence in merry mood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s688">688</a></p> +<p> +All the store of raiment / afar from Netherland,<br> +The which had Siegfried's thousand / warriors brought to hand<br> +Unto the Rhine there with them, / complete 'twas dealt away,<br> +And eke the steeds well saddled: / in sooth a lordly life led they.</p> +<p> +<a name="s689">689</a></p> +<p> +Ere all the gifts so bounteous / were dealt the guests among,<br> +They who would straightway homeward / did deem the waiting long.<br> +Ne'er had guests of monarch / such goodly gifts before;<br> +And so as Gunther willed it / the merry feast at last was o'er.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A11">ELEVENTH</a> ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Siegfried came home with his Wife</p> +<p> +<a name="s690">690</a></p> +<p> +When that now the strangers / all from thence were gone,<br> +Spake unto his followers / noble Siegmund's son:<br> +"We shall eke make ready / home to my land to fare."<br> +Unto his spouse was welcome / such news when she the same did hear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s691">691</a></p> +<p> +She spake unto her husband: / "When shall we hence depart?<br> +Not hastily on the journey / I pray thee yet to start.<br> +With me first my brothers / their wide lands shall share."<br> +Siegfried yet it pleased not / such words from Kriemhild to hear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s692">692</a></p> +<p> +The princes went unto him / and spake they there all three:<br> +"Now know thou well, Sir Siegfried, / for thee shall ever be<br> +In faithfulness our service / ready while yet we live."<br> +The royal thanes then thanked he / who thus did proof of friendship give.</p> +<p> +<a name="s693">693</a></p> +<p> +"With thee further share we," / spake young Giselher,<br> +"The lands and eke the castles / by us that ownéd are.<br> +In wide lands whatsoever / we rule o'er warriors brave,<br> +Of the same with Kriemhild / a goodly portion shalt thou have.</p> +<p> +<a name="s694">694</a></p> +<p style="text-align:justify"> +Then spake unto the princes / the son of Siegmund<br> +When he their lofty purpose / did rightly understand:<br> +"God grant your goodly heritage / at peace may ever be,<br> +And eke therein your people. / The spouse in sooth so dear to me."</p> +<p> +<a name="s695">695</a></p> +<p> +"May well forego the portion / that ye to her would give.<br> +For she a crown shall carry, / if to such day I live,<br> +And queen more rich than any / that lives she then must be.<br> +What else to her ye offer, / therein I'll meet you faithfully."</p> +<p> +<a name="s696">696</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the Lady Kriemhild: / "If wealth thou wilt not choose,<br> +Yet gallant thanes of Burgundy / shalt thou not light refuse.<br> +They're such as monarch gladly / would lead to his own land.<br> +Of these shall make division / with me my loving brothers' hand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s697">697</a></p> +<p> +Thereto spake noble Gernot: / "Now take to please thy mind.<br> +Who gladly will go with thee / full many here thou'lt find.<br> +Of thirty hundred warriors / we give thee thousand men<br> +To be thy royal escort." / Kriemhild did summon then</p> +<p> +<a name="s698">698</a></p> +<p> +Hagen of Tronje to her / and Ortwein instantly:<br> +And would they and their kinsmen / make her good company?<br> +To hear the same did Hagen / begin to rage full sore.<br> +Quoth he: "E'en royal Gunther / may thus bestow us nevermore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s699">699</a></p> +<p> +"Other men that serve thee, / let them follow thee;<br> +Thou know'st the men of Tronje / and what their pledges be:<br> +Here must we by the monarchs / in service true abide;<br> +Hereto as them we followed, / so shall we henceforth keep their side."</p> +<p> +<a name="s700">700</a></p> +<p> +And so the thing was ended: / to part they ready make.<br> +A high and noble escort / did Kriemhild to her take,<br> +Maidens two and thirty / and five hundred men also.<br> +In Lady Kriemhild's company / the Margrave Eckewart did go.</p> +<p> +<a name="s701">701</a></p> +<p> +Leave took they all together, / squire and also knight,<br> +Maidens and fair ladies, / as was their wont aright.<br> +There parted they with kisses / and eke with clasp of hand:<br> +Right merrily they journeyed / forth from royal Gunther's land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s702">702</a></p> +<p> +Their friends did give them escort / upon the way full far.<br> +Night-quarters at every station / they bade for them prepare,<br> +Where they might wish to tarry / as on their way they went.<br> +Then straightway was a messenger / unto royal Siegmund sent,</p> +<p> +<a name="s703">703</a></p> +<p> +To him and Siegelind bearing / thereof the joyful sign<br> +That his son was coming / from Worms upon the Rhine<br> +And with him Ute's daughter, / Kriemhild the fair lady.<br> +As this could other message / nevermore so welcome be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s704">704</a></p> +<p> +"Well is me!" quoth Siegmund, / "that I the day have known,<br> +When the fair Lady Kriemhild / here shall wear a crown.<br> +Thus higher shall my kingdom / stand in majesty.<br> +My son the noble Siegfried / here himself the king shall be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s705">705</a></p> +<p> +Then dealt the Lady Siegelind / velvet red in store,<br> +Silver and gold full heavy / to them the news that bore:<br> +She joyed to hear the story / that there her ear did greet.<br> +Then decked themselves her ladies / all in rich attire meet.</p> +<p> +<a name="s706">706</a></p> +<p> +'Twas told, with Siegfried coming / whom they did expect.<br> +Then bade they sitting-places / straightway to erect,<br> +Where he before his kinsmen / a crown in state should wear.<br> +Then men of royal Siegmund / forward rode to meet him there.</p> +<p> +<a name="s707">707</a></p> +<p> +Was e'er more royal greeting, / news have I not to hand,<br> +As came the knights full noble / into Siegmund's land.<br> +There the royal Siegelind / to Kriemhild forth did ride<br> +With ladies fair a many, / and followed gallant knights beside</p> +<p> +<a name="s708">708</a></p> +<p> +Out a full day's journey / to welcome each high guest.<br> +And little with the strangers / did they ever rest<br> +Until into a castle / wide they came once more,<br> +The same was called Xanten, / where anon a crown they wore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s709">709</a></p> +<p> +With smiling lips Dame Siegelind / —and Siegmund eke did this—<br> +To show the love they bore her / full oft did Kriemhild kiss,<br> +And eke the royal Siegfried: / far was their sorrow gone.<br> +And all the merry company, / good welcome had they every one.</p> +<p> +<a name="s710">710</a></p> +<p> +The train of strangers bade they / 'fore Siegmund's Hall to lead,<br> +And maidens fair a many / down from gallant steed<br> +Helped they there dismounting. / Full many a man was there<br> +To do them willing service / as was meet for ladies fair.</p> +<p> +<a name="s711">711</a></p> +<p> +How great soe'er the splendor / erstwhile beside the Rhine,<br> +Here none the less was given / raiment yet more fine,<br> +Nor were they e'er attired / in all their days so well.<br> +Full many a wonder might I / of their rich apparel tell.</p> +<p> +<a name="s712">712</a></p> +<p> +How there in state resplendent / they sat and had full store,<br> +And how each high attendant / gold-broidered raiment wore,<br> +With stones full rare and precious / set with skill therein!<br> +The while with care did serve them / Siegelind the noble queen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s713">713</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the royal Siegmund / before his people so:<br> +"To every friend of Siegfried / give I now to know<br> +That he before these warriors / my royal crown shall wear."<br> +And did rejoice that message / the thanes of Netherland to hear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s714">714</a></p> +<p> +His crown to him he tendered / and rule o'er wide domain<br> +Whereof he all was master. / Where'er did reach his reign<br> +Or men were subject to him / bestowed his hand such care<br> +That evil-doers trembled / before the spouse of Kriemhild fair.</p> +<p> +<a name="s715">715</a></p> +<p> +In such high honor truly / he lived, as ye shall hear,<br> +And judged as lofty monarch / unto the tenth year,<br> +What time his fairest lady / to him a son did bear.<br> +Thereat the monarch's kinsmen / filled with mickle joyance were.</p> +<p> +<a name="s716">716</a></p> +<p> +They soon the same did christen / and gave to him a name,<br> +Gunther, as hight his uncle, / nor cause was that for shame:<br> +Grew he but like his kinsmen / then happy might he be.<br> +As well he did deserve it, / him fostered they right carefully.</p> +<p> +<a name="s717">717</a></p> +<p> +In the selfsame season / did Lady Siegelind die,<br> +When was full power wielded / by Ute's daughter high,<br> +As meet so lofty lady / should homage wide receive.<br> +That death her thus had taken / did many a worthy kinsman grieve.</p> +<p> +<a name="s718">718</a></p> +<p> +Now by the Rhine yonder, / as we likewise hear,<br> +Unto mighty Gunther / eke a son did bear<br> +Brunhild his fair lady / in the land of Burgundy.<br> +In honor to the hero / Siegfried naméd eke was he.</p> +<p> +<a name="s719">719</a></p> +<p> +The child they also fostered / with what tender care!<br> +Gunther the noble monarch / anon did masters rare<br> +Find who should instruct him / a worthy man to grow.<br> +Alas! by sad misfortune / to friends was dealt how fell a blow!</p> +<p> +<a name="s720">720</a></p> +<p> +At all times the story / far abroad was told,<br> +How that in right worthy / way the warriors bold<br> +Lived there in Siegmund's country / as noble knights should do.<br> +Likewise did royal Gunther / eke amid his kinsmen true.</p> +<p> +<a name="s721">721</a></p> +<p> +Land of the Nibelungen / Siegfried as well did own,<br> +—Amid his lofty kindred / a mightier ne'er was known—<br> +And Schilbung's knights did serve him, / with all that theirs had been.<br> +That great was thus his power / did fill with joy the knight full keen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s722">722</a></p> +<p> +Hoard of all the greatest / that hero ever won,<br> +Save who erstwhile did wield it, / now the knight did own,<br> +The which before a mountain / he seized against despite,<br> +And for whose sake he further / slew full many a gallant knight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s723">723</a></p> +<p> +Naught more his heart could wish for; / yet had his might been less,<br> +Rightly must all people / of the high knight confess,<br> +One was he of the worthiest / that e'er bestrode a steed.<br> +Feared was his mickle prowess, / and, sooth to say, thereof was need.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A12">TWELFTH</a> ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Gunther bade Siegfried to the Feast</p> +<p> +<a name="s724">724</a></p> +<p> +Now all time bethought her / royal Gunther's wife:<br> +"How now doth Lady Kriemhild / lead so haughty life?<br> +In sooth her husband Siegfried / doth homage to us owe,<br> +But now full long unto us / little service he doth show."</p> +<p> +<a name="s725">725</a></p> +<p> +That in her heart in secret / eke she pondered o'er.<br> +That they were strangers to her / did grieve her heart full sore,<br> +And so seldom sign of service / came from Siegfried's land.<br> +How it thus was fallen, / that she fain would understand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s726">726</a></p> +<p> +She probed then the monarch, / if the thing might be,<br> +That she the Lady Kriemhild / once again might see.<br> +She spake it all in secret / whereon her heart did dwell;<br> +The thing she then did speak of / pleased the monarch passing well.</p> +<p> +<a name="s727">727</a></p> +<p> +"How might we bring them hither" / —spake the mighty king—<br> +"Unto this my country? / 'Twere ne'er to do, such thing.<br> +They dwell too distant from us, / the quest I fear to make."<br> +Thereto gave answer Brunhild, / and in full crafty wise she spake:</p> +<p> +<a name="s728">728</a></p> +<p> +"How high soe'er and mighty / king's man were ever one,<br> +Whate'er should bid his master, / may he not leave undone."<br> +Thereat did smile King Gunther, / as such words spake she:<br> +Ne'er bade he aught of service, / oft as Siegfried he did see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s729">729</a></p> +<p> +She spake: "Full loving master, / as thou hold'st me dear,<br> +Help me now that Siegfried / and thy sister fair<br> +Come to this our country, / that them we here may see;<br> +In sooth no thing could ever / unto me more welcome be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s730">730</a></p> +<p> +"Thy sister's lofty bearing / and all her courtesy,<br> +Whene'er I think upon it, / full well it pleaseth me,<br> +How we did sit together / when erst I was thy spouse!<br> +Well in sooth with honor / might she the valiant Siegfried choose."</p> +<p> +<a name="s731">731</a></p> +<p> +She pleaded with the monarch / so long till answered he:<br> +"Know now that guests none other / so welcome were to me.<br> +To gain thy wish 'tis easy: / straight messengers of mine<br> +To both shall message carry, / that hither come they to the Rhine."</p> +<p> +<a name="s732">732</a></p> +<p> +Thereto the queen gave answer: / "Now further shalt thou say,<br> +When thou them wilt summon, / or when shall be the day<br> +That our dear friends come hither / unto our country.<br> +Who'll bear thy message thither, / shalt thou eke make known to me."</p> +<p> +<a name="s733">733</a></p> +<p> +"That will I," spake the monarch. / "Thirty of my men<br> +Shall thither ride unto them." / The same he summoned then,<br> +And bade them with the message / to Siegfried's land to fare.<br> +They joyed as gave them Brunhild / stately raiment rich to wear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s734">734</a></p> +<p> +Then further spake the monarch: / "Ye knights from me shall bring<br> +This message, nor withhold ye / of it anything,<br> +Unto the doughty Siegfried / and eke my sister fair:<br> +In the world could never any / to them a better purpose bear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s735">735</a></p> +<p> +"And pray them both that hither / they come unto the Rhine.<br> +With me will e'er my lady / such grace to pay combine,<br> +Ere turn of sun in summer / he and his men shall know<br> +That liveth here full many / to them would willing honor show.</p> +<p> +<a name="s736">736</a></p> +<p> +"Unto royal Siegmund / bear greeting fair from me,<br> +That I and my friends ever / to him well-minded be.<br> +And tell ye eke my sister / she shall no wise omit<br> +Hither to friends to journey: / ne'er feast could better her befit."</p> +<p> +<a name="s737">737</a></p> +<p> +Brunhild and Ute / and ladies all at hand,<br> +They sent a fairest greeting / unto Siegfried's land<br> +To winsome ladies many / and many a warrior brave.<br> +With godspeed from the monarch / and friends the messengers took leave.</p> +<p> +<a name="s738">738</a></p> +<p> +They fared with full equipment: / their steeds did ready stand<br> +And rich were they attired: / so rode they from that land<br> +They hastened on the journey / whither they would fare;<br> +Escort safe the monarch / had bidden eke for them prepare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s739">739</a></p> +<p> +Their journey had they ended / e'er three weeks were spent.<br> +At the Nibelungen castle, / whither they were sent,<br> +In the mark of Norway / found they the knight they sought,<br> +And weary were the horses / the messengers so far had brought.</p> +<p> +<a name="s740">740</a></p> +<p> +Then was told to Siegfried / and to Kriemhild fair<br> +How knights were there arrivéd / who did raiment wear<br> +Like as in land of Burgundy / of wont the warriors dressed.<br> +Thereat did hasten Kriemhild / from couch where she did lying rest.</p> +<p> +<a name="s741">741</a></p> +<p> +Then bade eke to a window / one of her maids to go.<br> +She saw the valiant Gere / stand in the court below,<br> +And with him his companions, / who did thither fare.<br> +To hear such joyous tidings, / how soon her heart forgot its care.</p> +<p> +<a name="s742">742</a></p> +<p> +She spake unto the monarch: / "Look now thitherward<br> +Where with the doughty Gere / stand in the castle yard<br> +Whom to us brother Gunther / adown the Rhine doth send!"<br> +Thereto spake doughty Siegfried: / "With greeting fair we'll them + attend."</p> +<p> +<a name="s743">743</a></p> +<p> +Then hastened their retainers / all the guests to meet,<br> +And each of them in special / manner then did greet<br> +The messengers full kindly / and warmest welcome bade.<br> +Siegmund did likewise / o'er their coming wax full glad.</p> +<p> +<a name="s744">744</a></p> +<p> +In fitting way was harbored / Gere and his men,<br> +And steeds in charge were taken. / The messengers went then<br> +Where beside Sir Siegfried / the Lady Kriemhild sat.<br> +To court the guests were bidden, / where them did greeting fair await.</p> +<p> +<a name="s745">745</a></p> +<p> +The host with his fair lady, / straightway up stood he,<br> +And greeted fairly Gere / of the land of Burgundy<br> +And with him his companions / King Gunther's men also.<br> +Gere, knight full mighty, / bade they to a settle go.</p> +<p> +<a name="s746">746</a></p> +<p> +"Allow that first the message / we give ere sit we down;<br> +The while we'll stand, though weary / upon our journey grown.<br> +Tidings bring we to you / what greetings high have sent<br> +Gunther and Brunhild / who live in royal fair content.</p> +<p> +<a name="s747">747</a></p> +<p> +"Eke what from Lady Ute / thy mother now we've brought.<br> +The youthful Giselher / and also Sir Gernot<br> +And best among thy kinsmen / have sent us here to thee:<br> +A fairest greeting send they / from the land of Burgundy."</p> +<p> +<a name="s748">748</a></p> +<p> +"God give them meed," spake Siegfried; / "Good will and faith withal<br> +I trow full well they harbor, / as with friends we shall;<br> +Likewise doth eke their sister. / Now further shall ye tell<br> +If that our friends belovéd / at home in high estate do dwell.</p> +<p> +<a name="s749">749</a></p> +<p> +"Since that we from them parted / hath any dared to do<br> +Scathe to my lady's kinsmen? / That shall ye let me know.<br> +I'll help them ever truly / all their need to bear<br> +Till that their enemies / have good cause my help to fear."</p> +<p> +<a name="s750">750</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the Margrave / Gere, a knight full good:<br> +"In all that maketh knighthood / right proud they stand of mood.<br> +Unto the Rhine they bid you / to high festivity:<br> +They'd see you there full gladly, / thereof may ye not doubtful be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s751">751</a></p> +<p> +"And bid they eke my Lady / Kriemhild that she too,<br> +When ended is the winter, / thither come with you.<br> +Ere turn of sun in summer / trust they you to see."<br> +Then spake the doughty Siegfried: / "That same thing might hardly be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s752">752</a></p> +<p> +Thereto did answer Gere / of the land of Burgundy:<br> +"Your high mother Ute / hath message sent by me,<br> +Likewise Gernot and Giselher, / that they plead not in vain.<br> +That you they see so seldom / daily hear I them complain.</p> +<p> +<a name="s753">753</a></p> +<p> +"Brunhild my mistress / and all her company<br> +Of fair maids rejoice them; / if the thing might be<br> +That they again should see you, / of merry mood they were."<br> +Then joy to hear the tidings / filled the Lady Kriemhild fair.</p> +<p> +<a name="s754">754</a></p> +<p> +Gere to her was kinsman. / The host did bid him rest,<br> +Nor long were they in pouring / wine for every guest.<br> +Thither came eke Siegmund / where the strangers he did see,<br> +And in right friendly manner / spake to the men of Burgundy:</p> +<p> +<a name="s755">755</a></p> +<p> +"Welcome be, ye warriors, / ye Gunther's men, each one.<br> +Since that fair Kriemhild / Siegfried my son<br> +For spouse did take unto him, / we should you ofter see<br> +Here in this our country, / an ye good friends to us would be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s756">756</a></p> +<p> +They spake, whene'er he wished it, / full glad to come were they.<br> +All their mickle weariness / with joy was ta'en away.<br> +The messengers were seated / and food to them they bore,<br> +Whereof did Siegfried offer / unto his guests a goodly store.</p> +<p> +<a name="s757">757</a></p> +<p> +Until nine days were over / must they there abide,<br> +When did at last the valiant / knights begin to chide<br> +That they did not ride thither / again unto their land.<br> +Then did the royal Siegfried / summon his good knights to hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s758">758</a></p> +<p> +He asked what they did counsel: / should they unto the Rhine?<br> +"Me unto him hath bidden / Gunther, friend of mine,<br> +He and his good kinsmen, / to high festivity.<br> +Thither went I full gladly, / but that his land so far doth lie.</p> +<p> +<a name="s759">759</a></p> +<p> +"Kriemhild bid they likewise / that she with me shall fare.<br> +Good friends, now give ye counsel / how we therefor prepare.<br> +And were it armies thirty / to lead in distant land,<br> +Yet must serve them gladly / evermore Siegfried's hand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s760">760</a></p> +<p> +Then answer gave his warriors. / "An't pleaseth thee to go<br> +Thither to the festival, / we'll counsel what thou do.<br> +Thou shalt with thousand warriors / unto Rhine river ride.<br> +So may'st thou well with honor / in the land of Burgundy abide."</p> +<p> + +<a name="s761">761</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Netherland / Siegmund the king:<br> +"Will ye to the festival, / why hide from me the thing!<br> +I'll journey with you thither, / if it not displeasing be,<br> +And lead good thanes a hundred / wherewith to swell your company."</p> +<p> +<a name="s762">762</a></p> +<p> +"And wilt thou with us journey, / father full dear to me,"<br> +Spake the valiant Siegfried, / "full glad thereat I'll be.<br> +Before twelve days are over / from these my lands I fare."<br> +To all who'd join the journey / steeds gave they and apparel rare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s763">763</a></p> +<p> +When now the lofty monarch / was minded thus to ride<br> +Bade he the noble messengers / longer not to bide,<br> +And to his lady's kinsmen / to the Rhine a message sent,<br> +How that he would full gladly / join to make them merriment.</p> +<p> +<a name="s764">764</a></p> +<p> +Siegfried and Kriemhild, / this same tale we hear,<br> +To the messengers gave so richly / that the burden could not bear<br> +Their horses with them homeward, / such wealth in sooth he had.<br> +The horses heavy-laden / drove they thence with hearts full glad.</p> +<p> +<a name="s765">765</a></p> +<p> +Siegfried and Siegmund / their people richly clad.<br> +Eckewart the Margrave, / straightway he bade<br> +For ladies choose rich clothing, / the best that might be found,<br> +Or e'er could be procuréd / in all Siegfried's lands around.</p> +<p> +<a name="s766">766</a></p> +<p> +The shields and the saddles / gan they eke prepare,<br> +To knights and fair ladies / who with them should fare<br> +Lacked nothing that they wished for, / but of all they were possessed.<br> +Then to his friends led Siegfried / many a high and stately guest.</p> +<p> +<a name="s767">767</a></p> +<p> +The messengers swift hasted / homeward on their way,<br> +And soon again came Gere / to the land of Burgundy.<br> +Full well was he receivéd, / and there dismounted all<br> +His train from off their horses / before the royal Gunther's Hall.</p> +<p> +<a name="s768">768</a></p> +<p> +Old knights and youthful squires / crowded, as is their way,<br> +To ask of them the tidings. / Thus did the brave knight say:<br> +"When to the king I tell them / then shall ye likewise hear."<br> +He went with his companions / and soon 'fore Gunther did appear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s769">769</a></p> +<p> +Full of joy the monarch / did from the settle spring;<br> +And did thank them also / for their hastening<br> +Brunhild the fair lady. / Spake Gunther eagerly:<br> +"How now liveth Siegfried, / whose arm hath oft befriended me?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s770">770</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the valiant Gere: / "Joy o'er the visage went<br> +Of him and eke thy sister. / To friends was never sent<br> +A more faithful greeting / by good knight ever one,<br> +Than now the mighty Siegfried / and his royal sire have done."</p> +<p> +<a name="s771">771</a></p> +<p> +Then spake unto the Margrave / the noble monarch's wife:<br> +"Now tell me, cometh Kriemhild? / And marketh yet her life<br> +Aught of the noble bearing / did her erstwhile adorn?"<br> +"She cometh to thee surely," / Gere answer did return.</p> +<p> +<a name="s772">772</a></p> +<p> +Ute straightway the messengers / to her did command.<br> +Then might ye by her asking / full well understand<br> +To her was joyous tidings / how Kriemhild did betide.<br> +He told her how he found her, / and that she soon would hither ride.</p> +<p> +<a name="s773">773</a></p> +<p> +Eke of all the presents / did they naught withhold,<br> +That had given them Siegfried: / apparel rich and gold<br> +Displayed they to the people / of the monarchs three.<br> +To him were they full grateful / who thus had dealt so bounteously.</p> +<p> +<a name="s774">774</a></p> +<p> +"Well may he," quoth Hagen, / "of his treasure give,<br> +Nor could he deal it fully, / should he forever live:<br> +Hoard of the Nibelungen / beneath his hand doth lie.<br> +Heigh-ho, if came it ever / into the land of Burgundy!"</p> +<p> +<a name="s775">775</a></p> +<p> +All the king's retainers / glad they were thereat,<br> +That the guests were coming. / Early then and late<br> +Full little were they idle, / the men of monarchs three.<br> +Seats builded they full many / toward the high festivity.</p> +<p> +<a name="s776">776</a></p> +<p> +The valiant knight Hunold / and Sindold doughty thane<br> +Little had of leisure. / Meantime must the twain,<br> +Stands erect full many, / as their high office bade.<br> +Therein did help them Ortwein, / and Gunther's thanks therefor they had.</p> +<p> +<a name="s777">777</a></p> +<p> +Rumold the High Steward / busily he wrought<br> +Among them that did serve him. / Full many a mighty pot,<br> +And spacious pans and kettles, / how many might ye see!<br> +For those to them were coming / prepared they victuals plenteously.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A13">THIRTEENTH</a> ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How they fared to the Feast</p> +<p> +<a name="s778">778</a></p> +<p> +Leave we now the ardor / wherewith they did prepare,<br> +And tell how Lady Kriemhild / and eke her maidens fair<br> +From land of Nibelungen / did journey to the Rhine.<br> +Ne'er did horses carry / such store of raiment rich and fine.</p> +<p> +<a name="s779">779</a></p> +<p> +Carrying-chests full many / for the way they made ready.<br> +Then rode the thane Siegfried / with his friends in company<br> +And eke the queen thither / where joy they looked to find.<br> +Where now was high rejoicing / they soon in sorest grief repined.</p> +<p> +<a name="s780">780</a></p> +<p> +At home behind them left they / Lady Kriemhild's son<br> +That she did bear to Siegfried / —'twas meet that that be done.<br> +From this their festive journey / rose mickle sorrow sore:<br> +His father and his mother / their child beheld they never more.</p> +<p> +<a name="s781">781</a></p> +<p> +Then eke with them thither / Siegmund the king did ride.<br> +Had he e'er had knowledge / what should there betide<br> +Anon from that high journey, / such had he never seen:<br> +Ne'er wrought upon dear kindred / might so grievous wrong have been.</p> +<p> +<a name="s782">782</a></p> +<p> +Messengers sent they forward / that the tidings told should be.<br> +Then forth did ride to meet them / with gladsome company<br> +Ute's friends full many / and many a Gunther's man.<br> +With zeal to make him ready / unto his guests the king began.</p> +<p> +<a name="s783">783</a></p> +<p> +Where he found Brunhild sitting, / thither straight went he.<br> +"How receivéd thee my sister, / as thou cam'st to this country?<br> +Like preparations shalt thou / for Siegfried's wife now make."<br> +"Fain do I that; good reason / have I to love her well," she spake.</p> +<p> +<a name="s784">784</a></p> +<p> +Then quoth the mighty monarch: / "The morn shall see them here.<br> +Wilt thou go forth to meet them, / apace do thou prepare,<br> +That not within the castle / their coming we await.<br> +Guests more welcome never / greeted I of high estate."</p> +<p> +<a name="s785">785</a></p> +<p> +Her maidens and her ladies / straight did she command<br> +To choose them rich apparel, / the best within the land,<br> +In which the stately company / before the guests should go.<br> +The same they did right gladly, / that may ye full surely know.</p> +<p> +<a name="s786">786</a></p> +<p> +Then eke to offer service / the men of Gunther hied,<br> +And all his doughty warriors / saw ye by the monarch's side.<br> +Then rode the queen full stately / the strangers forth to meet,<br> +And hearty was the welcome / as she her loving guests did greet.</p> +<p> +<a name="s787">787</a></p> +<p> +With what glad rejoicings / the guests they did receive!<br> +They deemed that Lady Kriemhild / did unto Brunhild give<br> +Ne'er so warm a welcome / to the land of Burgundy.<br> +Bold knights that yet were strangers / rejoiced each other there to see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s788">788</a></p> +<p> +Now come was also Siegfried / with his valiant men.<br> +The warriors saw ye riding / thither and back again,<br> +Where'er the plain extended, / with huge company.<br> +From the dust and crowding / could none in all the rout be free.</p> +<p> +<a name="s789">789</a></p> +<p> +When the monarch of the country / Siegfried did see<br> +And with him also Siegmund, / spake he full lovingly:<br> +"Be ye to me full welcome / and to all these friends of mine.<br> +Our hearts right glad they shall be / o'er this your journey to the + Rhine."</p> +<p> +<a name="s790">790</a></p> +<p> +"God give thee meed," spake Siegmund, / a knight in honor grown.<br> +"Since that my son Siegfried / thee for a friend hath known,<br> +My heart hath e'er advised me / that thee I soon should see."<br> +Thereto spake royal Gunther: / "Joy hast thou brought full great to me."</p> +<p> +<a name="s791">791</a></p> +<p> +Siegfried was there receivéd, / as fitted his high state,<br> +With full lofty honors, / nor one did bear him hate.<br> +There joined in way right courteous / Gernot and Giselher:<br> +I ween so warm a welcome / did they make for strangers ne'er.</p> +<p> +<a name="s792">792</a></p> +<p> +The spouse of each high monarch / greeted the other there.<br> +Emptied was many a saddle, / and many a lady fair<br> +By hero's hand was lifted / adown upon the sward.<br> +By waiting on fair lady / how many a knight sought high reward!</p> +<p> +<a name="s793">793</a></p> +<p> +So went unto each other / the ladies richly dight; <br> +Thereat in high rejoicing / was seen full many a knight,<br> +That by both the greeting / in such fair way was done.<br> +By fair maidens standing / saw ye warriors many a one.</p> +<p> +<a name="s794">794</a></p> +<p> +Each took the hand of other / in all their company;<br> +In courteous manner bending / full many might ye see<br> +And loving kisses given / by ladies debonair.<br> +Rejoiced the men of Gunther / and Siegfried to behold them there.</p> +<p> +<a name="s795">795</a></p> +<p> +They bided there no longer / but rode into the town.<br> +The host bade to the strangers / in fitting way be shown,<br> +That they were seen full gladly / in the land of Burgundy.<br> +High knights full many tilting / before fair ladies might ye see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s796">796</a></p> +<p> +Then did of Tronje Hagen / and eke Ortwein<br> +In high feats of valor / all other knights outshine.<br> +Whate'er the twain commanded / dared none to leave undone;<br> +By them was many a service / to their high guests in honor shown.</p> +<p> +<a name="s797">797</a></p> +<p> +Shields heard ye many clashing / before the castle gate<br> +With din of lances breaking. / Long in saddle sate<br> +The host and guests there with him, / ere that within they went.<br> +With full merry pastime / joyfully the hours they spent.</p> +<p> +<a name="s798">798</a></p> +<p> +Unto the Hall so spacious / rode the merry company.<br> +Many a silken cover / wrought full cunningly<br> +Saw ye beyond the saddles / of the ladies debonair<br> +On all sides down hanging. / King Gunther's men did meet them there.</p> +<p> +<a name="s799">799</a></p> +<p> +Led by the same the strangers / to their apartments passed.<br> +Meanwhile oft her glances / Brunhild was seen to cast<br> +Upon the Lady Kriemhild, / for she was passing fair.<br> +In lustre vied her color / with the gold that she did wear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s800">800</a></p> +<p> +Within the town a clamor / at Worms on every hand<br> +Arose amid their followers. / King Gunther gave command<br> +To Dankwart his Marshal / to tend them all with care.<br> +Then bade he fitting quarters / for the retinue prepare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s801">801</a></p> +<p> +Without and in the castle / the board for all was set:<br> +In sooth were never strangers / better tended yet.<br> +Whatever any wished for / did they straightway provide:<br> +So mighty was the monarch / that naught to any was denied.</p> +<p> +<a name="s802">802</a></p> +<p> +To them was kind attention / and all good friendship shown.<br> +The host then at the table / with his guests sat him down.<br> +Siegfried they bade be seated / where he did sit before.<br> +Then went with him to table / full many a stately warrior more.</p> +<p> +<a name="s803">803</a></p> +<p> +Gallant knights twelve hundred / in the circle there, I ween,<br> +With him sat at table. / Brunhild the lofty queen<br> +Did deem that never vassal / could more mighty be.<br> +So well she yet was minded, / she saw it not unwillingly.</p> +<p> +<a name="s804">804</a></p> +<p> +There upon an evening, / as the king with guests did dine,<br> +Full many a rich attire / was wet with ruddy wine,<br> +As passed among the tables / the butlers to and fro.<br> +And great was their endeavor / full honor to the guests to show.</p> +<p> +<a name="s805">805</a></p> +<p> +As long hath been the custom / at high festivity<br> +Fit lodging there was given / to maid and high lady.<br> +From whence soe'er they came there / they had the host's good care;<br> +Unto each guest was meted / of fitting honors fullest share.</p> +<p> +<a name="s806">806</a></p> +<p> +When now the night was ended / and came forth the dawn,<br> +From chests they carried with them, / full many a precious stone<br> +Sparkled on costly raiment / by hand of lady sought.<br> +Stately robes full many / forth to deck them then they brought.</p> +<p> +<a name="s807">807</a></p> +<p> +Ere dawn was full appeared, / before the Hall again<br> +Came knights and squires many, / whereat arose the din<br> +E'en before the matins / that for the king were sung.<br> +Well pleaséd was the monarch / at joust to see the warriors young.</p> +<p> +<a name="s808">808</a></p> +<p> +Full lustily and loudly / many a horn did blare,<br> +Of flutes and eke of trumpets / such din did rend the air<br> +That loud came back the echo / from Worms the city wide.<br> +The warriors high-hearted / to saddle sprung on every side.</p> +<p> +<a name="s809">809</a></p> +<p> +Arose there in that country / high a jousting keen<br> +Of many a doughty warrior / whereof were many seen,<br> +Whom there their hearts more youthful / did make of merry mood;<br> +Of these 'neath shield there saw ye / many a stately knight and good.</p> +<p> +<a name="s810">810</a></p> +<p> +There sat within the casements / many a high lady<br> +And maidens many with them, / the which were fair to see.<br> +Down looked they where did tourney / many a valiant man.<br> +The host with his good kinsmen / himself a-riding soon began.</p> +<p> +<a name="s811">811</a></p> +<p> +Thus they found them pastime, / and fled the time full well;<br> +Then heard they from the minster / the sound of many a bell.<br> +Forth upon their horses / the ladies thence did ride;<br> +Many a knight full valiant / the lofty queens accompanied.</p> +<p> +<a name="s812">812</a></p> +<p> +They then before the minster / alighted on the grass.<br> +Unto her guests Queen Brunhild / yet well-minded was.<br> +Into the spacious minster / they passed, and each wore crown.<br> +Their friendship yet was broken / by direst jealousy anon.</p> +<p> +<a name="s813">813</a></p> +<p> +When the mass was ended / went they thence again<br> +In full stately manner. / Thereafter were they seen<br> +Joyous at board together. / The pleasure full did last,<br> +Until days eleven / amid the merry-making passed.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A14">FOURTEENTH</a> ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How the Queens Berated Each Other</p> +<p> +<a name="s814">814</a></p> +<p> +Before the time of vespers / arose a mickle stir<br> +On part of warriors many / upon the courtyard there.<br> +In knightly fashion made they / the time go pleasantly;<br> +Thither knights and ladies / went their merry play to see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s815">815</a></p> +<p> +There did sit together / the queens, a stately pair,<br> +And of two knights bethought them, / that noble warriors were.<br> +Then spake the fair Kriemhild: / "Such spouse in sooth have I,<br> +That all these mighty kingdoms / might well beneath his sceptre lie."</p> +<p> +<a name="s816">816</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the Lady Brunhild: / "How might such thing be?<br> +If that there lived none other / but himself and thee,<br> +So might perchance his power / rule these kingdoms o'er;<br> +The while that liveth Gunther, / may such thing be nevermore."</p> +<p> +<a name="s817">817</a></p> +<p> +Then again spake Kriemhild: / "Behold how he doth stand<br> +In right stately fashion / before the knightly band,<br> +Like as the bright moon beameth / before the stars of heaven.<br> +In sooth to think upon it / a joyous mood to me is given."</p> +<p> +<a name="s818">818</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the Lady Brunhild: / "How stately thy spouse be,<br> +Howe'er so fair and worthy, / yet must thou grant to me<br> +Gunther, thy noble brother, / doth far beyond him go:<br> +In sooth before all monarchs / he standeth, shalt thou truly know."</p> +<p> +<a name="s819">819</a></p> +<p> +Then again spake Kriemhild: / "So worthy is my spouse,<br> +That I not have praised him / here without a cause.<br> +In ways to tell full many / high honor doth he bear:<br> +Believe well may'st thou, Brunhild, / he is the royal Gunther's peer."</p> +<p> +<a name="s820">820</a></p> +<p> +"Now guard thee, Lady Kriemhild, / my word amiss to take,<br> +For not without good reason here / such thing I spake.<br> +Both heard I say together, / when them I first did see,<br> +When that erstwhile the monarch / did work his royal will o'er me,</p> +<p> +<a name="s821">821</a></p> +<p> +And when in knightly fashion / my love for him he won,<br> +Then himself said Siegfried / he were the monarch's man.<br> +For liegeman thus I hold him, / since he the same did say."<br> +Then spake fair Lady Kriemhild: / "With me 'twere dealt in sorry way.</p> +<p> +<a name="s822">822</a></p> +<p> +"And these my noble brothers, / how could they such thing see,<br> +That I of their own liegeman / e'er the wife should be?<br> +Thus will I beg thee, Brunhild, / as friend to friend doth owe,<br> +That thou, as well befits thee, / shalt further here such words forego."</p> +<p> +<a name="s823">823</a></p> +<p> +"No whit will I give over," / spake the monarch's spouse.<br> +"Wherefore should I so many / a knight full valiant lose,<br> +Who to us in service / is bounden with thy man?" <br> +Kriemhild the fair lady / thereat sore to rage began.</p> +<p> +<a name="s824">824</a></p> +<p> +"In sooth must thou forego it / that he should e'er to thee<br> +Aught of service offer. / More worthy e'en is he<br> +Than is my brother Gunther, / who is a royal lord.<br> +So shalt thou please to spare me / what I now from thee have heard.</p> +<p> +<a name="s825">825</a></p> +<p> +"And to me is ever wonder, / since he thy liegeman is,<br> +And thou dost wield such power / over us twain as this,<br> +That he so long his tribute / to thee hath failed to pay.<br> +'Twere well thy haughty humor / thou should'st no longer here display."</p> +<p> +<a name="s826">826</a></p> +<p> +"Too lofty now thou soarest," / the queen did make reply.<br> +"Now will I see full gladly / if in such honor high<br> +This folk doth hold thy person / as mine own it doth."<br> +Of mood full sorely wrathful / were the royal ladies both.</p> +<p> +<a name="s827">827</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the Lady Kriemhild: / "That straightway shall be seen.<br> +Since that thou my husband / dost thy liegeman ween,<br> +To-day shall all the followers / of both the monarchs know,<br> +If I 'fore wife of monarch / dare unto the minster go.</p> +<p> +<a name="s828">828</a></p> +<p> +"That I free-born and noble / shalt thou this day behold,<br> +And that my royal husband, / as now to thee I've told,<br> +'Fore thine doth stand in honor, / by me shall well be shown.<br> +Ere night shalt thou behold it, / how wife of him thou call'st thine own</p> +<p> +<a name="s829">829</a></p> +<p> +To court shall lead good warriors / in the land of Burgundy.<br> +And ne'er a queen so lofty / as I myself shall be<br> +Was seen by e'er a mortal, / or yet a crown did wear."<br> +Then mickle was the anger / that rose betwixt the ladies there.</p> +<p> +<a name="s830">830</a></p> +<p> +Then again spake Brunhild: / "Wilt thou not service own,<br> +So must thou with thy women / hold thyself alone<br> +Apart from all my following, / as we to minster go."<br> +Thereto gave answer Kriemhild: / "In truth the same I fain will do."</p> +<p> +<a name="s831">831</a></p> +<p> +"Now dress ye fair, my maidens," / Kriemhild gave command.<br> +"Nor shall shame befall me / here within this land.<br> +An have ye fair apparel, / let now be seen by you.<br> +What she here hath boasted / may Brunhild have full cause to rue."</p> +<p> +<a name="s832">832</a></p> +<p> +But little need to urge them: / soon were they richly clad<br> +In garments wrought full deftly, / lady and many a maid.<br> +Then went with her attendants / the spouse of the monarch high;<br> +And eke appeared fair Kriemhild, / her body decked full gorgeously,</p> +<p> +<a name="s833">833</a></p> +<p> +With three and forty maidens, / whom to the Rhine led she,<br> +All clad in shining garments / wrought in Araby.<br> +So came unto the minster / the maidens fair and tall.<br> +Before the hall did tarry / for them the men of Siegfried all.</p> +<p> +<a name="s834">834</a></p> +<p> +The people there did wonder / how the thing might be,<br> +That no more together / the queens they thus did see,<br> +And that beside each other / they went not as before.<br> +Thereby came thanes a many / anon to harm and trouble sore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s835">835</a></p> +<p> +Here before the minster / the wife of Gunther stood.<br> +And good knights full many / were there of merry mood<br> +With the fair ladies / that their eyes did see.<br> +Then came the Lady Kriemhild / with a full stately company.</p> +<p> +<a name="s836">836</a></p> +<p> +Whate'er of costly raiment / decked lofty maids before,<br> +'Twas like a windy nothing / 'gainst what her ladies wore.<br> +The wives of thirty monarchs / —such riches were her own—<br> +Might ne'er display together / what there by Lady Kriemhild shown.</p> +<p> +<a name="s837">837</a></p> +<p> +Should any wish to do so / he could not say, I ween,<br> +That so rich apparel / e'er before was seen<br> +As there by her maidens / debonair was worn:<br> +But that it grievéd Brunhild / had Kriemhild that to do forborne.</p> +<p> +<a name="s838">838</a></p> +<p> +There they met together / before the minster high.<br> +Soon the royal matron, / through mickle jealousy,<br> +Kriemhild to pass no further, / did bid in rage full sore:<br> +"She that doth owe her homage / shall ne'er go monarch's wife before."</p> +<p> +<a name="s839">839</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the Lady Kriemhild / —angry was her mood:<br> +"An could'st thou but be silent / that for thee were good.<br> +Thyself hast brought dishonor / upon thy fair body:<br> +How might, forsooth, a harlot / ever wife of monarch be?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s840">840</a></p> +<p> +"Whom mak'st thou now a harlot?" / the king's wife answered her.<br> +"That do I thee," spake Kriemhild, / "for that thy body fair<br> +First was clasped by Siegfried, / knight full dear to me.<br> +In sooth 'twas ne'er my brother / won first thy maidenhead from thee.</p> +<p> +<a name="s841">841</a></p> +<p> +"How did thy senses leave thee? / Cunning rare was this.<br> +How let his love deceive thee, / since he thy liegeman is?<br> +And all in vain," quoth Kriemhild, / "the plaint I hear thee bring."<br> +"In sooth," then answered Brunhild, / "I'll tell it to my spouse the + king."</p> +<p> +<a name="s842">842</a></p> +<p> +"What reck I of such evil? / Thy pride hath thee betrayed,<br> +That thou deem'st my homage / should e'er to thee be paid.<br> +Know thou in truth full certain / the thing may never be:<br> +Nor shall I e'er be ready / to look for faithful friend in thee."</p> +<p> +<a name="s843">843</a></p> +<p> +Thereat did weep Queen Brunhild: / Kriemhild waited no more,<br> +But passed into the minster / the monarch's wife before,<br> +With train of fair attendants. / Arose there mickle hate,<br> +Whereby eyes brightly shining / anon did grow all dim and wet.</p> +<p> +<a name="s844">844</a></p> +<p> +However God they worshipped / or there the mass was sung,<br> +Did deem the Lady Brunhild / the waiting all too long,<br> +For that her heart was saddened / and angry eke her mood.<br> +Therefore anon must suffer / many a hero keen and good.</p> +<p> +<a name="s845">845</a></p> +<p> +Brunhild with her ladies / 'fore the minster did appear.<br> +Thought she: "Now must Kriemhild / further give me to hear<br> +Of what so loud upbraideth / me this free-tongued wife.<br> +And if he thus hath boasted, / amend shall Siegfried make with life."</p> +<p> +<a name="s846">846</a></p> +<p> +Now came the noble Kriemhild / followed by warrior band.<br> +Then spake the Lady Brunhild: / "Still thou here shalt stand.<br> +Thou giv'st me out for harlot: / let now the same be seen.<br> +Know thou, what thus thou sayest / to me hath mickle sorrow been."</p> +<p> +<a name="s847">847</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the Lady Kriemhild: / "So may'st thou let me go.<br> +With the ring upon my finger / I the same can show:<br> +That brought to me my lover / when first by thee he lay."<br> +Ne'er did Lady Brunhild / know grief as on this evil day.</p> +<p> +<a name="s848">848</a></p> +<p> +Quoth she: "This ring full precious / some hand from me did steal,<br> +And from me thus a season / in evil way conceal:<br> +Full sure will I discover / who this same thief hath been."<br> +Then were the royal ladies / both in mood full angry seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s849">849</a></p> +<p> +Then gave answer Kriemhild: / "I deem the thief not I.<br> +Well hadst thou been silent, / hold'st thou thine honor high.<br> +I'll show it with this girdle / that I around me wear,<br> +That in this thing I err not: / Siegfried hath lain by thee full near."</p> +<p> +<a name="s850">850</a></p> +<p> +Wrought of silk of Nineveh / a girdle there she wore,<br> +That of stones full precious / showed a goodly store.<br> +When saw it Lady Brunhild / straight to weep gan she:<br> +Soon must Gunther know it / and all the men of Burgundy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s851">851</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the royal matron: / "Bid hither come to me<br> +Of Rhine the lofty monarch. / Hear straightway shall he<br> +How that his sister / doth my honor stain.<br> +Here doth she boast full open / that I in Siegfried's arms have lain."</p> +<p> +<a name="s852">852</a></p> +<p> +The king came with his warriors, / where he did weeping find<br> +His royal spouse Brunhild, / then spake in manner kind:<br> +"Now tell me, my dear lady, / who hath done aught to thee?"<br> +She spake unto the monarch: / "Thy wife unhappy must thou see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s853">853</a></p> +<p> +"Me, thy royal consort, / would thy sister fain<br> +Rob of all mine honor. / To thee must I complain:<br> +She boasts her husband Siegfried / hath known thy royal bed."<br> +Then spake the monarch Gunther: / "An evil thing she then hath said."</p> +<p> +<a name="s854">854</a></p> +<p> +"I did lose a girdle: / here by her 'tis worn,<br> +And my ring all golden. / That I e'er was born,<br> +Do I rue full sorely / if thou wardest not from me<br> +This full great dishonor: / that will I full repay to thee."</p> +<p> +<a name="s855">855</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the monarch Gunther: / "Now shall he come near,<br> +And hath he such thing boasted, / so shall he let us hear:<br> +Eke must full deny it / the knight of Netherland."<br> +Then straight the spouse of Kriemhild / hither to bring he gave command.</p> +<p> +<a name="s856">856</a></p> +<p> +When that angry-minded / Siegfried them did see,<br> +Nor knew thereof the reason, / straightway then spake he:<br> +"Why do weep these ladies? / I'd gladly know that thing,<br> +Or wherefore to this presence / I am bidden by the king."</p> +<p> +<a name="s857">857</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the royal Gunther: / "Sore grieveth me this thing:<br> +To me my Lady Brunhild / doth the story bring,<br> +How that thereof thou boastest / that her fair body lay<br> +First in thy embraces: / this doth thy Lady Kriemhild say."</p> +<p> +<a name="s858">858</a></p> +<p> +Thereto gave answer Siegfried: / "An if she thus hath said,<br> +Full well shall she repent it / ere doth rest my head:<br> +Before all thy good warriors / of that I'll make me free,<br> +And swear by my high honor / such thing hath ne'er been told by me."</p> +<p> +<a name="s859">859</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Rhine the monarch: / "That shalt thou let us see.<br> +The oath that thou dost offer, / if such performéd be,<br> +Of all false accusation / shalt thou delivered stand."<br> +In ring to take their station / did he the high-born thanes command.</p> +<p> +<a name="s860">860</a></p> +<p> +The full valiant Siegfried / in oath the hand did give.<br> +Then spake the lordly monarch: / "Well now do I perceive<br> +How thou art all blameless, / of all I speak thee free;<br> +What here maintains my sister, / the same hath ne'er been done by thee."</p> +<p> +<a name="s861">861</a></p> +<p> +Thereto gave answer Siegfried: / "If gain should e'er accrue<br> +Unto my spouse, that Brunhild / from her had cause to rue,<br> +Know that to me full sorely / 'twould endless sorrow be."<br> +Then looked upon each other / the monarchs twain right graciously.</p> +<p> +<a name="s862">862</a></p> +<p> +"So should we govern women," / spake the thane Siegfried,<br> +"That to leave wanton babble / they should take good heed.<br> +Forbid it to thy wife now, / to mine I'll do the same.<br> +Such ill-becoming manner /in sooth doth fill my heart with shame."</p> +<p> +<a name="s863">863</a></p> +<p> +No more said many a lady / fair, but thus did part.<br> +Then did the Lady Brunhild / grieve so sore at heart,<br> +That it must move to pity / all King Gunther's men.<br> +To go unto his mistress / Hagen of Tronje saw ye then.</p> +<p> +<a name="s864">864</a></p> +<p> +He asked to know her worry, / as he her weeping saw.<br> +Then told she him the story. / To her straight made he vow,<br> +That Lady Kriemhild's husband / must for the thing atone,<br> +Else henceforth should never / a joyous day by him be known.</p> +<p> +<a name="s865">865</a></p> +<p> +Then came Ortwein and Gernot / where they together spake,<br> +And there the knights did counsel / Siegfried's life to take.<br> +Thither came eke Giselher, / son of Ute high.<br> +When heard he what they counselled, / spake he free from treachery:</p> +<p> +<a name="s866">866</a></p> +<p> +"Ye good knights and noble, / wherefore do ye that?<br> +Ne'er deserved hath Siegfried / in such way your hate,<br> +That he therefor should forfeit / at your hands his life.<br> +In sooth small matter is it / that maketh cause for woman's strife."</p> +<p> +<a name="s867">867</a></p> +<p> +"Shall we rear race of bastards?" / Hagen spake again:<br> +"Therefrom but little honor / had many a noble thane.<br> +The thing that he hath boasted / upon my mistress high,<br> +Therefor my life I forfeit, / or he for that same thing shall die."</p> +<p> +<a name="s868">868</a></p> +<p> +Then spake himself the monarch: / "To us he ne'er did give<br> +Aught but good and honor: / let him therefore live.<br> +What boots it if my anger / I vent the knight upon?<br> +Good faith he e'er hath shown us, / and that full willingly hath done."</p> +<p> +<a name="s869">869</a></p> +<p> +Then outspake of Metz / Ortwein the thane:<br> +"In sooth his arm full doughty / may bring him little gain.<br> +My vengeance full he'll suffer, / if but my lord allow."<br> +The knights—nor reason had they— / against him mortal hate did vow.</p> +<p> +<a name="s870">870</a></p> +<p> +None yet his words did follow, / but to the monarch's ear<br> +Ne'er a day failed Hagen / the thought to whisper there:<br> +If that lived not Siegfried, / to him would subject be<br> +Royal lands full many. / The king did sorrow bitterly.</p> +<p> +<a name="s871">871</a></p> +<p> +Then did they nothing further: / soon began the play.<br> +As from the lofty minster / passed they on their way,<br> +What doughty shafts they shattered / Siegfried's spouse before!<br> +Gunther's men full many / saw ye there in rage full sore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s872">872</a></p> +<p> +Spake the king: "Now leave ye / such mortal enmity:<br> +The knight is born our honor / and fortune good to be.<br> +Keen is he unto wonder, / hath eke so doughty arm<br> +That, were the contest open, / none is who dared to work him harm."</p> +<p> +<a name="s873">873</a></p> +<p> +"Naught shall he know," quoth Hagen. / "At peace ye well may be:<br> +I trow the thing to manage / so full secretly<br> +That Queen Brunhild's weeping / he shall rue full sore.<br> +In sooth shall he from Hagen / have naught but hate for evermore."</p> +<p> +<a name="s874">874</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the monarch Gunther: / "How might such thing e'er be?"<br> +Thereto gave answer Hagen: / "That shalt thou hear from me.<br> +We'll bid that hither heralds / unto our land shall fare,<br> +Here unknown to any, / who shall hostile tidings bear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s875">875</a></p> +<p> +"Then say thou 'fore the strangers / that thou with all thy men<br> +Wilt forth to meet the enemy. / He'll offer service then<br> +If that thus thou sayest, / and lose thereby his life,<br> +Can I but learn the story / from the valiant warrior's wife."</p> +<p> +<a name="s876">876</a></p> +<p> +The king in evil manner / did follow Hagen's rede,<br> +And the two knights, ere any / man thereof had heed,<br> +Had treachery together / to devise begun.<br> +From quarrel of two women / died heroes soon full many a one.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A15">FIFTEENTH</a> ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Siegfried was Betrayed</p> +<p> +<a name="s877">877</a></p> +<p> +Upon the fourth morning / two and thirty men<br> +Saw ye to court a-riding. / Unto King Gunther then<br> +Were tidings borne that ready / he should make for foe—<br> +This lie did bring to women / many, anon full grievous woe.</p> +<p> +<a name="s878">878</a></p> +<p> +Leave had they 'fore the monarch's / presence to appear,<br> +There to give themselves out / for men of Luedeger,<br> +Him erstwhile was conquered / by Siegfried's doughty hand<br> +And brought a royal hostage / bound unto King Gunther's land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s879">879</a></p> +<p> +The messengers he greeted / and to seat them gave command.<br> +Then spake one amongst them: / "Allow that yet we stand<br> +Until we tell the tidings / that to thee are sent.<br> +Know thou that warriors many / on thee to wreak their hate are bent.</p> +<p> +<a name="s880">880</a></p> +<p> +"Defiance bids thee Luedegast / and eke Luedeger<br> +Who at thy hands full sorely / erstwhile aggrievéd were:<br> +In this thy land with hostile / host they'll soon appear."<br> +To rage begin the monarch / when such tidings he did hear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s881">881</a></p> +<p> +Those who did act thus falsely / they bade to lodge the while.<br> +How himself might Siegfried / guard against such guile<br> +As there they planned against him, / he or ever one?<br> +Unto themselves 'twas sorrow / great anon that e'er 'twas done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s882">882</a></p> +<p> +With his friends the monarch / secret counsel sought.<br> +Hagen of Tronje / let him tarry not.<br> +Of the king's men yet were many / who fain would peace restore:<br> +But nowise would Hagen / his dark purpose e'er give o'er.</p> +<p> +<a name="s883">883</a></p> +<p> +Upon a day came Siegfried / when they did counsel take,<br> +And there the knight of Netherland / thus unto them spake:<br> +"How goeth now so sorrowful / amid his men the king?<br> +I'll help you to avenge it, / hath he been wronged in anything."</p> +<p> +<a name="s884">884</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the monarch Gunther: / "Of right do I lament,<br> +Luedegast and Luedeger / have hostile message sent:<br> +They will in open manner / now invade my land."<br> +The knight full keen gave answer: / "That in sooth shall Siegfried's + hand,</p> +<p> +<a name="s885">885</a></p> +<p> +"As doth befit thy honor, / know well to turn aside.<br> +As erstwhile to thy enemies, / shall now from me betide:<br> +Their lands and eke their castles / laid waste by me shall be<br> +Ere that I give over: / thereof my head be surety.</p> +<p> +<a name="s886">886</a></p> +<p> +"Thou and thy good warriors / shall here at home abide,<br> +And let me with my company / alone against them ride.<br> +That I do serve thee gladly, / that will I let them see;<br> +By me shall thy enemies, / —that know thou— full requited be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s887">887</a></p> +<p> +"Good tidings, that thou sayest," / then the monarch said,<br> +As if he in earnest / did joy to have such aid.<br> +Deep did bow before him / the king in treachery.<br> +Then spake Sir Siegfried: / "Bring that but little care to thee."</p> +<p> +<a name="s888">888</a></p> +<p> +Then serving-men full many / bade they ready be:<br> +'Twas done alone that Siegfried / and his men the same might see.<br> +Then bade he make them ready / the knights of Netherland,<br> +And soon did Siegfried's warriors / for fight apparelled ready stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s889">889</a></p> +<p> +"My royal father Siegmund, / here shalt thou remain,"<br> +Spake then Sir Siegfried. / "We come full soon again<br> +If God but give good fortune, / hither the Rhine beside;<br> +Here shalt thou with King Gunther / full merrily the while abide."</p> +<p> +<a name="s890">890</a></p> +<p> +Then bound they on the banners / as they thence would fare.<br> +Men of royal Gunther / were full many there,<br> +Who naught knew of the matter, / or how that thing might be:<br> +There with Siegfried saw ye / of knights a mickle company.</p> +<p> +<a name="s891">891</a></p> +<p> +Their helms and eke their mail-coats / bound on horse did stand:<br> +And doughty knights made ready / to fare from out that land.<br> +Then went of Tronje Hagen / where he Kriemhild found<br> +And prayed a fair leave-taking, / for that to battle they were bound.</p> +<p> +<a name="s892">892</a></p> +<p> +"Now well is me, such husband / I have," Kriemhild said,<br> +"That to my loving kindred / can bring so potent aid,<br> +As my lord Siegfried / doth now to friends of me.<br> +Thereby," spake the high lady, / "may I full joyous-minded be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s893">893</a></p> +<p> +"Now full dear friend Hagen, / call thou this to mind,<br> +Good-will I e'er have borne thee, / nor hate in any kind.<br> +Let now therefrom have profit / the husband dear to me.<br> +If Brunhild aught I've injured / may't not to him requited be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s894">894</a></p> +<p> +"For that I since have suffered," / spake the high lady.<br> +"Sore punishment hath offered / therefor the knight to me.<br> +That I have aught e'er spoken / to make her sad of mood,<br> +Vengeance well hath taken / on me the valiant knight and good."</p> +<p> +<a name="s895">895</a></p> +<p> +"In the days hereafter shall ye / be reconciled full well.<br> +Kriemhild, belovéd lady, / to me shalt thou tell<br> +How that in Siegfried's person / I may service do to thee.<br> +That do I gladly, lady, / and unto none more willingly."</p> +<p> +<a name="s896">896</a></p> +<p> +"No longer were I fearful," / spake his noble wife,<br> +"That e'er in battle any / should take from him his life,<br> +Would he but cease to follow / his high undaunted mood:<br> +Secure were then forever / the thane full valiant and good."</p> +<p> +<a name="s897">897</a></p> +<p> +"Lady," spake then Hagen, / "an hast thou e'er a fear<br> +That hostile blade should pierce him, / now shalt thou give to hear<br> +With what arts of cunning / I may the same prevent.<br> +On horse and foot to guard him / shall ever be my fair intent."</p> +<p> +<a name="s898">898</a></p> +<p> +She spake: "Of my kin art thou, / as I eke of thine.<br> +In truth to thee commended / be then dear spouse of mine,<br> +That him well thou guardest / whom full dear I hold."<br> +She told to him a story / 'twere better had she left untold.</p> +<p> +<a name="s899">899</a></p> +<p> +She spake: "A valorous husband / is mine, and doughty too.<br> +When he the worm-like dragon / by the mountain slew,<br> +In its blood the stately / knight himself then bathed,<br> +Since when from cutting weapons / in battle is he all unscathed.</p> +<p> +<a name="s900">900</a></p> +<p> +"Nathless my heart is troubled / when he in fight doth stand,<br> +And full many a spear-shaft / is hurled by hero's hand,<br> +Lest that I a husband / full dear should see no more.<br> +Alack! How oft for Siegfried / must I sit in sorrow sore!</p> +<p> +<a name="s901">901</a></p> +<p> +"On thy good-will I rest me, / dear friend, to tell to thee,<br> +And that thy faith thou fully / provest now to me,<br> +Where that my spouse may smitten / be by hand of foe.<br> +This I now shall tell thee, / and on thy honor this I do.</p> +<p> +<a name="s902">902</a></p> +<p> +"When from the wounded dragon / reeking flowed the blood,<br> +And therein did bathe him / the valiant knight and good,<br> +Fell down between his shoulders / full broad a linden leaf.<br> +There may he be smitten; / 'tis cause to me of mickle grief.'</p> +<p> +<a name="s903">903</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Upon his tunic sew<br> +Thou a little token. / Thereby shall I know<br> +Where I may protect him / when in the fight we strain."<br> +She weened to save the hero, / yet wrought she nothing save his bane.</p> +<p> +<a name="s904">904</a></p> +<p> +She spake: "All fine and silken / upon his coat I'll sew<br> +A little cross full secret. / There, doughty thane, shalt thou<br> +From my knight ward danger / when battle rageth sore,<br> +And when amid the turmoil / he stands his enemies before."</p> +<p> +<a name="s905">905</a></p> +<p> +"That will I do," quoth Hagen, / "lady full dear to me."<br> +Then weenéd eke the lady / it should his vantage be,<br> +But there alone did Kriemhild / her own good knight betray.<br> +Leave of her took Hagen, / and joyously he went away.</p> +<p> +<a name="s906">906</a></p> +<p> +The followers of the monarch / were all of merry mood.<br> +I ween that knight thereafter / never any could<br> +Of treachery be guilty / such as then was he<br> +When that Queen Kriemhild / did rest on his fidelity.</p> +<p> +<a name="s907">907</a></p> +<p> +With his men a thousand / upon the following day<br> +Rode thence Sir Siegfried / full joyously away.<br> +He weened he should take vengeance / for harm his friends did bear.<br> +That he might view the tunic / Hagen rode to him full near.</p> +<p> +<a name="s908">908</a></p> +<p> +When he had viewed the token / sent Hagen thence away<br> +Two of his men in secret / who did other tidings say:<br> +How that King Gunther's country / had nothing now to fear<br> +And that unto the monarch / had sent them royal Luedeger.</p> +<p> +<a name="s909">909</a></p> +<p> +'Twas little joy to Siegfried / that he must turn again<br> +Ere for the hostile menace / vengeance he had ta'en.<br> +In sooth the men of Gunther / could scarce his purpose bend.<br> +Then rode he to the monarch, / who thus began his thanks to lend:</p> +<p> +<a name="s910">910</a></p> +<p> +"Now God reward thee for it, / my good friend Siegfried,<br> +That thou with mind so willing / hast holpen me in need.<br> +That shall I e'er repay thee, / as I may do of right.<br> +To thee before all other / friends do I my service plight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s911">911</a></p> +<p> +"Now that from battle-journey / free we are once more,<br> +So will I ride a-hunting / the wild bear and the boar<br> +Away to the Vosges forest, / as I full oft have done."<br> +The same had counselled Hagen, / the full dark and faithless man.</p> +<p> +<a name="s912">912</a></p> +<p> +"To all my guests here with me / shall now be told<br> +That we ride forth at daybreak: / themselves shall ready hold,<br> +Who will join the hunting; / will any here remain<br> +For pastime with fair ladies, / the thing behold I eke full fain."</p> +<p> +<a name="s913">913</a></p> +<p> +Then outspake Sir Siegfried / as in manner due:<br> +"If that thou rid'st a-hunting, / go I gladly too.<br> +A huntsman shalt thou grant me / and good hound beside<br> +That shall the game discover; / so with thee to the green I'll ride."</p> +<p> +<a name="s914">914</a></p> +<p> +Straightway spake the monarch: / "Wilt thou but one alone?<br> +And wilt thou, four I'll grant thee, / to whom full well is known<br> +The forest with the runways / where most the game doth stray,<br> +And who unto the camp-fires / will help thee back to find thy way."</p> +<p> +<a name="s915">915</a></p> +<p> +Unto his spouse then rode he, / the gallant knight and bold.<br> +Full soon thereafter Hagen / unto the king had told<br> +How he within his power / would have the noble thane:<br> +May deed so dark and faithless / ne'er by knight be done again!</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A16">SIXTEENTH</a> ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Siegfried was slain</p> +<p> +<a name="s916">916</a></p> +<p> +Gunther and Hagen, / the knights full keen,<br> +Proposed with evil forethought / a hunting in the green:<br> +The boar within the forest / they'd chase with pointed spear,<br> +And shaggy bear and bison. / —What sport to valiant men more dear?<br> +<br> +<a name="s917">917</a><br> +<br> +With them rode also Siegfried / happy and light of heart:<br> +Their load of rich refreshments / was made in goodly part.<br> +Where a spring ran cooling / they took from him his life,<br> +Whereto in chief had urged them / Brunhild, royal Gunther's wife.</p> +<p> +<a name="s918">918</a></p> +<p> +Then went the valiant Siegfried / where he Kriemhild found;<br> +Rich hunting-dress was laden / and now stood ready bound<br> +For him and his companions / across the Rhine to go.<br> +Than this a sadder hour / nevermore could Kriemhild know.</p> +<p> +<a name="s919">919</a></p> +<p> +The spouse he loved so dearly / upon the mouth he kissed.<br> +"God grant that well I find thee / again, if so He list,<br> +And thine own eyes to see me. / 'Mid kin that hold thee dear<br> +May now the time go gently, / the while I am no longer near."</p> +<p> +<a name="s920">920</a></p> +<p> +Then thought she of the story / —but silence must she keep—<br> +Whereof once Hagen asked her: / then began to weep<br> +The princess high and noble / that ever she was born,<br> +And wept with tears unceasing / the valiant Siegfried's wife forlorn.</p> +<p> +<a name="s921">921</a></p> +<p> +She spake unto her husband: / "Let now this hunting be.<br> +I dreamt this night of evil, / how wild boars hunted thee,<br> +Two wild boars o'er the meadow, / wherefrom the flowers grew red.<br> +That I do weep so sorely / have I poor woman direst need.</p> +<p> +<a name="s922">922</a></p> +<p> +"Yea, do I fear, Sir Siegfried, / something treacherous,<br> +If perchance have any / of those been wronged by us<br> +Who might yet be able / to vent their enmity.<br> +Tarry thou here, Sir Siegfried: / let that my faithful counsel be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s923">923</a></p> +<p> +Quoth he: "I come, dear lady, / when some short days are flown.<br> +Of foes who bear us hatred / here know I never one.<br> +All of thine own kindred / are gracious unto me,<br> +Nor know I aught of reason / why they should other-minded be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s924">924</a></p> +<p> +"But nay, belovéd Siegfried, / thy death I fear 'twill prove.<br> +This night I dreamt misfortune, / how o'er thee from above<br> +Down there fell two mountains: / I never saw thee more.<br> +And wilt thou now go from me, / that must grieve my heart full sore."</p> +<p> +<a name="s925">925</a></p> +<p> +The lady rich in virtue / within his arms he pressed,<br> +And with loving kisses / her fair form caressed.<br> +From her thence he parted / ere long time was o'er:<br> +Alas for her, she saw him / alive thereafter nevermore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s926">926</a></p> +<p> +Then rode from thence the hunters / deep within a wold<br> +In search of pleasant pastime. / Full many a rider bold<br> +Followed after Gunther / in his stately train.<br> +Gernot and Giselher, / —at home the knights did both remain.</p> +<p> +<a name="s927">927</a></p> +<p> +Went many a horse well laden / before them o'er the Rhine,<br> +That for the huntsmen carried / store of bread and wine,<br> +Meat along with fishes / and other victualling,<br> +The which upon his table / were fitting for so high a king.</p> +<p> +<a name="s928">928</a></p> +<p> +Then bade they make encampment / before the forest green<br> +Where game was like to issue, / those hunters proud and keen,<br> +Who there would join in hunting, / on a meadow wide that spread.<br> +Thither also was come Siegfried: / the same unto the king was said.</p> +<p> +<a name="s929">929</a></p> +<p> +By the merry huntsmen / soon were watched complete<br> +At every point the runways. / The company then did greet<br> +Siegfried the keen and doughty: / "Who now within the green<br> +Unto the game shall guide us, / ye warriors so bold and keen?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s930">930</a></p> +<p> +"Now part we from each other," / answered Hagen then,<br> +"Ere that the hunting / we do here begin!<br> +Thereby may be apparent / to my masters and to me<br> +Who on this forest journey / of the hunters best may be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s931">931</a></p> +<p> +"Let then hounds and huntsmen / be ta'en in equal share,<br> +That wheresoever any / would go, there let him fare.<br> +Who then is first in hunting / shall have our thanks this day."<br> +Not longer there together / did the merry hunters stay.</p> +<p> +<a name="s932">932</a></p> +<p> +Thereto quoth Sir Siegfried: / "Of dogs have I no need,<br> +More than one hound only / of trusty hunting breed<br> +For scenting well the runway / of wild beast through the brake.<br> +And now the chase begin we!" / —so the spouse of Kriemhild spake.</p> +<p> +<a name="s933">933</a></p> +<p> +Then took a practised hunter / a good tracking-hound,<br> +That did bring them where they / game in plenty found,<br> +Nor kept them long awaiting. / Whate'er did spring from lair<br> +Pursued the merry huntsmen, / as still good hunters everywhere.</p> +<p> +<a name="s934">934</a></p> +<p> +As many as the hound started / slew with mighty hand<br> +Siegfried the full doughty / hero of Netherland.<br> +So swiftly went his charger / that none could him outrun;<br> +And praise before all others / soon he in the hunting won.</p> +<p> +<a name="s935">935</a></p> +<p> +He was in every feature / a valiant knight and true.<br> +The first within the forest / that with his hand he slew<br> +Was a half-grown wild-boar / that he smote to ground;<br> +Thereafter he full quickly / a wild and mighty lion found.</p> +<p> +<a name="s936">936</a></p> +<p> +When it the hound had started, / with bow he shot it dead,<br> +Wherewith a pointed arrow / he had so swiftly sped<br> +That the lion after / could forward spring but thrice.<br> +All they that hunted with him / cried Siegfried's praise with merry + voice.</p> +<p> +<a name="s937">937</a></p> +<p> +Soon fell a prey unto him / an elk and bison more,<br> +A giant stag he slew him / and huge ure-oxen four.<br> +His steed bore him so swiftly / that none could him outrun;<br> +Of stag or hind encountered / scarce could there escape him one.</p> +<p> +<a name="s938">938</a></p> +<p> +A boar full huge and bristling / soon was likewise found,<br> +And when the same bethought him / to flee before the hound,<br> +Came quick again the master / and stood athwart his path.<br> +The boar upon the hero / full charged straightway in mickle wrath.</p> +<p> +<a name="s939">939</a></p> +<p> +Then the spouse of Kriemhild, / with sword the boar he slew,<br> +A thing that scarce another / hunter had dared to do.<br> +When he thus had felled him / they lashed again the hound,<br> +And soon his hunting prowess / was known to all the people round.</p> +<p> +<a name="s940">940</a></p> +<p> +Then spake to him his huntsmen: / "If that the thing may be,<br> +So let some part, Sir Siegfried, / of the forest game go free;<br> +To-day thou makest empty / hillside and forest wild."<br> +Thereat in merry humor / the thane so keen and valiant smiled.</p> +<p> +<a name="s941">941</a></p> +<p> +Then they heard on all sides / the din, from many a hound<br> +And huntsmen eke the clamor / so great was heard around<br> +That back did come the answer / from hill and forest tree—<br> +Of hounds had four-and-twenty / packs been set by hunter free.</p> +<p> +<a name="s942">942</a></p> +<p> +Full many a forest denizen / from life was doomed to part.<br> +Each of all the hunters / thereon had set his heart,<br> +To win the prize in hunting. / But such could never be,<br> +When they the doughty Siegfried / at the camping-place did see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s943">943</a></p> +<p> +Now the chase was ended, / —and yet complete 'twas not.<br> +All they to camp who wended / with them thither brought<br> +Skin of full many an animal / and of game good store.<br> +Heigho! unto the table / how much the king's attendants bore!</p> +<p> +<a name="s944">944</a></p> +<p> +Then bade the king the noble / hunters all to warn<br> +That he would take refreshment, / and loud a hunting-horn<br> +In one long blast was winded: / to all was known thereby<br> +That the noble monarch / at camp did wait their company.</p> +<p> +<a name="s945">945</a></p> +<p> +Spake one of Siegfried's huntsmen: / "Master, I do know<br> +By blast of horn resounding / that we now shall go<br> +Unto the place of meeting; / thereto I'll make reply."<br> +Then for the merry hunters / blew the horn right lustily.</p> +<p> +<a name="s946">946</a></p> +<p> +Then spake Sir Siegfried: / "Now leave we eke the green."<br> +His charger bore him smoothly, / and followed huntsmen keen.<br> +With their rout they started / a beast of savage kind,<br> +That was a bear untaméd. / Then spake the knight to those behind</p> +<p> +<a name="s947">947</a></p> +<p> +"For our merry party / some sport will I devise.<br> +Let slip the hound then straightway, / a bear now meets my eyes,<br> +And with us shall he thither / unto the camp-fire fare.<br> +Full rapid must his flight be / shall he our company forbear."</p> +<p> +<a name="s948">948</a></p> +<p> +From leash the hound was loosened, / the bear sprang through the brake,<br> +When that the spouse of Kriemhild / did wish him to o'ertake.<br> +He sought a pathless thicket, / but yet it could not be,<br> +As bruin fondly hoped it, / that from the hunter he was free.</p> +<p> +<a name="s949">949</a></p> +<p> +Then from his horse alighted / the knight of spirit high,<br> +And gan a running after. / Bruin all unguardedly<br> +Was ta'en, and could escape not. / Him caught straightway the knight,<br> +And soon all unwounded / had him bound in fetters tight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s950">950</a></p> +<p> +Nor claws nor teeth availed him / for aught of injury,<br> +But bound he was to saddle. / Then mounted speedily<br> +The knight, and to the camp-fire / in right merry way<br> +For pastime led he bruin, / the hero valiant and gay.</p> +<p> +<a name="s951">951</a></p> +<p> +In what manner stately / unto the camp he rode!<br> +He bore a spear full mickle, / great of strength and broad.<br> +A sword all ornamented / hung down unto his spur,<br> +And wrought of gold all ruddy / at side a glittering horn he wore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s952">952</a></p> +<p> +Of richer hunting-garments / heard I ne'er tell before.<br> +Black was the silken tunic / that the rider wore,<br> +And cap of costly sable / did crown the gallant knight.<br> +Heigho, and how his quiver / with well-wrought hands was rich bedight!</p> +<p> +<a name="s953">953</a></p> +<p> +A skin of gleaming panther / covered the quiver o'er,<br> +Prized for its pleasant odor. / Eke a bow he bore,<br> +The which to draw if ever / had wished another man,<br> +A lever he had needed: / such power had Siegfried alone.</p> +<p> +<a name="s954">954</a></p> +<p> +Of fur of costly otter / his mantle was complete,<br> +With other skins embroidered / from head unto the feet.<br> +And 'mid the fur all shining, / full many a golden seam<br> +On both sides of the valiant / huntsman saw ye brightly gleam.</p> +<p> +<a name="s955">955</a></p> +<p> +Balmung, a goodly weapon / broad, he also wore,<br> +That was so sharp at edges / that it ne'er forbore<br> +To cleave when swung on helmet: / blade it was full good.<br> +Stately was the huntsman / as there with merry heart he rode.</p> +<p> +<a name="s956">956</a></p> +<p> +If that complete the story / to you I shall unfold,<br> +Full many a goodly arrow / did his rich quiver hold<br> +Whereof were gold the sockets, / and heads a hand-breadth each.<br> +In sooth was doomed to perish / whate'er in flight the same did reach.</p> +<p> +<a name="s957">957</a></p> +<p> +Pricking like goodly huntsman / the noble knight did ride<br> +When him the men of Gunther / coming thither spied.<br> +They hasted out to meet him / and took from him his steed,<br> +As bruin great and mighty / by the saddle he did lead.</p> +<p> +<a name="s958">958</a></p> +<p> +When he from horse alighted / he loosed him every band<br> +From foot and eke from muzzle. / Straight on every hand<br> +Began the dogs a howling / when they beheld the bear.<br> +Bruin would to the forest: / among the men was mickle stir.</p> +<p> +<a name="s959">959</a></p> +<p> +Amid the clamor bruin / through the camp-fires sped:<br> +Heigho, how the servants / away before him fled!<br> +O'erturned was many a kettle / and flaming brands did fly:<br> +Heigho, what goodly victuals / did scattered in the ashes lie!</p> +<p> +<a name="s960">960</a></p> +<p> +Then sprang from out the saddle / knights and serving-men.<br> +The bear was wild careering: / the king bade loosen then<br> +All the dogs that fastened / within their leashes lay.<br> +If this thing well had ended, / then had there passed a merry day.</p> +<p> +<a name="s961">961</a></p> +<p> +Not longer then they waited / but with bow and eke with spear<br> +Hasted the nimble hunters / to pursue the bear,<br> +Yet none might shoot upon him / for all the dogs around.<br> +Such clamor was of voices / that all the mountain did resound.</p> +<p> +<a name="s962">962</a></p> +<p> +When by the dogs pursuéd / the bear away did run,<br> +None there that could o'ertake him / but Siegfried alone.<br> +With his sword he came upon him / and killed him at a blow,<br> +And back unto the camp-fire / bearing bruin they did go.</p> +<p> +<a name="s963">963</a></p> +<p> +Then spake who there had seen it, / he was a man of might.<br> +Soon to the table bade they / come each noble knight,<br> +And on a smiling meadow / the noble company sat.<br> +Heigho, with what rare victuals / did they upon the huntsmen wait!</p> +<p> +<a name="s964">964</a></p> +<p> +Ne'er appeared a butler / wine for them to pour.<br> +Than they good knights were never / better served before,<br> +And had there not in secret / been lurking treachery,<br> +Then were the entertainers / from every cause of cavil free.</p> +<p> +<a name="s965">965</a></p> +<p> +Then spake Sir Siegfried: / "A wonder 'tis to me,<br> +Since that from the kitchen / so full supplied are we,<br> +Why to us the butlers / of wine bring not like store:<br> +If such the huntsman's service / a huntsman reckon me no more.</p> +<p> +<a name="s966">966</a></p> +<p> +"Meseems I yet did merit / some share of courtesy."<br> +The king who sat at table / spake then in treachery:<br> +"Gladly shall be amended / wherein we're guilty so.<br> +The fault it is of Hagen, / he'd willing see us thirsting go."</p> +<p> +<a name="s967">967</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Good master, hear me say,<br> +I weened for this our hunting / we did go to-day<br> +Unto the Spessart forest: / the wine I thither sent.<br> +Go we to-day a-thirsting, / I'll later be more provident."</p> +<p> +<a name="s968">968</a></p> +<p> +Thereto replied Sir Siegfried: / "Small merit here is thine.<br> +Good seven horses laden / with mead and sparkling wine<br> +Should hither have been conducted. / If aught the same denied,<br> +Then should our place of meeting / have nearer been the Rhine beside."</p> +<p> +<a name="s969">969</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Ye noble knights and bold,<br> +I know here nigh unto us / a spring that's flowing cold.<br> +Be then your wrath appeaséd, / and let us thither go."<br> +Through that same wicked counsel / came many a thane to grievous woe.</p> +<p> +<a name="s970">970</a></p> +<p> +Sore was the noble Siegfried / with the pangs of thirst:<br> +To bid them rise from table / was he thus the first.<br> +He would along the hillside / unto the fountain go:<br> +In sooth they showed them traitors, / those knights who there did + counsel so.</p> +<p> +<a name="s971">971</a></p> +<p> +On wagons hence to carry / the game they gave command<br> +Which had that day been slaughtered / by Siegfried's doughty hand.<br> +He'd carried off the honors, / all who had seen did say.<br> +Hagen his faith with Siegfried / soon did break in grievous way.</p> +<p> +<a name="s972">972</a></p> +<p> +When now they would go thither / to where the linden spread,<br> +Spake of Tronje Hagen: / "To me hath oft been said,<br> +That none could follow after / Kriemhild's nimble knight<br> +Or vie with him in running: / would that he'd prove it to our sight!"</p> +<p> +<a name="s973">973</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Netherland / bold Siegfried speedily:<br> +"That may ye well have proof of, / will ye but run with me<br> +In contest to the fountain. / When that the same be done,<br> +To him be given honor / who the race hath fairly won."</p> +<p> +<a name="s974">974</a></p> +<p> +"Now surely make we trial," / quoth Hagen the thane.<br> +Thereto the doughty Siegfried: / "I too will give you gain,<br> +Afore your feet at starting / to lay me in the grass."<br> +When that he had heard it, / thereat how joyous Gunther was!</p> +<p> +<a name="s975">975</a></p> +<p> +And spake again the warrior: / "And ye shall further hear:<br> +All my clothing likewise / will I upon me wear,<br> +The spear and shield full heavy / and hunting-dress I'll don."<br> +His sword as well as quiver / had he full quickly girded on.</p> +<p> +<a name="s976">976</a></p> +<p> +Doffed they their apparel / and aside they laid it then:<br> +Clothed in white shirts only / saw you there the twain.<br> +Like unto two wild panthers / they coursed across the green:<br> +Yet first beside the fountain / was the valiant Siegfried seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s977">977</a></p> +<p> +No man in feats of valor / who with him had vied. <br> +The sword he soon ungirded / and quiver laid aside,<br> +The mighty spear he leanéd / against the linden-tree:<br> +Beside the running fountain / stood the knight stately to see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s978">978</a></p> +<p> +To Siegfried naught was lacking / that doth good knight adorn.<br> +Down the shield then laid he / where did flow the burn,<br> +Yet howsoe'er he thirsted / no whit the hero drank<br> +Before had drunk the monarch: / therefor he earned but evil thank.</p> +<p> +<a name="s979">979</a></p> +<p> +There where ran clear the water / and cool from out the spring,<br> +Down to it did bend him / Gunther the king.<br> +And when his thirst was quenchéd / rose he from thence again:<br> +Eke the valiant Siegfried, / how glad had he done likewise then.</p> +<p> +<a name="s980">980</a></p> +<p> +For his courtesy he suffered. / Where bow and sword there lay,<br> +Both did carry Hagen / from him thence away,<br> +And again sprang quickly thither / where the spear did stand:<br> +And for a cross the tunic / of the valiant knight he scanned.</p> +<p> +<a name="s981">981</a></p> +<p> +As there the noble Siegfried / to drink o'er fountain bent,<br> +Through the cross he pierced him, / that from the wound was sent<br> +The blood nigh to bespatter / the tunic Hagen wore.<br> +By hand of knight such evil / deed shall wrought be nevermore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s982">982</a></p> +<p> +The spear he left projecting / where it had pierced the heart.<br> +In terror as that moment / did Hagen never start<br> +In flight from any warrior / he ever yet had found.<br> +Soon as the noble Siegfried / within him felt the mighty wound,</p> +<p> +<a name="s983">983</a></p> +<p> +Raging the knight full doughty / up from the fountain sprang,<br> +The while from 'twixt his shoulders / stood out a spearshaft long.<br> +The prince weened to find there / his bow or his sword:<br> +Then in sooth had Hagen / found the traitor's meet reward.</p> +<p> +<a name="s984">984</a></p> +<p> +When from the sorely wounded / knight his sword was gone,<br> +Then had he naught to 'venge him / but his shield alone.<br> +This snatched he from the fountain / and Hagen rushed upon,<br> +And not at all escape him / could the royal Gunther's man.</p> +<p> +<a name="s985">985</a></p> +<p> +Though he nigh to death was wounded / he yet such might did wield<br> +That out in all directions / flew from off the shield<br> +Precious stones a many: / the shield he clave in twain.<br> +Thus vengeance fain had taken / upon his foe the stately thane.</p> +<p> +<a name="s986">986</a></p> +<p> +Beneath his hand must Hagen / stagger and fall to ground.<br> +So swift the blow he dealt him, / the meadow did resound.<br> +Had sword in hand been swinging, / Hagen had had his meed,<br> +So sorely raged he stricken: / to rage in sooth was mickle need.</p> +<p> +<a name="s987">987</a></p> +<p> +Faded from cheek was color, / no longer could he stand,<br> +And all his might of body / soon complete had waned,<br> +As did a deathly pallor / over his visage creep.<br> +Full many a fairest lady / for the knight anon must weep.</p> +<p> +<a name="s988">988</a></p> +<p> +So sank amid the flowers / Kriemhild's noble knight,<br> +While from his wound flowed thickly / the blood before the sight.<br> +Then gan he reviling / —for dire was his need—<br> +Who had thus encompassed / his death by this same faithless deed.</p> +<p> +<a name="s989">989</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the sorely wounded: / "O ye base cowards twain,<br> +Doth then my service merit / that me ye thus have slain?<br> +To you I e'er was faithful / and so am I repaid.<br> +Alas, upon your kindred / now have ye shame eternal laid.</p> +<p> +<a name="s990">990</a></p> +<p> +"By this deed dishonored / hereafter evermore<br> +Are their generations. / Your anger all too sore<br> +Have ye now thus vented / and vengeance ta'en on me.<br> +With shame henceforth be parted / from all good knights' company."</p> +<p> +<a name="s991">991</a></p> +<p> +All the hunters hastened / where he stricken lay,<br> +It was in sooth for many / of them a joyless day.<br> +Had any aught of honor, / he mourned that day, I ween,<br> +And well the same did merit / the knight high-spirited and keen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s992">992</a></p> +<p> +As there the king of Burgundy / mourned that he should die,<br> +Spake the knight sore wounded: / "To weep o'er injury,<br> +Who hath wrought the evil / hath smallest need, I trow.<br> +Reviling doth he merit, / and weeping may he well forego."</p> +<p> +<a name="s993">993</a></p> +<p> +Thereto quoth grim Hagen: / "Ye mourn, I know not why:<br> +This same day hath ended / all our anxiety.<br> +Few shall we find henceforward / for fear will give us need,<br> +And well is me that from his / mastery we thus are freed."</p> +<p> +<a name="s994">994</a></p> +<p> +"Light thing is now thy vaunting," / did Siegfried then reply.<br> +"Had I e'er bethought me / of this thy infamy<br> +Well had I preservéd / 'gainst all thy hate my life.<br> +Me rueth naught so sorely / as Lady Kriemhild my wife.</p> +<p> +<a name="s995">995</a></p> +<p> +"Now may God have mercy / that to me a son was born,<br> +That him alack!, the people / in times to come shall spurn,<br> +That those he nameth kinsmen / have done the murderer's deed.<br> +An had I breath," spake Siegfried, / "to mourn o'er this I well had + need."</p> +<p> +<a name="s996">996</a></p> +<p> +Then spake, in anguish praying, / the hero doomed to die:<br> +"An wilt thou, king, to any / yet not good faith deny,<br> +In all the world to any, / to thee commended be<br> +And to thy loving mercy / the spouse erstwhile was wed to me.</p> +<p> +<a name="s997">997</a></p> +<p> +"Let it be her good fortune / that she thy sister is:<br> +By all the princely virtues, / I beg thee pledge me this.<br> +For me long time my father / and men henceforth must wait:<br> +Upon a spouse was never / wrought, as mine, a wrong so great."</p> +<p> +<a name="s998">998</a></p> +<p> +All around the flowers / were wetted with the blood<br> +As there with death he struggled. / Yet not for long he could,<br> +Because the deadly weapon / had cut him all too sore:<br> +And soon the keen and noble / knight was doomed to speak no more.</p> +<p> +<a name="s999">999</a></p> +<p> +When the lords perceivéd / how that the knight was dead,<br> +Upon a shield they laid him / that was of gold full red,<br> +And counsel took together / how of the thing should naught<br> +Be known, but held in secret / that Hagen the deed had wrought.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1000">1000</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of them a many: / "This is an evil day.<br> +Now shall ye all conceal it / and all alike shall say,<br> +When as Kriemhild's husband / the dark forest through<br> +Rode alone a-hunting, / him the hand of robber slew."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1001">1001</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Myself will bring him home.<br> +In sooth I reck but little / if to her ears it come,<br> +Who my Lady Brunhild / herself hath grieved so sore.<br> +It maketh me small worry, / an if she weep for evermore."</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A17">SEVENTEENTH</a> ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Kriemhild mourned for Siegfried, and How he was +Buried</p> +<p> +<a name="s1002">1002</a></p> +<p> +There till the night they tarried / and o'er the Rhine they went.<br> +By knights in chase might never / more evil day be spent;<br> +For the game that there they hunted / wept many a noble maid.<br> +In sooth by many a valiant / warrior must it since be paid.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1003">1003</a></p> +<p> +Of humor fierce and wanton / list now and ye shall hear,<br> +And eke of direst vengeance. / Hagen bade to bear<br> +Siegfried thus lifeless, / of the Nibelung country,<br> +Unto a castle dwelling / where Lady Kriemhild found might be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1004">1004</a></p> +<p> +He bade in secret manner / to lay him there before<br> +Where she should surely find him / when she from out the door<br> +Should pass to matins early, / ere that had come the day.<br> +In sooth did Lady Kriemhild / full seldom fail the hour to pray.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1005">1005</a></p> +<p> +When, as was wont, in minster / the bell to worship bade,<br> +Kriemhild, fair lady, wakened / from slumber many a maid:<br> +A light she bade them bring her / and eke her dress to wear.<br> +Then hither came a chamberlain / who Siegfried's corse found waiting + there.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1006">1006</a></p> +<p> +He saw him red and bloody, / all wet his clothing too.<br> +That it was his master, / in sooth no whit he knew.<br> +On unto the chamber / the light in hand he bore,<br> +Whereby the Lady Kriemhild / did learn what brought her grief full sore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1007">1007</a></p> +<p> +When she with train of ladies / would to the minster go,<br> +Then spake the chamberlain: / "Pause, I pray thee now:<br> +Here before thy dwelling / a noble knight lies slain."<br> +Thereat gan Lady Kriemhild / in grief unmeasured sore to plain.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1008">1008</a></p> +<p> +Ere yet that 'twas her husband / she did rightly find,<br> +Had she Hagen's question / begun to call to mind,<br> +How might he protect him: / then first did break her heart,<br> +For all her joy in living / did with his death from her depart.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1009">1009</a></p> +<p> +Unto the earth then sank she / ere she a word did say,<br> +And reft of all her pleasure / there the fair lady lay.<br> +Soon had Kriemhild's sorrow / all measure passed beyond:<br> +She shrieked, when past the swooning, / that did the chamber all resound.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1010">1010</a></p> +<p> +Then spake her attendants: / "What if't a stranger were?"<br> +From out her mouth the heart-blood / did spring from anguish sore.<br> +Then spake she: "It is Siegfried / my husband, other none:<br> +This thing hath counselled Brunhild, / and Hagen's hand the deed hath + done."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1011">1011</a></p> +<p> +The lady bade them lead her / where did lie the knight,<br> +And his fair head she raiséd / with her hand full white.<br> +Red though it was and bloody / she knew him yet straightway,<br> +As all forlorn the hero / of Nibelungenland there lay.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1012">1012</a></p> +<p> +Then cried the queen in anguish, / whose hand such wealth might wield:<br> +"O woe is me for sorrow! / Yet is not thy shield<br> +With blow of sword now battered, / but murdered dost thou lie.<br> +And knew I who hath done it, / by my counsel should he die."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1013">1013</a></p> +<p> +All of her attendants / did weep and wail enow<br> +With their belovéd mistress, / for filled they were with woe<br> +For their noble master / whom they should see no more.<br> +For anger of Queen Brunhild / had Hagen wrought revenge full sore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1014">1014</a></p> +<p> +Then spake Kriemhild sorrowing: / "Hence now the message take,<br> +And all the men of Siegfried / shall ye straightway awake.<br> +Unto Siegmund likewise / tell ye my sorrow deep,<br> +If that he will help me / for the doughty Siegfried weep."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1015">1015</a></p> +<p> +Then ran straightway a messenger / and soon he found at hand,<br> +Siegfried's valiant warriors / of Nibelungenland.<br> +Of joy he all bereft him / with tale that he did bear,<br> +Nor would they aught believe it / till sound of weeping met their ear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1016">1016</a></p> +<p> +The messenger came eke quickly / where the king did lie,<br> +Yet closed was not in sleeping / the monarch Siegmund's eye:<br> +I ween his heart did tell him / the thing that there had been,<br> +And that his dear son living / might nevermore by him be seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1017">1017</a></p> +<p> +"Awake, awake, Lord Siegmund. / Hither hath sent for thee<br> +Kriemhild my mistress. / A wrong now beareth she,<br> +A grief that 'fore all others / unto her heart doth go:<br> +To mourn it shalt thou help her, / for sorely hast thou need thereto."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1018">1018</a></p> +<p> +Up raised himself then Siegmund. / He spake: "What may it be<br> +Of wrong that grieveth Kriemhild, / as thou hast told to me?"<br> +The messenger spake weeping: / "Now may I naught withhold:<br> +Know thou that of Netherland / Siegfried brave lies slain and cold."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1019">1019</a></p> +<p> +Thereto gave answer Siegmund: / "Let now such mocking be<br> +And tale of such ill tidings / —an thou regardest me—<br> +As that thou say'st to any / now he lieth slain:<br> +An were it so, I never / unto my end might cease to plain."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1020">1020</a></p> +<p> +"Wilt thou now believe not / the tidings that I bear,<br> +So may'st thyself the Lady / Kriemhild weeping hear,<br> +And all of her attendants, / that Siegfried lieth dead."<br> +With terror filled was Siegmund: / whereof in very sooth was need.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1021">1021</a></p> +<p> +He and his men a hundred / from their beds they sprang,<br> +Then snatched in hand full quickly / swords both sharp and long,<br> +And toward the sound of weeping / in sorrow sore did speed.<br> +There came a thousand warriors / eke of the valiant knight Siegfried.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1022">1022</a></p> +<p> +When they heard the women weeping / in such sore distress<br> +Thought some, strict custom keeping, / we first must don our dress.<br> +In sooth for very sorrow / their wits no more had they,<br> +For on their hearts a burden / of grief full deep and heavy lay.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1023">1023</a></p> +<p> +Then came the monarch Siegmund / where he Kriemhild espied.<br> +He spake: "Alack that ever / to this country I did ride!<br> +Who in such wondrous manner, / and while good friends are near,<br> +Hath of my child bereft me / and thee of spouse thou hold'st so dear?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s1024">1024</a></p> +<p> +"Ah, might I him discover," / spake the lady high,<br> +"Evermore would mercy / I to him deny.<br> +Such meed of vengeance should he / at my hands receive<br> +That all who call him kinsman / reason good should have to grieve."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1025">1025</a></p> +<p> +Siegmund the monarch / in arms the knight did press,<br> +And of his friends there gathered / so great was the distress,<br> +That from the mighty wailing / palace and wide hall<br> +And Worms the city likewise / with sound of woe re-echoed all.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1026">1026</a></p> +<p> +None was who aught might comfort / the wife of Siegfried there.<br> +They drew the knight's attire / from off his body fair,<br> +From wounds the blood, too, washed they / and laid him on the bier.<br> +Then from all his people / a mighty wailing might ye hear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1027">1027</a></p> +<p> +Then outspake his warriors / of Nibelungenland:<br> +"Until he be avengéd / rest shall not our hand.<br> +He is within this castle / who the deed hath done."<br> +Then rushed to find their weapons / Siegfried's warriors every one.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1028">1028</a></p> +<p> +The knights of chosen valor / with shields did thither throng,<br> +Eleven hundred warriors, / that did to train belong<br> +Of Siegmund the monarch. / That his son lay dead,<br> +Would he wreak dire vengeance, / whereof in very sooth was need.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1029">1029</a></p> +<p> +Yet knew they not whom should they / beset in battle then,<br> +If it were not Gunther / and with him his men<br> +With whom their lord Siegfried / unto the hunting rode.<br> +Yet filled with fear was Kriemhild / when she beheld how armed they + stood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1030">1030</a></p> +<p> +How great soe'er her sorrow / and stern the grief she bore,<br> +Yet for the Nibelungen / feared she death full sore<br> +From her brother's warriors, / and bade them hold their wrath.<br> +She gave them kindly warning / as friend to friend beloved doth.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1031">1031</a></p> +<p> +Then spake she rich in sorrow: / "What thing beginnest thou,<br> +Good my lord Siegmund? / This case thou dost not know.<br> +In sooth hath here King Gunther / so many a valiant knight,<br> +Lost are ye all together, / will ye the thanes withstand in fight."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1032">1032</a></p> +<p> +With shields upraised they ready / for the fight did stand.<br> +But the queen full noble / did straightway give command<br> +To those high knights, and prayed them, / their purpose to give o'er.<br> +That she might not dissuade them, / in sooth to her was sorrow sore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1033">1033</a></p> +<p> +Spake she thus: "Lord Siegmund, / thou shalt this thing let be<br> +Until more fitting season. / Seek will I e'er with thee<br> +Full to avenge my husband. / Who him from me hath ta'en,<br> +An I shall know him guilty, / in me shall surely find his bane.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1034">1034</a></p> +<p> +"Of warriors proud and mighty / are many here by Rhine,<br> +Therefore will I advise not / the struggle to begin.<br> +For one that we can muster / good thirty men have they;<br> +As unto us their dealing, / God them requite in equal way.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1035">1035</a></p> +<p> +"Here shall ye bide with me / and help my grief to bear;<br> +Soon as dawns the morning, / ye noble knights and rare,<br> +Help me my loved husband / prepare for burial."<br> +"That shall be done full willing," / spake the doughty warriors all.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1036">1036</a></p> +<p> +To you could never any / full the wonder say,<br> +Of knights and noble ladies, / so full of grief were they,<br> +That the sound of wailing / through the town was heard afar,<br> +Whereat the noble burghers / hastily did gather there.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1037">1037</a></p> +<p> +With the guests they mourned together, / for sore they grieved as well. <br> +What was the guilt of Siegfried / none to them might tell,<br> +Wherefore the knight so noble / thus his life should lose.<br> +Then wept with the high ladies / many a worthy burgher's spouse.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1038">1038</a></p> +<p> +Smiths they bade a casket / work full hastily<br> +All of gold and silver / that great and strong should be.<br> +They bade them fast to weld it / with bands of steel full good.<br> +Then saw ye all the people / stand right sorrowful of mood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1039">1039</a></p> +<p> +Now the night was over, / for day, they said, drew near.<br> +Then bade the noble lady / unto the minster bear<br> +Siegfried her lord full lovéd / for whom she mourned so.<br> +Whoe'er was friend unto him, / him saw ye weeping thither go.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1040">1040</a></p> +<p> +As they brought him to the minster / bells full many rung.<br> +On every hand then heard ye / how priests did chant their song.<br> +Thither with his followers / came Gunther the king<br> +And eke the grim knight Hagen / where was sound of sorrowing.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1041">1041</a></p> +<p> +He spake: "Full loving sister, / alack for grief to thee,<br> +And that from such great evil / spared we might not be!<br> +Henceforth must we ever / mourn for Siegfried's sake."<br> +"That do ye without reason," / full of woe the lady spake.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1042">1042</a></p> +<p> +"If that ye grievéd for it, / befallen were it not.<br> +For say I may full truly, / me had ye all forgot<br> +There where I thus was parted / from my husband dear.<br> +Would it God," spake Kriemhild, / "that done unto myself it were!"</p> +<p> +<a name="s1043">1043</a></p> +<p> +Fast they yet denied it. / Kriemhild spake again:<br> +"If any speak him guiltless, / let here be seen full plain.<br> +Unto the bier now shall he / before the people go;<br> +Thus the truth full quickly / may we in this manner know."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1044">1044</a></p> +<p> +It is a passing wonder / that yet full oft is seen,<br> +Where blood-bespotted slayer / beside slain corse hath been,<br> +That from the wounds come blood-drops, / as here it eke befell.<br> +Thereby the guilt of Hagen / might they now full plainly tell.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1045">1045</a></p> +<p> +Now ran the wounds all bloody /like as they did before.<br> +Who erstwhile wept full sorely / now wept they mickle more.<br> +Then spake the monarch Gunther: / "To thee the truth be known:<br> +Slain hath he been by robbers, / nor is this deed by Hagen done."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1046">1046</a></p> +<p> +"Of these same robbers," spake she, / "full well I understand.<br> +God give that yet may vengeance / wreak some friendly hand.<br> +Gunther and Hagen, / yourselves have done this deed."<br> +Then looked for bloody conflict / the valiant thanes that served + Siegfried.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1047">1047</a></p> +<p> +Then spake unto them Kriemhild: / "Now bear with me my need."<br> +Knights twain came likewise hither / and did find him dead,—<br> +Gernot her brother / and the young Giselher.<br> +With upright hearts then joined they / with the others grief to share.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1048">1048</a></p> +<p> +They mourned for Kriemhild's husband / with hearts all full of woe.<br> +A mass should then be chanted: / to the minster forth did go<br> +Man and child and woman / gathered from every side.<br> +E'en they did likewise mourn him / who little lost that Siegfried died.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1049">1049</a></p> +<p> +Gernot and Giselher spake: / "O Sister dear,<br> +Now comfort thee in sorrow, / for death is ever near.<br> +Amends we'll make unto thee / the while that we shall live."<br> +In the world might never any / unto her a comfort give.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1050">1050</a></p> +<p> +His coffin was made ready / about the middle day.<br> +From off the bier they raised him / whereupon he lay.<br> +But yet would not the lady / let him be laid in grave.<br> +Therefor must all the people / first a mickle trouble have.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1051">1051</a></p> +<p> +In a shroud all silken / they the dead man wound.<br> +I ween that never any / that wept not might be found.<br> +There mournéd full of sorrow / Ute the queen full high<br> +And all of her attendants / that such a noble knight did die.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1052">1052</a></p> +<p> +When did hear the people / how they in minster sung,<br> +And that he there lay coffined, / came then a mickle throng:<br> +For his soul's reposing / what offerings they bore!<br> +E'en amid his enemies / found he of good friends a store.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1053">1053</a></p> +<p> +Kriemhild the poor lady / to her attendants spake:<br> +"Let them shun no trouble / to suffer for my sake,<br> +Who to him are friendly-minded / and me in honor hold;<br> +For the soul of Siegfried / meted be to them his gold."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1054">1054</a></p> +<p> +Child so small there was not, / did it but reason have,<br> +But offering carried thither. / Ere he was laid in grave,<br> +More than a hundred masses / upon the day they sung,<br> +Of all the friends of Siegfried / was gathered there a mickle throng.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1055">1055</a></p> +<p> +When were the masses over, / the folk departed soon.<br> +Then spake the Lady Kriemhild: / "Leave ye me not alone<br> +To pass the night in watching / by this chosen thane now dead,<br> +With whose passing from me / all my joy of life hath fled.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1056">1056</a></p> +<p> +"Three days and three nights further / shall he lie on bier,<br> +Until my heart find quiet / that weeps for spouse so dear.<br> +God perchance commandeth / that death eke me do take:<br> +That were for me poor Kriemhild / fit end of all my woe to make."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1057">1057</a></p> +<p> +Then of the town the people / went to their homes again.<br> +Priests and monks yet bade she / longer there remain,<br> +And all the hero's followers / who willing served alway.<br> +They watched a night all gruesome, / and full of toil was eke the day.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1058">1058</a></p> +<p> +Meat and drink forgetting / abode there many a one.<br> +If any were would take it / 'twas unto all made known,<br> +That have they might in plenty: / thus did provide Siegmund.<br> +Then for the Nibelungen / did trouble and sore need abound.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1059">1059</a></p> +<p> +The while the three days lasted / —such the tale we hear—<br> +All who could join the chanting, / mickle must they bear<br> +There of toil and trouble. / What gifts to them they bore!<br> +Rich were seen full many / who did suffer need before.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1060">1060</a></p> +<p> +As many poor as found they / who themselves had naught,<br> +By them yet an offering / bade they there be brought,<br> +Of gold of Siegfried's treasure. / Though he no more might live,<br> +Yet for his soul's reposing / marks many thousand did they give.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1061">1061</a></p> +<p> +Land of fruitful income / bestowed Kriemhild around,<br> +Wheresoever cloisters / and worthy folk were found.<br> +Silver and apparel / to the poor she gave in store,<br> +And in good manner showed she / that truest love to him she bore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1062">1062</a></p> +<p> +Upon the third morning / at the mass' tide<br> +Was there beside the minster / filled the church-yard wide<br> +With country-folk a-weeping / that came from far and near:<br> +In death they yet did serve him / as is meet for friend full dear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1063">1063</a></p> +<p> +And so it hath been told us, / ere these four days were o'er,<br> +Marks full thirty thousand, / yea, in sooth, and more,<br> +For his soul's reposing / to the poor were given there:<br> +The while that lay all broken / his life and eke his body fair.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1064">1064</a></p> +<p> +When ended was the service / and full the masses sung,<br> +In unrestrained sorrow / there the flock did throng.<br> +They bade that from the minster / he to the grave be borne.<br> +Them that fain had kept him / there beheld ye weep and mourn.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1065">1065</a></p> +<p> +Thence full loud lamenting / did the people with him pass.<br> +Unmoved there never any / nor man nor woman was.<br> +Ere that in grave they laid him / chanted they and read.<br> +What host of priests full worthy / at his burial were gatheréd!</p> +<p> +<a name="s1066">1066</a></p> +<p> +Ere that the wife of Siegfried / was come unto the grave,<br> +With water from the fountain / full oft her face they lave,<br> +So struggled with her sorrow / the faithful lady fair.<br> +Great beyond all measure / was the grief that she did bear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1067">1067</a></p> +<p> +It was a mickle wonder / that e'er her life she kept.<br> +Many a lady was there / that helped her as she wept.<br> +Then spake the queen full noble: / "Ye men that service owe<br> +To Siegfried, as ye love me, / now to me a mercy show.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1068">1068</a></p> +<p> +"Upon this sorrow grant ye / the little grace to me<br> +That I his shining visage / yet once more may see."<br> +So filled she was with anguish / and so long time she sought,<br> +Perforce they must break open / the casket all so fairly wrought.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1069">1069</a></p> +<p> +Where she did see him lying / they then the lady led.<br> +With hand full white and spotless / raised she his fair head;<br> +Then kissed she there all lifeless / the good and noble knight,—<br> +And wept so that for sorrow / ran blood from out her eyes so bright.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1070">1070</a></p> +<p> +Mournful was the parting / that then did rend the twain.<br> +Thence away they bore her, / nor might she walk again,<br> +But in a swoon did senseless / the stately lady lie.<br> +In sooth her winsome body / for sorrow sore was like to die.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1071">1071</a></p> +<p> +When they the knight full noble / now in the grave had laid,<br> +Beheld ye every warrior / beyond all measure sad<br> +That with him was come hither / from Nibelung country.<br> +Full seldom joyous-hearted / might ye royal Siegmund see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1072">1072</a></p> +<p> +And many were among them / that for sorrow great<br> +Till three days were over / did nor drink nor eat.<br> +Yet might they not their bodies / long leave uncared-for so:<br> +For food they turned from mourning / as people still are wont to do.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A18">EIGHTEENTH</a> ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Siegmund fared Home Again</p> +<p> +<a name="s1073">1073</a></p> +<p> +Then went royal Siegmund / where he Kriemhild found.<br> +Unto the queen spake he: / "Home must we now be bound.<br> +We ween that guests unwelcome / here are we by the Rhine.<br> +Kriemhild, belovéd lady, / come now to country that is mine.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1074">1074</a></p> +<p> +"Though from us hath been taken / by foul traitor's hand<br> +Thy good spouse and noble / here in stranger land,<br> +Thine be it not to suffer: / good friend thou hast in me<br> +For sake of son belovéd: / thereof shalt thou undoubting be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1075">1075</a></p> +<p> +"Eke shalt thou have, good lady, / all the power to hold,<br> +The which erstwhile hath shown thee / Siegfried the thane full bold.<br> +The land and the crown likewise, / be they thine own to call,<br> +And gladly eke shall serve thee / Siegfried's doughty warriors all."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1076">1076</a></p> +<p> +Then did they tell the servants / that they thence would ride,<br> +And straight to fetch the horses / these obedient hied.<br> +'Mid such as so did hate them / it grieved them more to stay:<br> +Ladies high and maidens / were bidden dress them for the way.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1077">1077</a></p> +<p> +When that for royal Siegmund / stood ready horse and man,<br> +Her kinsmen Lady Kriemhild / to beseech began<br> +That she from her mother / would still forbear to go.<br> +Then spake the lofty lady: / "That might hardly yet be so.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1078">1078</a></p> +<p> +"How might I for ever / look with eyes upon<br> +Him that to me, poor woman, / such evil thing hath done?"<br> +Then spake the youthful Giselher: / "Sister to me full dear,<br> +By thy goodness shalt thou / tarry with thy mother here."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1079">1079</a></p> +<p> +"Who in this wise have harmed thee / and so grieved thy heart,<br> +Thyself may'st spurn their service: / of what is mine take part."<br> +Unto the knight she answered: / "Such thing may never be.<br> +For die I must for sorrow / when that Hagen I should see."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1080">1080</a></p> +<p> +"From need thereof I'll save thee, / sister full dear to me,<br> +For with thy brother Giselher / shalt thou ever be.<br> +I'll help to still thy sorrow / that thy husband lieth dead."<br> +Then spake she sorrow-stricken: / "Thereof in sooth had Kriemhild need."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1081">1081</a></p> +<p> +When that the youthful Giselher / such kindly offer made,<br> +Then her mother Ute / and Gernot likewise prayed,<br> +And all her faithful kinsmen, / that she would tarry there:<br> +For that in Siegfried's country / but few of her own blood there were.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1082">1082</a></p> +<p> +"To thee they all are strangers," / did Gernot further say.<br> +Nor lived yet man so mighty / but dead at last he lay.<br> +Bethink thee that, dear sister, / in comfort of thy mood.<br> +Stay thou amid thy kinsmen, / I counsel truly for thy good."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1083">1083</a></p> +<p> +To Giselher she promised / that she would tarry there.<br> +For the men of Siegmund / the horses ready were,<br> +When they thence would journey / to the Nibelungen land:<br> +On carrying-horses laden / the knights' attire did ready stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1084">1084</a></p> +<p> +Went the royal Siegmund / unto Kriemhild then;<br> +He spake unto the lady: / "Now do Siegfried's men<br> +Await thee by the horses. / Straight shall we hence away,<br> +For 'mid the men of Burgundy / unwilling would I longer stay."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1085">1085</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the Lady Kriemhild: / "My friends have counselled me,<br> +That by the love I bear them, / here my home shall be,<br> +For that no kinsmen have I / in the Nibelungen land."<br> +Grieved full sore was Siegmund / when he did Kriemhild understand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1086">1086</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the royal Siegmund: / "To such give not thine ear,<br> +A queen 'mid all my kinsmen, / thou a crown shalt wear<br> +And wield as lordly power / as e'er till now thou hast.<br> +Nor thou a whit shalt forfeit, / that we the hero thus have lost.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1087">1087</a></p> +<p> +"And journey with us thither, / for child's sake eke of thine:<br> +Him shalt thou never, lady, / an orphan leave to pine.<br> +When hath grown thy son to manhood, / he'll comfort thee thy mood.<br> +Meanwhile shall ready serve thee / many a warrior keen and good."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1088">1088</a></p> +<p> +She spake: "O royal Siegmund, / I may not thither ride,<br> +For I here must tarry, / whate'er shall me betide,<br> +'Mid them that are my kinsmen, / who'll help my grief to share."<br> +The knights had sore disquiet / that such tidings they must hear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1089">1089</a></p> +<p> +"So might we say full truly," / spake they every one,<br> +"That unto us still greater / evil now were done,<br> +Would'st thou longer tarry / here amid our foes:<br> +In sooth were never journey / of knights to court more full of woes."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1090">1090</a></p> +<p> +"Now may ye free from trouble / in God's protection fare:<br> +I'll bid that trusty escort / shall you have in care<br> +Unto Siegmund's country. / My child full dear to me,<br> +Unto your knights' good mercy / let it well commended be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1091">1091</a></p> +<p> +When that they well perceived / how she would not depart,<br> +Wept all the men of Siegmund / and sad they were at heart.<br> +In what right heavy sorrow / Siegmund then took leave<br> +Of the Lady Kriemhild! / Full sore thereover must he grieve.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1092">1092</a></p> +<p> +"Woe worth this journey hither," / the lofty monarch spake.<br> +"Henceforth from merry meeting / shall nevermore o'ertake<br> +King or his faithful kinsmen / what here our meed hath been.<br> +Here 'mid the men of Burgundy / may we never be more seen."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1093">1093</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the men of Siegfried / in open words and plain:<br> +"An might we right discover / who our lord hath slain,<br> +Warriors bent on vengeance / shall yet lay waste this ground.<br> +Among his kin in plenty / may doughty foemen be found."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1094">1094</a></p> +<p> +Anon he kissed Kriemhild / and spake sorrowfully,<br> +When she there would tarry, / and he the same did see:<br> +"Now ride we joy-forsaken / home unto our land.<br> +First now what 'tis to sorrow / do I rightly understand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1095">1095</a></p> +<p> +From Worms away sans escort / unto the Rhine they rode:<br> +I ween that they full surely / did go in such grim mood,<br> +That had against them any / aught of evil dared,<br> +Hand of keen Nibelungen / had known full well their life to guard.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1096">1096</a></p> +<p> +Nor parting hand they offered / to any that were there.<br> +Then might ye see how Gernot / and likewise Giselher<br> +Did give him loving greeting. / That as their very own<br> +They felt the wrong he suffered, / by the courteous knights and brave + was shown.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1097">1097</a></p> +<p> +Then spake in words full kindly / the royal knight Gernot:<br> +"God in heaven knoweth / that of guilt I've naught<br> +In the death of Siegfried, / that e'er I e'en did hear<br> +Who here to him were hostile. / Well may I of thy sorrow share."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1098">1098</a></p> +<p> +An escort safe did furnish / the young knight Giselher:<br> +Forth from out that country / he led them full of care,<br> +The monarch with his warriors, / to Netherland their home.<br> +How joyless is the greeting / as thither to their kin they come!</p> +<p> +<a name="s1099">1099</a></p> +<p> +How fared that folk thereafter, / that can I nowise say.<br> +Here heard ye Kriemhild plaining / as day did follow day,<br> +That none there was to comfort / her heart and sorry mood,<br> +Did Giselher not do it; / he faithful was to her and good.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1100">1100</a></p> +<p> +The while the fair Queen Brunhild / in mood full haughty sat,<br> +And weep howe'er did Kriemhild, / but little recked she that,<br> +Nor whit to her of pity / displayed she evermore.<br> +Anon was Lady Kriemhild / eke cause to her of sorrow sore.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A19">NINETEENTH</a> ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How the Nibelungen Hoard was Brought to Worms</p> +<p> +<a name="s1101">1101</a></p> +<p> +When that the noble Kriemhild / thus did widowed stand,<br> +Remained there with his warriors / by her in that land<br> +Eckewart the margrave, / and served her ever true.<br> +And he did help his mistress / oft to mourn his master too.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1102">1102</a></p> +<p> +At Worms a house they built her / the minster high beside,<br> +That was both rich and spacious, / full long and eke full wide,<br> +Wherein with her attendants / joyless did she dwell.<br> +She sought the minster gladly, / —that to do she loved full well.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1103">1103</a></p> +<p> +Seldom undone she left it, / but thither went alway<br> +In sorry mood where buried / her loved husband lay.<br> +God begged she in his mercy / his soul in charge to keep,<br> +And, to the thane right faithful, / for him full often did she weep.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1104">1104</a></p> +<p> +Ute and her attendants / all times a comfort bore,<br> +But yet her heart was stricken / and wounded all so sore<br> +That no whit might avail it / what solace e'er they brought.<br> +For lover taken from her / with such grief her heart was fraught,</p> +<p> +<a name="s1105">1105</a></p> +<p> +As ne'er for spouse belovéd / a wife did ever show.<br> +Thereby how high in virtue / she stood ye well might know.<br> +She mourned until her ending / and while did last her life.<br> +Anon a mighty vengeance / wreaked the valiant Siegfried's wife.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1106">1106</a></p> +<p> +And so such load of sorrow / for her dead spouse she bore,<br> +The story sayeth truly, / for years full three or more,<br> +Nor ever unto Gunther / any word spake she,<br> +And meantime eke her enemy / Hagen never might she see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1107">1107</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Now seek'st thou such an end,<br> +That unto thee thy sister / be well-disposéd friend?<br> +Then Nibelungen treasure / let come to this country:<br> +Thereof thou much might'st win thee, / might Kriemhild friendly-minded + be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1108">1108</a></p> +<p> +He spake: "Be that our effort. / My brothers' love hath she:<br> +Them shall we beg to win her / that she our friend may be,<br> +And that she gladly see it / that we do share her store."<br> +"I trow it well," spake Hagen, / "may such thing be nevermore."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1109">1109</a></p> +<p> +Then did he Ortwein / unto the court command<br> +And the margrave Gere. / When both were found at hand,<br> +Thither brought they Gernot / and eke young Giselher.<br> +In friendly manner sought they / to win the Lady Kriemhild there.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1110">1110</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Burgundy / Gernot the warrior strong:<br> +"Lady, the death of Siegfried / thou mournest all too long.<br> +Well will the monarch prove thee / that him he ne'er hath slain.<br> +'Tis heard how that right sorely / thou dost for him unending plain."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1111">1111</a></p> +<p> +She spake: "The king none chargeth: / t'was Hagen's hand that slew.<br> +When Hagen me did question / where might one pierce him through,<br> +How might e'er thought come to me / that hate his heart did bear?<br> +Then 'gainst such thing to guard me," / spake she, "had I ta'en good + care.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1112">1112</a></p> +<p> +"And kept me from betraying / to evil hands his life,<br> +Nor cause of this my weeping / had I his poor lorn wife.<br> +My heart shall hate forever / who this foul deed have done."<br> +And further to entreat her / young Giselher had soon begun.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1113">1113</a></p> +<p> +When that to greet the monarch / a willing mind spake she,<br> +Him soon with noble kinsmen / before her might ye see.<br> +Yet dare might never Hagen / unto her to go:<br> +On her he'd wrought sore evil, / as well his guilty mind did know.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1114">1114</a></p> +<p> +When she no hatred meted / unto Gunther as before,<br> +By Hagen to be greeted / were fitting all the more.<br> +Had but by his counsel / no ill to her been done,<br> +So might he all undaunted / unto Kriemhild have gone.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1115">1115</a></p> +<p> +Nor e'er was peace new offered / kindred friends among<br> +Sealed with tears so many. / She brooded o'er her wrong.<br> +To all she gave her friendship / save to one man alone.<br> +Nor slain her spouse were ever, / were not the deed by Hagen done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1116">1116</a></p> +<p> +Small time it was thereafter / ere they did bring to pass<br> +That with the Lady Kriemhild / the mighty treasure was,<br> +That from Nibelungen country / she brought the Rhine unto.<br> +It was her bridal portion / and 'twas fairly now her due.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1117">1117</a></p> +<p> +For it did journey thither / Gernot and Giselher.<br> +Warriors eighty hundred / Kriemhild commanded there<br> +That they should go and fetch it / where hidden it did lie,<br> +And where the good thane Alberich / with friends did guard it faithfully.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1118">1118</a></p> +<p> +When saw they coming warriors / from Rhine the hoard to take,<br> +Alberich the full valiant / to his friends in this wise spake:<br> +"We dare not of the treasure / aught from them withhold:<br> +It is her bridal portion, / —thus the noble queen hath told.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1119">1119</a></p> +<p> +"Yet had we never granted," / spake Alberich, "this to do,<br> +But that in evil manner / the sightless mantle too<br> +With the doughty Siegfried / we alike did lose,<br> +The which did wear at all times / the fair Kriemhild's noble spouse.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1120">1120</a></p> +<p> +"Now alas hath Siegfried / had but evil gain<br> +That from us the sightless mantle / the hero thus hath ta'en,<br> +And so hath forced to serve him / all these lands around."<br> +Then went forth the porter / where full soon the keys he found.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1121">1121</a></p> +<p> +There stood before the mountain / ready Kriemhild's men,<br> +And her kinsmen with them. / The treasure bore they then<br> +Down unto the water / where the ships they sought:<br> +To where the Rhine flowed downward / across the waves the hoard they + brought.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1122">1122</a></p> +<p> +Now of the treasure further / may ye a wonder hear:<br> +Heavy wains a dozen / scarce the same might bear<br> +In four days and nights together / from the mountain all away,<br> +E'en did each one of them / thrice the journey make each day.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1123">1123</a></p> +<p> +In it was nothing other / than gold and jewels rare.<br> +And if to every mortal / on earth were dealt a share,<br> +Ne'er 'twould make the treasure / by one mark the less.<br> +Not without good reason / forsooth would Hagen it possess.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1124">1124</a></p> +<p> +The wish-rod lay among them, / of gold a little wand.<br> +Whosoe'er its powers / full might understand,<br> +The same might make him master / o'er all the race of men.<br> +Of Alberich's kin full many / with Gernot returned again.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1125">1125</a></p> +<p> +When they did store the treasure / in King Gunther's land,<br> +And to royal Kriemhild / 'twas given 'neath her hand,<br> +Storing-rooms and towers / could scarce the measure hold.<br> +Nevermore such wonder / might of wealth again be told.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1126">1126</a></p> +<p> +And had it e'en been greater, / yea a thousandfold,<br> +If but again might Kriemhild / safe her Siegfried hold,<br> +Fain were she empty-handed / of all the boundless store.<br> +Spouse than she more faithful / won a hero nevermore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1127">1127</a></p> +<p> +When now she had the treasure, / she brought into that land<br> +Knights many from far distance. / Yea, dealt the lady's hand<br> +So freely that such bounty / ne'er before was seen.<br> +High in honor held they / for her goodly heart the queen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1128">1128</a></p> +<p> +Unto both rich and needy / began she so to give<br> +That fearful soon grew Hagen, / if that she would live<br> +Long time in such high power, / lest she of warriors true<br> +Such host might win to serve her, / that cause would be her strength to + rue.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1129">1129</a></p> +<p> +Spake Gunther then: / "The treasure is hers and freedom too.<br> +Wherefore shall I prevent her, / whate'er therewith she do?<br> +Yea, nigh she did her friendship / from me evermore withhold.<br> +Now reck we not who shareth / or her silver or her gold."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1130">1130</a></p> +<p> +Unto the king spake Hagen: / "No man that boasteth wit<br> +Should to any woman / such hoard to hold permit.<br> +By gifts she yet will bring it / that will come the day<br> +When valiant men of Burgundy / rue it with good reason may."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1131">1131</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the monarch Gunther: / "To her an oath I swore,<br> +That I would cause of evil / to her be nevermore,<br> +Whereof henceforth I'll mind me: / sister she is to me."<br> +Then spake further Hagen: / "Let me bear the guilt for thee."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1132">1132</a></p> +<p> +Many they were that kept not / there their plighted word:<br> +From the widow took they / all that mighty hoard:<br> +Every key had Hagen / known to get in hand.<br> +Rage filled her brother Gernot / when he the thing did understand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1133">1133</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the knight Giselher: / "Hagen here hath wrought<br> +Sore evil to my sister: / permit this thing I'll not.<br> +And were he not my kinsman, / he'd pay it with his life."<br> +Anew did fall aweeping / then the doughty Siegfried's wife.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1134">1134</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the knight Gernot: / "Ere that forever we<br> +Be troubled with this treasure, / let first commanded be<br> +Deep in the Rhine to sink it, / that no man have it more."<br> +In sad manner plaining / Kriemhild stood Giselher before.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1135">1135</a></p> +<p> +She spake: "Belovéd brother, / be mindful thou of me:<br> +What life and treasure toucheth / shalt thou my protector be."<br> +Then spake he to the lady: / "That shall sure betide,<br> +When we again come hither: / now called we are away to ride."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1136">1136</a></p> +<p> +The monarch and his kinsmen / rode from out the land,<br> +And in his train the bravest / ye saw on any hand:<br> +Went all save Hagen only, / and there he stayed for hate,<br> +That he did bear to Kriemhild, / and full gladly did he that.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1137">1137</a></p> +<p> +Ere that the mighty monarch / was thither come again,<br> +In that while had Hagen / all that treasure ta'en.<br> +Where Loch is by the river / all in the Rhine sank he.<br> +He weened thereof to profit, / yet such thing might never be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1138">1138</a></p> +<p> +The royal knights came thither / again with many a man.<br> +Kriemhild with her maidens / and ladies then began<br> +To mourn the wrong they suffered, / that pity was to hear.<br> +Fain had the faithful Giselher / been unto her a comforter.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1139">1139</a></p> +<p> +Then spake they all together: / "Done hath he grievous wrong."<br> +But he the princes' anger / avoided yet so long<br> +At last to win their favor. / They let him live sans scathe.<br> +Then filled thereat was Kriemhild / as ne'er before with mickle wrath.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1140">1140</a></p> +<p> +Ere that of Tronje Hagen / had hidden thus the hoard,<br> +Had they unto each other / given firm plighted word,<br> +That it should lie concealéd / while one of them might live.<br> +Thereof anon nor could they / to themselves nor unto other give.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1141">1141</a></p> +<p> +With renewéd sorrows / heavy she was of heart<br> +That so her dear-loved husband / perforce from life must part,<br> +And that of wealth they reft her. / Therefor she mourned alway,<br> +Nor ever ceased her plaining / until was come her latest day.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1142">1142</a></p> +<p> +After the death of Siegfried / dwelt she in sorrow then,<br> +—Saith the tale all truly— / full three years and ten,<br> +Nor in that time did ever / for the knight mourn aught the less.<br> +To him she was right faithful, / must all the folk of her confess.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A20">TWENTIETH</a> ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How King Etzel sent to Burgundy for Kriemhild</p> +<p> +<a name="s1143">1143</a></p> +<p> +In that same time when ended / was Lady Helke's life,<br> +And that the monarch Etzel / did seek another wife,<br> +To take a highborn widow / of the land of Burgundy<br> +Hun his friends did counsel: / Lady Kriemhild hight was she.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1144">1144</a></p> +<p> +Since that was ended / the fair Helke's life,<br> +Spake they: "Wilt thou ever / win for thee noble wife,<br> +The highest and the fairest / that ever king did win,<br> +Take to thee this same lady / that doughty Siegfried's spouse hath been."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1145">1145</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the mighty monarch: / "How might that come to pass<br> +Since that I am a heathen, / nor named with sign of cross?<br> +The lady is a Christian, / thereto she'll ne'er agree.<br> +Wrought must be a wonder, / if the thing may ever be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1146">1146</a></p> +<p> +Then spake again his warriors: / "She yet may do the same.<br> +For sake of thy great power / and thy full lofty name<br> +Shalt thou yet endeavor / such noble wife to gain.<br> +To woo the stately lady / might each monarch high be fain."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1147">1147</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the noble monarch: / "Who is 'mong men of mine,<br> +That knoweth land and people / dwelling far by Rhine?"<br> +Spake then of Bechelaren / the trusty Ruediger:<br> +"I have known from childhood / the noble queen that dwelleth there.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1148">1148</a></p> +<p> +"And Gunther and Gernot, / the noble knights and good,<br> +And hight the third is Giselher: / whatever any should<br> +That standeth high in honor / and virtue, doth each one:<br> +Eke from eld their fathers / have in like noble manner done."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1149">1149</a></p> +<p> +Then spake again Etzel: / "Friend, now shalt thou tell,<br> +If she within my country / crown might wear full well—<br> +For be she fair of body / as hath been told to me,<br> +My friends for this their counsel / shall ever full requited be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1150">1150</a></p> +<p> +"She likeneth in beauty / well my high lady,<br> +Helke that was so stately. / Nor forsooth might be<br> +In all this world a fairer / spouse of king soe'er.<br> +Whom taketh she for wooer, / glad of heart and mind he were."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1151">1151</a></p> +<p> +He spake: "Make trial, Ruediger, / as thou hold'st me dear.<br> +And if by Lady Kriemhild / e'er I lie full near,<br> +Therefor will I requite thee / as in best mode I may:<br> +So hast thou then fulfilled / all my wish in fullest way.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1152">1152</a></p> +<p> +"Stores from out my treasure / I'll bid to thee to give,<br> +That thou with thy companions / merry long shalt live,<br> +Of steeds and rich apparel / what thou wilt have to share.<br> +Thereof unto thy journey / I'll bid in measure full prepare."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1153">1153</a></p> +<p> +Thereto did give him answer / the margrave Ruediger:<br> +"Did I thy treasure covet / unworthy thing it were.<br> +Gladly will I thy messenger / be unto the Rhine,<br> +From my own store provided: / all have I e'en from hand of thine."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1154">1154</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the mighty monarch: / "When now wilt thou fare<br> +To seek the lovely lady? / God of thee have care<br> +To keep thee on thy journey / and eke a wife to me.<br> +Therein good fortune help me, / that she to us shall gracious be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1155">1155</a></p> +<p> +Then again spake Ruediger: / "Ere that this land we quit,<br> +Must we first prepare us / arms and apparel fit,<br> +That we may thus in honor / in royal presence stand.<br> +To the Rhine I'll lead five hundred / warriors, a doughty band.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1156">1156</a></p> +<p> +"Wherever they in Burgundy / me and my men may see,<br> +Shall they all and single / then confess of thee<br> +That ne'er from any monarch / so many warriors went<br> +As now to bear thy message / thou far unto the Rhine hast sent.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1157">1157</a></p> +<p> +"May it not, O mighty monarch, / thee from thy purpose move:<br> +Erstwhile unto Siegfried / she gave her noble love,<br> +Who scion is of Siegmund: / him thou here hast seen.<br> +Worthy highest honor / verily the knight had been."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1158">1158</a></p> +<p> +Then answered him King Etzel: / "Was she the warrior's wife,<br> +So worthy was of honor / the noble prince in life,<br> +That I the royal lady / therefor no whit despise.<br> +'Tis her surpassing beauty / that shall be joy unto mine eyes."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1159">1159</a></p> +<p> +Then further spake the margrave: / "Hear then what I do say:<br> +After days four-and-twenty / shall we from hence away.<br> +Tidings to Gotelinde / I'll send, my spouse full dear,<br> +That I to Lady Kriemhild / myself will be thy messenger."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1160">1160</a></p> +<p> +Away to Bechelaren / sent then Ruediger.<br> +Both sad his spouse and joyous / was the news to hear.<br> +He told how for the monarch / a wife he was to woo:<br> +With love she well remembered / the fair Lady Helke too.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1161">1161</a></p> +<p> +When that the margravine / did the message hear,<br> +In part 'twas sorrow to her, / and weep she must in fear<br> +At having other mistress / than hers had been before.<br> +To think on Lady Helke / did grieve her inmost heart full sore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1162">1162</a></p> +<p> +Ruediger from Hunland / in seven days did part,<br> +Whereat the monarch Etzel / merry was of heart.<br> +When at Vienna city / all was ready for the way,<br> +To begin the journey / might he longer not delay.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1163">1163</a></p> +<p> +At Bechelaren waited / Gotelinde there,<br> +And eke the young margravine, / daughter of Ruediger,<br> +Was glad at thought her father / and all his men to see.<br> +And many a lovely maiden / looked to the coming joyfully.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1164">1164</a></p> +<p> +Ere that to Bechelaren / rode noble Ruediger<br> +From out Vienna city, / was rich equipment there<br> +For them in fullest measure / on carrying-horses brought,<br> +That went in such wise guarded / that robber hand disturbed them not.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1165">1165</a></p> +<p> +When they at Bechelaren / within the town did stand,<br> +His fellows on the journey / did the host command<br> +To lead to fitting quarters / and tend carefully.<br> +The stately Gotelinde, / glad she was her spouse to see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1166">1166</a></p> +<p> +Eke his lovely daughter / the youthful margravine,—<br> +To her had nothing dearer / than his coming been.<br> +The warriors too from Hunland, / what joy for her they make!<br> +With a laughing spirit / to all the noble maiden spake:</p> +<p> +<a name="s1167">1167</a></p> +<p> +"Be now to us right welcome, / my father and all his men."<br> +Fairest thanks on all sides / saw ye offered then<br> +Unto the youthful margravine / by many a valiant knight.<br> +How Ruediger was minded / knew Gotelinde aright.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1168">1168</a></p> +<p> +When then that night she / by Ruediger lay,<br> +Questioned him the margravine / in full loving way,<br> +Wherefore had sent him thither / the king of Hunland.<br> +He spake: "My Lady Gotelinde, / that shalt thou gladly understand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1169">1169</a></p> +<p> +"My master now hath sent me / to woo him other wife,<br> +Since that by death was ended / the fair Helke's life.<br> +Now will I to Kriemhild / ride unto the Rhine:<br> +She shall here in Hunland / be spouse to him and stately queen."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1170">1170</a></p> +<p> +"God will it," spake Gotelinde, / "and well the same might be,<br> +Since that so high in honor / ever standeth she.<br> +The death of my good mistress / we then may better bear;<br> +Eke might we grant her gladly / among the Huns a crown to wear."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1171">1171</a></p> +<p> +Then spake to her the margrave: / "Thou shalt, dear lady mine,<br> +To them that shall ride with me / thither unto the Rhine,<br> +In right bounteous manner / deal out a goodly share.<br> +Good knights go lighter-hearted / when they well provided fare."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1172">1172</a></p> +<p> +She spake: "None is among them, / an he would take from me,<br> +But I will give whatever / to him may pleasing be,<br> +Ere that ye part thither, / thou and thy good men."<br> +Thereto spake the margrave: / "So dost thou all my wishes then."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1173">1173</a></p> +<p> +Silken stuffs in plenty / they from her chamber bore,<br> +And to the knights full noble / dealt out in goodly store,<br> +Mantles lined all richly / from collar down to spur.<br> +What for the journey pleased him / did choose therefrom Sir Ruediger.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1174">1174</a></p> +<p> +Upon the seventh morning / from Bechelaren went<br> +The knight with train of warriors. / Attire and armament<br> +Bore they in fullest measure / through the Bavarian land,<br> +And ne'er upon the journey / dared assail them robber band.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1175">1175</a></p> +<p> +Unto the Rhine then came they / ere twelve days were flown,<br> +And there were soon the tidings / of their coming known.<br> +'Twas told unto the monarch / and with him many a man,<br> +How strangers came unto him. / To question then the king began,</p> +<p> +<a name="s1176">1176</a></p> +<p> +If any was did know them, / for he would gladly hear.<br> +They saw their carrying-horses / right heavy burdens bear:<br> +That they were knights of power / knew they well thereby.<br> +Lodgings they made them ready / in the wide city speedily.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1177">1177</a></p> +<p> +When that the strangers / had passed within the gate<br> +Every eye did gaze on / the knights that came in state,<br> +And mickle was the wonder / whence to the Rhine they came.<br> +Then sent the king for Hagen, / if he perchance might know the same.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1178">1178</a></p> +<p> +Then spake he of Tronje: / "These knights I ne'er have seen,<br> +Yet when we now behold them / I'll tell thee well, I ween,<br> +From whence they now ride hither / unto this country.<br> +An I not straightway know them, / from distant land in sooth they be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1179">1179</a></p> +<p> +For the guests fit lodgings / now provided were.<br> +Clad in rich apparel / came the messenger,<br> +And to the court his fellows / did bear him company.<br> +Sumptuous attire / wore they, wrought full cunningly.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1180">1180</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the doughty Hagen: / "As far as goes my ken,<br> +For that long time the noble / knight I not have seen,<br> +Come they in such manner / as were it Ruediger,<br> +The valiant thane from Hunland, / that leads the stately riders here."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1181">1181</a></p> +<p> +Then straightway spake the monarch: / "How shall I understand<br> +That he of Bechelaren / should come unto this land?"<br> +Scarce had King Gunther / his mind full spoken there,<br> +When saw full surely Hagen / that 'twas the noble Ruediger.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1182">1182</a></p> +<p> +He and his friends then hastened / with warmest welcoming.<br> +Then saw ye knights five hundred / adown from saddle spring,<br> +And were those knights of Hunland / received in fitting way.<br> +Messengers ne'er beheld ye / attired in so fine array.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1183">1183</a></p> +<p> +Hagen of Tronje, / with voice full loud spake he:<br> +"Unto these thanes full noble / a hearty welcome be,<br> +To the lord of Bechelaren / and his men every one."<br> +Thereat was fitting honor / done to every valiant Hun.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1184">1184</a></p> +<p> +The monarch's nearest kinsmen / went forth the guests to meet.<br> +Of Metz the knight Sir Ortwein / Ruediger thus did greet:<br> +"The while our life hath lasted, / never yet hath guest<br> +Here been seen so gladly: / be that in very truth confessed."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1185">1185</a></p> +<p> +For that greeting thanked they / the brave knights one and all.<br> +With train of high attendants / they passed unto the hall,<br> +Where valiant men a many / stood round the monarch's seat.<br> +The king arose from settle / in courteous way the guests to greet.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1186">1186</a></p> +<p> +Right courteously he greeted / then the messenger.<br> +Gunther and Gernot, / full busy both they were<br> +For stranger and companions / a welcome fit to make.<br> +The noble knight Sir Ruediger / by the hand the king did take.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1187">1187</a></p> +<p> +He led him to the settle / where himself he sat:<br> +He bade pour for the strangers / (a welcome work was that)<br> +Mead the very choicest / and the best of wine,<br> +That e'er ye might discover / in all the lands about the Rhine.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1188">1188</a></p> +<p> +Giselher and Gere / joined the company too,<br> +Eke Dankwart and Volker, / when that they knew<br> +The coming of the strangers: / glad they were of mood,<br> +And greeted 'fore the monarch / fair the noble knights and good.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1189">1189</a></p> +<p> +Then spake unto his master / of Tronje the knight:<br> +"Let our thanes seek ever / fully to requite<br> +What erstwhile the margrave / in love to us hath done:<br> +Fair Gotelinde's husband / our gratitude full well hath won."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1190">1190</a></p> +<p> +Thereto spake King Gunther: / "Withhold it not I may.<br> +How they both do bear them, / tell me now, I pray,<br> +Etzel and Helke / afar in Hunland."<br> +Then answered him the margrave: / "Fain would I have thee understand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1191">1191</a></p> +<p> +Then rose he from the settle / and his men every one.<br> +He spake unto the monarch: / "An may the thing be done,<br> +And is't thy royal pleasure, / so will I naught withhold,<br> +But the message that I bring thee / shall full willingly be told."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1192">1192</a></p> +<p> +He spake: "What tale soever, / doth this thy message make,<br> +I grant thee leave to tell it, / nor further counsel take.<br> +Now shalt thou let us hear it, / me and my warriors too,<br> +For fullest leave I grant thee / thy high purpose to pursue."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1193">1193</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the upright messenger: / "Hither to thee at Rhine<br> +Doth faithful service tender / master high of mine;<br> +To all thy kinsmen likewise, / as many as may be:<br> +Eke is this my message / borne in all good will to thee.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1194">1194</a></p> +<p> +"To thee the noble monarch / bids tell his tale of need.<br> +His folk 's forlorn and joyless; / my mistress high is dead,<br> +Helke the full stately / my good master's wife,<br> +Whereby now is orphaned / full many a fair maiden's life,</p> +<p> +<a name="s1195">1195</a></p> +<p> +"Children of royal parents / for whom hath cared her hand:<br> +Thereby doth the country / in plight full sorry stand.<br> +Alack, nor is there other / that them with love may tend.<br> +I ween the time long distant / eke when the monarch's grief shall end."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1196">1196</a></p> +<p> +"God give him meed," spake Gunther, / "that he so willingly<br> +Doth offer thus good service / to my kinsmen and to me—<br> +I joy that I his greeting / here have heard this day—<br> +The which with glad endeavor / my kinsmen and my men shall pay."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1197">1197</a></p> +<p> +Thereto the knight of Burgundy, / the valiant Gernot, said:<br> +"The world may ever rue it / that Helke fair lies dead,<br> +So manifold the virtues / that did her life adorn."<br> +A willing testimony / by Hagen to the words was borne.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1198">1198</a></p> +<p> +Thereto again spake Ruediger / the noble messenger:<br> +"Since thou, O king, dost grant it, / shalt thou now further hear<br> +What message 'tis my master / beloved hath hither sent,<br> +For that since death of Helke / his days he hath in sorrow spent.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1199">1199</a></p> +<p> +"'Tis told my lord that Kriemhild / doth widowed live alone,<br> +And dead is doughty Siegfried. / May now such thing be done,<br> +And wilt thou grant that favor, / a crown she then shall wear<br> +Before the knights of Etzel: / this message from my lord I bear."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1200">1200</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the mighty monarch / —a king he was of grace—<br> +"My will in this same matter / she'll hear, an so she please.<br> +Thereof will I instruct thee / ere three days are passed by—<br> +Ere I her mind have sounded, / wherefore to Etzel this deny?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s1201">1201</a></p> +<p> +Meanwhile for the strangers / bade they make cheer the best<br> +In sooth so were they tended / that Ruediger confessed<br> +He had 'mong men of Gunther / of friends a goodly store.<br> +Hagen full glad did serve him, / as he had Hagen served of yore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1202">1202</a></p> +<p> +Thus there did tarry Ruediger / until the third day.<br> +The king did counsel summon / —he moved in wisest way—<br> +If that unto his kinsmen / seemed it fitting thing,<br> +That Kriemhild take unto her / for spouse Etzel the king.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1203">1203</a></p> +<p> +Together all save Hagen / did the thing advise,<br> +And unto King Gunther / spake he in this wise:<br> +"An hast thou still thy senses, / of that same thing beware,<br> +That, be she ne'er so willing, / thou lend'st thyself her will to share."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1204">1204</a></p> +<p> +"Wherefore," spake then Gunther, / "should I allow it not?<br> +Whene'er doth fortune favor / Kriemhild in aught,<br> +That shall I gladly grant her, / for sister dear is she.<br> +Yea, ought ourselves to seek it, / might it but her honor be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1205">1205</a></p> +<p> +Thereto gave answer Hagen: / "Now such words give o'er.<br> +Were Etzel known unto thee / as unto me of yore,<br> +And did'st thou grant her to him, / as 'tis thy will I hear,<br> +Then wouldst thou first have reason / for thy later weal to fear."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1206">1206</a></p> +<p> +"Wherefore?" spake then Gunther. / "Well may I care for that,<br> +E'er to thwart his temper / that so I aught of hate<br> +At his hands should merit, / an if his wife she be."<br> +Thereto gave answer Hagen: / "Such counsel hast thou ne'er of me."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1207">1207</a></p> +<p> +Then did they bid for Gernot / and Giselher to go,<br> +For wished they of the royal / twain their mind to know,<br> +If that the mighty monarch / Kriemhild for spouse should take.<br> +Yet Hagen and none other / thereto did opposition make.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1208">1208</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Burgundy / Giselher the thane:<br> +"Well may'st thou now, friend Hagen, / show upright mind again:<br> +For sorrows wrought upon her / may'st thou her well requite.<br> +Howe'er she findeth fortune, / ne'er should it be in thy despite."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1209">1209</a></p> +<p> +"Yea, hast thou to my sister / so many sorrows done,"<br> +So spake further Giselher, / the full noble thane,<br> +"That fullest reason hath she / to mete thee naught but hate.<br> +In sooth was never lady / than she bereft of joy more great."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1210">1210</a></p> +<p> +"What I do know full certain, / that known to all I make:<br> +If e'er shall come the hour / that she do Etzel take,<br> +She'll work us yet sore evil, / howe'er the same she plan.<br> +Then in sooth will serve her / full many a keen and doughty man."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1211">1211</a></p> +<p> +In answer then to Hagen / the brave Gernot said:<br> +"With us doth lie to leave it / until they both be dead,<br> +Ere that we ride ever / unto Etzel's land.<br> +That we be faithful to her / doth honor meantime sure command."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1212">1212</a></p> +<p> +Thereto again spake Hagen: / "Gainsay me here may none.<br> +And shall the noble Kriemhild / e'er sit 'neath Helke's crown,<br> +Howe'er she that accomplish, / she'll do us grievous hurt.<br> +Good knights, therefrom to keep you / doth better with your weal + consort."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1213">1213</a></p> +<p> +In anger spake then Giselher / the son of Ute the fair:<br> +"None shall yet among us / himself like traitor bear.<br> +What honor e'er befall her, / rejoice thereat should we.<br> +Whate'er thou sayest, Hagen, / true helper shall she find in me."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1214">1214</a></p> +<p> +When that heard it Hagen / straightway waxed he wroth.<br> +Gernot and Giselher / the knights high-minded both,<br> +And Gunther, mighty monarch, / did counsel finally,<br> +If that did wish it Kriemhild, / by them 'twould unopposéd be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1215">1215</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the margrave Gere: / "That lady will I tell<br> +How that of royal Etzel / she may think full well.<br> +In fear are subject to him / brave warriors many a one:<br> +Well may he recompense her / for wrong that e'er to her was done."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1216">1216</a></p> +<p> +Then went the knight full valiant / where he did Kriemhild find,<br> +And straightway spake unto her / upon her greeting kind:<br> +"Me may'st thou gladly welcome / with messengers high meed.<br> +Fortune hath come to part thee / now from all thy bitter need.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1217">1217</a></p> +<p> +"For sake of love he bears thee, / lady, doth seek thy hand<br> +One of all the highest / that e'er o'er monarch's land<br> +Did rule in fullest honor, / or ever crown might wear:<br> +High knights do bring the message, / which same thy brother bids thee + hear."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1218">1218</a></p> +<p> +Then spake she rich in sorrow: / "Now God forbid to thee<br> +And all I have of kinsmen / that aught of mockery<br> +They do on me, poor woman. / What were I unto one,<br> +Who e'er at heart the joyance / of a noble wife hath known?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s1219">1219</a></p> +<p> +Much did she speak against it. / Anon as well came there<br> +Gernot her brother / and the young Giselher.<br> +In loving wise they begged her / her mourning heart to cheer:<br> +An would she take the monarch, / verily her weal it were.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1220">1220</a></p> +<p> +Yet might not then by any / the lady's mind be bent,<br> +That any man soever / to love she would consent.<br> +Thereon the thanes besought her: / "Now grant the thing to be,<br> +An dost thou nothing further, / that the messenger thou deign'st to see."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1221">1221</a></p> +<p> +"That will I not deny you," / spake the high lady,<br> +"That the noble Ruediger / I full gladly see,<br> +Such knightly grace adorns him. / Were he not messenger,<br> +And came there other hither / by him I all unspoken were."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1222">1222</a></p> +<p> +She spake: "Upon the morrow / bid him hither fare<br> +Unto this my chamber. / Then shall he fully hear<br> +How that do stand my wishes, / the which I'll tell him true."<br> +Of her full grievous sorrow / was she minded thus anew.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1223">1223</a></p> +<p> +Eke not else desired / the noble Ruediger<br> +Than that by the lady / leave thus granted were:<br> +He knew himself so skilful, / might he such favor earn,<br> +So should he her full certain / from her spoken purpose turn.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1224">1224</a></p> +<p> +Upon the morrow early / when that the mass was sung<br> +Came the noble messengers, / whereof a mickle throng.<br> +They that should Sir Ruediger / to court bear company,<br> +Many a man full stately / in rich apparel might ye see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1225">1225</a></p> +<p> +Kriemhild, dame high-stated, / —full sad she was of mood—<br> +There Ruediger awaited, / the noble knight and good.<br> +He found her in such raiment / as daily she did wear:<br> +The while were her attendants / in dresses clad full rich and rare,</p> +<p> +<a name="s1226">1226</a></p> +<p> +Unto the threshold went she / the noble guest to meet,<br> +And the man of Etzel / did she full kindly greet.<br> +Twelve knights there did enter, / himself and eleven more,<br> +And well were they received: / to her such guests came ne'er before.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1227">1227</a></p> +<p> +The messenger to seat him / and his men they gave command.<br> +The twain valiant margraves / saw ye before her stand,<br> +Eckewart and Gere, / the noble knights and keen,<br> +Such was the lady's sorrow, / none saw ye there of cheerful mien.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1228">1228</a></p> +<p> +They saw before her sitting / full many a lady fair,<br> +And yet the Lady Kriemhild / did naught but sorrow there.<br> +The dress upon her bosom / was wet with tears that fell,<br> +And soon the noble margrave / perceived her mickle grief full well.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1229">1229</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the lofty messenger: / "Daughter of king full high,<br> +To me and these my fellows / that bear me company<br> +Deign now the grace to grant us / that we before thee stand<br> +And tell to thee the tidings / wherefore we rode unto thy land."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1230">1230</a></p> +<p> +"That grace to thee is granted," / spake the lofty queen;<br> +"Whate'er may be thy message, / I'll let it now be seen<br> +That I do hear it gladly: / thou'rt welcome messenger."<br> +That fruitless was their errand / deemed the others well to hear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1231">1231</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Bechelaren / the noble Ruediger:<br> +"Pledge of true love unto thee / from lofty king I bear,<br> +Etzel who bids thee, lady, / here royal compliment:<br> +He hath to woo thy favor / knights full worthy hither sent.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1232">1232</a></p> +<p> +"His love to thee he offers / full heartily and free:<br> +Fidelity that lasteth / he plighteth unto thee,<br> +As erst to Lady Helke / who o'er his heart held sway.<br> +Yea, thinking on her virtues / hath he full oft had joyless day."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1233">1233</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the royal lady: / "O Margrave Ruediger,<br> +If that known to any / my sharp sorrows were,<br> +Besought then were I never / again to take me spouse.<br> +Such ne'er was won by lady / as the husband I did lose."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1234">1234</a></p> +<p> +"What is that sootheth sorrow," / the valiant knight replied,<br> +"An be't not loving friendship / whene'er that may betide,<br> +And that each mortal choose him / who his delight shall be?<br> +Naught is that so availeth / to keep the heart from sorrow free.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1235">1235</a></p> +<p> +"Wilt thou minded be to love him, / this noble master mine,<br> +O'er mighty crowns a dozen / the power shall be thine.<br> +Thereto of princes thirty / my lord shall give thee land,<br> +The which hath all subdued / the prowess of his doughty hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1236">1236</a></p> +<p> +"O'er many a knight full worthy / eke mistress shalt thou be<br> +That my Lady Helke / did serve right faithfully,<br> +And over many a lady / that served amid her train,<br> +Of high and royal lineage," / spake the keen and valiant thane.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1237">1237</a></p> +<p> +"Thereto my lord will give thee / —he bids to thee make known—<br> +If that beside the monarch / thou deign'st to wear a crown,<br> +Power in fullest measure / that Helke e'er might boast:<br> +The same in lordly manner / shalt thou wield o'er Etzel's host."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1238">1238</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the royal lady: / "How might again my life<br> +Have thereof desire / to be a hero's wife?<br> +Hath death in one already / wrought me such sorrows sore,<br> +That joyless must my days be / from this time for evermore."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1239">1239</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the men of Hunland: / "O royal high lady,<br> +Thy life shall there by Etzel / so full of honor be<br> +Thy heart 'twill ever gladden / if but may be such thing:<br> +Full many a thane right stately / doth homage to the mighty king.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1240">1240</a></p> +<p> +"Might but Helke's maidens / and they that wait on thee<br> +E'er be joined together / in one royal company,<br> +Well might brave knights to see them / wax merry in their mood.<br> +Be, lady, now persuaded / —'tis verily thy surest good."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1241">1241</a></p> +<p> +She spake in courteous manner: / "Let further parley be<br> +Until doth come the morrow. / Then hither come to me.<br> +So will I give my answer / to bear upon your way."<br> +The noble knights and worthy / must straight therein her will obey.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1242">1242</a></p> +<p> +When all from thence were parted / and had their lodgings sought,<br> +Then bade the noble lady / that Giselher be brought,<br> +And eke with him her mother. / To both she then did tell<br> +That meet for her was weeping, / and naught might fit her mood so well.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1243">1243</a></p> +<p> +Then spake her brother Giselher: / "Sister, to me 'tis told—<br> +And well may I believe it— / that thy grief manifold<br> +Etzel complete will scatter, / an tak'st thou him for man.<br> +Whate'er be other's counsel, / meseems it were a thing well done."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1244">1244</a></p> +<p> +Further eke spake Giselher: / "Console thee well may he.<br> +From Rhone unto Rhine river, / from Elbe unto the sea,<br> +King there is none other / that holds so lordly sway.<br> +An he for spouse do take thee, / gladden thee full well he may."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1245">1245</a></p> +<p> +"Brother loved full dearly, / wherefore dost counsel it?<br> +To mourn and weep forever / doth better me befit.<br> +How may I 'mid warriors / appear in royal state?<br> +Was ever fair my body, / of beauty now 'tis desolate."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1246">1246</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the Lady Ute / her daughter dear unto:<br> +"The thing thy brother counsels, / my loving child, that do.<br> +By thy friends be guided, / then with thee well 'twill be.<br> +Long time it now hath grieved me / thee thus disconsolate to see."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1247">1247</a></p> +<p> +Then prayed she God with fervor / that he might her provide<br> +With store of gold and silver / and raiment rich beside,<br> +As erstwhile when her husband / did live a stately thane:<br> +Since then so happy hour / never had she known again.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1248">1248</a></p> +<p> +In her own bosom thought she: / "An shall I not deny<br> +My body to a heathen / —a Christian lady I—<br> +So must I while life lasteth / have shame to be my own.<br> +An gave he realms unnumbered, / such thing by me might ne'er be done."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1249">1249</a></p> +<p> +And there withal she left it. / The night through until day,<br> +Upon her couch the lady / with mind full troubled lay.<br> +Nor yet her eyes full shining / of tears at all were free,<br> +Until upon the morrow / forth to matins issued she.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1250">1250</a></p> +<p> +When for mass was sounded, / came there the kings likewise.<br> +Again did they their sister / by faithful word advise<br> +To take for spouse unto her / of Hunland the king.<br> +All joyless was the visage / they saw the lady thither bring.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1251">1251</a></p> +<p> +They bade the men of Etzel / thither lead again,<br> +Who unto their country / fain their leave had ta'en,<br> +Their message won or fruitless, / how that soe'er might be.<br> +Unto the court came Ruediger. / Full eager were his company</p> +<p> +<a name="s1252">1252</a></p> +<p> +By the knight to be informéd / how the thing befell,<br> +And if betimes they knew it / 'twould please them all full well,<br> +For weary was the journey / and long unto their land.<br> +Soon did the noble Ruediger / again in Kriemhild's presence stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1253">1253</a></p> +<p> +In full earnest manner / then the knight gan pray<br> +The high royal lady / that she to him might say<br> +What were from her the message / to Etzel he should bear.<br> +Naught but denial only / did he from the lady hear,</p> +<p> +<a name="s1254">1254</a></p> +<p> +For that her love might never / by man again be won.<br> +Thereto spake the margrave: / "Ill such thing were done.<br> +Wherefore such fair body / wilt thou to ruin give?<br> +Spouse of knight full worthy / may'st thou yet in honor live."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1255">1255</a></p> +<p> +Naught booted how they besought her, / till that Ruediger<br> +Spake in secret manner / in the high lady's ear,<br> +How Etzel should requite her / for ills she e'er did know.<br> +Then gan her mickle sorrow / milder at the thought to grow.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1256">1256</a></p> +<p> +Unto the queen then spake he: / "Let now thy weeping be.<br> +If 'mong the Huns hadst thou / other none than me<br> +And my faithful kinsmen / and my good men alone,<br> +Sorely must he repay it / who hath aught to thee of evil done."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1257">1257</a></p> +<p> +Thereat apace all lighter / the lady's sorrow grew,<br> +She spake: "So swear thou truly, / what any 'gainst me do,<br> +That thou wilt be the foremost / my sorrows to requite."<br> +Thereto spake the margrave: / "Lady, to thee my word I plight."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1258">1258</a></p> +<p> +With all his men together / sware then Ruediger<br> +Faithfully to serve her, / and in all things whatsoe'er<br> +Naught would e'er deny her / the thanes from Etzel's land,<br> +Whereof she might have honor: / thereto gave Ruediger his hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1259">1259</a></p> +<p> +Then thought the faithful lady: / "Since I thus have won<br> +Band of friends so faithful, / care now have I none<br> +How shall speak the people / in my sore need of me.<br> +The death of my loved husband / perchance shall yet avengéd be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1260">1260</a></p> +<p> +Thought she: "Since hath Etzel / so many knights and true,<br> +An shall I but command them, / whate'er I will I do.<br> +Eke hath he such riches / that free may be my hand:<br> +Bereft of all my treasure / by Hagen's faithless art I stand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1261">1261</a></p> +<p> +Then spake she unto Ruediger: / "Were it not, as I do know,<br> +The king is yet a heathen, / so were I fain to go<br> +Whithersoe'er he willed it, / and take him for my lord."<br> +Thereto spake the margrave: / "Lady, no longer hold such word.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1262">1262</a></p> +<p> +"Such host he hath of warriors / who Christians are as we,<br> +That beside the monarch / may care ne'er come to thee.<br> +Yea, may he be baptized / through thee to Christian life:<br> +Well may'st thou then rejoice thee / to be the royal Etzel's wife."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1263">1263</a></p> +<p> +Then spake again her brother: / "Sister, thy favor lend,<br> +That now all thy sorrow / thereby may have an end."<br> +And so long they besought her / that full of sadness she<br> +Her word at length had plighted / the monarch Etzel's wife to be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1264">1264</a></p> +<p> +She spake: "You will I follow, / I most lorn lady,<br> +That I fare to Hunland, / as soon as it may be<br> +That I friends have ready / to lead me to his land."<br> +Before the knights assembled / fair Kriemhild pledged thereto her hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1265">1265</a></p> +<p> +Then spake again the margrave: / "Two knights do serve thee true,<br> +And I thereof have many: / 'tis easy thing to do,<br> +That thee with fitting honor / across the Rhine we guide.<br> +Nor shalt thou, lady, longer / here in Burgundy abide.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1266">1266</a></p> +<p> +"Good men have I five hundred, / and eke my kinsmen stand<br> +Ready here to serve thee / and far in Etzel's land,<br> +Lady, at thy bidding. / And I do pledge the same,<br> +Whene'er thou dost admonish, / to serve thee without cause for shame.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1267">1267</a></p> +<p> +"Now bid with full equipment / thy horses to prepare:<br> +Ruediger's true counsel / will bring thee sorrow ne'er;<br> +And tell it to thy maidens / whom thou wilt take with thee.<br> +Full many a chosen warrior / on the way shall join our company."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1268">1268</a></p> +<p> +They had full rich equipment / that once their train arrayed<br> +The while that yet lived Siegfried, / so might she many a maid<br> +In honor high lead with her, / as she thence would fare.<br> +What steeds all rich caparisoned / awaited the high ladies there!</p> +<p> +<a name="s1269">1269</a></p> +<p> +If till that time they ever / in richest dress were clad,<br> +Thereof now for their journey / full store was ready made,<br> +For that they of the monarch / had such tidings caught.<br> +From chests longtime well bolted / forth the treasures rich were brought.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1270">1270</a></p> +<p> +Little were they idle / until the fifth day,<br> +But sought rich dress that folded / secure in covers lay.<br> +Kriemhild wide did open / all her treasure there,<br> +And largess great would give she / unto the men of Ruediger.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1271">1271</a></p> +<p> +Still had she of the treasure / of Nibelungenland,<br> +(She weened the same in Hunland / to deal with bounteous hand)<br> +So great that hundred horses / ne'er the whole might bear.<br> +How stood the mind of Kriemhild, / came the tidings unto Hagen's ear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1272">1272</a></p> +<p> +He spake: "Since Kriemhild never / may me in favor hold,<br> +E'en so here must tarry / Siegfried's store of gold.<br> +Wherefore unto mine enemies / such mickle treasure go?<br> +What with the treasure Kriemhild / intendeth, that full well I know.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1273">1273</a></p> +<p> +"Might she but take it thither, / in sooth believe I that,<br> +'Twould be dealt out in largess / to stir against me hate.<br> +Nor own they steeds sufficient / the same to bear away.<br> +'Twill safe be kept by Hagen / —so shall they unto Kriemhild say."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1274">1274</a></p> +<p> +When she did hear the story, / with grief her heart was torn.<br> +Eke unto the monarchs / all three the tale was borne.<br> +Fain would they prevent it: / yet when that might not be,<br> +Spake the noble Ruediger / in this wise full joyfully:</p> +<p> +<a name="s1275">1275</a></p> +<p> +"Wherefore, queen full stately, / weep'st thou o'er this gold?<br> +For thee will King Etzel / in such high favor hold<br> +When but his eyes behold thee, / to thee such store he'll give<br> +That ne'er thou may'st exhaust it: / that, lady, by my word believe."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1276">1276</a></p> +<p> +Thereto the queen gave answer: / "Full noble Ruediger,<br> +Greater treasure never / king's daughter had for share<br> +Than this that Hagen from me / now hath ta'en away."<br> +Then went her brother Gernot / to the chamber where the treasure lay.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1277">1277</a></p> +<p> +With force he stuck the monarch's / key into the door,<br> +And soon of Kriemhild's treasure / they from the chamber bore<br> +Marks full thirty thousand / or e'en more plenteously.<br> +He bade the guests to take it, / which pleased King Gunther well to see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1278">1278</a></p> +<p> +Then Gotelinde's husband / of Bechelaren spake:<br> +"An if my Lady Kriemhild / with her complete might take<br> +What treasure e'er came hither / from Nibelungenland,<br> +Ne'er a whit would touch it / mine or my royal lady's hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1279">1279</a></p> +<p> +"Now bid them here to keep it, / for ne'er the same I'll touch.<br> +Yea brought I from my country / of mine own wealth so much,<br> +That we upon our journey / may be full well supplied,<br> +And ne'er have lack in outlay / as in state we homeward ride."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1280">1280</a></p> +<p> +Chests well filled a dozen / from the time of old<br> +Had for their own her maidens, / of the best of gold<br> +That e'er ye might discover: / now thence away 'twas borne,<br> +And jewels for the ladies / upon the journey to be worn.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1281">1281</a></p> +<p> +Of the might she yet was fearful / of Hagen grim and bold.<br> +Still had she of mass-money / a thousand marks in gold,<br> +That gave she for the soul's rest / of her husband dear.<br> +Such loving deed and faithful / did touch the heart of Ruediger.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1282">1282</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the lady mournful: / "Who now that loveth me,<br> +And for the love they bear me / may willing exiles be,<br> +Who with me to Hunland / now away shall ride?<br> +Take they of my treasure / and steeds and meet attire provide."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1283">1283</a></p> +<p> +Then did the margrave Eckewart / answer thus the queen:<br> +"Since I from the beginning / of thy train have been,<br> +Have I e'er right faithful / served thee," spake the thane,<br> +"And to the end I'll ever / thus faithful unto thee remain.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1284">1284</a></p> +<p> +"Eke will I lead with me / five hundred of my men,<br> +Whom I grant to serve thee / in faithful way again.<br> +Nor e'er shall we be parted / till that we be dead."<br> +Low bowing thanked him Kriemhild, / as verily might be his meed.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1285">1285</a></p> +<p> +Forth were brought the horses, / for that they thence would fare.<br> +Then was a mickle weeping / of friends that parted there.<br> +Ute, queen full stately, / and many a lady more<br> +Showed that from Lady Kriemhild / to part did grieve their hearts full + sore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1286">1286</a></p> +<p> +A hundred stately maidens / with her she led away,<br> +And as for them was fitting, / full rich was their array.<br> +Many a bitter tear-drop / from shining eye fell down:<br> +Yet joys knew they full many / eke in Etzel's land anon.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1287">1287</a></p> +<p> +Thither came Sir Giselher / and Gernot as well,<br> +And with them train of followers, / as duty did compel.<br> +Safe escort would they furnish / for their dear sister then,<br> +And with them led of warriors / a thousand brave and stately men.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1288">1288</a></p> +<p> +Then came the valiant Gere, / and Ortwein eke came he:<br> +Rumold the High Steward / might not absent be.<br> +Unto the Danube did they / night-quarters meet provide.<br> +Short way beyond the city / did the royal Gunther ride.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1289">1289</a></p> +<p> +Ere from the Rhine they started / had they forward sent<br> +Messengers that full quickly / unto Hunland went,<br> +And told unto the monarch / how that Ruediger<br> +For spouse at length had won him / the high-born queen beyond compare.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A21">TWENTY</a>-FIRST ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Kriemhild fared to the Huns</p> +<p> +<a name="s1290">1290</a></p> +<p> +The messengers leave we riding. / Now shall ye understand<br> +How did the Lady Kriemhild / journey through the land,<br> +And where from her were parted / Gernot and Giselher.<br> +Upon her had they waited / as faithful unto her they were.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1291">1291</a></p> +<p> +As far as to the Danube / at Vergen did they ride,<br> +Where must be the parting / from their royal sister's side,<br> +For that again they homeward / would ride unto the Rhine.<br> +No eye but wet from weeping / in all the company was seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1292">1292</a></p> +<p> +Giselher the valiant / thus to his sister said:<br> +"If that thou ever, lady, / need hast of my aid,<br> +And fronts thee aught of trouble, / give me to understand,<br> +And straight I'll ride to serve thee / afar unto King Etzel's land."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1293">1293</a></p> +<p> +Upon the mouth then kissed she / all her friends full dear.<br> +The escort soon had taken / eke leave of Ruediger<br> +And the margrave's warriors / in manner lovingly.<br> +With the queen upon her journey / went many a maid full fair to see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1294">1294</a></p> +<p> +Four beyond a hundred / there were, all richly clad<br> +In silk of cunning pattern. / Many a shield full broad<br> +On the way did guard the ladies / in hand of valiant thane.<br> +Full many a stately warrior / from thence did backward turn again.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1295">1295</a></p> +<p> +Thence away they hastened / down through Bavarian land.<br> +Soon were told the tidings / how that was at hand<br> +A mickle host of strangers, / where a cloister stands from yore<br> +And where the Inn its torrent / doth into Danube river pour.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1296">1296</a></p> +<p> +At Passau in the city / a lordly bishop bode.<br> +Empty soon each lodging / and bishop's palace stood:<br> +To Bavarian land they hastened / the high guests to meet,<br> +And there the Bishop Pilgrim / the Lady Kriemhild fair did greet.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1297">1297</a></p> +<p> +The warriors of that country / no whit grieved they were<br> +Thus to see follow with her / so many a maiden fair.<br> +Upon those high-born ladies / their eyes with joy did rest,<br> +Full comfortable quarters / prepared they for each noble guest.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1298">1298</a></p> +<p> +With his niece the bishop / unto Passau rode.<br> +When among the burghers / the story went abroad,<br> +That thither was come Kriemhild, / the bishop's niece full fair,<br> +Soon did the towns-people / reception meet for her prepare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1299">1299</a></p> +<p> +There to have them tarry / was the bishop fain.<br> +To him spake Sir Eckewart: / "Here may we not remain.<br> +Unto Ruediger's country / must we journey down.<br> +Thanes many there await us, / to whom our coming well is known."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1300">1300</a></p> +<p> +The tidings now knew likewise / Lady Gotelinde fair.<br> +Herself and noble daughter / did them quick prepare.<br> +Message she had from Ruediger / that he well pleased would be,<br> +Should she unto Lady / Kriemhild show such courtesy,</p> +<p> +<a name="s1301">1301</a></p> +<p> +That she ride forth to meet her, / and bring his warriors true<br> +Upward unto the Ense. / When they the tidings knew,<br> +Saw ye how on all sides / they thronged the busy way.<br> +Forth to meet the strangers / rode and eke on foot went they.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1302">1302</a></p> +<p> +As far as Everdingen / meanwhile was come the queen:<br> +In that Bavarian country / on the way were never seen<br> +Robbers seeking plunder, / as e'er their custom was:<br> +Of fear from such a quarter / had the travellers little cause.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1303">1303</a></p> +<p> +'Gainst that had well provided / the noble margrave:<br> +A band he led that numbered / good thousand warriors brave.<br> +There was eke come Gotelinde, / spouse of Ruediger,<br> +And bearing her high company / full many noble knights there were.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1304">1304</a></p> +<p> +When came they o'er the Traune / by Ense on the green,<br> +There full many an awning / outstretched and tent was seen,<br> +Wherein that night the strangers / should find them welcome rest.<br> +Well was made provision / by Ruediger for each high guest.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1305">1305</a></p> +<p> +Not long fair Gotelinde did in her quarters stay,<br> +But left them soon behind her. / Then coursed upon the way<br> +With merry jingling bridle / many a well-shaped steed.<br> +Full fair was the reception: / whereat was Ruediger right glad.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1306">1306</a></p> +<p> +On one side and the other / did swell the stately train<br> +Knights that rode full gaily, / many a noble thane.<br> +As they in joust disported, / full many a maid looked on,<br> +Nor to the queen unwelcome / was the riders' service done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1307">1307</a></p> +<p> +As rode there 'fore the strangers / the men of Ruediger,<br> +From shaft full many a splinter / saw ye fly in air<br> +In hand of doughty warrior / that jousted lustily.<br> +Them might ye 'fore the ladies / pricking in stately manner see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1308">1308</a></p> +<p> +Anon therefrom they rested. / Knights many then did greet<br> +Full courteously each other. / Then forth Kriemhild to meet<br> +Went the fair Gotelinde, / by gallant warriors led.<br> +Those skilled in lady's service, / —little there the rest they had.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1309">1309</a></p> +<p> +The lord of Bechelaren / unto his lady rode.<br> +Soon the noble margravine / her high rejoicing showed,<br> +That all safe and sound he / from the Rhine was come again.<br> +The care that filled her bosom / by mickle joy from her was ta'en.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1310">1310</a></p> +<p> +When him she had receivéd, / her on the green he bade<br> +Dismount with all the ladies / that in her train she led.<br> +There saw ye all unidle / many a knight of high estate,<br> +Who with full ready service / upon the ladies then did wait.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1311">1311</a></p> +<p> +Then saw the Lady Kriemhild / the margravine where she stood<br> +Amid her fair attendants: / nearer not she rode.<br> +Upon the steed that bore her / the rein she drew full tight,<br> +And bade them straightway help her / adown from saddle to alight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1312">1312</a></p> +<p> +The bishop saw ye leading / his sister's daughter fair,<br> +And with him eke went Eckewart / to Gotelinde there.<br> +The willing folk on all sides / made way before their feet.<br> +With kiss did Gotelinde / the dame from land far distant greet.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1313">1313</a></p> +<p> +Then spake in manner kindly / the wife of Ruediger;<br> +"Right glad am I, dear lady, / that I thy visage fair<br> +Have in this our country / with mine own eyes seen.<br> +In these times might never / greater joy to me have been."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1314">1314</a></p> +<p> +"God give thee meed," spake Kriemhild, / "Gotelinde, for this grace.<br> +If with son of Botelung / happy may be my place,<br> +May it henceforth be thy profit / that me thou here dost see."<br> +Yet all unknown to either / was that which yet anon must be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1315">1315</a></p> +<p> +With curtsy to each other / went full many a maid,<br> +The knights a willing service / unto the ladies paid.<br> +After the greeting sat they / adown upon the green;<br> +Knew many then each other / that hitherto had strangers been.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1316">1316</a></p> +<p> +For the ladies they poured refreshment. / Now was come mid-day,<br> +And did those high attendants / there no longer stay,<br> +But went where found they ready / many a spreading tent.<br> +Full willing was the service / unto the noble guests they lent.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1317">1317</a></p> +<p> +The night through until morning / did they rest them there.<br> +They of Bechelaren / meanwhile did prepare<br> +That into fitting quarters / each high guest be brought.<br> +'Twas by the care of Ruediger / that never one did want for aught.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1318">1318</a></p> +<p> +Open ye saw the windows / the castle walls along,<br> +And the burgh at Bechelaren / its gates wide open flung,<br> +As through the guests went pricking, / that there full welcome were.<br> +For them the lord full noble / had bidden quarters meet prepare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1319">1319</a></p> +<p> +Ruediger's fair daughter / with her attendant train<br> +Came forth in loving manner / to greet the lofty queen.<br> +With her was eke her mother / the stately margravine;<br> +There full friendly greeting / of many a maiden fair was seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1320">1320</a></p> +<p> +By the hand they took each other / and thence did pass each pair<br> +Into a Hall full spacious, / the which was builded fair,<br> +And 'neath its walls the Danube / flowed down with rushing tide.<br> +As breezes cool played round them, / might they full happy there abide.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1321">1321</a></p> +<p> +What they there did further, / tell it not I can.<br> +That they so long did tarry, / heard ye the knights complain<br> +That were of Kriemhild's company, / who unwilling there abode.<br> +What host of valiant warriors / with them from Bechelaren rode!</p> +<p> +<a name="s1322">1322</a></p> +<p> +Full kindly was the service / did render Ruediger,<br> +Likewise gave Lady Kriemhild / twelve golden armbands rare<br> +To Gotelinde's daughter, / and dress so richly wrought<br> +That finer was none other / that into Etzel's land she brought.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1323">1323</a></p> +<p> +Though Nibelungen treasure / from her erstwhile was ta'en,<br> +Good-will of all that knew her / did she e'er retain<br> +With such little portion / as yet she did command.<br> +Unto her host's attendants / dealt she thereof with bounteous hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1324">1324</a></p> +<p> +The Lady Gotelinde / such honors high again<br> +Did pay in gracious manner / to the guests afar from Rhine<br> +That of all the strangers / found ye never one<br> +That wore not rich attire / from her, and many a precious stone.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1325">1325</a></p> +<p> +When they their fast had broken / and would thence depart,<br> +The lady of the castle / did pledge with faithful heart<br> +Unto the wife of Etzel / service true to bear.<br> +Kriemhild caressed full fondly / the margravine's young daughter fair.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1326">1326</a></p> +<p> +To the queen then spake the maiden: / "If e'er it pleaseth thee,<br> +Well know I that my father / dear full willingly<br> +Unto thee will send me / where thou livest in Hunland."<br> +That faithful was the maiden, / full well did Kriemhild understand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1327">1327</a></p> +<p> +Now ready were the horses / the castle steps before,<br> +And soon the queen full stately / did take her leave once more<br> +Of the lovely daughter / and spouse of Ruediger.<br> +Eke parted with fair greeting / thence full many a maiden fair.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1328">1328</a></p> +<p> +Each other they full seldom / thereafter might behold.<br> +From Medelick were carried / beakers rich of gold<br> +In hand and eke full many, / wherein was sparkling wine:<br> +Upon the way were greeted / thus the strangers from the Rhine.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1329">1329</a></p> +<p> +High there a lord was seated, / Astold the name he bore,<br> +Who that into Osterland / did lead the way before<br> +As far as to Mautaren / adown the Danube's side.<br> +There did they fitting service / for the lofty queen provide.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1330">1330</a></p> +<p> +Of his niece the bishop / took leave in loving wise.<br> +That she well should bear her, / did he oft advise,<br> +And that she win her honor / as Helke erst had done.<br> +Ah, how great the honor / anon that 'mid the Huns she won!</p> +<p> +<a name="s1331">1331</a></p> +<p> +Unto the Traisem brought they / forth the strangers then.<br> +Fair had they attendance / from Ruediger's men,<br> +Till o'er the country riding / the Huns came them to meet.<br> +With mickle honor did they / then the royal lady greet.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1332">1332</a></p> +<p> +For had the king of Hunland, / Traisem's stream beside, <br> +A full mighty castle, / known afar and wide, <br> +The same hight Traisenmauer: / Dame Helke there before <br> +Did sit, such bounteous mistress / as scarce ye ever might see more,</p> +<p> +<a name="s1333">1333</a></p> +<p> +An it were not Kriemhild / who could such bounty show,<br> +That after days of sorrow / the pleasure she might know,<br> +To be held in honor / by Etzel's men each one:<br> +That praise in fullest measure / had she amid those thanes anon.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1334">1334</a></p> +<p> +Afar the might of Etzel / so well was known around,<br> +That at every season / within his court were found<br> +Knights of all the bravest, / whereof ye e'er did hear<br> +In Christian lands or heathen: / with him all thither come they were.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1335">1335</a></p> +<p> +By him at every season, / as scarce might elsewhere be,<br> +Knights both of Christian doctrine / and heathen use saw ye.<br> +Yet in what mind soever / did each and every stand,<br> +To all in fullest measure / dealt the king with bounteous hand.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A22">TWENTY</a>-SECOND ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Etzel kept the Wedding-feast with Kriemhild</p> +<p> +1336</p> +<p> +At Traisenmauer she tarried / until the fourth day.<br> +Upon the road the dust-clouds / meanwhile never lay.<br> +But rose like smoke of fire / around on every side:<br> +Onward then through Austria / King Etzel's warriors did ride.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1337">1337</a></p> +<p> +Then eke unto the monarch / such tidings now were told,<br> +That at the thought did vanish / all his grief of old,<br> +In what high manner Kriemhild / should in his land appear.<br> +Then gan the monarch hasten / where he did find the lady fair.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1338">1338</a></p> +<p> +Of many a tongue and varied / upon the way were seen<br> +Before King Etzel riding / full many warriors keen,<br> +Of Christians and of heathen / a spreading company.<br> +To greet their coming mistress / forth they rode in fair array.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1339">1339</a></p> +<p> +Of Reuss men and Greeks there / great was the tale,<br> +And rapid saw ye riding / the Wallach and the Pole<br> +On chargers full of mettle / that they did deftly guide.<br> +Their own country's custom / did they in no wise lay aside.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1340">1340</a></p> +<p> +From the land of Kief / rode there full many a thane,<br> +And the wild Petschenegers. / Full many a bow was drawn,<br> +As at the flying wild-fowl / through air the bolt was sped.<br> +With might the bow was bended / as far as to the arrow's head.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1341">1341</a></p> +<p> +A city by the Danube / in Osterland doth stand,<br> +Hight the same is Tulna: / of many a distant land<br> +Saw Kriemhild there the customs, / ne'er yet to her were known.<br> +To many there did greet her / sorrow befell through her anon.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1342">1342</a></p> +<p> +Before the monarch Etzel / rode a company<br> +Of merry men and mighty, / courteous and fair to see,<br> +Good four-and-twenty chieftains, / mighty men and bold.<br> +Naught else was their desire / save but their mistress to behold.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1343">1343</a></p> +<p> +Then the Duke Ramung / from far Wallachia<br> +With seven hundred warriors / dashed forth athwart her way:<br> +Their going might ye liken / unto birds in flight.<br> +Then came the chieftain Gibeke, / with his host a stately sight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1344">1344</a></p> +<p> +Eke the valiant Hornbog / with full thousand men<br> +From the king went forward / to greet his mistress then.<br> +After their country's custom / in joy they shouted loud;<br> +The doughty thanes of Hunland / likewise in merry tourney rode.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1345">1345</a></p> +<p> +Then came a chief from Denmark, / Hawart bold and keen,<br> +And the valiant Iring, / in whom no guile was seen,<br> +And Irnfried of Thuringia, / a stately knight to see:<br> +Kriemhild they greeted / that honor high therefrom had she,</p> +<p> +<a name="s1346">1346</a></p> +<p> +With good knights twelve hundred / whom led they in their train.<br> +Thither with three thousand / came Bloedel eke, the thane<br> +That was King Etzel's brother / out of Hunland:<br> +Unto his royal mistress / led he then his stately band.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1347">1347</a></p> +<p> +Then did come King Etzel / and Dietrich by his side<br> +With all his doughty fellows. / In state there saw ye ride<br> +Many a knight full noble, / valiant and void of fear.<br> +The heart of Lady Kriemhild / did such host of warriors cheer.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1348">1348</a></p> +<p> +Then to his royal mistress / spake Sir Ruediger:<br> +"Lady, now give I greeting / to the high monarch here.<br> +Whom to kiss I bid thee, / grant him such favor then:<br> +For not to all like greeting / may'st thou give 'mid Etzel's men."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1349">1349</a></p> +<p> +They lifted then from saddle / the dame of royal state.<br> +Etzel the mighty monarch / might then no longer wait,<br> +But sprang from off his charger / with many a warrior keen:<br> +Unto Kriemhild hasting / full joyously he then was seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1350">1350</a></p> +<p> +As is to us related, / did there high princes twain<br> +By the lady walking / bear aloft her train,<br> +As the royal Etzel / went forward her to meet,<br> +And she the noble monarch / with kiss in kindly wise did greet.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1351">1351</a></p> +<p> +Aside she moved her wimple, / whereat her visage fair<br> +Gleamed 'mid the gold around it. / Though many a knight stood there,<br> +They deemed that Lady Helke / did boast not fairer face.<br> +Full close beside the monarch / his brother Bloedel had his place.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1352">1352</a></p> +<p> +To kiss him then Margrave / Ruediger her did tell,<br> +And eke the royal Gibeke / and Sir Dietrich as well.<br> +Of highest knights a dozen / did Etzel's spouse embrace;<br> +Other knights full many / she greeted with a lesser grace.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1353">1353</a></p> +<p> +All the while that Etzel / stood by Kriemhild so,<br> +Did the youthful riders / as still they're wont to do:<br> +In varied tourney saw ye / each 'gainst the other pass,<br> +Christian knights and heathen, / as for each the custom was.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1354">1354</a></p> +<p> +From men that followed Dietrich / saw ye in kindly wise<br> +Splinters from the lances / flying high arise<br> +Aloft above their bucklers, / from hand of good knight sent!<br> +By the German strangers / pierced was many a shield and rent.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1355">1355</a></p> +<p> +From shaft of lances breaking / did far the din resound.<br> +Together came the warriors / from all the land around,<br> +Eke the guests of the monarch / and many a knight there was.<br> +Thence did the mighty monarch / then with Lady Kriemhild pass.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1356">1356</a></p> +<p> +Stretched a fair pavilion / beside them there was seen:<br> +With tents as well was covered / all around the green,<br> +Where they now might rest them / all that weary were.<br> +By high-born knights was thither / led full many a lady fair.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1357">1357</a></p> +<p> +With their royal mistress, / where in rich cushioned chair<br> +Sat the queen full stately. / 'Twas by the margrave's care<br> +That well had been provided, / with all that seeméd good,<br> +A worthy seat for Kriemhild: / thereat was Etzel glad of mood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1358">1358</a></p> +<p> +What was by Etzel spoken, / may I not understand.<br> +In his right hand resting / lay her fair white hand.<br> +They sat in loving fashion, / nor Ruediger would let<br> +The king have secret converse / with Lady Kriemhild as yet.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1359">1359</a></p> +<p> +'Twas bidden that the jousting / on all sides they give o'er.<br> +The din of stately tourney / heard ye then no more.<br> +All the men of Etzel / unto their tents did go,<br> +For every warrior present / did they full spacious lodging show.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1360">1360</a></p> +<p> +And now the day was ended / and they did rest the night<br> +Until beheld they shining / once more the morning light.<br> +Soon on charger mounted / again was many a man:<br> +Heigho, what merry pastime, / the king to honor, they began!</p> +<p> +<a name="s1361">1361</a></p> +<p> +By the Huns the monarch / bade honors high be shown.<br> +Soon rode they forth from Tulna / unto Vienna town,<br> +Where found they many a lady / decked out in fair array:<br> +The same the monarch Etzel's / wife received in stately way.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1362">1362</a></p> +<p> +In very fullest measure / upon them there did wait<br> +Whate'er they might desire. / Of knights the joy was great,<br> +Looking toward the revel. / Lodging then sought each one.<br> +The wedding of the monarch / was in merry wise begun.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1363">1363</a></p> +<p> +Yet not for all might lodging / within the town be had.<br> +All that were not strangers, / Ruediger them bade<br> +That they find them lodgings / beyond the city's bound.<br> +I ween that at all seasons / by Lady Kriemhild's side was found</p> +<p> +<a name="s1364">1364</a></p> +<p> +The noble Sir Dietrich / and many another thane,<br> +Who amid their labors / but little rest had ta'en,<br> +That the guests they harbored / of merry mood should be.<br> +For Ruediger and his companions / went the time full pleasantly.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1365">1365</a></p> +<p> +The wedding time was fallen / upon a Whitsuntide,<br> +When the monarch Etzel / lay Kriemhild beside<br> +In the town at Vienna. / So many men I ween<br> +Through her former husband / had not in her service been.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1366">1366</a></p> +<p> +Many that ne'er had seen her / did her rich bounty take,<br> +And many a one among them / unto the strangers spake:<br> +"We deemed that Lady Kriemhild / of wealth no more had aught<br> +Now hath she by her giving / here full many a wonder wrought."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1367">1367</a></p> +<p> +The wedding-feast it lasted / for days full seventeen.<br> +Ne'er of other monarch / hath any told, I ween,<br> +That wedded with more splendor: / of such no tale we hear.<br> +All that there were present, / new-made apparel did they wear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1368">1368</a></p> +<p> +I ween that far in Netherland / sat she ne'er before<br> +Amid such host of warriors. / And this believe I more:<br> +Was Siegfried rich in treasure, / that yet he ne'er did gain,<br> +As here she saw 'fore Etzel, / so many a high and noble thane.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1369">1369</a></p> +<p> +Nor e'er gave any other / at his own wedding-tide<br> +So many a costly mantle / flowing long and wide,<br> +Nor yet so rich apparel / —so may ye well believe—<br> +As here from hand of Kriemhild / did they one and all receive.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1370">1370</a></p> +<p> +Her friends and eke the strangers / were of a single mind,<br> +That they would not be sparing / of treasure in any kind:<br> +What any from them desired, / they gave with willing hand.<br> +Many a thane from giving / himself of clothing reft did stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1371">1371</a></p> +<p> +How by her noble husband / at the Rhine a queen she sat,<br> +Of that she still was minded, / and her eye grew wet thereat.<br> +Yet well she kept it hidden / that none the same might mark.<br> +Now had she wealth of honor / after long years of sorrow dark.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1372">1372</a></p> +<p> +What any did with bounty, / 'twas but an idle wind<br> +By side of Dietrich's giving: / what Etzel's generous mind<br> +Before to him had given, / complete did disappear.<br> +Eke wrought there many a wonder / the hand of bounteous Ruediger.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1373">1373</a></p> +<p> +Bloedelein the chieftain / that came from Hunland,<br> +Full many a chest to empty / did he then command,<br> +Of gold and eke of silver. / That did they freely give.<br> +Right merrily the warriors / of the monarch saw ye live.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1374">1374</a></p> +<p> +Likewise the monarch's minstrels / Werbel and Schwemmelein,<br> +Won they at the wedding / each alone, I ween,<br> +Marks a good thousand / or even more than that,<br> +Whenas fair Lady Kriemhild / 'neath crown by royal Etzel sat.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1375">1375</a></p> +<p> +Upon the eighteenth morning / from Vienna town they went.<br> +Then in knightly pastime / many a shield was rent<br> +By spear full well directed / by doughty rider's hand.<br> +So came the royal Etzel / riding into Hunland.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1376">1376</a></p> +<p> +At Heimburg's ancient castle / they tarried over night.<br> +Tell the tale of people / no mortal ever might,<br> +And the number of good warriors / did o'er the country come.<br> +Ah, what fairest women / were gathered unto Etzel's home!</p> +<p> +<a name="s1377">1377</a></p> +<p> +By Miesenburg's majestic / towers did they embark.<br> +With horses eke and riders / the water all was dark,<br> +As if 'twere earth they trod on, / as far as eye might see.<br> +The way-worn ladies rested / now on board right pleasantly.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1378">1378</a></p> +<p> +Now was lashed together / many a boat full good,<br> +That no harm they suffered / from the waves and flood.<br> +Many a stately awning / likewise above them spread,<br> +Just as if beneath them / had they land and flowery mead.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1379">1379</a></p> +<p> +When to Etzelburg the tidings / soon were borne along,<br> +Therein of men and women / were seen a merry throng.<br> +Who once the Lady Helke / as mistress did obey,<br> +Anon by Lady Kriemhild / lived they many a gladsome day.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1380">1380</a></p> +<p> +There did stand expectant / full many a maid high-born,<br> +That since the death of Helke / had pined all forlorn.<br> +Daughters of seven monarchs / Kriemhild there waiting found,<br> +That were the high adornment / of all King Etzel's country round.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1381">1381</a></p> +<p> +Herrat, a lofty princess, / did all the train obey,<br> +Sister's child to Helke, / in whom high virtues lay,<br> +Betrothéd eke of Dietrich, / of royal lineage born,<br> +Daughter of King Nentwein; / her did high honors eft adorn.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1382">1382</a></p> +<p> +Against the strangers' coming / her heart with joy flowed o'er:<br> +Eke was thereto devoted / of wealth a mickle store.<br> +Who might e'er give the picture, / how the king eft sat on throne?<br> +Nor had with any mistress / the Huns such joyous living known.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1383">1383</a></p> +<p> +As with his spouse the monarch / up from the river came,<br> +Unto the noble Kriemhild / of each they told the name<br> +'Mong them that she did find there: / she fairer each did greet.<br> +Ah, how mighty mistress / she long did sit in Helke's seat!</p> +<p> +<a name="s1384">1384</a></p> +<p> +Ready and true the service / to her was offered there.<br> +The queen dealt out in plenty / gold and raiment rare,<br> +Silver eke and jewels. / What over Rhine she brought<br> +With her unto Hunland, / soon thereof retained she naught.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1385">1385</a></p> +<p> +Eke in faithful service / she to herself did win<br> +All the king's warriors / and all his royal kin,<br> +—So that ne'er did Lady Helke / so mighty power wield<br> +As until death to Kriemhild / such host did willing service yield. </p> +<p> +<a name="s1386">1386</a></p> +<p> +Thus stood so high in honor / the court and country round,<br> +That there at every season / was pleasant pastime found<br> +By each, whithersoever / his heart's desire might stand:<br> +That wrought the monarch's favor / and the queen's full bounteous hand.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A23">TWENTY</a>-THIRD ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Kriemhild thought to avenge her Wrong</p> +<p> +<a name="s1387">1387</a></p> +<p> +In full lordly honor, / —truth is that ye hear—<br> +Dwelt they with each other / until the seventh year.<br> +Meanwhile Lady Kriemhild / a son to Etzel bore,<br> +Nor gladder might the monarch / be o'er aught for evermore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1388">1388</a></p> +<p> +Yet would she not give over, / nor with aught be reconciled,<br> +But that should be baptizéd / the royal Etzel's child<br> +After Christian custom: / Ortlieb they did him call.<br> +Thereat was mickle joyance / over Etzel's borders all.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1389">1389</a></p> +<p> +Whate'er of highest virtues / in Lady Helke lay,<br> +Strove the Lady Kriemhild / to rival her each day.<br> +Herrat the stranger maiden / many a grace she taught,<br> +Who yet with secret pining / for her mistress Helke was distraught.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1390">1390</a></p> +<p> +To stranger and to native / full well she soon was known,<br> +Ne'er monarch's country, said they, / did royal mistress own<br> +That gave with freer bounty, / that held they without fear.<br> +Such praise she bore in Hunland, / until was come the thirteenth year.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1391">1391</a></p> +<p> +Now had she well perceivéd / how all obeyed her will,<br> +As service to royal mistress / king's knights do render still,<br> +And how at every season / twelve kings 'fore her were seen.<br> +She thought of many a sorrow / that wrought upon her once had been.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1392">1392</a></p> +<p> +Eke thought she of lordly power / in Nibelungenland<br> +That she erstwhile had wielded, / and how that Hagen's hand<br> +Of it all had reft her / with her lord Siegfried dead;<br> +She thought for so great evil / how might he ever be repaid.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1393">1393</a></p> +<p> +"'Twould be, might I but bring him / hither into this land."<br> +She dreamed that fondly led her / full often by the hand<br> +Giselher her brother, / full oft in gentle sleep<br> +Thought she to have kissed him, / wherefrom he sorrow soon must reap.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1394">1394</a></p> +<p> +I ween the evil demon / was Kriemhild's counsellor<br> +That she her peace with Gunther / should sacred keep no more,<br> +Whom she kissed in friendly token / in the land of Burgundy.<br> +Adown upon her bosom / the burning tears fell heavily.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1395">1395</a></p> +<p> +On her heart both late and early / lay the heavy thought,<br> +How that, herself all guiltless, / thereto she had been brought,<br> +That she must share in exile / a heathen monarch's bed.<br> +Through Hagen eke and Gunther / come she was to such sore need.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1396">1396</a></p> +<p> +From her heart such longing / seldom might she dismiss.<br> +Thought she: "A queen so mighty / I am o'er wealth like this,<br> +That I upon mine enemies / may yet avenge me well.<br> +Fain were I that on Hagen / of Tronje yet my vengeance fell.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1397">1397</a></p> +<p> +"For friends that once were faithful / full oft my heart doth long.<br> +Were they but here beside me / that wrought on me such wrong,<br> +Then were in sooth avengéd / my lover reft of life;<br> +Scarce may I bide that hour," / spake the royal Etzel's wife.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1398">1398</a></p> +<p> +Kriemhild they loved and honored, / the monarch's men each one,<br> +As they that came there with her: / well might the same be done.<br> +The treasure wielded Eckewart, / and won good knights thereby.<br> +The will of Lady Kriemhild might / none in all that land deny.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1399">1399</a></p> +<p> +She mused at every season: / "The king himself I'll pray,"—<br> +That he to her the favor / might grant in friendly way,<br> +To bring her kinsmen hither / unto Hunland.<br> +What vengeful thought she cherished / might none soever understand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1400">1400</a></p> +<p> +As she in stillest night-time / by the monarch lay<br> +(In his arms enclosed he held her, / as he was wont alway<br> +To caress the noble lady: / she was to him as life),<br> +Again unto her enemies / turned her thoughts his stately wife.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1401">1401</a></p> +<p> +She spake unto the monarch: / "My lord full dear to me,<br> +Now would I pray a favor, / if with thy grace it be,<br> +That thou wilt show unto me / if merit such be mine<br> +That unto my good kinsmen / truly doth thy heart incline."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1402">1402</a></p> +<p> +The mighty monarch answered / (from guile his heart was free):<br> +"Of a truth I tell thee, / if aught of good may be<br> +The fortune of thy kinsmen, / —of that I were full fain,<br> +For ne'er through love of woman / might I friends more faithful gain."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1403">1403</a></p> +<p> +Thereat again spake Kriemhild: / "That mayst thou well believe,<br> +Full high do stand my kinsmen; / the more it doth me grieve<br> +That they deign so seldom / hither to take their way.<br> +That here I live a stranger, / oft I hear the people say."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1404">1404</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the royal Etzel: / "Beloved lady mine,<br> +Seemed not too far the journey, / I'd bid from yond the Rhine<br> +Whom thou wouldst gladly welcome / hither unto my land."<br> +Thereat rejoiced the lady / when she his will did understand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1405">1405</a></p> +<p> +Spake she: "Wilt thou true favor / show me, master mine,<br> +Then shall thou speed thy messengers / to Worms across the Rhine.<br> +Were but my friends acquainted / what thing of them I would,<br> +Then to this land came hither / full many a noble knight and good."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1406">1406</a></p> +<p> +He spake: "Whene'er thou biddest, / straight the thing shall be.<br> +Thyself mightst ne'er thy kinsmen / here so gladly see,<br> +As I the sons of Ute, / high and stately queen.<br> +It grieveth me full sorely / that strangers here so long they've been.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1407">1407</a></p> +<p> +"If this thing doth please thee, / beloved lady mine,<br> +Then gladly send I thither / unto those friends of thine<br> +As messengers my minstrels / to the land of Burgundy."<br> +He bade the merry fiddlers / lead before him presently.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1408">1408</a></p> +<p> +Then hastened they full quickly / to where they found the king<br> +By side of Kriemhild sitting. / He told them straight the thing,<br> +How they should be his messengers / to Burgundy to fare.<br> +Full stately raiment bade he / for them straightway eke prepare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1409">1409</a></p> +<p> +Four and twenty warriors / did they apparel well.<br> +Likewise did the monarch / to them the message tell,<br> +How that they King Gunther / and his men should bid aright.<br> +Them eke the Lady Kriemhild / to secret parley did invite.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1410">1410</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the mighty monarch: / "Now well my words attend.<br> +All good and friendly greeting / unto my friends I send,<br> +That they may deign to journey / hither to my country.<br> +Few be the guests beside them / that were so welcome unto me.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1411">1411</a></p> +<p> +"And if they be so minded / to meet my will in aught,<br> +Kriemhild's lofty kinsmen, / that they forego it not<br> +To come upon the summer / here where I hold hightide,<br> +For that my joy in living / doth greatly with my friends abide."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1412">1412</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the fiddle-player, / Schwemmelein full bold:<br> +"When thinkst thou in this country / such high feast to hold,<br> +That unto thy friends yonder / tell the same we may?"<br> +Thereto spake King Etzel: / "When next hath come midsummer day."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1413">1413</a></p> +<p> +"We'll do as thou commandest," / spake then Werbelein.<br> +Unto her own chamber / commanded then the queen<br> +To bring in secret manner / the messengers alone.<br> +Thereby did naught but sorrow / befall full many a thane anon.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1414">1414</a></p> +<p> +She spake unto the messengers: / "Mickle wealth I give to you,<br> +If my will in this matter / right faithfully ye do,<br> +And bear what tidings send I / home unto our country.<br> +I'll make you rich in treasure / and fair apparelled shall ye be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1415">1415</a></p> +<p> +"And friends of mine so many / as ever see ye may<br> +At Worms by Rhine river, / to them ye ne'er shall say<br> +That any mood of sorrow / in me ye yet have seen.<br> +Say ye that I commend me / unto the knights full brave and keen."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1416">1416</a></p> +<p> +"Pray them that to King Etzel's / message they give heed,<br> +Thereby to relieve me / of all my care and need,<br> +Else shall the Huns imagine / that I all friendless am.<br> +If I but a knight were, / oft would they see me at their home.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1417">1417</a></p> +<p> +"Eke say ye unto Gernot, / brother to me full dear,<br> +To him might never any / disposéd be more fair;<br> +Pray him that he bring hither / unto this country<br> +All our friends most steadfast, / that we thereby shall honored be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1418">1418</a></p> +<p> +"Say further eke to Giselher / that he do have in mind,<br> +That by his guilt I never / did cause for sorrow find;<br> +Him therefore would I gladly / here with mine own eyes see,<br> +And give him warmest welcome, / so faithful hath he been to me.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1419">1419</a></p> +<p> +"How I am held in honor, / to my mother eke make plain.<br> +And if of Tronje Hagen / hath mind there to remain,<br> +By whom might they in coming / through unknown lands be shown?<br> +The way to Hunland hither / from youth to him hath well been known."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1420">1420</a></p> +<p> +No whit knew the messengers / wherefore she did advise<br> +That they of Tronje Hagen / should not in any wise<br> +Leave by the Rhine to tarry. / That was anon their bane:<br> +Through him to dire destruction / was doomed full many a doughty thane.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1421">1421</a></p> +<p> +Letters and kindly greeting / now to them they give;<br> +They fared from thence rich laden, / and merrily might live.<br> +Leave then they took of Etzel / and eke his lady fair,<br> +And parted on their journey / dight in apparel rich and rare.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A24">TWENTY</a>-FOURTH ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Werbel and Schwemmel brought the Message</p> +<p> +<a name="s1422">1422</a></p> +<p> +When to the Rhine King Etzel / his messengers had sent,<br> +With hasty flight fresh tidings / from land to land there went:<br> +With messengers full quickly / to his high festival<br> +He bade them, eke and summoned. / To many thereby did death befall.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1423">1423</a></p> +<p> +The messengers o'er the borders / of Hunland thence did fare<br> +Unto the land of Burgundy; / thither sent they were<br> +Unto three lordly monarchs / and eke their mighty men.<br> +To Etzel's land to bid them / hastily they journeyed then.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1424">1424</a></p> +<p> +Unto Bechelaren / rode they on their way,<br> +Where found they willing service. / Nor did aught delay<br> +Ruediger to commend him / and Gotelinde as well<br> +And eke their fairest daughter / to them that by the Rhine did dwell.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1425">1425</a></p> +<p> +They let them not unladen / with gifts from thence depart,<br> +So did the men of Etzel / fare on with lighter heart.<br> +To Ute and to her household / sent greeting Ruediger,<br> +That never margrave any / to them more well disposéd were.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1426">1426</a></p> +<p> +Unto Brunhild also / did they themselves commend<br> +With willing service offered / and steadfast to the end.<br> +Bearing thus fair greeting / the messengers thence did fare,<br> +And prayed the noble margravine / that God would have them in his care.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1427">1427</a></p> +<p> +Ere the messengers had fully / passed o'er Bavarian ground,<br> +Had the nimble Werbel / the goodly bishop found.<br> +What greetings to his kinsmen / unto the Rhine he sent,<br> +That I cannot tell you; / the messengers yet from him went</p> +<p> +<a name="s1428">1428</a></p> +<p> +Laden with gold all ruddy, / to keep his memory.<br> +Thus spake the Bishop Pilgrim: / "'Twere highest joy to me<br> +Might I my sister's children / here see in home of mine,<br> +For that I may but seldom / go unto them to the Rhine."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1429">1429</a></p> +<p> +What were the ways they followed / as through the lands they fared,<br> +That can I nowise tell you. / Yet never any dared<br> +Rob them of wealth or raiment, / for fear of Etzel's hand:<br> +A lofty king and noble, / mighty in sooth was his command.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1430">1430</a></p> +<p> +Before twelve days were over / came they unto the Rhine,<br> +And rode into Worms city / Werbel and Schwemmelein.<br> +Told were soon the tidings / to the kings and their good men,<br> +How that were come strange messengers. / Gunther the king did question + then.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1431">1431</a></p> +<p> +And spake the monarch further: / "Who here may understand<br> +Whence do come these strangers / riding unto our land?"<br> +Yet was never any / might answer to him make,<br> +Until of Tronje Hagen / thus unto King Gunther spake:</p> +<p> +<a name="s1432">1432</a></p> +<p> +"To us hath come strange tidings / to hand this day, I ween,<br> +For Etzel's fiddlers riding / hither have I seen.<br> +The same have by thy sister / unto the Rhine been sent:<br> +For sake of their high master / now give we them fair compliment."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1433">1433</a></p> +<p> +E'en then did ride the messengers / unto the castle door,<br> +And never royal minstrels / more stately went before.<br> +By the monarch's servants / well received they were:<br> +They gave them fitting lodging / and for their raiment had a care.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1434">1434</a></p> +<p> +Rich and wrought full deftly / was the travelling-dress they wore,<br> +Wherein they well with honor / might go the king before;<br> +Yet they at court no longer / would the same garments wear.<br> +The messengers inquired / if any were might wish them there.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1435">1435</a></p> +<p> +In sooth in such condition / many eke were found,<br> +Who would receive them gladly; / to such they dealt around.<br> +Then decked themselves the strangers / in garments richer far,<br> +Such as royal messengers / beseemeth well at court to wear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1436">1436</a></p> +<p> +By royal leave came forward / to where the monarch sat<br> +The men that came from Etzel, / and joy there was thereat.<br> +Hagen then to meet them / in courteous manner went,<br> +And heartily did greet them, / whereat they gave fair compliment. </p> +<p> +<a name="s1437">1437</a></p> +<p> +To know what were the tidings, / to ask he then began<br> +How did find him Etzel / and each valiant man.<br> +Then answer gave the fiddler: / "Ne'er higher stood the land,<br> +Nor the folk so joyous: / that shall ye surely understand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1438">1438</a></p> +<p> +They went unto the monarch. / Crowded was the hall.<br> +There were received the strangers / as of right men shall<br> +Kindly greeting offer / in other monarch's land.<br> +Many a valiant warrior / saw Werbel by King Gunther stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1439">1439</a></p> +<p> +Right courteously the monarch / began to greet them then:<br> +"Now be ye both right welcome, / Hunland's merry men,<br> +And knights that give you escort. / Hither sent are ye<br> +By Etzel mighty monarch / unto the land of Burgundy?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s1440">1440</a></p> +<p> +They bowed before the monarch; / then spake Werbelein:<br> +"My dear lord and master, / and Kriemhild, sister thine,<br> +Hither to thy country / give fairest compliment.<br> +In faith of kindly welcome / us unto you they now have sent."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1441">1441</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the lofty ruler: / "I joy o'er this ye bring.<br> +How liveth royal Etzel," / further spake the king,<br> +"And Kriemhild, my sister, / afar in Hunland?"<br> +Then answered him the fiddler: / "That shalt thou straightway understand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1442">1442</a></p> +<p> +"That never any people / more lordly life might show<br> +Than they both do joy in, / —that shalt thou surely know,—<br> +Wherein do share their kinsmen / and all their doughty train.<br> +When from them we parted, / of our journey were they fain."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1443">1443</a></p> +<p> +"My thanks for these high greetings / ye bring at his command<br> +And from my royal sister. / That high in joy they stand,<br> +The monarch and his kinsmen, / rejoiceth me to hear.<br> +For, sooth to say, the tidings / asked I now in mickle fear."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1444">1444</a></p> +<p> +The twain of youthful princes / were eke come thitherward,<br> +As soon as they the tidings / from afar had heard.<br> +Right glad were seen the messengers / for his dear sister's sake<br> +By the young Giselher, / who in such friendly manner spake:</p> +<p> +<a name="s1445">1445</a></p> +<p> +"Right hearty were your welcome / from me and brother mine,<br> +Would ye but more frequent / ride hither to the Rhine;<br> +Here found ye friends full many / whom glad ye were to see,<br> +And naught but friendly favors / the while that in this land ye be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1446">1446</a></p> +<p> +"To us how high thy favor," / spake Schwemmel, "know we well;<br> +Nor with my best endeavor / might I ever tell<br> +How kindly is the greeting / we bear from Etzel's hand<br> +And from your noble sister, / who doth in highest honor stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1447">1447</a></p> +<p> +"Your sometime love and duty / recalleth Etzel's queen,<br> +And how to her devoted / in heart we've ever been,<br> +But first to royal Gunther / do we a message bear,<br> +And pray it be your pleasure / unto Etzel's land to fare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1448">1448</a></p> +<p> +"To beg of you that favor / commanded o'er and o'er<br> +Etzel mighty monarch / and bids you know the more,<br> +An will ye not your sister / your faces give to see,<br> +So would he know full gladly / wherein by him aggrieved ye be,</p> +<p> +<a name="s1449">1449</a></p> +<p> +"That ye thus are strangers / to him and all his men.<br> +If that his spouse so lofty / to you had ne'er been known,<br> +Yet well he thought to merit / that him ye'd deign to see;<br> +In sooth could naught rejoice him / more than that such thing might be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1450">1450</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the royal Gunther: / "A sennight from this day<br> +Shall ye have an answer, / whereon decide I may<br> +With my friends in counsel. / The while shall ye repair<br> +Unto your place of lodging, / and right goodly be your fare."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1451">1451</a></p> +<p> +Then spake in answer Werbel: / "And might such favor be<br> +That we the royal mistress / should first have leave to see,<br> +Ute, the lofty lady, / ere that we seek our rest?"<br> +To him the noble Giselher / in courteous wise these words addressed.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1452">1452</a></p> +<p> +"That grace shall none forbid you. / Will ye my mother greet,<br> +Therein do ye most fully / her own desire meet.<br> +For sake of my good sister / fain is she you to see,<br> +For sake of Lady Kriemhild / ye shall to her full welcome be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1453">1453</a></p> +<p> +Giselher then led him / unto the lofty dame,<br> +Who fain beheld the messengers / from Hunland that came.<br> +She greeted them full kindly / as lofty manner taught,<br> +And in right courteous fashion / told they to her the tale they brought.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1454">1454</a></p> +<p> +"Pledge of loyal friendship / sendeth unto thee<br> +Now my lofty mistress," / spake Schwemmel. "Might it be,<br> +That she should see thee often, / then shalt thou know full well,<br> +In all the world there never / a greater joy to her befell."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1455">1455</a></p> +<p> +Replied the royal lady: / "Such thing may never be.<br> +Gladly as would I oft-times / my dearest daughter see,<br> +Too far, alas, is distant / the noble monarch's wife.<br> +May ever yet full happy / with King Etzel be her life.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1456">1456</a></p> +<p> +"See that ye well advise me, / ere that ye hence are gone,<br> +What time shall be your parting; / for messengers I none<br> +Have seen for many seasons / as glad as greet I you."<br> +The twain gave faithful promise / such courtesy full sure to do.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1457">1457</a></p> +<p> +Forthwith to seek their lodgings / the men of Hunland went,<br> +The while the mighty monarch / for trusted warriors sent,<br> +Of whom did noble Gunther / straightway question make,<br> +How thought they of the message. / Whereupon full many spake</p> +<p> +<a name="s1458">1458</a></p> +<p> +That he might well with honor / to Etzel's land be bound,<br> +The which did eke advise him / the highest 'mongst them found,<br> +All save Hagen only, / whom sorely grieved such rede.<br> +Unto the king in secret / spake he: "Ill shall be thy meed.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1459">1459</a></p> +<p> +"What deed we twain compounded / art thou full well aware,<br> +Wherefor good cause we ever / shall have Kriemhild to fear,<br> +For that her sometime husband / I slew by my own hand.<br> +How dare we ever journey / then unto King Etzel's land?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s1460">1460</a></p> +<p> +Replied the king: "My sister / no hate doth harbor more.<br> +As we in friendship kissed her, / vengeance she forswore<br> +For evil that we wrought her, / ere that from hence she rode,—<br> +Unless this message, Hagen, / ill for thee alone forebode."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1461">1461</a></p> +<p> +"Now be thou not deceived," / spake Hagen, "say what may<br> +The messengers from Hunland. / If thither be thy way,<br> +At Kriemhild's hands thou losest / honor eke and life,<br> +For full long-avenging / is the royal Etzel's wife."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1462">1462</a></p> +<p> +Added then his counsel / the princely Gernot there:<br> +"Though be it thou hast reason / thine own death to fear<br> +Afar in Hunnish kingdom, / should we for that forego<br> +To visit our high sister, / that were in sooth but ill to do."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1463">1463</a></p> +<p> +Unto that thane did likewise / Giselher then say:<br> +"Since well thou know'st, friend Hagen, / what guilt on thee doth weigh,<br> +Then tarry here behind us / and of thyself have care,<br> +And let who dares the journey / with us unto my sister fare."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1464">1464</a></p> +<p> +Thereat did rage full sorely / Tronje's doughty thane:<br> +"So shall ye ne'er find any / that were to go more fain,<br> +Nor who may better guide you / than I upon your way.<br> +And will ye not give over, / know then my humor soon ye may."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1465">1465</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the Kitchen Master, / Rumold a lofty thane:<br> +"Here might ye guests and kinsmen / in plenty long maintain<br> +After your own pleasure, / for ye have goodly store.<br> +I ween ye ne'er found Hagen / traitor to you heretofore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1466">1466</a></p> +<p> +"If heed ye will not Hagen, / still Rumold doth advise<br> +—For ye have faithful service / from me in willing wise—<br> +That here at home ye tarry / for the love of me,<br> +And leave the royal Etzel / afar with Kriemhild to be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1467">1467</a></p> +<p> +"Where in the world might ever / ye more happy be<br> +Than here where from danger / of every foeman free,<br> +Where ye may go as likes you / in goodliest attire,<br> +Drink wine the best, and stately / women meet your heart's desire.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1468">1468</a></p> +<p> +"And daily is your victual / the best that ever knew<br> +A king of any country. / And were the thing not true,<br> +At home ye yet should tarry / for sake of your fair wife<br> +Ere that in childish fashion / ye thus at venture set your life.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1469">1469</a></p> +<p> +"Thus rede I that ye go not. / Mighty are your lands,<br> +And at home more easy may ye / be freed from hostile hands<br> +Than if ye pine in Hunland. / How there it is, who knows?<br> +O Master, go not thither, / —such is the rede that Rumold owes."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1470">1470</a></p> +<p> +"We'll ne'er give o'er the journey," / Gernot then did say,<br> +"When thus our sister bids us / in such friendly way<br> +And Etzel, mighty monarch. / Wherefore should we refrain?<br> +Who goes not gladly thither, / here at home may he remain."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1471">1471</a></p> +<p> +Thereto gave answer Hagen: / "Take not amiss, I pray,<br> +These my words outspoken, / let befall what may.<br> +Yet do I counsel truly, / as ye your safety prize,<br> +That to the Huns ye journey / armed full well in warlike guise.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1472">1472</a></p> +<p> +"Will ye then not give over, / your men together call,<br> +The best that ye may gather / from districts one and all.<br> +From out them all I'll choose you / a thousand knights full good,<br> +Then may ye reck but little / the vengeful Kriemhild's angry mood."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1473">1473</a></p> +<p> +"I'll gladly heed thy counsel," / straight the king replied,<br> +And bade the couriers traverse / his kingdom far and wide.<br> +Soon they brought together / three thousand men or more,<br> +Who little weened what mickle / sorrow was for them in store.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1474">1474</a></p> +<p> +Joyful came they riding / to King Gunther's land.<br> +Steeds and equipment for them / all he did command,<br> +Who should make the journey / thence from Burgundy.<br> +Warriors many were there / to serve the king right willingly.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1475">1475</a></p> +<p> +Hagen then of Tronje / to Dankwart did assign<br> +Of their warriors eighty / to lead unto the Rhine.<br> +Equipped in knightly harness / were they soon at hand.<br> +Riding in gallant fashion / unto royal Gunther's land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1476">1476</a></p> +<p> +Came eke the doughty Volker, / a noble minstrel he,<br> +With thirty goodly warriors / to join the company,<br> +Who wore so rich attire / 'twould fit a monarch well.<br> +That he would fare to Hunland, / bade he unto Gunther tell.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1477">1477</a></p> +<p> +Who was this same Volker / that will I let you know:<br> +He was a knight full noble, / to him did service owe<br> +Many a goodly warrior / in the land of Burgundy.<br> +For that he well could fiddle, / named the Minstrel eke was he.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1478">1478</a></p> +<p> +Thousand men chose Hagen, / who well to him were known.<br> +What things in storm of battle / their doughty arm had done,<br> +Or what they wrought at all times, / that knew he full well.<br> +Nor of them might e'er mortal / aught but deeds of valor tell.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1479">1479</a></p> +<p> +The messengers of Kriemhild, / full loath they were to wait,<br> +For of their master's anger / stood they in terror great.<br> +Each day for leave to journey / more great their yearning grew,<br> +But daily to withhold it / crafty Hagen pretext knew.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1480">1480</a></p> +<p> +He spake unto his master: / "Well shall we beware<br> +Hence to let them journey / ere we ourselves prepare<br> +In seven days thereafter / to ride to Etzel's land:<br> +If any mean us evil, / so may we better understand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1481">1481</a></p> +<p> +"Nor may the Lady Kriemhild / ready make thereto,<br> +That any by her counsel / scathe to us may do.<br> +Yet if such wish she cherish, / evil shall be her meed,<br> +For many a chosen warrior / with us shall we thither lead."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1482">1482</a></p> +<p> +Shields well-wrought and saddles, / with all the mickle gear<br> +That into Etzel's country / the warriors should wear,<br> +The same was now made ready / for many a knight full keen.<br> +The messengers of Kriemhild / before King Gunther soon were seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1483">1483</a></p> +<p> +When were come the messengers, / Gernot them addressed:<br> +"King Gunther now is minded / to answer Etzel's quest.<br> +Full gladly go we thither / with him to make high-tide<br> +And see our lofty sister, / —of that set ye all doubt aside."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1484">1484</a></p> +<p> +Thereto spake King Gunther: / "Can ye surely say<br> +When shall be the high-tide, / or upon what day<br> +We shall there assemble?" / Spake Schwemmel instantly:<br> +"At turn of sun in summer / shall in sooth the meeting be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1485">1485</a></p> +<p> +The monarch leave did grant them, / ere they should take their way,<br> +If that to Lady Brunhild / they would their homage pay,<br> +His high pleasure was it / they unto her should go.<br> +Such thing prevented Volker, / and did his mistress' pleasure so.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1486">1486</a></p> +<p> +"In sooth, my Lady Brunhild / hath scarce such health to-day<br> +As that she might receive you," / the gallant knight did say.<br> +"Bide ye till the morrow, / may ye the lady see."<br> +When thus they sought her presence, / might their wish not granted be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1487">1487</a></p> +<p> +To the messengers right gracious / was the mighty king,<br> +And bade he from his treasure / on shields expansive bring<br> +Shining gold in plenty / whereof he had great store.<br> +Eke richest gifts received they / from his lofty kinsmen more.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1488">1488</a></p> +<p> +Giselher and Gernot, / Gere and Ortwein,<br> +That they were free in giving / soon full well was seen.<br> +So costly gifts were offered / unto each messenger<br> +That they dared not receive them, / for Etzel's anger did they fear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1489">1489</a></p> +<p> +Then unto King Gunther / Werbel spake again:<br> +Sire, let now thy presents / in thine own land remain.<br> +The same we may not carry, / my master hath decreed<br> +That we accept no bounty. / Of that in sooth we've little need."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1490">1490</a></p> +<p> +Thereat the lord of Rhineland / was seen in high displeasure,<br> +That they should thus accept not / so mighty monarch's treasure?<br> +In their despite yet took they / rich dress and gold in store,<br> +The which moreover with them / home to Etzel's land they bore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1491">1491</a></p> +<p> +Ere that they thence departed / they Lady Ute sought,<br> +Whereat the gallant Giselher / straight the minstrels brought<br> +Unto his mother's presence. / Kind greetings sent the dame,<br> +And wish that high in honor / still might stand her daughter's name.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1492">1492</a></p> +<p> +Then bade the lofty lady / embroidered silks and gold<br> +For the sake of Kriemhild, / whom loved she as of old,<br> +And eke for sake of Etzel, / unto the minstrels give.<br> +What thus so free was offered / might they in sooth right fain receive.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1493">1493</a></p> +<p> +Soon now had ta'en departure / the messengers from thence,<br> +From knight and fairest lady, / and joyous fared they hence<br> +Unto Suabian country; / Gernot had given behest<br> +Thus far for armed escort, / that none their journey might molest.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1494">1494</a></p> +<p> +When these had parted from them, / safe still from harm were they,<br> +For Etzel's might did guard them / wherever led their way.<br> +Nor ever came there any / that aught to take would dare,<br> +As into Etzel's country / they in mickle haste did fare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1495">1495</a></p> +<p> +Where'er they friends encountered, / to all they straight made known<br> +How that they of Burgundy / should follow after soon<br> +From Rhine upon their journey / unto the Huns' country.<br> +The message brought they likewise / unto Bishop Pilgrim's see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1496">1496</a></p> +<p> +As down 'fore Bechelaren / they passed upon their way,<br> +The tidings eke to Ruediger / failed they not to say,<br> +And unto Gotelinde, / the margrave's wife the same.<br> +At thought so soon to see them / was filled with joy the lofty dame.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1497">1497</a></p> +<p> +Hasting with the tidings / each minstrel's courser ran,<br> +Till found they royal Etzel / within his burgh at Gran.<br> +Greeting upon greeting, / which they must all bestow,<br> +They to the king delivered; / with joy his visage was aglow.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1498">1498</a></p> +<p> +When that the lofty Kriemhild / did eke the tidings hear,<br> +How that her royal brothers / unto the land would fare,<br> +In sooth her heart was gladdened; / on the minstrels she bestowed<br> +Richest gifts in plenty, / as she to her high station owed.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1499">1499</a></p> +<p> +She spake: "Now shall ye, Werbel / and Schwemmel, tell to me<br> +Who cometh of my kinsmen / to our festivity,<br> +Who of all were bidden / this our land to seek?<br> +Now tell me, when the message / heard he, what did Hagen speak?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s1500">1500</a></p> +<p> +Answered: "He came to council / early upon a day,<br> +But little was of pleasant / in what he there did say.<br> +When learned he their intention, / in wrath did Hagen swear,<br> +To death 'twere making journey, / to country of the Huns to fare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1501">1501</a></p> +<p> +"Hither all are coming, / thy royal brothers three,<br> +And they right high in spirit. / Who more shall with them be,<br> +The tale to tell entire / were more than I might do.<br> +To journey with them plighted / Volker the valiant fiddler too."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1502">1502</a></p> +<p> +"'Twere little lost, full truly," / answered then the queen,<br> +"If by my eyes never / Volker here were seen.<br> +'Tis Hagen hath my favor, / a noble knight is he,<br> +And mickle is my pleasure / that him full soon we here may see."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1503">1503</a></p> +<p> +Her way the Lady Kriemhild / then to the king did take,<br> +And in right joyous manner / unto her consort spake:<br> +"How liketh thee the tidings, / lord full dear to me?<br> +What aye my heart hath yearned for, / that shall now accomplished be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1504">1504</a></p> +<p> +"Thy will my joy was ever," / the lofty monarch said.<br> +"In sooth for my own kinsmen / I ne'er have been so glad,<br> +To hear that they come hither / unto my country.<br> +To know thy friends are coming, / hath parted sadness far from me."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1505">1505</a></p> +<p> +Straight did the royal provosts / give everywhere decree<br> +That hall and stately palace / well prepared should be<br> +With seats, that unprovided / no worthy guest be left.<br> +Anon by them the monarch / should be of mickle joy bereft.<br> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A25">TWENTY</a>-FIFTH ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How the Knights all fared to the Huns</p> +<p> +<a name="s1506">1506</a></p> +<p> +Tell we now no further / how they here did fare.<br> +Knights more high in spirit / saw ye journey ne'er<br> +In so stately fashion / to the land of e'er a king.<br> +Of arms and rich attire / lacked they never anything.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1507">1507</a></p> +<p> +At Rhine the lordly monarch / equipped his warriors well,<br> +A thousand knights and sixty, / as I did hear tell,<br> +And eke nine thousand squires / toward the festivity.<br> +Whom they did leave behind them / anon must mourn full grievously.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1508">1508</a></p> +<p> +As at Worms across the courtyard / equipment full they bore<br> +Spake there of Speyer / a bishop old and hoar<br> +Unto Lady Ute: / "Our friends have mind to fare<br> +Unto the festivity; / may God their honor have in care."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1509">1509</a></p> +<p> +Then spake unto her children / Ute the noble dame:<br> +"At home ye here should tarry, / ye knights full high in fame.<br> +Me dreamt but yester even / a case of direst need,<br> +How that in this country / all the feathered fowl were dead."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1510">1510</a></p> +<p> +"Who recketh aught of dreamings," / Hagen then replied,<br> +"Distraught is sure his counsel / when trouble doth betide,<br> +Or he would of his honor / have a perfect care.<br> +I counsel that my master / straight to take his leave prepare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1511">1511</a></p> +<p> +"Gladly shall we journey / into Etzel's land;<br> +There at their master's service / may good knights ready stand,<br> +For that we there shall witness / Kriemhild's festivity."<br> +That Hagen gave such counsel, / rue anon full sore did he.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1512">1512</a></p> +<p> +Yet in sooth far other / than this had been his word,<br> +Had not with bitter mocking / Gernot his anger stirred.<br> +He spake to him of Siegfried / whom Kriemhild loved so,<br> +And said: "Therefore the journey / would Hagen willingly forego."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1513">1513</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Through fear I nothing do.<br> +Whenever will ye, Masters, / set straight your hand thereto,<br> +With you I'll gladly journey / unto Etzel's land."<br> +Many a shield and helmet / there hewed anon his mighty hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1514">1514</a></p> +<p> +The ships stood ready waiting, / whereunto ample store<br> +Of clothing for the journey / men full many bore,<br> +Nor had they time for resting / till shades of even fell.<br> +Anon in mood full joyous / bade they friends at home farewell.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1515">1515</a></p> +<p> +Tents full large and many / arose upon the green,<br> +Yonder side Rhine river. / But yet the winsome queen<br> +Caressed the doughty monarch / that night, and still did pray<br> +That far from Etzel's country / among his kinsmen might he stay.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1516">1516</a></p> +<p> +When sound of flute and trumpet / arose at break of day,<br> +A signal for their parting, / full soon they took their way.<br> +Each lover to his bosom / did friend more fondly press:<br> +King Etzel's wife full many / did part anon in dire distress.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1517">1517</a></p> +<p> +The sons of stately Ute, / a good knight had they,<br> +A brave man and a faithful. / When they would thence away,<br> +Apart unto the monarch / did he his mind reveal,<br> +And spake: "That ye will journey, / may I naught but sorrow feel."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1518">1518</a></p> +<p> +Hight the same was Rumold, / a man of doughty hand.<br> +He spake: "To whom now leave ye / people here and land?<br> +O that never any / might alter your intent!<br> +Small good, methinks, may follow / message e'er by Kriemhild sent."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1519">1519</a></p> +<p> +"The land to thee entrusted / and eke my child shall be,<br> +And tender care of ladies, / —so hast command from me.<br> +Whene'er thou seest weeping, / do there thy comfort give.<br> +Yea, trust we free from sorrow / at hand of Etzel's wife to live."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1520">1520</a></p> +<p> +For knight and royal master / the chargers ready were,<br> +As with fond embracing / parted many there,<br> +Who long in joy together / a merry life had led.<br> +By winsome dame full many / therefor must bitter tear be shed.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1521">1521</a></p> +<p> +As did those doughty warriors / into the saddle spring,<br> +Might full many a lady / be seen there sorrowing;<br> +For told them well their spirit / that thus so long to part<br> +Did bode a dire peril, / the which must ever cloud the heart.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1522">1522</a></p> +<p> +As mounted stood the valiant / thanes of Burgundy,<br> +Might ye a mickle stirring / in that country see,<br> +Both men and women weeping / on either riverside.<br> +Yet pricked they gaily forward, / let what might their folk betide.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1523">1523</a></p> +<p> +The Nibelungen warriors / in hauberks bright arrayed<br> +Went with them, a thousand, / while at home behind them stayed<br> +Full many a winsome lady, / whom saw they nevermore.<br> +The wounds of doughty Siegfried / still grieved the Lady Kriemhild sore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1524">1524</a></p> +<p> +Their journey they directed / onward to the Main,<br> +Up through East Frankish country, / the men of Gunther's train<br> +Thither led by Hagen, / who well that country knew;<br> +Marshal to them was Dankwart, / a knight of Burgundy full true.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1525">1525</a></p> +<p> +On from East Frankish country / to Schwanefeld they went,<br> +A train of valiant warriors / of high accomplishment,<br> +The monarchs and their kinsmen, / all knights full worthy fame.<br> +Upon the twelfth morning / the king unto the Danube came.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1526">1526</a></p> +<p> +The knight of Tronje, Hagen, / the very van did lead,<br> +Ever to the Nibelungen / a surest help in need.<br> +First the thane full valiant / down leapt upon the ground,<br> +And straightway then his charger / fast unto a tree he bound.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1527">1527</a></p> +<p> +Flooded were the waters / and ne'er a boat was near,<br> +Whereat began the Nibelungen / all in dread to fear<br> +They ne'er might cross the river, / so mighty was the flood.<br> +Dismounted on the shore, / full many a stately knight then stood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1528">1528</a></p> +<p> +"Ill may it," spake then Hagen, / "fare here with thee,<br> +Lord of Rhine river. / Now thyself mayst see<br> +How flooded are the waters, / and swift the current flows.<br> +I ween, before the morrow / here many a goodly knight we lose."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1529">1529</a></p> +<p> +"How wilt reproach me, Hagen?" / the lofty monarch spake.<br> +I pray thee yet all comfort / not from our hearts to take.<br> +The ford shalt thou discover / whereby we may pass o'er,<br> +Horse and equipment bringing / safely unto yonder shore."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1530">1530</a></p> +<p> +"In sooth, not I," quoth Hagen, / "am yet so weary grown<br> +Of life, that in these waters / wide I long to drown.<br> +Ere that, shall warriors sicken / in Etzel's far country<br> +Beneath my own arm stricken: / —'tis my intent full certainly.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1531">1531</a></p> +<p> +"Here tarry by the water, / ye gallant knights and good,<br> +The while I seek the boatmen / myself along the flood,<br> +Who will bring us over / into Gelfrat's land."<br> +With that the doughty Hagen / took his trusty shield in hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1532">1532</a></p> +<p> +He cap-a-pie was arméd, / as thus he strode away,<br> +Upon his head a helmet / that gleamed with brilliant ray,<br> +And o'er his warlike harness / a sword full broad there hung,<br> +That on both its edges / did fiercely cut, in battle swung.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1533">1533</a></p> +<p> +He sought to find the boatmen / if any might be near,<br> +When sound of falling waters / full soon upon his ear.<br> +Beside a rippling fountain, / where ran the waters cool,<br> +A group of wise mermaidens / did bathe themselves within the pool.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1534">1534</a></p> +<p> +Ware of them soon was Hagen / and stole in secret near,<br> +But fast away they hurried / when they the sound did hear.<br> +That they at all escaped him, / filled they were with glee.<br> +The knight did take their clothing, / yet wrought none other injury.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1535">1535</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the one mermaiden, / Hadburg that hight:<br> +"Hagen, knight full noble, / tell will we thee aright,<br> +An wilt thou, valiant warrior, / our garments but give o'er,<br> +What fortune may this journey / to Hunland have for thee in store."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1536">1536</a></p> +<p> +They hovered there before him / like birds above the flood,<br> +Wherefore did think the warrior / that tell strange things they could,<br> +And all the more believed he / what they did feign to say,<br> +As to his eager question / in ready manner answered they.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1537">1537</a></p> +<p> +Spake one: "Well may ye journey / to Etzel's country.<br> +Thereto my troth I give thee / in full security<br> +That ne'er in any kingdom / might high guests receive<br> +Such honors as there wait you, / —this may ye in sooth believe."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1538">1538</a></p> +<p> +To hear such speech was Hagen / in sooth right glad of heart;<br> +He gave to them their garments, / and straightway would depart.<br> +But when in strange attire / they once more were dight,<br> +Told they of the journey / into Etzel's land aright.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1539">1539</a></p> +<p> +Spake then the other mermaid, / Siegelind that hight:<br> +"I warn thee, son of Aldrian, / Hagen valiant knight,<br> +'Twas but to gain her clothing / my cousin falsely said,<br> +For, comest thou to Hunland, / sorely shalt thou be betrayed.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1540">1540</a></p> +<p> +"Yea, that thou turnest backward / is fitter far, I ween;<br> +For but your death to compass / have all ye warriors keen<br> +Receivéd now the bidding / unto Etzel's land.<br> +Whose doth thither journey, / death leadeth surely by the hand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1541">1541</a></p> +<p> +Thereto gave answer Hagen: / "False speech hath here no gain.<br> +How might it ever happen / that we all were slain<br> +Afar in Etzel's country / through hate of any man?"<br> +To tell the tale more fully / unto him she then began.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1542">1542</a></p> +<p> +Spake again the other: / "The thing must surely be,<br> +That of you never any / his home again shall see,<br> +Save only the king's chaplain; / well do we understand<br> +That he unscathed returneth / unto royal Gunther's land."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1543">1543</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the valiant Hagen / again in angry way:<br> +"Unto my royal masters / 'twere little joy to say<br> +That we our lives must forfeit / all in Hunland.<br> +Now show us, wisest woman, / how pass we safe to yonder strand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1544">1544</a></p> +<p> +She spake: "Since from thy purposed / journey thou wilt not turn,<br> +Where upward by the water / a cabin stands, there learn<br> +Within doth dwell a boatman, / nor other find thou mayst."<br> +No more did Hagen question, / but strode away from there in haste.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1545">1545</a></p> +<p> +As went he angry-minded / one from afar did say:<br> +"Now tarry still, Sir Hagen; / why so dost haste away?<br> +Give ear yet while we tell thee / how thou reachest yonder strand.<br> +Master here is Else, / who doth rule this borderland.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1546">1546</a></p> +<p> +"Hight is his brother Gelfrat, / and is a thane full rare,<br> +Lord o'er Bavarian country. / Full ill with you 'twill fare,<br> +Will ye pass his border. / Watchful must ye be,<br> +And eke with the ferryman / 'twere well to walk right modestly.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1547">1547</a></p> +<p> +"He is so angry-minded / that sure thy bane 'twill be,<br> +Wilt thou not show the warrior / all civility.<br> +Wilt thou that he transport thee, / give all the boatman's due.<br> +He guardeth well the border / and unto Gelfrat is full true.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1548">1548</a></p> +<p> +"If he be slow to answer, / then call across the flood<br> +That thy name is Amelrich. / That was a knight full good,<br> +Who for a feud did sometime / go forth from out this land.<br> +The ferryman will answer, / when he the name doth understand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1549">1549</a></p> +<p> +Hagen high of spirit / before those women bent,<br> +Nor aught did say, but silent / upon his way he went.<br> +Along the shore he wandered / till higher by the tide<br> +On yonder side the river / a cabin standing he espied. </p> +<p> +<a name="s1550">1550</a></p> +<p> +He straight began a calling / across the flood amain.<br> +"Now fetch me over, boatman," / cried the doughty thane.<br> +"A golden armband ruddy / I'll give to thee for meed.<br> +Know that to make this crossing / I in sooth have very need."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1551">1551</a></p> +<p> +Not fitting 'twas high ferryman / his service thus should give,<br> +And recompense from any / seldom might he receive;<br> +Eke were they that served him / full haughty men of mood.<br> +Still alone stood Hagen / on the hither side the flood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1552">1552</a></p> +<p> +Then cried he with such power / the wave gave back the sound,<br> +For in strength far-reaching / did the knight abound:<br> +"Fetch me now, for Amelrich, / Else's man, am I,<br> +That for feud outbroken / erstwhile from this land did fly."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1553">1553</a></p> +<p> +Full high upon his sword-point / an armband did he hold,<br> +Fair and shining was it / made of ruddy gold,<br> +The which he offered to him / for fare to Gelfrat's land.<br> +The ferryman high-hearted / himself did take the oar in hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1554">1554</a></p> +<p> +To do with that same boatman / was ne'er a pleasant thing;<br> +The yearning after lucre / yet evil end doth bring.<br> +Here where thought he Hagen's / gold so red to gain,<br> +Must he by the doughty / warrior's fierce sword be slain.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1555">1555</a></p> +<p> +With might across the river / his oar the boatman plied,<br> +But he who there was naméd / might nowhere be espied.<br> +His rage was all unbounded / when he did Hagen find,<br> +And loud his voice resounded / as thus he spake his angry mind:</p> +<p> +<a name="s1556">1556</a></p> +<p> +"Thou mayst forsooth be calléd / Amelrich by name:<br> +Whom I here did look for, / no whit art thou the same.<br> +By father and by mother / brother he was to me.<br> +Since me thou thus hast cozened, / so yet this side the river be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1557">1557</a></p> +<p> +"Nay, by highest Heaven," / Hagen did declare.<br> +"Here am I a stranger / that have good knights in care.<br> +Now take in friendly manner / here my offered pay,<br> +And guide me o'er the ferry; / my favor hast thou thus alway."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1558">1558</a></p> +<p> +Whereat replied the boatman: / "The thing may never be.<br> +There are that to my masters / do bear hostility;<br> +Wherefore I never stranger / do lead into this land.<br> +As now thy life thou prizest, / step straightway out upon the strand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1559">1559</a></p> +<p> +"Deny me not," quoth Hagen, / "for sad in sooth my mood.<br> +Take now for remembrance / this my gold so good,<br> +And carry men a thousand / and horses to yonder shore."<br> +Quoth in rage the boatman: / "Such thing will happen nevermore."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1560">1560</a></p> +<p> +Aloft he raised an oar / that mickle was and strong,<br> +And dealt such blow on Hagen, / (but rued he that ere long,)<br> +That in the boat did stumble / that warrior to his knee.<br> +In sooth so savage boatman / ne'er did the knight of Tronje see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1561">1561</a></p> +<p> +With thought the stranger's anger / the more to rouse anew,<br> +He swung a mighty boat-pole / that it in pieces flew<br> +Upon the crown of Hagen;— / he was a man of might.<br> +Thereby did Else's boatman / come anon to sorry plight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1562">1562</a></p> +<p> +Full sore enraged was Hagen, / as quick his hand he laid<br> +Upon his sword where hanging / he found the trusty blade.<br> +His head he struck from off him / and flung into the tide.<br> +Known was soon the story / to the knights of Burgundy beside.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1563">1563</a></p> +<p> +While the time was passing / that he the boatman slew,<br> +The waters bore him downward, / whereat he anxious grew.<br> +Ere he the boat had righted / began his strength to wane,<br> +So mightily was pulling / royal Gunther's doughty thane.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1564">1564</a></p> +<p> +Soon he yet had turned it, / so rapid was his stroke,<br> +Until the mighty oar / beneath his vigor broke.<br> +As strove he his companions / upon the bank to gain,<br> +No second oar he found him. / Yet soon the same made fast again.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1565">1565</a></p> +<p> +With quickly snatched shield-strap, / a fine and narrow band.<br> +Downward where stood a forest / he sought again the land,<br> +And there his master found he / standing upon the shore.<br> +In haste came forth to meet him / many a stately warrior more.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1566">1566</a></p> +<p> +The gallant knight they greeted / with right hearty mood.<br> +When in the boat perceived they / reeking still the blood<br> +That from the wound had issued / where Hagen's sword did swing,<br> +Scarce could his companions / bring to an end their questioning.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1567">1567</a></p> +<p> +When that royal Gunther / the streaming blood did see<br> +Within the boat there running, / straightway then spake he:<br> +"Where is now the ferryman, / tell me, Hagen, pray?<br> +By thy mighty prowess / his life, I ween, is ta'en away."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1568">1568</a></p> +<p> +Thereto replied he falsely: / "When the boat I found<br> +Where slopeth a wild meadow, / I the same unbound.<br> +Hereabout no ferryman / I to-day have seen,<br> +Nor ever cause of sorrow / unto any have I been."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1569">1569</a></p> +<p> +The good knight then of Burgundy, / the gallant Gernot, spake:<br> +"Dear friends full many, fear I, / the flood this day will take,<br> +Since we of the boatmen / none ready here may find<br> +To guide us o'er the current. / 'Tis mickle sorrow to my mind."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1570">1570</a></p> +<p> +Full loudly cried then Hagen: / "Lay down upon the grass,<br> +Ye squires, the horse equipments. / I ween a time there was,<br> +Myself was best of boatmen / that dwelt the Rhine beside.<br> +To Gelfrat's country trow I / to bring you safely o'er the tide."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1571">1571</a></p> +<p> +That they might come the sooner / across the running flood,<br> +Drove they in the horses. / Their swimming, it was good,<br> +For of them never any / beneath the waves did sink,<br> +Though many farther downward / must struggle sore to gain the +brink.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1572">1572</a></p> +<p> +Their treasure and apparel / unto the boat they bore,<br> +Since by no means the journey / thought they to give o'er.<br> +Hagen was director, / and safely reached the strand<br> +With many a stalwart warrior / bound unto the unknown land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1573">1573</a></p> +<p> +Gallant knights a thousand / first he ferried o'er,<br> +Whereafter came his own men. / Of others still were more,<br> +For squires full nine thousand / he led unto that land.<br> +That day no whit was idle / that valiant knight of Tronje's hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1574">1574</a></p> +<p> +When he them all in safety / o'er the flood had brought,<br> +Of that strange story / the valiant warrior thought,<br> +Which erstwhile had told him / those women of the sea.<br> +Lost thereby the chaplain's / life well-nigh was doomed to be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1575">1575</a></p> +<p> +Beside his priestly baggage / he saw the chaplain stand,<br> +Upon the holy vestments / resting with his hand.<br> +No whit was that his safety; / when Hagen him did see,<br> +Must the priest full wretched / suffer sorest injury.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1576">1576</a></p> +<p> +From out the boat he flung him / ere might the thing be told,<br> +Whereat they cried together: / "Hold, O Master, hold!"<br> +Soon had the youthful Giselher / to rage thereat begun,<br> +And mickle was his sorrow / that Hagen yet the thing had done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1577">1577</a></p> +<p> +Then outspake Sir Gernot, / knight of Burgundy:<br> +"What boots it thee, Sir Hagen, / that thus the chaplain die?<br> +Dared any else to do it, / thy wrath 'twould sorely stir.<br> +Wherein the priest's offending, / thus thy malice to incur?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s1578">1578</a></p> +<p> +To swim the chaplain struggled. / He thought him yet to free,<br> +If any but would help him. / Yet such might never be,<br> +For that the doughty Hagen / full wrathful was of mood,<br> +He sunk him to the bottom, / whereat aghast each warrior stood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1579">1579</a></p> +<p> +When that no help forthcoming / the wretched priest might see,<br> +He sought the hither shore, / and fared full grievously.<br> +Though failed his strength in swimming, / yet helped him God's own hand,<br> +That he came securely / back again unto the land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1580">1580</a></p> +<p> +Safe yonder stood the chaplain / and shook his dripping dress.<br> +Thereby perceived Hagen / how true was none the less<br> +The story that did tell him / the strange women of the sea.<br> +Thought he: "Of these good warriors / soon the days must ended be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1581">1581</a></p> +<p> +When that the boat was emptied, / and complete their store<br> +All the monarch's followers / had borne upon the shore,<br> +Hagen smote it to pieces / and cast it on the flood,<br> +Whereat in mickle wonder / the valiant knights around him stood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1582">1582</a></p> +<p> +"Wherefore dost this, brother," / then Sir Dankwart spake;<br> +"How shall we cross the river / when again we make<br> +Our journey back from Hunland, / riding to the Rhine?"<br> +Behold how Hagen bade him / all such purpose to resign.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1583">1583</a></p> +<p> +Quoth the knight of Tronje: / "This thing is done by me,<br> +That if e'er coward rideth / in all our company,<br> +Who for lack of courage / from us away would fly,<br> +He beneath these billows / yet a shameful death must die."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1584">1584</a></p> +<p> +One there journeyed with them / from the land of Burgundy,<br> +That was a knight of valor, / Volker by name was he.<br> +He spake in cunning manner / whate'er might fill his mind,<br> +And aught was done by Hagen / did the Fiddler fitting find.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1585">1585</a></p> +<p> +Ready stood their chargers, / the carriers laden well;<br> +At passage of the river / was there naught to tell<br> +Of scathe to any happened, / save but the king's chaplain.<br> +Afoot must he now journey / back unto the Rhine again.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A26">TWENTY</a>-SIXTH ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Gelfrat was Slain by Dankwart</p> +<p> +<a name="s1586">1586</a></p> +<p> +When now they all were gathered / upon the farther strand,<br> +To wonder gan the monarch: / "Who shall through this land<br> +On routes aright direct us, / that not astray we fare?"<br> +Then spake the doughty Volker: / "Thereof will I alone have care."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1587">1587</a></p> +<p> +"Now hark ye all," quoth Hagen, / "knight and squire too,<br> +And list to friendly counsel, / as fitting is to do.<br> +Full strange and dark the tidings / now ye shall hear from me:<br> +Home nevermore return we / unto the land of Burgundy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1588">1588</a></p> +<p> +"Thus mermaids twain did tell me, / who spake to me this morn,<br> +That back we come not hither. / You would I therefore warn<br> +That arméd well ye journey / and of all ills beware.<br> +To meet with doughty foemen / well behooveth us prepare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1589">1589</a></p> +<p> +"I weened to turn to falsehood / what those wise mermaids spake,<br> +Who said that safe this journey / none again should make<br> +Home unto our country / save the chaplain alone:<br> +Him therefore was I minded / to-day beneath the flood to drown."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1590">1590</a></p> +<p> +From company to company / quickly flew the tale,<br> +Whereon grew many a doughty / warrior's visage pale,<br> +As gan he think in sorrow / how death should snatch away<br> +All ere the journey ended; / and very need for grief had they.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1591">1591</a></p> +<p> +By Moeringen was it / they had the river crossed,<br> +Where also Else's boatman / thus his life had lost.<br> +There again spake Hagen: / "Since in such wise by me<br> +Wrath hath been incurréd, / assailed full surely shall we be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1592">1592</a></p> +<p> +"Myself that same ferryman / did this morning slay.<br> +Far bruited are the tidings. / Now arm ye for the fray,<br> +That if Gelfrat and Else / be minded to beset<br> +Our train to-day, they surely / with sore discomfiture be met.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1593">1593</a></p> +<p> +"So keen they are, well know I / the thing they'll not forego.<br> +Your horses therefore shall ye / make to pace more slow,<br> +That never man imagine / we flee away in fear."<br> +"That counsel will I follow," / spake the young knight Giselher.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1594">1594</a></p> +<p> +"Who will guide our vanguard / through this hostile land?"<br> +"Volker shall do it," spake they, / "well doth he understand<br> +Where leadeth path and highway, / a minstrel brave and keen."<br> +Ere full the wish was spoken, / in armor well equipped was seen</p> +<p> +<a name="s1595">1595</a></p> +<p> +Standing the doughty Fiddler. / His helmet fast he bound,<br> +And from his stately armor / shot dazzling light around.<br> +Eke to a staff he fastened / a banner, red of hue.<br> +Anon with royal masters / came he to sorest sorrow too.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1596">1596</a></p> +<p> +Unto Gelfrat meanwhile / had sure tidings flown,<br> +How that was dead his boatman; / the story eke was known<br> +Unto the doughty Else, / and both did mourn his fate.<br> +Their warriors they summoned, / nor must long time for answer wait.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1597">1597</a></p> +<p> +But little space it lasted / —that would I have you know—<br> +Ere that to them hasted / who oft a mickle woe<br> +Had wrought in stress of battle / and injury full sore;<br> +To Gelfrat now came riding / seven hundred knights or more.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1598">1598</a></p> +<p> +When they their foes to follow / so bitterly began,<br> +Led them both their masters. / Yet all too fast they ran<br> +After the valiant strangers / vengeance straight to wreak.<br> +Ere long from those same leaders / did death full many a warrior take.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1599">1599</a></p> +<p> +Hagen then of Tronje / the thing had ordered there,<br> +—How of his friends might ever / knight have better care?—<br> +That he did keep the rearguard / with warriors many a one,<br> +And Dankwart eke, his brother; / full wisely the thing was done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1600">1600</a></p> +<p> +When now the day was over / and light they had no more,<br> +Injury to his followers / gan he to dread full sore.<br> +They shield in hand rode onward / through Bavarian land,<br> +And ere they long had waited / beset they were by hostile band.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1601">1601</a></p> +<p> +On either side the highway / and close upon their rear<br> +Of hoofs was heard the clatter; / too keen the chasers were.<br> +Then spake the valiant Dankwart: / "The foe is close at hand.<br> +Now bind we on the helmet, / —wisdom doth the same command."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1602">1602</a></p> +<p> +Upon the way they halted, / nor else they safe had been.<br> +Through the gloom perceived they / of gleaming shields the sheen.<br> +Thereupon would Hagen / longer not delay:<br> +"Who rideth on the highway?"— / That must Gelfrat tell straight-way.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1603">1603</a></p> +<p> +Of Bavaria the margrave / thereupon replied:<br> +"Our enemies now seek we, / and swift upon them ride.<br> +Fain would I discover / who hath my boatman slain.<br> +A knight he was of valor, / whose death doth cause me grievous pain."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1604">1604</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "And was the boatman thine<br> +That would not take us over? / The guilt herein is mine.<br> +Myself did slay the warrior, / and had, in sooth, good need,<br> +For that beneath his valor / I myself full nigh lay dead.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1605">1605</a></p> +<p> +"For pay I rich attire / did bid, and gold a store,<br> +Good knight, that to thy country / he should us ferry o'er.<br> +Thereat he raged full sorely / and on me swung a blow<br> +With a mighty boat-pole, / whereat I eke did angry grow.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1606">1606</a></p> +<p> +"For my sword then reached I / and made his rage to close<br> +With a wound all gaping: / so thou thy knight didst lose.<br> +I'll give thee satisfaction / as to thee seemeth good."<br> +Straightway began the combat, / for high the twain in valor stood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1607">1607</a></p> +<p> +"Well know I," spake Gelfrat, / "when Gunther with his train<br> +Rode through this my country / that we should suffer bane<br> +From Hagen, knight of Tronje. / No more shall he go free,<br> +But for my boatman's slaying / here a hostage must he be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1608">1608</a></p> +<p> +Against their shields then lowered / for the charge the spear<br> +Gelfrat and Hagen; / eager to close they were.<br> +Else and Dankwart / spurred eke in stately way,<br> +Scanning each the other; / then both did valorous arm display.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1609">1609</a></p> +<p> +How might ever heroes / show doughty arm so well?<br> +Backward from off his charger / from mighty tilt there fell<br> +Hagen the valiant, / by Gelfrat's hand borne down.<br> +In twain was rent the breast-piece: / to Hagen thus a fall was known.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1610">1610</a></p> +<p> +Where met in charge their followers, / did crash of shafts resound.<br> +Risen eke was Hagen, / who erst unto the ground<br> +Was borne by mighty lance-thrust, / prone upon the grass.<br> +I ween that unto Gelfrat / nowise of gentle mood he was.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1611">1611</a></p> +<p> +Who held their horses' bridles / can I not recount,<br> +But soon from out their saddles / did they all dismount.<br> +Hagen and Gelfrat / straightway did fierce engage,<br> +And all their men around them / did eke a furious combat wage.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1612">1612</a></p> +<p> +Though with fierce onslaught Hagen / upon Gelfrat sprung,<br> +On his shield the noble margrave / a sword so deftly swung<br> +That a piece from off the border / 'mid flying sparks it clave.<br> +Well-nigh beneath its fury / fell dead King Gunther's warrior brave.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1613">1613</a></p> +<p> +Unto Dankwart loudly / thereat he gan to cry:<br> +"Help! ho! my good brother! / Encountered here have I<br> +A knight of arm full doughty, / from whom I come not free."<br> +Then spake the valiant Dankwart: / "Myself thereof the judge will be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1614">1614</a></p> +<p> +Nearer sprang the hero / and smote him such a blow<br> +With a keen-edged weapon / that he in death lay low.<br> +For his slain brother Else / vengeance thought to take,<br> +But soon with all his followers / 'mid havoc swift retreat must make.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1615">1615</a></p> +<p> +Slain was now his brother, / wound himself did bear,<br> +And of his followers eighty / eke had fallen there,<br> +By grim death snatched sudden. / Then must the doughty knight,<br> +From Gunther's men to save him, / turn away in hasty flight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1616">1616</a></p> +<p> +When that they of Bavaria / did from the carnage flee,<br> +The blows that followed after / resounded frightfully;<br> +For close the knights of Tronje / upon their enemies chased,<br> +Who to escape the fury / did quit the field in mickle haste.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1617">1617</a></p> +<p> +Then spake upon their fleeing / Dankwart the doughty thane:<br> +"Upon our way now let us / backward turn again,<br> +And leave them hence to hasten / all wet with oozing blood.<br> +Unto our friends return we, / this verily meseemeth good."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1618">1618</a></p> +<p> +When back they were returnéd / where did the scathe befall,<br> +Outspake of Tronje Hagen: / "Now look ye, warriors all,<br> +Who of our tale is lacking, / or who from us hath been<br> +Here in battle riven / through the doughty Gelfrat's spleen."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1619">1619</a></p> +<p> +Lament they must for warriors / four from them were ta'en.<br> +But paid for were they dearly, / for roundabout lay slain<br> +Of their Bavarian foemen / a hundred or more.<br> +The men of Tronje's bucklers / with blood were wet and tarnished o'er.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1620">1620</a></p> +<p> +From out the clouds of heaven / a space the bright moon shone.<br> +Then again spake Hagen: / "Bear report let none<br> +To my beloved masters / how we here did fare.<br> +Let them until the morrow / still be free from aught of care."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1621">1621</a></p> +<p> +When they were back returnéd / who bore the battle's stress,<br> +Sore troubled was their company / from very weariness.<br> +"How long shall we keep saddle?" / was many a warrior's quest.<br> +Then spake the valiant Dankwart: / "Not yet may we find place of rest,</p> +<p> +<a name="s1622">1622</a></p> +<p> +"But on ye all must journey / till day come back again."<br> +Volker, knight of prowess, / who led the foremost train,<br> +Bade to ask the marshal: / "This night where shall we be,<br> +That rest them may our chargers, / and eke my royal masters three?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s1623">1623</a></p> +<p> +Thereto spake valiant Dankwart: / "The same I ne'er can say,<br> +Yet may we never rest us / before the break of day.<br> +Where then we find it fitting / we'll lay us on the grass."<br> +When they did hear his answer, / what source of grief to all it was!</p> +<p> +<a name="s1624">1624</a></p> +<p> +Still were they unbetrayéd / by reeking blood and red,<br> +Until the sun in heaven / its shining beams down shed<br> +At morn across the hill-tops, / that then the king might see<br> +How they had been in battle. / Spake he then full angrily:</p> +<p> +<a name="s1625">1625</a></p> +<p> +"How may this be, friend Hagen? / Scorned ye have, I ween,<br> +That I should be beside you, / where coats of mail have been<br> +Thus wet with blood upon you. / Who this thing hath done?"<br> +Quoth he: "The same did Else, / who hath this night us set upon.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1626">1626</a></p> +<p> +"To avenge his boatman / did they attack our train.<br> +By hand of my brother / hath Gelfrat been slain.<br> +Then fled Else before us, / and mickle was his need.<br> +Ours four, and theirs a thousand, / remained behind in battle dead."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1627">1627</a></p> +<p> +Now can we not inform you / where resting-place they found.<br> +But cause to know their passing / had the country-folk around,<br> +When there the sons of Ute / to court did fare in state.<br> +At Passau fit reception / did presently the knights await.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1628">1628</a></p> +<p> +The noble monarchs' uncle, / Bishop Pilgrim that was,<br> +Full joyous-hearted was he / that through the land did pass<br> +With train of lusty warriors / his royal nephews three.<br> +That willing was his service, / waited they not long to see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1629">1629</a></p> +<p> +To greet them on their journey / did friends lack no device,<br> +Yet not to lodge them fully / might Passau's bounds suffice.<br> +They must across the water / where spreading sward they found,<br> +And lodge and tent erected / soon were stretching o'er the ground.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1630">1630</a></p> +<p> +Nor from that spot they onward / might journey all that day,<br> +And eke till night was over, / for pleasant was their stay.<br> +Next to the land of Ruediger / must they in sooth ride on,<br> +To whom full soon the story / of their coming eke was known.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1631">1631</a></p> +<p> +When fitting rest had taken / the knights with travel worn,<br> +And of Etzel's country / they had reached the bourn,<br> +A knight they found there sleeping / that ne'er should aught but wake,<br> +From whom of Tronje Hagen / in stealth a mighty sword did take.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1632">1632</a></p> +<p> +Hight in sooth was Eckewart / that same valiant knight.<br> +For what was there befallen / was he in sorry plight,<br> +That by those heroes' passing / he had lost his sword.<br> +At Ruediger's marches / found they meagre was the guard.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1633">1633</a></p> +<p> +"O, woe is me dishonored," / Eckewart then cried;<br> +"Yea, rueth me fully sorely, / this Burgundian ride.<br> +What time was taken Siegfried, / did joy depart from me.<br> +Alack, O Master Ruediger, / how ill my service unto thee!"</p> +<p> +<a name="s1634">1634</a></p> +<p> +Hagen, full well perceiving / the noble warrior's plight,<br> +Gave him again his weapon / and armbands six full bright.<br> +"These take, good knight, in token / that thou art still my friend.<br> +A valiant warrior art thou, / though dost thou lone this border tend."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1635">1635</a></p> +<p> +"May God thy gifts repay thee," / Eckewart replied,<br> +"Yet rueth me full sorely / that to the Huns ye ride.<br> +Erstwhile slew ye Siegfried / and vengeance have to fear;<br> +My rede to you is truly: / "Beware ye well of danger here."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1636">1636</a></p> +<p> +"Now must God preserve us," / answered Hagen there.<br> +"In sooth for nothing further / have these thanes a care<br> +Than for place of shelter, / the kings and all their band,<br> +And where this night a refuge / we may find within this land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1637">1637</a></p> +<p> +"Done to death our horses / with the long journey are,<br> +And food as well exhausted," / Hagen did declare.<br> +"Nor find we aught for purchase; / a host we need instead,<br> +Who would in kindness give us, / ere this evening, of his bread."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1638">1638</a></p> +<p> +Thereto gave answer Eckewart: / "I'll show you such a one,<br> +That so warm a welcome / find ye never none<br> +In country whatsoever / as here your lot may be,<br> +An if ye, thanes full gallant, / the noble Ruediger will see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1639">1639</a></p> +<p> +He dwelleth by the highway / and is most bounteous host<br> +That house e'er had for master. / His heart may graces boast,<br> +As in the lovely May-time / the flowrets deck the mead.<br> +To do good thanes a service / is for his heart most joyous deed."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1640">1640</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the royal Gunther: / "Wilt thou my messenger be,<br> +If will my dear friend Ruediger, / as favor done to me,<br> +His hospitable shelter / with all my warriors share,<br> +Therefor full to requite thee / shall e'er hereafter be my care."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1641">1641</a></p> +<p> +"Thy messenger am I gladly," / Eckewart replied,<br> +And in right willing manner / straight away did ride,<br> +The message thus receivéd / to Ruediger to bear.<br> +Nor did so joyous tidings / for many a season greet his ear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1642">1642</a></p> +<p> +Hasting to Bechelaren / was seen a noble thane.<br> +The same perceivéd Ruediger, / and spake: "O'er yonder plain<br> +Hither hastens Eckewart, / who Kriemhild's might doth own."<br> +He weened that by some foemen / to him had injury been done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1643">1643</a></p> +<p> +Then passed he forth the gateway / where the messenger did stand.<br> +His sword he loosed from girdle / and laid from out his hand.<br> +The message that he carried / might he not long withhold<br> +From the master and his kinsmen; / full soon the same to them was told.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1644">1644</a></p> +<p> +He spake unto the margrave: / "I come at high command<br> +Of the lordly Gunther / of Burgundian land,<br> +And Giselher and Gernot, / his royal brothers twain.<br> +In service true commends him / unto thee each lofty thane.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1645">1645</a></p> +<p> +"The like hath Hagen bidden / and Volker as well<br> +With homage oft-times proffered. / And more have I to tell,<br> +The which King Gunther's marshal / to thee doth send by me:<br> +How that the valiant warriors / do crave thy hospitality."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1646">1646</a></p> +<p> +With smiling visage Ruediger / made thereto reply:<br> +"Now joyeth me the story / that the monarchs high<br> +Do deign to seek my service, / that ne'er refused shall be.<br> +Come they unto my castle, / 'tis joy and gladness unto me."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1647">1647</a></p> +<p> +"Dankwart the marshal / hath bidden let thee know<br> +Who seek with them thy shelter / as through thy land they go:<br> +Three score of valiant leaders / and thousand knights right good,<br> +With squires eke nine thousand." / Thereat was he full glad of mood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1648">1648</a></p> +<p> +"To me 'tis mickle honor," / Ruediger then spake,<br> +"That through my castle's portals / such guests will entry make,<br> +For ne'er hath been occasion / my service yet to lend.<br> +Now ride ye, men and kinsmen, / and on these lofty knights attend."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1649">1649</a></p> +<p> +Then to horse did hasten / knight and willing squire,<br> +For glad they were at all times / to do their lord's desire,<br> +And keen that thus their service / should not be rendered late.<br> +Unwitting Lady Gotelinde / still within her chamber sate.<br> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A27">TWENTY</a>-SEVENTH ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How they came to Bechelaren</p> +<p> +<a name="s1650">1650</a></p> +<p> +Then went forth the margrave / where two ladies sate,<br> +His wife beside his daughter, / nor longer did he wait<br> +To tell the joyful tidings / that unto him were brought,<br> +How Kriemhild's royal brothers / his hospitality had sought.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1651">1651</a></p> +<p> +"Dearly lovéd lady," / spake then Ruediger,<br> +"Full kind be thy reception / to lordly monarchs here,<br> +That now with train of warriors / to court do pass this way.<br> +Fair be eke thy greeting / to Hagen, Gunther's man, this day.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1652">1652</a></p> +<p> +"One likewise with them cometh, / Dankwart by name,<br> +Volker hight the other, / a knight of gallant fame.<br> +Thyself and eke thy daughter / with kiss these six shall greet;<br> +Full courteous be your manner / as ye the doughty thanes shall meet."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1653">1653</a></p> +<p> +Gave straight their word the ladies, / and willing were thereto.<br> +From out great chests they gorgeous / attire in plenty drew,<br> +Which they to meet the lofty / strangers thought to wear,<br> +Mickle was the hurry / there of many a lady fair.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1654">1654</a></p> +<p> +On ne'er a cheek might any / but nature's hue be seen.<br> +Upon their head they carried / band of golden sheen,<br> +That was a beauteous chaplet, / that so their glossy hair<br> +By wind might not be ruffled: / that is truth as I declare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1655">1655</a></p> +<p> +At such employment busy / leave we those ladies now.<br> +Here with mickle hurry / across the plain did see<br> +Friends of noble Ruediger / the royal guests to meet,<br> +And them with warmest welcome / unto the margrave's land did greet.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1656">1656</a></p> +<p> +When coming forth the margrave / saw their forms appear,<br> +How spake with heart full joyous / the valiant Ruediger!<br> +"Welcome be ye, Sires, / and all your gallant band.<br> +Right glad am I to see you / hither come unto my land."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1657">1657</a></p> +<p> +Then bent the knights before him / each full courteously.<br> +That he good-will did bear them / might they full quickly see.<br> +Hagen had special greeting, / who long to him was known;<br> +To Volker eke of Burgundy / was like highest honor shown.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1658">1658</a></p> +<p> +Thus Dankwart eke he greeted, / when spake the doughty thane:<br> +"While we thus well are harbored, / who then for all the train<br> +Of those that follow with us / shall meet provision make?"<br> +"Yourselves this night right easy / shall rest," the noble margrave + spake.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1659">1659</a></p> +<p> +"And all that follow with you, / with equipment whatsoe'er<br> +Ye bring into my country / of steed or warlike gear,<br> +So sure shall it be guarded / that of all the sum,<br> +E'en to one spur's value, / to you shall never damage come.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1660">1660</a></p> +<p> +"Now stretch aloft, my squires, / the tents upon the plain.<br> +What here ye have of losses / will I make good again.<br> +Unbridle now the horses / and let them wander free."<br> +Upon their way they seldom / did meet like hospitality.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1661">1661</a></p> +<p> +Thereat rejoiced the strangers. / When thus it ordered was,<br> +Rode the high knights forward. / All round upon the grass<br> +Lay the squires attendant / and found a gentle rest.<br> +I ween, upon their journey / was here provision costliest.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1662">1662</a></p> +<p> +Out before the castle / the noble margravine<br> +Had passed with her fair daughter. / In her train were seen<br> +A band of lovely women / and many a winsome maid,<br> +Whose arms with bracelets glittered, / and all in stately robes arrayed.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1663">1663</a></p> +<p> +The costly jewels sparkled / with far-piercing ray<br> +From out their richest vestments, / and buxom all were they.<br> +Now came the strangers thither / and sprang upon the ground.<br> +How high in noble courtesy / the men of Burgundy were found!</p> +<p> +<a name="s1664">1664</a></p> +<p> +Six and thirty maidens / and many a fair lady,<br> +—Nor might ye ever any / more winsome wish to see—<br> +Went then forth to meet them / with many a knight full keen.<br> +At hands of noble ladies / fairest greeting then was seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1665">1665</a></p> +<p> +The margrave's youthful daughter / did kiss the kings all three<br> +As eke had done her mother. / Hagen stood thereby.<br> +Her father bade her kiss him; / she looked the thane upon,<br> +Who filled her so with terror, / she fain had left the thing undone.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1666">1666</a></p> +<p> +When she at last must do it, / as did command her sire,<br> +Mingled was her color, / both pale and hue of fire.<br> +Likewise kissed she Dankwart / and the Fiddler eke anon:<br> +That he was knight of valor / to him was such high favor shown.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1667">1667</a></p> +<p> +The margrave's youthful daughter / took then by the hand<br> +The royal knight Giselher / of Burgundian land.<br> +E'en so led forth her mother / the gallant Gunther high.<br> +With those guests so lofty / walked they there full joyfully.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1668">1668</a></p> +<p> +The host escorted Gernot / to a spacious hall and wide,<br> +Where knights and stately ladies / sate them side by side.<br> +Then bade they for the strangers / pour good wine plenteously:<br> +In sooth might never heroes / find fuller hospitality.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1669">1669</a></p> +<p> +Glances fond and many / saw ye directed there<br> +Upon Ruediger's daughter, / for she was passing fair.<br> +Yea, in his thoughts caressed her / full many a gallant knight;<br> +A lady high in spirit, / well might she every heart delight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1670">1670</a></p> +<p> +Yet whatsoe'er their wishes, / might none fulfilléd be.<br> +Hither oft and thither / glanced they furtively<br> +On maidens and fair ladies, / whereof were many there.<br> +Right kind the noble Fiddler / disposéd was to Ruediger.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1671">1671</a></p> +<p> +They parted each from other / as ancient custom was,<br> +And knights and lofty ladies / did separating pass<br> +When tables were made ready / within the spacious hall.<br> +There in stately manner / they waited on the strangers all.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1672">1672</a></p> +<p> +To do the guests high honor / likewise the table sought<br> +With them the lofty margravine. / Her daughter led she not,<br> +But left among the maidens, / where fitting was she sat.<br> +That they might not behold her, grieved were the guests in sooth thereat.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1673">1673</a></p> +<p> +The drinking and the feasting, / when 'twas ended all,<br> +Escorted was the maiden / again into the hall.<br> +Then of merry jesting / they nothing lacked, I ween,<br> +Wherein was busy Volker, / a thane full gallant and keen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1674">1674</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the noble Fiddler / to all in lofty tone:<br> +"Great mercy, lordly margrave, / God to thee hath shown,<br> +For that he hath granted / unto thee a wife<br> +Of so surpassing beauty, / and thereto a joyous life.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1675">1675</a></p> +<p> +"If that I were of royal / birth," the Fiddler spake,<br> +"And kingly crown should carry, / to wife I'd wish to take<br> +This thy lovely daughter, / —my heart thus prompteth me.<br> +A noble maid and gentle / and fair to look upon is she."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1676">1676</a></p> +<p> +Then outspake the margrave: / "How might such thing be,<br> +That king should e'er desire / daughter born to me?<br> +Exiled from my country / here with my spouse I dwell:<br> +What avails the maiden, / be she favored ne'er so well?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s1677">1677</a></p> +<p> +Thereto gave answer Gernot, / a knight of manner kind:<br> +"If to my desire / I ever spouse would find,<br> +Then would I of such lady / right gladly make my choice."<br> +In full kindly manner / added Hagen eke his voice:</p> +<p> +<a name="s1678">1678</a></p> +<p> +"Now shall my master Giselher / take to himself a spouse.<br> +The noble margrave's daughter / is of so lofty house,<br> +That I and all his warriors / would glad her service own,<br> +If that she in Burgundy / should ever wear a royal crown."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1679">1679</a></p> +<p> +Glad thereat full truly / was Sir Ruediger,<br> +And eke Gotelinde: / they joyed such words to hear.<br> +Anon arranged the heroes / that her as bride did greet<br> +The noble knight Giselher, / as was for any monarch meet.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1680">1680</a></p> +<p> +What thing is doomed to happen, / who may the same prevent?<br> +To come to the assembly / they for the maidens sent,<br> +And to the knight they plighted / the winsome maid for wife,<br> +Pledge eke by him was given, / his love should yet endure with life.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1681">1681</a></p> +<p> +They to the maid allotted / castles and spreading land,<br> +Whereof did give assurance / the noble monarch's hand<br> +And eke the royal Gernot, / 'twould surely so be done.<br> +Then spake to them the margrave: / "Lordly castles have I none,</p> +<p> +<a name="s1682">1682</a></p> +<p> +"Yet true shall be my friendship / the while that I may live.<br> +Unto my daughter shall I / of gold and silver give<br> +What hundred sumpter-horses / full laden bear away,<br> +That her husband's lofty kinsmen / find honor in the fair array."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1683">1683</a></p> +<p> +They bade the knight and maiden / within a ring to stand,<br> +As was of old the custom. / Of youths a goodly band,<br> +That all were merry-hearted, / did her there confront,<br> +And thought they on her beauty / as mind of youth is ever wont.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1684">1684</a></p> +<p> +When they began to question / then the winsome maid,<br> +Would she the knight for husband, / somewhat she was dismayed,<br> +And yet forego she would not / to have him for her own.<br> +She blushed to hear the question, / as many another maid hath done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1685">1685</a></p> +<p> +Her father Ruediger prompted / that Yes her answer be,<br> +And that she take him gladly. / Unto her instantly<br> +Sprang the young Sir Giselher, / and in his arm so white<br> +He clasped her to his bosom. / —Soon doomed to end was her delight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1686">1686</a></p> +<p> +Then spake again the margrave: / "Ye royal knights and high,<br> +When that home ye journey / again to Burgundy<br> +I'll give to you my daughter, / as fitting is to do,<br> +That ye may take her with you." / They gave their plighted word thereto.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1687">1687</a></p> +<p> +What jubilation made they / yet at last must end.<br> +The maiden then was bidden / unto her chamber wend,<br> +And guests to seek their couches / and rest until the day.<br> +For them the host provided / a feast in hospitable way.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1688">1688</a></p> +<p> +When they had feasted fully / and to the Huns' country<br> +Thence would onward journey, / "Such thing shall never be,"<br> +Spake the host full noble, / "but here ye still shall rest.<br> +Seldom hath my good fortune / welcomed yet so many a guest."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1689">1689</a></p> +<p> +Thereto gave answer Dankwart: / "In sooth it may not be.<br> +Bread and wine whence hast thou / and food sufficiently,<br> +Over night to harbor / of guests so great a train?"<br> +When the host had heard it, / spake he: "All thy words are vain.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1690">1690</a></p> +<p> +"Refuse not my petition, / ye noble lords and high.<br> +A fortnight's full provision / might I in sooth supply,<br> +For you and every warrior / that journeys in your train.<br> +Till now hath royal Etzel / small portion of my substance ta'en."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1691">1691</a></p> +<p> +Though fain they had declined it, / yet they there must stay<br> +E'en to the fourth morning. / Then did the host display<br> +So generous hand and lavish / that it was told afar.<br> +He gave unto the strangers / horses and apparel rare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1692">1692</a></p> +<p> +The time at last was over / and they must journey thence.<br> +Then did the valiant Ruediger / with lavish hand dispense<br> +Unto all his bounty, / refused he unto none<br> +Whate'er he might desire. / Well-pleased they parted every one.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1693">1693</a></p> +<p> +His courteous retainers / to castle gateway brought<br> +Saddled many horses, / and soon the place was sought<br> +Eke by the gallant strangers / each bearing shield in hand,<br> +For that they thence would journey / onward into Etzel's land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1694">1694</a></p> +<p> +The host had freely offered / rich presents unto all,<br> +Ere that the noble strangers / passed out before the hall.<br> +High in honor lived he, / a knight of bounty rare.<br> +His fair daughter had he / given unto Giselher.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1695">1695</a></p> +<p> +Eke gave he unto Gunther, / a knight of high renown,<br> +What well might wear with honor / the monarch as his own,<br> +—Though seldom gift received he— / a coat of harness rare.<br> +Thereat inclined King Gunther / before the noble Ruediger.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1696">1696</a></p> +<p> +Then gave he unto Gernot / a good and trusty blade,<br> +Wherewith anon in combat / was direst havoc made.<br> +That thus the gift was taken / rejoiced the margrave's wife:<br> +Thereby the noble Ruediger / was doomed anon to lose his life.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1697">1697</a></p> +<p> +Gotelinde proffered Hagen, / as 'twas a fitting thing,<br> +Her gifts in kindly manner. / Since scorned them not the king,<br> +Eke he without her bounty / to the high festivity<br> +Should thence not onward journey. / Yet loath to take the same was he.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1698">1698</a></p> +<p> +"Of all doth meet my vision," / Hagen then spake,<br> +"Would I wish for nothing / with me hence to take<br> +But alone the shield that hanging / on yonder wall I see.<br> +The same I'd gladly carry / into Etzel's land with me."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1699">1699</a></p> +<p> +When the stately margravine / Hagen's words did hear,<br> +Brought they to mind her sorrow, / nor might she stop a tear.<br> +She thought again full sadly / how her son Nudung fell,<br> +Slain by hand of Wittich; / and did her breast with anguish swell.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1700">1700</a></p> +<p> +She spake unto the hero: / "The shield to thee I'll give.<br> +O would to God in heaven / that he still did live,<br> +Whose hand erstwhile did wield it! / In battle fell he low,<br> +And I, a wretched mother, / must weep with never-ending woe.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1701">1701</a></p> +<p> +Thereat the noble lady / up from the settle rose,<br> +And soon her arms all snow-white / did the shield enclose.<br> +She bore it unto Hagen, / who made obeisance low;<br> +The gift she might with honor / upon so valiant thane bestow.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1702">1702</a></p> +<p> +O'er it, to keep its color, / a shining cover lay<br> +With precious stones all studded, / nor ever shone the day<br> +Upon a shield more costly; / if e'er a longing eye<br> +Did covet to possess it, / scarce thousand marks the same might buy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1703">1703</a></p> +<p> +The shield in charge gave Hagen / thence away to bear.<br> +Before his host then Dankwart / himself presented there,<br> +On whom the margrave's daughter / did costly dress bestow.<br> +Wherein anon in Hunland / arrayed full stately he did go.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1704">1704</a></p> +<p> +Whate'er of gifts by any / was accepted there,<br> +Them had his hand ne'er taken, / but that intent all were<br> +To do their host an honor / who gave with hand so free.<br> +By his guests in combat / soon doomed was he slain to be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1705">1705</a></p> +<p> +Volker the valiant / to Gotelinde came<br> +And stood in courteous manner / with fiddle 'fore the dame.<br> +Sweet melodies he played her / and sang his songs thereby,<br> +For thought he from Bechelaren / to take departure presently.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1706">1706</a></p> +<p> +The margravine bade to her / a casket forth to bear.<br> +And now of presents given / full freely may ye hear.<br> +Therefrom she took twelve armbands / and drew them o'er his hand.<br> +"These shall thou with thee carry, / as ridest thou to Etzel's land,</p> +<p> +<a name="s1707">1707</a></p> +<p> +"And for my sake shalt wear them / when at court thou dost appear,<br> +That when thou hither comest / I may the story hear<br> +How thou hast done me honor / at the high festival."<br> +What did wish the lady, / faithfully performed he all.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1708">1708</a></p> +<p> +Thus to his guests the host spake: / "That ye more safely fare,<br> +Myself will give you escort / and bid them well beware<br> +That upon the highway / no ill on you be wrought."<br> +Thereat his sumpter horses / straightway laden forth were brought</p> +<p> +<a name="s1709">1709</a></p> +<p> +The host was well prepared / with five hundred men<br> +With horse and rich attire. / These led he with him then<br> +In right joyous humor / to the high festival.<br> +Alive to Bechelaren / again came never one of all.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1710">1710</a></p> +<p> +Thence took his leave Sir Ruediger / with kiss full lovingly;<br> +As fitting was for Giselher, / likewise the same did he.<br> +With loving arms enfolding / caressed they ladies fair.<br> +To many a maid the parting / did bring anon full bitter tear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1711">1711</a></p> +<p> +On all sides then the windows / were open wide flung,<br> +As with his train of warriors / the host to saddle sprung.<br> +I ween their hearts did tell them / how they should sorrow deep.<br> +For there did many a lady / and many a winsome maiden weep.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1712">1712</a></p> +<p> +For dear friends left behind him / grieved many a knight full sore.<br> +Whom they at Bechelaren / should behold no more.<br> +Yet rode they off rejoicing / down across the sand<br> +Hard by the Danube river / on their way to Etzel's land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1713">1713</a></p> +<p> +Then spake to the Burgundians / the gallant knight and bold,<br> +Ruediger the noble: / "Now let us not withhold<br> +The story of our coming / unto the Hun's country.<br> +Unto the royal Etzel / might tidings ne'er more welcome be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1714">1714</a></p> +<p> +Down in haste through Austria / the messenger did ride,<br> +Who told unto the people / soon on every side,<br> +From Worms beyond Rhine river / were high guests journeying.<br> +Nor unto Etzel's people / gladder tidings might ye bring.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1715">1715</a></p> +<p> +Onward spurred the messengers / who did the message bear,<br> +How now in Hunnish country / the Nibelungen were.<br> +"Kriemhild, lofty lady, / warm thy welcome be;<br> +In stately manner hither / come thy loving brothers three."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1716">1716</a></p> +<p> +Within a lofty casement / the Lady Kriemhild stood,<br> +Looking for her kinsmen, / as friend for friend full good.<br> +From her father's country / saw she many a knight;<br> +Eke heard the king the tidings, / and laughed thereat for sheer delight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1717">1717</a></p> +<p> +"Now well my heart rejoiceth," / spake Lady Kriemhild.<br> +"Hither come my kinsmen / with many a new-wrought shield<br> +And brightly shining hauberk: / who gold would have from me,<br> +Be mindful of my sorrow; / to him I'll ever gracious be."</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A28">TWENTY</a>-EIGHTH ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How the Burgundians came to Etzel's Castle</p> +<p> +<a name="s1718">1718</a></p> +<p> +When that the men of Burgundy / were come into the land,<br> +He of Bern did hear it, / the agéd Hildebrand.<br> +He told it to his master, / who sore thereat did grieve;<br> +The knight so keen and gallant / bade he in fitting way receive.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1719">1719</a></p> +<p> +Wolfhart the valiant / bade lead the heroes forth.<br> +In company with Dietrich / rode many a thane of worth,<br> +As out to receive them / across the plain he went,<br> +Where might ye see erected / already many a stately tent.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1720">1720</a></p> +<p> +When that of Tronje Hagen / them far away espied,<br> +Unto his royal masters / full courteously he said:<br> +"Now shall ye, doughty riders, / down from the saddle spring,<br> +And forward go to meet them / that here to you a welcome bring.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1721">1721</a></p> +<p> +"A train there cometh yonder, / well knew I e'en when young.<br> +Thanes they are full doughty / of the land of Amelung.<br> +He of Bern doth lead them, / and high of heart they are;<br> +To scorn their proffered greeting / shall ye in sooth full well beware."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1722">1722</a></p> +<p> +Dismounted then with Dietrich, / (as was meet and right,)<br> +Attended by his squire / many a gallant knight.<br> +They went unto the strangers / and greeted courteously<br> +The knights that far had ridden / from the land of Burgundy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1723">1723</a></p> +<p> +When then Sir Dietrich / saw them coming near,<br> +What words the thane delivered, / now may ye willing hear,<br> +Unto Ute's children. / Their journey grieved him sore.<br> +He weened that Ruediger knowing / had warned what lay for them in store.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1724">1724</a></p> +<p> +"Welcome be ye, Masters, / Gunther and Giselher,<br> +Gernot and Hagen, / welcome eke Volker<br> +And the valiant Dankwart. / Do ye not understand?<br> +Kriemhild yet sore bemoaneth / the hero of Nibelungen land."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1725">1725</a></p> +<p> +"Long time may she be weeping," / Hagen spake again;<br> +"In sooth for years a many / dead he lies and slain.<br> +To the monarch now of Hunland / should she devoted be:<br> +Siegfried returneth never, / buried now long time is he."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1726">1726</a></p> +<p> +"How Siegfried's death was compassed, / let now the story be:<br> +While liveth Lady Kriemhild, / look ye for injury."<br> +Thus did of Bern Sir Dietrich / unto them declare:<br> +"Hope of the Nibelungen, / of her vengeance well beware."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1727">1727</a></p> +<p> +"Whereof shall I be fearful?" / the lofty monarch spake:<br> +"Etzel hath sent us message, / (why further question make?)<br> +That we should journey hither / into his country.<br> +Eke hath my sister Kriemhild / oft wished us here as guests to see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1728">1728</a></p> +<p> +"I give thee honest counsel," / Hagen then did say,<br> +"Now shalt thou here Sir Dietrich / and his warriors pray<br> +To tell thee full the story, / if aught may be designed,<br> +And let thee know more surely / how stands the Lady Kriemhild's mind."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1729">1729</a></p> +<p> +Then went to speak asunder / the lordly monarchs three,<br> +Gunther and Gernot, / and Dietrich went he.<br> +"Now tell us true, thou noble / knight of Bern and kind,<br> +If that perchance thou knowest / how stands thy royal mistress' mind."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1730">1730</a></p> +<p> +The lord of Bern gave answer: / "What need to tell you more?<br> +I hear each day at morning / weeping and wailing sore<br> +The wife of royal Etzel, / who piteous doth complain<br> +To God in heaven that Siegfried / her doughty spouse from her was ta'en."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1731">1731</a></p> +<p> +"Then must we e'en abide it," / was the fearless word<br> +Of Volker the Fiddler, / "what we here have heard.<br> +To court we yet shall journey / and make full clear to all,<br> +If that to valiant warriors / may aught amid the Huns befall."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1732">1732</a></p> +<p> +The gallant thanes of Burgundy / unto court then rode,<br> +And went in stately manner / as was their country's mode.<br> +Full many a man in Hunland / looked eagerly to see<br> +Of what manner Hagen, / Tronje's doughty thane, might be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1733">1733</a></p> +<p> +For that was told the story / (and great the wonder grew)<br> +How that of Netherland / Siegfried he slew,<br> +That was the spouse of Kriemhild, / in strength without a peer,<br> +Hence a mickle questioning / after Hagen might ye hear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1734">1734</a></p> +<p> +Great was the knight of stature, / may ye know full true,<br> +Built with breast expansive; / mingled was the hue<br> +Of his hair with silver; / long he was of limb;<br> +As he strode stately forward / might ye mark his visage grim.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1735">1735</a></p> +<p> +Then were the thanes of Burgundy / unto quarters shown,<br> +But the serving-man of Gunther / by themselves alone.<br> +Thus the queen did counsel, / so filled she was with hate.<br> +Anon where they were harbored / the train did meet with direst fate.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1736">1736</a></p> +<p> +Dankwart, Hagen's brother, / marshal was he.<br> +To him the king his followers / commended urgently,<br> +That he provide them plenty / and have of them good care.<br> +The noble knight of Burgundy / their safety well in mind did bear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1737">1737</a></p> +<p> +By her train attended, / Queen Kriemhild went<br> +To greet the Nibelungen, / yet false was her intent.<br> +She kissed her brother Giselher / and took him by the hand:<br> +Thereat of Tronje Hagen / did tighter draw his helmet's band.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1733">1733</a></p> +<p> +"After such like greeting," / the doughty Hagen spake,<br> +"Let all watchful warriors / full precaution take:<br> +Differs wide the greeting / on masters and men bestowed.<br> +Unhappy was the hour / when to this festival we rode."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1739">1739</a></p> +<p> +She spake: "Now be ye welcome / to whom ye welcome be.<br> +For sake of friendship never / ye greeting have from me.<br> +Tell me now what bring ye / from Worms across the Rhine,<br> +That ye so greatly welcome / should ever be to land of mine?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s1740">1740</a></p> +<p> +"An I had only known it," / Hagen spake again,<br> +"That thou didst look for present / from hand of every thane,<br> +I were, methinks, so wealthy / —had I me bethought—<br> +That I unto this country / likewise to thee my gift had brought."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1741">1741</a></p> +<p> +"Now shall ye eke the story / to me more fully say:<br> +The Nibelungen treasure, / where put ye that away?<br> +My own possession was it, / as well ye understand.<br> +That same ye should have brought me / hither unto Etzel's land."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1742">1742</a></p> +<p> +"In sooth, my Lady Kriemhild, / full many a day hath flown<br> +Since of the Nibelungen / hoard I aught have known.<br> +Into the Rhine to sink it / my lords commanded me:<br> +Verily there must it / until the day of judgment be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1743">1743</a></p> +<p> +Thereto the queen gave answer: / "Such was e'en my thought.<br> +Thereof right little have ye / unto me hither brought,<br> +Although myself did own it / and once o'er it held sway.<br> +'Tis cause that I for ever / have full many a mournful day."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1744">1744</a></p> +<p> +"The devil have I brought thee," / Hagen did declare.<br> +"My shield it is so heavy / that I have to bear,<br> +And my plaited armor; / my shining helmet see,<br> +And sword in hand I carry, / —so might I nothing bring for thee."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1745">1745</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the royal lady / unto the warriors all:<br> +"Weapon shall not any / bear into the hall.<br> +To me now for safe keeping, / ye thanes shall give them o'er."<br> +"In sooth," gave answer Hagen, / "such thing shall happen nevermore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1746">1746</a></p> +<p> +"Such honor ne'er I covet, / royal lady mild,<br> +That to its place of keeping / thou shouldst bear my shield<br> +With all my other armor, / —for thou art a queen.<br> +Such taught me ne'er my sire: / myself will be my chamberlain."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1747">1747</a></p> +<p> +"Alack of these my sorrows!" / the Lady Kriemhild cried;<br> +"Wherefore will now my brother / and Hagen not confide<br> +To me their shields for keeping? / Some one did warning give.<br> +Knew I by whom 'twas given, / brief were the space that he might live."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1748">1748</a></p> +<p> +Thereto the mighty Dietrich / in wrath his answer gave:<br> +"'Tis I who now these noble / lords forewarnéd have,<br> +And Hagen, knight full valiant / of the land of Burgundy.<br> +Now on! thou devil's mistress, / let not the deed my profit be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1749">1749</a></p> +<p> +Great shame thereat did Kriemhild's / bosom quickly fill;<br> +She feared lest Dietrich's anger / should work her grievous ill.<br> +Naught she spake unto them / as thence she swiftly passed,<br> +But fierce the lightning glances / that on her enemies she cast.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1750">1750</a></p> +<p> +By hand then grasped each, other / doughty warriors twain:<br> +Hight the one was Dietrich, / with Hagen, noble thane.<br> +Then spake in courteous manner / that knight of high degree:<br> +"That ye are come to Hunland, / 'tis very sorrow unto me;</p> +<p> +<a name="s1751">1751</a></p> +<p> +"For what hath here been spoken / by the lofty queen."<br> +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Small cause to grieve, I ween."<br> +Held converse thus together / those brave warriors twain,<br> +King Etzel which perceiving / thus a questioning began:</p> +<p> +<a name="s1752">1752</a></p> +<p> +"I would learn full gladly," / —in such wise spake he—<br> +"Who were yonder warrior, / to whom so cordially<br> +Doth greeting give Sir Dietrich. / Meseemeth high his mood.<br> +Whosoe'er his sire, / a thane he is of mettle good."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1753">1753</a></p> +<p> +Unto the king gave answer / of Kriemhild's train a knight:<br> +"Born he was of Tronje, / Aldrian his sire hight.<br> +How merry here his bearing, / a thane full grim is he.<br> +That I have spoken truly, / shalt thou anon have cause to see."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1754">1754</a></p> +<p> +"How may I then perceive it / that fierce his wrath doth glow?"<br> +Naught of basest treachery / yet the king did know,<br> +That anon Queen Kriemhild / 'gainst her kinsmen did contrive,<br> +Whereby returned from Hunland / not one of all their train alive.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1755">1755</a></p> +<p> +"Well knew I Aldrian, / he once to me was thane:<br> +Praise and mickle honor / he here by me did gain.<br> +Myself a knight did make him, / and gave him of my gold.<br> +Helke, noble lady, / did him in highest favor hold.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1756">1756</a></p> +<p> +"Thereby know I fully / what Hagen since befell.<br> +Two stately youths as hostage / at my court did dwell,<br> +He and Spanish Walter, / from youth to manhood led.<br> +Hagen sent I homeward; / Walter with Hildegunde fled."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1757">1757</a></p> +<p> +He thought on ancient story / that long ago befell.<br> +His doughty friend of Tronje / knew he then right well,<br> +Whose youthful valor erstwhile / did such assistance lend.<br> +Through him in age he must be / bereft of many a dearest friend.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A29">TWENTY</a>-NINTH ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How He arose not before Her</p> +<p> +<a name="s1758">1758</a></p> +<p> +Then parted from each other / the noble warriors twain,<br> +Hagen of Tronje / and Dietrich, lofty thane.<br> +Then did King Gunther's warrior / cast a glance around,<br> +Seeking a companion / the same he eke full quickly found.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1759">1759</a></p> +<p> +As standing there by Giselher / he did Volker see,<br> +He prayed the nimble Fiddler / to bear him company,<br> +For that full well he knew it / how grim he was of mood,<br> +And that in all things was he / a knight of mettle keen and good.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1760">1760</a></p> +<p> +While yet their lords were standing / there in castle yard<br> +Saw ye the two knights only / walking thitherward<br> +Across the court far distant / before the palace wide.<br> +The chosen thanes recked little / what might through any's hate betide.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1761">1761</a></p> +<p> +They sate them down on settle / over against a hall,<br> +Wherein dwelt Lady Kriemhild, / beside the palace wall.<br> +Full stately their attire / on stalwart bodies shone.<br> +All that did look upon them / right gladly had the warriors known.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1762">1762</a></p> +<p> +Like unto beasts full savage / were they gaped upon,<br> +The two haughty heroes, / by full many a Hun.<br> +Eke from a casement Etzel's / wife did them perceive:<br> +Once more to behold them / must fair Lady Kriemhild grieve.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1763">1763</a></p> +<p> +It called to mind her sorrow, / and she to weep began,<br> +Whereat did mickle wonder / many an Etzel's man,<br> +What grief had thus so sudden / made her sad of mood.<br> +Spake she: "That hath Hagen, / ye knights of mettle keen and good."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1764">1764</a></p> +<p> +They to their mistress answered: / "Such thing, how hath it been?<br> +For that thee right joyous / we but now have seen.<br> +Ne'er lived he so daring / that, having wrought thee ill,<br> +His life he must not forfeit, / if but to vengeance point thy will."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1765">1765</a></p> +<p> +"I live but to requite him / that shall avenge my wrong;<br> +Whate'er be his desire / shall unto him belong.<br> +Prostrate I beseech you," / —so spake the monarch's wife—<br> +"Avenge me upon Hagen, / and forfeit surely be his life."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1766">1766</a></p> +<p> +Three score of valiant warriors / made ready then straightway<br> +To work the will of Kriemhild / and her best obey<br> +By slaying of Sir Hagen, / the full valiant thane,<br> +And eke the doughty Fiddler; / by shameful deed thus sought they gain.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1767">1767</a></p> +<p> +When the queen beheld there / so small their company,<br> +In full angry humor / to the warriors spake she:<br> +"What there ye think to compass, / forego such purpose yet:<br> +So small in numbers never / dare ye Hagen to beset.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1768">1768</a></p> +<p> +"How doughty e'er be Hagen, / and known his valor wide,<br> +A man by far more doughty / that sitteth him beside,<br> +Volker the Fiddler: / a warrior grim is he.<br> +In sooth may not so lightly / the heroes twain confronted be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1769">1769</a></p> +<p> +When that she thus had spoken, / ready soon were seen<br> +Four hundred stalwart warriors; / for was the lofty queen<br> +Full intent upon it / to work them evil sore.<br> +Therefrom for all the strangers / was mickle sorrow yet in store.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1770">1770</a></p> +<p> +When that complete attiréd / were here retainers seen,<br> +Unto the knights impatient / in such wise spake the queen:<br> +"Now bide ye yet a moment / and stand ye ready so,<br> +While I with crown upon me / unto my enemies shall go.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1771">1771</a></p> +<p> +"And list while I accuse him / how he hath wrought me bane,<br> +Hagen of Tronje, / Gunther's doughty thane.<br> +I know his mood so haughty, / naught he'll deny of all.<br> +Nor reck I what of evil / therefrom may unto him befall."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1772">1772</a></p> +<p> +Then saw the doughty Fiddler / —he was a minstrel keen—<br> +Adown the steps descending / the high and stately queen<br> +Who issued from the castle. / When he the queen espied,<br> +Spake the valiant Volker / to him was seated by his side:</p> +<p> +<a name="s1773">1773</a></p> +<p> +"Look yonder now, friend Hagen, / how that she hither hies<br> +Who to this land hath called us / in such treacherous wise.<br> +No monarch's wife I ever / saw followed by such band<br> +Of warriors armed for battle, / that carry each a sword in hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1774">1774</a></p> +<p> +"Know'st thou, perchance, friend Hagen, / if hate to thee they bear?<br> +Then would I well advise thee / of them full well beware<br> +And guard both life and honor. / That methinks were good,<br> +For if I much mistake not, / full wrathful is the warriors' mood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1775">1775</a></p> +<p> +"Of many eke among them / so broad the breasts do swell,<br> +That who would guard him 'gainst them / betimes would do it well.<br> +I ween that 'neath their tunics / they shining mail-coats wear:<br> +Yet might I never tell thee, / 'gainst whom such evil mind they bear."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1776">1776</a></p> +<p> +Then spake all wrathful-minded / Hagen the warrior keen:<br> +"On me to vent their fury / is their sole thought, I ween,<br> +That thus with brandished weapons / their onward press we see.<br> +Despite them all yet trow I / to come safe home to Burgundy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1777">1777</a></p> +<p> +"Now tell me, friend Volker, / wilt thou beside me stand,<br> +If seek to work me evil / here Kriemhild's band?<br> +That let me hear right truly, / as I am dear to thee.<br> +By thy side forever / shall my service faithful be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1778">1778</a></p> +<p> +"Full surely will I help thee," / the minstrel straight replied;<br> +"And saw I e'en a monarch / with all his men beside<br> +Hither come against us, / the while a sword I wield<br> +Not fear shall ever prompt me / from thy side one pace to yield."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1779">1779</a></p> +<p> +"Now God in heaven, O Volker, / give thy high heart its meed.<br> +Will they forsooth assail me, / whereof else have I need?<br> +Wilt thou thus stand beside me / as here is thy intent,<br> +Let come all armed these warriors, / on whatsoever purpose bent."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1780">1780</a></p> +<p> +"Now rise we from this settle," / the minstrel spake once more,<br> +"While that the royal lady / passeth here before.<br> +To her be done this honor / as unto lady high.<br> +Ourselves in equal manner / shall we honor eke thereby."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1781">1781</a></p> +<p> +"Nay, nay! as me thou lovest," / Hagen spake again,<br> +"For so would sure imagine / here each hostile thane<br> +That 'twere from fear I did it, / should I bear me so.<br> +For sake of never any / will I from this settle go.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1782">1782</a></p> +<p> +"Undone we both might leave it / in sooth more fittingly.<br> +Wherefore should I honor / who bears ill-will to me?<br> +Such thing will I do never, / the while I yet have life.<br> +Nor reck I aught how hateth / me the royal Etzel's wife."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1783">1783</a></p> +<p> +Thereat defiant Hagen / across his knee did lay<br> +A sword that shone full brightly, / from whose knob did play<br> +The light of glancing jasper / greener than blade of grass.<br> +Well perceivéd Kriemhild / that it erstwhile Siegfried's was.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1784">1784</a></p> +<p> +When she the sword espiéd, / to weep was sore her need.<br> +The hilt was shining golden, / the sheath a band of red.<br> +As it recalled her sorrow, / her tears had soon begun;<br> +I ween for that same purpose / 'twas thus by dauntless Hagen done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1785">1785</a></p> +<p> +Eke the valiant Volker / a fiddle-bow full strong<br> +Unto himself drew nearer; / mickle it was and long,<br> +Like unto a broad-sword / full sharp that was and wide.<br> +So sat they all undaunted / the stately warriors side by side.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1786">1786</a></p> +<p> +There sat the thanes together / in such defiant wise<br> +That would never either / from the settle rise<br> +Through fear of whomsoever. / Then strode before their feet<br> +The lofty queen, and wrathful / did thus the doughty warriors greet.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1787">1787</a></p> +<p> +Quoth she: "Now tell me, Hagen, / upon whose command<br> +Barest thou thus to journey / hither to this land,<br> +And knowest well what sorrow / through thee my heart must bear.<br> +Wert thou not reft of reason, / then hadst thou kept thee far from here."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1788">1788</a></p> +<p> +"By none have I been summoned," / Hagen gave reply.<br> +"Three lofty thanes invited / were to this country:<br> +The same I own as masters / and service with them find.<br> +Whene'er they make court journey / 'twere strange should I remain + behind."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1789">1789</a></p> +<p> +Quoth she: "Now tell me further, / wherefore didst thou that<br> +Whereby thou hast deservéd / my everlasting hate?<br> +'Twas thou that slewest Siegfried, / spouse so dear to me,<br> +The which, till life hath ended, / must ever cause for weeping be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1790">1790</a></p> +<p> +Spake he: "Why parley further, / since further word were vain?<br> +E'en I am that same Hagen / by whom was Siegfried slain,<br> +That deft knight of valor. / How sore by him 'twas paid<br> +That the Lady Kriemhild / dared the fair Brunhild upbraid!</p> +<p> +<a name="s1791">1791</a></p> +<p> +"Beyond all cavil is it, / high and royal dame,<br> +Of all the grievous havoc / I do bear the blame.<br> +Avenge it now who wisheth, / woman or man tho't be.<br> +An I unto thee lie not, / I've wrought thee sorest injury."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1792">1792</a></p> +<p> +She spake: "Now hear, ye warriors, / how denies he not at all<br> +The cause of all my sorrow. / Whate'er may him befall<br> +Reck I not soever, / that know ye, Etzel's men."<br> +The overweening warriors / blank gazed upon each other then.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1793">1793</a></p> +<p> +Had any dared the onset, / seen it were full plain<br> +The palm must be awarded / to the companions twain,<br> +Who had in storm of battle / full oft their prowess shown.<br> +What that proud band designed / through fear must now be left undone.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1794">1794</a></p> +<p> +Outspake one of their number: / "Wherefore look thus to me?<br> +What now I thought to venture / left undone shall be,<br> +Nor for reward of any / think I my life to lose;<br> +To our destruction lures us / here the royal Etzel's spouse."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1795">1795</a></p> +<p> +Then spake thereby another: / "Like mind therein have I.<br> +Though ruddy gold were offered / like towers piléd high,<br> +Yet would I never venture / to stir this Fiddler's spleen.<br> +Such are the rapid glances / that darting from his eyes I've seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1796">1796</a></p> +<p> +"Likewise know I Hagen / from youthful days full well,<br> +Nor more about his valor / to me need any tell.<br> +In two and twenty battles / I the knight have seen,<br> +Whereby sorest sorrow / to many a lady's heart hath been.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1797">1797</a></p> +<p> +"When here they were with Etzel, / he and the knight of Spain<br> +Bore storm of many a battle / in many a warlike train<br> +For sake of royal honor, / so oft thereof was need.<br> +Wherefore of right are honors / high the valiant Hagen's meed.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1798">1798</a></p> +<p> +"Then was yet the hero / but a child in years;<br> +Now how hoary-headed / who were his youthful feres,<br> +To wisdom now attainéd, / a warrior grim and strong,<br> +Eke bears he with him Balmung, / the which he gained by mickle wrong."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1799">1799</a></p> +<p> +Therewith the matter ended, / and none the fight dared start,<br> +Whereat the Lady Kriemhild / full heavy was of heart.<br> +Her warriors thence did vanish, / for feared they death indeed<br> +At hands of the Fiddler, / whereof right surely was there need.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1800">1800</a></p> +<p> +Outspake then the Fiddler: / "Well we now have seen,<br> +That enemies here do greet us, / as we forewarned have been.<br> +Back unto the monarchs / let us straight repair,<br> +That none against our masters / to raise a hostile hand may dare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1801">1801</a></p> +<p> +"How oft from impious purpose / doth fear hold back the hand,<br> +Where friend by friend doth only / firm in friendship stand,<br> +Until right sense give warning / to leave the thing undone.<br> +Thus wisdom hath prevented / the harm of mortals many a one."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1802">1802</a></p> +<p> +"Heed I will thy counsel," / Hagen gave reply.<br> +Then passed they where / the monarchs found they presently<br> +In high state received / within the palace court.<br> +Loud the valiant Volker / straight began after this sort</p> +<p> +<a name="s1803">1803</a></p> +<p> +Unto his royal masters: / "How long will ye stand so,<br> +That foes may press upon you? / To the king ye now shall go,<br> +And from his lips hear spoken / how is his mind to you."<br> +The valiant lords and noble / consorted then by two and two.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1804">1804</a></p> +<p> +Of Bern the lofty Dietrich / took by the hand<br> +Gunther the lordly monarch / of Burgundian land;<br> +Irnfried escorted Gernot, / a knight of valor keen,<br> +And Ruediger with Giselher / going unto the court was seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1805">1805</a></p> +<p> +Howe'er with fere consorted / there any thane might be,<br> +Volker and Hagen / ne'er parted company,<br> +Save in storm of battle / when they did reach life's bourne,<br> +'Twas cause that highborn ladies / anon in grievous way must mourn.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1806">1806</a></p> +<p> +Unto the court then passing / with the kings were seen.<br> +Of their lofty retinue / a thousand warriors keen,<br> +And threescore thanes full valiant / that followed in their train;<br> +The same from his own country / had doughty Hagen with him ta'en.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1807">1807</a></p> +<p> +Hawart and eke Iring, / chosen warriors twain,<br> +Saw ye walk together / in the royal train.<br> +By Dankwart and Wolfhart, / a thane of high renown,<br> +Was high courtly bearing / there before the others shown.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1808">1808</a></p> +<p> +When the lord of Rhineland / passed into the hall,<br> +Etzel mighty monarch / waited not at all,<br> +But sprang from off his settle / when he beheld him nigh.<br> +By monarch ne'er was given / greeting so right heartily.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1809">1809</a></p> +<p> +"Welcome be, Lord Gunther, / and eke Sir Gernot too,<br> +And your brother Giselher. / My greetings unto you<br> +I sent with honest purpose / to Worms across the Rhine;<br> +And welcome all your followers / shall be unto this land of mine.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1810">1810</a></p> +<p> +"Right welcome be ye likewise, / doughty warriors twain,<br> +Volker the full valiant, / and Hagen dauntless thane,<br> +To me and to my lady / here in my country.<br> +Unto the Rhine to greet you / many a messenger sent she."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1811">1811</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Thereof I'm well aware,<br> +And did I with my masters / not thus to Hunland fare,<br> +To do thee honor had I / ridden unto thy land."<br> +Then took the lofty monarch / the honored strangers by the hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1812">1812</a></p> +<p> +He led them to the settle / whereon himself he sat,<br> +Then poured they for the strangers / —with care they tended that—<br> +In goblets wide and golden / mead and mulberry wine,<br> +And bade right hearty welcome / unto the knights afar from Rhine.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1813">1813</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the monarch Etzel: / "This will I freely say:<br> +Naught in this world might happen / to bring my heart more joy,<br> +Than that ye lofty heroes / thus are come to me.<br> +The queen from mickle sadness / thereby make ye likewise free.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1814">1814</a></p> +<p> +"To me 'twas mickle wonder / wherein had I transgressed,<br> +That I for friends had won me / so many a noble guest,<br> +Yet ye had never deignéd / to come to my country.<br> +'Tis now turned cause of gladness / that you as guests I here may see."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1815">1815</a></p> +<p> +Thereto gave answer Ruediger, / a knight of lofty mind:<br> +"Well mayst thou joy to see them; / right honor shalt thou find<br> +And naught but noble bearing / in my high mistress' kin.<br> +With them for guest thou likewise / many a stately thane dost win."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1816">1816</a></p> +<p> +At turn of sun in summer / were the knights arrived<br> +At mighty Etzel's palace. / Ne'er hath monarch lived<br> +That lordly guests did welcome / with higher compliment.<br> +When come was time of eating, / the king with them to table went.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1817">1817</a></p> +<p> +Amid his guests more stately / a host was seated ne'er.<br> +They had in fullest measure / of drink and goodly fare;<br> +Whate'er they might desire, / they ready found the same.<br> +Tales of mickle wonder / had spread abroad the heroes' fame.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A30">THIRTIETH</a> ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How they kept Guard</p> +<p> +<a name="s1818">1818</a></p> +<p> +And now the day was ended / and nearing was the night.<br> +Came then the thought with longing / unto each way-worn knight,<br> +When that they might rest them / and to their beds be shown.<br> +'Twas mooted first by Hagen / and straight was answer then made known.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1819">1819</a></p> +<p> +To Etzel spake then Gunther: / "Fair days may God thee give!<br> +To bed we'll now betake us, / an be it by thy leave;<br> +We'll come betimes at morning, / if so thy pleasure be."<br> +From his guests the monarch / parted then full courteously.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1820">1820</a></p> +<p> +Upon the guests on all sides / the Huns yet rudely pressed,<br> +Whereat the valiant Volker / these words to them addressed:<br> +"How dare ye 'fore these warriors / thus beset the way?<br> +If that ye desist not, / rue such rashness soon ye may.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1821">1821</a></p> +<p> +"Let fall will I on some one / such stroke of fiddle-bow,<br> +That eyes shall fill with weeping / if he hath friend to show.<br> +Why make not way before us, / as fitting were to do!<br> +Knights by name ye all are, / but knighthood's ways unknown to you."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1822">1822</a></p> +<p> +When outspake the Fiddler / thus so wrathfully<br> +Backward glanced bold Hagen / to see what this might be.<br> +Quoth he: "He redes you rightly, / this keen minstrel knight.<br> +Ye followers of Kriemhild, / now pass to rest you for the night.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1823">1823</a></p> +<p> +"The thing whereof ye're minded / will none dare do, I ween.<br> +If aught ye purpose 'gainst us, / on the morrow be that seen,<br> +And let us weary strangers / the night in quiet pass;<br> +I ween, with knights of honor / such evermore the custom was."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1824">1824</a></p> +<p> +Then were led the strangers / into a spacious hall<br> +Where they found prepared / for the warriors one and all<br> +Beds adorned full richly, / that were both wide and long.<br> +Yet planned the Lady Kriemhild / to work on them the direst wrong.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1825">1825</a></p> +<p> +Rich quilted mattress covers / of Arras saw ye there<br> +Lustrous all and silken, / and spreading sheets there were<br> +Wrought of silk of Araby, / the best might e'er be seen.<br> +O'er them lay rich embroidered / stuffs that cast a brilliant sheen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1826">1826</a></p> +<p> +Coverlets of ermine / full many might ye see,<br> +With sullen sable mingled, / whereunder peacefully<br> +They should rest the night through / till came the shining day.<br> +A king with all retinue / ne'er, I ween, so stately lay.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1827">1827</a></p> +<p> +"Alack for these night-quarters!" / quoth young Giselher,<br> +"Alack for my companions / who this our journey share!<br> +How kind so e'er my sister's / hospitality,<br> +Dead by her devising, / I fear me, are we doomed to be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1828">1828</a></p> +<p> +"Let now no fears disturb you," / Hagen gave reply;<br> +"Through the hours of sleeping / keep the watch will I.<br> +I trust full well to guard you / until return the day,<br> +Thereof be never fearful; / let then preserve him well who may."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1829">1829</a></p> +<p> +Inclined they all before him / thereat to give him grace.<br> +Then sought they straight their couches; / in sooth 'twas little space<br> +Until was softly resting / every stately man.<br> +But Hagen, valiant hero, / the while to don his armor gan.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1830">1830</a></p> +<p> +Spake then to him the Fiddler, / Volker a doughty thane:<br> +"I'll be thy fellow, Hagen, / an wilt thou not disdain,<br> +While watch this night thou keepest, / until do come the morn."<br> +Right heartily the hero / to Volker then did thanks return.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1831">1831</a></p> +<p> +"God in heaven requite thee, / Volker, trusty fere.<br> +In all my time of trouble / wished I none other near,<br> +None other but thee only, / when dangers round me throng.<br> +I'll well repay that favor, / if death withhold its hand so long."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1832">1832</a></p> +<p> +Arrayed in glittering armor / both soon did ready stand;<br> +Each did take unto him / a mighty shield in hand,<br> +And passed without the portal / there to keep the way.<br> +Thus were the strangers guarded, / and trusty watchers eke had they.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1833">1833</a></p> +<p> +Volker the valiant, / as he sat before the hall,<br> +Leaned his trusty buckler / meanwhile against the wall,<br> +Then took in hand his fiddle / as he was wont to do:<br> +All times the thane would render / unto his friends a service true.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1834">1834</a></p> +<p> +Beneath the hall's wide portal / he sat on bench of stone;<br> +Than he a bolder fiddler / was there never none.<br> +As from his chords sweet echoes / resounded through the hall,<br> +Thanks for glad refreshment / had Volker from the warriors all.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1835">1835</a></p> +<p> +Then from the strings an echo / the wide hall did fill,<br> +For in his fiddle-playing / the knight had strength and skill.<br> +Softer then and sweeter / to fiddle he began<br> +And wiled to peaceful slumber / many an anxious brooding man.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1836">1836</a></p> +<p> +When they were wrapped in slumber / and he did understand,<br> +Then took again the warrior / his trusty shield in hand<br> +And passed without the portal / to guard the entrance tower,<br> +And safe to keep his fellows / where Kriemhild's crafty men did lower.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1837">1837</a></p> +<p> +About the hour of midnight, / or earlier perchance,<br> +The eye of valiant Volker / did catch a helmet's glance<br> +Afar from out the darkness: / the men of Kriemhild sought<br> +How that upon the strangers / might grievous scathe in stealth be + wrought.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1838">1838</a></p> +<p> +Quoth thereat the Fiddler: / "Friend Hagen, 'tis full clear<br> +That we do well together / here this watch to share.<br> +I see before us yonder / men arméd for the fight;<br> +I ween they will attack us, / if I their purpose judge aright."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1839">1839</a></p> +<p> +"Be silent, then," spake Hagen, / "and let them come more nigh.<br> +Ere that they perceive us / shall helmets sit awry,<br> +By good swords disjointed / that in our hands do swing.<br> +Tale of vigorous greeting / shall they back to Kriemhild bring."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1840">1840</a></p> +<p> +Amid the Hunnish warriors / one full soon did see,<br> +That well the door was guarded; / straightway then cried he:<br> +"The thing we here did purpose / 'tis need we now give o'er,<br> +For I behold the Fiddler / standing guard before the door.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1841">1841</a></p> +<p> +"Upon his head a helmet / of glancing light is seen,<br> +Welded strong and skilful, / dintless, of clearest sheen.<br> +The mail-rings of his armor / do sparkle like the fire,<br> +Beside him stands eke Hagen; / safe are the strangers from our ire."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1842">1842</a></p> +<p> +Straightway they back returned. / When Volker that did see,<br> +Unto his companion / wrathfully spake he:<br> +"Now let me to those caitiffs / across the court-yard go;<br> +What mean they by such business, / from Kriemhild's men I fain would + know."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1843">1843</a></p> +<p> +"No, as thou dost love me," / Hagen straight replied;<br> +"If from this hall thou partest, / such ill may thee betide<br> +At hands of these bold warriors / and from the swords they bear,<br> +That I must haste to help thee, / though here our kinsmen's bane it were.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1844">1844</a></p> +<p> +"Soon as we two together / have joined with them in fight,<br> +A pair or two among them / will surely hasten straight<br> +Hither to this hall here, / and work such havoc sore<br> +Upon our sleeping brethren, / as must be mournéd evermore."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1845">1845</a></p> +<p> +Thereto gave answer Volker: / "So much natheless must be,<br> +That they do learn full certain / how I the knaves did see,<br> +That the men of Kriemhild / hereafter not deny<br> +What they had wrought full gladly / here with foulest treachery."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1846">1846</a></p> +<p> +Straightway then unto them / aloud did Volker call:<br> +"How go ye thus in armor, / ye valiant warriors all?<br> +Or forth, perchance, a-robbing, / Kriemhild's men, go ye?<br> +Myself and my companion / shall ye then have for company."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1847">1847</a></p> +<p> +Thereto no man gave answer. / Wrathful grew his mood:<br> +"Fie, ye caitiff villains," / spake the hero good,<br> +"Would ye us so foully / have murdered while we slept?<br> +With knights so high in honor / full seldom thus hath faith been kept."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1848">1848</a></p> +<p> +Then unto Queen Kriemhild / were the tidings borne,<br> +How her men did fail their purpose: / 'twas cause for her to mourn.<br> +Yet otherwise she wrought it, / for grim she was of mood:<br> +Anon through her must perish / full many a valorous knight and good.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A31">THIRTY</a>-FIRST ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How they went to Mass</p> +<p> +<a name="s1849">1849</a></p> +<p> +"So cool doth grow my armor," / Volker made remark,<br> +"I ween but little longer / will endure the dark.<br> +By the air do I perceive it, / that soon will break the day."<br> +Then waked they many a warrior / who still in deepest slumber lay.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1850">1850</a></p> +<p> +When brake the light of morning / athwart the spacious hall,<br> +Hagen gan awaken / the stranger warriors all,<br> +If that they to the minster / would go to holy mass.<br> +After the Christian custom, / of bells a mickle ringing was.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1851">1851</a></p> +<p> +There sang they all uneven, / that plainly might ye see<br> +How Christian men and heathen / did not full well agree.<br> +Each one of Gunther's warriors / would hear the service sung,<br> +So were they all together / up from their night-couches sprung.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1852">1852</a></p> +<p> +Then did the warriors lace them / in so goodly dress,<br> +That never heroes any, / that king did e'er possess,<br> +More richly stood attired; / that Hagen grieved to see.<br> +Quoth he: "Ye knights, far other / here must your attire be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1853">1853</a></p> +<p> +"Yea, know among you many / how here the case doth stand.<br> +Bear ye instead of roses / your good swords in hand,<br> +For chaplets all bejewelled / your glancing helmets good,<br> +Since we have well perceivéd / how is the angry Kriemhild's mood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1854">1854</a></p> +<p> +"To-day must we do battle, / that will I now declare.<br> +Instead of silken tunic / shall ye good hauberks wear,<br> +And for embroidered mantle / a trusty shield and wide,<br> +That ye may well defend you, / if ye must others' anger bide.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1855">1855</a></p> +<p> +"My masters well belovéd, / knights and kinsmen true,<br> +'Tis meet that ye betake you / unto the minster too,<br> +That God do not forsake you / in peril and in need,<br> +For certain now I make you / that death is nigh to us indeed.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1856">1856</a></p> +<p> +"Forget ye not whatever / wrong ye e'er have done,<br> +But there 'fore God right meekly / all your errors own;<br> +Thereto would I advise you, / ye knights of high degree,<br> +For God alone in heaven / may will that other mass ye see."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1857">1857</a></p> +<p> +Thus went they to the minster, / the princes and their men.<br> +Within the holy churchyard / bade them Hagen then<br> +Stand all still together / that they part not at all.<br> +Quoth he: "Knows not any / what may at hands of Huns befall.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1858">1858</a></p> +<p> +"Let stand, good friends, all ready, / your shields before your feet,<br> +That if ever any / would you in malice greet,<br> +With deep-cut wound ye pay him; / that is Hagen's rede,<br> +That from men may never / aught but praises be your meed."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1859">1859</a></p> +<p> +Volker and Hagen, / the twain thence did pass<br> +Before the broad minster. / Therein their purpose was<br> +That the royal Kriemhild / must meet them where they stood<br> +There athwart her pathway. / In sooth full grim she was of mood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1860">1860</a></p> +<p> +Then came the royal Etzel / and eke his spouse full fair.<br> +Attired were the warriors / all in raiment rare<br> +That following full stately / with her ye might see;<br> +The dust arose all densely / round Kriemhild's mickle company.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1861">1861</a></p> +<p> +When the lofty monarch / thus all armed did see<br> +The kings and their followers, / straightway then cried he:<br> +"How see I in this fashion / my friends with helm on head?<br> +By my troth I sorrow / if ill to them have happenéd.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1862">1862</a></p> +<p> +"I'll gladly make atonement / as doth to them belong.<br> +Hath any them affronted / or done them aught of wrong,<br> +To me 'tis mickle sorrow, / well may they understand.<br> +To serve them am I ready, / in whatsoever they command."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1863">1863</a></p> +<p> +Thereto gave answer Hagen: / "Here hath wronged us none.<br> +'Tis custom of my masters / to keep their armor on<br> +Till full three days be over, / when high festival they hold.<br> +Did any here molest us, / to Etzel would the thing be told."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1864">1864</a></p> +<p> +Full well heard Kriemhild likewise / how Hagen gave reply.<br> +Upon him what fierce glances / flashed furtively her eye!<br> +Yet betray she would not / the custom of her country,<br> +Though well she long had known it / in the land of Burgundy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1865">1865</a></p> +<p> +How grim soe'er and mighty / the hate to them she bore,<br> +Had any told to Etzel / how stood the thing before,<br> +Well had he prevented / what there anon befell.<br> +So haughty were they minded / that none to him the same would tell.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1866">1866</a></p> +<p> +With the queen came forward / there a mighty train,<br> +But no two handbreadths yielded / yet those warriors twain<br> +To make way before her. / The Huns did wrathful grow,<br> +That their mistress passing / should by them be jostled so.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1867">1867</a></p> +<p> +Etzel's highborn pages / were sore displeased thereat,<br> +And had upon the strangers / straightway spent their hate,<br> +But that they durst not do it / their high lord before.<br> +There was a mickle pressing, / yet naught of anger happened more.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1868">1868</a></p> +<p> +When they thence were parting / from holy service done,<br> +On horse came quickly prancing / full many a nimble Hun.<br> +With the Lady Kriemhild / went many a maiden fair,<br> +And eke to make her escort / seven thousand knights rode there.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1869">1869</a></p> +<p> +Kriemhild with her ladies / within the casement sat<br> +By Etzel, mighty monarch, / —full pleased he was thereat.<br> +They wished to view the tourney / of knights beyond compare.<br> +What host of strangers riding / thronged the court before them there!</p> +<p> +<a name="s1870">1870</a></p> +<p> +The marshal with the squires / not in vain ye sought,<br> +Dankwart the full valiant: / with him had he brought<br> +His royal master's followers / of the land of Burgundy.<br> +For the valiant Nibelungen / the steeds well saddled might ye see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1871">1871</a></p> +<p> +When their steeds they mounted, / the kings and all their men,<br> +Volker thane full doughty, / gave his counsel then,<br> +That after their country's fashion / they ride a mass mellay.<br> +His rede the heroes followed / and tourneyed in full stately way.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1872">1872</a></p> +<p> +The knight had counsel given / in sooth that pleased them well;<br> +The clash of arms in mellay / soon full loud did swell.<br> +Many a valiant warrior / did thereto resort,<br> +As Etzel and Kriemhild / looked down upon the spacious court.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1873">1873</a></p> +<p> +Came there unto the mellay / six hundred knights of those<br> +That followed Dietrich's bidding, / the strangers to oppose.<br> +Pastime would they make them / with the men of Burgundy,<br> +And if he leave had granted. / had done the same right willingly.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1874">1874</a></p> +<p> +In their company rode there / how many a warrior bold!<br> +When unto Sir Dietrich / then the thing was told,<br> +Forbade he that 'gainst Gunther's / men they join the play.<br> +He feared lest harm befall them, / and well his counsel did he weigh.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1875">1875</a></p> +<p> +When of Bern the warriors / thence departed were,<br> +Came they of Bechelaren, / the men of Ruediger,<br> +Bearing shield five hundred, / and rode before the hall;<br> +Rather had the margrave / that they came there not at all.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1876">1876</a></p> +<p> +Prudently then rode he / amid their company<br> +And told unto his warriors / how they might plainly see,<br> +That the men of Gunther / were in evil mood:<br> +Did they forego the mellay, / please him better far it would.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1877">1877</a></p> +<p> +When they were thence departed, / the stately knights and bold,<br> +Came they of Thuringia, / as hath to us been told,<br> +And of them of Denmark / a thousand warriors keen.<br> +From crash of spear up-flying / full frequent were the splinters seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1878">1878</a></p> +<p> +Irnfried and Hawart / rode into the mellay,<br> +Whom the gallant men of Rhineland / received in knightly play:<br> +Full oft the men of Thuringia / they met in tournament,<br> +Whereby the piercing lance-point / through many a stately shield was + sent.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1879">1879</a></p> +<p> +Eke with three thousand warriors / came Sir Bloedel there.<br> +Etzel and Kriemhild / were of his coming ware,<br> +As this play of chivalry / before them they did see.<br> +Now hoped the queen that evil / befall the men of Burgundy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1880">1880</a></p> +<p> +Schrutan and Gibecke / rode into the mellay,<br> +Eke Ramung and Hornbog / after the Hunnish way;<br> +Yet must they come to standstill / 'fore the thanes of Burgundy.<br> +High against the palace / wall the splintered shafts did fly.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1881">1881</a></p> +<p> +How keen soe'er the contest, / 'twas naught but knightly sport.<br> +With shock of shields and lances / heard ye the palace court<br> +Loud give back the echo / where Gunther's men rode on.<br> +His followers in the jousting / on every side high honor won.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1882">1882</a></p> +<p> +So long they held such pastime / and with so mickle heat<br> +That through the broidered trappings / oozed clear drops of sweat<br> +From the prancing chargers / whereon the knights did ride.<br> +In full gallant manner / their skill against the Huns they tried.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1883">1883</a></p> +<p> +Then outspake the Fiddler, / Volker deft of hand:<br> +"These knights, I ween, too timid / are 'gainst us to stand.<br> +Oft did I hear the story / what hate to us they bore;<br> +Than this a fairer season / to vent it, find they nevermore."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1884">1884</a></p> +<p> +"Lead back unto the stables," / once more spake Volker then,<br> +"Now our weary chargers; / we'll ride perchance again<br> +When comes the cool of evening, / if fitting time there be.<br> +Mayhap the queen will honor / award to men of Burgundy."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1885">1885</a></p> +<p> +Beheld they then prick hither / one dressed in state so rare<br> +That of the Huns none other / might with him compare.<br> +Belike from castle tower / did watch his fair lady;<br> +So gay was his apparel / as it some knight's bride might be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1886">1886</a></p> +<p> +Then again quoth Volker: / "How may I stay my hand?<br> +Yonder ladies' darling / a knock shall understand.<br> +Let no man here deter me, / I'll give him sudden check.<br> +How spouse of royal Etzel / thereat may rage, I little reck."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1887">1887</a></p> +<p> +"Nay, as thou dost love me," / straight King Gunther spake;<br> +"All men will but reproach us / if such affront we make.<br> +The Huns be first offenders, / for such would more befit."<br> +Still did the royal Etzel / in casement by Queen Kriemhild sit.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1888">1888</a></p> +<p> +"I'll add unto the mellay," / Hagen did declare;<br> +"Let now all these ladies / and knights be made aware<br> +How we can ride a charger; / 'twere well we make it known,<br> +For, come what may, small honor / shall here to Gunther's men be shown."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1889">1889</a></p> +<p> +Once more the nimble Volker / into the mellay spurred,<br> +Whereat full many a lady / soon to weep was heard.<br> +His lance right through the body / of that gay Hun he sent:<br> +'Twas cause that many a woman / and maiden fair must sore lament.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1890">1890</a></p> +<p> +Straight dashed into the mellay / Hagen and his men.<br> +With three score of his warriors / spurred he quickly then<br> +Forward where the Fiddler / played so lustily.<br> +Etzel and Kriemhild / full plainly might the passage see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1891">1891</a></p> +<p> +Then would the kings their minstrel / —that may ye fairly know—<br> +Leave not all defenceless / there amid the foe.<br> +With them a thousand heroes / rode forth full dexterously,<br> +And soon had gained their purpose / with show of proudest chivalry.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1892">1892</a></p> +<p> +When in such rude fashion / the stately Hun was slain,<br> +Might ye hear his kinsmen / weeping loud complain.<br> +Then all around did clamor: / "Who hath the slayer been?"<br> +"None but the Fiddler was it, / Volker the minstrel keen."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1893">1893</a></p> +<p> +For swords and for shields then / called full speedily<br> +That slain margrave's kinsmen / of the Hun's country.<br> +To avenge him sought they / Volker in turn to slay.<br> +In haste down from the casement / royal Etzel made his way.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1894">1894</a></p> +<p> +Arose a mighty clamor / from the people all;<br> +The kings and men of Burgundy / dismounted 'fore the hall,<br> +And likewise their chargers / to the rear did send.<br> +Came then the mighty Etzel / and sought to bring the strife to end.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1895">1895</a></p> +<p> +From one of that Hun's kinsmen / who near by him did stand<br> +Snatched he a mighty weapon / quick from out his hand,<br> +And therewith backward smote them, / for fierce his anger wrought.<br> +"Shall thus my hospitality / unto these knights be brought to naught?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s1896">1896</a></p> +<p> +"If ye the valiant minstrel / here 'fore me should slay,"<br> +Spake the royal Etzel, / "it were an evil day.<br> +When he the Hun impaléd / I did observe full well,<br> +That not through evil purpose / but by mishap it so befell.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1897">1897</a></p> +<p> +"These my guests now must ye / ne'er disturb in aught."<br> +Himself became their escort. / Away their steeds were brought<br> +Unto the stables / by many a waiting squire,<br> +Who ready at their bidding / stood to meet their least desire.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1898">1898</a></p> +<p> +The host with the strangers / into the palace went,<br> +Nor would he suffer any / further his wrath to vent.<br> +Soon were the tables ready / and water for them did wait.<br> +Many then had gladly / on them of Rhineland spent their hate.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1899">1899</a></p> +<p> +Not yet the lords were seated / till some time was o'er.<br> +For Kriemhild o'er her sorrow / meantime did trouble sore.<br> +She spake: "Of Bern, O Master, / thy counsel grant to me,<br> +Thy help and eke thy mercy, / for here in sorry plight I be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1900">1900</a></p> +<p> +To her gave answer Hildebrand, / a thane right praiseworthy:<br> +"Who harms the Nibelungen / shall ne'er have help of me,<br> +How great soe'er the guerdon. / Such deed he well may rue,<br> +For never yet did any / these gallant doughty knights subdue."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1901">1901</a></p> +<p> +Eke in courteous manner / Sir Dietrich her addressed:<br> +"Vain, O lofty mistress, / unto me thy quest.<br> +In sooth thy lofty kinsmen / have wronged me not at all,<br> +That I on thanes so valorous / should thus with murderous purpose fall.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1902">1902</a></p> +<p> +"Thy prayer doth thee small honor, / O high and royal dame,<br> +That upon thy kinsmen / thou so dost counsel shame.<br> +Thy grace to have they deeméd / when came they to this land.<br> +Nevermore shall Siegfried / avengéd be by Dietrich's hand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1903">1903</a></p> +<p> +When she no guile discovered / in the knight of Bern,<br> +Unto Bloedel straightway / did she hopeful turn<br> +With promise of wide marches / that Nudung erst did own.<br> +Slew him later Dankwart / that he forgot the gift full soon.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1904">1904</a></p> +<p> +Spake she: "Do thou help me, / Sir Bloedel, I pray.<br> +Yea, within the palace / are foes of mine this day,<br> +Who erstwhile slew Siegfried, / spouse full dear to me.<br> +Who helps me to avenge it, / to him I'll e'er beholden be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1905">1905</a></p> +<p> +Thereto gave answer Bloedel: / "Lady, be well aware,<br> +Ne'er to do them evil / 'fore Etzel may I dare,<br> +For to thy kinsmen, lady, / beareth he good will.<br> +Ne'er might the king me pardon, / wrought I upon them aught of ill."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1906">1906</a></p> +<p> +"But nay, Sir Bloedel, my favor / shall thou have evermore.<br> +Yea, give I thee for guerdon / silver and gold in store,<br> +And eke a fairest lady, / that Nudung erst should wed:<br> +By her fond embraces / may'st thou well be comforted.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1907">1907</a></p> +<p> +"The land and eke the castles, / all to thee I'll give;<br> +Yea, may'st thou, knight full noble, / in joyance ever live,<br> +Call'st thou thine the marches, / wherein did Nudung dwell.<br> +Whate'er this day I promise, / fulfil it all I will full well."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1908">1908</a></p> +<p> +When understood Sir Bloedel / what gain should be his share,<br> +And pleased him well the lady / for that she was so fair,<br> +By force of arms then thought he / to win her for his wife.<br> +Thereby the knight aspirant / was doomed anon to lose his life.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1909">1909</a></p> +<p> +"Unto the hall betake thee," / quoth he unto the queen,<br> +"Alarum I will make thee / ere any know, I ween.<br> +Atone shall surely Hagen / where he hath done thee wrong:<br> +To thee I'll soon give over / King Gunther's man in fetters strong."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1910">1910</a></p> +<p> +"To arms, to arms!" quoth Bloedel, / "my good warriors all:<br> +In their followers' quarters / upon the foe we'll fall.<br> +Herefrom will not release me / royal Etzel's wife.<br> +To win this venture therefore / fear not each one to lose his life."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1911">1911</a></p> +<p> +When at length Queen Kriemhild / found Bloedel well content<br> +To fulfil her bidding, / she to table went<br> +With the monarch Etzel / and eke a goodly band.<br> +Dire was the treason / she against the guests had planned.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1912">1912</a></p> +<p> +Since in none other manner / she knew the strife to start,<br> +(Kriemhild's ancient sorrow / still rankled in her heart),<br> +Bade she bring to table / Etzel's youthful son:<br> +By woman bent on vengeance / how might more awful deed be done?</p> +<p> +<a name="s1913">1913</a></p> +<p> +Went upon the instant / four of Etzel's men,<br> +And soon came bearing Ortlieb, / the royal scion, then<br> +Unto the princes' table, / where eke grim Hagen sate.<br> +The child was doomed to perish / by reason of his deadly hate.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1914">1914</a></p> +<p> +When the mighty monarch / then his child did see,<br> +Unto his lady's kinsmen / in manner kind spake he:<br> +"Now, my good friends, behold ye / here my only son,<br> +And child of your high sister: / may it bring you profit every one.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1915">1915</a></p> +<p> +"Grow he but like his kindred, / a valiant man he'll be,<br> +A mighty king and noble, / doughty and fair to see.<br> +Live I but yet a little, / twelve lands shall he command;<br> +May ye have faithful service / from the youthful Ortlieb's hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1916">1916</a></p> +<p> +"Therefore grant me favor, / ye good friends of mine;<br> +When to your country ride ye / again unto the Rhine,<br> +Shall ye then take with you / this your sister's son,<br> +And at your hands may ever / by the child full fair be done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1917">1917</a></p> +<p> +"Bring him up in honor / until to manhood grown.<br> +If then in any country / hath wrong to you been done,<br> +He'll help you by his valor / vengeance swift to wreak."<br> +Eke heard the Lady Kriemhild / royal Etzel thus to speak.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1918">1918</a></p> +<p> +"Well might these my masters / on his faith rely,<br> +Grew he e'er to manhood," / Hagen made reply:<br> +"Yet is the prince, I fear me, / more early doomed of fate.<br> +'Twere strange did any see me / ever at court on Ortlieb wait."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1919">1919</a></p> +<p> +The monarch glanced at Hagen, / sore grieved at what he heard;<br> +Although the king full gallant / thereto spake ne'er a word,<br> +Natheless his heart was saddened / and heavy was his mind.<br> +Nowise the mood of Hagen / was to merriment inclined.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1920">1920</a></p> +<p> +It grieved all the princes / and the royal host<br> +That of his child did Hagen / make such idle boast.<br> +That they must likewise leave it / unanswered, liked they not:<br> +They little weaned what havoc / should by the thane anon be wrought.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A32">THIRTY</a>-SECOND ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Bloedel was Slain</p> +<p> +<a name="s1921">1921</a></p> +<p> +The knights by Bloedel summoned / soon armed and ready were,<br> +A thousand wearing hauberks / straightway did repair<br> +Where Dankwart sat at table / with many a goodly squire. <br> +Soon knight on knight was seeking / in fiercest way to vent his ire.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1922">1922</a></p> +<p> +When there Sir Bloedel / strode unto the board,<br> +Dankwart the marshal / thus spoke courteous word:<br> +"Unto this hall right welcome / good Sir Bloedel be.<br> +What business hast thou hither / is cause of wonder yet to me."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1923">1923</a></p> +<p> +"No greeting here befits thee," / spake Bloedel presently,<br> +"For that this my coming / now thy end must be,<br> +Through Hagen's fault, thy brother, / who Siegfried erstwhile slew<br> +To the Huns thou mak'st atonement, / and many another warrior too."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1924">1924</a></p> +<p> +"But nay, but nay, Sir Bloedel," / Dankwart spake thereto,<br> +"For so should we have reason / our coming here to rue.<br> +A child I was and little / when Siegfried lost his life,<br> +Nor know I why reproacheth / me the royal Etzel's wife."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1925">1925</a></p> +<p> +"In sooth I may the story / never fully tell.<br> +Gunther and Hagen was it / by whom the deed befell.<br> +Now guard you well, ye strangers, / for doomed in sooth are ye,<br> +Unto Lady Kriemhild / must your lives now forfeit be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1926">1926</a></p> +<p> +"An so thou wilt desist not," / Dankwart declared,<br> +"Regret I my entreaty, / my toil were better spared."<br> +The nimble thane and valiant / up from the table sprung,<br> +And drew a keen-edged weapon, / great in sooth that was and long.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1927">1927</a></p> +<p> +Then smote he with it Bloedel / such a sudden blow<br> +That his head full sudden / before his feet lay low.<br> +"Be that thy wedding-dower," / the doughty Dankwart spake,<br> +"Along with bride of Nudung / whom thou would'st to thy bosom take.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1928">1928</a></p> +<p> +"To-morrow may she marry, / but some other one:<br> +Will he have bridal portion, / e'en so to him be done."<br> +A Hun that liked not treason / had given him to know<br> +How that the queen upon him / thought to work so grievous woe.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1929">1929</a></p> +<p> +When the men of Bloedel / saw thus their master slain,<br> +To fall upon the strangers / would they longer not refrain.<br> +With swords swung high above them / upon the squires they flew<br> +In a grimmest humor. / Soon many must that rashness rue.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1930">1930</a></p> +<p> +Full loudly cried then Dankwart / to all his company:<br> +"Behold ye, noble squires, / the fate that ours must be.<br> +Now quit yourselves with valor, / for evil is our pass,<br> +Though fair to us the summons / hither from Lady Kriemhild was!"</p> +<p> +<a name="s1931">1931</a></p> +<p> +They, too, reached down before them, / who no weapons bore,<br> +And each a massive footstool / snatched from off the floor,<br> +For the Burgundian squires / no whit were they dismayed;<br> +And by the selfsame weapons / was many a dint in helmet made.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1932">1932</a></p> +<p> +How fierce they fought to shield them / the strangers one and all!<br> +E'en their arméd foemen / drove they from the hall.<br> +Or smote dead within it / hundreds five or more;<br> +All the valiant fighters / saw ye drenched with ruddy gore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1933">1933</a></p> +<p> +Ere long the wondrous tidings / some messenger did tell<br> +Unto Etzel's chieftain / —fierce did their anger swell—<br> +How that slain was Bloedel / and knights full many a one;<br> +The which had Hagen's brother / with his lusty squires done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1934">1934</a></p> +<p> +The Huns, by anger driven, / ere Etzel was aware,<br> +Two thousand men or over, / did quick themselves prepare.<br> +They fell upon those squires / —e'en so it had to be—<br> +And never any living / they left of all that company.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1935">1935</a></p> +<p> +A mickle host they faithless / unto those quarters brought,<br> +But lustily the strangers / 'gainst their assailants fought.<br> +What booted swiftest valor? / Soon must all lie dead.<br> +A dire woe thereafter / on many a man was visited.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1936">1936</a></p> +<p> +Now may ye hear a wondrous / tale of honor told:<br> +Of squires full nine thousand / soon in death lay cold,<br> +And eke good knights a dozen / there of Dankwart's band.<br> +Forlorn ye saw him only / the last amid his foemen stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1937">1937</a></p> +<p> +The din at last was ended / and lulled the battle-sound,<br> +When the valiant Dankwart / did cast a glance around.<br> +"Alack for my companions," / cried he, "now from me reft.<br> +Alack that I now only / forlorn amid my foes am left."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1938">1938</a></p> +<p> +The swords upon his body / fell full thick and fast,<br> +Which rashness many a warrior's / widow mourned at last.<br> +His shield he higher lifted / and drew the strap more low:<br> +Down coats of ring-made armor / made he the ebbing blood to flow.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1939">1939</a></p> +<p> +"O woe is me!" spake Dankwart, / the son of Aldrian.<br> +"Now back, ye Hunnish fighters, / let me the open gain,<br> +That the air give cooling / to me storm-weary wight."<br> +In splendid valor moving / strode forward then anew the knight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1940">1940</a></p> +<p> +As thus he battle-weary / through the hall's portal sprang,<br> +What swords of new-come fighters / upon his helmet rang!<br> +They who not yet had witnessed / what wonders wrought his hand,<br> +Rashly rushed they forward / to thwart him of Burgundian land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1941">1941</a></p> +<p> +"Now would to God," quoth Dankwart, / "I found a messenger<br> +Who to my brother Hagen / might the tidings bear,<br> +That 'fore host of foemen / in such sad case am I!<br> +From hence he'd surely help me, / or by my side he slain would lie."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1942">1942</a></p> +<p> +Then Hunnish knights gave answer: / "Thyself the messenger<br> +Shalt be, when to thy brother / thee a corse we bear.<br> +So shall that thane of Gunther / first true sorrow know.<br> +Upon the royal Etzel / here hast thou wrought so grievous woe."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1943">1943</a></p> +<p> +Quoth he: "Now leave such boasting / and yield me passage free,<br> +Else shall mail-rings a many / with blood bespattered be.<br> +Myself will tell the tidings / soon at Etzel's court,<br> +And eke unto my masters / of this my travail make report."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1944">1944</a></p> +<p> +Etzel's men around him / belabored he so sore<br> +That they at sword-point / durst not withstand him more.<br> +Spears shot into his shield he / so many there did stop<br> +That he the weight unwieldy / must from out his hand let drop.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1945">1945</a></p> +<p> +Then thought they to subdue him / thus of his shield bereft,<br> +But lo! the mighty gashes / wherewith he helmets cleft!<br> +Must there keen knights full many / before him stagger down,<br> +High praise the valiant Dankwart / thereby for his valor won.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1946">1946</a></p> +<p> +On right side and on left side / they still beset his way,<br> +Yet many a one too rashly / did mingle in the fray.<br> +Thus strode he 'mid the foemen / as doth in wood the boar<br> +By yelping hounds beleaguered; / more stoutly fought he ne'er before. </p> +<p> +<a name="s1947">1947</a></p> +<p> +As there he went, his pathway / with reeking blood was wet.<br> +Yea, never any hero / more bravely battled yet<br> +When by foes surrounded, / than he did might display.<br> +To court did Hagen's brother / with splendid valor make his way.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1948">1948</a></p> +<p> +When stewards and cup-bearers / heard how sword-blades rung,<br> +Many a brimming goblet / from their hands they flung<br> +And eke the viands ready / that they to table bore;<br> +Thus many doughty foemen / withstood him where he sought the door.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1949">1949</a></p> +<p> +"How now, ye stewards?" / cried the weary knight;<br> +"'Twere better that ye tended / rather your guests aright,<br> +Bearing to lords at table / choice food that fitteth well,<br> +And suffered me these tidings / unto my masters dear to tell."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1950">1950</a></p> +<p> +Whoe'er before him rashly / athwart the stairway sprung,<br> +On him with blow so heavy / his mighty sword he swung,<br> +That soon faint heart gave warning / before his path to yield.<br> +Mickle wonder wrought he / where sword his doughty arm did wield.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A33">THIRTY</a>-THIRD ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How the Burgundians fought with the Huns</p> +<p> +<a name="s1951">1951</a></p> +<p> +Soon as the valiant Dankwart / stood beneath the door,<br> +Bade he Etzel's followers / all make way before.<br> +With blood from armor streaming / did there the hero stand;<br> +A sharp and mighty weapon / bore he naked in his hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1952">1952</a></p> +<p> +Into the hall then Dankwart / cried with voice full strong:<br> +"At table, brother Hagen, / thou sittest all too long.<br> +To thee and God in heaven / must I sore complain:<br> +Knights and squires also / lie within their lodging slain."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1953">1953</a></p> +<p> +Straight he cried in answer: / "Who hath done such deed?"<br> +"That hath done Sir Bloedel / and knights that he did lead.<br> +Eke made he meet atonement, / that may'st thou understand:<br> +His head from off his body / have I struck with mine own hand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1954">1954</a></p> +<p> +"'Tis little cause for sorrow," / Hagen spake again,<br> +"When they tell the story / of a valiant thane,<br> +That he to death was smitten / by knight of high degree.<br> +The less a cause for weeping / to winsome women shall it be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1955">1955</a></p> +<p> +"Now tell me, brother Dankwart, / how thou so red may'st be;<br> +From thy wounds thou sufferest, / I ween, full grievously.<br> +Lives he within this country / who serves thee in such way,<br> +Him must the devil shelter, / or for the deed his life shall pay."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1956">1956</a></p> +<p> +"Behold me here all scatheless. / My gear is wet with blood,<br> +From wounds of others, natheless, / now hath flowed that flood,<br> +Of whom this day so many / beneath my broadsword fell:<br> +Must I make solemn witness, / ne'er knew I full the tale to tell."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1957">1957</a></p> +<p> +He answered: "Brother Dankwart, / now take thy stand before,<br> +And Huns let never any / make passage by the door.<br> +I'll speak unto these warriors, / as needs must spoken be:<br> +Dead lie all our followers, / slain by foulest treachery."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1958">1958</a></p> +<p> +"Must I here be chamberlain," / replied the warrior keen,<br> +"Well know I such high monarchs / aright to serve, I ween.<br> +So will I guard the stairway / as sorts with honor well."<br> +Ne'er to the thanes of Kriemhild / so sorry case before befell.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1959">1959</a></p> +<p> +"To me 'tis mickle wonder," / Hagen spake again,<br> +"What thing unto his neighbor / whispers each Hunnish thane.<br> +I ween they'd forego the service / of him who keeps the door,<br> +And who such high court tidings / to his friends of Burgundy bore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1960">1960</a></p> +<p> +"Long since of Lady Kriemhild / the story I did hear,<br> +How unavenged her sorrow / she might no longer bear.<br> +A memory-cup now quaff we / and pay for royal cheer!<br> +The youthful lord of Hunland / shall make the first instalment here."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1961">1961</a></p> +<p> +Thereat the child Ortlieb / doughty Hagen slew,<br> +That from the sword downward / the blood to hand-grip flew,<br> +And into lap of Kriemhild / the severed head down rolled.<br> +Then might ye see 'mid warriors / a slaughter great and grim unfold.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1962">1962</a></p> +<p> +By both hands swiftly wielded, / his blade then cut the air<br> +And smote upon the tutor / who had the child in care,<br> +That down before the table / his head that instant lay:<br> +It was a sorry payment / wherewith he did the tutor pay.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1963">1963</a></p> +<p> +His eye 'fore Etzel's table / a minstrel espied:<br> +To whom in hasty manner / did wrathful Hagen stride,<br> +Where moved it on the fiddle / his right hand off smote he;<br> +"Have that for thy message / unto the land of Burgundy."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1964">1964</a></p> +<p> +"Alack my hand!" did Werbel / that same minstrel moan;<br> +"What, Sir Hagen of Tronje, / have I to thee done?<br> +I bore a faithful message / unto thy master's land.<br> +How may I more make music / thus by thee bereft of hand?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s1965">1965</a></p> +<p> +Little in sooth recked Hagen, / fiddled he nevermore.<br> +Then in the hall all wrathful / wrought he havoc sore<br> +Upon the thanes of Etzel / whereof he many slew;<br> +Ere they might find exit, / to death then smote he not a few.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1966">1966</a></p> +<p> +Volker the full valiant / up sprang from board also:<br> +In his hand full clearly / rang out his fiddle-bow,<br> +For mightily did fiddle / Gunther's minstrel thane.<br> +What host of foes he made him / because of Hunnish warriors slain!</p> +<p> +<a name="s1967">1967</a></p> +<p> +Eke sprang from the table / the lofty monarchs three,<br> +Who glad had stilled the combat / ere greater scathe might be.<br> +Yet all their art availed not / their anger to assuage,<br> +When Volker and Hagen / so mightily began to rage.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1968">1968</a></p> +<p> +When the lord of Rhineland / saw how his toil was vain,<br> +Gaping wounds full many / himself did smite amain<br> +Through rings of shining mail-coats / there upon the foe.<br> +He was a valiant hero, / as he full gallantly did show.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1969">1969</a></p> +<p> +Strode eke into the combat / Gernot a doughty thane;<br> +By whom of Hunnish warriors / full many a one was slain<br> +With a sword sharp-edgéd / he had of Ruediger;<br> +Oft sent to dire ruin / by him the knights of Etzel were.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1970">1970</a></p> +<p> +The youthful son of Ute / eke to the combat sprang,<br> +And merrily his broadsword / upon the helmets rang<br> +Of many a Hunnish warrior / there in Etzel's land;<br> +Feasts of mickle wonder / wrought Giselher with dauntless hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1971">1971</a></p> +<p> +How bold soe'er was any, / of kings and warrior band,<br> +Saw ye yet the foremost / Giselher to stand<br> +There against the foemen, / a knight of valor good;<br> +Wounded deep full many / made he to fall in oozing blood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1972">1972</a></p> +<p> +Eke full well defend them / did Etzel's warriors too.<br> +There might ye see the strangers / their gory way to hew<br> +With swords all brightly gleaming / adown that royal hall;<br> +Heard ye there on all sides / loudly ring the battle-call.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1973">1973</a></p> +<p> +Join friends within beleaguered / would they without full fain,<br> +Yet might they at the portal / but little vantage gain.<br> +Eke they within had gladly / gained the outer air;<br> +Nor up nor down did Dankwart / suffer one to pass the stair.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1974">1974</a></p> +<p> +There before the portal / surged a mighty throng,<br> +And with a mickle clangor / on helm the broadsword rung.<br> +Thus on the valiant Dankwart / his foes did sorely press,<br> +And soon his trusty brother / was anxious grown o'er his distress.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1975">1975</a></p> +<p> +Full loudly cried then Hagen / unto Volker:<br> +"Trusty fere, behold'st thou / my brother standing there,<br> +Where on him Hunnish warriors / their mighty blows do rain?<br> +Good friend, save thou my brother / ere we do lose the valiant thane."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1976">1976</a></p> +<p> +"That will I do full surely," / thereat the minstrel spake.<br> +Adown the hall he fiddling / gan his way to make;<br> +In his hand full often / a trusty sword rang out,<br> +While grateful knights of Rhineland / acclaimed him with a mickle shout.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1977">1977</a></p> +<p> +Soon did the valiant Volker / Dankwart thus address:<br> +"Hard this day upon thee / hath weighed the battle's stress.<br> +That I should come to help thee / thy brother gave command;<br> +Keep thou without the portal, / I inward guarding here will stand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1978">1978</a></p> +<p> +Dankwart, thane right valiant, / stood without the door<br> +And guarded so the stairway / that none might pass before.<br> +There heard ye broadswords ringing, / swung by warrior's hand,<br> +While inward in like manner / wrought Volker of Burgundian land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1979">1979</a></p> +<p> +There the valiant Fiddler / above the press did call:<br> +"Securely now, friend Hagen, / closed is the hall.<br> +Yea, so firmly bolted / is King Etzel's door<br> +By hands of two good warriors, / as thousand bars were set before,"</p> +<p> +<a name="s1980">1980</a></p> +<p> +When Hagen thus of Tronje / the door did guarded find,<br> +The warrior far renownéd / swung his shield behind;<br> +He first for harm receivéd / revenge began to take,<br> +Whereat all hope of living / did soon his enemies forsake.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1981">1981</a></p> +<p> +When of Bern Sir Dietrich / rightly did perceive<br> +How the doughty Hagen / did many a helmet cleave,<br> +The king of Amelungen / upon a bench leaped up;<br> +Quoth he: "Here poureth Hagen / for us exceeding bitter cup."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1982">1982</a></p> +<p> +Great fear fell eke on Etzel, / as well might be the case,<br> +(What trusty followers snatched they / to death before his face!)<br> +For well nigh did his enemies / on him destruction bring.<br> +There sat he all confounded. / What booted him to be a king?</p> +<p> +<a name="s1983">1983</a></p> +<p> +Cried then aloud to Dietrich / Kriemhild, the high lady:<br> +"Now help me, knight so noble, / that hence with life I flee,<br> +By princely worth, I pray thee, / thou lord of Amelung's land;<br> +If here do reach me Hagen, / straight find I death beneath his hand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1984">1984</a></p> +<p> +"How may my help avail thee, / noble queen and high?"<br> +Answered her Sir Dietrich, / "Fear for myself have I.<br> +Too sorely is enraged / each knight in Gunther's band,<br> +To no one at this season / may I lend assisting hand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1985">1985</a></p> +<p> +"But nay, but nay, Sir Dietrich, / full noble knight and keen,<br> +What maketh thy bright chivalry, / let it this day be seen,<br> +And bring me hence to safety, / else am I death's sure prey."<br> +Good cause was that on Kriemhild's / bosom fear so heavy lay.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1986">1986</a></p> +<p> +"So will I here endeavor / to help thee as I may;<br> +Yet shalt thou well believe me, / hath passed full many a day<br> +Since saw I goodly warriors / of so bitter mood.<br> +'Neath swords behold I flowing / through helmets plenteously the blood."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1987">1987</a></p> +<p> +Lustily then cried he, / the warrior nobly born,<br> +That his voice rang loudly / like blast from bison's horn,<br> +That all around the palace / gave back the lusty sound;<br> +Unto the might of Dietrich / never limit yet was found.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1988">1988</a></p> +<p> +When did hear King Gunther / how called the doughty man<br> +Above the storm of combat, / to hearken he began.<br> +Quoth he: "The voice of Dietrich / hath fallen upon mine ear;<br> +I ween some of his followers / before our thanes have fallen here.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1989">1989</a></p> +<p> +"High on the board I see him; / he beckons with the hand.<br> +Now my good friends and kinsmen / of Burgundian land,<br> +Stay ye your hands from conflict, / let us hear and see<br> +If done upon the chieftain / aught by my men of scathe there be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1990">1990</a></p> +<p> +When thus King Gunther / did beg and eke command,<br> +With swords in stress of battle / stayed they all the hand.<br> +'Twas token of his power / that straight the strife did pause.<br> +Then him of Bern he questioned / what of his outcry were the cause.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1991">1991</a></p> +<p> +He spake: "Full noble Dietrich, / what here on thee is wrought<br> +By any of my warriors? / For truly is my thought<br> +To make a full atonement / and amends to thee.<br> +If here hath wronged thee any, / 'twere cause of mickle grief to me."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1992">1992</a></p> +<p> +Then answered him Sir Dietrich: / "Myself do nothing grieve.<br> +Grant me with thy protection / but this hall to leave<br> +And quit the dire conflict, / with them that me obey.<br> +Then surely will I ever / seek thy favor to repay."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1993">1993</a></p> +<p> +"How plead'st thou thus so early?" / Wolfhart was heard;<br> +"The Fiddler so securely / the door not yet hath barred,<br> +But it so wide we'll open / to pass it through, I trow."<br> +"Now hold thy peace," quoth Dietrich, / "wrought but little here hast + thou."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1994">1994</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the royal Gunther: / "That grant I thee to do,<br> +Forth from the hall lead many / or lead with thee few,<br> +An if my foes it be not; / here stay they every one.<br> +Upon me here in Hunland / hath grievous wrong by them been done."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1995">1995</a></p> +<p> +When heard he Gunther's answer / he took beneath his arm<br> +The noble Queen Kriemhild, / who dreaded mickle harm.<br> +On the other side too led he / Etzel with him away;<br> +Eke went thence with Dietrich / six hundred knights in fair array.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1996">1996</a></p> +<p> +Then outspake the margrave, / the noble Ruediger:<br> +"If leave to any others / be granted forth to fare,<br> +Of those who glad would serve you, / give us the same to see.<br> +Yea, peace that's never broken / 'twixt friends 'tis meet should ever + be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1997">1997</a></p> +<p> +Thereto gave answer Giselher / of the land of Burgundy:<br> +"Peace and unbroken friendship / wish we e'er with thee,<br> +With thee and all thy kinsmen, / as true thou ever art.<br> +We grant thee all untroubled / with thy friends from hence to part."</p> +<p> +<a name="s1998">1998</a></p> +<p> +When thus Sir Ruediger / from the hall did pass,<br> +A train of knights five hundred / or more with him there was,<br> +Of them of Bechelaren, / kinsmen and warriors true,<br> +Whose parting gave King Gunther / anon full mickle cause to rue.</p> +<p> +<a name="s1999">1999</a></p> +<p> +When did a Hunnish warrior / Etzel's passing see<br> +'Neath the arm of Dietrich, / to profit him thought he.<br> +Smote him yet the Fiddler / such a mighty blow,<br> +That 'fore the feet of Etzel / sheer on the floor his head fell low.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2000">2000</a></p> +<p> +When the country's monarch / had gained the outer air,<br> +Turned he looking backward / and gazed on Volker.<br> +"Alack such guests to harbor! / Ah me discomfited!<br> +That all the knights that serve me / shall before their might lie dead.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2001">2001</a></p> +<p> +"Alack their coming hither!" / spake the king once more.<br> +"Within, a warrior fighteth / like to wild forest boar;<br> +Hight the same is Volker, / and a minstrel is also;<br> +To pass the demon scatheless / I to fortune's favor owe.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2002">2002</a></p> +<p> +"Evil sound his melodies, / his strokes of bow are red,<br> +Yea, beneath his music / full many a knight lies dead.<br> +I know not what against us / hath stirred that player's ire,<br> +For guests ne'er had I any / whereby to suffer woe so dire."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2003">2003</a></p> +<p> +None other would they suffer / to pass the door than those.<br> +Then 'neath the hall's high roof-tree / a mighty din arose.<br> +For evil wrought upon them / those guests sore vengeance take.<br> +Volker the doughty Fiddler, / what shining helmets there he brake!</p> +<p> +<a name="s2004">2004</a></p> +<p> +Gunther, lofty monarch, / thither turned his ear.<br> +"Hear'st thou the music, Hagen, / that yonder Volker<br> +Doth fiddle for the Hun-men, / when near the door they go?<br> +The stroke is red of color, / where he doth draw the fiddle-bow."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2005">2005</a></p> +<p> +"Mickle doth it rue me," / Hagen spake again,<br> +"That in the hall far severed / I am from that bold thane.<br> +I was his boon companion / and he sworn friend to me:<br> +Come we hence ever scatheless, / trusty feres we yet shall be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2006">2006</a></p> +<p> +"Behold now, lofty sire, / the faith of Volker bold!<br> +With will he seeks to win him / thy silver and thy gold.<br> +With fiddle-bow he cleaveth / e'en the steel so hard,<br> +Bright-gleaming crests of helmets / are scattered by his mighty sword.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2007">2007</a></p> +<p> +"Never saw I fiddler / so dauntless heart display,<br> +As the doughty Volker / here hath done this day.<br> +Through shield and shining helmet / his melodies ring clear;<br> +Give him to ride good charger / and eke full stately raiment wear."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2008">2008</a></p> +<p> +Of all the Hunnish kindred / that in the hall had been,<br> +None now of all their number / therein to fight was seen.<br> +Hushed was the din of battle / and strife no more was made:<br> +From out their hands aweary / their swords the dauntless warriors laid.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A34">THIRTY</a>-FOURTH ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How they cast out the Dead</p> +<p> +<a name="s2009">2009</a></p> +<p> +From toil of battle weary / rested the warriors all.<br> +Volker and Hagen / passed out before the hall,<br> +And on their shields did lean them, / those knights whom naught + could daunt.<br> +Then with full merry converse / gan the twain their foes to taunt.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2010">2010</a></p> +<p> +Spake meanwhile of Burgundy / Giselher the thane:<br> +"Not yet, good friends, may ye / think to rest again.<br> +Forth from the hall the corses / shall ye rather bear.<br> +Again we'll be assailéd, / that would I now in sooth declare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2011">2011</a></p> +<p> +"Beneath our feet no longer / here the dead must lie.<br> +But ere in storm of battle / at hand of Huns to die,<br> +We'll deal such wounds around us / as 'tis my joy to see.<br> +Thereon," spake Giselher, / "my heart is fixed right steadfastly."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2012">2012</a></p> +<p> +"I joy in such a master," / Hagen spake again:<br> +"Such counsel well befitteth / alone so valiant thane<br> +As my youthful master / hath shown himself this day.<br> +Therefor, O men of Burgundy, / every one rejoice ye may."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2013">2013</a></p> +<p> +Then followed they his counsel / and from the hall they bore<br> +Seven thousand bodies / and cast them from the door.<br> +Adown the mounting stairway / all together fell,<br> +Whereat a sound of wailing / did from mourning kinsmen swell.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2014">2014</a></p> +<p> +Many a man among them / so slight wound did bear<br> +That he were yet recovered / had he but gentle care,<br> +Who yet falling headlong / now surely must be dead.<br> +Thereat did grieve their kinsmen / as verily was sorest need.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2015">2015</a></p> +<p> +Then outspake the Fiddler, / Volker a hero bold:<br> +"Now do I find how truly / hath to me been told<br> +That cowards are the Hun-men / who do like women weep.<br> +Rather should be their effort / their wounded kin alive to keep."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2016">2016</a></p> +<p> +These words deemed a margrave / spoken in kindly mood.<br> +He saw one of his kinsmen / weltering in his blood.<br> +In his arms he clasped him / and thought him thence to bear,<br> +But as he bent above him / pierced him the valiant minstrel's spear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2017">2017</a></p> +<p> +When that beheld the others / all in haste they fled,<br> +Crying each one curses / on that same minstrel's head.<br> +From the ground then snatched he / a spear with point full keen,<br> +That 'gainst him up the stairway / by a Hun had hurléd been.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2018">2018</a></p> +<p> +Across the court he flung it / with his arm of might<br> +Far above the people. / Then did each Hunnish knight<br> +Seek him safer quarters / more distant from the hall.<br> +To see his mighty prowess / did fill with fear his foemen all.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2019">2019</a></p> +<p> +As knights full many thousand / far 'fore the palace stood,<br> +Volker and Hagen / gan speak in wanton mood<br> +"Unto King Etzel, / nor did they aught withhold;<br> +Wherefrom anon did sorrow / o'ertake those doughty warriors bold.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2020">2020</a></p> +<p> +"'Twould well beseem," quoth Hagen, / "the people's lofty lord<br> +Foremost in storm of battle / to swing the cutting sword,<br> +As do my royal masters / each fair example show.<br> +Where hew they through the helmets / their swords do make the blood to + flow."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2021">2021</a></p> +<p> +To hear such words brave Etzel / snatched in haste his shield.<br> +"Now well beware of rashness," / cried Lady Kriemhild,<br> +"And offer to thy warriors / gold heaped on shield full high:<br> +If yonder Hagen reach thee, / straightway shalt thou surely die."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2022">2022</a></p> +<p> +So high was the king's mettle / that he would not give o'er,<br> +Which case is now full seldom / seen in high princes more;<br> +They must by shield-strap tugging / him perforce restrain.<br> +Grim of mood then Hagen / began him to revile again.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2023">2023</a></p> +<p> +"It was a distant kinship," / spake Hagen, dauntless knight,<br> +"That Etzel unto Siegfried / ever did unite,<br> +And husband he to Kriemhild / was ere thee she knew.<br> +Wherefore, O king faint-hearted, / seek'st thou such thing 'gainst me to + do?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s2024">2024</a></p> +<p> +Thereto eke must listen / the noble monarch's spouse,<br> +And grievously to hear it / did Kriemhild's wrath arouse.<br> +That he 'fore men of Etzel / durst herself upbraid;<br> +To urge them 'gainst the strangers / she once more her arts essayed.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2025">2025</a></p> +<p> +Cried she: "Of Tronje Hagen / whoso for me will slay,<br> +And his head from body severed / here before me lay,<br> +For him the shield of Etzel / I'll fill with ruddy gold,<br> +Eke lands and lordly castles / I'll give him for his own to hold."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2026">2026</a></p> +<p> +"I wot not why they tarry," / —thus the minstrel cried;<br> +"Ne'er saw I heroes any / so their courage hide,<br> +When to them was offered, / like this, reward so high.<br> +'Tis cause henceforth that Etzel / for aye to them goodwill deny."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2027">2027</a></p> +<p> +"Who in such craven manner / do eat their master's bread,<br> +And like caitiffs fail him / in time of greatest need,<br> +Here see I standing many / of courage all forlorn,<br> +Yet would be men of valor; / all time be they upheld to scorn."</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A35">THIRTY</a>-FIFTH ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Iring was Slain</p> +<p> +<a name="s2028">2028</a></p> +<p> +Cried then he of Denmark, / Iring the margrave:<br> +"Fixed on things of honor / my purpose long I have,<br> +And oft in storm of battle, / where heroes wrought, was I.<br> +Bring hither now my armor, / with Hagen I'll the combat try."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2029">2029</a></p> +<p> +"I counsel thee against it," / Hagen then replied,<br> +"Or bring a goodly company / of Hun-men by thy side.<br> +If peradventure any / find entrance to the hall,<br> +I'll cause that nowise scatheless / down the steps again they fall."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2030">2030</a></p> +<p> +"Such words may not dissuade me," / Iring spake once more;<br> +"A thing of equal peril / oft have I tried before.<br> +Yea, will I with my broadsword / confront thee all alone.<br> +Nor aught may here avail thee / thus to speak in haughty tone."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2031">2031</a></p> +<p> +Soon the valiant Iring / armed and ready stood,<br> +And Irnfried of Thuringia / a youth of mettle good,<br> +And eke the doughty Hawart, / with thousand warriors tried.<br> +Whate'er his purpose, Iring / should find them faithful by his side.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2032">2032</a></p> +<p> +Advancing then with Iring / did the Fiddler see<br> +All clad in shining armor / a mighty company,<br> +And each a well-made helmet / securely fastened wore.<br> +Thereat the gallant Volker / began to rail in anger sore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2033">2033</a></p> +<p> +"Seest thou, friend Hagen, / yonder Iring go,<br> +Who all alone to front thee / with his sword did vow?<br> +Doth lying sort with honor? / Scorned the thing must be.<br> +A thousand knights or over / here bear him arméd company."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2034">2034</a></p> +<p> +"Now make me not a liar," / cried Hawart's man aloud,<br> +"For firm is still my purpose / to do what now I vowed,<br> +Nor will I turn me from it / through any cause of fear.<br> +Alone I'll stand 'fore Hagen, / awful howsoe'er he were."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2035">2035</a></p> +<p> +On ground did throw him Iring / before his warriors' feet,<br> +That they leave might grant him / alone the knight to meet.<br> +Loath they were to do it; / well known to them might be<br> +The haughty Hagen's prowess / of the land of Burgundy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2036">2036</a></p> +<p> +Yet so long besought he / that granted was their leave;<br> +When they that followed with him / did his firm mind perceive,<br> +And how 'twas bent on honor, / they not restrained him.<br> +Then closed the two chieftains / together in a combat grim.</p> +<p> + +<a name="s2037">2037</a></p> +<p> +Iring of Denmark / raised his spear on high,<br> +And with the shield he covered / himself full skilfully;<br> +He upward rushed on Hagen / unto the hall right close,<br> +When round the clashing fighters / soon a mighty din arose.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2038">2038</a></p> +<p> +Each hurled upon the other / the spear with arm of might,<br> +That the firm shields were piercéd / e'en to their mail-coats bright,<br> +And outward still projecting / the long spear-shafts were seen.<br> +In haste then snatched their broadswords / both the fighters grim and + keen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2039">2039</a></p> +<p> +In might the doughty Hagen / and prowess did abound,<br> +As Iring smote upon him / the hall gave back the sound.<br> +The palace all and towers / re-echoed from their blows,<br> +Yet might that bold assailant / with victory ne'er the combat close.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2040">2040</a></p> +<p> +On Hagen might not Iring / wreak aught of injury.<br> +Unto the doughty Fiddler / in haste then turnéd he.<br> +Him by his mighty sword-strokes / thought he to subdue,<br> +But well the thane full gallant / to keep him safe in combat knew.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2041">2041</a></p> +<p> +Then smote the doughty Fiddler / so lustily his shield<br> +That from it flew its ornaments / where he the sword did wield.<br> +Iring must leave unconquered / there the dauntless man;<br> +Next upon King Gunther / of Burgundy in wrath he ran.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2042">2042</a></p> +<p> +There did each in combat / show him man of might;<br> +Howe'er did Gunther and Iring / yet each the other smite,<br> +From wounds might never either / make the blood to flow,<br> +So sheltered each his armor, / well wrought that was and strong enow.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2043">2043</a></p> +<p> +Gunther left he standing, / upon Gernot to dash,<br> +And when he smote ring-armor / the fire forth did flash.<br> +But soon had he of Burgundy, / Gernot the doughty thane,<br> +Well nigh his keen assailant / Iring of Denmark slain.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2044">2044</a></p> +<p> +Yet from the prince he freed him, / for nimble was he too.<br> +Four of the men of Burgundy / the knight full sudden slew<br> +Of those that followed with them / from Worms across the Rhine.<br> +Thereupon might nothing / the wrath of Giselher confine.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2045">2045</a></p> +<p> +"God wot well, Sir Iring," / young Giselher then cried,<br> +"Now must thou make requital / for them that here have died<br> +'Neath thy hand so sudden." / He rushed upon him so<br> +And smote the knight of Denmark / that he might not withstand the blow.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2046">2046</a></p> +<p> +Into the blood down fell he / staggering 'neath its might,<br> +That all who there beheld it / might deem the noble knight<br> +Sword again would never / wield amid the fray.<br> +Yet 'neath the stroke of Giselher / Iring all unwounded lay.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2047">2047</a></p> +<p> +Bedazed by helmet's sounding / where ringing sword swung down,<br> +Full suddenly his senses / so from the knight were flown:<br> +That of his life no longer / harbored he a thought.<br> +That the doughty Giselher / by his mighty arm had wrought.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2048">2048</a></p> +<p> +When somewhat was subsided / the din within his head<br> +From mighty blow so sudden / on him was visited,<br> +Thought he: "I still am living / and bear no mortal wound.<br> +How great the might of Giselher, / till now unwitting, have I found."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2049">2049</a></p> +<p> +He hearkened how on all sides / his foes around did stand;<br> +Knew they what he did purpose, / they had not stayed their hand.<br> +He heard the voice of Giselher / eke in that company,<br> +As cunning he bethought him / how yet he from his foes might flee.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2050">2050</a></p> +<p> +Up from the blood he started / with fierce and sudden bound;<br> +By grace alone of swiftness / he his freedom found.<br> +With speed he passed the portal / where Hagen yet did stand,<br> +And swift his sword he flourished / and smote him with his doughty hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2051">2051</a></p> +<p> +To see such sight quoth Hagen: / "To death thou fall'st a prey;<br> +If not the Devil shield thee, / now is thy latest day."<br> +Yet Iring wounded Hagen / e'en through his helmet's crown.<br> +That did the knight with Waske, / a sword that was of far renown.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2052">2052</a></p> +<p> +When thus Sir Hagen / the smart of wound did feel,<br> +Wrathfully he brandished / on high his blade of steel.<br> +Full soon must yield before him / Hawart's daring man,<br> +Adown the steps pursuing / Hagen swiftly after ran.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2053">2053</a></p> +<p> +O'er his head bold Iring / his shield to guard him swung,<br> +And e'en had that same stairway / been full three times as long,<br> +Yet had he found no respite / from warding Hagen's blows.<br> +How plenteously the ruddy / sparks above his helm arose!</p> +<p> +<a name="s2054">2054</a></p> +<p> +Unscathed at last came Iring / where waited him his own.<br> +Soon as was the story / unto Kriemhild known,<br> +How that in fight on Hagen / he had wrought injury,<br> +Therefor the Lady Kriemhild / him gan to thank full graciously.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2055">2055</a></p> +<p> +"Now God requite thee, Iring, / thou valiant knight and good,<br> +For thou my heart hast comforted / and merry made my mood.<br> +Red with blood his armor, / see I yonder Hagen stand."<br> +For joy herself did Kriemhild / take his shield from out his hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2056">2056</a></p> +<p> +"Small cause hast thou to thank him," / thus wrathful Hagen spake;<br> +"For gallant knight 'twere fitting / trial once more to make.<br> +If then returned he scatheless, / a valiant man he were.<br> +The wound doth boot thee little / that now from his hand I bear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2057">2057</a></p> +<p> +"That here from wound upon me / my mail-coat see'st thou red,<br> +Shall bring woful reprisal / on many a warrior's head.<br> +Now is my wrath arouséd / in full 'gainst Hawart's thane.<br> +As yet in sooth hath Iring / wrought on me but little bane."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2058">2058</a></p> +<p> +Iring then of Denmark / stood where fanned the wind.<br> +He cooled him in his armor / and did his helm unbind.<br> +Then praised him all the people / and spoke him man of might,<br> +Whereat the margrave's bosom / swelled full high with proud delight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2059">2059</a></p> +<p> +"Now hearken friends unto me," / Iring once more spake;<br> +"Make me straightway ready, / new trial now to make<br> +If I this knight so haughty / may yet perchance subdue."<br> +New shield they brought, for Hagen / did his erstwhile asunder hew.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2060">2060</a></p> +<p> +Soon stood again the warrior / in armor all bedight.<br> +In hand a spear full massy / took the wrathful knight,<br> +Wherewith on yonder Hagen / he thought to vent his hate.<br> +With grim and fearful visage / on him the vengeful thane did wait.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2061">2061</a></p> +<p> +Yet not abide his coming / might Hagen longer now.<br> +Adown he rushed upon him / with many a thrust and blow,<br> +Down where the stairway ended / for fierce did burn his ire.<br> +Soon the might of Iring / must 'neath his furious onset tire,</p> +<p> +<a name="s2062">2062</a></p> +<p> +Their shields they smote asunder / that the sparks began<br> +To fly in ruddy showers. / Hawart's gallant man<br> +Was by sword of Hagen / wounded all so sore<br> +Through shield and shining cuirass, / that whole he found him never more.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2063">2063</a></p> +<p> +When how great the wound was / Iring fully knew,<br> +Better to guard his helm-band / his shield he higher drew.<br> +The scathe he first receivéd / he deemed sufficient quite,<br> +Yet injury far greater / soon had he from King Gunther's knight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2064">2064</a></p> +<p> +From where it lay before him / Hagen a spear did lift<br> +And hurled it upon Iring / with aim so sure and swift,<br> +It pierced his head, and firmly / fixed the shaft did stand;<br> +Full grim the end that met him / 'neath the doughty Hagen's hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2065">2065</a></p> +<p> +Backward Iring yielded / unto his Danish men.<br> +Ere for the knight his helmet / they undid again,<br> +From his head they drew the spear-point; / to death he was anigh.<br> +Wept thereat his kinsmen, / and sore need had verily.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2066">2066</a></p> +<p> +Came thereto Queen Kriemhild / and o'er the warrior bent,<br> +And for the doughty Iring / gan she there lament.<br> +She wept to see him wounded, / and sorely grieved the queen.<br> +Then spake unto his kinsmen / the warrior full brave and keen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2067">2067</a></p> +<p> +"I pray thee leave thy moaning, / royal high lady.<br> +What avails thy weeping? / Yea, soon must ended be<br> +My life from wounds outflowing / that here I did receive.<br> +To serve thyself and Etzel / will death not longer grant me leave."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2068">2068</a></p> +<p> +Eke spake he to them of Thuringia / and to them of Danish land:<br> +"Of you shall never any / receive the gift in hand<br> +From your royal mistress / of shining gold full red.<br> +Whoe'er withstandeth Hagen / death calleth down upon his head."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2069">2069</a></p> +<p> +From cheek the color faded, / death's sure token wore<br> +Iring the gallant warrior: / thereat they grieved full sore.<br> +Nor more in life might tarry / Hawart's valiant knight:<br> +Enraged the men of Denmark / again did arm them for the fight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2070">2070</a></p> +<p> +Irnfried and Hawart / before the hall then sprang<br> +Leading thousand warriors. / Full furious a clang<br> +Of weapons then on all sides / loud and great ye hear.<br> +Against the men of Burgundy / how hurled they many a mighty spear!</p> +<p> +<a name="s2071">2071</a></p> +<p> +Straight the valiant Irnfried / the minstrel rushed upon,<br> +But naught but grievous injury / 'neath his hand he won:<br> +For the noble Fiddler / did the landgrave smite<br> +E'en through the well-wrought helmet; / yea, grim and savage was the + knight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2072">2072</a></p> +<p> +Sir Irnfried then in answer / the valiant minstrel smote,<br> +That must fly asunder / the rings of his mailed coat<br> +Which showered o'er his cuirass / like sparks of fire red.<br> +Soon must yet the landgrave / fall before the Fiddler dead.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2073">2073</a></p> +<p> +Eke were come together / Hawart and Hagen bold,<br> +And saw he deeds of wonder / who did the sight behold.<br> +Swift flew the sword and fiercely / swung by each hero's hand.<br> +But soon lay Hawart prostrate / before him of Burgundian land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2074">2074</a></p> +<p> +When Danish men and Thuringians / beheld their masters fall,<br> +Fearful was the turmoil / that rose before the hall<br> +As to the door they struggled, / on dire vengeance bent.<br> +Full many a shield and helmet / was there 'neath sword asunder rent.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2075">2075</a></p> +<p> +"Now backward yield," cried Volker / "and let them pass within;<br> +Thus only are they thwarted / of what they think to win.<br> +When but they pass the portals / are they full quickly slain.<br> +With death shall they the bounty / of their royal mistress gain."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2076">2076</a></p> +<p> +When thus with pride o'erweening / they did entrance find,<br> +The head of many a warrior / was so to earth inclined,<br> +That he must life surrender / 'neath blows that thickly fell.<br> +Well bore him valiant Gernot / and eke Sir Giselher as well.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2077">2077</a></p> +<p> +Four knights beyond a thousand / were come into the house;<br> +The light from sword-blades glinted, / swift swung with mighty souse.<br> +Not one of all their number / soon might ye living see;<br> +Tell might ye mickle wonders / of the men of Burgundy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2078">2078</a></p> +<p> +Thereafter came a stillness, / and ceased the tumult loud.<br> +The blood in every quarter / through the leak-holes flowed,<br> +And out along the corbels / from men in death laid low.<br> +That had the men of Rhineland / wrought with many a doughty blow.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2079">2079</a></p> +<p> +Then sat again to rest them / they of Burgundian land,<br> +Shield and mighty broadsword / they laid from out the hand.<br> +But yet the valiant Fiddler / stood waiting 'fore the door,<br> +If peradventure any / would seek to offer combat more.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2080">2080</a></p> +<p> +Sorely did King Etzel / and eke his spouse lament,<br> +Maidens and fair ladies / did sorrow sore torment.<br> +Death long since upon them, / I ween, such ending swore.<br> +To fall before the strangers / was doomed full many a warrior more.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A36">THIRTY</a>-SIXTH ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How the Queen bade set fire to the Hall</p> +<p> +<a name="s2081">2081</a></p> +<p> +"Now lay ye off the helmets," / the words from Hagen fell:<br> +"I with a boon companion / will be your sentinel.<br> +And seek the men of Etzel / to work us further harm,<br> +For my royal masters / full quickly will I cry alarm."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2082">2082</a></p> +<p> +Then freed his head of armor / many a warrior good.<br> +They sate them on the corses, / that round them in the blood<br> +Of wounds themselves had dealt them, / prostrate weltering lay.<br> +Now to his guests so lofty / scant courtesy did Etzel pay.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2083">2083</a></p> +<p> +Ere yet was come the even, / King Etzel did persuade,<br> +And eke the Lady Kriemhild, / that once more essayed<br> +The Hunnish knights to storm them. / Before them might ye see<br> +Good twenty thousand warriors, / who soon for fight must ready be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2084">2084</a></p> +<p> +Then with a furious onset / the strangers they attacked.<br> +Dankwart, Hagen's brother, / who naught of courage lacked,<br> +Sprang out 'mid the besiegers / to ward them from the door.<br> +'Twas deemed a deadly peril, / yet scatheless stood he there before.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2085">2085</a></p> +<p> +Fierce the struggle lasted / till darkness brought an end.<br> +Themselves like goodly heroes / the strangers did defend<br> +Against the men of Etzel / all the long summer day.<br> +What host of valiant warriors / before them fell to death a prey!</p> +<p> +<a name="s2086">2086</a></p> +<p> +At turn of sun in summer / that havoc sore was wrought,<br> +When the Lady Kriemhild / revenge so dire sought<br> +Upon her nearest kinsmen / and many a knight beside,<br> +Wherefore with royal Etzel / never more might joy abide.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2087">2087</a></p> +<p> +As day at last was ending / sad they were of heart.<br> +They deemed from life 'twere better / in sudden death to part<br> +Than be thus long tormented / by great o'erhanging dread.<br> +That respite now be granted, / the knights so proud and gallant prayed.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2088">2088</a></p> +<p> +They prayed to lead the monarch / hither to them there.<br> +As heroes blood-bespotted, / and stained from battle-gear,<br> +Forth from the hall emergéd / the lofty monarchs three.<br> +They wist not to whom complainéd / might their full grievous sorrows be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2089">2089</a></p> +<p> +Etzel and Kriemhild / they soon before them found,<br> +And great was now their company / from all their lands around.<br> +Spake Etzel to the strangers: / "What will ye now of me?<br> +Ye hope for end of conflict, / but hardly may such favor be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2090">2090</a></p> +<p> +"This so mighty ruin / that ye on me have wrought,<br> +If death thwart not my purpose, / shall profit you in naught.<br> +For child that here ye slew me / and kinsmen dear to me,<br> +Shall peace and reconcilement / from you withheld forever be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2091">2091</a></p> +<p> +Thereto gave answer Gunther: / "To that drove sorest need.<br> +Lay all my train of squires / before thy warriors dead<br> +Where they for night assembled. / How bore I so great blame?<br> +Of friendly mind I deemed thee, / as trusting in thy faith I came."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2092">2092</a></p> +<p> +Then spake eke of Burgundy / the youthful Giselher:<br> +"Ye knights that still are living / of Etzel, now declare<br> +Whereof ye may reproach me! / How hath you harmed my hand?<br> +For in right friendly manner / came I riding to this land."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2093">2093</a></p> +<p> +Cried they: "Well is thy friendship / in burgh and country known<br> +By sorrow of thy making. / Gladly had we foregone<br> +The pleasure of thy coming / from Worms across the Rhine.<br> +Our country hast thou orphaned, / thou and brother eke of thine."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2094">2094</a></p> +<p> +In angry mood King Gunther / unto them replied:<br> +"An ye this mighty hatred / appeased would lay aside,<br> +Borne 'gainst us knights here homeless, / to both a gain it were<br> +For Etzel's wrath against us / we in sooth no guilt do bear."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2095">2095</a></p> +<p> +The host then to the strangers: / "Your sorrow here and mine<br> +Are things all unequal. / For now must I repine<br> +With honor all bespotted / and 'neath distress of woe.<br> +Of you shall never any / hence from my country living go."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2096">2096</a></p> +<p> +Then did the doughty Gernot / unto King Etzel say:<br> +"God then in mercy move thee / to act in friendly way.<br> +Slay us knights here homeless, / yet grant us down to go<br> +To meet thee in the open: / thine honor biddeth thus to do.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2097">2097</a></p> +<p> +"Whate'er shall be our portion, / let that straightway appear.<br> +Men hast thou yet so many / that, should they banish fear,<br> +Not one of us storm-weary / might keep his life secure.<br> +How long shall we here friendless / this woeful travail yet endure?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s2098">2098</a></p> +<p> +By the warriors of Etzel / their wish nigh granted was,<br> +And leave well nigh was given / that from the hall they pass.<br> +When Kriemhild knew their purpose, / high her anger swelled,<br> +And straightway such a respite / was from the stranger knights withheld.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2099">2099</a></p> +<p> +"But nay, ye Hunnish warriors! / what ye have mind to do,<br> +Therefrom now desist ye, / —such is my counsel true;<br> +Nor let foes so vengeful / pass without the hall,<br> +Else must in death before them / full many of your kinsmen fall.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2100">2100</a></p> +<p> +"If of them lived none other / but Ute's sons alone,<br> +My three noble brothers, / and they the air had won<br> +Where breeze might cool their armor, / to death ye were a prey.<br> +In all this world were never / born more valiant thanes than they."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2101">2101</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the youthful Giselher: / "Full beauteous sister mine,<br> +When to this land thou bad'st me / from far beside the Rhine,<br> +I little deemed such trouble / did here upon me wait.<br> +Whereby have I deservéd / from the Huns such mortal hate?</p> +<p> +<a name="s2102">2102</a></p> +<p> +"To thee I ever faithful / was, nor wronged thee e'er.<br> +In such faith confiding / did I hither fare,<br> +That thou to me wert gracious, / O noble sister mine.<br> +Show mercy now unto us, / we must to thee our lives resign."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2103">2103</a></p> +<p> +"No mercy may I show you, / —unmerciful I'll be.<br> +By Hagen, knight of Tronje, / was wrought such woe to me,<br> +That ne'er is reconcilement / the while that I have life.<br> +That must ye all atone for," / —quoth the royal Etzel's wife.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2104">2104</a></p> +<p> +"Will ye but Hagen only / to me as hostage give,<br> +Then will I not deny you / to let you longer live.<br> +Born are ye of one mother / and brothers unto me,<br> +So wish I that compounded / here with these warriors peace may be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2105">2105</a></p> +<p> +"God in heaven forfend it," / Gernot straightway said;<br> +"E'en though we were a thousand, / lay we all rather dead,<br> +We who are thy kinsmen, / ere that warrior one<br> +Here we gave for hostage. / Never may such thing be done."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2106">2106</a></p> +<p> +"Die must we all," quoth Giselher, / "for such is mortal's end.<br> +Till then despite of any, / our knighthood we'll defend.<br> +Would any test our mettle, / here may he trial make.<br> +For ne'er, when help he needed, / did I a faithful friend forsake."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2107">2107</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the valiant Dankwart, / a knight that knew no fear;<br> +"In sooth stands not unaided / my brother Hagen here.<br> +Who here have peace denied us / may yet have cause to rue.<br> +I would that this ye doubt not, / for verily I tell you true."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2108">2108</a></p> +<p> +The queen to those around her: / "Ye gallant warriors, go<br> +Now nigher to the stairway / and straight avenge my woe.<br> +I'll ever make requital / therefor, as well I may.<br> +For his haughty humor / will I Hagen full repay.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2109">2109</a></p> +<p> +"To pass without the portal / let not one at all,<br> +For at its four corners / I'll bid ignite the hall.<br> +So will I fullest vengeance / take for all my woe."<br> +Straightway the thanes of Etzel / ready stood her hest to do.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2110">2110</a></p> +<p> +Who still without were standing / were driven soon within<br> +By sword and spear upon them, / that made a mighty din.<br> +Yet naught might those good warriors / from their masters take,<br> +By their faith would never / each the other's side forsake.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2111">2111</a></p> +<p> +To burn the hall commanded / Etzel's wife in ire,<br> +And tortured they those warriors / there with flaming fire;<br> +Full soon with wind upon it / the house in flames was seen.<br> +To any folk did never / sadder plight befall, I ween.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2112">2112</a></p> +<p> +Their cries within resounded: / "Alack for sorest need!<br> +How mickle rather lay we / in storm of battle dead.<br> +'Fore God 'tis cause for pity, / for here we all must die!<br> +Now doth the queen upon us / vengeance wreak full grievously."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2113">2113</a></p> +<p> +Among them spake another: / "Our lives we here must end.<br> +What now avails the greeting / the king to us did send?<br> +So sore this heat oppresseth / and parched with thirst my tongue,<br> +My life from very anguish / I ween I must resign ere long."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2114">2114</a></p> +<p> +Then quoth of Tronje Hagen: / "Ye noble knights and good,<br> +Whoe'er by thirst is troubled, / here let him drink the blood.<br> +Than wine more potent is it / where such high heat doth rage,<br> +Nor may we at this season / find us a better beverage."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2115">2115</a></p> +<p> +Where fallen knight was lying, / thither a warrior went.<br> +Aside he laid his helmet, / to gaping wound he bent,<br> +And soon was seen a-quaffing / therefrom the flowing blood.<br> +To him though all unwonted, / yet seemed he there such drinking good.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2116">2116</a></p> +<p> +"Now God reward thee, Hagen," / the weary warrior said,<br> +"That I so well have drunken, / thus by thy teaching led.<br> +Better wine full seldom / hath been poured for me,<br> +And live I yet a season / I'll ever faithful prove to thee."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2117">2117</a></p> +<p> +When there did hear the others / how to him it seeméd good,<br> +Many more beheld ye / eke that drank the blood.<br> +Each thereby new vigor / for his body won,<br> +And eke for lover fallen / wept many a buxom dame anon.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2118">2118</a></p> +<p> +The flaming brands fell thickly / upon them in the hall,<br> +With upraised shields they kept them / yet scatheless from their fall,<br> +Though smoke and heat together / wrought them anguish sore.<br> +Beset were heroes never, / I ween, by so great woe before.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2119">2119</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Stand nigh unto the wall,<br> +Let not the brands all flaming / upon your helmets fall.<br> +Into the blood beneath you / tread them with your feet.<br> +In sooth in evil fashion / us doth our royal hostess greet."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2120">2120</a></p> +<p> +In trials thus enduréd / ebbed the night away.<br> +Still without the portal / did the keen Fiddler stay<br> +And Hagen his good fellow, / o'er shield their bodies leant;<br> +They deemed the men of Etzel / still on further mischief bent.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2121">2121</a></p> +<p> +Then was heard the Fiddler: / "Pass we into the hall,<br> +For so the Huns shall fondly / deem we are perished all<br> +Amid the mickle torture / we suffer at their hand.<br> +Natheless shall they behold us / boun for fight before them stand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2122">2122</a></p> +<p> +Spake then of Burgundy / the young Sir Giselher:<br> +"I ween 'twill soon be dawning, / for blows a cooler air.<br> +To live in fuller joyance / now grant us God in heaven.<br> +To us dire entertainment / my sister Kriemhild here hath given."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2123">2123</a></p> +<p> +Spake again another: / "Lo! how I feel the day.<br> +For that no better fortune / here await us may,<br> +So don, ye knights, your armor, / and guard ye well your life.<br> +Full soon, in sooth, we suffer / again at hands of Etzel's wife."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2124">2124</a></p> +<p> +Fondly Etzel fancied / the strangers all were dead,<br> +From sore stress of battle / and from the fire dread;<br> +Yet within were living / six hundred men so brave,<br> +That never thanes more worthy / a monarch for liegemen might have.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2125">2125</a></p> +<p> +The watchers set to watch them / soon full well had seen<br> +How still lived the strangers, / spite what wrought had been<br> +Of harm and grievous evil, / on the monarchs and their band.<br> +Within the hall they saw them / still unscathed and dauntless stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2126">2126</a></p> +<p> +Told 'twas then to Kriemhild / how they from harm were free.<br> +Whereat the royal lady / quoth, such thing ne'er might be<br> +That any still were living / from that fire dread.<br> +"Nay, believe I rather / that within they all lie dead."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2127">2127</a></p> +<p> +Gladly yet the strangers / would a truce compound,<br> +Might any grace to offer / amid their foes be found.<br> +But such appeared not any / in them of Hunnish land.<br> +Well to avenge their dying / prepared they then with willing hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2128">2128</a></p> +<p> +About the dawn of morning / greeted they were again<br> +With a vicious onslaught, / that paid full many a thane.<br> +There was flung upon them / many a mighty spear,<br> +While gallantly did guard them / the lofty thanes that knew not fear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2129">2129</a></p> +<p> +The warriors of Etzel / were all of eager mood,<br> +And Kriemhild's promised bounty / win for himself each would;<br> +To do the king's high bidding / did likewise urge their mind.<br> +'Twas cause full soon that many / were doomed swift death in fight to + find.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2130">2130</a></p> +<p> +Of store of bounty promised / might wonders great be told,<br> +She bade on shields to carry / forth the ruddy gold,<br> +And gave to him that wished it / or would but take her store;<br> +In sooth a greater hire / ne'er tempted 'gainst the foe before.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2131">2131</a></p> +<p> +A mickle host of warriors / went forth in battle-gear.<br> +Then quoth the valiant Volker: / "Still may ye find us here.<br> +Ne'er saw I move to battle / warriors more fain,<br> +That to work us evil / the bounty of the king have ta'en."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2132">2132</a></p> +<p> +Then cried among them many: / "Hither, ye knights, more nigh!<br> +Since all at last must perish, / 'twere better instantly;<br> +And here no warrior falleth / but who fore-doomed hath been."<br> +With well-flung spears all bristling / full quickly then their shields + were seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2133">2133</a></p> +<p> +What need of further story? / Twelve hundred stalwart men,<br> +Repulsed in onset gory, / still returned again;<br> +But dealing wounds around them / the strangers cooled their mood,<br> +And there stood all unvanquished. / Flowing might ye see the blood</p> +<p> +<a name="s2134">2134</a></p> +<p> +From deep wounds and mortal, / whereof were many slain.<br> +For friends in battle fallen / heard ye loud complain;<br> +Slain were all those warriors / that served the mighty king,<br> +Whereat from loving kinsmen / arose a mickle sorrowing.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A37">THIRTY</a>-SEVENTH ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How the Margrave Ruediger was Slain</p> +<p> +<a name="s2135">2135</a></p> +<p> +At morning light the strangers / had wrought high deed of fame,<br> +When the spouse of Gotelinde / unto the courtyard came.<br> +To behold on both sides / such woe befallen there,<br> +Might not refrain from weeping / sorely the faithful Ruediger.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2136">2136</a></p> +<p> +"O woe is me!" exclaimed he, / "that ever I was born.<br> +Alack that this great sorrow / no hand from us may turn!<br> +Though I be ne'er so willing, / the king no peace will know,<br> +For he beholds his sorrow / ever great and greater grow."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2137">2137</a></p> +<p> +Then did the kindly Ruediger / unto Dietrich send,<br> +If to the lofty monarchs / they yet might truce extend.<br> +The knight of Bern gave message: / "How might such thing be?<br> +For ne'er the royal Etzel / granteth to end it peacefully."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2138">2138</a></p> +<p> +When a Hunnish warrior / saw standing Ruediger<br> +As from eyes sore weeping / fell full many a tear,<br> +To his royal mistress spake he: / "Behold how stands he there<br> +With whom here by Etzel / none other may in might compare,</p> +<p> +<a name="s2139">2139</a></p> +<p> +"And who commandeth service / of lands and people all.<br> +How many lordly castles / Ruediger his own doth call,<br> +That unto him hath given / the bounty of the king!<br> +Not yet in valorous conflict / saw'st thou here his sword to swing.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2140">2140</a></p> +<p> +"Methinks, but little recks he, / what may here betide,<br> +Since now in fullest measure / his heart is satisfied.<br> +'Tis told he is, surpassing / all men, forsooth, so keen,<br> +But in this time of trials / his valor ill-displayed hath been."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2141">2141</a></p> +<p> +Stood there full of sorrow / the brave and faithful man,<br> +Yet whom he thus heard speaking / he cast his eyes upon.<br> +Thought he: "Thou mak'st atonement, / who deem'st my mettle cold.<br> +Thy thought here all too loudly / hast thou unto the people told."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2142">2142</a></p> +<p> +His fist thereat he doubled / and upon him ran,<br> +And smote with blow so mighty / there King Etzel's man<br> +That prone before him straightway / fell that mocker dead.<br> +So came but greater sorrow / on the royal Etzel's head.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2143">2143</a></p> +<p> +"Hence thou basest caitiff," / cried then Ruediger;<br> +"Here of pain and sorrow / enough I have to bear.<br> +Wherefore wilt thou taunt me / that I the combat shun?<br> +In sooth had I the utmost / of harm upon the strangers done,</p> +<p> +<a name="s2144">2144</a></p> +<p> +"For that good reason have I / to bear them hate indeed,<br> +But that myself the warriors / as friends did hither lead.<br> +Yea, was I their safe escort / into my master's land;<br> +So may I, man most wretched, / ne'er raise against them hostile hand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2145">2145</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the lofty Etzel / unto the margrave:<br> +"What aid, O noble Ruediger, / here at thy hands we have!<br> +Our country hath so many / already doomed to die,<br> +We need not any other: / now hast thou wrought full wrongfully."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2146">2146</a></p> +<p> +Returned the knight so noble: / "My heart he sore hath grieved,<br> +And reproached me for high honors / at thy hand received<br> +And eke for gifts unto me / by thee so freely made;<br> +Dearly for his slander / hath the base traducer paid."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2147">2147</a></p> +<p> +When had the queen come hither / and had likewise seen<br> +How on the Hunnish warrior / his wrath had vented been,<br> +Incontinent she mourned it, / and tears bedimmed her sight.<br> +Spake she unto Ruediger: / "How dost thou now our love requite,</p> +<p> +<a name="s2148">2148</a></p> +<p> +"That for me and thy master / thou bring'st increase of woe?<br> +Now hast thou, noble Ruediger, / ever told us so,<br> +How that thou life and honor / for our sake wouldst dare.<br> +Eke heard I thanes full many / proclaim thee knight beyond compare.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2149">2149</a></p> +<p> +"Of the oath I now remind thee / that thou to me didst swear,<br> +When counsel first thou gavest / to Etzel's land to fare, <br> +That thou wouldst truly serve me / till one of us were dead:<br> +Of that I wretched woman / never stood so sore in need."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2150">2150</a></p> +<p> +"Nor do I, royal mistress, / deny that so I sware<br> +That I for thy well-being / would life and honor dare:<br> +But eke my soul to forfeit, / —that sware I not indeed.<br> +'Tis I thy royal brothers / hither to this land did lead."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2151">2151</a></p> +<p> +Quoth she: "Bethink thee, Ruediger, / of thy fidelity<br> +And oath once firmly plighted / that aught of harm to me<br> +Should ever be avengéd, / and righted every ill."<br> +Replied thereto the margrave: / "Ne'er have I failed to work thy will."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2152">2152</a></p> +<p> +Etzel the mighty monarch / to implore him then began,<br> +And king and queen together / down knelt before their man,<br> +Whereat the good margrave / was seen in sorest plight,<br> +And gan to mourn his station / in piteous words the faithful knight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2153">2153</a></p> +<p> +"O woe is me most wretched," / he sorrow-stricken cried,<br> +"That forced I am my honor / thus to set aside,<br> +And bonds of faith and friendship / God hath imposed on me.<br> +O Thou that rul'st in heaven! / come death, I cannot yet be free.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2154">2154</a></p> +<p> +"Whate'er it be my effort / to do or leave undone,<br> +I break both faith and honor / in doing either one;<br> +But leave I both, all people / will cry me worthy scorn.<br> +May He look down in mercy / who bade me wretched man be born!"</p> +<p> +<a name="s2155">2155</a></p> +<p> +With many a prayer besought him / the king and eke his spouse,<br> +Wherefore was many a warrior / soon doomed his life to lose<br> +At hand of noble Ruediger, / when eke did die the thane.<br> +Now hear ye how he bore him, / though filled his heart with sorest pain.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2156">2156</a></p> +<p> +He knew how scathe did wait him / and boundless sorrowing,<br> +And gladly had refuséd / to obey the king<br> +And eke his royal mistress. / Full sorely did he fear,<br> +That if one stranger slew he, / the scorn of all the world he'd bear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2157">2157</a></p> +<p> +Then spake unto the monarch / the full gallant thane:<br> +"O royal sire, whatever / thou gavest, take again,<br> +The land and every castle, / that naught remain to me.<br> +On foot a lonely pilgrim / I'll wander to a far country."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2158">2158</a></p> +<p> +Thereto replied King Etzel: / "Who then gave help to me?<br> +My land and lordly castles / give I all to thee,<br> +If on my foes, O Ruediger, / revenge thou wilt provide.<br> +A mighty monarch seated, / shalt thou be by Etzel's side."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2159">2159</a></p> +<p> +Again gave answer Ruediger: / "How may that ever be?<br> +At my own home shared they / my hospitality.<br> +Meat and drink I offered / to them in friendly way,<br> +And gave them of my bounty: / how shall I seek them here to slay ?</p> +<p> +<a name="s2160">2160</a></p> +<p> +"The folk belike will fancy / that I a coward be.<br> +Ne'er hath faithful service / been refused by me<br> +Unto the noble princes / and their warriors too;<br> +That e'er I gained their friendship, / now 'tis cause for me to rue.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2161">2161</a></p> +<p> +"For spouse unto Sir Giselher / gave I a daughter mine,<br> +Nor into fairer keeping / might I her resign,<br> +Where truth were sought and honor / and gentle courtesy:<br> +Ne'er saw I thane so youthful / virtuous in mind as he."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2162">2162</a></p> +<p> +Again gave answer Kriemhild: / "O noble Ruediger,<br> +To me and royal Etzel / in mercy now give ear<br> +For sorrows that o'erwhelm us. / Bethink thee, I implore,<br> +That monarch never any / harbored so evil guests before."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2163">2163</a></p> +<p> +Spake in turn the margrave / unto the monarch's wife:<br> +"Ruediger requital / must make to-day with life<br> +For that thou and my master / did me so true befriend.<br> +Therefore must I perish; / now must my service find an end.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2164">2164</a></p> +<p> +"E'en this day, well know I, / my castles and my land<br> +Must surely lose their master / beneath a stranger's hand.<br> +To thee my wife and children / commend I for thy care,<br> +And with all the lorn ones / that wait by Bechelaren's towers fair."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2165">2165</a></p> +<p> +"Now God reward thee, Ruediger," / thereat King Etzel quoth.<br> +He and the queen together, / right joyful were they both.<br> +"To us shall all thy people / full commended be;<br> +Eke trow I by my fortune / no harm shall here befall to thee."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2166">2166</a></p> +<p> +For their sake he ventured / soul and life to lose.<br> +Thereat fell sore to weeping / the royal Etzel's spouse.<br> +He spake: "I must unto you / my plighted word fulfil.<br> +Alack! beloved strangers, / whom to assail forbids my will."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2167">2167</a></p> +<p> +From the king there parting / ye saw him, sad of mood,<br> +And passed unto his warriors / who at small distance stood.<br> +"Don straightway now your armor, / my warriors all," quoth he.<br> +"Alas! must I to battle / with the valiant knights of Burgundy."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2168">2168</a></p> +<p> +Then straightway for their armor / did the warriors call.<br> +A shining helm for this one, / for that a shield full tall<br> +Soon did the nimble squires / before them ready hold.<br> +Anon came saddest tidings / unto the stranger warriors bold.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2169">2169</a></p> +<p> +With Ruediger there saw ye / five hundred men arrayed,<br> +And noble thanes a dozen / that came unto his aid,<br> +Thinking in storm of battle / to win them honor high.<br> +In sooth but little knew they / how death awaited them so nigh.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2170">2170</a></p> +<p> +With helm on head advancing / saw ye Sir Ruediger.<br> +Swords that cut full keenly / the margrave's men did bear,<br> +And eke in hand each carried / a broad shield shining bright.<br> +Boundless was the Fiddler's / sorrow to behold the sight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2171">2171</a></p> +<p> +When saw the youthful Giselher / his bride's sire go<br> +Thus with fastened helmet, / how might he ever know<br> +What he therewith did purpose / if 'twere not only good?<br> +Thereat the noble monarchs / right joyous might ye see of mood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2172">2172</a></p> +<p> +"I joy for friends so faithful," / spake Giselher the thane,<br> +"As on our journey hither / we for ourselves did gain.<br> +Full great shall be our vantage / that I found spouse so dear,<br> +And high my heart rejoiceth / that plighted thus to wed we were."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2173">2173</a></p> +<p> +"Small cause I see for comfort," / thereto the minstrel spake.<br> +"When saw ye thanes so many / come a truce to make<br> +With helmet firmly fastened / and bearing sword in hand?<br> +By scathe to us will Ruediger / service do for tower and land."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2174">2174</a></p> +<p> +The while that thus the Fiddler / had spoken to the end,<br> +His way the noble Ruediger / unto the hall did wend.<br> +His trusty shield he rested / on the ground before his feet,<br> +Yet might he never offer / his friends in kindly way to greet.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2175">2175</a></p> +<p> +Loudly the noble margrave / cried into the hall:<br> +"Now guard you well, ye valiant / Nibelungen all.<br> +From me ye should have profit: / now have ye harm from me.<br> +But late we plighted friendship: / broken now these vows must be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2176">2176</a></p> +<p> +Then quailed to hear such tidings / those knights in sore distress,<br> +For none there was among them / but did joy the less<br> +That he would battle with them / for whom great love they bore.<br> +At hand of foes already / had they suffered travail sore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2177">2177</a></p> +<p> +"Now God in heaven forfend it," / there King Gunther cried,<br> +"That from mercy to us / thou so wilt turn aside,<br> +And the faithful friendship / whereof hope had we.<br> +I trow in sooth that never / may such thing be done by thee."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2178">2178</a></p> +<p> +"Desist therefrom I may not," / the keen knight made reply,<br> +"But now must battle with you, / for vow thereto gave I.<br> +"Now guard you, gallant warriors, / as fear ye life to lose:<br> +From plighted vow release me / will nevermore King Etzel's spouse."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2179">2179</a></p> +<p> +"Too late thou turnst against us," / spake King Gunther there.<br> +"Now might God requite thee, / O noble Ruediger,<br> +For the faith and friendship / thou didst on us bestow,<br> +If thou a heart more kindly / even to the end wouldst show.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2180">2180</a></p> +<p> +"We'd ever make requital / for all that thou didst give,—<br> +I and all my kinsmen, / wouldst thou but let us live,—<br> +For thy gifts full stately, / as faithfully thou here<br> +To Etzel's land didst lead us: / know that, O noble Ruediger."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2181">2181</a></p> +<p> +"To me what pleasure were it," / Ruediger did say,<br> +"With full hand of my treasure / unto you to weigh<br> +And with a mind right willing / as was my hope to do!<br> +Thus might no man reproach me / with lack of courtesy to you."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2182">2182</a></p> +<p> +"Turn yet, O noble Ruediger." / Gernot spake again,<br> +"For in so gracious manner / did never entertain<br> +Any host the stranger, / as we were served by thee;<br> +And live we yet a little, / shall thou well requited be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2183">2183</a></p> +<p> +"O would to God, full noble / Gernot," spake Ruediger,<br> +"That ye were at Rhine river / and that dead I were<br> +With somewhat saved of honor, / since I must be your foe!<br> +Upon good knights was never / wrought by friends more bitter woe."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2184">2184</a></p> +<p> +"Now God requite thee, Ruediger," / Gernot gave reply,<br> +"For gifts so fair bestowéd. / I rue to see thee die,<br> +For that in thee shall perish / knight of so gentle mind.<br> +Here thy sword I carry, / that gav'st thou me in friendship kind.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2185">2185</a></p> +<p> +"It never yet hath failed me / in this our sorest need,<br> +And 'neath its cutting edges / many a knight lies dead.<br> +'Tis strong and bright of lustre, / cunning wrought and well.<br> +I ween, whate'er was given / by knight it doth in worth excel.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2186">2186</a></p> +<p> +"An wilt thou not give over / upon us here to fall,<br> +And if one friend thou slayest / here yet within this hall,<br> +With this same sword thou gavest, / I'll take from thee thy life.<br> +I sorrow for thee Ruediger, / and eke thy fair and stately wife."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2187">2187</a></p> +<p> +"Would God but give, Sir Gernot, / that such thing might be,<br> +That thou thy will completely / here fulfilled mightst see,<br> +And of thy friends not any / here his life should lose!<br> +Yea, shalt thou live to comfort / both my daughter and my spouse."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2188">2188</a></p> +<p> +Then out spake of Burgundy / the son of Ute fair:<br> +"How dost thou so, Sir Ruediger? / All that with me are<br> +To thee are well disposéd. / Thou dost an evil thing,<br> +And wilt thine own fair daughter / to widowhood too early bring.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2189">2189</a></p> +<p> +"If thou with arméd warriors / wilt thus assail me here,<br> +In what unfriendly manner / thou makest to appear<br> +How that in thee I trusted / beyond all men beside,<br> +When thy fairest daughter / erstwhile I won to be my bride."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2190">2190</a></p> +<p> +"Thy good faith remember, / O Prince of virtue rare,<br> +If God from hence do bring thee," / —so spake Ruediger:<br> +"Forsake thou not the maiden / when bereft of me,<br> +But rather grant thy goodness / be dealt to her more graciously."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2191">2191</a></p> +<p> +"That would I do full fairly," / spake Giselher again.<br> +"But if my lofty kinsmen, / who yet do here remain,<br> +Beneath thy hand shall perish, / severed then must be<br> +The friendship true I cherish / eke for thy daughter and for thee."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2192">2192</a></p> +<p> +"Then God to us give mercy," / the knight full valiant spake.<br> +Their shields in hand then took they, / as who perforce would make<br> +Their passage to the strangers / into Kriemhild's hall.<br> +Adown the stair full loudly / did Hagen, knight of Tronje, call:</p> +<p> +<a name="s2193">2193</a></p> +<p> +"Tarry yet a little, / O noble Ruediger,<br> +For further would we parley," / —thus might ye Hagen hear—<br> +"I and my royal masters, / as presseth sorest need.<br> +What might it boot to Etzel / that we strangers all lay dead.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2194">2194</a></p> +<p> +"Great is here my trouble," / Hagen did declare:<br> +"The shield that Lady Gotelinde / gave to me to bear<br> +Hath now been hewn asunder / by Hun-men in my hand.<br> +With friendly thought I bore it / hither into Etzel's land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2195">2195</a></p> +<p> +"Would that God in heaven / might grant in kindliness,<br> +That I a shield so trusty / did for my own possess<br> +As in thy hand thou bearest, / O noble Ruediger!<br> +In battle-storm then need I / never hauberk more to wear."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2196">2196</a></p> +<p> +"Full glad I'd prove my friendship / to thee with mine own shield,<br> +Dared I the same to offer / before Lady Kriemhild.<br> +But take it, natheless, Hagen, / and bear it in thy hand.<br> +Would that thou mightst take it / again unto Burgundian land!"</p> +<p> +<a name="s2197">2197</a></p> +<p> +When with mind so willing / he offered him his shield,<br> +Saw ye how eyes full many / with scalding tears were filled;<br> +For the last gift was it / that was offered e'er<br> +Unto any warrior / by Bechelaren's margrave, Ruediger.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2198">2198</a></p> +<p> +How grim soe'er was Hagen / and stern soe'er of mind,<br> +That gift to pity moved him / that there the chieftain kind,<br> +So near his latest moment, / did on him bestow.<br> +From eyes of many another / began likewise the tears to flow.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2199">2199</a></p> +<p> +"Now God in heaven requite thee, / O noble Ruediger!<br> +Like unto thee none other / warrior was there e'er,<br> +Unto knights all friendless / so bounteously to give.<br> +God grant in his mercy / thy virtue evermore to live.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2200">2200</a></p> +<p> +"Woe's me to hear such tiding," / Hagen did declare.<br> +"Such load of grief abiding / already do we bear,<br> +If we with friends must struggle, / to God our plaint must be."<br> +Thereto replied the margrave: / "'Tis cause of sorrow sore to me."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2201">2201</a></p> +<p> +"To pay thee for thy favor, / O noble Ruediger,<br> +Howe'er these lofty warriors / themselves against thee bear,<br> +Yet never thee in combat / here shall touch my hand,<br> +E'en though complete thou slayest / them from out Burgundian land."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2202">2202</a></p> +<p> +Thereat the lofty Ruediger / 'fore him did courteous bend.<br> +On all sides was lamenting / that no man might end<br> +These so great heart-sorrows / that sorely they must bear.<br> +The father of all virtue / fell with noble Ruediger.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2203">2203</a></p> +<p> +Then eke the minstrel Volker / from hall down glancing said:<br> +"Since Hagen thus, my comrade, / peace with thee hath made,<br> +Lasting truce thou likewise / receivest from my hand.<br> +Well hast thou deserved it / as fared we hither to this land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2204">2204</a></p> +<p> +"Thou, O noble margrave, / my messenger shalt be.<br> +These arm-bands ruddy golden / thy lady gave to me,<br> +That here at this high festival / I the same should wear.<br> +Now mayst thyself behold them / and of my faith a witness bear."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2205">2205</a></p> +<p> +"Would God but grant," / spake Ruediger, "who ruleth high in heaven,<br> +That to thee by my lady / might further gift be given!<br> +I'll gladly tell thy tidings / to spouse full dear to me,<br> +An I but live to see her: / from doubt thereof thou mayst be free."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2206">2206</a></p> +<p> +When thus his word was given, / his shield raised Ruediger.<br> +Nigh to madness driven / bode he no longer there,<br> +But ran upon the strangers / like to a valiant knight.<br> +Many a blow full rapid / smote the margrave in his might.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2207">2207</a></p> +<p> +Volker and Hagen / made way before the thane,<br> +As before had promised / to him the warriors twain.<br> +Yet found he by the portal / so many a valiant man<br> +That Ruediger the combat / with mickle boding sore began.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2208">2208</a></p> +<p> +Gunther and Gernot / with murderous intent<br> +Let him pass the portal, / as knights on victory bent.<br> +Backward yielded Giselher, / with sorrow all undone;<br> +He hoped to live yet longer, / and therefore Ruediger would shun.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2209">2209</a></p> +<p> +Straight upon their enemies / the margrave's warriors sprung,<br> +And following their master / was seen a valiant throng.<br> +Swords with cutting edges / did they in strong arm wield,<br> +'Neath which full many a helmet / was cleft, and many a fair wrought + shield.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2210">2210</a></p> +<p> +The weary strangers likewise / smote many a whirring slash,<br> +Wherefrom the men of Bechelaren / felt deep and long the gash<br> +Through the shining ring-mail / e'en to their life's core.<br> +In storm of battle wrought they / glorious deeds a many more.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2211">2211</a></p> +<p> +All his trusty followers / now eke had gained the hall,<br> +On whom Volker and Hagen / did soon in fury fall,<br> +And mercy unto no man / save Ruediger they showed.<br> +The blood adown through helmets, / where smote their swords, full + plenteous flowed.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2212">2212</a></p> +<p> +How right furiously / were swords 'gainst armor driven!<br> +On shields the well-wrought mountings / from their wards were riven,<br> +And fell their jewelled facings / all scattered in the blood.<br> +Ne'er again might warriors / show in fight so grim a mood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2213">2213</a></p> +<p> +The lord of Bechelaren / through foemen cut his way,<br> +As doth each doughty warrior / in fight his might display.<br> +On that day did Ruediger / show full plain that he<br> +A hero was undaunted, / full bold and eke full praiseworthy.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2214">2214</a></p> +<p> +Stood there two knights right gallant, / Gunther and Gernot,<br> +And in the storm of battle / to death full many smote.<br> +Eke Giselher and Dankwart, / never aught recked they<br> +How many a lusty fighter / saw 'neath their hand his latest day.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2215">2215</a></p> +<p> +Full well did show him Ruediger / a knight of mettle true,<br> +Doughty in goodly armor. / What warriors there he slew!<br> +Beheld it a Burgundian, / and cause for wrath was there.<br> +Not longer now was distant / the death of noble Ruediger.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2216">2216</a></p> +<p> +Gernot, knight full doughty, / addressed the margrave then,<br> +Thus speaking to the hero: / "Wilt thou of all my men<br> +Living leave not any, / O noble Ruediger?<br> +That gives me grief unmeasured; / the sight I may not longer bear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2217">2217</a></p> +<p> +"Now must thy gift unto me / prove thy sorest bane,<br> +Since of my friends so many / thou from me hast ta'en.<br> +Now hither turn to front me, / thou bold and noble knight:<br> +As far as might may bear me / I trust to pay thy gift aright."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2218">2218</a></p> +<p> +Ere that full the margrave / might make his way to him,<br> +Must rings of glancing mail-coats / with flowing blood grow dim.<br> +Then sprang upon each other / those knights on honor bent,<br> +And each from wounds deep cutting / sought to keep him all unshent.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2219">2219</a></p> +<p> +Their swords cut so keenly / that might withstand them naught.<br> +With mighty arm Sir Ruediger / Gernot then smote<br> +Through the flint-hard helmet, / that downward flowed the blood.<br> +Therefor repaid him quickly / the knight of keen and valiant mood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2220">2220</a></p> +<p> +The gift he had of Ruediger / high in hand he swung,<br> +And though to death was wounded / he smote with blow so strong<br> +That the good shield was cloven / and welded helmet through.<br> +The spouse of fair Gotelinde, / then his latest breath he drew.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2221">2221</a></p> +<p> +In sooth so sad requital / found rich bounty ne'er.<br> +Slain fell they both together, / Gernot and Ruediger,<br> +Alike in storm of battle, / each by the other's hand.<br> +Sore was the wrath of Hagen / when he the harm did understand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2222">2222</a></p> +<p> +Cried there the lord of Tronje: / "Great is here our loss. <br> +In death of these two heroes / such scathe befalleth us,<br> +Wherefor land and people / shall repine for aye.<br> +The warriors of Ruediger / must now to us the forfeit pay."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2223">2223</a></p> +<p> +"Alack for this my brother, / snatched by death this day!<br> +What host of woes unbidden / encompass me alway!<br> +Eke must I moan it ever / that noble Ruediger fell.<br> +Great is the scathe to both sides / and great the sorrowing as well."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2224">2224</a></p> +<p> +When then beheld Sir Giselher / his lover's sire dead,<br> +Must all that with him followed / suffer direst need.<br> +There Death was busy seeking / to gather in his train,<br> +And of the men of Bechelaren / came forth not one alive again.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2225">2225</a></p> +<p> +Gunther and Giselher / and with them Hagen too,<br> +Dankwart and Volker, / doughty thanes and true,<br> +Went where found they lying / the two warriors slain,<br> +Nor at the sight the heroes / might their grief and tears restrain.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2226">2226</a></p> +<p> +"Death robbeth us right sorely," / spake young Sir Giselher:<br> +"Yet now give o'er your weeping / and let us seek the air,<br> +That the ringed mail grow cooler / on us storm-weary men.<br> +God in sooth will grant us / not longer here to live, I ween."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2227">2227</a></p> +<p> +Here sitting, and there leaning / was seen full many a thane,<br> +Resting once more from combat, / the while that all lay slain<br> +The followers of Ruediger. / Hushed was the battle's din.<br> +At length grew angry Etzel, / that stillness was so long within.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2228">2228</a></p> +<p> +"Alack for such a service!" / spake the monarch's wife;<br> +"For never 'tis so faithful / that our foes with life<br> +Must to us make payment / at Ruediger's hand.<br> +He thinks in sooth to lead them / again unto Burgundian land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2229">2229</a></p> +<p> +"What boots it, royal Etzel, / that we did ever share<br> +With him what he desired? / The knight doth evil there.<br> +He that should avenge us, / the same a truce doth make."<br> +Thereto the stately warrior / Volker in answer spake:</p> +<p> +<a name="s2230">2230</a></p> +<p> +"Alas 'tis no such case here, / O high and royal dame.<br> +Dared I but give the lie to / one of thy lofty name,<br> +Thou hast in fiendish manner / Ruediger belied.<br> +He and all his warriors / have laid all thoughts of truce aside.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2231">2231</a></p> +<p> +"With so good heart obeyed he / his royal master's will<br> +That he and all his followers / here in death lie still.<br> +Look now about thee, Kriemhild, / who may thy hests attend.<br> +Ruediger the hero / hath served thee faithful to the end.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2232">2232</a></p> +<p> +"Wilt thou my words believe not, / to thee shall clear be shown."<br> +To cause her heart a sorrow, / there the thing was done.<br> +Wound-gashed they bore the hero / where him the king might see.<br> +Unto the thanes of Etzel / ne'er might so great sorrow be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2233">2233</a></p> +<p> +When did they the margrave / a corse on bier behold,<br> +By chronicler might never / written be nor told<br> +All the wild lamenting / of women and of men,<br> +As with grief all stricken / out-poured they their hearts' sorrow then.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2234">2234</a></p> +<p> +Royal Etzel's sorrow / there did know no bound.<br> +Like to the voice of lion / echoing rang the sound<br> +Of the king's loud weeping, / wherein the queen had share.<br> +Unmeasured they lamented / the death of noble Ruediger.</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A38">THIRTY</a>-EIGHTH ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How all Sir Dietrich's Knights were Slain</p> +<p> +<a name="s2235">2235</a></p> +<p> +On all sides so great sorrow / heard ye there around,<br> +That palace and high tower / did from the wail resound.<br> +Of Bern a man of Dietrich / eke the same did hear,<br> +And speedily he hastened / the tidings to his lord to bear.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2236">2236</a></p> +<p> +Spake he unto his master: / "Sir Dietrich give me ear.<br> +What yet hath been my fortune, / never did I hear<br> +Lamenting past all measure, / as at this hour hath been.<br> +Scathe unto King Etzel / himself hath happenéd, I ween.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2237">2237</a></p> +<p> +"Else how might they ever / all show such dire need?<br> +The king himself or Kriemhild, / one of them lieth dead,<br> +By the doughty strangers / for sake of vengeance slain.<br> +Unmeasured is the weeping / of full many a stately thane."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2238">2238</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Bern Sir Dietrich: / "Ye men to me full dear,<br> +Now haste ye not unduly. / The deeds performéd here<br> +By the stranger warriors / show sore necessity.<br> +That peace with them I blighted, / let it now their profit be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2239">2239</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the valiant Wolfhart: / "Thither will I run<br> +To make question of it / what they now have done,<br> +And straight will tidings bring thee, / master full dear to me,<br> +When yonder I inform me, / whence may so great lamenting be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2240">2240</a></p> +<p> +Answer gave Sir Dietrich: / "Fear they hostility,<br> +The while uncivil questioning / of their deed there be,<br> +Lightly are stirred to anger / good warriors o'er the thing.<br> +Yea, 'tis my pleasure, Wolfhart, / thou sparest them all such + questioning.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2241">2241</a></p> +<p> +Helfrich he then commanded / thither with speed to go<br> +That from men of Etzel / he might truly know,<br> +Or from the strangers straightway, / what thing there had been.<br> +As that, so sore lamenting / of people ne'er before was seen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2242">2242</a></p> +<p> +Questioned then the messenger: / "What hath here been wrought?"<br> +Answered one among them: / "Complete is come to naught<br> +What of joy we cherished / here in Hunnish land.<br> +Slain here lieth Ruediger, / fallen 'neath Burgundian hand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2243">2243</a></p> +<p> +"Of them that entered with him / not one doth longer live."<br> +Naught might ever happen / Helfrich more to grieve,<br> +Nor ever told he tidings / so ruefully before.<br> +Weeping sore the message / unto Dietrich then he bore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2244">2244</a></p> +<p> +"What the news thou bringst us?" / Dietrich spake once more;<br> +"Yet, O doughty Helfrich, / wherefore dost weep so sore?"<br> +Answered the noble warrior: / "With right may I complain:<br> +Yonder faithful Ruediger / lieth by the Burgundians slain."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2245">2245</a></p> +<p> +The lord of Bern gave answer: / "God let not such thing be!<br> +That were a mighty vengeance, / and eke the Devil's glee.<br> +Whereby had ever Ruediger / from them deserved such ill?<br> +Well know I to the strangers / was ever well disposed his will."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2246">2246</a></p> +<p> +Thereto gave answer Wolfhart: / "In sooth have they this done,<br> +Therefor their lives shall forfeit / surely, every one.<br> +And make we not requital, / our shame for aye it were;<br> +Full manifold our service / from hand of noble Ruediger."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2247">2247</a></p> +<p> +Then bade the lord of Amelungen / the case more full to learn.<br> +He sat within a casement / and did full sadly mourn.<br> +He prayed then that Hildebrand / unto the strangers go,<br> +That he from their own telling / of the case complete might know.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2248">2248</a></p> +<p> +The warrior keen in battle, / Master Hildebrand,<br> +Neither shield nor weapon / bore he in his hand,<br> +But would in chivalrous manner / unto the strangers go.<br> +His sister's son reviled him / that he would venture thus to do.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2249">2249</a></p> +<p> +Spake in anger Wolfhart: / "Goest thou all weaponless,<br> +Must I of such action / free my thought confess:<br> +Thou shalt in shameful fashion / hither come again;<br> +Goest thou arméd thither, / will all from harm to thee refrain."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2250">2250</a></p> +<p> +So armed himself the old man / at counsel of the young.<br> +Ere he was ware of it, / into their armor sprung<br> +All of Dietrich's warriors / and stood with sword in hand.<br> +Grieved he was, and gladly / had turned them Master Hildebrand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2251">2251</a></p> +<p> +He asked them whither would they. / "Thee company we'll bear,<br> +So may, perchance, less willing / Hagen of Tronje dare,<br> +As so oft his custom, / to give thee mocking word."<br> +The thane his leave did grant them / at last when he their speech had + heard.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2252">2252</a></p> +<p> +Keen Volker saw approaching, / in armor all arrayed,<br> +Of Bern the gallant warriors / that Dietrich's word obeyed,<br> +With sword at girdle hanging / and bearing shield in hand.<br> +Straight he told the tidings / to his masters of Burgundian land.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2253">2253</a></p> +<p> +Spake the doughty Fiddler: / "Yonder see I come near<br> +The warriors of Dietrich / all clad in battle gear<br> +And decked their heads with helmets, / as if our harm they mean.<br> +For us knights here homeless / approacheth evil end, I ween."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2254">2254</a></p> +<p> +Meanwhile was come anigh them / Master Hildebrand.<br> +Before his foot he rested / the shield he bore in hand,<br> +And soon began to question / the men of Gunther there:<br> +"Alack, ye gallant warriors, / what harm hath wrought you Ruediger?</p> +<p> +<a name="s2255">2255</a></p> +<p> +"Me did my master Dietrich / hither to you command:<br> +If now the noble margrave / hath fallen 'neath the hand<br> +Of any knight among you, / as word to us is borne,<br> +Such a mighty sorrow / might we never cease to mourn."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2256">2256</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "True is the tale ye hear.<br> +Though glad I were, if to you / had lied the messenger,<br> +And if the faithful Ruediger / still his life might keep,<br> +For whom both man and woman / must ever now in sorrow weep!"</p> +<p> +<a name="s2257">2257</a></p> +<p> +When they for sooth the passing / of the hero knew,<br> +Those gallant knights bemoaned him / like faithful friends and true;<br> +On Dietrich's lusty warriors / saw ye fall the tear<br> +Adown the bearded visage, / for sad of heart in truth they were.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2258">2258</a></p> +<p> +Of Bern then a chieftain, / Siegstab, further cried:<br> +"Of all the mickle comfort / now an end is made,<br> +That Ruediger erst prepared us / after our days of pain.<br> +The joy of exiled people / here lieth by you warriors slain."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2259">2259</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Amelungen / the thane Wolfwein:<br> +"If that this day beheld I / dead e'en sire of mine,<br> +No more might be my sorrow / than for this hero's life.<br> +Alack! who bringeth comfort / now to the noble margrave's wife?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s2260">2260</a></p> +<p> +Spake eke in angry humor / Wolfhart a stalwart thane:<br> +"Who now shall lead our army / on the far campaign,<br> +As full oft the margrave / of old hath led our host?<br> +Alack! O noble Ruediger, / that in such manner thee we've lost!"</p> +<p> +<a name="s2261">2261</a></p> +<p> +Wolfbrand and Helfrich / and Helmnot with warriors all<br> +Mournéd there together / that he in death must fall.<br> +For sobbing might not further / question Hildebrand.<br> +He spake: "Now do, ye warriors, / according to my lord's command.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2262">2262</a></p> +<p> +"Yield unto us Ruediger's / corse from out the hall,<br> +In whose death to sorrow / hath passed our pleasure all;<br> +And let us do him service / for friendship true of yore<br> +That e'er for us he cherished / and eke for many a stranger more.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2263">2263</a></p> +<p> +"We too from home are exiles / like unto Ruediger.<br> +Why keep ye us here waiting? / Him grant us hence to bear,<br> +That e'en though death hath reft him / our service he receive,<br> +Though fairer had we paid it / the while the hero yet did live."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2264">2264</a></p> +<p> +Thereto spake King Gunther: / "No service equal may<br> +That which, when death hath reft him, / to friend a friend doth pay.<br> +Him deem I friend right faithful, / whoe'er the same may do.<br> +Well make ye here requital / for many a service unto you."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2265">2265</a></p> +<p> +"How long shall we beseech you," / spake Wolfhart the thane;<br> +"Since he that best consoled us / by you now lieth slain,<br> +And we, alas, no longer / his living aid may have,<br> +Grant us hence to bear him / and lay the hero in his grave."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2266">2266</a></p> +<p> +Thereto answered Volker: / "Thy prayer shall all deny.<br> +From out the hall thou take him, / where doth the hero lie<br> +'Neath deep wounds and mortal / in blood now smitten down.<br> +So may by thee best service / here to Ruediger be shown."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2267">2267</a></p> +<p> +Answered Wolfhart boldly: / "Sir Fiddleman, God wot<br> +Thou shalt forbear to stir us, / for woe on us thou'st wrought.<br> +Durst I despite my master, / uncertain were thy life;<br> +Yet must we here keep silence, / for he did bid us shun the strife."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2268">2268</a></p> +<p> +Then spake again the Fiddler: / "'Tis all too much of fear,<br> +For that a thing's forbidden, / meekly to forbear.<br> +Scarce may I deem it valor / worthy good knight to tell."<br> +What said his faithful comrade, / did please the doughty Hagen well.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2269">2269</a></p> +<p> +"For proof be not o'er-eager," / Wolfhart quick replied,<br> +"Else so I'll tune thy fiddle / that when again ye ride<br> +Afar unto Rhine river, / sad tale thou tellest there.<br> +Thy haughty words no longer / may I now with honor bear."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2270">2270</a></p> +<p> +Spake once more the Fiddler: / "If e'er the harmony<br> +Of my fiddle-strings thou breakest, / thy helmet's sheen shall be<br> +Made full dim of lustre / by stroke of this my hand,<br> +Howe'er fall out my journey / homeward to Burgundian land."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2271">2271</a></p> +<p> +Then would he rush upon him / but that him did restrain<br> +Hildebrand his uncle / who seizéd him amain.<br> +"I ween thou would'st be witless, / by youthful rage misled.<br> +My master's favor had'st thou / evermore thus forfeited."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2272">2272</a></p> +<p> +"Let loose the lion, Master, / that doth rage so sore.<br> +If but my sword may reach him," / spake Volker further more,<br> +"Though he the world entire / by his own might had slain,<br> +I'll smite him that an answer / never may he chant again."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2273">2273</a></p> +<p> +Thereat with anger straightway / the men of Bern were filled.<br> +Wolfhart, thane right valiant, / grasped in haste his shield,<br> +And like to a wild lion / out before them sped.<br> +By friends a goodly number / full quickly was he followéd.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2274">2274</a></p> +<p> +Though by the hall went striding / ne'er so swift the thane,<br> +O'ertook him Master Hildebrand / ere he the steps might gain,<br> +For nowise would he let him / be foremost in the fray.<br> +In the stranger warriors / worthy foemen soon found they.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2275">2275</a></p> +<p> +Straight saw ye upon Hagen / rush Master Hildebrand,<br> +And sword ye heard give music / in each foeman's hand.<br> +Sore they were enragéd, / as ye soon were ware,<br> +For from their swinging broadswords / whirred the ruddy sparks in air.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2276">2276</a></p> +<p> +Yet soon the twain were parted / in the raging fight:<br> +The men of Bern so turned it / by their dauntless might.<br> +Ere long then was Hildebrand / from Hagen turned away,<br> +While that the doughty Wolfhart / the valiant Volker sought to slay.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2277">2277</a></p> +<p> +Upon the helm the Fiddler / he smote with blow so fierce<br> +That the sword's keen edges / unto the frame did pierce.<br> +With mighty stroke repaid him / the valiant minstrel too,<br> +And so belabored Wolfhart / that thick the sparks around him flew.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2278">2278</a></p> +<p> +Hewing they made the fire / from mail-rings scintillate,<br> +For each unto the other / bore a deadly hate.<br> +Of Bern the thane Wolfwein / at length did part the two,—<br> +Which thing might none other / than man of mickle prowess do.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2279">2279</a></p> +<p> +Gunther, knight full gallant, / received with ready hand<br> +There the stately warriors / of Amelungen land.<br> +Eke did young Giselher / of many a helmet bright,<br> +With blood all red and reeking, / cause to grow full dim the light.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2280">2280</a></p> +<p> +Dankwart, Hagen's brother, / was a warrior grim.<br> +What erstwhile in combat / had been wrought by him<br> +Against the men of Etzel / seemed now as toying vain,<br> +As fought with flaming ire / the son of valiant Aldrian.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2281">2281</a></p> +<p> +Ritschart and Gerbart, / Helfrich and Wichart<br> +Had oft in storm of battle / with valor borne their part,<br> +As now 'fore men of Gunther / they did clear display.<br> +Likewise saw ye Wolfbrand / glorious amid the fray.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2282">2282</a></p> +<p> +There old Master Hildebrand / fought as he were wode.<br> +Many a doughty warrior / was stricken in the blood<br> +By the sword that swinging / in Wolfhart's hand was seen.<br> +Thus took dire vengeance / for Ruediger those knights full keen.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2283">2283</a></p> +<p> +Havoc wrought Sir Siegstab / there with might and main.<br> +Ho! in the hurly-burly / what helms he cleft in twain<br> +Upon the crowns of foemen, / Dietrich's sister's son!<br> +Ne'er in storm of battle / had he more feats of valor done.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2284">2284</a></p> +<p> +When the doughty Volker / there aright had seen<br> +How many a bloody rivulet / was hewn by Siegstab keen<br> +From out the well-wrought mail-rings, / the hero's ire arose.<br> +Quick he sprang toward him, / Siegstab then his life must lose.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2285">2285</a></p> +<p> +Ere long time was over, / 'neath the Fiddler's hand,<br> +Who of his art did give him / such share to understand<br> +That beneath his broadsword / smitten to death he lay.<br> +Old Hildebrand avenged him / as bade his mighty arm alway.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2286">2286</a></p> +<p> +"Alack that knight so loved," / spake Master Hildebrand,<br> +"Here should thus lie fallen / 'neath Volker's hand.<br> +Now lived his latest hour / in sooth this Fiddler hath."<br> +Filled was the hero Hildebrand / straightway with a mighty wrath.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2287">2287</a></p> +<p> +With might smote he Volker / that severed flew the band<br> +E'en to the hall's wide limit / far on either hand<br> +From shield and eke from helmet / borne by the Fiddler keen;<br> +Therewith the doughty Volker / reft of life at last had been.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2288">2288</a></p> +<p> +Pressed eager to the combat / Dietrich's warriors true,<br> +Smiting that the mail-rings / afar from harness flew,<br> +And that the broken sword-points / soaring aloft ye saw,<br> +The while that reeking blood-stains / did they from riven helmets draw.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2289">2289</a></p> +<p> +There of Tronje Hagen / beheld Volker dead.<br> +In that so bloody carnage / 'twas far the sorest need<br> +Of all that did befall him / in death of friend and man.<br> +Alack! for him what vengeance / Hagen then to wreak began!</p> +<p> +<a name="s2290">2290</a></p> +<p> +"Therefrom shall profit never / Master Hildebrand.<br> +Slain hath been here my helper / 'neath the warrior's hand,<br> +The best of feres in battle / that fortune ever sent."<br> +His shield upraised he higher / and hewing through the throng he went.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2291">2291</a></p> +<p> +Next saw ye Dankwart / by doughty Helfrich slain,<br> +Gunther and Giselher / did full sorely plain,<br> +When they beheld him fallen / where fiercely raged the fray.<br> +For his death beforehand / dearly did his foemen pay.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2292">2292</a></p> +<p> +The while coursed Wolfhart / thither and back again,<br> +Through Gunther's men before him / hewing wide a lane.<br> +Thrice in sooth returning / strode he down the hall,<br> +And many a lusty warrior / 'neath his doughty hand must fall.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2293">2293</a></p> +<p> +Soon the young Sir Giselher / cried aloud to him:<br> +"Alack, that I should ever / find such foeman grim!<br> +Sir knight, so bold and noble, / now turn thee here to me.<br> +I trow to end thy coursing, / the which will I no longer see."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2294">2294</a></p> +<p> +To Giselher then turned him / Wolfhart in the fight,<br> +And gaping wounds full many / did each the other smite.<br> +With such a mighty fury / he to the monarch sped<br> +That 'neath his feet went flying / the blood e'en high above his head.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2295">2295</a></p> +<p> +With rapid blows and furious / the son of Ute fair<br> +Received the valiant Wolfhart / as came he to him there.<br> +How strong soe'er the thane was, / his life must ended be.<br> +Never king so youthful / might bear himself more valiantly.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2296">2296</a></p> +<p> +Straight he smote Wolfhart / through well-made cuirass,<br> +That from the wound all gaping / the flowing blood did pass.<br> +Unto death he wounded / Dietrich's liegeman true,<br> +Which thing in sooth might never / any save knight full gallant do.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2297">2297</a></p> +<p> +When the valiant Wolfhart / of the wound was ware,<br> +His shield flung he from him / and high with hand in air<br> +Raised he a mighty weapon / whose keen edge failéd not.<br> +Through helmet and through mail-rings / Giselher with might he smote.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2298">2298</a></p> +<p> +Grimly each the other / there to death had done.<br> +Of Dietrich's men no longer / lived there ever one.<br> +When old Master Hildebrand / Wolfhart's fall had seen,<br> +In all his life there never / such sorrow him befell, I ween.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2299">2299</a></p> +<p> +Fallen now were Gunther's / warriors every one,<br> +And eke the men of Dietrich. / Hildebrand the while had gone<br> +Where Wolfhart had fallen / down in pool of blood.<br> +In his arms then clasped he / the warrior of dauntless mood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2300">2300</a></p> +<p> +Forth from the hall to bear him / vainly did he try:<br> +But all too great the burden / and there he still must lie.<br> +The dying knight looked upward / from his bloody bed<br> +And saw how that full gladly / him his uncle thence had led.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2301">2301</a></p> +<p> +Spake he thus mortal wounded: / "Uncle full dear to me,<br> +Now mayst thou at such season / no longer helpful be.<br> +To guard thee well from Hagen / indeed me seemeth good,<br> +For bears he in his bosom / a heart in sooth of grimmest mood.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2302">2302</a></p> +<p> +"And if for me my kinsmen / at my death would mourn,<br> +Unto the best and nearest / by thee be message borne<br> +That for me they weep not, / —of that no whit is need.<br> +At hand of valiant monarch / here lie I gloriously dead.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2303">2303</a></p> +<p> +"Eke my life so dearly / within this hall I've sold,<br> +That have sore cause for weeping / the wives of warriors bold.<br> +If any make thee question, / then mayst thou freely say<br> +That my own hand nigh hundred / warriors hath slain to-day."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2304">2304</a></p> +<p> +Now was Hagen mindful / of the minstrel slain,<br> +From whom the valiant Hildebrand / erstwhile his life had ta'en.<br> +Unto the Master spake he: / "My woes shalt thou repay.<br> +Full many a warrior gallant / thou hast ta'en from us hence away."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2305">2305</a></p> +<p> +He smote upon Hildebrand / that loud was heard the tone<br> +Of Balmung resounding / that erst did Siegfried own,<br> +But Hagen bold did seize it / when he the hero slew.<br> +The old warrior did guard him, / as he was knight of mettle true.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2306">2306</a></p> +<p> +Dietrich's doughty liegeman / with broadsword did smite<br> +That did cut full sorely, / upon Tronje's knight;<br> +Yet had the man of Gunther / never any harm.<br> +Through his cuirass well-jointed / Hagen smote with mighty arm.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2307">2307</a></p> +<p> +Soon as his wound perceivéd / the aged Hildebrand,<br> +Feared he more of damage / to take from Hagen's hand;<br> +Across his back full deftly / his shield swung Dietrich's man,<br> +And wounded deep, the hero / in flight 'fore Hagen's fury ran.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2308">2308</a></p> +<p> +Now longer lived not any / of all that goodly train<br> +Save Gunther and Hagen, / doughty warriors twain.<br> +With blood from wound down streaming / fled Master Hildebrand,<br> +Whom soon in Dietrich's presence, / saw ye with saddest tidings stand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2309">2309</a></p> +<p> +He found the chieftain sitting / with sorrow all distraught,<br> +Yet mickle more of sadness / unto him he brought.<br> +When Dietrich saw how Hildebrand / cuirass all blood-red wore,<br> +With fearful heart he questioned, / what the news to him he bore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2310">2310</a></p> +<p> +"Now tell me, Master Hildebrand, / how thus wet thou be<br> +From thy life-blood flowing, / or who so harmeth thee.<br> +In hall against the strangers / thou'st drawn thy sword, I ween.<br> +'Twere well my straight denial / here by these had honored been."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2311">2311</a></p> +<p> +Replied he to his master: / "From Hagen cometh all.<br> +This deep wound he smote me / there within the hall<br> +When I from his fury / thought to turn away.<br> +'Tis marvel that I living / saved me from the fiend this day."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2312">2312</a></p> +<p> +Then of Bern spake Dietrich: / "Aright hast thou thy share,<br> +For thou didst hear me friendship / unto these knights declare,<br> +And now the peace hast broken, / that I to them did give.<br> +If my disgrace it were not, / by this hand no longer shouldst thou live."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2313">2313</a></p> +<p> +"Now be not, Master Dietrich, / so sorely stirred to wrath.<br> +On me and on my kinsmen / is wrought too great a scathe.<br> +Thence sought we Ruediger / to bear all peacefully,<br> +The which by men of Gunther / to us no whit would granted be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2314">2314</a></p> +<p> +"Ah, woe is me for sorrow! / Is Ruediger then dead,<br> +In all my need there never / such grief hath happenéd.<br> +The noble Gotelinde / is cousin fair to me.<br> +Alack for the poor orphans / that there in Bechelaren must be!"</p> +<p> +<a name="s2315">2315</a></p> +<p> +Grief and anguish filled him / o'er Ruediger thus slain,<br> +Nor might at all the hero / the flowing tears restrain.<br> +"Alack for faithful helper / that death from me hath torn.<br> +King Etzel's trusty liegeman / never may I cease to mourn.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2316">2316</a></p> +<p> +"Canst thou, Master Hildebrand, / true the tidings say,<br> +Who might be the warrior / that Ruediger did slay?"<br> +"That did the doughty Gernot / with mighty arm," he said:<br> +"Eke at hand of Ruediger / lieth the royal hero dead."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2317">2317</a></p> +<p> +Spake he again to Hildebrand: / "Now let my warriors know,<br> +That straightway they shall arm them, / for thither will I go.<br> +And bid to fetch hither / my shining mail to me.<br> +Myself those knights will question / of the land of Burgundy."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2318">2318</a></p> +<p> +"Who here shall do thee service?" / spake Master Hildebrand;<br> +"All that thou hast yet living, / thou seest before thee stand.<br> +Of all remain I only; / the others, they are dead."<br> +As was in sooth good reason, / filled the tale his soul with dread,</p> +<p> +<a name="s2319">2319</a></p> +<p> +For in his life did never / such woe to him befall.<br> +He spake: "Hath death so reft me / of my warriors all,<br> +God hath forsaken Dietrich, / ah me, a wretched wight!<br> +Sometime a lofty monarch / I was, high throned in wealth and might."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2320">2320</a></p> +<p> +"How might it ever happen?" / Dietrich spake again,<br> +"That so worthy heroes / here should all be slain<br> +By the battle-weary / strangers thus beset?<br> +Ill fortune me hath chosen, / else death had surely spared them yet.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2321">2321</a></p> +<p> +"Since that fate not further / to me would respite give,<br> +Then tell me, of the strangers / doth any longer live?"<br> +Answered Master Hildebrand: / "God wot, never one<br> +Save Hagen, and beside him / Gunther lofty king alone."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2322">2322</a></p> +<p> +"Alack, O faithful Wolfhart, / must I thy death now mourn,<br> +Soon have I cause to rue me / that ever I was born.<br> +Siegstab and Wolfwein / and eke Wolfbrand!<br> +Who now shall be my helpers / in the Amelungen land?</p> +<p> +<a name="s2323">2323</a></p> +<p> +"Helfrich, thane full valiant, / and is he likewise slain?<br> +For Gerbart and Wichart / when shall I cease to plain?<br> +Of all my life's rejoicing / is this the latest day.<br> +Alack that die for sorrow / never yet a mortal may!"</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> +<h3><a name="A39">THIRTY</a>-NINTH ADVENTURE</h3> +<p class="head">How Gunther and Hagen and Kriemhild were Slain</p> +<p> +<a name="s2324">2324</a></p> +<p> +Himself did then Sir Dietrich / his armor take in hand,<br> +To don the which did help him / Master Hildebrand.<br> +The doughty chieftain meanwhile / must make so loud complain<br> +That from high palace casement / oft came back the sound again.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2325">2325</a></p> +<p> +Natheless his proper humor / soon he did regain,<br> +And arméd full in anger / stood the worthy thane;<br> +A shield all wrought full firmly / took he straight in hand,<br> +And forth they strode together, / he and Master Hildebrand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2326">2326</a></p> +<p> +Spake then of Tronje Hagen: / "Lo, where doth hither wend<br> +In wrath his way Sir Dietrich. / 'Tis plain he doth intend<br> +On us to wreak sore vengeance / for harm befallen here.<br> +To-day be full decided / who may the prize for valor bear!</p> +<p> +<a name="s2327">2327</a></p> +<p> +"Let ne'er of Bern Sir Dietrich / hold him so high of might<br> +Nor deem his arm so doughty / and terrible in fight<br> +That, will he wreak his anger / on us for sorest scathe,"—<br> +Such were the words of Hagen, / —"I dare not well withstand his wrath."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2328">2328</a></p> +<p> +Upon these words defiant / left Dietrich Hildebrand,<br> +And to the warriors hither / came where both did stand<br> +Without before the palace, / and leaning respite found.<br> +His shield well proved in battle / Sir Dietrich lowered to the ground.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2329">2329</a></p> +<p> +Addressed to them Sir Dietrich / these words of sorrowing:<br> +"Wherefore hast thou such evil, / Gunther mighty king,<br> +Wrought 'gainst me a stranger? / What had I done to thee,<br> +Of my every comfort / in such manner reft to be?</p> +<p> +<a name="s2330">2330</a></p> +<p> +"Seemed then not sufficient / the havoc unto you<br> +When from us the hero / Ruediger ye slew,<br> +That now from me ye've taken / my warriors one and all?<br> +Through me did so great sorrow / ne'er to you good knights befall.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2331">2331</a></p> +<p> +"Of your own selves bethink you / and what the scathe ye bore,<br> +The death of your companions / and all your travail sore,<br> +If not your hearts, good warriors, / thereat do heavy grow.<br> +That Ruediger hath fallen, / —ah me! how fills my heart with woe!</p> +<p> +<a name="s2332">2332</a></p> +<p> +"In all this world to any / more sorrow ne'er befell,<br> +Yet have ye minded little / my loss and yours as well.<br> +Whate'er I most rejoiced in / beneath your hands lies slain;<br> +Yea, for my kinsmen fallen / never may I cease to plain."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2333">2333</a></p> +<p> +"No guilt lies here upon us," / Hagen in answer spake.<br> +"Unto this hall hither / your knights their way did take,<br> +With goodly train of warriors / full arméd for the fight.<br> +Meseemeth that the story / hath not been told to thee aright."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2334">2334</a></p> +<p> +"What shall I else believe in? / To me told Hildebrand<br> +How, when the knights that serve me / of Amelungenland<br> +Did beg the corse of Ruediger / to give them from the hall,<br> +Nought offered ye but mockings / unto the valiant warriors all."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2335">2335</a></p> +<p> +Then spake the King of Rhineland: / "Ruediger to bear away<br> +Came they in company hither; / whose corse to them deny<br> +I bade, despiting Etzel, / nor with aught malice more,<br> +Whereupon did Wolfhart / begin to rage thereat full sore."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2336">2336</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Bern the hero: / "'Twas fated so to be.<br> +Yet Gunther, noble monarch, / by thy kingly courtesy<br> +Amends make for the sorrow / thou here on me hast wrought,<br> +That so thy knightly honor / still unsullied be in aught.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2337">2337</a></p> +<p> +"Then yield to me as hostage / thyself and eke thy man;<br> +So will I surely hinder, / as with best might I can,<br> +That any here in Hunland / harm unto thee shall do:<br> +Henceforward shalt thou find me / ever well disposed and true."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2338">2338</a></p> +<p> +"God in heaven forfend it," / Hagen spake again,<br> +"That unto thee should yield them / ever warriors twain<br> +Who in their strength reliant / all armed before thee stand,<br> +And yet 'fore foes defiant / may freely swing a blade in hand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2339">2339</a></p> +<p> +"So shall ye not," spake Dietrich, / "proffered peace forswear,<br> +Gunther and Hagen. / Misfortune such I bear<br> +At both your hands, 'tis certain / ye did but do aright,<br> +Would ye for so great sorrow / now my heart in full requite.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2340">2340</a></p> +<p> +"I give you my sure promise / and pledge thereto my hand<br> +That I will bear you escort / home unto your land;<br> +With honors fit I'll lead you, / thereon my life I set,<br> +And for your sake sore evil / suffered at your hands forget."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2341">2341</a></p> +<p> +"Ask thou such thing no longer," / Hagen then replied.<br> +"For us 'twere little fitting / the tale be bruited wide,<br> +That twain of doughty warriors / did yield them 'neath thy hand.<br> +Beside thee is none other / now but only Hildebrand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2342">2342</a></p> +<p> +Then answered Master Hildebrand: / "The hour may come, God wot,<br> +Sir Hagen, when thus lightly / disdain it thou shalt not<br> +If any man such offer / of peace shall make to thee.<br> +Welcome might now my master's / reconciliation be."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2343">2343</a></p> +<p> +"I'd take in sooth his friendship," / Hagen gave reply,<br> +"Ere that I so basely / forth from a hall would fly.<br> +As thou hast done but lately, / O Master Hildebrand.<br> +I weened with greater valor / couldst thou 'fore a foeman stand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2344">2344</a></p> +<p> +Thereto gave answer Hildebrand: / "From thee reproach like that?<br> +Who was then on shield so idle / 'fore the Waskenstein that sat,<br> +The while that Spanish Walter / friend after friend laid low?<br> +Such valor thou in plenty / hast in thine own self to show."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2345">2345</a></p> +<p> +Outspake then Sir Dietrich: / "Ill fits it warriors bold<br> +That they one another / like old wives should scold.<br> +Thee forbid I, Hildebrand, / aught to parley more.<br> +Ah me, most sad misfortune / weigheth on my heart full sore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2346">2346</a></p> +<p> +"Let me hear, Sir Hagen," / Dietrich further spake,<br> +"What boast ye doughty warriors / did there together make,<br> +When that ye saw me hither / come with sword in hand?<br> +Thought ye then not singly / me in combat to withstand?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s2347">2347</a></p> +<p> +"In sooth denieth no one," / bold Sir Hagen spake,<br> +"That of the same with sword-blow / I would trial make,<br> +An but the sword of Niblung / burst not within my hand.<br> +Yea, scorn I that to yield us / thus haughtily thou mak'st demand."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2348">2348</a></p> +<p> +When Dietrich now perceivéd / how Hagen raged amain,<br> +Raise his shield full quickly / did the doughty thane.<br> +As quick upon him Hagen / adown the perron sprang,<br> +And the trusty sword of Niblung / full loud on Dietrich's armor rang.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2349">2349</a></p> +<p> +Then knew full well Sir Dietrich / that the warrior keen<br> +Savage was of humor, / and best himself to screen<br> +Sought of Bern the hero / from many a murderous blow,<br> +Whereby the valiant Hagen / straightway came he well to know.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2350">2350</a></p> +<p> +Eke fear he had of Balmung, / a strong and trusty blade.<br> +Each blow meanwhile Sir Dietrich / with cunning art repaid,<br> +Till that he dealt to Hagen / a wound both deep and long,<br> +Whereat give o'er the struggle / must the valiant knight and strong.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2351">2351</a></p> +<p> +Bethought him then Sir Dietrich: / "Through toil thy strength has fled,<br> +And little honor had I / shouldst thou lie before me dead.<br> +So will I yet make trial / if I may not subdue<br> +Thee unto me as hostage." / Light task 'twas not the same to do.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2352">2352</a></p> +<p> +His shield down cast he from him / and with what strength he found<br> +About the knight of Tronje / fast his arms he wound.<br> +In such wise was subduéd / by him the doughty knight;<br> +Gunther the noble monarch / did weep to see his sorry plight.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2353">2353</a></p> +<p> +Bind Hagen then did Dietrich, / and led him where did stand<br> +Kriemhild the royal lady, / and gave into her hand<br> +Of all the bravest warrior / that ever weapon bore.<br> +After her mickle sorrow / had she merry heart once more.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2354">2354</a></p> +<p> +For joy before Sir Dietrich / bent royal Etzel's wife:<br> +"Blessed be thou ever / in heart while lasteth life.<br> +Through thee is now forgotten / all my dire need;<br> +An death do not prevent me, / from me shall ever be thy meed."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2355">2355</a></p> +<p> +Then spake to her Sir Dietrich, / "Take not his life away,<br> +High and royal lady, / for full will he repay<br> +Thee for the mickle evil / on thee have wrought his hands.<br> +Be it not his misfortune / that bound before thee here he stands."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2356">2356</a></p> +<p> +Then bade she forth lead Hagen / to dungeon keep near by,<br> +Wherein he lay fast bolted / and hid from every eye.<br> +Gunther, the noble monarch, / with loudest voice did say:<br> +"The knight of Bern who wrongs me, / whither hath he fled away?"</p> +<p> +<a name="s2357">2357</a></p> +<p> +Meanwhile back towards him / the doughty Dietrich came,<br> +And found the royal Gunther / a knight of worthy name.<br> +Eke he might bide longer / but down to meet him sprang,<br> +And soon with angry clamor / their swords before the palace rang.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2358">2358</a></p> +<p> +How famed soe'er Sir Dietrich / and great the name he bore,<br> +With wrath was filled King Gunther, / and eke did rage full sore<br> +At thought of grievous sorrow / suffered at his hand:<br> +Still tell they as high wonder / how Dietrich might his blows withstand.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2359">2359</a></p> +<p> +In store of doughty valor / each did nothing lack.<br> +From palace and from tower / the din of blows came back<br> +As on well-fastened helmets / the lusty swords came down,<br> +And royal Gunther's valor / in the fight full clear was shown.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2360">2360</a></p> +<p> +The knight of Bern yet tamed him / as Hagen erst befell,<br> +And oozing through his armor / the blood was seen to swell<br> +From cut of sharpest weapon / in Dietrich's arm that swung.<br> +Right worthily King Gunther / had borne him after labors long.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2361">2361</a></p> +<p> +Bound was then the monarch / by Sir Dietrich's hand,<br> +Albeit bonds should suffer / ne'er king of any land.<br> +But deemed he, if King Gunther / and Hagen yet were free,<br> +Secure might never any / from their searching vengeance be.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2362">2362</a></p> +<p> +When in such manner Dietrich / the king secure had bound<br> +By the hand he led him / where Kriemhild he found.<br> +At sight of his misfortune / did sorrow from her flee:<br> +Quoth she: "Welcome Gunther / from out the land of Burgundy."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2363">2363</a></p> +<p> +He spake: "Then might I thank thee, / sister of high degree,<br> +When that some whit more gracious / might thy greeting be.<br> +So angry art thou minded / ever yet, O queen,<br> +Full spare shall be thy greeting / to Hagen and to me, I ween."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2364">2364</a></p> +<p> +Then spake of Bern the hero: / "Ne'er till now, O queen,<br> +Given o'er as hostage / have knights so worthy been,<br> +As I, O lofty lady, / in these have given to thee:<br> +I pray thee higher evils / to spare them now for sake of me."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2365">2365</a></p> +<p> +She vowed to do it gladly. / Then forth Sir Dietrich went<br> +With weeping eyes to see there / such knights' imprisonment.<br> +In grimmest ways thereafter / wreaked vengeance Etzel's wife:<br> +Beneath her hand those chosen / warriors twain must end their life.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2366">2366</a></p> +<p> +She let them lie asunder / the less at ease to be,<br> +Nor did each the other / thenceforward ever see<br> +Till that unto Hagen / her brother's head she bore.<br> +In sooth did Kriemhild vengeance / wreak upon the twain full sore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2367">2367</a></p> +<p> +Forth where she should find Hagen / the queen her way did take,<br> +And in right angry manner / she to the warrior spake:<br> +"An thou wilt but restore me / that thou hast ta'en from me,<br> +So may'st thou come yet living / home to the land of Burgundy."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2368">2368</a></p> +<p> +Answered thereto grim Hagen: / "'Twere well thy breath to save,<br> +Full high and royal lady. / Sworn by my troth I have<br> +That I the hoard will tell not; / the while that yet doth live<br> +Of my masters any, / the treasure unto none I'll give."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2369">2369</a></p> +<p> +"Then ended be the story," / the noble lady spake.<br> +She bade them from her brother / straightway his life to take.<br> +His head they struck from off him, / which by the hair she bore<br> +Unto the thane of Tronje. / Thereat did grieve the knight full sore.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2370">2370</a></p> +<p> +When that he in horror / his master's head had seen,<br> +Cried the doughty warrior / unto Kriemhild the queen:<br> +"Now is thy heart's desire / at length accomplishéd.<br> +And eke hath all befallen / as my foreboding heart hath said.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2371">2371</a></p> +<p> +"Dead lieth now the noble / king of Burgundy,<br> +Also youthful Giselher / and Sir Gernot eke doth he.<br> +The treasure no one knoweth / but God and me alone,<br> +Nor e'er by thee, she-devil, / shall its hiding-place be known."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2372">2372</a></p> +<p> +Quoth she: "But ill requital / hast thou made to me.<br> +Yet mine the sword of Siegfried / now henceforth shall be,<br> +The which when last I saw him, / my loved husband bore,<br> +In whom on me such sorrow / through guilt of thine doth weigh full sore."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2373">2373</a></p> +<p> +She drew it from the scabbard, / nor might he say her nay,<br> +Though thought she from the warrior / his life to take away.<br> +With both hands high she raised it / and off his head struck she,<br> +Whereat did grieve King Etzel / full sore the sorry sight to see.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2374">2374</a></p> +<p> +"To arms!" cried then the monarch: / "here lieth foully slain<br> +Beneath the hand of woman / of all the doughtiest thane<br> +That e'er was seen in battle / or ever good shield bore!<br> +Though foeman howsoever, / yet grieveth this my heart full sore."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2375">2375</a></p> +<p> +Quoth then the aged Hildebrand: / "Reap no gain she shall,<br> +That thus she dared to slay him. / Whate'er to me befall,<br> +And though myself in direst / need through him have been,<br> +By me shall be avengéd / the death of Tronje's knight full keen."</p> +<p> +<a name="s2376">2376</a></p> +<p> +In wrathful mood then Hildebrand / unto Kriemhild sprung,<br> +And 'gainst the queen full swiftly / his massy blade he swung.<br> +Aloud she then in terror / 'fore Hildebrand did wail,<br> +Yet that she shrieked so loudly, / to save her what might that avail?</p> +<p> +<a name="s2377">2377</a></p> +<p> +So all those warriors fated / by hand of death lay strewn,<br> +And e'en the queen full lofty / in pieces eke was hewn.<br> +Dietrich and royal Etzel / at length to weep began,<br> +And grievously they mournéd / kinsmen slain and many a man.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2378">2378</a></p> +<p> +Who late stood high in honor / now in death lay low,<br> +And fate of all the people / weeping was and woe.<br> +To mourning now the monarch's / festal tide had passed,<br> +As falls that joy to sorrow / turneth ever at the last.</p> +<p> +<a name="s2379">2379</a></p> +<p> +Nor can I tell you further / what later did befall,<br> +But that good knights and ladies / saw ye mourning all,<br> +And many a noble squire, / for friends in death laid low.<br> +Here hath the story ending, / —that is the Nibelungen woe.</p> +<br><hr><br> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Nibelungenlied +trans. by George Henry Needler + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE NIBELUNGENLIED *** + +This file should be named 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