[10] Strophes1,17,102, and possibly841.[11] Strophes18,69,103,115,129,148,177,190,198,222,231,239,293,325,345,363,485,584,703,712,859,864,894,937,1022,1032,1114,1225,1432,1436,1460,1530,1555,1597,1855,1909,1944,1956,2133,2200,2206,2338.
In the original the opening strophe, which is altogether more regular than the average and is, moreover, one of the few that have also complete caesural rhyme, is as follows:
Uns ist in alten maeren / wunders vil geseitvon heleden lobebaeren, / von grôzer arebeit,von fröuden, hochgezîten, / von weinen und von klagen,von küener recken strîten / muget ir nu wunder hoeren sagen.
Here the only place where the unaccented syllable is lacking before the accented is beforewundersat the beginning of the second half of the first line. A strophe showing more typical irregularities is, for instance, the twenty-second:
In sînen besten zîten, / bî sînen jungen tagen,man möhte michel wunder / von Sîvride sagen,waz êren an im wüchse / und wie scoene was sîn lîp.sît heten in ze minne / diu vil waetlîchen wîp.
Here the rhyme of the first and second lines is still masculine,
tagen
andsagenbeing pronouncedtagnandsagn. The unaccented syllable is lacking, e.g., before the second accent of the second half of line two, also before the first and the third accent of the second half of line four. There are two unaccented syllables at the beginning (Auftakt) of the second half of line three. The absence of the unaccented syllable between the second and the third accent of the last half of the fourth line of a strophe, as here, is so frequent in the poem as to amount almost to a rule; it shows an utter misconception, or disregard, of its true character, nevertheless, to treat this last half-line as having only three accented syllables, as all translators hitherto have done.
MS. A. (Hohenems-Munich).Lachmann,Der Nibelunge Nôt und die Klage, 5th ed., Berlin, 1878. Several reprints of the text alone later.
MS. B. (St. Gall).Bartsch,Das Nibelungenlied, 6th ed., Leipzig, 1886. (Vol. 3 of the series Deutsche Classiker des Mittelalters.)Piper,Die Nibelungen. (Vol. 6 of Kürschner's Deutsche National-Litteratur.)
MS. C. (Donaueschingen).Zarncke,Das Nibelungenlied, 6th ed., Leipzig, 1887.
Kriemhild's Dream
1
To us in olden story / are wonders many toldOf heroes rich in glory, / of trials manifold:Of joy and festive greeting, / of weeping and of woe,Of keenest warriors meeting, / shall ye now many a wonder know.
2
There once grew up in Burgundy / a maid of noble birth,Nor might there be a fairer / than she in all the earth:Kriemhild hight the maiden, / and grew a dame full fair,Through whom high thanes a many / to lose their lives soon dooméd were.
3
'Twould well become the highest / to love the winsome maid,Keen knights did long to win her, / and none but homage paid.Beauty without measure, / that in sooth had she,And virtues wherewith many / ladies else adorned might be.
4
Three noble lords did guard her, / great as well in might,Gunther and Gernot, / each one a worthy knight,And Giselher their brother, / a hero young and rare.The lady was their sister / and lived beneath the princes' care.
5
These lords were free in giving, / and born of high degree;Undaunted was the valor / of all the chosen three.It was the land of Burgundy / o'er which they did command,And mighty deeds of wonder / they wrought anon in Etzel's land.
6
At Worms amid their warriors / they dwelt, the Rhine beside,And in their lands did serve them / knights of mickle pride,Who till their days were ended / maintained them high in state.They later sadly perished / beneath two noble women's hate.
7
A high and royal lady, / Ute their mother hight,Their father's name was Dankrat, / a man of mickle might.To them his wealth bequeathed he / when that his life was done,For while he yet was youthful / had he in sooth great honor won.
8
In truth were these three rulers, / as I before did say,Great and high in power, / and homage true had theyEke of knights the boldest / and best that e'er were known,Keen men all and valiant, / as they in battle oft had shown.
9
There was of Tronje Hagen, / and of that princely lineHis brother valiant Dankwart; / and eke of Metz Ortwein;Then further the two margraves, / Gere and Eckewart;Of Alzei was Volker, / a doughty man of dauntless heart.
10
Rumold the High Steward, / a chosen man was he,Sindold and Hunold / they tended carefullyEach his lofty office / in their three masters' state,And many a knight beside them / that I the tale may ne'er relate.
11
Dankwart he was Marshal; / his nephew, then, OrtweinUpon the monarch waited / when that he did dine;Sindold was Cup-bearer, / a stately thane was he,And Chamberlain was Hunold, / masters all in courtesy.
12
Of the kings' high honor / and their far-reaching might,Of their full lofty majesty / and how each gallant knightFound his chiefest pleasure / in the life of chivalry,In sooth by mortal never / might it full related be.
13
Amid this life so noble / did dream the fair KriemhildHow that she reared a falcon, / in beauty strong and wild,That by two eagles perished; / the cruel sight to seeDid fill her heart with sorrow / as great as in this world might be.
14
The dream then to her mother / Queen Ute she told,But she could not the vision / than thus more clear unfold:"The falcon that thou rearedst, / doth mean a noble spouse:God guard him well from evil / or thou thy hero soon must lose."
15
"Of spouse, O darling mother, / what dost thou tell to me?Without a knight to woo me, / so will I ever be,Unto my latest hour / I'll live a simple maid,That I through lover's wooing / ne'er be brought to direst need."
16
"Forswear it not so rashly," / her mother then replied."On earth if thou wilt ever / cast all care aside,'Tis love alone will do it; / thou shalt be man's delight,If God but kindly grant thee / to wed a right good valiant knight."
17
"Now urge the case, dear mother," / quoth she, "not further here.Fate of many another / dame hath shown full clearHow joy at last doth sorrow / lead oft-times in its train.That I no ruth may borrow, / from both alike I'll far remain."
18
Long time, too, did Kriemhild / her heart from love hold free,And many a day the maiden / lived right happily,Ere good knight saw she any / whom she would wish to woo.In honor yet she wedded / anon a worthy knight and true.
19
He was that same falcon / she saw the dream withinUnfolded by her mother. / Upon her nearest kin,That they did slay him later, / how wreaked she vengeance wild!Through death of this one hero / died many another mother's child.
Siegfried
20
There grew likewise in Netherland / a prince of noble kind,Siegmund hight his father, / his mother Siegelind—Within a lordly castle / well known the country o'er,By the Rhine far downward: / Xanten was the name it bore.
21
Siegfried they did call him, / this bold knight and good;Many a realm he tested, / for brave was he of mood.He rode to prove his prowess / in many a land around:Heigh-ho! what thanes of mettle / anon in Burgundy he found!
22
In the springtime of his vigor, / when he was young and bold,Could tales of mickle wonder / of Siegfried be told,How he grew up in honor, / and how fair he was to see:Anon he won the favor / of many a debonair lady.
23
As for a prince was fitting, / they fostered him with care:Yet how the knightly virtues / to him native were!'Twas soon the chiefest glory / of his father's land,That he in fullest measure / endowed with princely worth did stand.
24
He soon was grown in stature / that he at court did ride.The people saw him gladly, / lady and maid besideDid wish that his own liking / might lead him ever there.That they did lean unto him / the knight was soon right well aware.
25
In youth they let him never / without safe escort ride;Soon bade Siegmund and Siegelind / apparel rich provide;Men ripe in wisdom taught him, / who knew whence honor came.Thus many lands and people / he won by his wide-honored name.
26
Now was he of such stature / that he could weapons bear:Of what thereto he needed / had he an ample share.Then to think of loving / fair maids did he begin,And well might they be honored / for wooer Siegfried bold to win.
27
Then bade his father Siegmund / make known to one and allThat he with his good kinsmen / would hold high festival.And soon were tidings carried / to all the neighboring kings;To friends at home and strangers / steeds gave he and rich furnishin
28
Wherever they found any / who knight was fit to beBy reason of his kindred, / all such were courteouslyUnto the land invited / to join the festal throng,When with the prince so youthful / on them the knightly sword was hung.
29
Of this high time of revelry / might I great wonders tell.Siegmund and Siegelind / great honor won full well,Such store of goodly presents / they dealt with generous hand,That knights were seen full many / from far come pricking to their land.
30
Four hundred lusty squires / were there to be cladIn knight's full garb with Siegfried. / Full many a beauteous maidAt work did never tire, / for dear they did him hold,And many a stone full precious / those ladies laid within the gold,
31
That they upon the doublets / embroidered cunninglyOf those soon to be knighted: / 't was thus it had to be,Seats bade the host for many / a warrior bold make rightAgainst the high midsummer, / when Siegfried won the name of knight.
32
Then went unto the minster / full many a noble knightAnd gallant squires beside them. / The elder there with rightDid wait upon the younger, / as once for them was done.They were all light-hearted, / in hope of pleasure every one.
33
God to praise and honor / they sang the mass' song;There, too, were crowds of people, / a great and surging throng,When after knightly custom / knighthood received they then,In such a stately pageant / as scarce might ever be again.
34
They hastened where they found them / saddled many a steed;In the court of Siegmund's castle / they tilted with such speedThat far the din resounded / through castle and through hall,As in the play with clamor / did join the fiery riders all.
35
Well-tried old knights and youthful / met there in frequent clash,There was sound of shattered lances / that through the air did crash,And along before the castle / were splinters seen to flyFrom hands of knights a many: / each with other there did vie.
36
The king he bade give over: / they led the chargers out:There was seen all shattered / many a boss well-wrought,And many a stone full costly / lay there upon the swardFrom erstwhile shining shield-bands, / now broken in the jousting hard.
37
The guests all went thereafter / where seats for them were reared;They by the choicest viands / from weariness were cheered,And wine, of all the rarest, / that then in plenty flowed.Upon both friends and strangers / were fitting honors rich bestowed.
38
In such merry manner / all day did last the feast.Many a wandering minstrel / knew not any rest,But sang to win the presents / dealt out with bounteous hand;And with their praise was honored / far and wide King Siegmund's land.
39
The monarch then did order / Siegfried his youthful sonIn fee give lands and castles, / as he erstwhile had done.To all his sword-companions / he gave with such full hand,That joyed they o'er the journey / they now had made unto that land.
40
The festival yet lasted / until the seventh day.Siegelind after old custom / in plenty gave away—For so her son she honored— / rich gifts of shining gold:In sooth deserved she richly / that all should him in honor hold.
41
Never a wandering minstrel / was unprovided found:Horses there and raiment / so free were dealt around,As if to live they had not / beyond it one day more.I ween a monarch's household / ne'er bestowed such gifts before.
42
Thus closed the merry feasting / in this right worthy way,And 't was well known thereafter / how those good knights did sayThat they the youthful hero / for king would gladly have;But this nowise he wished for, / Siegfried the stately knight and brave.
43
While that they both were living, / Siegmund and Siegelind,No crown their son desired, / —thereto he had no mind.Yet would he fain be master / o'er all the hostile mightThat in the lands around him / opposed the keen and fiery knight.
How Siegfried came to Worms
44
Seldom in sooth, if ever, / the hero's heart was sad.He heard them tell the story, / how that a winsome maidThere lived afar in Burgundy, / surpassing fair to see:Great joy she brought him later, / but eke she brought him misery.
45
Of her exceeding beauty / the fame spread far and near,And of the thing, moreover, / were knights oft-times awareHow the maid's high spirit / no mortal could command:The thing lured many a stranger / from far unto King Gunther's land.
46
Although to win her favor / were many wooers bent,In her own heart would never / Kriemhild thereto consentThat any one amongst them / for lover she would have:Still to her was he a stranger / to whom anon her troth she gave.
47
To true love turned his fancy / the son of Siegelind.'Gainst his, all others' wooing / was like an idle wind:Full well did he merit / a lady fair to woo,And soon the noble Kriemhild / to Siegfried bold was wedded true.
48
By friends he oft was counselled, / and many a faithful man,Since to think of wooing / in earnest he began,That he a wife should find him / of fitting high degree.Then spoke the noble Siegfried: / "In sooth fair Kriemhild shall it be,
49
"The noble royal maiden / in Burgundy that dwells,For sake of all her beauty. / Of her the story tells,Ne'er monarch was so mighty / that, if for spouse he sighed,'Twere not for him befitting / to take the princess for his bride."
50
Unto King Siegmund also / the thing was soon made known.His people talked about it, / whereby to him was shownThe Prince's fixéd purpose. / It grieved him sorely, too,That his son intent was / the full stately maid to woo.
51
Siegelind asked and learned it, / the noble monarch's wife.For her loved son she sorrowed / lest he should lose his life,For well she knew the humor / of Gunther and his men.Then gan they from the wooing / strive to turn the noble thane.
52
Then said the doughty Siegfried: / "O father dear to me,Without the love of woman / would I ever be,Could I not woo in freedom / where'er my heart is set.Whate'er be said by any, / I'll keep the selfsame purpose yet."
53
"Since thou wilt not give over," / the king in answer said,"Am I of this thy purpose / inwardly full glad,And straightway to fulfil it / I'll help as best I can,Yet in King Gunther's service / is many a haughty-minded man.
54
"And were there yet none other / than Hagen, warrior-knight,He with such haughty bearing / is wont to show his might,That I do fear right sorely / that sad our end may be,If we set out with purpose / to win the stately maid for thee."
55
"Shall we by that be hindered?" / outspake Siegfried then;"Whate'er in friendly fashion / I cannot obtainI'll yet in other manner / take that, with sword in hand.I trow from them I'll further / wrest both their vassals and their land."
56
"I grieve to hear thy purpose," / said Siegmund the king;"If any one this story / unto the Rhine should bring,Then durst thou never after / within that land be seen.Gunther and Gernot, / —well known to me they long have been.
57
"By force, however mighty, / no man can win the maid,"Spake King Siegmund further, / "to me hath oft been said.But if with knightly escort / thither thou wilt ride,Good friends—an have we any— / shall soon be summoned to thy side."
58
"No wish," then answered Siegfried, / "it ever was of mine,That warrior knights should follow / with me unto the RhineAs if arrayed for battle: / 'twould make my heart full sad,To force in hostile manner / to yield to me the stately maid.
59
"By my own hand—thus only— / trust I to win my bride;With none but twelve in company / to Gunther's land I'll ride.In this, O royal father, / thy present help I pray."Gray and white fur raiment / had his companions for the way.
60
Siegelind his mother / then heard the story too,And grieved she was on hearing / what her dear son would do,For she did fear to lose him / at hands of Gunther's men.Thereat with heart full heavy / began to weep the noble queen.
61
Then came forth Sir Siegfried / where the queen he sought,And to his weeping mother / thus gently spake his thought:"No tear of grief thou shouldest / ever shed for me,For I care not a tittle / for all the warriors that be.
62
"So help me on my journey / to the land of Burgundy,And furnish such apparel / for all my knights and me,As warriors of our station / might well with honor wear.Then I in turn right truly / to thee my gratitude will swear."
63
"Since thou wilt not give over," / Siegelind then replied,"My only son, I'll help thee / as fits thee forth to ride,With the best apparel / that riders ever wore,Thee and thy companions: / ye shall of all have goodly store."
64
Then bowed the youthful Siegfried / the royal dame before,And said: "Upon the journey / will I take no more,But twelve good knights only: / for these rich dress provide,For I would know full gladly / how 't doth with Kriemhild betide."
65
Then sat at work fair women / by night and eke by day,And rest indeed but little / from busy toil had they,Until they had made ready / the dress Siegfried should wear.Firm bent upon the journey, / no other counsel would he hear.
66
His father bade a costly / garb for him prepare,That leaving Siegmund's country / he the same might wear.For all their glittering breastplates / were soon prepared beside,And helmets firmly welded, / and shining shields long and wide.
67
Then fast the day grew nearer / when they should thence depart.Men and likewise women / went sorrowing in heart,If that they should ever / see more their native land.With full equipment laden / the sumpter horses there did stand.
68
Their steeds were stately, furnished / with trappings rich with gold;It were a task all bootless / to seek for knights more boldThan were the gallant Siegfried / and his chosen band.He longed to take departure / straightway for Burgundian land.
69
Leave granted they with sadness, / both the king and queen,The which to turn to gladness / sought the warrior keen,And spake then: "Weep ye shall not / at all for sake of me,Forever free from doubtings / about my safety may ye be."
70
Stern warriors stood there sorrowing, / —in tears was many a maid.I ween their hearts erred nothing, / as sad forebodings saidThat 'mongst their friends so many / thereby were doomed to die.Good cause had they to sorrow / at last o'er all their misery.
71
Upon the seventh morning / to Worms upon the strandDid come the keen knights riding. / Bright shone many a bandOf gold from their apparel / and rich equipment then;And gently went their chargers / with Siegfried and his chosen men.
72
New-made shields they carried / that were both strong and wideAnd brightly shone their helmets / as thus to court did rideSiegfried the keen warrior / into King Gunther's land.Of knights before was never / beheld so richly clad a band.
73
The points of their long scabbards / reached down unto the spur,And spear full sharply pointed / bore each chosen warrior.The one that Siegfried carried / in breadth was two good span,And grimly cut its edges / when driven by the fearless man.
74
Reins with gold all gleaming / held they in the hand,The saddle-bands were silken. / So came they to the land.On every side the people / to gape at them began,And also out to meet them / the men that served King Gunther ran.
75
Gallant men high-hearted, / knight and squire too,Hastened to receive them, / for such respect was due,And bade the guests be welcome / unto their master's land.They took from them their chargers, / and shields as well from out the hand.
76
Then would they eke the chargers / lead forth unto their rest;But straight the doughty Siegfried / to them these words addressed:"Yet shall ye let our chargers / stand the while near by;Soon take we hence our journey; / thereon resolved full well am I.
77
"If that be known to any, / let him not delay,Where I your royal master / now shall find, to say,—Gunther, king so mighty / o'er the land of Burgundy."Then told him one amongst them / to whom was known where that might be:
78
"If that the king thou seekest, / right soon may he be found.Within that wide hall yonder / with his good knights aroundBut now I saw him sitting. / Thither do thou repair,And thou may'st find around him / many a stately warrior there."
79
Now also to the monarch / were the tidings told,That within his castle / were knights arrived full bold,All clad in shining armor / and apparelled gorgeously;But not a man did know them / within the land of Burgundy.
80
Thereat the king did wonder / whence were come to himThese knights adventure seeking / in dress so bright and trim,And shields adorned so richly / that new and mighty were.That none the thing could tell him / did grieve him sorely to hear.
81
Outspake a knight then straightway, / Ortwein by name was he,Strong and keen as any / well was he known to be:"Since we of them know nothing, / bid some one quickly goAnd fetch my uncle Hagen: / to him thou shalt the strangers show.
82
"To him are known far kingdoms / and every foreign land,And if he know these strangers / we soon shall understand."The king then sent to fetch him: / with his train of menUnto the king's high presence / in stately gear went he then.
83
What were the king's good pleasure, / asked Hagen grim in war."In the court within my castle / are warriors from afar,And no one here doth know them: / if them thou e'er didst seeIn any land far distant, / now shalt thou, Hagen, tell to me."
84
"That will I do, 'tis certain."— / To a window then he went,And on the unknown strangers / his keen eye he bent.Well pleased him their equipment / and the rich dress they wore,Yet ne'er had he beheld them / in land of Burgundy before.
85
He said that whencesoever / these knights come to the Rhine,They bear a royal message, / or are of princely line."Their steeds are so bedizened, / and their apparel rare:No matter whence they journey, / high-hearted men in truth they are."
86
Further then spake Hagen: / "As far as goes my ken,Though I the noble Siegfried / yet have never seen,Yet will I say meseemeth, / howe'er the thing may be,This knight who seeks adventure, / and yonder stands so proud, is he.
87
"'Tis some new thing he bringeth / hither to our land.The valiant Nibelungen / fell by the hero's hand,Schilbung and Nibelung, / from royal sire sprung;Deeds he wrought most wondrous / anon when his strong arm he swung.
88
"As once alone the hero / rode without company,Found he before a mountain / —as hath been told to me—With the hoard of Nibelung / full many stalwart men;To him had they been strangers / until he chanced to find them then.
89
"The hoard of King Nibelung / entire did they bearForth from a mountain hollow. / And now the wonder hear,How that they would share it, / these two Nibelung men.This saw the fearless Siegfried, / and filled he was with wonder then.
90
"He came so near unto them / that he the knights espied,And they in turn him also. / One amongst them said:'Here comes the doughty Siegfried, / hero of Netherland.'Since 'mongst the Nibelungen / strange wonders wrought his mighty hand.
91
"Right well did they receive him, / Schilbung and Nibelung,And straight they both together, / these noble princes young,Bade him mete out the treasure, / the full valorous man,And so long time besought him / that he at last the task began.
92
"As we have heard in story, / he saw of gems such storeThat they might not be laden / on wagons full five score;More still of gold all shining / from Nibelungenland.'Twas all to be divided / between them by keen Siegfried's hand.
93
"Then gave they him for hire / King Nibelung's sword.And sooth to say, that service / brought them but small reward,That for them there performed / Siegfried of dauntless mood.His task he could not finish; / thereat they raged as were they wood.
94
"They had there of their followers / twelve warriors keen,And strong they were as giants: / what booted giants e'en?Them slew straightway in anger / Siegfried's mighty hand,And warriors seven hundred / he felled in Nibelungenland
95
"With the sword full trusty, / Balmung that hight.Full many a youthful warrior / from terror at the sightOf that deadly weapon / swung by his mighty handDid render up his castle / and pledge him fealty in the land.
96
"Thereto the kings so mighty, / them slew he both as well.But into gravest danger / through Alberich he fell,Who thought for his slain masters / vengeance to wreak straightway,Until the mighty Siegfried / his wrath with strong arm did stay.
97
"Nor could prevail against him / the Dwarf, howe'er he tried.E'en as two wild lions / they coursed the mountainside,Where he the sightless mantle[1] / from Alberich soon won.Then Siegfried, knight undaunted, / held the treasure for his own.
[1] This is thetarnkappe, a cloak that made the wearer invisible, and also gave him the strength of twelve men.
98
"Who then dared join the struggle, / all slain around they lay.Then he bade the treasure / to draw and bear awayThither whence 'twas taken / by the Nibelungen men.Alberich for his valor / was then appointed Chamberlain.
99
"An oath he had to swear him, / he'd serve him as his slave;To do all kinds of service / his willing pledge he gave"—Thus spake of Tronje Hagen— / "That has the hero done;Might as great before him / was never in a warrior known.
100
"Still know I more about him, / that has to me been told.A dragon, wormlike monster, / slew once the hero bold.Then in its blood he bathed him, / since when his skin hath beenSo horn-hard, ne'er a weapon / can pierce it, as hath oft been seen.
101
"Let us the brave knight-errant / receive so courteouslyThat we in nought shall merit / his hate, for strong is he.He is so keen of spirit / he must be treated fair:He has by his own valor / done many a deed of prowess rare."
102
The monarch spake in wonder: / "In sooth thou tellest right.Now see how proudly yonder / he stands prepared for fight,He and his thanes together, / the hero wondrous keen!To greet him we'll go thither, / and let our fair intent be seen."
103
"That canst thou," out spake Hagen, / "well in honor do.He is of noble kindred, / a high king's son thereto.'Tis seen in all his bearing; / meseems in truth, God wot,The tale is worth the hearing / that this bold knight has hither brought."
104
Then spake the mighty monarch: / "Be he right welcome here.Keen is he and noble, / of fame known far and near.So shall he be fair treated / in the land of Burgundy."Down then went King Gunther, / and Siegfried with his men found he.
105
The king and his knights with him / received so well the guest,That the hearty greeting / did their good will attest.Thereat in turn the stranger / in reverence bowed low,That in their welcome to him / they did such courtesy bestow.
106
"To me it is a wonder," / straightway spake the host,"From whence, O noble Siegfried, / come to our land thou dost,Or what here thou seekest / at Worms upon the Rhine."Him the stranger answered: / "Put thou away all doubts of thine.
107
"I oft have heard the tiding / within my sire's domain,How at thy court resided / —and know this would I fain—Knights, of all the keenest, / —'tis often told me so—That e'er a monarch boasted: / now come I hither this to know.
108
"Thyself have I heard also / high praised for knightly worth;'Tis said a nobler monarch / ne'er lived in all the earth.Thus speak of thee the people / in all the lands around.Nor will I e'er give over / until in this the truth I've found.
109
"I too am warrior noble / and born to wear a crown;So would I right gladly / that thou of me shouldst ownThat I of right am master / o'er people and o'er land.Of this shall now my honor / and eke my head as pledges stand.
110
"And art thou then so valiant / as hath to me been told,I reck not, will he nill he / thy best warrior bold,I'll wrest from thee in combat / whatever thou may'st have;Thy lands and all thy castles / shall naught from change of masters save."
111
The king was seized with wonder / and all his men beside,To see the manner haughty / in which the knight repliedThat he was fully minded / to take from him his land.It chafed his thanes to hear it, / who soon in raging mood did stand.
112
"How could it be my fortune," / Gunther the king outspoke,"What my sire long ruled over / in honor for his folk,Now to lose so basely / through any vaunter's might?In sooth 'twere nobly showing / that we too merit name of knight!"
113
"Nowise will I give over," / was the keen reply."If peace through thine own valor / thy land cannot enjoy,To me shall all be subject: / if heritage of mineThrough thy arm's might thou winnest, / of right shall all hence-forth be thine.
114
"Thy land and all that mine is, / at stake shall equal lie.Whiche'er of us be victor / when now our strength we try,To him shall all be subject, / the folk and eke the land."But Hagen spake against it, / and Gernot too was quick at hand.
115
"Such purpose have we never," / Gernot then said,"For lands to combat ever, / that any warrior deadShould lie in bloody battle. / We've mighty lands and strong;Of right they call us master, / and better they to none belong."
116
There stood full grim and moody / Gernot's friends around,And there as well amongst them / was Ortwein to be found.He spake: "This mild peace-making / doth grieve me sore at heart,For by the doughty Siegfried / attacked all undeserved thou art.
117
"If thou and thy two brothers / yourselves to help had naught,And if a mighty army / he too had hither brought,I trow I'd soon be able / to make this man so keenHis manner now so haughty / of need replace by meeker mien."
118
Thereat did rage full sorely / the hero of Netherland:"Never shall be measured / 'gainst me in fight thy hand.I am a mighty monarch, / thou a king's serving-knight;Of such as thou a dozen / dare not withstand me in the fight."
119
For swords then called in anger / of Metz Sir Ortwein:Son of Hagen's sister / he was, of Tronje's line.That Hagen so long was silent / did grieve the king to see.Gernot made peace between them: / a gallant knight and keen was he.
120
Spake he thus to Ortwein: / "Curb now thy wrathful tongue,For here the noble Siegfried / hath done us no such wrong;We yet can end the quarrel / in peace,—such is my rede—And live with him in friendship; / that were for us a worthier deed."
121
Then spake the mighty Hagen: / "Sad things do I forebodeFor all thy train of warriors, / that this knight ever rodeUnto the Rhine thus arméd. / 'Twere best he stayed at home;For from my masters never / to him such wrong as this had come."
122
But outspake Siegfried proudly, / whose heart was ne'er dismayed:"An't please thee not, Sir Hagen, / what I now have said,This arm shall give example / whereby thou plain shall seeHow stern anon its power / here in Burgundy will be."
123
"Yet that myself will hinder," / said then Gernot.All his men forbade he / henceforth to say aughtWith such unbridled spirit / to stir the stranger's ire.Then Siegfried eke was mindful / of one most stately maid and fair.
124
"Such strife would ill befit us," / Gernot spake again;"For though should die in battle / a host of valiant men'Twould bring us little honor / and ye could profit none."Thereto gave Siegfried answer, / good King Siegmund's noble son:
125
"Wherefore bides thus grim Hagen, / and Ortwein tardy isTo begin the combat / with all those friends of his,Of whom he hath so many / here in Burgundy?"Answer him they durst not, / for such was Gernot's stern decree.
126
"Thou shalt to us be welcome," / outspake young Giselher,"And all thy brave companions / that hither with thee fare.Full gladly we'll attend thee, / I and all friends of mine."For the guests then bade they / pour out in store of Gunther's wine.
127
Then spake the stately monarch: / "But ask thou courteously,And all that we call ours / stands at thy service free;So with thee our fortune / we'll share in ill and good."Thereat the noble Siegfried / a little milder was of mood.
128
Then carefully was tended / all their knightly gear,And housed in goodly manner / in sooth the strangers were,All that followed Siegfried; / they found a welcome rest.In Burgundy full gladly / anon was seen the noble guest.
129
They showed him mickle honor / thereafter many a day,And more by times a thousand / than I to you could say.His might respect did merit, / ye may full well know that.Scarce a man e'er saw him / who bore him longer any hate.
130
And when they held their pastime, / the kings with many a man,Then was he ever foremost; / whatever they began,None there that was his equal, / —so mickle was his might—If they the stone were putting, / or hurling shaft with rival knight.
131
As is the knightly custom, / before the ladies fairTo games they turned for pastime, / these knights of mettle rare;Then ever saw they gladly / the hero of Netherland.But he had fixed his fancy / to win one fairest maiden's hand.
132
In all that they were doing / he'd take a ready part.A winsome loving maiden / he bore within his heart;Him only loved that lady, / whose face he ne'er had seen,But she full oft in secret / of him spake fairest words, I ween.
133
And when before the castle / they sped in tournament,The good knights and squires, / oft-times the maiden wentAnd gazed adown from casement, / Kriemhild the princess rare.Pastime there was none other / for her that could with this compare.
134
And knew he she was gazing / whom in his heart he bore,He joy enough had found him / in jousting evermore.And might he only see her, / —that can I well believe—On earth through sight none other / his eyes could such delight receive.
135
Whene'er with his companions / to castle court he went,E'en as do now the people / whene'er on pleasure bent,There stood 'fore all so graceful / Siegelind's noble son,For whom in love did languish / the hearts of ladies many a one.
136
Eke thought he full often: / "How shall it ever be,That I the noble maiden / with my own eyes may see,Whom I do love so dearly / and have for many a day?To me is she a stranger, / which sorely grieves my heart to say."
137
Whene'er the kings so mighty / rode o'er their broad domain,Then of valiant warriors / they took a stately train.With them abroad rode Siegfried, / which grieved those ladies sore:—He too for one fair maiden / at heart a mickle burden bore.
138
Thus with his hosts he lingered / —'tis every tittle true—In King Gunther's country / a year completely through,And never once the meanwhile / the lovely maid did see,Through whom such joy thereafter / for him, and eke such grief should be.