How Kriemhild fared to the Huns
1290
The messengers leave we riding. / Now shall ye understandHow did the Lady Kriemhild / journey through the land,And where from her were parted / Gernot and Giselher.Upon her had they waited / as faithful unto her they were.
1291
As far as to the Danube / at Vergen did they ride,Where must be the parting / from their royal sister's side,For that again they homeward / would ride unto the Rhine.No eye but wet from weeping / in all the company was seen.
1292
Giselher the valiant / thus to his sister said:"If that thou ever, lady, / need hast of my aid,And fronts thee aught of trouble, / give me to understand,And straight I'll ride to serve thee / afar unto King Etzel's land."
1293
Upon the mouth then kissed she / all her friends full dear.The escort soon had taken / eke leave of RuedigerAnd the margrave's warriors / in manner lovingly.With the queen upon her journey / went many a maid full fair to see.
1294
Four beyond a hundred / there were, all richly cladIn silk of cunning pattern. / Many a shield full broadOn the way did guard the ladies / in hand of valiant thane.Full many a stately warrior / from thence did backward turn again.
1295
Thence away they hastened / down through Bavarian land.Soon were told the tidings / how that was at handA mickle host of strangers, / where a cloister stands from yoreAnd where the Inn its torrent / doth into Danube river pour.
1296
At Passau in the city / a lordly bishop bode.Empty soon each lodging / and bishop's palace stood:To Bavarian land they hastened / the high guests to meet,And there the Bishop Pilgrim / the Lady Kriemhild fair did greet.
1297
The warriors of that country / no whit grieved they wereThus to see follow with her / so many a maiden fair.Upon those high-born ladies / their eyes with joy did rest,Full comfortable quarters / prepared they for each noble guest.
1298
With his niece the bishop / unto Passau rode.When among the burghers / the story went abroad,That thither was come Kriemhild, / the bishop's niece full fair,Soon did the towns-people / reception meet for her prepare.
1299
There to have them tarry / was the bishop fain.To him spake Sir Eckewart: / "Here may we not remain.Unto Ruediger's country / must we journey down.Thanes many there await us, / to whom our coming well is known."
1300
The tidings now knew likewise / Lady Gotelinde fair.Herself and noble daughter / did them quick prepare.Message she had from Ruediger / that he well pleased would be,Should she unto Lady / Kriemhild show such courtesy,
1301
That she ride forth to meet her, / and bring his warriors trueUpward unto the Ense. / When they the tidings knew,Saw ye how on all sides / they thronged the busy way.Forth to meet the strangers / rode and eke on foot went they.
1302
As far as Everdingen / meanwhile was come the queen:In that Bavarian country / on the way were never seenRobbers seeking plunder, / as e'er their custom was:Of fear from such a quarter / had the travellers little cause.
1303
'Gainst that had well provided / the noble margrave:A band he led that numbered / good thousand warriors brave.There was eke come Gotelinde, / spouse of Ruediger,And bearing her high company / full many noble knights there were.
1304
When came they o'er the Traune / by Ense on the green,There full many an awning / outstretched and tent was seen,Wherein that night the strangers / should find them welcome rest.Well was made provision / by Ruediger for each high guest.
1305
Not long fair Gotelinde did in her quarters stay,But left them soon behind her. / Then coursed upon the wayWith merry jingling bridle / many a well-shaped steed.Full fair was the reception: / whereat was Ruediger right glad.
1306
On one side and the other / did swell the stately trainKnights that rode full gaily, / many a noble thane.As they in joust disported, / full many a maid looked on,Nor to the queen unwelcome / was the riders' service done.
1307
As rode there 'fore the strangers / the men of Ruediger,From shaft full many a splinter / saw ye fly in airIn hand of doughty warrior / that jousted lustily.Them might ye 'fore the ladies / pricking in stately manner see.
1308
Anon therefrom they rested. / Knights many then did greetFull courteously each other. / Then forth Kriemhild to meetWent the fair Gotelinde, / by gallant warriors led.Those skilled in lady's service, / —little there the rest they had.
1309
The lord of Bechelaren / unto his lady rode.Soon the noble margravine / her high rejoicing showed,That all safe and sound he / from the Rhine was come again.The care that filled her bosom / by mickle joy from her was ta'en.
1310
When him she had receivéd, / her on the green he badeDismount with all the ladies / that in her train she led.There saw ye all unidle / many a knight of high estate,Who with full ready service / upon the ladies then did wait.
1311
Then saw the Lady Kriemhild / the margravine where she stoodAmid her fair attendants: / nearer not she rode.Upon the steed that bore her / the rein she drew full tight,And bade them straightway help her / adown from saddle to alight.
1312
The bishop saw ye leading / his sister's daughter fair,And with him eke went Eckewart / to Gotelinde there.The willing folk on all sides / made way before their feet.With kiss did Gotelinde / the dame from land far distant greet.
1313
Then spake in manner kindly / the wife of Ruediger;"Right glad am I, dear lady, / that I thy visage fairHave in this our country / with mine own eyes seen.In these times might never / greater joy to me have been."
1314
"God give thee meed," spake Kriemhild, / "Gotelinde, for this grace.If with son of Botelung / happy may be my place,May it henceforth be thy profit / that me thou here dost see."Yet all unknown to either / was that which yet anon must be.
1315
With curtsy to each other / went full many a maid,The knights a willing service / unto the ladies paid.After the greeting sat they / adown upon the green;Knew many then each other / that hitherto had strangers been.
1316
For the ladies they poured refreshment. / Now was come mid-day,And did those high attendants / there no longer stay,But went where found they ready / many a spreading tent.Full willing was the service / unto the noble guests they lent.
1317
The night through until morning / did they rest them there.They of Bechelaren / meanwhile did prepareThat into fitting quarters / each high guest be brought.'Twas by the care of Ruediger / that never one did want for aught.
1318
Open ye saw the windows / the castle walls along,And the burgh at Bechelaren / its gates wide open flung,As through the guests went pricking, / that there full welcome were.For them the lord full noble / had bidden quarters meet prepare.
1319
Ruediger's fair daughter / with her attendant trainCame forth in loving manner / to greet the lofty queen.With her was eke her mother / the stately margravine;There full friendly greeting / of many a maiden fair was seen.
1320
By the hand they took each other / and thence did pass each pairInto a Hall full spacious, / the which was builded fair,And 'neath its walls the Danube / flowed down with rushing tide.As breezes cool played round them, / might they full happy there abide.
1321
What they there did further, / tell it not I can.That they so long did tarry, / heard ye the knights complainThat were of Kriemhild's company, / who unwilling there abode.What host of valiant warriors / with them from Bechelaren rode!
1322
Full kindly was the service / did render Ruediger,Likewise gave Lady Kriemhild / twelve golden armbands rareTo Gotelinde's daughter, / and dress so richly wroughtThat finer was none other / that into Etzel's land she brought.
1323
Though Nibelungen treasure / from her erstwhile was ta'en,Good-will of all that knew her / did she e'er retainWith such little portion / as yet she did command.Unto her host's attendants / dealt she thereof with bounteous hand.
1324
The Lady Gotelinde / such honors high againDid pay in gracious manner / to the guests afar from RhineThat of all the strangers / found ye never oneThat wore not rich attire / from her, and many a precious stone.
1325
When they their fast had broken / and would thence depart,The lady of the castle / did pledge with faithful heartUnto the wife of Etzel / service true to bear.Kriemhild caressed full fondly / the margravine's young daughter fair.
1326
To the queen then spake the maiden: / "If e'er it pleaseth thee,Well know I that my father / dear full willinglyUnto thee will send me / where thou livest in Hunland."That faithful was the maiden, / full well did Kriemhild understand.
1327
Now ready were the horses / the castle steps before,And soon the queen full stately / did take her leave once moreOf the lovely daughter / and spouse of Ruediger.Eke parted with fair greeting / thence full many a maiden fair.
1328
Each other they full seldom / thereafter might behold.From Medelick were carried / beakers rich of goldIn hand and eke full many, / wherein was sparkling wine:Upon the way were greeted / thus the strangers from the Rhine.
1329
High there a lord was seated, / Astold the name he bore,Who that into Osterland / did lead the way beforeAs far as to Mautaren / adown the Danube's side.There did they fitting service / for the lofty queen provide.
1330
Of his niece the bishop / took leave in loving wise.That she well should bear her, / did he oft advise,And that she win her honor / as Helke erst had done.Ah, how great the honor / anon that 'mid the Huns she won!
1331
Unto the Traisem brought they / forth the strangers then.Fair had they attendance / from Ruediger's men,Till o'er the country riding / the Huns came them to meet.With mickle honor did they / then the royal lady greet.
1332
For had the king of Hunland, / Traisem's stream beside,A full mighty castle, / known afar and wide,The same hight Traisenmauer: / Dame Helke there beforeDid sit, such bounteous mistress / as scarce ye ever might see more,
1333
An it were not Kriemhild / who could such bounty show,That after days of sorrow / the pleasure she might know,To be held in honor / by Etzel's men each one:That praise in fullest measure / had she amid those thanes anon.
1334
Afar the might of Etzel / so well was known around,That at every season / within his court were foundKnights of all the bravest, / whereof ye e'er did hearIn Christian lands or heathen: / with him all thither come they were.
1335
By him at every season, / as scarce might elsewhere be,Knights both of Christian doctrine / and heathen use saw ye.Yet in what mind soever / did each and every stand,To all in fullest measure / dealt the king with bounteous hand.
How Etzel kept the Wedding-feast with Kriemhild
1336
At Traisenmauer she tarried / until the fourth day.Upon the road the dust-clouds / meanwhile never lay.But rose like smoke of fire / around on every side:Onward then through Austria / King Etzel's warriors did ride.
1337
Then eke unto the monarch / such tidings now were told,That at the thought did vanish / all his grief of old,In what high manner Kriemhild / should in his land appear.Then gan the monarch hasten / where he did find the lady fair.
1338
Of many a tongue and varied / upon the way were seenBefore King Etzel riding / full many warriors keen,Of Christians and of heathen / a spreading company.To greet their coming mistress / forth they rode in fair array.
1339
Of Reuss men and Greeks there / great was the tale,And rapid saw ye riding / the Wallach and the PoleOn chargers full of mettle / that they did deftly guide.Their own country's custom / did they in no wise lay aside.
1340
From the land of Kief / rode there full many a thane,And the wild Petschenegers. / Full many a bow was drawn,As at the flying wild-fowl / through air the bolt was sped.With might the bow was bended / as far as to the arrow's head.
1341
A city by the Danube / in Osterland doth stand,Hight the same is Tulna: / of many a distant landSaw Kriemhild there the customs, / ne'er yet to her were known.To many there did greet her / sorrow befell through her anon.
1342
Before the monarch Etzel / rode a companyOf merry men and mighty, / courteous and fair to see,Good four-and-twenty chieftains, / mighty men and bold.Naught else was their desire / save but their mistress to behold.
1343
Then the Duke Ramung / from far WallachiaWith seven hundred warriors / dashed forth athwart her way:Their going might ye liken / unto birds in flight.Then came the chieftain Gibeke, / with his host a stately sight.
1344
Eke the valiant Hornbog / with full thousand menFrom the king went forward / to greet his mistress then.After their country's custom / in joy they shouted loud;The doughty thanes of Hunland / likewise in merry tourney rode.
1345
Then came a chief from Denmark, / Hawart bold and keen,And the valiant Iring, / in whom no guile was seen,And Irnfried of Thuringia, / a stately knight to see:Kriemhild they greeted / that honor high therefrom had she,
1346
With good knights twelve hundred / whom led they in their train.Thither with three thousand / came Bloedel eke, the thaneThat was King Etzel's brother / out of Hunland:Unto his royal mistress / led he then his stately band.
1347
Then did come King Etzel / and Dietrich by his sideWith all his doughty fellows. / In state there saw ye rideMany a knight full noble, / valiant and void of fear.The heart of Lady Kriemhild / did such host of warriors cheer.
1348
Then to his royal mistress / spake Sir Ruediger:"Lady, now give I greeting / to the high monarch here.Whom to kiss I bid thee, / grant him such favor then:For not to all like greeting / may'st thou give 'mid Etzel's men."
1349
They lifted then from saddle / the dame of royal state.Etzel the mighty monarch / might then no longer wait,But sprang from off his charger / with many a warrior keen:Unto Kriemhild hasting / full joyously he then was seen.
1350
As is to us related, / did there high princes twainBy the lady walking / bear aloft her train,As the royal Etzel / went forward her to meet,And she the noble monarch / with kiss in kindly wise did greet.
1351
Aside she moved her wimple, / whereat her visage fairGleamed 'mid the gold around it. / Though many a knight stood there,They deemed that Lady Helke / did boast not fairer face.Full close beside the monarch / his brother Bloedel had his place.
1352
To kiss him then Margrave / Ruediger her did tell,And eke the royal Gibeke / and Sir Dietrich as well.Of highest knights a dozen / did Etzel's spouse embrace;Other knights full many / she greeted with a lesser grace.
1353
All the while that Etzel / stood by Kriemhild so,Did the youthful riders / as still they're wont to do:In varied tourney saw ye / each 'gainst the other pass,Christian knights and heathen, / as for each the custom was.
1354
From men that followed Dietrich / saw ye in kindly wiseSplinters from the lances / flying high ariseAloft above their bucklers, / from hand of good knight sent!By the German strangers / pierced was many a shield and rent.
1355
From shaft of lances breaking / did far the din resound.Together came the warriors / from all the land around,Eke the guests of the monarch / and many a knight there was.Thence did the mighty monarch / then with Lady Kriemhild pass.
1356
Stretched a fair pavilion / beside them there was seen:With tents as well was covered / all around the green,Where they now might rest them / all that weary were.By high-born knights was thither / led full many a lady fair.
1357
With their royal mistress, / where in rich cushioned chairSat the queen full stately. / 'Twas by the margrave's careThat well had been provided, / with all that seeméd good,A worthy seat for Kriemhild: / thereat was Etzel glad of mood.
1358
What was by Etzel spoken, / may I not understand.In his right hand resting / lay her fair white hand.They sat in loving fashion, / nor Ruediger would letThe king have secret converse / with Lady Kriemhild as yet.
1359
'Twas bidden that the jousting / on all sides they give o'er.The din of stately tourney / heard ye then no more.All the men of Etzel / unto their tents did go,For every warrior present / did they full spacious lodging show.
1360
And now the day was ended / and they did rest the nightUntil beheld they shining / once more the morning light.Soon on charger mounted / again was many a man:Heigho, what merry pastime, / the king to honor, they began!
1361
By the Huns the monarch / bade honors high be shown.Soon rode they forth from Tulna / unto Vienna town,Where found they many a lady / decked out in fair array:The same the monarch Etzel's / wife received in stately way.
1362
In very fullest measure / upon them there did waitWhate'er they might desire. / Of knights the joy was great,Looking toward the revel. / Lodging then sought each one.The wedding of the monarch / was in merry wise begun.
1363
Yet not for all might lodging / within the town be had.All that were not strangers, / Ruediger them badeThat they find them lodgings / beyond the city's bound.I ween that at all seasons / by Lady Kriemhild's side was found
1364
The noble Sir Dietrich / and many another thane,Who amid their labors / but little rest had ta'en,That the guests they harbored / of merry mood should be.For Ruediger and his companions / went the time full pleasantly.
1365
The wedding time was fallen / upon a Whitsuntide,When the monarch Etzel / lay Kriemhild besideIn the town at Vienna. / So many men I weenThrough her former husband / had not in her service been.
1366
Many that ne'er had seen her / did her rich bounty take,And many a one among them / unto the strangers spake:"We deemed that Lady Kriemhild / of wealth no more had aughtNow hath she by her giving / here full many a wonder wrought."
1367
The wedding-feast it lasted / for days full seventeen.Ne'er of other monarch / hath any told, I ween,That wedded with more splendor: / of such no tale we hear.All that there were present, / new-made apparel did they wear.
1368
I ween that far in Netherland / sat she ne'er beforeAmid such host of warriors. / And this believe I more:Was Siegfried rich in treasure, / that yet he ne'er did gain,As here she saw 'fore Etzel, / so many a high and noble thane.
1369
Nor e'er gave any other / at his own wedding-tideSo many a costly mantle / flowing long and wide,Nor yet so rich apparel / —so may ye well believe—As here from hand of Kriemhild / did they one and all receive.
1370
Her friends and eke the strangers / were of a single mind,That they would not be sparing / of treasure in any kind:What any from them desired, / they gave with willing hand.Many a thane from giving / himself of clothing reft did stand.
1371
How by her noble husband / at the Rhine a queen she sat,Of that she still was minded, / and her eye grew wet thereat.Yet well she kept it hidden / that none the same might mark.Now had she wealth of honor / after long years of sorrow dark.
1372
What any did with bounty, / 'twas but an idle windBy side of Dietrich's giving: / what Etzel's generous mindBefore to him had given, / complete did disappear.Eke wrought there many a wonder / the hand of bounteous Ruediger.
1373
Bloedelein the chieftain / that came from Hunland,Full many a chest to empty / did he then command,Of gold and eke of silver. / That did they freely give.Right merrily the warriors / of the monarch saw ye live.
1374
Likewise the monarch's minstrels / Werbel and Schwemmelein,Won they at the wedding / each alone, I ween,Marks a good thousand / or even more than that,Whenas fair Lady Kriemhild / 'neath crown by royal Etzel sat.
1375
Upon the eighteenth morning / from Vienna town they went.Then in knightly pastime / many a shield was rentBy spear full well directed / by doughty rider's hand.So came the royal Etzel / riding into Hunland.
1376
At Heimburg's ancient castle / they tarried over night.Tell the tale of people / no mortal ever might,And the number of good warriors / did o'er the country come.Ah, what fairest women / were gathered unto Etzel's home!
1377
By Miesenburg's majestic / towers did they embark.With horses eke and riders / the water all was dark,As if 'twere earth they trod on, / as far as eye might see.The way-worn ladies rested / now on board right pleasantly.
1378
Now was lashed together / many a boat full good,That no harm they suffered / from the waves and flood.Many a stately awning / likewise above them spread,Just as if beneath them / had they land and flowery mead.
1379
When to Etzelburg the tidings / soon were borne along,Therein of men and women / were seen a merry throng.Who once the Lady Helke / as mistress did obey,Anon by Lady Kriemhild / lived they many a gladsome day.
1380
There did stand expectant / full many a maid high-born,That since the death of Helke / had pined all forlorn.Daughters of seven monarchs / Kriemhild there waiting found,That were the high adornment / of all King Etzel's country round.
1381
Herrat, a lofty princess, / did all the train obey,Sister's child to Helke, / in whom high virtues lay,Betrothéd eke of Dietrich, / of royal lineage born,Daughter of King Nentwein; / her did high honors eft adorn.
1382
Against the strangers' coming / her heart with joy flowed o'er:Eke was thereto devoted / of wealth a mickle store.Who might e'er give the picture, / how the king eft sat on throne?Nor had with any mistress / the Huns such joyous living known.
1383
As with his spouse the monarch / up from the river came,Unto the noble Kriemhild / of each they told the name'Mong them that she did find there: / she fairer each did greet.Ah, how mighty mistress / she long did sit in Helke's seat!
1384
Ready and true the service / to her was offered there.The queen dealt out in plenty / gold and raiment rare,Silver eke and jewels. / What over Rhine she broughtWith her unto Hunland, / soon thereof retained she naught.
1385
Eke in faithful service / she to herself did winAll the king's warriors / and all his royal kin,—So that ne'er did Lady Helke / so mighty power wieldAs until death to Kriemhild / such host did willing service yield.
1386
Thus stood so high in honor / the court and country round,That there at every season / was pleasant pastime foundBy each, whithersoever / his heart's desire might stand:That wrought the monarch's favor / and the queen's full bounteous hand.
How Kriemhild thought to avenge her Wrong
1387
In full lordly honor, / —truth is that ye hear—Dwelt they with each other / until the seventh year.Meanwhile Lady Kriemhild / a son to Etzel bore,Nor gladder might the monarch / be o'er aught for evermore.
1388
Yet would she not give over, / nor with aught be reconciled,But that should be baptizéd / the royal Etzel's childAfter Christian custom: / Ortlieb they did him call.Thereat was mickle joyance / over Etzel's borders all.
1389
Whate'er of highest virtues / in Lady Helke lay,Strove the Lady Kriemhild / to rival her each day.Herrat the stranger maiden / many a grace she taught,Who yet with secret pining / for her mistress Helke was distraught.
1390
To stranger and to native / full well she soon was known,Ne'er monarch's country, said they, / did royal mistress ownThat gave with freer bounty, / that held they without fear.Such praise she bore in Hunland, / until was come the thirteenth year.
1391
Now had she well perceivéd / how all obeyed her will,As service to royal mistress / king's knights do render still,And how at every season / twelve kings 'fore her were seen.She thought of many a sorrow / that wrought upon her once had been.
1392
Eke thought she of lordly power / in NibelungenlandThat she erstwhile had wielded, / and how that Hagen's handOf it all had reft her / with her lord Siegfried dead;She thought for so great evil / how might he ever be repaid.
1393
"'Twould be, might I but bring him / hither into this land."She dreamed that fondly led her / full often by the handGiselher her brother, / full oft in gentle sleepThought she to have kissed him, / wherefrom he sorrow soon must reap.
1394
I ween the evil demon / was Kriemhild's counsellorThat she her peace with Gunther / should sacred keep no more,Whom she kissed in friendly token / in the land of Burgundy.Adown upon her bosom / the burning tears fell heavily.
1395
On her heart both late and early / lay the heavy thought,How that, herself all guiltless, / thereto she had been brought,That she must share in exile / a heathen monarch's bed.Through Hagen eke and Gunther / come she was to such sore need.
1396
From her heart such longing / seldom might she dismiss.Thought she: "A queen so mighty / I am o'er wealth like this,That I upon mine enemies / may yet avenge me well.Fain were I that on Hagen / of Tronje yet my vengeance fell.
1397
"For friends that once were faithful / full oft my heart doth long.Were they but here beside me / that wrought on me such wrong,Then were in sooth avengéd / my lover reft of life;Scarce may I bide that hour," / spake the royal Etzel's wife.
1398
Kriemhild they loved and honored, / the monarch's men each one,As they that came there with her: / well might the same be done.The treasure wielded Eckewart, / and won good knights thereby.The will of Lady Kriemhild might / none in all that land deny.
1399
She mused at every season: / "The king himself I'll pray,"—That he to her the favor / might grant in friendly way,To bring her kinsmen hither / unto Hunland.What vengeful thought she cherished / might none soever understand.
1400
As she in stillest night-time / by the monarch lay(In his arms enclosed he held her, / as he was wont alwayTo caress the noble lady: / she was to him as life),Again unto her enemies / turned her thoughts his stately wife.
1401
She spake unto the monarch: / "My lord full dear to me,Now would I pray a favor, / if with thy grace it be,That thou wilt show unto me / if merit such be mineThat unto my good kinsmen / truly doth thy heart incline."
1402
The mighty monarch answered / (from guile his heart was free):"Of a truth I tell thee, / if aught of good may beThe fortune of thy kinsmen, / —of that I were full fain,For ne'er through love of woman / might I friends more faithful gain."
1403
Thereat again spake Kriemhild: / "That mayst thou well believe,Full high do stand my kinsmen; / the more it doth me grieveThat they deign so seldom / hither to take their way.That here I live a stranger, / oft I hear the people say."
1404
Then spake the royal Etzel: / "Beloved lady mine,Seemed not too far the journey, / I'd bid from yond the RhineWhom thou wouldst gladly welcome / hither unto my land."Thereat rejoiced the lady / when she his will did understand.
1405
Spake she: "Wilt thou true favor / show me, master mine,Then shall thou speed thy messengers / to Worms across the Rhine.Were but my friends acquainted / what thing of them I would,Then to this land came hither / full many a noble knight and good."
1406
He spake: "Whene'er thou biddest, / straight the thing shall be.Thyself mightst ne'er thy kinsmen / here so gladly see,As I the sons of Ute, / high and stately queen.It grieveth me full sorely / that strangers here so long they've been.
1407
"If this thing doth please thee, / beloved lady mine,Then gladly send I thither / unto those friends of thineAs messengers my minstrels / to the land of Burgundy."He bade the merry fiddlers / lead before him presently.
1408
Then hastened they full quickly / to where they found the kingBy side of Kriemhild sitting. / He told them straight the thing,How they should be his messengers / to Burgundy to fare.Full stately raiment bade he / for them straightway eke prepare.
1409
Four and twenty warriors / did they apparel well.Likewise did the monarch / to them the message tell,How that they King Gunther / and his men should bid aright.Them eke the Lady Kriemhild / to secret parley did invite.
1410
Then spake the mighty monarch: / "Now well my words attend.All good and friendly greeting / unto my friends I send,That they may deign to journey / hither to my country.Few be the guests beside them / that were so welcome unto me.
1411
"And if they be so minded / to meet my will in aught,Kriemhild's lofty kinsmen, / that they forego it notTo come upon the summer / here where I hold hightide,For that my joy in living / doth greatly with my friends abide."
1412
Then spake the fiddle-player, / Schwemmelein full bold:"When thinkst thou in this country / such high feast to hold,That unto thy friends yonder / tell the same we may?"Thereto spake King Etzel: / "When next hath come midsummer day."
1413
"We'll do as thou commandest," / spake then Werbelein.Unto her own chamber / commanded then the queenTo bring in secret manner / the messengers alone.Thereby did naught but sorrow / befall full many a thane anon.
1414
She spake unto the messengers: / "Mickle wealth I give to you,If my will in this matter / right faithfully ye do,And bear what tidings send I / home unto our country.I'll make you rich in treasure / and fair apparelled shall ye be.
1415
"And friends of mine so many / as ever see ye mayAt Worms by Rhine river, / to them ye ne'er shall sayThat any mood of sorrow / in me ye yet have seen.Say ye that I commend me / unto the knights full brave and keen."
1416
"Pray them that to King Etzel's / message they give heed,Thereby to relieve me / of all my care and need,Else shall the Huns imagine / that I all friendless am.If I but a knight were, / oft would they see me at their home.
1417
"Eke say ye unto Gernot, / brother to me full dear,To him might never any / disposéd be more fair;Pray him that he bring hither / unto this countryAll our friends most steadfast, / that we thereby shall honored be.
1418
"Say further eke to Giselher / that he do have in mind,That by his guilt I never / did cause for sorrow find;Him therefore would I gladly / here with mine own eyes see,And give him warmest welcome, / so faithful hath he been to me.
1419
"How I am held in honor, / to my mother eke make plain.And if of Tronje Hagen / hath mind there to remain,By whom might they in coming / through unknown lands be shown?The way to Hunland hither / from youth to him hath well been known."
1420
No whit knew the messengers / wherefore she did adviseThat they of Tronje Hagen / should not in any wiseLeave by the Rhine to tarry. / That was anon their bane:Through him to dire destruction / was doomed full many a doughty thane.
1421
Letters and kindly greeting / now to them they give;They fared from thence rich laden, / and merrily might live.Leave then they took of Etzel / and eke his lady fair,And parted on their journey / dight in apparel rich and rare.
How Werbel and Schwemmel brought the Message
1422
When to the Rhine King Etzel / his messengers had sent,With hasty flight fresh tidings / from land to land there went:With messengers full quickly / to his high festivalHe bade them, eke and summoned. / To many thereby did death befall.
1423
The messengers o'er the borders / of Hunland thence did fareUnto the land of Burgundy; / thither sent they wereUnto three lordly monarchs / and eke their mighty men.To Etzel's land to bid them / hastily they journeyed then.
1424
Unto Bechelaren / rode they on their way,Where found they willing service. / Nor did aught delayRuediger to commend him / and Gotelinde as wellAnd eke their fairest daughter / to them that by the Rhine did dwell.
1425
They let them not unladen / with gifts from thence depart,So did the men of Etzel / fare on with lighter heart.To Ute and to her household / sent greeting Ruediger,That never margrave any / to them more well disposéd were.
1426
Unto Brunhild also / did they themselves commendWith willing service offered / and steadfast to the end.Bearing thus fair greeting / the messengers thence did fare,And prayed the noble margravine / that God would have them in his care.
1427
Ere the messengers had fully / passed o'er Bavarian ground,Had the nimble Werbel / the goodly bishop found.What greetings to his kinsmen / unto the Rhine he sent,That I cannot tell you; / the messengers yet from him went
1428
Laden with gold all ruddy, / to keep his memory.Thus spake the Bishop Pilgrim: / "'Twere highest joy to meMight I my sister's children / here see in home of mine,For that I may but seldom / go unto them to the Rhine."
1429
What were the ways they followed / as through the lands they fared,That can I nowise tell you. / Yet never any daredRob them of wealth or raiment, / for fear of Etzel's hand:A lofty king and noble, / mighty in sooth was his command.
1430
Before twelve days were over / came they unto the Rhine,And rode into Worms city / Werbel and Schwemmelein.Told were soon the tidings / to the kings and their good men,How that were come strange messengers. / Gunther the king did question then.
1431
And spake the monarch further: / "Who here may understandWhence do come these strangers / riding unto our land?"Yet was never any / might answer to him make,Until of Tronje Hagen / thus unto King Gunther spake:
1432
"To us hath come strange tidings / to hand this day, I ween,For Etzel's fiddlers riding / hither have I seen.The same have by thy sister / unto the Rhine been sent:For sake of their high master / now give we them fair compliment."
1433
E'en then did ride the messengers / unto the castle door,And never royal minstrels / more stately went before.By the monarch's servants / well received they were:They gave them fitting lodging / and for their raiment had a care.
1434
Rich and wrought full deftly / was the travelling-dress they wore,Wherein they well with honor / might go the king before;Yet they at court no longer / would the same garments wear.The messengers inquired / if any were might wish them there.
1435
In sooth in such condition / many eke were found,Who would receive them gladly; / to such they dealt around.Then decked themselves the strangers / in garments richer far,Such as royal messengers / beseemeth well at court to wear.
1436
By royal leave came forward / to where the monarch satThe men that came from Etzel, / and joy there was thereat.Hagen then to meet them / in courteous manner went,And heartily did greet them, / whereat they gave fair compliment.
1437
To know what were the tidings, / to ask he then beganHow did find him Etzel / and each valiant man.Then answer gave the fiddler: / "Ne'er higher stood the land,Nor the folk so joyous: / that shall ye surely understand."
1438
They went unto the monarch. / Crowded was the hall.There were received the strangers / as of right men shallKindly greeting offer / in other monarch's land.Many a valiant warrior / saw Werbel by King Gunther stand.
1439
Right courteously the monarch / began to greet them then:"Now be ye both right welcome, / Hunland's merry men,And knights that give you escort. / Hither sent are yeBy Etzel mighty monarch / unto the land of Burgundy?"
1440
They bowed before the monarch; / then spake Werbelein:"My dear lord and master, / and Kriemhild, sister thine,Hither to thy country / give fairest compliment.In faith of kindly welcome / us unto you they now have sent."
1441
Then spake the lofty ruler: / "I joy o'er this ye bring.How liveth royal Etzel," / further spake the king,"And Kriemhild, my sister, / afar in Hunland?"Then answered him the fiddler: / "That shalt thou straightway understand.
1442
"That never any people / more lordly life might showThan they both do joy in, / —that shalt thou surely know,—Wherein do share their kinsmen / and all their doughty train.When from them we parted, / of our journey were they fain."
1443
"My thanks for these high greetings / ye bring at his commandAnd from my royal sister. / That high in joy they stand,The monarch and his kinsmen, / rejoiceth me to hear.For, sooth to say, the tidings / asked I now in mickle fear."
1444
The twain of youthful princes / were eke come thitherward,As soon as they the tidings / from afar had heard.Right glad were seen the messengers / for his dear sister's sakeBy the young Giselher, / who in such friendly manner spake:
1445
"Right hearty were your welcome / from me and brother mine,Would ye but more frequent / ride hither to the Rhine;Here found ye friends full many / whom glad ye were to see,And naught but friendly favors / the while that in this land ye be."
1446
"To us how high thy favor," / spake Schwemmel, "know we well;Nor with my best endeavor / might I ever tellHow kindly is the greeting / we bear from Etzel's handAnd from your noble sister, / who doth in highest honor stand.
1447
"Your sometime love and duty / recalleth Etzel's queen,And how to her devoted / in heart we've ever been,But first to royal Gunther / do we a message bear,And pray it be your pleasure / unto Etzel's land to fare.
1448
"To beg of you that favor / commanded o'er and o'erEtzel mighty monarch / and bids you know the more,An will ye not your sister / your faces give to see,So would he know full gladly / wherein by him aggrieved ye be,
1449
"That ye thus are strangers / to him and all his men.If that his spouse so lofty / to you had ne'er been known,Yet well he thought to merit / that him ye'd deign to see;In sooth could naught rejoice him / more than that such thing might be."
1450
Then spake the royal Gunther: / "A sennight from this dayShall ye have an answer, / whereon decide I mayWith my friends in counsel. / The while shall ye repairUnto your place of lodging, / and right goodly be your fare."
1451
Then spake in answer Werbel: / "And might such favor beThat we the royal mistress / should first have leave to see,Ute, the lofty lady, / ere that we seek our rest?"To him the noble Giselher / in courteous wise these words addressed.
1452
"That grace shall none forbid you. / Will ye my mother greet,Therein do ye most fully / her own desire meet.For sake of my good sister / fain is she you to see,For sake of Lady Kriemhild / ye shall to her full welcome be."
1453
Giselher then led him / unto the lofty dame,Who fain beheld the messengers / from Hunland that came.She greeted them full kindly / as lofty manner taught,And in right courteous fashion / told they to her the tale they brought.
1454
"Pledge of loyal friendship / sendeth unto theeNow my lofty mistress," / spake Schwemmel. "Might it be,That she should see thee often, / then shalt thou know full well,In all the world there never / a greater joy to her befell."
1455
Replied the royal lady: / "Such thing may never be.Gladly as would I oft-times / my dearest daughter see,Too far, alas, is distant / the noble monarch's wife.May ever yet full happy / with King Etzel be her life.
1456
"See that ye well advise me, / ere that ye hence are gone,What time shall be your parting; / for messengers I noneHave seen for many seasons / as glad as greet I you."The twain gave faithful promise / such courtesy full sure to do.
1457
Forthwith to seek their lodgings / the men of Hunland went,The while the mighty monarch / for trusted warriors sent,Of whom did noble Gunther / straightway question make,How thought they of the message. / Whereupon full many spake
1458
That he might well with honor / to Etzel's land be bound,The which did eke advise him / the highest 'mongst them found,All save Hagen only, / whom sorely grieved such rede.Unto the king in secret / spake he: "Ill shall be thy meed.
1459
"What deed we twain compounded / art thou full well aware,Wherefor good cause we ever / shall have Kriemhild to fear,For that her sometime husband / I slew by my own hand.How dare we ever journey / then unto King Etzel's land?"
1460
Replied the king: "My sister / no hate doth harbor more.As we in friendship kissed her, / vengeance she forsworeFor evil that we wrought her, / ere that from hence she rode,—Unless this message, Hagen, / ill for thee alone forebode."
1461
"Now be thou not deceived," / spake Hagen, "say what mayThe messengers from Hunland. / If thither be thy way,At Kriemhild's hands thou losest / honor eke and life,For full long-avenging / is the royal Etzel's wife."
1462
Added then his counsel / the princely Gernot there:"Though be it thou hast reason / thine own death to fearAfar in Hunnish kingdom, / should we for that foregoTo visit our high sister, / that were in sooth but ill to do."
1463
Unto that thane did likewise / Giselher then say:"Since well thou know'st, friend Hagen, / what guilt on thee doth weigh,Then tarry here behind us / and of thyself have care,And let who dares the journey / with us unto my sister fare."
1464
Thereat did rage full sorely / Tronje's doughty thane:"So shall ye ne'er find any / that were to go more fain,Nor who may better guide you / than I upon your way.And will ye not give over, / know then my humor soon ye may."
1465
Then spake the Kitchen Master, / Rumold a lofty thane:"Here might ye guests and kinsmen / in plenty long maintainAfter your own pleasure, / for ye have goodly store.I ween ye ne'er found Hagen / traitor to you heretofore.
1466
"If heed ye will not Hagen, / still Rumold doth advise—For ye have faithful service / from me in willing wise—That here at home ye tarry / for the love of me,And leave the royal Etzel / afar with Kriemhild to be.
1467
"Where in the world might ever / ye more happy beThan here where from danger / of every foeman free,Where ye may go as likes you / in goodliest attire,Drink wine the best, and stately / women meet your heart's desire.
1468
"And daily is your victual / the best that ever knewA king of any country. / And were the thing not true,At home ye yet should tarry / for sake of your fair wifeEre that in childish fashion / ye thus at venture set your life.
1469
"Thus rede I that ye go not. / Mighty are your lands,And at home more easy may ye / be freed from hostile handsThan if ye pine in Hunland. / How there it is, who knows?O Master, go not thither, / —such is the rede that Rumold owes."
1470
"We'll ne'er give o'er the journey," / Gernot then did say,"When thus our sister bids us / in such friendly wayAnd Etzel, mighty monarch. / Wherefore should we refrain?Who goes not gladly thither, / here at home may he remain."
1471
Thereto gave answer Hagen: / "Take not amiss, I pray,These my words outspoken, / let befall what may.Yet do I counsel truly, / as ye your safety prize,That to the Huns ye journey / armed full well in warlike guise.
1472
"Will ye then not give over, / your men together call,The best that ye may gather / from districts one and all.From out them all I'll choose you / a thousand knights full good,Then may ye reck but little / the vengeful Kriemhild's angry mood."
1473
"I'll gladly heed thy counsel," / straight the king replied,And bade the couriers traverse / his kingdom far and wide.Soon they brought together / three thousand men or more,Who little weened what mickle / sorrow was for them in store.
1474
Joyful came they riding / to King Gunther's land.Steeds and equipment for them / all he did command,Who should make the journey / thence from Burgundy.Warriors many were there / to serve the king right willingly.
1475
Hagen then of Tronje / to Dankwart did assignOf their warriors eighty / to lead unto the Rhine.Equipped in knightly harness / were they soon at hand.Riding in gallant fashion / unto royal Gunther's land.
1476
Came eke the doughty Volker, / a noble minstrel he,With thirty goodly warriors / to join the company,Who wore so rich attire / 'twould fit a monarch well.That he would fare to Hunland, / bade he unto Gunther tell.
1477
Who was this same Volker / that will I let you know:He was a knight full noble, / to him did service oweMany a goodly warrior / in the land of Burgundy.For that he well could fiddle, / named the Minstrel eke was he.
1478
Thousand men chose Hagen, / who well to him were known.What things in storm of battle / their doughty arm had done,Or what they wrought at all times, / that knew he full well.Nor of them might e'er mortal / aught but deeds of valor tell.
1479
The messengers of Kriemhild, / full loath they were to wait,For of their master's anger / stood they in terror great.Each day for leave to journey / more great their yearning grew,But daily to withhold it / crafty Hagen pretext knew.
1480
He spake unto his master: / "Well shall we bewareHence to let them journey / ere we ourselves prepareIn seven days thereafter / to ride to Etzel's land:If any mean us evil, / so may we better understand.
1481
"Nor may the Lady Kriemhild / ready make thereto,That any by her counsel / scathe to us may do.Yet if such wish she cherish, / evil shall be her meed,For many a chosen warrior / with us shall we thither lead."
1482
Shields well-wrought and saddles, / with all the mickle gearThat into Etzel's country / the warriors should wear,The same was now made ready / for many a knight full keen.The messengers of Kriemhild / before King Gunther soon were seen.
1483
When were come the messengers, / Gernot them addressed:"King Gunther now is minded / to answer Etzel's quest.Full gladly go we thither / with him to make high-tideAnd see our lofty sister, / —of that set ye all doubt aside."
1484
Thereto spake King Gunther: / "Can ye surely sayWhen shall be the high-tide, / or upon what dayWe shall there assemble?" / Spake Schwemmel instantly:"At turn of sun in summer / shall in sooth the meeting be."
1485
The monarch leave did grant them, / ere they should take their way,If that to Lady Brunhild / they would their homage pay,His high pleasure was it / they unto her should go.Such thing prevented Volker, / and did his mistress' pleasure so.
1486
"In sooth, my Lady Brunhild / hath scarce such health to-dayAs that she might receive you," / the gallant knight did say."Bide ye till the morrow, / may ye the lady see."When thus they sought her presence, / might their wish not granted be.
1487
To the messengers right gracious / was the mighty king,And bade he from his treasure / on shields expansive bringShining gold in plenty / whereof he had great store.Eke richest gifts received they / from his lofty kinsmen more.
1488
Giselher and Gernot, / Gere and Ortwein,That they were free in giving / soon full well was seen.So costly gifts were offered / unto each messengerThat they dared not receive them, / for Etzel's anger did they fear.
1489
Then unto King Gunther / Werbel spake again:Sire, let now thy presents / in thine own land remain.The same we may not carry, / my master hath decreedThat we accept no bounty. / Of that in sooth we've little need."
1490
Thereat the lord of Rhineland / was seen in high displeasure,That they should thus accept not / so mighty monarch's treasure?In their despite yet took they / rich dress and gold in store,The which moreover with them / home to Etzel's land they bore.
1491
Ere that they thence departed / they Lady Ute sought,Whereat the gallant Giselher / straight the minstrels broughtUnto his mother's presence. / Kind greetings sent the dame,And wish that high in honor / still might stand her daughter's name.
1492
Then bade the lofty lady / embroidered silks and goldFor the sake of Kriemhild, / whom loved she as of old,And eke for sake of Etzel, / unto the minstrels give.What thus so free was offered / might they in sooth right fain receive.
1493
Soon now had ta'en departure / the messengers from thence,From knight and fairest lady, / and joyous fared they henceUnto Suabian country; / Gernot had given behestThus far for armed escort, / that none their journey might molest.
1494
When these had parted from them, / safe still from harm were they,For Etzel's might did guard them / wherever led their way.Nor ever came there any / that aught to take would dare,As into Etzel's country / they in mickle haste did fare.
1495
Where'er they friends encountered, / to all they straight made knownHow that they of Burgundy / should follow after soonFrom Rhine upon their journey / unto the Huns' country.The message brought they likewise / unto Bishop Pilgrim's see.
1496
As down 'fore Bechelaren / they passed upon their way,The tidings eke to Ruediger / failed they not to say,And unto Gotelinde, / the margrave's wife the same.At thought so soon to see them / was filled with joy the lofty dame.
1497
Hasting with the tidings / each minstrel's courser ran,Till found they royal Etzel / within his burgh at Gran.Greeting upon greeting, / which they must all bestow,They to the king delivered; / with joy his visage was aglow.
1498
When that the lofty Kriemhild / did eke the tidings hear,How that her royal brothers / unto the land would fare,In sooth her heart was gladdened; / on the minstrels she bestowedRichest gifts in plenty, / as she to her high station owed.
1499
She spake: "Now shall ye, Werbel / and Schwemmel, tell to meWho cometh of my kinsmen / to our festivity,Who of all were bidden / this our land to seek?Now tell me, when the message / heard he, what did Hagen speak?"
1500
Answered: "He came to council / early upon a day,But little was of pleasant / in what he there did say.When learned he their intention, / in wrath did Hagen swear,To death 'twere making journey, / to country of the Huns to fare.
1501
"Hither all are coming, / thy royal brothers three,And they right high in spirit. / Who more shall with them be,The tale to tell entire / were more than I might do.To journey with them plighted / Volker the valiant fiddler too."
1502
"'Twere little lost, full truly," / answered then the queen,"If by my eyes never / Volker here were seen.'Tis Hagen hath my favor, / a noble knight is he,And mickle is my pleasure / that him full soon we here may see."
1503
Her way the Lady Kriemhild / then to the king did take,And in right joyous manner / unto her consort spake:"How liketh thee the tidings, / lord full dear to me?What aye my heart hath yearned for, / that shall now accomplished be."
1504
"Thy will my joy was ever," / the lofty monarch said."In sooth for my own kinsmen / I ne'er have been so glad,To hear that they come hither / unto my country.To know thy friends are coming, / hath parted sadness far from me."
1505
Straight did the royal provosts / give everywhere decreeThat hall and stately palace / well prepared should beWith seats, that unprovided / no worthy guest be left.Anon by them the monarch / should be of mickle joy bereft.