How they kept Guard
1818
And now the day was ended / and nearing was the night.Came then the thought with longing / unto each way-worn knight,When that they might rest them / and to their beds be shown.'Twas mooted first by Hagen / and straight was answer then made known.
1819
To Etzel spake then Gunther: / "Fair days may God thee give!To bed we'll now betake us, / an be it by thy leave;We'll come betimes at morning, / if so thy pleasure be."From his guests the monarch / parted then full courteously.
1820
Upon the guests on all sides / the Huns yet rudely pressed,Whereat the valiant Volker / these words to them addressed:"How dare ye 'fore these warriors / thus beset the way?If that ye desist not, / rue such rashness soon ye may.
1821
"Let fall will I on some one / such stroke of fiddle-bow,That eyes shall fill with weeping / if he hath friend to show.Why make not way before us, / as fitting were to do!Knights by name ye all are, / but knighthood's ways unknown to you."
1822
When outspake the Fiddler / thus so wrathfullyBackward glanced bold Hagen / to see what this might be.Quoth he: "He redes you rightly, / this keen minstrel knight.Ye followers of Kriemhild, / now pass to rest you for the night.
1823
"The thing whereof ye're minded / will none dare do, I ween.If aught ye purpose 'gainst us, / on the morrow be that seen,And let us weary strangers / the night in quiet pass;I ween, with knights of honor / such evermore the custom was."
1824
Then were led the strangers / into a spacious hallWhere they found prepared / for the warriors one and allBeds adorned full richly, / that were both wide and long.Yet planned the Lady Kriemhild / to work on them the direst wrong.
1825
Rich quilted mattress covers / of Arras saw ye thereLustrous all and silken, / and spreading sheets there wereWrought of silk of Araby, / the best might e'er be seen.O'er them lay rich embroidered / stuffs that cast a brilliant sheen.
1826
Coverlets of ermine / full many might ye see,With sullen sable mingled, / whereunder peacefullyThey should rest the night through / till came the shining day.A king with all retinue / ne'er, I ween, so stately lay.
1827
"Alack for these night-quarters!" / quoth young Giselher,"Alack for my companions / who this our journey share!How kind so e'er my sister's / hospitality,Dead by her devising, / I fear me, are we doomed to be."
1828
"Let now no fears disturb you," / Hagen gave reply;"Through the hours of sleeping / keep the watch will I.I trust full well to guard you / until return the day,Thereof be never fearful; / let then preserve him well who may."
1829
Inclined they all before him / thereat to give him grace.Then sought they straight their couches; / in sooth 'twas little spaceUntil was softly resting / every stately man.But Hagen, valiant hero, / the while to don his armor gan.
1830
Spake then to him the Fiddler, / Volker a doughty thane:"I'll be thy fellow, Hagen, / an wilt thou not disdain,While watch this night thou keepest, / until do come the morn."Right heartily the hero / to Volker then did thanks return.
1831
"God in heaven requite thee, / Volker, trusty fere.In all my time of trouble / wished I none other near,None other but thee only, / when dangers round me throng.I'll well repay that favor, / if death withhold its hand so long."
1832
Arrayed in glittering armor / both soon did ready stand;Each did take unto him / a mighty shield in hand,And passed without the portal / there to keep the way.Thus were the strangers guarded, / and trusty watchers eke had they.
1833
Volker the valiant, / as he sat before the hall,Leaned his trusty buckler / meanwhile against the wall,Then took in hand his fiddle / as he was wont to do:All times the thane would render / unto his friends a service true.
1834
Beneath the hall's wide portal / he sat on bench of stone;Than he a bolder fiddler / was there never none.As from his chords sweet echoes / resounded through the hall,Thanks for glad refreshment / had Volker from the warriors all.
1835
Then from the strings an echo / the wide hall did fill,For in his fiddle-playing / the knight had strength and skill.Softer then and sweeter / to fiddle he beganAnd wiled to peaceful slumber / many an anxious brooding man.
1836
When they were wrapped in slumber / and he did understand,Then took again the warrior / his trusty shield in handAnd passed without the portal / to guard the entrance tower,And safe to keep his fellows / where Kriemhild's crafty men did lower.
1837
About the hour of midnight, / or earlier perchance,The eye of valiant Volker / did catch a helmet's glanceAfar from out the darkness: / the men of Kriemhild soughtHow that upon the strangers / might grievous scathe in stealth be wrought.
1838
Quoth thereat the Fiddler: / "Friend Hagen, 'tis full clearThat we do well together / here this watch to share.I see before us yonder / men arméd for the fight;I ween they will attack us, / if I their purpose judge aright."
1839
"Be silent, then," spake Hagen, / "and let them come more nigh.Ere that they perceive us / shall helmets sit awry,By good swords disjointed / that in our hands do swing.Tale of vigorous greeting / shall they back to Kriemhild bring."
1840
Amid the Hunnish warriors / one full soon did see,That well the door was guarded; / straightway then cried he:"The thing we here did purpose / 'tis need we now give o'er,For I behold the Fiddler / standing guard before the door.
1841
"Upon his head a helmet / of glancing light is seen,Welded strong and skilful, / dintless, of clearest sheen.The mail-rings of his armor / do sparkle like the fire,Beside him stands eke Hagen; / safe are the strangers from our ire."
1842
Straightway they back returned. / When Volker that did see,Unto his companion / wrathfully spake he:"Now let me to those caitiffs / across the court-yard go;What mean they by such business, / from Kriemhild's men I fain would know."
1843
"No, as thou dost love me," / Hagen straight replied;"If from this hall thou partest, / such ill may thee betideAt hands of these bold warriors / and from the swords they bear,That I must haste to help thee, / though here our kinsmen's bane it were.
1844
"Soon as we two together / have joined with them in fight,A pair or two among them / will surely hasten straightHither to this hall here, / and work such havoc soreUpon our sleeping brethren, / as must be mournéd evermore."
1845
Thereto gave answer Volker: / "So much natheless must be,That they do learn full certain / how I the knaves did see,That the men of Kriemhild / hereafter not denyWhat they had wrought full gladly / here with foulest treachery."
1846
Straightway then unto them / aloud did Volker call:"How go ye thus in armor, / ye valiant warriors all?Or forth, perchance, a-robbing, / Kriemhild's men, go ye?Myself and my companion / shall ye then have for company."
1847
Thereto no man gave answer. / Wrathful grew his mood:"Fie, ye caitiff villains," / spake the hero good,"Would ye us so foully / have murdered while we slept?With knights so high in honor / full seldom thus hath faith been kept."
1848
Then unto Queen Kriemhild / were the tidings borne,How her men did fail their purpose: / 'twas cause for her to mourn.Yet otherwise she wrought it, / for grim she was of mood:Anon through her must perish / full many a valorous knight and good.
How they went to Mass
1849
"So cool doth grow my armor," / Volker made remark,"I ween but little longer / will endure the dark.By the air do I perceive it, / that soon will break the day."Then waked they many a warrior / who still in deepest slumber lay.
1850
When brake the light of morning / athwart the spacious hall,Hagen gan awaken / the stranger warriors all,If that they to the minster / would go to holy mass.After the Christian custom, / of bells a mickle ringing was.
1851
There sang they all uneven, / that plainly might ye seeHow Christian men and heathen / did not full well agree.Each one of Gunther's warriors / would hear the service sung,So were they all together / up from their night-couches sprung.
1852
Then did the warriors lace them / in so goodly dress,That never heroes any, / that king did e'er possess,More richly stood attired; / that Hagen grieved to see.Quoth he: "Ye knights, far other / here must your attire be.
1853
"Yea, know among you many / how here the case doth stand.Bear ye instead of roses / your good swords in hand,For chaplets all bejewelled / your glancing helmets good,Since we have well perceivéd / how is the angry Kriemhild's mood.
1854
"To-day must we do battle, / that will I now declare.Instead of silken tunic / shall ye good hauberks wear,And for embroidered mantle / a trusty shield and wide,That ye may well defend you, / if ye must others' anger bide.
1855
"My masters well belovéd, / knights and kinsmen true,'Tis meet that ye betake you / unto the minster too,That God do not forsake you / in peril and in need,For certain now I make you / that death is nigh to us indeed.
1856
"Forget ye not whatever / wrong ye e'er have done,But there 'fore God right meekly / all your errors own;Thereto would I advise you, / ye knights of high degree,For God alone in heaven / may will that other mass ye see."
1857
Thus went they to the minster, / the princes and their men.Within the holy churchyard / bade them Hagen thenStand all still together / that they part not at all.Quoth he: "Knows not any / what may at hands of Huns befall.
1858
"Let stand, good friends, all ready, / your shields before your feet,That if ever any / would you in malice greet,With deep-cut wound ye pay him; / that is Hagen's rede,That from men may never / aught but praises be your meed."
1859
Volker and Hagen, / the twain thence did passBefore the broad minster. / Therein their purpose wasThat the royal Kriemhild / must meet them where they stoodThere athwart her pathway. / In sooth full grim she was of mood.
1860
Then came the royal Etzel / and eke his spouse full fair.Attired were the warriors / all in raiment rareThat following full stately / with her ye might see;The dust arose all densely / round Kriemhild's mickle company.
1861
When the lofty monarch / thus all armed did seeThe kings and their followers, / straightway then cried he:"How see I in this fashion / my friends with helm on head?By my troth I sorrow / if ill to them have happenéd.
1862
"I'll gladly make atonement / as doth to them belong.Hath any them affronted / or done them aught of wrong,To me 'tis mickle sorrow, / well may they understand.To serve them am I ready, / in whatsoever they command."
1863
Thereto gave answer Hagen: / "Here hath wronged us none.'Tis custom of my masters / to keep their armor onTill full three days be over, / when high festival they hold.Did any here molest us, / to Etzel would the thing be told."
1864
Full well heard Kriemhild likewise / how Hagen gave reply.Upon him what fierce glances / flashed furtively her eye!Yet betray she would not / the custom of her country,Though well she long had known it / in the land of Burgundy.
1865
How grim soe'er and mighty / the hate to them she bore,Had any told to Etzel / how stood the thing before,Well had he prevented / what there anon befell.So haughty were they minded / that none to him the same would tell.
1866
With the queen came forward / there a mighty train,But no two handbreadths yielded / yet those warriors twainTo make way before her. / The Huns did wrathful grow,That their mistress passing / should by them be jostled so.
1867
Etzel's highborn pages / were sore displeased thereat,And had upon the strangers / straightway spent their hate,But that they durst not do it / their high lord before.There was a mickle pressing, / yet naught of anger happened more.
1868
When they thence were parting / from holy service done,On horse came quickly prancing / full many a nimble Hun.With the Lady Kriemhild / went many a maiden fair,And eke to make her escort / seven thousand knights rode there.
1869
Kriemhild with her ladies / within the casement satBy Etzel, mighty monarch, / —full pleased he was thereat.They wished to view the tourney / of knights beyond compare.What host of strangers riding / thronged the court before them there!
1870
The marshal with the squires / not in vain ye sought,Dankwart the full valiant: / with him had he broughtHis royal master's followers / of the land of Burgundy.For the valiant Nibelungen / the steeds well saddled might ye see.
1871
When their steeds they mounted, / the kings and all their men,Volker thane full doughty, / gave his counsel then,That after their country's fashion / they ride a mass mellay.His rede the heroes followed / and tourneyed in full stately way.
1872
The knight had counsel given / in sooth that pleased them well;The clash of arms in mellay / soon full loud did swell.Many a valiant warrior / did thereto resort,As Etzel and Kriemhild / looked down upon the spacious court.
1873
Came there unto the mellay / six hundred knights of thoseThat followed Dietrich's bidding, / the strangers to oppose.Pastime would they make them / with the men of Burgundy,And if he leave had granted. / had done the same right willingly.
1874
In their company rode there / how many a warrior bold!When unto Sir Dietrich / then the thing was told,Forbade he that 'gainst Gunther's / men they join the play.He feared lest harm befall them, / and well his counsel did he weigh.
1875
When of Bern the warriors / thence departed were,Came they of Bechelaren, / the men of Ruediger,Bearing shield five hundred, / and rode before the hall;Rather had the margrave / that they came there not at all.
1876
Prudently then rode he / amid their companyAnd told unto his warriors / how they might plainly see,That the men of Gunther / were in evil mood:Did they forego the mellay, / please him better far it would.
1877
When they were thence departed, / the stately knights and bold,Came they of Thuringia, / as hath to us been told,And of them of Denmark / a thousand warriors keen.From crash of spear up-flying / full frequent were the splinters seen.
1878
Irnfried and Hawart / rode into the mellay,Whom the gallant men of Rhineland / received in knightly play:Full oft the men of Thuringia / they met in tournament,Whereby the piercing lance-point / through many a stately shield was sent.
1879
Eke with three thousand warriors / came Sir Bloedel there.Etzel and Kriemhild / were of his coming ware,As this play of chivalry / before them they did see.Now hoped the queen that evil / befall the men of Burgundy.
1880
Schrutan and Gibecke / rode into the mellay,Eke Ramung and Hornbog / after the Hunnish way;Yet must they come to standstill / 'fore the thanes of Burgundy.High against the palace / wall the splintered shafts did fly.
1881
How keen soe'er the contest, / 'twas naught but knightly sport.With shock of shields and lances / heard ye the palace courtLoud give back the echo / where Gunther's men rode on.His followers in the jousting / on every side high honor won.
1882
So long they held such pastime / and with so mickle heatThat through the broidered trappings / oozed clear drops of sweatFrom the prancing chargers / whereon the knights did ride.In full gallant manner / their skill against the Huns they tried.
1883
Then outspake the Fiddler, / Volker deft of hand:"These knights, I ween, too timid / are 'gainst us to stand.Oft did I hear the story / what hate to us they bore;Than this a fairer season / to vent it, find they nevermore."
1884
"Lead back unto the stables," / once more spake Volker then,"Now our weary chargers; / we'll ride perchance againWhen comes the cool of evening, / if fitting time there be.Mayhap the queen will honor / award to men of Burgundy."
1885
Beheld they then prick hither / one dressed in state so rareThat of the Huns none other / might with him compare.Belike from castle tower / did watch his fair lady;So gay was his apparel / as it some knight's bride might be.
1886
Then again quoth Volker: / "How may I stay my hand?Yonder ladies' darling / a knock shall understand.Let no man here deter me, / I'll give him sudden check.How spouse of royal Etzel / thereat may rage, I little reck."
1887
"Nay, as thou dost love me," / straight King Gunther spake;"All men will but reproach us / if such affront we make.The Huns be first offenders, / for such would more befit."Still did the royal Etzel / in casement by Queen Kriemhild sit.
1888
"I'll add unto the mellay," / Hagen did declare;"Let now all these ladies / and knights be made awareHow we can ride a charger; / 'twere well we make it known,For, come what may, small honor / shall here to Gunther's men be shown."
1889
Once more the nimble Volker / into the mellay spurred,Whereat full many a lady / soon to weep was heard.His lance right through the body / of that gay Hun he sent:'Twas cause that many a woman / and maiden fair must sore lament.
1890
Straight dashed into the mellay / Hagen and his men.With three score of his warriors / spurred he quickly thenForward where the Fiddler / played so lustily.Etzel and Kriemhild / full plainly might the passage see.
1891
Then would the kings their minstrel / —that may ye fairly know—Leave not all defenceless / there amid the foe.With them a thousand heroes / rode forth full dexterously,And soon had gained their purpose / with show of proudest chivalry.
1892
When in such rude fashion / the stately Hun was slain,Might ye hear his kinsmen / weeping loud complain.Then all around did clamor: / "Who hath the slayer been?""None but the Fiddler was it, / Volker the minstrel keen."
1893
For swords and for shields then / called full speedilyThat slain margrave's kinsmen / of the Hun's country.To avenge him sought they / Volker in turn to slay.In haste down from the casement / royal Etzel made his way.
1894
Arose a mighty clamor / from the people all;The kings and men of Burgundy / dismounted 'fore the hall,And likewise their chargers / to the rear did send.Came then the mighty Etzel / and sought to bring the strife to end.
1895
From one of that Hun's kinsmen / who near by him did standSnatched he a mighty weapon / quick from out his hand,And therewith backward smote them, / for fierce his anger wrought."Shall thus my hospitality / unto these knights be brought to naught?"
1896
"If ye the valiant minstrel / here 'fore me should slay,"Spake the royal Etzel, / "it were an evil day.When he the Hun impaléd / I did observe full well,That not through evil purpose / but by mishap it so befell.
1897
"These my guests now must ye / ne'er disturb in aught."Himself became their escort. / Away their steeds were broughtUnto the stables / by many a waiting squire,Who ready at their bidding / stood to meet their least desire.
1898
The host with the strangers / into the palace went,Nor would he suffer any / further his wrath to vent.Soon were the tables ready / and water for them did wait.Many then had gladly / on them of Rhineland spent their hate.
1899
Not yet the lords were seated / till some time was o'er.For Kriemhild o'er her sorrow / meantime did trouble sore.She spake: "Of Bern, O Master, / thy counsel grant to me,Thy help and eke thy mercy, / for here in sorry plight I be."
1900
To her gave answer Hildebrand, / a thane right praiseworthy:"Who harms the Nibelungen / shall ne'er have help of me,How great soe'er the guerdon. / Such deed he well may rue,For never yet did any / these gallant doughty knights subdue."
1901
Eke in courteous manner / Sir Dietrich her addressed:"Vain, O lofty mistress, / unto me thy quest.In sooth thy lofty kinsmen / have wronged me not at all,That I on thanes so valorous / should thus with murderous purpose fall.
1902
"Thy prayer doth thee small honor, / O high and royal dame,That upon thy kinsmen / thou so dost counsel shame.Thy grace to have they deeméd / when came they to this land.Nevermore shall Siegfried / avengéd be by Dietrich's hand."
1903
When she no guile discovered / in the knight of Bern,Unto Bloedel straightway / did she hopeful turnWith promise of wide marches / that Nudung erst did own.Slew him later Dankwart / that he forgot the gift full soon.
1904
Spake she: "Do thou help me, / Sir Bloedel, I pray.Yea, within the palace / are foes of mine this day,Who erstwhile slew Siegfried, / spouse full dear to me.Who helps me to avenge it, / to him I'll e'er beholden be."
1905
Thereto gave answer Bloedel: / "Lady, be well aware,Ne'er to do them evil / 'fore Etzel may I dare,For to thy kinsmen, lady, / beareth he good will.Ne'er might the king me pardon, / wrought I upon them aught of ill."
1906
"But nay, Sir Bloedel, my favor / shall thou have evermore.Yea, give I thee for guerdon / silver and gold in store,And eke a fairest lady, / that Nudung erst should wed:By her fond embraces / may'st thou well be comforted.
1907
"The land and eke the castles, / all to thee I'll give;Yea, may'st thou, knight full noble, / in joyance ever live,Call'st thou thine the marches, / wherein did Nudung dwell.Whate'er this day I promise, / fulfil it all I will full well."
1908
When understood Sir Bloedel / what gain should be his share,And pleased him well the lady / for that she was so fair,By force of arms then thought he / to win her for his wife.Thereby the knight aspirant / was doomed anon to lose his life.
1909
"Unto the hall betake thee," / quoth he unto the queen,"Alarum I will make thee / ere any know, I ween.Atone shall surely Hagen / where he hath done thee wrong:To thee I'll soon give over / King Gunther's man in fetters strong."
1910
"To arms, to arms!" quoth Bloedel, / "my good warriors all:In their followers' quarters / upon the foe we'll fall.Herefrom will not release me / royal Etzel's wife.To win this venture therefore / fear not each one to lose his life."
1911
When at length Queen Kriemhild / found Bloedel well contentTo fulfil her bidding, / she to table wentWith the monarch Etzel / and eke a goodly band.Dire was the treason / she against the guests had planned.
1912
Since in none other manner / she knew the strife to start,(Kriemhild's ancient sorrow / still rankled in her heart),Bade she bring to table / Etzel's youthful son:By woman bent on vengeance / how might more awful deed be done?
1913
Went upon the instant / four of Etzel's men,And soon came bearing Ortlieb, / the royal scion, thenUnto the princes' table, / where eke grim Hagen sate.The child was doomed to perish / by reason of his deadly hate.
1914
When the mighty monarch / then his child did see,Unto his lady's kinsmen / in manner kind spake he:"Now, my good friends, behold ye / here my only son,And child of your high sister: / may it bring you profit every one.
1915
"Grow he but like his kindred, / a valiant man he'll be,A mighty king and noble, / doughty and fair to see.Live I but yet a little, / twelve lands shall he command;May ye have faithful service / from the youthful Ortlieb's hand.
1916
"Therefore grant me favor, / ye good friends of mine;When to your country ride ye / again unto the Rhine,Shall ye then take with you / this your sister's son,And at your hands may ever / by the child full fair be done.
1917
"Bring him up in honor / until to manhood grown.If then in any country / hath wrong to you been done,He'll help you by his valor / vengeance swift to wreak."Eke heard the Lady Kriemhild / royal Etzel thus to speak.
1918
"Well might these my masters / on his faith rely,Grew he e'er to manhood," / Hagen made reply:"Yet is the prince, I fear me, / more early doomed of fate.'Twere strange did any see me / ever at court on Ortlieb wait."
1919
The monarch glanced at Hagen, / sore grieved at what he heard;Although the king full gallant / thereto spake ne'er a word,Natheless his heart was saddened / and heavy was his mind.Nowise the mood of Hagen / was to merriment inclined.
1920
It grieved all the princes / and the royal hostThat of his child did Hagen / make such idle boast.That they must likewise leave it / unanswered, liked they not:They little weaned what havoc / should by the thane anon be wrought.
How Bloedel was Slain
1921
The knights by Bloedel summoned / soon armed and ready were,A thousand wearing hauberks / straightway did repairWhere Dankwart sat at table / with many a goodly squire.Soon knight on knight was seeking / in fiercest way to vent his ire.
1922
When there Sir Bloedel / strode unto the board,Dankwart the marshal / thus spoke courteous word:"Unto this hall right welcome / good Sir Bloedel be.What business hast thou hither / is cause of wonder yet to me."
1923
"No greeting here befits thee," / spake Bloedel presently,"For that this my coming / now thy end must be,Through Hagen's fault, thy brother, / who Siegfried erstwhile slewTo the Huns thou mak'st atonement, / and many another warrior too."
1924
"But nay, but nay, Sir Bloedel," / Dankwart spake thereto,"For so should we have reason / our coming here to rue.A child I was and little / when Siegfried lost his life,Nor know I why reproacheth / me the royal Etzel's wife."
1925
"In sooth I may the story / never fully tell.Gunther and Hagen was it / by whom the deed befell.Now guard you well, ye strangers, / for doomed in sooth are ye,Unto Lady Kriemhild / must your lives now forfeit be."
1926
"An so thou wilt desist not," / Dankwart declared,"Regret I my entreaty, / my toil were better spared."The nimble thane and valiant / up from the table sprung,And drew a keen-edged weapon, / great in sooth that was and long.
1927
Then smote he with it Bloedel / such a sudden blowThat his head full sudden / before his feet lay low."Be that thy wedding-dower," / the doughty Dankwart spake,"Along with bride of Nudung / whom thou would'st to thy bosom take.
1928
"To-morrow may she marry, / but some other one:Will he have bridal portion, / e'en so to him be done."A Hun that liked not treason / had given him to knowHow that the queen upon him / thought to work so grievous woe.
1929
When the men of Bloedel / saw thus their master slain,To fall upon the strangers / would they longer not refrain.With swords swung high above them / upon the squires they flewIn a grimmest humor. / Soon many must that rashness rue.
1930
Full loudly cried then Dankwart / to all his company:"Behold ye, noble squires, / the fate that ours must be.Now quit yourselves with valor, / for evil is our pass,Though fair to us the summons / hither from Lady Kriemhild was!"
1931
They, too, reached down before them, / who no weapons bore,And each a massive footstool / snatched from off the floor,For the Burgundian squires / no whit were they dismayed;And by the selfsame weapons / was many a dint in helmet made.
1932
How fierce they fought to shield them / the strangers one and all!E'en their arméd foemen / drove they from the hall.Or smote dead within it / hundreds five or more;All the valiant fighters / saw ye drenched with ruddy gore.
1933
Ere long the wondrous tidings / some messenger did tellUnto Etzel's chieftain / —fierce did their anger swell—How that slain was Bloedel / and knights full many a one;The which had Hagen's brother / with his lusty squires done.
1934
The Huns, by anger driven, / ere Etzel was aware,Two thousand men or over, / did quick themselves prepare.They fell upon those squires / —e'en so it had to be—And never any living / they left of all that company.
1935
A mickle host they faithless / unto those quarters brought,But lustily the strangers / 'gainst their assailants fought.What booted swiftest valor? / Soon must all lie dead.A dire woe thereafter / on many a man was visited.
1936
Now may ye hear a wondrous / tale of honor told:Of squires full nine thousand / soon in death lay cold,And eke good knights a dozen / there of Dankwart's band.Forlorn ye saw him only / the last amid his foemen stand.
1937
The din at last was ended / and lulled the battle-sound,When the valiant Dankwart / did cast a glance around."Alack for my companions," / cried he, "now from me reft.Alack that I now only / forlorn amid my foes am left."
1938
The swords upon his body / fell full thick and fast,Which rashness many a warrior's / widow mourned at last.His shield he higher lifted / and drew the strap more low:Down coats of ring-made armor / made he the ebbing blood to flow.
1939
"O woe is me!" spake Dankwart, / the son of Aldrian."Now back, ye Hunnish fighters, / let me the open gain,That the air give cooling / to me storm-weary wight."In splendid valor moving / strode forward then anew the knight.
1940
As thus he battle-weary / through the hall's portal sprang,What swords of new-come fighters / upon his helmet rang!They who not yet had witnessed / what wonders wrought his hand,Rashly rushed they forward / to thwart him of Burgundian land.
1941
"Now would to God," quoth Dankwart, / "I found a messengerWho to my brother Hagen / might the tidings bear,That 'fore host of foemen / in such sad case am I!From hence he'd surely help me, / or by my side he slain would lie."
1942
Then Hunnish knights gave answer: / "Thyself the messengerShalt be, when to thy brother / thee a corse we bear.So shall that thane of Gunther / first true sorrow know.Upon the royal Etzel / here hast thou wrought so grievous woe."
1943
Quoth he: "Now leave such boasting / and yield me passage free,Else shall mail-rings a many / with blood bespattered be.Myself will tell the tidings / soon at Etzel's court,And eke unto my masters / of this my travail make report."
1944
Etzel's men around him / belabored he so soreThat they at sword-point / durst not withstand him more.Spears shot into his shield he / so many there did stopThat he the weight unwieldy / must from out his hand let drop.
1945
Then thought they to subdue him / thus of his shield bereft,But lo! the mighty gashes / wherewith he helmets cleft!Must there keen knights full many / before him stagger down,High praise the valiant Dankwart / thereby for his valor won.
1946
On right side and on left side / they still beset his way,Yet many a one too rashly / did mingle in the fray.Thus strode he 'mid the foemen / as doth in wood the boarBy yelping hounds beleaguered; / more stoutly fought he ne'er before.
1947
As there he went, his pathway / with reeking blood was wet.Yea, never any hero / more bravely battled yetWhen by foes surrounded, / than he did might display.To court did Hagen's brother / with splendid valor make his way.
1948
When stewards and cup-bearers / heard how sword-blades rung,Many a brimming goblet / from their hands they flungAnd eke the viands ready / that they to table bore;Thus many doughty foemen / withstood him where he sought the door.
1949
"How now, ye stewards?" / cried the weary knight;"'Twere better that ye tended / rather your guests aright,Bearing to lords at table / choice food that fitteth well,And suffered me these tidings / unto my masters dear to tell."
1950
Whoe'er before him rashly / athwart the stairway sprung,On him with blow so heavy / his mighty sword he swung,That soon faint heart gave warning / before his path to yield.Mickle wonder wrought he / where sword his doughty arm did wield.
How the Burgundians fought with the Huns
1951
Soon as the valiant Dankwart / stood beneath the door,Bade he Etzel's followers / all make way before.With blood from armor streaming / did there the hero stand;A sharp and mighty weapon / bore he naked in his hand.
1952
Into the hall then Dankwart / cried with voice full strong:"At table, brother Hagen, / thou sittest all too long.To thee and God in heaven / must I sore complain:Knights and squires also / lie within their lodging slain."
1953
Straight he cried in answer: / "Who hath done such deed?""That hath done Sir Bloedel / and knights that he did lead.Eke made he meet atonement, / that may'st thou understand:His head from off his body / have I struck with mine own hand."
1954
"'Tis little cause for sorrow," / Hagen spake again,"When they tell the story / of a valiant thane,That he to death was smitten / by knight of high degree.The less a cause for weeping / to winsome women shall it be.
1955
"Now tell me, brother Dankwart, / how thou so red may'st be;From thy wounds thou sufferest, / I ween, full grievously.Lives he within this country / who serves thee in such way,Him must the devil shelter, / or for the deed his life shall pay."
1956
"Behold me here all scatheless. / My gear is wet with blood,From wounds of others, natheless, / now hath flowed that flood,Of whom this day so many / beneath my broadsword fell:Must I make solemn witness, / ne'er knew I full the tale to tell."
1957
He answered: "Brother Dankwart, / now take thy stand before,And Huns let never any / make passage by the door.I'll speak unto these warriors, / as needs must spoken be:Dead lie all our followers, / slain by foulest treachery."
1958
"Must I here be chamberlain," / replied the warrior keen,"Well know I such high monarchs / aright to serve, I ween.So will I guard the stairway / as sorts with honor well."Ne'er to the thanes of Kriemhild / so sorry case before befell.
1959
"To me 'tis mickle wonder," / Hagen spake again,"What thing unto his neighbor / whispers each Hunnish thane.I ween they'd forego the service / of him who keeps the door,And who such high court tidings / to his friends of Burgundy bore.
1960
"Long since of Lady Kriemhild / the story I did hear,How unavenged her sorrow / she might no longer bear.A memory-cup now quaff we / and pay for royal cheer!The youthful lord of Hunland / shall make the first instalment here."
1961
Thereat the child Ortlieb / doughty Hagen slew,That from the sword downward / the blood to hand-grip flew,And into lap of Kriemhild / the severed head down rolled.Then might ye see 'mid warriors / a slaughter great and grim unfold.
1962
By both hands swiftly wielded, / his blade then cut the airAnd smote upon the tutor / who had the child in care,That down before the table / his head that instant lay:It was a sorry payment / wherewith he did the tutor pay.
1963
His eye 'fore Etzel's table / a minstrel espied:To whom in hasty manner / did wrathful Hagen stride,Where moved it on the fiddle / his right hand off smote he;"Have that for thy message / unto the land of Burgundy."
1964
"Alack my hand!" did Werbel / that same minstrel moan;"What, Sir Hagen of Tronje, / have I to thee done?I bore a faithful message / unto thy master's land.How may I more make music / thus by thee bereft of hand?"
1965
Little in sooth recked Hagen, / fiddled he nevermore.Then in the hall all wrathful / wrought he havoc soreUpon the thanes of Etzel / whereof he many slew;Ere they might find exit, / to death then smote he not a few.
1966
Volker the full valiant / up sprang from board also:In his hand full clearly / rang out his fiddle-bow,For mightily did fiddle / Gunther's minstrel thane.What host of foes he made him / because of Hunnish warriors slain!
1967
Eke sprang from the table / the lofty monarchs three,Who glad had stilled the combat / ere greater scathe might be.Yet all their art availed not / their anger to assuage,When Volker and Hagen / so mightily began to rage.
1968
When the lord of Rhineland / saw how his toil was vain,Gaping wounds full many / himself did smite amainThrough rings of shining mail-coats / there upon the foe.He was a valiant hero, / as he full gallantly did show.
1969
Strode eke into the combat / Gernot a doughty thane;By whom of Hunnish warriors / full many a one was slainWith a sword sharp-edgéd / he had of Ruediger;Oft sent to dire ruin / by him the knights of Etzel were.
1970
The youthful son of Ute / eke to the combat sprang,And merrily his broadsword / upon the helmets rangOf many a Hunnish warrior / there in Etzel's land;Feasts of mickle wonder / wrought Giselher with dauntless hand.
1971
How bold soe'er was any, / of kings and warrior band,Saw ye yet the foremost / Giselher to standThere against the foemen, / a knight of valor good;Wounded deep full many / made he to fall in oozing blood.
1972
Eke full well defend them / did Etzel's warriors too.There might ye see the strangers / their gory way to hewWith swords all brightly gleaming / adown that royal hall;Heard ye there on all sides / loudly ring the battle-call.
1973
Join friends within beleaguered / would they without full fain,Yet might they at the portal / but little vantage gain.Eke they within had gladly / gained the outer air;Nor up nor down did Dankwart / suffer one to pass the stair.
1974
There before the portal / surged a mighty throng,And with a mickle clangor / on helm the broadsword rung.Thus on the valiant Dankwart / his foes did sorely press,And soon his trusty brother / was anxious grown o'er his distress.
1975
Full loudly cried then Hagen / unto Volker:"Trusty fere, behold'st thou / my brother standing there,Where on him Hunnish warriors / their mighty blows do rain?Good friend, save thou my brother / ere we do lose the valiant thane."
1976
"That will I do full surely," / thereat the minstrel spake.Adown the hall he fiddling / gan his way to make;In his hand full often / a trusty sword rang out,While grateful knights of Rhineland / acclaimed him with a mickle shout.
1977
Soon did the valiant Volker / Dankwart thus address:"Hard this day upon thee / hath weighed the battle's stress.That I should come to help thee / thy brother gave command;Keep thou without the portal, / I inward guarding here will stand."
1978
Dankwart, thane right valiant, / stood without the doorAnd guarded so the stairway / that none might pass before.There heard ye broadswords ringing, / swung by warrior's hand,While inward in like manner / wrought Volker of Burgundian land.
1979
There the valiant Fiddler / above the press did call:"Securely now, friend Hagen, / closed is the hall.Yea, so firmly bolted / is King Etzel's doorBy hands of two good warriors, / as thousand bars were set before,"
1980
When Hagen thus of Tronje / the door did guarded find,The warrior far renownéd / swung his shield behind;He first for harm receivéd / revenge began to take,Whereat all hope of living / did soon his enemies forsake.
1981
When of Bern Sir Dietrich / rightly did perceiveHow the doughty Hagen / did many a helmet cleave,The king of Amelungen / upon a bench leaped up;Quoth he: "Here poureth Hagen / for us exceeding bitter cup."
1982
Great fear fell eke on Etzel, / as well might be the case,(What trusty followers snatched they / to death before his face!)For well nigh did his enemies / on him destruction bring.There sat he all confounded. / What booted him to be a king?
1983
Cried then aloud to Dietrich / Kriemhild, the high lady:"Now help me, knight so noble, / that hence with life I flee,By princely worth, I pray thee, / thou lord of Amelung's land;If here do reach me Hagen, / straight find I death beneath his hand."
1984
"How may my help avail thee, / noble queen and high?"Answered her Sir Dietrich, / "Fear for myself have I.Too sorely is enraged / each knight in Gunther's band,To no one at this season / may I lend assisting hand."
1985
"But nay, but nay, Sir Dietrich, / full noble knight and keen,What maketh thy bright chivalry, / let it this day be seen,And bring me hence to safety, / else am I death's sure prey."Good cause was that on Kriemhild's / bosom fear so heavy lay.
1986
"So will I here endeavor / to help thee as I may;Yet shalt thou well believe me, / hath passed full many a daySince saw I goodly warriors / of so bitter mood.'Neath swords behold I flowing / through helmets plenteously the blood."
1987
Lustily then cried he, / the warrior nobly born,That his voice rang loudly / like blast from bison's horn,That all around the palace / gave back the lusty sound;Unto the might of Dietrich / never limit yet was found.
1988
When did hear King Gunther / how called the doughty manAbove the storm of combat, / to hearken he began.Quoth he: "The voice of Dietrich / hath fallen upon mine ear;I ween some of his followers / before our thanes have fallen here.
1989
"High on the board I see him; / he beckons with the hand.Now my good friends and kinsmen / of Burgundian land,Stay ye your hands from conflict, / let us hear and seeIf done upon the chieftain / aught by my men of scathe there be."
1990
When thus King Gunther / did beg and eke command,With swords in stress of battle / stayed they all the hand.'Twas token of his power / that straight the strife did pause.Then him of Bern he questioned / what of his outcry were the cause.
1991
He spake: "Full noble Dietrich, / what here on thee is wroughtBy any of my warriors? / For truly is my thoughtTo make a full atonement / and amends to thee.If here hath wronged thee any, / 'twere cause of mickle grief to me."
1992
Then answered him Sir Dietrich: / "Myself do nothing grieve.Grant me with thy protection / but this hall to leaveAnd quit the dire conflict, / with them that me obey.Then surely will I ever / seek thy favor to repay."
1993
"How plead'st thou thus so early?" / Wolfhart was heard;"The Fiddler so securely / the door not yet hath barred,But it so wide we'll open / to pass it through, I trow.""Now hold thy peace," quoth Dietrich, / "wrought but little here hast thou."
1994
Then spake the royal Gunther: / "That grant I thee to do,Forth from the hall lead many / or lead with thee few,An if my foes it be not; / here stay they every one.Upon me here in Hunland / hath grievous wrong by them been done."
1995
When heard he Gunther's answer / he took beneath his armThe noble Queen Kriemhild, / who dreaded mickle harm.On the other side too led he / Etzel with him away;Eke went thence with Dietrich / six hundred knights in fair array.
1996
Then outspake the margrave, / the noble Ruediger:"If leave to any others / be granted forth to fare,Of those who glad would serve you, / give us the same to see.Yea, peace that's never broken / 'twixt friends 'tis meet should ever be."
1997
Thereto gave answer Giselher / of the land of Burgundy:"Peace and unbroken friendship / wish we e'er with thee,With thee and all thy kinsmen, / as true thou ever art.We grant thee all untroubled / with thy friends from hence to part."
1998
When thus Sir Ruediger / from the hall did pass,A train of knights five hundred / or more with him there was,Of them of Bechelaren, / kinsmen and warriors true,Whose parting gave King Gunther / anon full mickle cause to rue.
1999
When did a Hunnish warrior / Etzel's passing see'Neath the arm of Dietrich, / to profit him thought he.Smote him yet the Fiddler / such a mighty blow,That 'fore the feet of Etzel / sheer on the floor his head fell low.
2000
When the country's monarch / had gained the outer air,Turned he looking backward / and gazed on Volker."Alack such guests to harbor! / Ah me discomfited!That all the knights that serve me / shall before their might lie dead.
2001
"Alack their coming hither!" / spake the king once more."Within, a warrior fighteth / like to wild forest boar;Hight the same is Volker, / and a minstrel is also;To pass the demon scatheless / I to fortune's favor owe.
2002
"Evil sound his melodies, / his strokes of bow are red,Yea, beneath his music / full many a knight lies dead.I know not what against us / hath stirred that player's ire,For guests ne'er had I any / whereby to suffer woe so dire."
2003
None other would they suffer / to pass the door than those.Then 'neath the hall's high roof-tree / a mighty din arose.For evil wrought upon them / those guests sore vengeance take.Volker the doughty Fiddler, / what shining helmets there he brake!
2004
Gunther, lofty monarch, / thither turned his ear."Hear'st thou the music, Hagen, / that yonder VolkerDoth fiddle for the Hun-men, / when near the door they go?The stroke is red of color, / where he doth draw the fiddle-bow."
2005
"Mickle doth it rue me," / Hagen spake again,"That in the hall far severed / I am from that bold thane.I was his boon companion / and he sworn friend to me:Come we hence ever scatheless, / trusty feres we yet shall be.
2006
"Behold now, lofty sire, / the faith of Volker bold!With will he seeks to win him / thy silver and thy gold.With fiddle-bow he cleaveth / e'en the steel so hard,Bright-gleaming crests of helmets / are scattered by his mighty sword.
2007
"Never saw I fiddler / so dauntless heart display,As the doughty Volker / here hath done this day.Through shield and shining helmet / his melodies ring clear;Give him to ride good charger / and eke full stately raiment wear."
2008
Of all the Hunnish kindred / that in the hall had been,None now of all their number / therein to fight was seen.Hushed was the din of battle / and strife no more was made:From out their hands aweary / their swords the dauntless warriors laid.