How Siegfried was Betrayed
877
Upon the fourth morning / two and thirty menSaw ye to court a-riding. / Unto King Gunther thenWere 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 handAnd 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 standUntil 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 LuedegerWho at thy hands full sorely / erstwhile aggrievéd 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 guileAs 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 beEre 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 againIf 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 foundAnd 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, belovéd lady, / to me shalt thou tellHow 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 fearThat hostile blade should pierce him, / now shalt thou give to hearWith 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 sewThou a little token. / Thereby shall I knowWhere 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 sewA little cross full secret. / There, doughty thane, shalt thouFrom 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 weenéd 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 couldOf treachery be guilty / such as then was heWhen that Queen Kriemhild / did rest on his fidelity.
907
With his men a thousand / upon the following dayRode 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 awayTwo of his men in secret / who did other tidings say:How that King Gunther's country / had nothing now to fearAnd that unto the monarch / had sent them royal Luedeger.
909
'Twas little joy to Siegfried / that he must turn againEre 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 boarAway 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 toldThat we ride forth at daybreak: / themselves shall ready hold,Who will join the hunting; / will any here remainFor 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 besideThat 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 knownThe 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 toldHow he within his power / would have the noble thane:May deed so dark and faithless / ne'er by knight be done again!
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?917With 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 boundFor 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 dearMay 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 weepThe 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 usWho 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, belovéd Siegfried, / thy death I fear 'twill prove.This night I dreamt misfortune, / how o'er thee from aboveDown 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 woldIn search of pleasant pastime. / Full many a rider boldFollowed 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 greenWhere 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 completeAt every point the runways. / The company then did greetSiegfried the keen and doughty: / "Who now within the greenUnto 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 meWho 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 breedFor 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 lairPursued the merry huntsmen, / as still good hunters everywhere.
934
As many as the hound started / slew with mighty handSiegfried 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 slewWas 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 spedThat 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 houndAnd huntsmen eke the clamor / so great was heard aroundThat 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 broughtSkin 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 warnThat he would take refreshment, / and loud a hunting-hornIn one long blast was winded: / to all was known therebyThat the noble monarch / at camp did wait their company.
945
Spake one of Siegfried's huntsmen: / "Master, I do knowBy blast of horn resounding / that we now shall goUnto 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 untaméd. / 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 unguardedlyWas 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 speedilyThe knight, and to the camp-fire / in right merry wayFor 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 seamOn 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 forboreTo 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 holdWhereof 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 rideWhen 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 bandFrom foot and eke from muzzle. / Straight on every handBegan 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 thenAll 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 spearHasted 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 pursuéd / 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-dayUnto 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 wineShould 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 appeaséd, / 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 commandWhich 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 knightOr 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 meIn 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 leanéd / 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 drankBefore 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 quenchéd / 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 sentThe 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 startIn 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 wieldThat out in all directions / flew from off the shieldPrecious 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 evermoreAre their generations. / Your anger all too soreHave 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 infamyWell had I preservéd / '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 beAnd 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 bloodAs 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 perceivéd / 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 naughtBe 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 throughRode 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."
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 bearSiegfried 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 beforeWhere she should surely find him / when she from out the doorShould 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 raiséd / 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 shieldWith 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 enowWith their belovéd mistress, / for filled they were with woeFor 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 theeKriemhild 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 beOf 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 beAnd 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 distressThought 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 receiveThat 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 hallAnd 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 avengéd / 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 belongOf 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 menWith 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 soreFrom 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 commandTo 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 beUntil more fitting season. / Seek will I e'er with theeFull 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 hastilyAll 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 bearSiegfried her lord full lovéd / 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 kingAnd 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 grievéd for it, / befallen were it not.For say I may full truly, / me had ye all forgotThere 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 goMan 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 mournéd full of sorrow / Ute the queen full highAnd 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 aloneTo 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 bearThere 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' tideWas there beside the minster / filled the church-yard wideWith 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 gatheréd!
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 oweTo Siegfried, as ye love me, / now to me a mercy show.
1068
"Upon this sorrow grant ye / the little grace to meThat 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 sadThat 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 greatTill 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.