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, belovéd lady, / come now to country that is mine.
1074
"Though from us hath been taken / by foul traitor's handThy good spouse and noble / here in stranger land,Thine be it not to suffer: / good friend thou hast in meFor sake of son belovéd: / 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 beganThat 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 uponHim 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 menAwait 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 wearAnd 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 careUnto 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 leaveOf 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'ertakeKing 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 GiselherDid give him loving greeting. / That as their very ownThey 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 naughtIn the death of Siegfried, / that e'er I e'en did hearWho 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.
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 landEckewart 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 alwayIn 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 soreThat 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 belovéd / 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-disposéd 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 commandAnd 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 amongSealed 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 passThat 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 thereThat 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 tooWith 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 gainThat 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 thenDown 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 bearIn 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 landKnights many from far distance. / Yea, dealt the lady's handSo 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 giveThat fearful soon grew Hagen, / if that she would liveLong time in such high power, / lest she of warriors trueSuch 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 witShould to any woman / such hoard to hold permit.By gifts she yet will bring it / that will come the dayWhen 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 wroughtSore 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 weBe troubled with this treasure, / let first commanded beDeep in the Rhine to sink it, / that no man have it more."In sad manner plaining / Kriemhild stood Giselher before.
1135
She spake: "Belovéd 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 beganTo 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 longAt 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 concealéd / while one of them might live.Thereof anon nor could they / to themselves nor unto other give.
1141
With renewéd sorrows / heavy she was of heartThat 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.
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 BurgundyHun 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 passSince 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 nameShalt 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 shouldThat 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 beIn 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 fareTo seek the lovely lady? / God of thee have careTo 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 theeThat ne'er from any monarch / so many warriors wentAs 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 fearAt 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 RuedigerFrom out Vienna city, / was rich equipment thereFor 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 commandTo 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 thenUnto 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 wentThe knight with train of warriors. / Attire and armamentBore 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 gateEvery 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 understandThat 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 guestHere 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 wereFor 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 knewThe 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 requiteWhat 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 RhineDoth 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 willinglyDoth 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 hearWhat 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 wearBefore 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 bestIn sooth so were they tended / that Ruediger confessedHe 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 hateAt 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 unopposéd be.
1215
Then spake the margrave Gere: / "That lady will I tellHow 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 handOne of all the highest / that e'er o'er monarch's landDid 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 theeAnd all I have of kinsmen / that aught of mockeryThey 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 thereGernot 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 fareUnto this my chamber. / Then shall he fully hearHow 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 RuedigerThan 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 sungCame 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 companyDeign now the grace to grant us / that we before thee standAnd 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 seenThat 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 beThat 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 lifeHave 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 beThy 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 theeE'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 beUntil 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 tellThat 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 manifoldEtzel 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 provideWith 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 denyMy 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 adviseTo 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 informéd / 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 prayThe high royal lady / that she to him might sayWhat 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 RuedigerSpake 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 meAnd 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 RuedigerFaithfully to serve her, / and in all things whatsoe'erNaught 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 wonBand of friends so faithful, / care now have I noneHow shall speak the people / in my sore need of me.The death of my loved husband / perchance shall yet avengéd 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 goWhithersoe'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 sheHer 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 beThat 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 standReady 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 arrayedThe while that yet lived Siegfried, / so might she many a maidIn 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 holdWhen but his eyes behold thee, / to thee such store he'll giveThat 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 shareThan 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 boreMarks 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 takeWhat 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 oldHad for their own her maidens, / of the best of goldThat 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 moreShowed 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 sentMessengers that full quickly / unto Hunland went,And told unto the monarch / how that RuedigerFor spouse at length had won him / the high-born queen beyond compare.