The Nibelungenlied
Originally written in Middle High German (M.H.G.), sometime
around 1200 A.D.
Author unknown.
translated by Daniel B. Shumway (Houghton-
Mifflin Co., New York, 1909).
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY:
OTHER TRANSLATIONS --
Hatto, A.T. (Trans.): "Nibelungenlied" (Penguin Classics, London,
1962). Prose translation.
Ryder, Frank G. (Trans.): "The Song of the Nibelungs" (Wayne
State University Press, Detroit, 1962). Verse translation.
RECOMMENDED READING --
Anonymous: "Kudrun", Translated by Marion E. Gibbs & Sidney
Johnson (Garland Pub., New York, 1992).
Anonymous: "Volsungasaga", Translated by William Morris and
Eirikr Magnusson (Walter Scott Press, London, 1888; Reissued by
the Online Medieval and Classical Library as E-Text #29, 1997).
Saxo Grammaticus: "The First Nine Books of the Danish History",
Translated by Oliver Elton (London, 1894; Reissued by the Online
Medieval and Classical Library as E-Text OMACL #28, 1997).
PREFACE
This work has been undertaken in the belief that a literal
translation of as famous an epic as the "Nibelungenlied" would be
acceptable to the general reading public whose interest in the
story of Siegfried has been stimulated by Wagner's operas and by
the reading of such poems as William Morris' "Sigurd the
Volsung". Prose has been selected as the medium of translation,
since it is hardly possible to give an accurate rendering and at
the same time to meet the demands imposed by rhyme and metre; at
least, none of the verse translations made thus far have
succeeded in doing this. The prose translations, on the other
hand, mostly err in being too continuous and in condensing too
much, so that they retell the story instead of translating it.
The present translator has tried to avoid these two extremes. He
has endeavored to translate literally and accurately, and to
reproduce the spirit of the original, as far as a prose
translation will permit. To this end the language has been made
as simple and as Saxon in character as possible. An exception
has been made, however, in the case of such Romance words as were
in use in England during the age of the romances of chivalry, and
which would help to land a Romance coloring; these have been
frequently employed. Very few obsolete words have been used, and
these are explained in the notes, but the language has been made
to some extent archaic, especially in dialogue, in order to give
the impression of age. At the request of the publishers the
Introduction Sketch has been shorn of the apparatus of
scholarship and made as popular as a study of the poem and its
sources would allow. The advanced student who may be interested
in consulting authorities will find them given in the
introduction to the parallel edition in the Riverside Literature
Series. A short list of English works on the subject had,
however, been added.
In conclusion the translator would like to thank his colleagues,
C.G. Child and Cornelius Weygandt, for their helpful suggestions
in starting the work, and also to acknowledge his indebtedness to
the German edition of Paul Piper, especially in preparing the
notes.
-- DANIEL BUSSIER SHUMWAY,
Philadelphia, February 15, 1909.
INTRODUCTORY SKETCH
There is probably no poem of German literature that has excited
such universal interest, or that has been so much studied and
discussed, as the "Nibelungenlied". In its present form it is a
product of the age of chivalry, but it reaches back to the
earliest epochs of German antiquity, and embraces not only the
pageantry of courtly chivalry, but also traits of ancient
Germanic folklore and probably of Teutonic mythology. One of its
earliest critics fitly called it a German "Iliad", for, like this
great Greek epic, it goes back to the remotest times and unites
the monumental fragments of half-forgotten myths and historical
personages into a poem that is essentially national in character,
and the embodiment of all that is great in the antiquity of the
race. Though lacking to some extent the dignity of the "Iliad",
the "Nibelungenlied" surpasses the former in the deep tragedy
which pervades it, the tragedy of fate, the inevitable
retribution for crime, the never-dying struggle between the
powers of good and evil, between light and darkness.
That the poem must have been exceedingly popular during the
Middle Ages is evinced by the great number of Manuscripts that
have come down to us. We possess in all twenty-eight more or
less complete MSS., preserved in thirty-one fragments, fifteen of
which date from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Of all
these MSS., but nine are so well preserved that, in spite of some
minor breaks, they can be considered complete. Of this number
three, designated respectively as A, B, C, are looked upon as the
most important for purposes of textual criticism, and around them
a fierce battle has been waged, which is not even yet settled.
(1) It is now generally conceded that the longest MS., C, is a
later redaction with many additional strophes, but opinions are
divided as to whether the priority should be given to A or B, the
probabilities being that B is the more original, A merely a
careless copy of B.
In spite of the great popularity of the "Nibelungenlied", the
poem was soon forgotten by the mass of the people. With the
decay of courtly chivalry and the rise of the prosperous citizen
class, whose ideals and testes lay in a different direction, this
epic shared the fate of many others of its kind, and was
relegated to the dusty shelves of monastery or ducal libraries,
there to wait till a more cultured age, curious as to the
literature of its ancestors, should bring it forth from its
hiding places. However, the figures of the old legend were not
forgotten, but lived on among the people, and were finally
embodied in a popular ballad, "Das Lied vom Hurnen Segfrid",
which has been preserved in a print of the sixteenth century,
although the poem itself is thought to go back at least to the
thirteenth. The legend was also dramatized by Hans Sachs, the
shoemaker poet of Nuremberg, and related in prose form in a chap
book which still exists in prints of the eighteenth century. The
story and the characters gradually became so vague and distorted,
that only a trained eye could detect in the burlesque figures of
the popular account the heroes of the ancient Germanic Legend.
The honor of rediscovering the "Nibelungenlied" and of restoring
it to the world of literature belongs to a young physician by the
name of J.H. Obereit, who found the manuscript C at the castle of
Hohenems in the Tirol on June 29, 1755; but the scientific study
of the poem begins with Karl Lachmann, one of the keenest
philological critics that Germany has ever produced. In 1816 he
read before the University of Berlin his epoch-making essay upon
the original form of the "Nibelungenlied". Believing that the
poem was made up of a number of distinct ballads or lays, he
sought by means of certain criteria to eliminate all parts which
were, as he thought, later interpolations or emendations. As a
result of this sifting and discarding process, he reduced the
poem to what he considered to have been its original form,
namely, twenty separate lays, which he thought had come down to
us in practically the same form in which they had been sung by
various minstrels.
This view is no longer held in its original form. Though we have
every reason to believe that ballads of Siegfried the dragon
killer, of Siegfried and Kriemhild, and of the destruction of the
Nibelungs existed in Germany, yet these ballads are no longer to
be seen in our poem. They formed merely the basis or source for
some poet who thought to revive the old heroic legends of the
German past which were familiar to his hearers and to adapt them
to the tastes of his time. In all probability we must assume
two, three, or even more steps in the genesis of the poem. There
appear to have been two different sources, one a Low German
account, quite simple and brief, the other a tradition of the
Lower Rhine. The legend was perhaps developed by minstrels along
the Rhine, until it was taken and worked up into its present form
by some Austrian poet. Who this poet was we do not know, but we
do know that he was perfectly familiar with all the details of
courtly etiquette. He seems also to have been acquainted with
the courtly epics of Heinrich von Veldeke and Hartman von Ouwe,
but his poem is free from the tedious and often exaggerated
descriptions of pomp, dress, and court ceremonies, that mar the
beauty of even the best of the courtly epics. Many painstaking
attempts have been made to discover the identity of the writer of
our poem, but even the most plausible of all these theories which
considers Kurenberg, one of the earliest of the "Minnesingers",
to be the author, because of the similarity of the strophic form
of our poem to that used by him, is not capable of absolute
proof, and recent investigations go to show that Kurenberg was
indebted to the "Nibelungen" strophe for the form of his lyric,
and not the "Nibelungenlied" to him. The "Nibelungen" strophe is
presumably much older, and, having become popular in Austria
through the poem, was adopted by Kurenberg for his purposes. As
to the date of the poem, in its present form it cannot go back
further than about 1190, because of the exactness of the rhymes,
nor could it have been written later than 1204, because of
certain allusions to it in the sixth book of "Parzival", which we
know to have been written at this date. The two Low German poems
which probably form the basis of our epic may have been united
about 1150. It was revised and translated into High German and
circulated at South German courts about 1170, and then received
its present courtly form about 1190, this last version being the
immediate source of our manuscripts.
The story of Siegfried, his tragic death, and the dire vengeance
visited upon his slayers, which lies at the basis of our poem,
antedates the latter by many centuries, and was known to all
nations whose languages prove by their resemblance to the German
tongue their original identity with the German people. Not only
along the banks of the Rhine and the Danube and upon the upland
plains of Southern Germany, but also along the rocky fjords of
Norway, among the Angles and Saxons in their new home across the
channel, even in the distant Shetland Islands and on the snow-
covered wastes of Iceland, this story was told around the fires
at night and sung to the harp in the banqueting halls of kings
and nobles, each people and each generation telling it in its own
fashion and adding new elements of its own invention. This great
geographical distribution of the legend, and the variety of forms
in which it appears, make it difficult to know where we must seek
its origin. The northern version is in many respects older and
simpler in form than the German, but still it is probable that
Norway was not the home of the saga, but that it took its rise in
Germany along the banks of the Rhine among the ancient tribe of
the Franks, as is shown by the many geographical names that are
reminiscent of the characters of the story, such as a Siegfried
"spring" in the Odenwald, a Hagen "well" at Lorsch, a Brunhild
"bed" near Frankfort, and the well-known "Drachenfels", or
Dragon's Rock, on the Rhine. It is to Norway, however, that we
must go for our knowledge of the story, for, singularly enough,
with the exception of the "Nibelungenlied" and the popular
ballad, German literature has preserved almost no trace of the
legend, and such as exist are too late and too corrupt to be of
much use in determining the original features of the story.
Just when the legend emigrated to Skandinavia we do not know, but
certainly at an early date, perhaps during the opening years of
the sixth century. It may have been introduced by German
traders, by slaves captured by the Northmen on their frequent
marauding expeditions, or, as Mogk believes, may have been taken
by the Heruli on their return to Norway after their defeat by the
Langobardi. By whatever channel, however, the story reached the
North, it became part and parcel of Skandinavian folklore, only
certain names still pointing to the original home of the legend.
In the ninth century, when Harald Harfagr changed the ancient
free constitution of the land, many Norwegians emigrated to
Iceland, taking with them these acquired legends, which were
better preserved in this remote island because of the peaceful
introduction of Christianity, than on the Continent, where the
Church was more antagonistic to the customs and legends of the
heathen period.
The Skandinavian version of the Siegfried legend has been handed
down to us in five different forms. The first of these is the
poetic or older "Edda", also called Saemund's "Edda", as it was
assigned to the celebrated Icelandic scholar Saemundr Sigfusson.
The "Codex Regius", in which it is preserved, dates from the
middle of the thirteenth century, but is probably a copy of an
older manuscript. The songs it contains were written at various
times, the oldest probably in the first half of the ninth
century, the latest not much before the date of the earliest
manuscript. Most of them, however, belong to the Viking period,
when Christianity was already beginning to influence the
Norwegians, that is, between the years 800 and 1000. They are
partly heroic, partly mythological in character, and are written
in alliterative strophes interspersed with prose, and have the
form of dialogues. Though the legends on which these songs are
based were brought from Norway, most of them were probably
composed in Iceland. Among these songs, now, we find a number
which deal with the adventures of Siegfried and his tragic end.
The second source of the Siegfried story is the so-called
"Volsungasaga", a prose paraphrase of the "Edda" songs. The MS.
dates from the beginning of the thirteenth century, but the
account was probably written a century earlier. The adventures
of Siegfried and his ancestors are here related in great detail
and his ancestry traced back to Wodan. Although a secondary
source, as it is based on the "Edda", the "Volsungasaga" is
nevertheless of great importance, since it supplies a portion of
the "Codex Regius" which has been lost, and thus furnishes us
with the contents of the missing songs.
The third source is the prose "Edda", sometimes called the
"Snorra Edda", after the famous Icelander Snorri Sturluson
(1178-1241),to whom it was ascribed. The author was acquainted
with both the poetic "Edda" and the "Volsungasaga", and follows
these accounts closely. The younger "Edda" is not really a tale,
but a book of poetics; it relates, however, the Siegfried saga
briefly. It is considered an original source, since it evidently
made use of songs that have not come down to us, especially in
the account of the origin of the treasure, which is here told
more in detail and with considerable differences. The
"Nornagestsaga" or "Nornageststhattr", the story of "Nornagest",
forms the fourth source of the Siegfried story. It is really a
part of the Olaf saga, but contains the story of Sigurd and
Gunnar (the Norse forms of Siegfried and Gunther), which an old
man Nornagest relates to King Olaf Tryggvason, who converted the
Norwegians to Christianity. The story was written about 1250 to
illustrate the transition from heathendom to the Christian faith.
It is based on the "Edda" and the "Volsungasaga", and is
therefore of minor importance as a source.
These four sources represent the early introduction of the
Siegfried legend into Skandinavia. A second introduction took
place about the middle of the thirteenth century, at the time of
the flourishing of the Hanseatic League, when the story was
introduced together with other popular German epics. These poems
are products of the age of chivalry, and are characterized by the
romantic and courtly features of this movement. The one which
concerns us here, as the fifth source of the Siegfried story, is
the so-called "Thidreksaga", which celebrates the adventures of
the famous legendary hero, Dietrich of Berne, the historical
Theodorich of Ravenna. In as far as it contains the adventures
of the Nibelungs, it is also called the "Niflungasaga". The
"Thidreksaga" was written about 1250 by a Norwegian who, as he
himself tells us, heard the story from Germans in the
neighborhood of Bremen and Munster. Since it is thus based on
Saxon traditions, it can be considered an independent source of
the legend, and, in fact, differs from the earlier Norse versions
in many important details. The author was acquainted, however,
with the older versions, and sought to compromise between them,
but mostly followed his German authorities.
The story, as given in the older Norse versions, is in most
respects more original than in the "Nibelungenlied". It relates
the history of the treasure of the Nibelungs, tracing it back to
a giant by the name of "Hreithmar", who received it from the god
"Loki" as a compensation for the killing of the former's son
"Otur", whom Loki had slain in the form of an otter. Loki
obtained the ransom from a dwarf named "Andwari", who in turn had
stolen it from the river gods of the Rhine. Andwari pronounces a
terrible curse upon the treasure and its possessors, and this
curse passes from Loki to the Giant Hreithmar, who is murdered
when asleep by his two sons "Fafnir" and "Regin". The latter,
however, is cheated out of the coveted prize by Fafnir, who
carries it away to the "Gnita" heath, where he guards it in the
form of a dragon.
This treasure, with its accompanying curse, next passes into the
hands of a human being named Sigurd (the Norse form of Siegfried,
as we have seen), a descendant of the race of the Volsungs, who
trace their history back to Wodan and are especially favored by
him. The full story of Siegfried's ancestry is far too long to
relate here, and does not especially concern us, as it has little
or no influence on the later development of the story. It is
sufficient for our purpose to know that Siegfried was the son of
Siegmund, who was slain in battle before the birth of his son.
Sigurd was carefully reared by his mother "Hjordis" and the wise
dwarf Regin, who taught him the knowledge of runes and of many
languages. (2) At the suggestion of Regin, Sigurd asks for and
receives the steed "Grani" from the king, and is then urged by
his tutor to help him obtain the treasure guarded by the latter's
brother Fafnir. Sigurd promises, but first demands a sword.
Two, that arc given him by Regin, prove worthless, and he forges
a new one from the pieces of his father's sword, which his mother
had preserved. With this he easily splits the anvil and cuts in
two a flake of wool, floating down the Rhine. He first avenges
the death of his father, and then sets off with Regin to attack
the dragon Fafnir. At the advice of the former Sigurd digs a
ditch across the dragon's peth and pierces him from below with
his sword, as the latter comes down to drink. In dying the
dragon warns Sigurd against the treasure and its curse, and
against Regin, who, he says, is planning Sigurd's death,
intending to obtain the treasure for himself.
When Regin sees the dragon safely dead, he creeps from his place
of concealment, drinks of the blood, and, cutting out the heart,
begs Sigurd to roast it for him. While doing so, Sigurd burns
his fingers, and, putting them in his mouth, understands at once
the language of the birds and hears them say that Sigurd himself
should eat the heart and then he would be wiser than all other
men. They also betray Regin's evil designs, and counsel the lad
to kill his tutor. This Sigurd then does, cutting off Regin's
head, drinking the blood of both brothers, and eating Fafnir's
heart. (3) On the further advice of the birds Sigurd first
fetches the treasure from the cave, and then journeys to the
mountain "Hindarfjall", where he rescues the sleeping Valkyrie,
"Sigrdrifu" ("Brynhild", "Brunhild"), who, stung by the sleep
thorn of Wodan, and clad in full armor, lies asleep within a
castle that is surrounded by a wall of flame. With the help of
his steed Grani, Sigurd succeeds in penetrating through the fire
to the castle. The sleeping maiden awakes when he cuts the armor
from her with his sword, for it was as tight as if grown fast to
the flesh. She hails her deliverer with great joy, for she had
vowed never to marry a man who knew fear. At Sigurd's request
she teaches him many wise precepts, and finally pledges her troth
to him. He then departs, after promising to be faithful to her
and to remember her teachings.
On his journeyings Sigurd soon arrives at the court of "Giuki"
(the Norse form of the German "Gibicho", "Gibich"), a king whose
court lay on the lower Rhine. Giuki has three sons, "Gunnar",
"Hogni", and "Guthorm", and a daughter "Gudrun", endowed with
great beauty. The queen bears the name of Grimhild, and is
versed in magic, but possessed of an evil heart. (4) Sigurd is
received with great honor, for his coming had been announced to
Gudrun in dreams, which had in part been interpreted to her by
Brynhild. The mother, knowing of Sigurd's relations to the
latter, gives him a potion which produces forgetfulness, so that
he no longer remembers his betrothed, and accepts the hand of
Gudrun, which the king offers him at the queen's request. The
marriage is celebrated with great pomp, and Sigurd remains
permanently attached to Giuki's court, performing with the others
many deeds of valor.
Meanwhile Grimhild urges her son Gunnar to sue for the hand of
Brynhild. Taking with him Sigurd and a few others, Gunnar visits
first Brynhild's father "Budli", and then her brother-in-law
"Heimir", from both of whom he learns that she is free to choose
whom she will, but that she will marry no one who has not ridden
through the wall of flame. With this answer they proceed to
Brynhild's castle, where Gunnar is unable to pierce the flames,
even when seated on Sigurd's steed. Finally Sigurd and Gunnar
change forms, and Sigurd, disguised as Gunnar, rides through the
wall of fire, announces himself to Brynhild as Gunnar, the son of
Giuki, and reminds her of her promise to marry the one who
penetrated the fire. Brynhild consents with great reluctance,
for she is busy carrying on a war with a neighboring king.
Sigurd then passes three nights at her side, placing, however,
his sword Gram between them, as a bar of separation. At parting
he draws from her finger the ring, with which he had originally
pledged his troth to her, and replaces it with another, taken
from Fafnir's hoard. Soon after this the marriage of Gunnar and
Brynhild is celebrated with great splendor, and all return to
Giuki's court, where they live happily for some time.
One day, however, when the ladies go down to the river to take a
bath, Brynhild will not bathe further down stream than Gudrun,
that is, in the water which flows from Gudrun to her, (5) giving
as the reason, that her father was mightier and her husband
braver, since he had ridden through the fire, while Sigurd had
been a menial. Stung at this, Gudrun retorts that not Gunnar but
Sigurd had penetrated the flames and had taken from her the
fateful ring "Andvaranaut", which she then shows to her rival in
proof of her assertion. Brynhild turns deathly pale, but answers
not a word. After a second conversation on the subject had
increased the hatred of the queens, Brynhild plans vengeance.
Pretending to be ill, she takes to her bed, and when Gunnar
inquires what ails her, she asks him if he remembers the
circumstances of the wooing and that not he but Sigurd had
penetrated the flames. She attempts to take Gunnar's life, as
she had pledged her troth to Sigurd, and is thereupon placed in
chains by Hogni. Seven days she sleeps, and no one dares to wake
her. Finally Sigurd succeeds in making her talk, and she tells
him how cruelly she has been deceived, that the better man had
been destined for her, but that she had received the poorer one.
This Sigurd denies, for Giuki's son had killed the king of the
Danes and also Budli's brother, a great warrior. Moreover,
although he, Sigurd, had ridden through the flames, he had not
become her husband. He begs her therefore not to harbor a grudge
against Gunnar.
Brynhild remains unconvinced, and plans Sigurd's death, and
threatens Gunnar with the loss of dominion and life, if he will
not kill Sigurd. After some hesitation, Gunnar consents, and,
calling Hogni, informs him that he must kill Sigurd, in order to
obtain the treasure of the Rhinegold. Hogni warns him against
breaking his oath to Sigurd, when it occurs to Gunnar, that his
brother Gutthorm had sworn no oath and might do the deed. Both
now proceed to excite the latter's greed, and give him wolf's and
snake meat to eat to make him savage. Twice Gutthorm makes the
attempt, as Sigurd lies in bed, but is deterred by the latter's
penetrating glance. The third time he finds Sigurd asleep, and
pierces him with his sword. Sigurd, awakening at the pain, hurls
his own sword after his murderer, fairly cutting him in two. He
then dies, protesting his innocence and designating Brynhild as
the instigator of his murder. Brynhild at first laughs aloud at
Gudrun's frantic grief, but later her joy turns into sorrow, and
she determines to share Sigurd's death. In vain they try to
dissuade her; donning her gold corselet, she pierces herself with
a sword and begs to be burned on Sigurd's funeral pyre. In dying
she prophesies the future, telling of Gudrun's marriage to "Atli"
and of the death of the many men which will be caused thereby.
After Brynhild's death Gudrun in her sorrow flees to the court of
King "Half" of Denmark, where she remains seven years. Finally
Grimhild learns of the place of her daughter's concealment, and
tries to bring about a reconciliation with Gunnar and Hogni.
They offer her much treasure, if she will marry Atli. At first
she refuses and thinks only of revenge, but finally she consents
and the marriage is celebrated in Atli's land. After a time
Atli, who is envious of Gunnar's riches, for the latter had taken
possession of Sigurd's hoard, invites him to his court. A man
named "Vingi", who was sent with the invitation, changes the
runes of warning, which Gudrun had given him, so that they, too,
read as an invitation. The brothers determine to accept the
invitation, and, though warned by many dreams, they set out for
Atli's court, which they reach in due time. Vingi now breaks
forth into exultations, that he has lured them into a snare, and
is slain by Hogni with a battle axe.
As they ride to the king's hall, Atli and his sons arm themselves
for battle, and demand Sigurd's treasure, which belongs by right
to Gudrun. Gunnar refuses to surrender it, and the fight begins,
after some exchange of taunting words. Gudrun tries at first to
reconcile the combatants, but, failing, arms herself and fights
on the side of her brothers. The battle rages furiously with
great loss on both sides, until nearly all of the Nibelungs are
killed, when Gunnar and Hogni are forced to yield to the power of
numbers and are captured and bound. Gunnar is asked, if he will
purchase his life with the treasure. He replies that he first
wishes to see Hogni's bleeding heart. At first the heart of a
slave is cut out and brought to him, but Gunnar recognizes it at
once as that of a coward. Then they cut out Hogni's heart, who
laughs at the pain. This Gunnar sees is the right one, and is
jubilant, for now Atli shall never obtain the treasure, as Gunnar
alone knows where it is hid. In a rage Atli orders Gunnar to be
thrown to the snakes. Though his hands are bound, Gunnar plays
so sweetly with his toes on the harp, which Gudrun has sent him,
that all the snakes are lulled to sleep, with the exception of an
adder, which stings him to the heart, so that he dies.
Atli now walks triumphantly over the dead bodies, and remarks to
Gudrun that she alone is to blame for what has happened. She
refuses his offers of peace and reconciliation, and towards
evening kills her two sons "Erp" and "Eitil", and serves them at
the banquet, which the king gives for his retainers. When Atli
asks for his sons, he is told that he had drunk their blood mixed
with wine and had eaten their hearts. That night when Atli is
asleep, Gudrun takes Hogni's son "Hniflung", who desires to
avenge his father, and together they enter Atli's room and thrust
a sword through his breast. Atli awakes from the pain, only to
be told by Gudrun that she is his murderess. When he reproaches
her with thus killing her husband, she answers that she cared
only for Sigurd. Atli now asks for a fitting burial, and on
receiving the promise of this, expires. Gudrun carries out her
promise, and burns the castle with Atli and all his dead
retainers. Other Edda songs relate the further adventures of
Gudrun, but they do not concern us here, as the "Nibelungenlied"
stops with the death of the Nibelungs.
This in brief is the story of Siegfried, as it has been handed
down to us in the Skandinavian sources. It is universally
acknowledged that this version, though more original than the
Gorman tradition, does not represent the simplest and most
original form of the tale; but what the original form was, has
long been and still is a matter of dispute. Two distinctly
opposite views are held, the one seeing in the story the
personification of the forces of nature, the other, scouting the
possibility of a mythological interpretation, seeks a purely
human origin for the tale, namely, a quarrel among relatives for
the possession of treasure. The former view is the older, and
obtained almost exclusively at one time. The latter has been
gaining ground of recent years, and is held by many of the
younger students of the legend. According to the mythological
view, the maiden slumbering upon the lonely heights is the sun,
the wall of flames surrounding her the morning red
("Morgenrote"). Siegfried is the youthful day who is destined to
rouse the sun from her slumber. At the appointed time he
ascends, and before his splendor the morning red disappears. He
awakens the maiden; radiantly the sun rises from its couch and
joyously greets the world of nature. But light and shade are
indissolubly connected; day changes of itself into night. When
at evening the sun sinks to rest and surrounds herself once more
with a wall of flames, the day again approaches, but no longer in
the youthful form of the morning to arouse her from her slumber,
but in the sombre shape of Gunther, to rest at her side. Day has
turned into night; this is the meaning of the change of forms.
The wall of flame vanishes, day and sun descend into the realm of
darkness. Under this aspect the Siegfried story is a day myth;
but under another it is a myth of the year. The dragon is the
symbol of winter, the dwarfs of darkness. Siegfried denotes the
bright summer, his sword the sunbeams. The youthful year grows
up in the dark days of winder. When its time has come, it goes
forth triumphantly and destroys the darkness and the cold of
winter. Through the symbolization the abstractions gain form and
become persons; the saga is thus not a mere allegory, but a
personification of nature's forces. The treasure may have
entered the saga through the widespread idea of the dragon as the
guardian of treasure, or it may represent the beauty of nature
which unfolds when the season has conquered. In the last act of
the saga, Siegfried's death, Wilmanns, the best exponent of this
view, sees again a symbolic representation of a process of
nature. According to him it signifies the death of the god of
the year in winter. In the spring he kills the dragon, in the
winter he goes weary to his rest and is foully slain by the
hostile powers of darkness. Later, when this act was connected
with the story of Gunther's wooing Brunhild, the real meaning was
forgotten, and Siegfried's death was attributed to the grief and
jealousy of the insulted queen.
Opposed now to the mythological interpretation is the other view
already spoken of, which denies the possibility of mythological
features, and does not seek to trace the legend beyond the heroic
stage. The best exponent of this view is R. C. Boer, who has
made a remarkable attempt to resolve the story into its simplest
constituents. According to him the nucleus of the legend is an
old story of the murder of relatives ("Verwandienmord"), the
original form being perhaps as follows. Attila (i.e., the enemy
of Hagen under any name)is married to Hagen's sister Grimhild or
Gudrun. He invites his brother-in-law to his house, attacks him
in the hope of obtaining his treasure, and kills him. According
to this view Hagen was originally the king, but later sinks to a
subordinate position through the subsequent connection of the
story with the Burgundians. It is of course useless to hunt for
the date of such an episode in history. Such a murder could have
frequently occurred, and can be localized anywhere. Very early
we find this Hagen story united with the Siegfried legend. If
the latter is mythological, then we have a heterogeneous
combination, a mythical legend grafted on a purely human one.
This Boer thinks unlikely, and presents a number of arguments to
disprove the mythical character of the Siegfried story, into
which we cannot enter here. He comes, however, to the
conclusion, that the Siegfried tale is likewise purely human, and
consisted originally of the murder of relatives, that is, a
repetition of the Hagen title. Siegfried is married to Hagen's
sister, and is killed by his brother-in-law because of his
treasure. The kernel of the legend is, therefore, the enmity
between relatives, which exists in two forms, the one in which
the son-in-law kills his father-in-law, as in the "Helgi" saga,
the other in which Hagen kills his son-in-law and is killed by
him, too, as in the "Hilde" saga. The German tradition tries to
combine the two by introducing the new feature, that Kriemhild
causes the death of her relatives, in order to avenge her first
husband. Boer is of the opinion that both the Norse and the
German versions have forgotten the original connection between
the two stories, and that this connection was nothing more nor
less than the common motive of the treasure. The same treasure,
which causes Hagen to murder Siegfried, causes his own death in
turn through the greed of Attila. There was originally,
according to Boer, no question of revenge, except the revenge of
fate, the retribution which overtakes the criminal. This feeling
for the irony of fate was lost when the motive, that Hagen kills
Siegfried because of his treasure, was replaced by the one that
he does it at the request of Brunhild. This leads Boer to the
conclusion, that Brunhild did not originally belong to the
Siegfried story, but to the well-known fairy tale of Sleeping
Beauty ("Erlosungsmurchen"), which occurs in a variety of forms.
The type is that of a hero who rescues a maiden from a magic
charm, which may take the form of a deep sleep, as in the case of
Sleeping Beauty, or of being sewed into a garment, as in No. 111
of Grimm's fairy tales. By the union of the two stories, i.e.,
the Hagen-Siegfried saga with the Sleeping Beauty tale, Siegfried
stands in relation to two women; on the one hand his relation to
Sigrdrifa-Brynhild, the maiden whom he rescues on the rock, on
the other his marriage with Grimhild-Gudrun and his consequent
death. This twofold relation had to be disposed of, and since
his connection with Grimhild was decisive for his fate, his
relation to Brunhild had to be changed. It could not be entirely
ignored, for it was too well known, therefore it was given a
different interpretation. Siegfried still rescues a maiden from
the rock, not for himself, however, but for another. The
exchange of forms on the part of Siegfried and Gunther is a
reminiscence of the older form. It gives the impression, that
Siegfried, and yet not Siegfried, won the bride. This alteration
probably took place when the Burgundians were introduced into the
legend. With this introduction an unlocalized saga of unknown
heroes of ancient times became one of events of world-wide
importance; the fall of a mighty race was depicted as the result
of Siegfried's death. To render this plausible, it was necessary
on the one hand to idealize the hero, so that his death should
appear as a deed of horror demanding fearful vengeance, and on
the other, to make the king of the Burgundians an active
participator in Siegfried's death, for otherwise it would not
seem natural, that the whole race should be exterminated for a
crime committed by the king's brother or vassal. As the role of
Brunhild's husband had become vacant, and as Gunther had no
special role, it was natural that it should be given to him.
Boer traces very ingeniously the gradual development of this
exchange of roles through the various sources.
Another method of explaining away Siegfried's relation to two
women is to identify them, and this has been done by the Seyfrid
ballad. Here the hero rescues Kriemhild from the power of the
dragon, marries her, and then is later killed by her brothers
through envy and hatred. As Brunhild and Kriemhild are here
united in one person, there is no need of a wooing for the king,
nor of vengeance on the part of Brunhild, accordingly the old
motive of greed (here envy) reappears.
As to the fight with the dragon, Boer believes that it did not
originally belong to the saga, for in none of the sources except
the popular ballad is the fight with the dragon connected with
the release of Brunhild. If the Siegfried-Hagen story is purely
human, then the dragon cannot have originally belonged to it, but
was later introduced, because of the widespread belief in the
dragon as the guardian of treasure, and in order to answer the
question as to the provenience of the hoard. This is, however,
only one answer to the question. Another, widespread in German
legends, is that the treasure comes from the Nibelungs, that is,
from the dwarfs. Many identify the dwarfs and the dragon, but
this finds no support in the sources, for here the dwarfs and
Fafnir are never confused. The "Nibelungenlied" describes an
adventure with each, but the treasure is only connected with the
dwarfs. The "Thidreksaga" knows only the dragon fight but not
the dwarfs, as is likewise the case with the Seyfrid ballad.
Only in the Norse sources do we find a contamination. The story
of Hreithmar and his sons, who quarrel about the treasure,
resembles that of Schilbung and Nibelung in the "Nibelungenlied",
and probably has the same source. One of the sons, because of
his guarding the treasure, is identified with the dragon, and so
we read that Fafnir becomes a dragon, after gaining the treasure.
Originally, however, he was not a dragon, but a dwarf. These two
independent forms can be geographically localized. The dwarf
legend is the more southern; it is told in detail in the
"Nibelungenlied". The dragon legend probably originated in the
Cimbrian peninsula, where the "Beowulf" saga, in which the dragon
fight plays such an important part, likewise arose.
There thus stand sharply opposed to each other two theories, one
seeing in the Siegfried saga a personification of natural forces,
the other tracing it back to a purely human story of murder
through greed. It may be, that the true form of the original
saga lies half way between these two views. The story of the
fall of the Nibelungs, that is, their killing at Etzel's court,
may go back to the tale of the murder of relatives for money. On
the other hand it is hard to believe that the Siegfried saga is
nothing but a repetition of the Attila motive, for this is too
brief a formula to which to reduce the long legend of Siegfried,
with its many deeds. Even if we discard the mythological
interpretation, it is the tale of a daring hero, who is brought
up in the woods by a cunning dwarf. He kills a dragon and takes
possession of his hoard, then rescues a maiden, imprisoned upon a
mountain, as in the older Norse version and the popular ballad,
or in a tower, as in the "Thidreksaga", and surrounded either by
a wall of fire, as in the Norse, or by a large body of water, as
in the "Nibelungenlied". After betrothing himself to the maiden,
he sets forth in search of further adventures, and falls into the
power of an evil race, who by their magic arts lure him to them,
cause his destruction, and then obtain his treasure and the
maiden for themselves. By her very name Sigrdrifa belongs to
Siegfried, just as Gunther and Gudrun-Grimhild belong together,
and it seems hardly possible that she should have entered the
story later, as Boer would have us believe. After all, it is
largely a matter of belief, for it is impossible to prove
positively that mythical elements did or did not exist in the
original.
To the combined Siegfried-Nibelung story various historical
elements were added during the fifth century. At the beginning
of this period the Franks were located on the left bank of the
Rhine from Coblenz downward. Further up the river, that is, to
the south, the Burgundians had established a kingdom in what is
now the Rhenish Palatinate, their capital being Worms and their
king "Gundahar", or "Gundicarius", as the Romans called him. For
twenty years the Burgundians lived on good terms with the
surrounding nations. Then, growing bolder, they suddenly rose
against the Romans in the year 436, but the rebellion was quietly
suppressed by the Roman general Aetius. Though defeated, the
Burgundians were not subdued, and the very next year they broke
their oaths and again sought to throw off the Roman yoke. This
time the Romans called to their aid the hordes of Huns, who had
been growing rapidly in power and were already pressing hard upon
the German nations from the east. Only too glad for an excuse,
the Huns poured into the land in great numbers and practically
swept the Burgundian people from the face of the earth.
According to the Roman historians, twenty thousand Burgundians
were slain in this great battle of the Catalaunian Fields.
Naturally this catastrophe, in which a whole German nation fell
before the hordes of invading barbarians, produced a profound
impression upon the Teutonic world. The King Gundahar, the
Gunther of the "Nibelungenlied", who also fell in the battle,
became the central figure of a new legend, namely, the story of
the fall of the Burgundians.
Attila is not thought to have taken part in the invasion, still,
after his death in 454, his name gradually came to be associated
with the slaughter of the Burgundians, for a legend operates
mainly with types, and as Attila was a Hun and throughout the
Middle Ages was looked upon as the type of a cruel tyrant, greedy
for conquest, it was but natural for him to play the role
assigned to him in the legend. Quite plausible is Boer's
explanation of the entrance of Attila into the legend. The
"Thidreksaga" locates him in Seest in Westphalia. Now this
province once bore the haute of "Hunaland", and by a natural
confusion, because of the similarity of the names, "Huna" and
"Huns", Attila, who is the chief representative of Hunnish power,
was connected with the legend and located at Seest. This would
show that the original extension of the legend was slight, as
Xanten, the home of Hagen, is but seventy miles from Seest. The
original form would then be that Hagen was slain by a king of
"Hunaland", then because history relates that the Burgundians
were slain by the Huns, the similarity of the names led to the
introduction of Attila and the identification of the Nibelungs
with the Burgundians. The fact, too, that the Franks rapidly
took possession of the district depopulated by the crushing
defeat of the Burgundians likewise aided the confusion, and thus
the Franks became the natural heirs of the legend concerning the
death of Gunther, and so we read of the fall of the Nibelungs, a
name that is wholly Frankish in character. This identification
led also to Attila's being considered the avenger of Siegfried's
death. Poetic justice, however, demands that the slaughter of
the Burgundians at the hands of Attila be also avenged. The
rumor, that Attila's death was not natural, but that he had been
murdered by his wife Ildico ("Hildiko"), gave the necessary
features to round out the story. As Kriemhild was the sister of
the Burgundian kings, it was but natural to explain her killing
of Attila, as described in the Norse versions, by her desire to
avenge her brothers.
In our "Nibelungenlied", however, it is no longer Attila, but
Kriemhild, who is the central figure of the tragedy. Etzel, as
he is called here, has sunk to the insignificant role of a stage
king, a perfectly passive observer of the fight raging around
him. This change was brought about perhaps by the introduction
of Dietrich of Berne, the most imposing figure of all Germanic
heroic lore. The necessity of providing him with a role
corresponding to his importance, coupled with a growing
repugnance on the part of the proud Franks to acknowledge defeat
at the hands of the Huns, caused the person of Attila to dwindle
in importance. Gradually, too, the role played by Kriemhild was
totally changed. Instead of being the avenger of her brothers,
as depicted in the Norse versions, she herself becomes the cause
of their destruction. Etzel is not only innocent of any desire
to harm the Nibelungs, but is even ignorant of the revenge
planned by his wife. This change in her role was probably due to
the feeling that it was incumbent upon her to avenge the murder
of Siegfried.
Our "Nibelungenlied" knows but little of the adventures of
Siegfried's youth as depicted in the Norse versions. The theme
of the poem is no longer the love of Sigurd, the homeless
wanderer, for the majestic Valkyrie Brunhild, but the love idyll
of Siegfried, the son of the king of the Netherlands, and the
dainty Burgundian princess Kriemhild. The poem has forgotten
Siegfried's connection with Brunhild; it knows nothing of his
penetrating the wall of flames to awake and rescue her, nothing
of the betrothal of the two. In our poem Siegfried is carefully
reared at his father's court in the Netherlands, and sets out
with great pomp for the court of the Burgundians. In the Norse
version he naturally remains at Gunther's court after his
marriage, but in our poem he returns to the Netherlands with his
bride. This necessitates the introduction of several new scenes
to depict his arrival home, the invitation to the feast at Worms,
and the reception of the guests on the part of the Burgundians.
In the "Nibelungenlied" the athletic sports, as an obstacle to
the winning of Brunhild, take the place of the wall of flames of
the older Norse versions. Siegfried and Gunther no longer change
forms, but Siegfried dons the "Tarnkappe", which renders him
invisible, so that while Gunther makes the motions, Siegfried
really does the work, a thing which is rather difficult to
imagine. The quarrel of the two queens is likewise very
differently depicted in the "Nibelungenlied" from what it is in
the Norse version. In the latter it takes place while the ladies
are bathing in the river, and is brought on by the arrogance of
Brunhild, who refuses to stand lower down the stream and bathe in
the water flowing from Gudrun to her. In the "Thidreksaga" it
occurs in the seclusion of the ladies' apartments, but in our
poem it culminates in front of the cathedral before the assembled
court, and requires as its background all the pomp and splendor
of medieval chivalry. With a master hand and a wonderful
knowledge of female character, the author depicts the gradual
progress of the quarrel until it terminates in a magnificent
scene of wounded pride and malignant hatred. Kriemhild, as
usual, plays the more important part, and, while standing up for
her rights, tries in every way to conciliate Brunhild and not to
hurt her feelings. At last, however, stung by the taunts of the
latter, she in turn loses her patience, bursts out with the whole
story of the twofold deception to which Brunhild has been
subjected, and then triumphantly sweeps into the church, leaving
her rival stunned and humiliated by the news she has heard. In
the Norse tradition the scene serves merely to enlighten Brunhild
as to the deception played upon her. In the "Nibelungenlied" it
becomes the real cause of Siegfried's death, for Brunhild plans
to kill Siegfried to avenge the public slight done to her. She
has no other reason, as Siegfried swears that there had been no
deception. Brunhild appeals to us much less in the
"Nibelungenlied" than in the Norse version. In the latter she
feels herself deeply wronged by Siegfried's faithlessness, and
resolves on his death because she will not be the wife of two
men. In our poem she has no reason for wishing his death except
her wounded pride. In the "Nibelungenlied", too, she disappears
from view after Siegfried's death, whereas in the Norse tradition
she ascends his funeral pyre and dies at his side.
The circumstances of Siegfried's death are likewise totally
different in the two versions. In the Norse, as we have seen, he
is murdered while asleep in bed, by Gunnar's younger brother
Gutthorm. In our poem he is killed by Hagen, while bending over
a spring to drink. This is preceded by a scene in which Hagen
treacherously induces Kriemhild to mark the one vulnerable spot
on Siegfried's body, on the plea of protecting him. This deepens
the tragedy, and renders Kriemhild's misery and self-reproaches
the greater. After Siegfried's burial his father, who had also
come to Worms with his son, vainly endeavors to persuade
Kriemhild to return with him to the Netherlands. Her refusal is
unnatural in the extreme, for she had reigned there ten years or
more with Siegfried, and had left her little son behind, and yet
she relinquishes all this and remains with her brothers, whom she
knows to be the murderers of her husband. This is evidently a
reminiscence of an earlier form in which Siegfried was a homeless
adventurer, as in the "Thidreksaga".
The second half of the tale, the destruction of the Nibelungs, is
treated of very briefly in the early Norse versions, but the
"Nibelungenlied", which knows so little of Siegfried's youth, has
developed and enlarged upon the story, until it overshadows the
first part in length and importance and gives the name to the
whole poem. The main difference between the two versions is that
in the older Norse tradition it is Attila who invites the
Nibelungs to his court and attacks them in order to gain
possession of the treasure, while Gudrun (Kriemhild) first tries
to reconcile the warring parties, and, not succeeding in this,
snatches up a sword and fights on the side of her brothers and
later kills her husband as an act of revenge. In the
"Thidreksaga" and the "Nibelungenlied", however, she is the
instigator of the fight and the cause of her brothers' death, and
finally suffers death herself at the hands of Master Hildebrand,
who is furious that such noble heroes should fall at a woman's
hand. The second part of the poem is grewsome reading at best,
with its weltering corpses and torrents of blood. The horror is
relieved only by the grim humor of Hagen and by the charming
scene at Rudeger's court, where the young prince Giselher is
betrothed to Rudeger's daughter. Rudeger is without doubt the
most tragic figure of this part. He is bound on the one hand by
his oath of allegiance to Kriemhild and on the other by ties of
friendship to the Burgundians. His agony of mind at the dilemma
in which Kriemhild's command to attack the Burgundians places him
is pitiful. Divided between love and duty, the conviction that
he must fulfill his vow, cost what it may, gradually forces
itself upon him and he rushes to his death in combat with his
dearest friends.
Towering above all others in its gloomy grandeur stands the
figure of Hagen, the real hero of the second half of the poem.
Fully aware that he is going to his death, he nevertheless scorns
to desert his companions-in-arms, and awaits the fate in store
for him with a stoicism that would do honor to a Spartan. He
calmly accepts the consequences of his crime, and to the last
mocks and scoffs at Kriemhild, until her fury knows no bounds.
No character shows so little the refining influences of
Christianity as does his. In all essential respects he is still
the same old gigantic Teuton, who meets us in the earliest forms
of the legend.
As to the various minor characters, many of which appear only in
the "Nibelungenlied", space will not permit of their discussion
here, although they will be treated of briefly in the notes.
Suffice it to say, that the "Nibelungenlied" has introduced a
number of effective scenes for the purpose of bringing some of
them, especially Folker and Dankwart, into prominence. Among the
best of these are, first, the night watch, when Folker first
plays the Burgundians to sleep with his violin, and then stands
guard with Hagen, thus preventing the surprise planned by
Kriemhild; further, the visit to the church on the following
morning, when the men of both parties clash; and lastly the
tournament between the Huns and the Burgundians, which gives the
author an excellent chance to show the prowess of the various
heroes.
Let us pass now to the consideration of the strophic form of the
"Nibelungenlied". The two Danish ballads of "Grimhild's Revenge"
("Grimhild's Haevn"), which are based upon the first combination
of the Low German, i.e., Saxon, and the Rhenish traditions, prove
that the strophe is considerably older than the preserved
redactions of our poem, and that it was probably of Saxon origin.
The metrical form goes back most probably to the four-accented
verse of the poet Otfrid of the ninth century, although some have
thought that Latin hymns, others that the French epic verse, may
have been of influence. The direct derivation from Otfrid seems,
however, the most plausible, as it accounts for the importance of
the caesura, which generally marks a pause in the sense, as well
as in the verse, and also for its masculine ending. The
"Nibelungen" strophe consists of four long lines separated by a
caesura into two distinct halves. The first half of each line
contains four accents, the fourth falling upon the last syllable.
This last stress, however, is not, as a rule as strong as the
others, the effect being somewhat like that of a feminine ending.
On this account some speak of three accents in the first half
line, with a feminine ending. The fourth stress is, however, too
strong to be thus disregarded, but because of its lighter
character is best marked with a grave accent. The second half of
each line ends in a masculine rhyme. The first three lines have
each three stresses in the second half, while the second half of
the fourth line has four accents to mark the end of the strophe.
This longer fourth line is one of the most marked characteristics
of the "Nibelungen" strophe. The rhymes are arranged in the
order of "a", "a", "b", "b", though in a few isolated cases near
the
end of the poem but one rhyme is used throughout the strophe.
The opening lines of the poem may serve to illustrate the
strophic form and scansion, and at the same time will give the
reader an idea of the Middle High German language in which the
poem is written:
Uns ist in alten maeren wunders vil geseit
von heleden lobebaeron, von grozer arebeit,
von froude und hochgeziten, von weinen und von klagen,
von kuener recken striten muget ir nu wunder hoeren sagen.
Ez wuochs in Burgonden ein edel magedin,
daz in allen landen niht schoeners mohte sin,
Kriemhild geheizen; si wart ein scoene wip,
darambe muosen degene vil verliesen den lip.
Der minneclichen meide triuten wol gezam,
ir muotten kuene recken, niemen was ir gram,
ane ma zen schoene so was ir edel lip;
der iunevrouwen tugende zierten anderiu wip.
Ir pilagen drie kilnege edel unde rich,
Ganther ande Geruot, die recken lobelieh,
und Giselher der iunge, ein uz erwelter degen,
diu frouwe was ir swester, die fu'rsten hetens in ir
pflegen.
Die herren waren milte, von arde hohe erborn,
mit kraft unmazen kuene, die recken uz erkorn,
dazen Burgonden so was ir lant genant,
si framden starkiu wunder sit in Etzelen lant.
Ze Wormze bidem Rine si wenden mit ir kraft,
in diende von ir landen stolziu ritterscaft
mit lobelichen eren unz an ir endes zit,
sit sturben si inemerliche von zweier edelen frouwen nit.
Some of the final rhymes with proper names, such as "Hagene" :
"degene" (str. 84) or "Hagene" : "tragene" (str. 300) appear to
be feminine, but it is really the final "e" that rhymes, and a
scansion of the line in question shows that the three accents are
not complete without this final "e". In this respect our poem
differs from most of the Middle High German poems, as this
practice of using the final "e" in rhyme began to die out in the
twelfth century, though occasionally found throughout the period.
The rhymes are, as a rule, quite exact, the few cases of impure
rhymes being mainly those in which short and long vowels are
rhymed together, e.g. "mich" : "rich" or "man" : "han". Caesural
rhymes are frequently met with, and were considered by Lachmann
to be the marks of interpolated strophes, a view no longer held.
A further peculiarity of the "Nibelungen" strophe is the frequent
omission of the unaccented syllable in the second half of the
last line of the strophe between the second and third stresses.
Examples of this will be found in the second, third, and fifth
strophes of the passage given above.
The language of the "Nibelungenlied" is the so-called Middle High
German, that is, the High German written and spoken in the period
between 1100 and 1500, the language of the great romances of
chivalry and of the "Minnesingers". More exactly, the poem is
written in the Austrian dialect of the close of the twelfth
century, but contains many archaisms, which point to the fact of
its having undergone a number of revisions.
In closing this brief study of the "Nibelungenlied", just a word
or two further with reference to the poem, its character, and its
place in German literature. Its theme is the ancient Teutonic
ideal of "Treue" (faithfulness or fidelity), which has found here
its most magnificent portrayal; faithfulness unto death, the
loyalty of the vassal for his lord, as depicted in Hagen, the
fidelity of the wife for her husband, as shown by Kriemhild,
carried out with unhesitating consistency to the bitter end.
This is not the gallantry of medieval chivalry, which colors so
largely the opening scenes of the poem, but the heroic valor, the
death-despising stoicism of the ancient Germans, before which the
masters of the world, the all-conquering Romans, were compelled
to bow.
In so far as the "Nibelungenlied" has forgotten most of the
history of the youthful Siegfried, and knows nothing of his love
for Brunhild, it is a torso, but so grand withal, that one hardly
regrets the loss of these integral elements of the old saga. As
it is a working over of originally separate lays, it is not
entirely homogeneous, and contains not a few contradictions. In
spite of these faults, however, which a close study reveals, it
is nevertheless the grandest product of Middle High German epic
poetry, and deservedly the most popular poem of older German
literature. It lacks, to be sure, the grace of diction found in
Gottfried von Strassburg's "Tristan und Isolde", the detailed and
often magnificent descriptions of armor and dress to be met with
in the epics of Hartman von Ouwe; it is wanting in the lofty
philosophy of Wolfram von Eschenbach's "Parzival", and does not,
as this latter, lead the reader into the realms of religious
doubts and struggles. It is imposing through its very
simplicity, through the grandeur of the story, which it does not
seek to adorn and decorate. It nowhere pauses to analyze motives
nor to give us a picture of inner conflict as modern authors are
fond of doing. Its characters are impulsive and prompt in
action, and when they have once acted, waste no time in useless
regret or remorse.
It resembles the older "Spielmannsdichtung", or minstrel poetry,
in the terseness and vigor of its language and in the lack of
poetic imagery, but it is free from the coarseness and vulgar and
grotesque humor of the latter. It approaches the courtly epic in
its introduction of the pomp of courtly ceremonial, but this
veneer of chivalry is very thin, and beneath the outward polish
of form the heart beats as passionately and wildly as in the days
of Herman, the Cheruscan chief. There are perhaps greater poems
in literature than the "Nibelungenlied", but few so majestic in
conception, so sublime in their tragedy, so simple in their
execution, and so national in their character, as this great
popular epic of German literature.
ENDNOTES:
(1) A is a parchment MS. of the second half of the thirteenth
century, now found in Munich. It forms the basis of
Lachmann's edition. It is a parchment MS. of the middle of
the thirteenth century, belonging to the monastery of St.
Gall. It has been edited by Bartsch, "Deutsche Klassiker
des Mittelalters", vol. 3, and by Piper, "Deutsche National-
Literatur", vol. 6. C is a parchment MS., of the thirteenth
century, now in the ducal library of Donauesehingen. It is
the best written of all the MSS., and has been edited by
Zarncke.
(2) The "Thidreksaga" differs from the other Norse versions in
having "Sigfrod", as he is called here, brought up in
ignorance of his parents, a trait which was probably
borrowed from the widespread "Genoveva" story, although
thought by some to have been an original feature of our
legend.
(3) The "Thidreksaga", which has forgotten the enmity of the
brothers, and calls Sigurd's tutor "Mimr", tells the episode
in somewhat different fashion. The brothers plan to kill
Sigurd, and the latter is attacked by the dragon, while
burning charcoal in the forest. After killing the monster
with a firebrand, Sigurd bathes himself in the blood and
thus become covered with a horny skin, which renders him
invulnerable, save in one place between the shoulder blades,
which he could not reach. This bathing in the blood is also
related in the Seyfrid ballad and in the "Nibelungenlied",
with the difference, that the vulnerable spot is caused by a
linden leaf falling upon him.
(4) The fact that all but one of these names alliterate, shows
that the Norse version is here more original. Gunnar is the
same as Gunther (Gundaharius), Hogni as Hagen; Gutthorm
(Godomar) appears in the German version as Gernot. In this
latter the father is called Danerat, the mother Uote, and
the name Grimhild is transferred from the mother to the
daughter.
(5) In the prose "Edda", in the water which drips from Gudrun's
hair.
THE NIBELUNGENLIED (1)
ADVENTURE I (2)
Full many a wonder is told us in stories old, of heroes worthy of
praise, of hardships dire, of joy and feasting, of the fighting
of bold warriors, of weeping and of wailing; now ye may hear
wonders told.
In Burgundy there grew so noble a maid that in all the lands none
fairer might there be. Kriemhild (3) was she called; a comely
woman she became, for whose sake many a knight must needs lose
his life. Well worth the loving was this winsome maid. Bold
knights strove for her, none bare her hate. Her peerless body
was beautiful beyond degree; the courtly virtues of this maid of
noble birth would have adorned many another woman too.
Three kings, noble and puissant, did nurture her, Gunther (4) and
Gernot, (5) warriors worthy of praise, and Giselher, (6) the
youth, a chosen knight. This lady was their sister, the princes
had her in their care. The lordings were free in giving, of race
high-born, passing bold of strength were they, these chosen
knights. Their realm hight Burgundy. Great marvels they wrought
hereafter in Etzel's (7) land. At Worms (8) upon the Rhine they
dwelt with all their power. Proud knights from out their lands
served them with honor, until their end was come. Thereafter
they died grievously, through the hate of two noble dames.
Their mother, a mighty queen, was called the Lady Uta, (9) their
father, Dankrat, (10) who left them the heritage after his life
was over; a mighty man of valor that he was, who won thereto in
youth worship full great. These kings, as I have said, were of
high prowess. To them owed allegiance the best of warriors, of
whom tales were ever told, strong and brave, fearless in the
sharp strife. Hagen (11) there was of Troneg, thereto his
brother Dankwart, (12) the doughty; Ortwin of Metz (13); Gere
(14) and Eckewart, (15) the margraves twain; Folker of Alzei,
(16) endued with fullness of strength. Rumolt (17) was master of
the kitchen, a chosen knight; the lords Sindolt and Hunolt,
liegemen of these three kings, had rule of the court and of its
honors. Thereto had they many a warrior whose name I cannot
tell. Dankwart was marshal; his nephew, Ortwin, seneschal unto
the king; Sindolt was cupbearer, a chosen knight; Hunolt served
as chamberlain; well they wot how to fill these lofty stations.
Of the forces of the court and its far-reaching might, of the
high worship (18) and of the chivalry these lords did ply with
joy throughout their life, of this forsooth none might relate to
you the end.
In the midst of these high honors Kriemhild dreamed a dream, of
how she trained a falcon, strong, fair, and wild, which, before
her very eyes, two eagles rent to pieces. No greater sorrow
might chance to her in all this world. This dream then she told
to Uta her mother, who could not unfold it to the dutiful maid in
better wise than this: "The falcon which thou trainest, that is a
noble man, but thou must needs lose him soon, unless so be that
God preserve him."
"Why speakest thou to me of men, dear brother mine? I would fain
ever be without a warrior's love. So fair will I remain until my
death, that I shall never gain woe from love of man."
"Now forswear this not too roundly," spake the mother in reply.
"If ever thou shalt wax glad of heart in this world, that will
chance through the love of man. Passing fair wilt thou become,
if God grant thee a right worthy knight."
"I pray you leave this speech," spake she, "my lady. Full oft
hath it been seen in many a wife, how joy may at last end in
sorrow. I shall avoid them both, then can it ne'er go ill with
me."
Thus in her heart Kriemhild forsware all love. Many a happy day
thereafter the maiden lived without that she wist any whom she
would care to love. In after days she became with worship a
valiant here's bride. He was the selfsame falcon which she
beheld in her dream that her mother unfolded to her. How sorely
did she avenge this upon her nearest kin, who slew him after!
Through his dying alone there fell full many a mother's son.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Nibelungenlied", the lay of the Nibelungs. The ordinary
etymology of this name is 'children of the mist'
("Nebelkinder", O.N. "Niflungar"), and it is thought to have
belonged originally to the dwarfs. Piper, I, 50, interprets
it as 'the sons of Nibul'; Boer, II, 198, considers
"Hniflungar" to be the correct Norse form and interprets it
as 'the descendants of Hnaef' (O.E. "Hnaef", O.H.G.
"Hnabi"), whose death is related in the "Finnsaga".
(2) "Adventure" (M.H.G. "aventiure", from O.F. "aventure", Lat.
"adventura"). The word meant originally a happening,
especially some great event, then the report of such an
event. Here it is used in the sense of the different cantos
or "fitts" of the poem, as in the "Gudrun" and other M.H.G.
epics. Among the courtly poets it also frequently denotes
the source, or is the personification of the muse of poetry.
(3) "Kriemhild" is the Upper German form of the Frankish
"Grimhild". In the MSS., the name generally appears with a
further shifting as "Chriemhilt", as if the initial
consonant were Germanic "k". On the various forms of the
name, which have never yet been satisfactorily explained,
see Mullenhoff, ZsfdA. xii, 299, 413; xv, 313; and
Bohnenberger, PB. Beit. xxiv, 221-231.
(4) "Gunther" is the historical "Gundahari", king of the
Burgundians in the fifth century.
(5) "Gernot" was probably introduced by some minstrel in place
of the historical "Godomar", who appears in the Norse
version as "Gutthormr", though the names are not
etymologically the same, as "Godomar" would be "Guthmarr" in
Old Norse.
(6) "Giselher" is the historical "Gislaharius". Although
mentioned by the "Lex Burgundionum" as one of the Burgundian
kings, he does not appear in the early Norse version, or in
other poems dealing with these persons, such as the
"Waltharius", the "Rabenschlacht", the "Rosengarten", etc.,
and was probably introduced at a late date into the saga.
Originally no role was ascribed to him, and not even his
death is told. He probably came from some independent
source.
(7) "Etzel" is the German form for the historical "Attila"
(Norse "Atli"). A discussion of his connection with the
saga will be found in the introduction.
(8) "Worms" is the ancient "Borbetomagus", which in the first
century B.C. was the chief city of the German tribe of the
"Vangioni". In the fifth century it was the capital of the
Burgundian kingdom, but was destroyed by the Huns. The
Merovingians rebuilt it, and in the seventh century it
became a bishopric where Charlemagne at times held his
court. It was later noted as the meeting-place of many
imperial diets. It remained a free city till 1801. In the
"Thidreksaga" the name is corrupted into "Wernize".
(9) "Uta" (M.H.G. "Uote"). The name means ancestress, and is
frequently used for the mother of heroes. The modern German
form is "Ute", but in order to insure its being pronounced
with two syllables, the form "Uta" was chosen.
(10) "Dankrat" (M.H.G. "Dancrat") appears as the father only in
the "Nibelungenlied" and poems dependent on it, e.g., the
"Klage" and "Biterolf", elsewhere as "Gibiche" (Norse
"Giuki").
(11) "Hagen of Troneg". Troneg is probably a corruption of the
name of the Latin colony, "colonia Trajana", on the Lower
Rhine, which as early as the fifth century was written as
"Troja", giving rise to the legend that the Franks were
descended from the ancient Trojans. "Troja" was then
further corrupted to "Tronje" and "Tronege". Hagen was
therefore originally a Frank and had no connection with the
Burgundian kings, as the lack of alliteration also goes to
show. Boer thinks that not Siegfried but Hagen originally
lived at Xanten (see note 3 to Adventure II), as this was
often called Troja Francorum. When the Hagen story was
connected with the Burgundians and Hagen became either their
brother or their vassal, his home was transferred to Worms
and Siegfried was located at Xanten, as he had no especial
localization. Thus Siegfried is never called Siegfried of
Troneg, as is Hagen. Other attempts to explain Troneg will
be found in Piper, I, 48.
(12) "Dankwart" is not an historical character nor one that
belonged to the early form of the legend. He may have come
from another saga, where he played the principal role as
Droege (ZsfdA. 48, 499) thinks. Boer considers him to be
Hagen's double, invented to play a part that would naturally
fall to Hagen's share, were he not otherwise engaged at the
moment. In our poem he is called "Dancwart der snelle", a
word that has proved a stumbling-block to translators,
because in modern German it means 'speedy', 'swift'. Its
original meaning was, however, 'brave', 'warlike', although
the later meaning is already found in M.H.G. In all such
doubtful cases the older meaning has been preferred, unless
the context forbids, and the word 'doughty' has been chosen
to translate it.
(13) "Ortwin of Metz" appears also in the "Eckenlied",
"Waltharius", and in "Biterolf". He is most likely a late
introduction (but see Piper, I, 44). Rieger thinks that he
belonged to a wealthy family "De Metis". Though the "i" is
long in the original, and Simrock uses the form "Ortewein"
in his translation, the spelling with short "i" has been
chosen, as the lack of accent tends to shorten the vowel in
such names.
(14) "Gere" is likewise a late introduction. He is perhaps the
historical Margrave Gere (965) of East Saxony, whom Otto the
Great appointed as a leader against the Slavs. See O. von
Heinemann, "Markgraf Gero", Braunschweig, 1860, and Piper, L
43.
(15) "Eckewart" is also a late accession. He is perhaps the
historical margrave of Meissen (1002), the first of the
name. He, too, won fame in battle against the Slavs.
(16) "Folker of Alzet" (M.H.G. "Volker von Alzeije"), the
knightly minstrel, is hardly an historical personage, in
spite of the fact that Alzey is a well-known town in Rhine
Hesse on the Selz, eighteen miles southwest of Mainz. The
town has, to be sure, a violin in its coat of arms, as also
the noble family of the same name. It is most likely,
however, that this fact caused Folker to be connected with
Alzei. In the "Thidreksaga" Folker did not play the role of
minstrel, and it is probable that some minstrel reviser of
our poem developed the character and made it the
personification of himself.
(17) "Rumolt", "Bindolt", and "Hunolt" have no historical basis
and merely help to swell the retinue of the Burgundians.
(18) "Worship". This word has been frequently used here in its
older meaning of 'worth', 'reverence', 'respect', to
translate the M.H.G. "eren", 'honors'.
ADVENTURE II
Of Siegfried.
In the Netherlands there grew the child of a noble king (his
father had for name Siegemund, (1) his mother Siegelind), (2) in
a mighty castle, known far and wide, in the lowlands of the
Rhine: Xanten, (3) men called it. Of this hero I sing, how fair
he grew. Free he was of every blemish. Strong and famous he
later became, this valiant man. Ho! What great worship he won
in this world! Siegfried hight this good and doughty knight.
Full many kingdoms did he put to the test through his warlike
mood. Through his strength of body he rode into many lands. Ho!
What bold warriors he after found in the Burgundian land! Mickle
wonders might one tell of Siegfried in his prime, in youthful
days; what honors he received and how fair of body he. The most
stately women held him in their love; with the zeal which was his
due men trained him. But of himself what virtues he attained!
Truly his father's lands were honored, that he was found in all
things of such right lordly mind. Now was he become of the age
that he might ride to court. Gladly the people saw him, many a
maid wished that his desire might ever bear him hither. Enow
gazed on him with favor; of this the prince was well aware. Full
seldom was the youth allowed to ride without a guard of knights.
Siegmund and Siegelind bade deck him out in brave attire. The
older knights who were acquaint with courtly custom, had him in
their care. Well therefore might he win both folk and land.
Now he was of the strength that he bare weapons well. Whatever
he needed thereto, of this he had enow. With purpose he began to
woo fair ladies; these bold Siegfried courted well in proper
wise. Then bade Siegmund have cried to all his men, that he
would hold a feasting with his loving kindred. The tidings
thereof men brought into the lands of other kings. To the
strangers and the home-folk he gave steeds and armor.
Wheresoever any was found who, because of his birth, should
become a knight, these noble youths were summoned to the land for
the feasting. Here with the youthful prince they gained the
knightly sword. Wonders might one tell of this great feast;
Siegmund and Siegelind wist well how to gain great worship with
their gifts, of which their hands dealt out great store.
Wherefore one beheld many strangers riding to their realm. Four
hundred sword-thanes (4) were to put on knightly garb with
Siegfried. Many a fair maid was aught but idle with the work,
for he was beloved of them all. Many precious stones the ladies
inlaid on the gold, which together with the edging they would
work upon the dress of the proud young warriors, for this must
needs be done.
The host bade make benches for the many valiant men, for the
midsummer festival, (5) at which Siegfried should gain the name
of knight. Then full many a noble knight and many a high-born
squire did hie them to the minster. Right were the elders in
that they served the young, as had been done to them afore.
Pastimes they had and hope of much good cheer. To the honor of
God a mass was sung; then there rose from the people full great a
press, as the youths were made knights in courtly wise, with such
great honors as might not ever lightly be again. Then they ran
to where they found saddled many a steed. In Siegmund's court
the hurtling (6) waxed so fierce that both palace (7) and hall
were heard to ring; the high-mettled warriors clashed with mighty
sound. From young and old one heard many a shock, so that the
splintering of the shafts reechoed to the clouds. Truncheons (8)
were seen flying out before the palace from the hand of many a
knight. This was done with zeal. At length the host bade cease
the tourney and the steeds were led away. Upon the turf one saw
all to-shivered (9) many a mighty buckler and great store of
precious stones from the bright spangles (10) of the shields.
Through the hurtling this did hap.
Then the guests of the host betook them to where men bade them
sit. With good cheer they refreshed them and with the very best
of wine, of which one bare frill plenty. To the strangers and
the home-folk was shown worship enow. Though much pastime they
had throughout the day, many of the strolling folk forsware all
rest. They served for the largess, which men found there richly,
whereby Siegmund's whole land was decked with praise. Then bade
the king enfeoff Siegfried, the youth, with land and castles, as
he himself had done. Much his hand bestowed upon the sword-
companions. The journey liked them well, that to this land they
were come. The feasting lasted until the seventh day.
Siegelind, the noble queen, for the love of her son, dealt out
ruddy gold in time-honored wise. Full well she wot how to make
him beloved of the folk. Scarce could a poor man be found among
the strolling mimes. Steeds and raiment were scattered by their
hand, as if they were to live not one more day. I trow that
never did serving folk use such great bounty. With worshipful
honors the company departed hence. Of the mighty barons the tale
doth tell that they desired the youth unto their lord, but of
this the stately knight, Sir Siegfried, listed naught. Forasmuch
as both Siegmund and Siegelind were still alive, the dear child
of them twain wished not to wear a crown, but fain would he
become a lord against all the deeds of force within his lands,
whereof the bold and daring knight was sore adread.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Siegmund" (M.H.G. "Sigemunt") was originally the hero of an
independent saga. See "Volsungasaga", chaps. 3-8.
(2) "Siegelind" (M.H.G. "Sigelint") is the correct name of
Siegfried's mother, as the alliteration shows. The Early
Norse version has "Hjordis", which has come from the "Helgi
saga".
(3) "Xanten" (M.H.G. "Santen" from the Latin "ad sanctos") is at
present a town in the Rhenish Prussian district of
Dusseldorf. It does not now lie on the Rhine, but did in
the Middle Ages.
(4) "Sword-thanes" (M.H.G. "swertdegene") were the young squires
who were to be made knights. It was the custom for a
youthful prince to receive the accolade with a number of
others.
(5) "Midsummer festival". The M.H.G. "sunewende" means
literally the 'sun's turning', i.e., the summer solstice.
This was one of the great Germanic festivals, which the
church later turned into St. John's Eve. The bonfires still
burnt in Germany on this day are survivals of the old
heathen custom.
(6) "Hurtling" translates here M.H.G. "buhurt", a word borrowed
from the French to denote a knightly sport in which many
knights clashed together. Hurtling was used in older
English in the same significance.
(7) "Palace" (M.H.G. "palas", Lat. "palatium") is a large
building standing alone and largely used as a reception
hall.
(8) "Truncheons" (M.H.G. "trunzune", O.F. "troncon", 'lance
splinters', 'fragments of spears'.
(9) "To-shivered", 'broken to pieces', in imitation of the older
English to-beat, to-break, etc.
(10) "Spangles" (M.H.G. "spangen"), strips of metal radiating
from the raised centre of the shield and often set, as here,
with precious stones.
ADVENTURE III
How Siegfried Came to Worms.
It was seldom that sorrow of heart perturbed the prince. He
heard tales told of how there lived in Burgundy a comely maid,
fashioned wondrous fair, from whom he thereafter gained much of
joy, but suffering, too. Her beauty out of measure was known far
and wide. So many a here heard of her noble mind, that it alone
brought many a guest (1) to Gunther's land. But however many
were seen wooing for her love, Kriemhild never confessed within
her heart that she listed any for a lover. He was still a
stranger to her, whose rule she later owned. Then did the son of
Siegelind aspire to lofty love; the wooing of all others was to
his but as the wind, for well he wot how to gain a lady fair. In
later days the noble Kriemhild became bold Siegfried's bride.
Kinsmen and liegemen enow advised him, since he would have hope
of constant love, that he woo one who was his peer. At this bold
Siegfried spake: "Then will I choose Kriemhild, the fair maid of
Burgundy, for her beauty beyond measure. This I know full well,
never was emperor so mighty, and he would have a wife, that it
would not beseem him to love this noble queen."
Tidings of this reached Siegmund's ear; through the talk of the
courtiers he was made ware of the wish of his son. Full loth it
was to the king, that his child would woo the glorious maid.
Siegelind heard it too, the wife of the noble king. Greatly she
feared for her child, for full well she knew Gunther and his men.
Therefore they sought to turn the hero from this venture. Up
spake then the daring Siegfried: "Dear father mine, I would fain
ever be without the love of noble dames, if I may not woo her in
whom my heart hath great delight; whatsoever any may aver, it
will avail but naught."
"And thou wilt not turn back," spake the king, "then am I in
sooth glad of thy will and will help thee bring it to pass, as
best I may. Yet hath this King Gunther full many a haughty man.
If there were none else but Hagen, the doughty knight, he can use
such arrogance that I fear me it will repent us sore, if we woo
this high-born maid."
Then Siegfried made reply: "Wherefore need that hinder us? What
I may not obtain from them in friendly wise, that my hand and its
strength can gain. I trow that 1 can wrest from him both folk
and land."
To this Prince Siegmund replied: "Thy speech liketh me not, for
if this tale were told upon the Rhine, then durst thou never ride
unto that land. Long time have Gunther and Gernot been known to
me. By force may none win the maid, of this have I been well
assured; but wilt thou ride with warriors unto this land, and we
still have aught of friends, they shall be summoned soon."
"It is not to my mind," spake again Siegfried, "that warriors
should follow me to the Rhine, as if for battle, that I constrain
thereby the noble maid. My single hand can win her well -- with
eleven (2) comrades I will fare to Gunther's land; thereto shalt
thou help me, Father Siegmund." Then to his knights they gave
for garments furs both gray and vair. (3)
Now his mother Siegelind also heard the tale. She began to make
dole for her loved child, whom she feared to lose through
Gunther's men. Sorely the noble queen gan weep. Lord Siegfried
hied him straightway to where he saw her; to his mother he spake
in gentle wise: "Lady, ye must not weep for me; naught have I to
fear from all his fighting men. I pray you, speed me on my
journey to the Burgundian land, that I and my warriors may have
array such as proud heroes can wear with honor; for this I will
say you gramercy i' faith."
"Since naught will turn thee," spake then the Lady Siegelind, "so
will I speed thee on thy journey, mine only child, with the best
of weeds that ever knight did wear, thee and thy comrades. Ye
shall have enow."
Siegfried, the youth, then made low obeisance to the queen. He
spake: "None but twelve warriors will I have upon the way. Let
raiment be made ready for them, I pray, for I would fain see how
it standeth with Kriemhild."
Then sate fair ladies night and day. Few enow of them, I trow,
did ease them, till Siegfried's weeds had all been wrought. Nor
would he desist from faring forth. His father bade adorn the
knightly garb in which his son should ride forth from Siegmund's
land. The shining breastplates, too, were put in trim, also the
stanch helmets and their shields both fair and broad. Now their
journey to the Burgundian land drew near; man and wife began to
fear lest they never should come home again. The heroes bade
lade their sumpters with weapons and with harness. Their steeds
were fair and their trappings red with gold. No need were there
to live more proudly than Siegfried and his men. Then he asked
for leave to journey to the land of Burgundy; this the king and
queen sorrowfully vouchsafed. Lovingly he comforted them twain.
"For my sake," spake he, "must ye not weep, nor have fear for me
or for my life."
The warriors, too, were sad and many a maiden wept; I ween, their
hearts did tell them rightly that many of their kinsmen would
come to death because of this. Just cause had they for wailing;
need enow they had in sooth.
Upon the seventh morning, forth upon the river sand at Worms the
brave warriors pricked. Their armor was of ruddy gold and their
trappings fashioned fair. Smoothly trotted the steeds of bold
Siegfried's men. Their shields were new; gleaming and broad and
fair their helmets, as Siegfried, the bold, rode to court in
Gunther's land. Never had such princely attire been seen on
heroes; their sword-points hung down to their spurs. Sharp
javelins were borne by these chosen knights. Siegfried wielded
one full two spans broad, which upon its edges cut most
dangerously. In their hands they held gold-colored bridles;
their martingales were silken: so they came into the land.
Everywhere the folk began to gape amazed and many of Gunther's
men fared forth to meet them. High-mettled warriors, both knight
and squire, betook them to the lords (as was but right), and
received into the land of their lords these guests and took from
their hands the black sumpters which bore the shields. The
steeds, too, they wished to lead away for easement. How boldly
then brave Siegfried spake: "Let stand the mounts of me and of my
men. We will soon hence again, of this have I great desire.
Whosoever knoweth rightly where I can find the king, Gunther, the
mighty, of Burgundian land, let him not keep his peace but tell
me."
Then up spake one to whom it was rightly known: "Would ye find
the king, that can hap full well. In yon broad hall with his
heroes did I but see him. Ye must hither hie you; there ye may
find with him many a lordly man."
To the king now the word was brought, that full lusty knights
were come, who wore white breastplates and princely garb. None
knew them in the Burgundian land. Much it wondered the king
whence came these lordly warriors in such shining array, with
such good shields, both new and broad. Loth was it to Gunther,
that none could tell him this. Then Ortwin of Metz (a bold and
mighty man was he) made answer to the king: "Since we know them
not, ye should send for mine uncle Hagen, and let him see them.
To him are known (4) all kingdoms and foreign lands. If so be he
knoweth these lords, he will tell us straightway."
Then bade the king that Hagen and his men be brought. One saw
him with his warriors striding in lordly wise unto the court.
"What would the king of me?" asked Hagen.
"There be come to my house strange warriors, whelm here none
knoweth. If ye have ever seen them, I pray you, Hagen, tell me
now the truth."
"That will I," spake then Hagen. He hied him to a window and
over the guests he let his glances roam. Well liked him their
trappings and their array, but full strange were they to him in
the Burgundian land. He spake: "From wheresoever these warriors
be come unto the Rhine, they may well be princes or envoys of
kings, for their steeds are fair and their garments passing good.
Whencesoever they bear these, forsooth high-mettled warriors be
they."
"I dare well say," so spake Hagen, "though I never have seen
Siegfried, yet can I well believe, however this may be, that he
is the warrior that strideth yonder in such lordly wise. He
bringeth new tidings hither to this land. By this here's hand
were slain the bold Nibelungs, Schilbung and Nibelung, (5) sons
of a mighty king. Since then he hath wrought great marvels with
his huge strength. Once as the hero rode alone without all aid,
he found before a mountain, as I have in sooth been told, by
Nibelung's hoard full many a daring man. Strangers they were to
him, till he gained knowledge of them there.
"The hoard of Nibelung was borne entire from out a hollow hill.
Now hear a wondrous tale, of how the liegemen of Nibelung wished
to divide it there. This the hero Siegfried saw and much it gan
wonder him. So near was he now come to them, that he beheld the
heroes, and the knights espied him, too. One among them spake:
`Here cometh the mighty Siegfried, the hero of Netherland.'
Passing strange were the tidings that, he found among the
Nibelungs. Schilbung and Nibelung greeted well the knight; with
one accord these young and noble lordings bade the stately man
divide the hoard. Eagerly they asked it, and the lord in turn
gan vow it to them.
"He beheld such store of gems, as we have heard said, that a
hundred wains might not bear the lead; still more was there of
ruddy gold from the Nibelung land. All this the hand of the
daring Siegfried should divide. As a guerdon they gave him the
sword of Nibelung, but they were served full ill by the service
which the good knight Siegfried should render them. Nor could he
end it for them; angry of mood (6) they grew. Twelve bold men of
their kith were there, mighty giants these. What might that
avail them! Siegfried's hand slew them soon in wrath, and seven
hundred warriors from the Nibelung land he vanquished with the
good sword Balmung. (7) Because of the great fear that, many a
young warrior had of the sword and of the valiant man, they made
the land and its castles subject to his hand. Likewise both the
mighty kings he slew, but soon he himself was sorely pressed by
Alberich. (8) The latter weened to venge straightway his
masters, till he then discovered Siegfried's mighty strength; for
no match for him was the sturdy dwarf. Like wild lions they ran
to the hill, where from Alberich he won the Cloak of Darkness.
(9) Thus did Siegfried, the terrible, become master of the
hoard; those who had dared the combat, all lay there slain. Soon
bade he cart and bear the treasure to the place from whence the
men of Nibelung had borne it forth. He made Alberich, the
strong, warden of the hoard and bade him swear an oath to serve
him as his knave; and fit he was for work of every sort."
So spake Hagen of Troneg: "This he hath done. Nevermore did
warrior win such mighty strength. I wot yet more of him: it is
known to me that the hero slew a dragon and bathed him in the
blood, so that his skin became like horn. Therefore no weapons
will cut him, as hath full oft been seen. All the better must we
greet this lord, that we may not earn the youthful warrior's
hate. So bold is he that we should hold him as a friend, for he
hath wrought full many a wonder by his strength."
Then spake the mighty king: "Thou mayst well have right. Behold
how valiantly he with his knights doth stand in lust of battle,
the daring man! Let us go down to meet the warrior."
"That ye may do with honor," spake then Hagen; "he is of noble
race, son of a mighty king. God wot, methinks, he beareth him in
such wise, that it can be no little matter for which he hath
ridden hither."
"Now be he welcome to us," spake then the king of the land. "He
is both noble and brave, as I have heard full well. This shall
stand him in good stead in the Burgundian land." Then went Lord
Gunther to where Siegfried stood.
The host and his warriors received the guest in such wise that
full little was there lack of worship. Low bowed the stately
man, that they had greeted him so fair. "It wondereth me," spake
the king straightway, "whence ye, noble Siegfried, be come unto
this land, or what ye seek at Worms upon the Rhine."
Then the stranger made answer to the king: "This will I not
conceal from you. Tales were told me in my father's land, that
here with you were the boldest warriors that ever king did gain.
This I have often heard, and that I might know it of a truth,
therefore am I come. Likewise do I hear boasting of your valor,
that no bolder king hath ever been seen. This the folk relate
much through all these lands. Therefore will I not turn back,
till it be known to me. I also am a warrior and was to wear a
crown. Fain would I bring it to pass that it may be said of me:
Rightly doth he rule both folk and land. Of this shall my head
and honor be a pledge. Now be ye so bold, as hath been told me,
I reck not be it lief or loth to any man, I will gain from you
whatso ye have -- land and castles shall be subject to my hand."
The king had likewise his men had marvel at the tidings they here
heard, that he was willed to take from them their land. The
knights waxed wroth, as they heard this word. "How have I earned
this," spake Gunther, the knight, "that we should lose by the
force of any man that which my father hath rules so long with
honor? We should let it ill appear that we, too, are used in
knightly ways."
"In no wise will I desist," spake again the valiant man. "Unless
it be that through thy strength thy land have peace, I will rule
it all. And shouldst thou gain, by thy strength, my ancestral
lands, they shall be subject to thy sway. Thy lands, and mine as
well, shall lie alike; whether of us twain can triumph over the
other, him shall both land and people serve."
Hagen and Gernot, too, straightway gainsaid this. "We have no
wish," spake Gernot, "that we should conquer aught of lands, or
that any man lie dead at hero's hands. We have rich lands, which
serve us, as is meet, nor hath any a better claim to them than
we."
There stood his kinsmen, grim of mood; among them, too, Ortwin of
Metz. "It doth irk me much to hear these words of peace," spake
he; "the mighty Siegfried hath defied you for no just cause. Had
ye and your brothers no meet defense, and even if he led a kingly
troop, I trow well so to fight that the daring man have good
cause to leave this haughty mien."
At this the hero of Netherland grew wonderly wroth. He spake:
"Thy hand shall not presume against me. I am a mighty king, a
king's vassal thou. Twelve of thy ilk durst not match me in
strife."
Then Ortwin of Metz called loudly for swords. Well was he fit to
be Hagen of Troneg's sister's son. It rued the king that he had
held his peace so long. Then Gernot, the bold and lusty knight,
came in between. He spake to Ortwin: "Now give over thy anger.
Lord Siegfried hath done us no such wrong, but that we may still
part the strife in courteous wise. Be advised of me and hold him
still as friend; far better will this beseem us."
Then spake the doughty Hagen: "It may well grieve us and all thy
knights that he ever rode for battle to the Rhine. He should
have given it over; my lordings never would have done such ill to
him."
To this Siegfried, the mighty man, made answer: "Doth this irk
you, Sir Hagen, which I spake, then will I let you see that my
hands shall have dominion here in the Burgundian land."
"I alone will hinder this," answered Gernot, and he forbade his
knights speak aught with haughtiness that might cause rue.
Siegfried, too, then bethought him of the noble maid.
"How might it beseem us to fight with you?" spake Gernot anew.
"However really heroes should lie dead because of this, we should
have scant honor therefrom and ye but little gain."
To this Siegfried, the son of Siegmund, made reply: "Why waiteth
Hagen, and Ortwin, too, that he hasteth not to fight with his
kin, of whom he hath so many here in Burgundy?"
At this all held their peace; such was Gernot's counsel. Then
spake Queen Uta's son: "Ye shall be welcome to us with all your
war-mates, who are come with you. We shall gladly serve you, I
and all my kin."
Then for the guests they bade pour out King Gunther's wine. The
master of the land then spake: "All that we have, if ye desire
it in honorable wise, shall owe fealty to you; with you shall
both life and goods be shared."
At this Lord Siegfried grew of somewhat gentler mood. Then they
bade that care be taken of the armor of the guests. The best of
hostels that men might find were sought for Siegfried's squires;
great easement they gave them. Thereafter they gladly saw the
guest in Burgundy. Many a day they offered him great worship, a
thousand fold more than I can tell you. This his prowess
wrought; ye may well believe, full scant a one he saw who was his
foe.
Whenever the lordings and their liegemen did play at knightly
games, Siegfried was aye the best, whatever they began. Herein
could no one match him, so mighty was his strength, whether they
threw the stone or hurled the shaft. When through courtesie the
full lusty knights made merry with the ladies, there were they
glad to see the hero of Netherland, for upon high love his heart
was bent. He was aye ready for whatso they undertook, but in his
heart he bare a lovely maid, whom he had never seen. She too,
who in secret spake full well of him, cherished him alone.
Whenever the pages, squires, and knights would play their games
within the court, Kriemhild, the noble queen, watched them from
the windows, for no other pastime she needed on such days. Had
he known that she gazed on him thus, whom he bare within his
heart, then had he had pastime enough, I trow, for well I wot
that no greater joy in all this world could chance to him.
Whenever he stood by the heroes in the court, as men still are
wont to do, for pastime's sake, so winsome was the posture of
Siegelind's son, that many a lady loved him for very joy of
heart. But he bethought him many a day: "How shall that hap,
that I with mine own eyes may see the noble maid, whom I do love
with all my heart and so have done long time. Sadly must I
stand, sith she be still a stranger to me."
Whenever the mighty kings fared forth into their land, the
warriors all must needs accompany them at hand, and Siegfried,
too. This the lady rued, and he, too, suffered many pangs for
love of her. Thus he dwelt with the lordings, of a truth, full a
year in Gunther's land, and in all this time he saw not once the
lovely maid, from whom in later days there happed to him much joy
and eke much woe.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Guest" translates here the M.H.G. "gest", a word which may
mean either 'guest' or 'stranger,' and it is often
difficult, as here, to tell to which meaning the preference
should be given.
(2) "Eleven" translates the M.H.G. "selbe zwelfte", which means
one of twelve. The accounts are, however, contradictory, as
a few lines below mention is made of twelve companions of
Siegfried.
(3) "Vair" (O.F. "vair", Lat. "varius"), 'variegated', like the
fur of the squirrel.
(4) "Known". It was a mark of the experienced warrior, that he
was acquainted with the customs and dress of various
countries and with the names and lineage of all important
personages. Thus in the "Hildebrandslied" Hildebrand asks
Hadubrand to tell him his father's name, and adds: "If thou
tellest me the one, I shall know the other."
(5) "Schilbung" and "Nibelung", here spoken of as the sons of a
mighty king, were originally dwarfs, and, according to some
authorities, the original owners of the treasure. Boer, ix,
199, thinks, however, that the name Nibelungs was
transferred from Hagen to these dwarfs at a late stage in
the formation of the saga.
(6) "Angry of mood". The reason of this anger is apparent from
the more detailed account in "Biterolf", 7801. The quarrel
arose from the fact that, according to ancient law,
Siegfried acquired with the sword the rights of the first
born, which the brothers, however, refused to accord to him.
(7) "Balmung". In the older Norse version and in the
"Thidreksaga" Siegfried's sword bore the name of Gram.
(8) "Alberich" is a dwarf king who appears in a number of
legends, e.g., in the "Ortnit saga" and in "Biterolf".
Under the Romance form of his name, "Oberon", he plays an
important role in modern literature.
(9) "Cloak of Darkness". This translates the M.H.G.
"tarnkappe", a word often retained by translators. It is
formed from O.H.G. tarni, 'secret' (cf. O.E. "dyrne"), and
"kappe" from late Latin "cappa", 'cloak'. It rendered the
wearer invisible and gave him the strength of twelve men.
ADVENTURE IV
How He Fought with the Saxons. (1)
Now there came strange tales to Gunther's land, though messengers
sent them from afar -- tales of unknown warriors, who bare them
hate. When they heard this word, in sooth it pleased them not.
These warriors will I name to you: there was Liudeger of Saxon
land, a great and lordly prince, and then from Denmark Lindegast,
the king. For their journey they had gathered many a lordly
stranger.
To Gunther's land were come the messengers his foes had sent.
Men asked the strangers for their tidings and bade them hie them
soon to court unto King Gunther. The king gave them greeting
fair; he spake: "Be ye welcome . I have not heard who sent you
hither, but let that now be told." So spake the right good king.
But they feared full sore King Gunther's warlike mood.
"Will ye, O King, permit that we tell the tales we bring, then we
shall not hold our tongue, but name to you the lordings who have
sent us hither: Liudegast and Liudeger; they would march upon
this land. Ye have earned their wrath, indeed we heard that both
lords bear you mortal hate. They would harry at Worms upon the
Rhine and have the aid of many a knight; that may ye know upon
our faith. Within twelve weeks the journey must befall. And ye
have aught of good friends, who will help guard your castles and
your lands, let this soon be seen. Here shall be carved by them
many a helm and shield. Or would ye parley with them, let
messengers be sent. Then the numerous bands of your mighty foes
will not ride so near you, to give you pain of heart, from which
full many a lusty knight and a good must die."
"Now bide a time," spake the good king, "till I bethink me
better; then ye shall know my mind. Have I aught of trusty men,
I will not withhold from them these startling tales, but will
make complaint thereof unto my friends."
To Gunther, the mighty king, it was loth enow, but in his heart
he bare the speech in secret wise. He bade Hagen be fetched and
others of his men, and sent eftsoon to court for Gernot. Then
came the very best of men that could he found. The king spake:
"Men would seek us here in this our land with mighty armies, now
make ye wail for that."
To this Gernot, a brave and lusty knight, made answer: "That will
we fend indeed with swords. Only the fey (2) will fall. So let
them die; for their sake I will not forget my honor. Let these
foes of ours be welcome to us."
Then spake Hagen of Troneg: "This thinketh me not good.
Liudegast and Liudeger bear great arrogance; nor can we summon
all our men in such short time. Why tell ye not Siegfried of the
thing?" So spake the valiant knight.
To the messengers they bade give lodging in the town. Whatever
hate they bore them, yet Gunther, the mighty, bade purvey them
well, as was but right, till he discovered of his friends who
there was who would lend him aid. Yet in his fears the king was
ill at ease. Just then full blithe a knight, who wot not what
had happed, saw him thus sad and prayed King Gunther to tell him
of the matter. "Much it wondereth me," spake Siegfried, for he
it was, "that ye thus have changed your merry wont, which ye have
used thus far with us."
To this Gunther, the stately knight, replied: "It liketh me not
to tell all folk the grievance which I must bear within my heart
in secret wise. Only to trusty friends should one confide his
woe of heart."
At this Siegfried's color waxed both pale and red. To the king
he spake: "I have denied you naught and will gladly help you turn
aside your woes. And ye seek friends, I will be one of them and
trow well to deport myself with honor until mine end."
"Now God reward you, Sir Siegfried, your speech thinketh me good,
and though your prowess help me not, yet do I rejoice to hear
that ye are friend to me, and live I yet a while, I shall repay
you well. I will let you hear why I stand thus sad; from the
messengers of my foes I have heard that they would visit me with
war, a thing which knights have never done to us in all these
lands."
"Regard this lightly," spake then Siegfried, "and calm your mood.
Do as I pray you. Let me gain for you both worship and advantage
and do ye command your knights, that they gather to your aid.
Should your mighty foes be helped by thirty thousand (3) men, yet
could I withstand them, had I but a thousand; for that rely on
me."
Then spake King Gunther: "For this I'll serve you ever."
"So bid me call a thousand of your men, since of mine own I have
but twelve, and I will guard your land. Faithfully shall the
hand of Siegfried serve you. Hagen shall help us and also
Ortwin, Dankwart, and Sindolt, your trusty men. Folker, the
valiant man, shall also ride along; he shall bear the banner, for
to none would I liefer grant it. Let now the envoys ride home to
their masters' lands. Give them to understand they soon shall
see us, that our castles may rest in peace."
Then the king bade summon both his kinsmen and his men. The
messengers of Liudeger betook them to the court. Fain they were
that they should journey home again. Gunther, the good king,
made offrance of rich gifts and gave them safe-convoy. At this
their spirits mounted high. "Now say unto my foes," spake then
Gunther, "that they may well give over their journey and stay at
home; but if they will seek me here within my lands, hardships
shall they know, and my friends play me not false."
Rich gifts men bare then for the envoys; enow of these had
Gunther to bestow, nor durst the men of Liudeger refuse them.
When at last they took their leave, they parted hence in merry
mood.
Now when the messengers were come to Denmark and King Liudegast
had heard how they parted from the Rhine, as was told him, much
he rued, in sooth, their (4) proud defiance. The envoys said
that Gunther had full many a valiant man-at-arms and among them
they saw a warrior stand, whose name was Siegfried, a hero from
Netherland. Little liked it Liudegast when he heard aright this
tale. When the men of Denmark had heard these tidings told, they
hasted all the more to call their friends; till Sir Liudegast had
gathered for his journey full twenty thousand knights from among
his valiant men. Then King Liudeger, also, of Saxon land, sent
forth his summons, till they had forty thousand men and more,
with whom they thought to ride to the Burgundian land.
Likewise at home King Gunther got him men-at-arms among his kin
and the liegemen of his brothers, and among Hagen's men whom
they wished to lead thence for battle. Much need of this the
heroes had, but warriors soon must suffer death from this. Thus
they made them ready for the journey. When they would hence,
Folker, the daring, must bear the flag. In such wise they
thought to ride from Worms across the Rhine. Hagen of Troneg was
master of the troop; with them rode Sindolt and Hunolt, too, who
wist well how to merit Gunther's gold. Dankwart, Hagen's
brother, and Ortwin, too, well could they serve with honor in
this war.
"Sir King," spake then Siegfried, "stay ye at home; since that
your warriors are willed to follow me, remain ye with the ladies
and keep your spirits high. I trow well to guard for you both
honor and estate. Well will I bring it to pass that those who
thought to seek you out at Worms upon the Rhine, had better far
have stayed at home. We shall ride so nigh unto their land that
their proud defiance shall be turned to fear."
From the Rhine they rode through Hesse with their warriors
towards Saxon land, where they later fought. With fire and
pillage, too, they harried all the countryside, so that the two
kings did learn of it in dire distress. Then came they to the
border; the warriors marched along. Siegfried, the strong, gan
ask: "Who shall now guard here the troop?" Forsooth never did
men ride more scathfully to the Saxons. They spake: "Let the
valiant Dankwart guard the young upon the way, he is a doughty
knight. Thus shall we lose the less through Liudeger's men. Let
him and Ortwin guard the rear."
"Then I myself will ride," spake Siegfried, the knight, "and play
the outlook toward the foe, until I discover aright where these
warriors be." Quickly the son of fair Siegelind donned his
harness. The troop he gave in charge to Hagen, when he would
depart, and to Gernot, the valiant man. Thus he rode hence into
the Saxon land alone and many a helmet band he cut to pieces on
that day. Soon he spied the mighty host that lay encamped upon
the plain and far outweighed the forces of his men. Forty
thousand or better still there were. Full blithely Siegfried saw
this in lofty mood. Meantime a warrior full well arrayed had
mounted to the outlook 'gainst the foe. Him Sir Siegfried spied,
and the bold man saw him, too. Each began to watch the other in
hostile wise. Who it was, who stood on guard, I'll tell you now;
a gleaming shield of gold lay by his hand. It was the good King
Liudegast, who was guarding here his band. The noble stranger
pricked along in lordly wise.
Now had Sir Liudegast espied him with hostile eye. Into the
flanks of their horses they plunged the spurs; with all their
might they couched the spears against the shields. At this great
fear befell the mighty king. After the thrust the horses carried
past each other the royal knights, as though borne upon the wind.
With the bridles they wheeled in knightly wise and the two fierce
champions encountered with their swords. Then smote Sir
Siegfried, so that the whole field did ring. Through the hero's
hand from out the helmets, as from firebrands, flew the bright
red sparks. Each in the other found his match. Sir Liudegast,
too, struck many a savage blow; the might of each broke full upon
the shields. Thirty of Liudegast's men stood there on guard, but
ere they could come to his aid, Siegfried had won the fight, with
three groat wounds which he dealt the king through his gleaming
breastplate, the which was passing good. The blood from the
wounds gushed forth along the edges of the sword, whereat King
Liudegast stood in sorry mood. He begged for life and made
offrance of his lands and said that his name was Liudegast. Then
came his warrior's, who had witnessed what there had happed upon
the lookout. As Siegfried would lead his captive thence, he was
set upon by thirty of these men. With mighty blows the hero's
hand guarded his noble prize. The stately knight then wrought
worse scathe. In self-defense he did thirty unto death; only one
he left alive, who rode full fast to tell the tale of what here
had chanced. By his reddened helmet one might see the truth. It
sorely grieved the men of Denmark, when the tale was told them
that their king was taken captive. Men told it to his brother,
who at the news began to rage with monstrous wrath, for great woe
it brought him.
Liudegast, the warrior, then was led away by Siegfried's might to
Gunther's men and given to Hagen in charge. When that they heard
it was the king, full moderate was their dole. The Burgundians
now were bidden raise their banner. "Up, men," cried Siegfried,
"here shall more be done, ere the day end, and I lose not my
life. Full many a stately dame in Saxon land shall rue this
fight. Ye heroes from the Rhine, give heed to me, for I can
guide you well to Liudeger's band. So shall ye see helmets
carved by the hands of goodly knights; ere we turn again, they
shall become acquaint with fear."
To their horses Gernot and all his men now hasted, and soon the
stalwart minstrel, Sir Folker, grasped the battle-flag and rode
before the band. Then were all the comrades arrayed in lordly
wise for strife; nor had they more than a thousand men, and
thereto Siegfried's twelve men-at-arms. Now from the road gan
rise the dust, as across the land they rode; many a lordly shield
was seen to gleam from out their midst. There, too, were come
the Saxons with their troops and well-sharpened swords, as I
since have heard. Sore cut these weapons in the heroes' hands,
for they would fain guard both their castles and their land
against the strangers. The lordings' marshals led on the troop.
Siegfried, too, was come with his men-at-arms, whom he had
brought from Netherland. In the storm of battle many a hand this
day grew red with blood. Sindolt and Hunolt and Gernot, too,
slew many a knight in the strife, ere these rightly knew the
boldness of their foes. This many a stately dame must needs
bewail. Folker and Hagen and Ortwin, too, dimmed in the battle
the gleam of many a helm with flowing blood, these storm-bold
men. By Dankwart, too, great deeds were done.
The men of Denmark proved well their hands; one heard many a
shield resounding from the hurtling and from the sharp swords as
well, many of which were wielded there. The battle-bold Saxons
did scathe enow, but when the men of Burgundy pressed to the
fight, by them was really a wide wound carved. Then down across
the saddles the blood was seen to flow. Thus they fought for
honors, these knights both bold and good. Loud rang the sharp
weapons in the heroes' hands, as those of Netherland followed
their lording through the sturdy host. Valiantly they forced
their way in Siegfried's wake, but not a knight from the Rhine
was seen to follow. Through the shining helmets one could see
flow the bloody stream, drawn forth by Siegfried's hand, till at
last he found Liudeger before his men-at-arms. Thrice had he
pierced the host from end to end. Now was Hagen come, who helped
him achieve in the battle all his mind. Before them many a good
knight must needs die this day.
When the mighty Liudeger espied Siegfried and saw that he bore
high in hand the good sword Balmung and did slay so many a man,
then waxed the lording wroth and fierce enow. A mighty surging
and a mighty clang of swords arose, as their comrades pressed
against each other. The two champions tried their prowess all
the more. The troops began to yield; fierce grew the hate. To
the ruler of the Saxons the tale was told that his brother had
been captured; great dole this gave him. Well he knew it was the
son of Siegelind who had done the deed. Men blamed Sir Gernot,
but later he learned the truth.
So mighty were the blows of Liudeger that Siegfried's charger
reeled beneath the saddle. When the steed recovered, bold
Siegfried took on a frightful usance in the fray. In this Hagen
helped him well, likewise Gernot, Dankwart, and Folker, too.
Through them lay many dead. Likewise Sindolt and Hunolt and
Ortwin, the knight, laid many low in strife; side by side in the
fray the noble princes stood. One saw above the helmets many a
spear, thrown by here's hand, hurtling through the gleaming
shields. Blood-red was colored many a lordly buckler; many a man
in the fierce conflict was unhorsed. At each other ran
Siegfried, the brave, and Liudeger; shafts were seen to fly and
many a keen-edged spear. Then off flew the shield-plates, struck
by Siegfried's hand; the hero of Netherland thought to win the
battle from the valiant Saxons, wondrous many of whom one saw.
Ho! How many shining armor-rings the daring Dankwart broke!
Then Sir Liudegor espied a crown painted on the shield in
Siegfried's hand. Well he knew that it was Siegfried, the mighty
man. To his friends the hero loudly called: "Desist ye from the
strife, my men, here I have seen the son of Siegmund, Siegfried,
the strong, and recognized him well. The foul fiend himself hath
sent him hither to the Saxon land." The banners bade he lower in
the fight. Peace he craved, and this was later granted him, but
he must needs go as hostage to Gunther's land. This was wrung
from him by valiant Siegfried's hand. With one accord they then
gave over the strife and laid aside the many riddled helmets and
the broad, battered bucklers. Whatever of these was found, bore
the hue of blood from the Burgundians' hand. They captured whom
they would, for this lay in their power. Gernot and Hagen, the
full bold warriors, bade bear away the wounded; five hundred
stately men they led forth captive to the Rhine. The worsted
knights rode back to Denmark, nor had the Saxons fought so well
that one could give them aught of praise, and this the heroes
rued full sore. The fallen, too, were greatly mourned by
friends.
Then they bade place the weapons on sumpters for the Rhine.
Siegfried, the warrior, and his heroes had wrought full well, as
Gunther's men must needs confess. Sir Gernot now sent messengers
homeward to Worms in his native land, and bade tell his kin what
great success had happed to him and to his men, and how these
daring knights had striven well for honor. The squirelings ran
and told the tale. Then those who afore had sorrowed, were
blithe for joy at the pleasing tidings that were come. Much
questioning was heard from noble dames, how it had fared with the
liegemen of the mighty king. One of the messengers they bade go
to Kriemhild; this happed full secretly (openly she durst not),
for she, too, had amongst them her own true love. When she saw
the messenger coming to her bower, fair Kriemhild spake in kindly
wise: "Now tell me glad news, I pray. And thou dost so without
deceit, I will give thee of my gold and will ever be thy friend.
How fared forth from the battle my brother Gernot and others of
my kin? Are many of them dead perchance? Or who wrought there
the best? This thou must tell me."
Quickly then the envoy spake: "Ne'er a coward did we have, but,
to tell the truth, O noble queen, none rode so well to the strife
and fray, as did the noble stranger from Netherland. Mickle
wonders the hand of valiant Siegfried wrought. Whate'er the
knights have done in strife, Dankwart and Hagen and other men of
the king, however much they strove for honor, 'tis but as the
wind compared with Siegfried, the son of Siegmund, the king.
They slew full many a hero in the fray, but none might tell you
of the wonders which Siegfried wrought, whenever he rode into the
fight. Great woe he did the ladies through their kin; upon the
field the love of many a dame lay dead. His blows were heard to
ring so loud upon the helmets, that from the wounds they drew
forth the blood in streams. In every knightly art he is a worthy
knight and a brave. Whatever Ortwin of Metz achieved (and he
whom he could reach with his good sword, fell sorely wounded, but
mostly dead), yet your brother wrought the direst woe that could
ever chance in battle. One must say of the chosen knights in
truth, that these proud Burgundians acquitted them so well that
they can well preserve their honor from every taint of shame.
Through their hands we saw many a saddle bare, while the field
resounded with the flashing swords. So well rode the warriors
from the Rhine, that it were better for their foes had it been
avoided. The valiant men of Troneg, also, wrought dire woe, when
in great numbers the armies met. Bold Hagen's hand did many a
one to death; of this full many stories might be told here in the
Burgundian land. Sindolt and Hunolt, Gernot's men, Rumolt the
brave, have done such deeds that it may well ever rue Liudeger
that he made war upon thy kinsmen by the Rhine. The very best
fight that happed from first to last, that one has ever seen, was
made full lustily by Siegfried's hand. Rich hostages he bringeth
to Gunther's land. He won them by his prowess, this stately man.
Of this King Liudegast must bear the loss and eke his brother
Liudeger of Saxon land. Now listen to my tale, most noble queen:
by the hand of Siegfried the twain were caught. Never have men
brought so many hostages to this land, as now are coming to the
Rhine through him. Men are bringing to our land five hundred or
more unharmed captives; and of the deadly wounded, my lady, know,
not less than eighty blood-red biers. These men were mostly
wounded by bold Siegfried's hand. Those who in haughty pride
sent a challenge to the Rhine, must now needs be the captives of
Gunther, the king, and men are bringing them with joy unto this
land."
Still higher rose Kriemhild's color when she heard this tale.
Her fair face blushed a rosy red, that Siegfried, the youth, the
stately knight, had fared forth so joyfully from the dangerous
strife. These tidings could not have pleased her better. For
her kinsmen, too, she rejoiced in duty bound. Then spake the
lovely maid: "A fair tale thou hast told me; therefore shalt thou
have as guerdon rich attire. Likewise I'll have thee brought ten
marks of gold." (5) Small wonder that such tales are gladly told
to noble dames.
They gave him then his guerdon, the garments and the gold. Then
many a fair maid hied her to the casement and gazed upon the
street, where many high-mettled warriors were seen riding into
the Burgundian land. There came the champions, the wounded and
the sound. Without shame they heard the greetings of their
friends. Merrily the host rode forth to meet his guests, for his
great sorrow had been turned to joy. Well greeted he his vassals
and the strangers, too; for it was only meet that the mighty king
in courtly wise should thank those who were come back to him,
because in the storm of battle they had won the fight with honor.
Gunther bade his kinsmen tell who had been slain upon the march;
but sixty had been lost, whom one must mourn, as is the wont with
heroes. Many a riven shield and battered helm the unharmed
warriors brought to Gunther's land. The men alighted from their
steeds before the palace of the king. Loud was heard the joyous
sound of the merry welcome; then order was given to lodge the
warriors in the town. The king bade minister well unto his
guests, attend the wounded and give them good easement. His
courtesie was cleverly seen upon his foes. He spake to
Liudegast: "Now be ye welcome. Much damage have I ta'en because
of you; for this I shall now be repaid, if fortune favor. God
reward my kinsmen, for they have given me joy."
"Well may ye thank them," answered Liudeger; "such noble hostages
hath king never gained afore. For fair treatment we offer great
store of wealth, that ye may act with mercy towards your foes."
"I will let you both go free," spake Gunther, "but I must have
surety that my foes remain here with me, that they do not leave
the land against my will." To that Liudeger pledged his hand.
Men brought them to their lodgings and gave them easement. The
wounded were bedded well, and for the sound were poured out good
mead and wine. Never could the comrades have been more merry.
Their battered shields were borne away for keeping, and enow
there was of bloody saddles which one bade hide away, that the
ladies might not weep. Many a good knight returned aweary from
the fray. The king did make his guests great cheer. His lands
were full of strangers and of home-folk. He bade ease the sorely
wounded in kindly wise; their haughty pride was now laid low.
Men offered to the leeches rich rewards, silver without weight
and thereto shining gold, if they would heal the heroes from the
stress of war. To his guests the king likewise gave great gifts.
Those that were minded to set out for home, were asked to stay,
as one doth to friends. The king bethought him how he might
requite his men, for they had brought to pass his wish for fame
and honor.
Then spake Lord Gernot: "Let them ride away, but be it made known
to them that in six weeks they must come again for a mighty
feast. By then will many a one be healed who now lieth sorely
wounded."
Then Siegfried of Netherland also asked for leave, but when King
Gunther learned his wish, lovingly he bade him stay erstwhile.
Were it not for the king's sister, this were never done. He was
too rich to take reward, though he well deserved it and the king
liked him well, as also did the kinsmen, who had seen what happed
in battle through his strength. For the sake of one fair lady he
thought to stay, if perchance he might espy her. Later it was
done, and according to his wish he met the maid. He rode
thereafter joyfully to Siegmund's land.
At all times the host bade practice knighthood, and many a
youthful knight did this right gladly. Meanwhile he ordered
seats prepared upon the sand before the town of Worms for those
who were to visit him in the Burgundian land. At the time when
they should come, fair Kriemhild heard it said that the king
would hold a feasting for the sake of his dear friends. Then
comely women hasted apace with robes and headgear which they were
to don. The noble Uta heard tales told of the proud warriors who
were to come. Then many rich dresses were taken from the press.
To please her children she bade make garments ready, that many
ladies and many maids might therewith be decked and many youthful
knights of the Burgundian land. Also for many of the strangers
she bade fashion lordly robes.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Saxons". This war with the Saxons does not appear in the
poetic "Edda", but was probably introduced into the story
later to provide the heroes with a suitable activity in the
period elapsing between Siegfried's marriage and the journey
to Brunhild's land. (In our poem it is placed before the
marriage.) It reflects the ancient feuds between the Franks
on the one hand and the Saxons and Danes on the other.
Originally Siegfried probably did not take part in it, but
was later introduced and made the leader of the expedition
in place of the king, in accordance with the tendency to
idealize him and to give him everywhere the most important
role. The two opposing leaders are "Liudeger", lord of the
Saxons, and "Liudegast", king of Denmark. In "Biterolf"
Liudeger rules over both Saxons and Danes, and Liudegast is
his brother.
(2) "Fey". This Scotch and older English word has been chosen
to translate the M.H.G. "veige", 'fated', 'doomed', as it is
etymologically the same word. The ancient Germans were
fatalists and believed only those would die in battle whom
fate had so predestined.
(3) "Thirty thousand". The M.H.G. epics are fond of round
numbers and especially of thirty and its multiples. They
will he found to occur very frequently in our poem. See
Lachmann, "Anmerkungen zu den Nibelungen", 474 1.
(4) "Their". The original is obscure here; the meaning is,
'when he heard with what message they were come, he rued the
haughtiness of the Burgundians'.
(5) "Marks of gold". A mark (Lat. "mares") was half a pound of
gold or silver.
ADVENTURE V
How Siegfried First Saw Kriemhild.
One saw daily riding to the Rhine those who would fain be at the
feasting. Full many of these who for the king's sake were come
into the land, were given steeds and lordly harness. Seats were
prepared for all, for the highest and the best, as we are told,
for two and thirty princes at the feast. For this, too, the fair
ladies vied in their attire. Giselher, the youth, was aught but
idle; he and Gernot and all their men received the friends and
strangers. In truth, they gave the knights right courtly
greetings. These brought into the land many a saddle of golden
red, dainty shields and lordly armor to the feasting on the
Rhine. Many a wounded man was seen full merry since. Even those
who lay abed in stress of wounds, must needs forget the
bitterness of death. Men ceased to mourn for the weak and sick
and joyed in prospect of the festal day, and how well they would
fare at the feasting of the king. Pleasure without stint and
overabundance of joy pervaded all the folk which there were seen.
Therefore great rejoicing arose throughout the whole of Gunther's
land.
Upon a Whitsun morning five thousand or more brave men, clad in
glad attire, were seen going forth to the high festal tide. On
all sides they vied with each other in knightly sports. The host
marked well, what he already wet, how from his very heart the
hero of Netherland did love his sister, albeit he had never seen
her, whose comeliness men praised above all maids. Then spake
the knight Ortwin to the king: "Would ye have full honor at your
feast, so should ye let be seen the charming maids, who live in
such high honors here in Burgundy. What were the joy of man,
what else could give him pleasure, but pretty maids and noble
dames? Pray let your sister go forth before the guests." To the
joy of many a hero was this counsel given.
"This will I gladly do," spake then the king, and all who heard
it were merry at the thought. Then bade he say to the Lady Uta
and her comely daughter, that with their maidens they should come
to court. From the presses they took fair raiment and whatso of
rich attire was laid away. Of rings and ribbons, too, enow they
had. Thus each stately maiden decked herself with zeal. Full
many a youthful knight upon that day was of the mind that he was
so fair to look upon for ladies, that he would not exchange this
chance for the lands of any mighty king. Gladly they gazed on
those whom till now they had not known. Then bade the mighty
king full a hundred of his men, who were his kin and hers, escort
his sister and serve her thus. These were the court retainers of
the Burgundian land and carried swords in hand. Soon one saw the
noble Uta coming with her child. Full hundred or more fair
ladies had she taken for her train, who wore rich robes.
Likewise there followed her daughter many a stately maid. When
from out a bower men saw them come, there rose a mighty press of
knights who had the hope, if that might be, to gaze with joy upon
the noble maid. Now came she forth, the lovely fair, as doth the
red of dawn from out the lowering clouds. He then was reft of
many woes who bore her in his heart so long a time, when he saw
the lovely maid stand forth so glorious. How shone full many a
precious stone upon her robes! In lovely wise her rose-red hue
appeared. Whatever one might wish, he could not but confess that
never in the world had he beheld a fairer maid. As the radiant
moon, whose sheen is thrown so brightly on the clouds, doth stand
before the stars, so stood she now before full many a stately
dame. Therefore higher rose the spirits of the comely knights.
Richly appareled chamberlains marched on in front, while the
high-mettled warriors forsooth must press where they might see
the lovely maid. At this Lord Siegfried felt both joy and dole.
To himself he thought: "How could that chance, that I should love
thee? That is a foolish dream. But if I now must lose thee,
then were I better dead." At thought of this his color came and
went. There stood the son of Siegmund in such dainty grace, as
he were limned on parchment by skillful master's art. Indeed
'twas said of him that never had so fair a knight been seen. The
escort of the ladies now bade everywhere give way and many a man
obeyed. These high-born hearts rejoiced full many a wight, as
thus so many a noble dame appeared in courtly bearing.
Then spake Lord Gernot of Burgundy: "Dear brother Gunther, him
who offered service in such kindly wise, ye should in like manner
requite before these knights; nor shall I ever rue this counsel.
Bid Siegfried now approach my sister, that the maid may greet
him; this will ever be our gain. She who never greeted warrior
shall greet him fair, that by this means we now may win the
stately knight."
Then went the kinsmen of the host to fetch the hero. To the
champion from Netherland they spake: "You hath the king permitted
to go to court; his sister is to greet you. This hath he decreed
to do you honor."
At this the lord grew blithe of mood, for in his heart he bare
joy without alloy, that he thus should see fair Uta's child.
With lovely grace she greeted Siegfried then, but when she saw
the haughty knight stand thus before her, her cheeks flamed
bright. "Be welcome, Sir Siegfried, most good and noble knight,"
the fair maid spake, and at this greeting his spirits mounted
high. Courteously he made obeisance; she took him by the hand.
How gallantly he walked by the lady's side! Upon each other this
lord and lady gazed with kindling eyes. Full secretly this
happed. Was perchance a white hand there fervently pressed by
heart-felt love? That know I not; yet I cannot believe that this
was left undone, for soon had she betrayed to him her love.
Nevermore in summertide nor in the days of May bare he within his
heart such lofty joy as now he gained, when hand in hand he
walked with her whom he fain would call his love.
Then thought full many a knight: "Had that but happed to me, to
walk thus with her hand in hand, as now I see him do, or to lie
beside her, I'd bear it willingly."
Never has warrior better served to gain a queen. From whatever
land the guests were come, all gazed alike upon this pair alone.
She then was bidden kiss the stately man, to whom no such delight
had ever happened in this world.
Then spake the king of Denmark: "Because of this high greeting
many a warrior lieth wounded (this wot I well), through
Siegfried's hand. God grant that he may never come again to my
kingly lands."
On all sides they bade make way for Kriemhild, as thus to church
one saw her go with many a valiant knight in courtly wise. Then
soon the stately knight was parted from her side. Thus went she
to the minster, followed by many a dame. So full of graces was
this queenly maid that many a daring wish must needs be lost.
Born she was to be the eyes' delight of many a knight. Siegfried
scarce could wait till mass was sung. Well might he think his
fortune that she did favor him, whom thus he bare in heart.
Cause enow he had to love the fair.
When she came forth from out the minster, they begged the gallant
knight again to bear her company, as he had done afore. Then
first the lovely maid began to thank him that he had fought so
gloriously before so many knights. "Now God requite you, Sir
Siegfried," spake the comely maid, "that ye have brought to pass
with your service, that the warriors do love you with such fealty
as I hear them say."
Then upon Dame Kriemhild he began to gaze in loving wise. "I
will serve them ever," spake then the knight, "and while life
shall last, never will I lay my head to rest till I have done
their will; and this I do, my Lady Kriemhild, to win your love."
A twelfth-night long, on each and every day, one saw the winsome
maid beside the knight, when she should go to court to meet her
kin. This service was done from sheer delight. A great rout of
joy and pleasure was daily seen in front of Gunther's hall,
without and eke within, from many a daring man. Ortwin and Hagen
began to do great marvels. Whatever any wished to play, these
lusty knights were fully ready; thus they became well known to
all the guests and so the whole of Gunther's land was decked with
honor. Those who had lain wounded were now seen coming forth;
they, too, would fain have pastime with the troop and guard
themselves with bucklers and hurl the shaft. Enow there were to
help them, for there was great store of men.
At the feasting the host bade purvey them with the best of cheer.
He kept him free from every form of blame that might befall a
king; men saw him move in friendly wise among his guests. He
spake: "Ye worthy knights, ere ye go hence, pray take my gifts.
I am minded to deserve it of you ever. Do not disdain my goods,
the which I'll share with you, as I have great desire."
Then up spake they of Denmark: "Ere we ride homeward to our land,
we crave a lasting peace; we knights have need thereof, for many
a one of our kinsmen lieth dead at the hands of your men-at-
arms."
Liudegast, the Saxon chief, was now cured of his wounds and had
recovered from the fray, though many dead they left within this
land. Then King Gunther went to find Sir Siegfried; to the
knight he spake: "Now tell me what to do. Our foes would fain
ride early and beg for lasting peace of me and of my men. Advise
me now, Knight Siegfried, what thinketh thee good to do? What
the lordings offer me will I tell thee; what of gold five hundred
steeds can bear, that would they gladly give me, and I set them
free again."
Then spake the mighty Siegfried: "That were done but ill. Let
them ride hence unhindered, but make each of the lordings give
surety with his hand, that their noble knights henceforth forbear
all hostile riding hither to your land."
"This counsel will I follow." Herewith they parted, and to the
king's foes was told that no one craved the gold they proffered.
For their loved friends at home the battle-weary warriors longed.
Many a shield full of treasure was then brought forth which the
king dealt out unweighed to his many friends, to each five
hundred marks of gold, and to a few, still more. Gernot, the
brave, had counseled Gunther this. Then they all took leave,
sith they would hence. One saw the guests draw nigh to Kriemhild
and also to where Dame Uta sate. Never yet were knights
dismissed in better wise. Lodgings grew empty as they rode away,
but still there stayed at home the king and all his kin and many
a noble liegeman. Daily they were seen as they went to Lady
Kriemhild. The good knight Siegfried now would likewise take his
leave; he weened not to win that on which his mind was set. The
king heard said that he would hence, but Giselher, the youth,
quite won him from the journey.
"Whither would ye ride now, noble Siegfried? Pray tarry with the
knights, I beg you, with Gunther the king and with his men.
Here, too, are many comely dames whom we shall gladly let you
see."
Then spake the mighty Siegfried: "Let stand the steeds. I listed
to ride hence, but now will I desist. The shields, too, bear
away. To my land I craved to go, in truth, but Giselher with his
great love hath turned me from it."
So the valiant knight stayed on to please his friends, nor could
he have fared more gentilly in any land. This happed because he
daily saw Kriemhild, the fair; for the sake of her unmeasured
beauty the lording stayed. With many a pastime they whiled the
hours away, but still her love constrained him and often gave him
dole. Because of this same love in later days the valiant knight
lay pitiful in death.
ADVENTURE VI
How Gunther Fared To Isenland (1) for Brunhild.
New tidings came across the Rhine. 'Twas said that yonder many a
fair maid dwelt. The good king Gunther thought to win him one of
these; high therefore rose the warrior's spirits. There lived a
queen beyond the sea, whose like men knew not anywhere. Peerless
was her beauty and great her strength. With doughty knights she
shot the shaft for love. The stone she hurled afar and sprang
far after it. He who craved her love must win without fail three
games from this high-born dame. When the noble maid had done
this passing oft, a stately knight did hear it by the Rhine. He
turned his thoughts upon this comely dame, and so heroes must
needs later lose their lives.
One day when the king and his vassals sate and pondered to and
fro in many a wise, whom their lord might take to wife, who would
be fit to be their lady and beseem the land, up spake the lord of
the Rhinelands: "I will go down to the sea and hence to Brunhlld,
however it may go with me. For her love I'll risk my life. I
will gladly lose it and she become not my wife."
"Against that do I counsel you," spake then Siegfried, "if, as ye
say, the queen doth have so fierce a wont, he who wooeth for her
love will pay full dear. Therefore should ye give over the
journey."
Then spake King Gunther: "Never was woman born so strong and bold
that I might not vanquish her with mine own hand."
"Be still," spake Siegfried, "ye little know her strength."
"So will I advise you," spake Hagen then, "that ye beg Siegfried
to share with you this heavy task. This is my rede, sith he doth
know so well how matters stand with Brunhild."
The king spake: "Wilt thou help me, noble Siegfried, to woo this
lovely maid? And thou doest what I pray thee and this comely
dame become my love, for thy sake will I risk both life and
honor."
To this Siegfried, the son of Siegmund, answered: "I will do it,
and thou give me thy sister Kriemhild, the noble queen. For my
pains I ask no other meed."
"I'll pledge that, Siegfried, in thy hand," spake then Gunther,
"and if fair Brunhild come hither to this land, I'll give thee my
sister unto wife. Then canst thou live ever merrily with the
fair."
This the noble warriors swore oaths to do, and so the greater
grew their hardships, till they brought the lady to the Rhine.
On this account these brave men must later be in passing danger.
Siegfried had to take with him hence the cloak which he, the bold
hero, had won 'mid dangers from a dwarf, Alberich he hight.
These bold and mighty knights now made them ready for the
journey. When Siegfried wore the Cloak of Darkness he had
strength enow: the force of full twelve men beside his own. With
cunning arts he won the royal maid. This cloak was fashioned so,
that whatsoever any wrought within it, none saw him. Thus he won
Brunhild, which brought him dole.
"Now tell me, good Knight Siegfried, before our trip begin, shall
we not take warriors with us into Brunhild's land, that we may
come with passing honors to the sea? Thirty thousand men-at-arms
can soon be called."
"However many men we take," quoth Siegfried, "the queen doth use
so fierce a wont that they must perish through her haughty pride.
I'll give thee better counsel, O brave and worthy king. Let us
fare as wandering knights adown the Rhine, and I will tell thee
those that shall be of the band. In all four knights, we'll
journey to the sea and thus we'll woo the lady, whatever be our
fate thereafter. I shall be one of the four comrades, the second
thou shalt be. Let Hagen be the third (then have we hope of
life), Dankwart then the fourth, the valiant man. A thousand
others durst not match us in the fight."
"Gladly would I know," spake then the king, "ere we go hence ('t
would please me much), what garments we should wear before
Brunhild, which would beseem us there. Pray tell this now to
Gunther."
"Weeds of the very best which can be found are worn all times in
Brunhild's land. We must wear rich clothes before the lady, that
we feel no shame when men shall hear the tidings told."
The good knight spake: "Then will I go myself to my dear mother,
if perchance I can bring it to pass that her fair maids purvey us
garments which we may wear with honor before the high-born maid."
Hagen of Troneg spake then in lordly wise: "Wherefore will ye
pray your mother of such service? Let your sister hear what ye
have in mind, and she'll purvey you well for your journey to
Brunhild's court."
Then sent he word to his sister, that he would fain see her, and
Knight Siegfried, too, sent word. Ere this happed the fair had
clad her passing well. That these brave men were coming, gave
her little grief. Now were her attendants, too, arrayed in
seemly wise. The lordings came, and when she heard the tale,
from her seat she rose and walked in courtly wise to greet the
noble stranger and her brother, too.
"Welcome be my brother and his comrade. I'd gladly know," so
spake the maid, "what ye lords desire, sith ye be thus come to
court. Pray let me hear how it standeth with you noble knights."
Then spake king Gunther: "My lady, I'll tell you now. Maugre our
lofty mood, yet have we mickle care. We would ride a-wooing far
into foreign lands, and for this journey we have need of costly
robes."
"Now sit you down, dear brother," spake the royal maid, "and let
me hear aright who these ladies be whom ye fain would woo in the
lands of other kings."
By the hand the lady took the chosen knights and with the twain
she walked to where she sate afore upon a couch, worked, as well
I wot, with dainty figures embossed in gold. There might they
have fair pastime with the ladies. Friendly glances and kindly
looks passed now full oft between the twain. In his heart he
bare her, she was dear to him as life. In after days fair
Kriemhild became strong Siegfried's wife.
Then spake the mighty king: "Dear sister mine, without thy help
it may not be. We would go for knightly pastime to Brunhild's
land, and have need of princely garb to wear before the dames."
Then the noble maiden answered: "Dear brother mine, I do you now
to wit, that whatever need ye have of help of mine, that stand I
ready to give. Should any deny you aught, 't would please
Kriemhild but ill. Most noble knights, beseech me not with such
concern, but order me with lordly air to do whatso ye list. I
stand at your bidding and will do it with a will." So spake
the winsome maid.
"We would fain, dear sister, wear good attire, and this your
noble hand shall help to choose . Your maidens then must make it
fit us, for there be no help against this journey." Then spake
the princess: "Now mark ye what I say. Silks I have myself; see
ye that men do bring us jewels upon the shields and thus we'll
work the clothes. Gunther and Siegfried, too, gave glad assent.
"Who are the comrades," spake the queen, "who shall fare with you
thus clad to court?"
He spake: "I shall be one of four. My liegemen twain, Dankwart
and Hagen, shall go with me to court. Now mark ye well, my lady,
what I say. Each of us four must have to wear for four whole
days three changes of apparel and such goodly trappings that
without shame we may quit Brunhild's land."
In fitting wise the lords took leave and parted hence.
Kriemhild, the queen, bade thirty of her maidens who were
skillful in such work, come forth from out their bowers. Silks
of Araby, white as snow, and the fair silk of Zazamanc, (2) green
as is the clover, they overlaid with precious stones; that gave
garments passing fair. Kriemhild herself, the high-born maiden,
cut them out. Whatso they had at hand of well-wrought linings
from the skin of foreign fish, but rarely seen of folk, they
covered now with silk, as was the wont to wear. (3) Now hear
great marvels of these shining weeds. From the kingdom of
Morocco and from Libya, too, they had great store of the fairest
silks which the kith of any king did ever win. Kriemhild made it
well appear what love she bore the twain. Sith upon the proud
journey they had set their minds, they deemed ermine to be well
fit. (4) Upon this lay fine silk as black as coal. This would
still beseem all doughty knights at high festal tides. From out
a setting of Arabian gold there shone forth many a stone. The
ladies' zeal, it was not small, forsooth; in seven weeks they
wrought the robes. Ready, too, were the weapons for the right
good knights.
When now they all stood dight, (5) there was built for them in
haste upon the Rhine a sturdy little skiff, that should bear them
downward to the sea. Weary were the noble maids from all their
cares. Then the warriors were told that the brave vestures they
should wear were now prepared; as they had craved it, so it now
was done. Then no longer would they tarry on the Rhine; they
sent a message to their war-companions, if perchance they should
care to view their new attire, to see if it be too long or short.
All was found in fitting measure, and for this they gave the
ladies thanks. All who saw them could not but aver that never in
the world had they seen attire more fair. Therefore they wore it
gladly at the court. None wist how to tell of better knightly
weeds. Nor did they fail to give great thanks. Then the lusty
knights craved leave to go, and this the lordings did in courtly
wise. Bright eyes grew dim and moist thereat from weeping.
Kriemhild spake: "Dear brother, ye might better tarry here a
while and pay court to other dames, where ye would not so risk
your life; then would I say well done. Ye might find nearer home
a wife of as high a birth."
I ween their hearts did tell them what would hap. All wept
alike, no matter what men said. The gold upon their breasts was
tarnished by their tears, which thick and fast coursed downward
from their eyes.
She spake: "Sir Siegfried, let this dear brother of mine be
commended to your fealty and troth, that naught may harm him in
Brunhild's land." This the full brave knight vowed in Lady
Kriemhild's hand.
The mighty warrior spake: "If I lose not my life, ye may be free
from every care, my lady. I'll bring him to you sound again
hither to the Rhine; that know of a surety." The fair maid
bowed her thanks.
Men bare their gold-hued shields out to them upon the sands and
brought them all their harness. One bade lead up the steeds, for
they would ride away. Much weeping then was done by comely
dames. The winsome maids stood at the easements. A high wind
stirred the ship and sails; the proud war fellowship embarked
upon the Rhine.
Then spake King Gunther: "Who shall be the captain of the ship?"
"That will I," quoth Siegfried, "I wot well how to steer you on
the flood. That know, good knights, the right water ways be well
known to me."
So they parted merrily from out the Burgundian land. Siegfried
quickly grasped an oar and from the shore the stalwart man gan
push. Bold Gunther took the helm himself, and thus the
worshipful and speedy knights set forth from land. With them
they took rich food and eke good wine, the best that could be
found along the Rhine. Their steeds stood fair; they had good
easement. Their ship rode well; scant harm did hap them. Their
stout sheet-rope was tightened by the breeze. Twenty leagues
they sailed, or ever came the night, with a good wind, downward
toward the sea. These hard toils later brought the high-mettled
warriors pain.
Upon the twelfth-day morning, as we hear say, the winds had borne
them far away to Isenstein in Brunhild's land. To none save
Siegfried was this known; but when King Gunther spied so many
castles and broad marches, too, how soon he spake: "Pray
tell me, friend Siegfried, is it known to you whose are these
castles and this lordly land?"
Siegfried answered: "I know it well. It is the land and folk of
Brunhild and the fortress Isenstein, as ye heard me say. Fair
ladies ye may still see there to-day. Methinketh good to advise
you heroes that ye be of one single mind, and that ye tell the
selfsame tale. For if we go to-day before Brunhild, in much
jeopardy must we stand before the queen. When we behold the
lovely maiden with her train, then, ye far-famed heroes, must ye
tell but this single tale: that Gunther be my master and I his
man; then what he craveth will come to pass." Full ready they
were for whatever he bade them vow, nor because of pride did any
one abstain. They promised what he would; wherefrom they all
fared well, when King Gunther saw fair Brunhild. (6)
"Forsooth I vow it less for thy sake than for thy sister's, the
comely maid, who is to me as mine own soul and body. Gladly will
I bring it to pass, that she become my wife."
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Isenland" translates here M.H.G. "Islant", which has,
however, no connection with Iceland in spite of the
agreement of the names in German. "Isen lant", the reading
of the MSS. BJh, has been chosen, partly to avoid confusion,
and partly to indicate its probable derivation from
"Isenstein", the name of Brunhild's castle. Boer's
interpretation of "Isen" as 'ice' finds corroboration in
Otfrid's form "isine steina" ('ice stones', i.e. crystals)
I, 1. 70. Isenstein would then mean Ice Castle. In the
"Thidreksaga" Brunhild's castle is called "Saegarthr" ('Sea
Garden'), and in a fairy tale (No. 93 of Grimm) "Stromberg",
referring to the fact that it was surrounded by the sea.
Here, too, in our poem it stands directly on the shore.
(2) "Zazamanc", a fictitious kingdom mentioned only here and a
few times in Parzival, Wolfram probably having obtained the
name from this passage. (See Bartsch, "Germanistische
Studien", ii, 129.)
(3) "Wont to wear". In the Middle Ages costly furs and
fish-skins were used as linings and covered, as here
described, with silk or cloth. By fish such amphibious
animals as otter and beaver were often meant.
(4) "Well fit". In this passage "wert", the reading of A and D,
has been followed, instead of unwert of B and C, as it seems
more appropriate to the sense.
(5) "Dight", 'arrayed'; used by Milton.
(6) "Brunhild". The following words are evidently a late
interpolation, and weaken the ending, but have been
translated for the sake of completeness. They are spoken by
Siegfried.
ADVENTURE VII
How Gunther Won Brunhild.
Meanwhile their bark had come so near the castle that the king
saw many a comely maiden standing at the casements. Much it
irked King Gunther that he knew them not. He asked his comrade
Siegfried: "Hast thou no knowledge of these maidens, who yonder
are gazing downward towards us on the flood? Whoever be their
lord, they are of lofty mood."
At this Sir Siegfried spake: "I pray you, spy secretly among the
high-born maids and tell me then whom ye would choose, and ye had
the power."
"That will I," spake Gunther, the bold and valiant knight. "In
yonder window do I see one stand in snow-white weeds. She is
fashioned so fair that mine eyes would choose her for her
comeliness. Had I power, she should become my wife."
"Right well thine eyes have chosen for thee. It is the noble
Brunhild, the comely maid, for whom thy heart doth strive and eke
thy mind and mood." All her bearing seemed to Gunther good.
When bade the queen her high-born maids go from the windows, for
it behooved them not to be the mark of strangers' eyes. Each one
obeyed. What next the ladies did, hath been told us since. They
decked their persons out to meet the unknown knights, a way fair
maids have ever had. To the narrow casements they came again,
where they had seen the knights. Through love of gazing this was
done.
But four there were that were come to land. Through the windows
the stately women saw how Siegfried led a horse out on the sand,
whereby King Gunther felt himself much honored. By the bridle he
held the steed, so stately, good and fair, and large and strong,
until King Gunther had sat him in the saddle. Thus Siegfried
served him, the which he later quite forgot. Such service he had
seldom done afore, that he should stand at any here's stirrup.
Then he led his own steed from the ship. All this the comely
dames of noble birth saw through the casements. The steeds and
garments, too, of the lusty knights, of snow-white hue, were
right well matched and all alike; the bucklers, fashioned well,
gleamed in the hands of the stately men. In lordly wise they
rode to Brunhild's hall, their saddles set with precious stones,
with narrow martingales, from which hung bells of bright and
ruddy gold. So they came to the land, as well befit their
prowess, with newly sharpened spears, with well-wrought swords,
the which hung down to the spurs of these stately men. The
swords the bold men bore were sharp and broad. All this
Brunhild, the high-born maid, espied.
With the king came Dankwart and Hagen, too. We have heard tales
told of how the knights wore costly raiment, raven black of hue.
Fair were their bucklers, mickle, good and broad. Jewels they
wore from the land of India, the which gleamed gloriously upon
their weeds. By the flood they left their skiff without a guard.
Thus the brave knights and good rode to the castle. Six and
eighty towers they saw within, three broad palaces, (1) and one
hall well wrought of costly marble, green as grass, wherein
Brunhild herself sate with her courtiers. The castle was
unlocked and the gates flung wide. Then ran Brunhild's men to
meet them and welcomed the strangers into their mistress' land.
One bade relieve them of their steeds and shields.
Then spake a chamberlain: "Pray give us now your swords and your
shining breastplates, too."
"That we may not grant you," said Hagen of Troneg; "we ourselves
will bear them."
Then gan Siegfried tell aright the tale. "The usage of the
castle, let me say, is such that no guests may here bear arms.
Let them now be taken hence, then will all be well."
Unwillingly Hagen, Gunther's man, obeyed. For the strangers men
bade pour out wine and make their lodgings ready. Many doughty
knights were seen walking everywhere at court in lordly weeds.
Mickle and oft were these heroes gazed upon.
Then the tidings were told to Lady Brunhild, that unknown
warriors were come in lordly raiment, sailing on the flood. The
fair and worthy maid gan ask concerning this. "Pray let me
hear," spake the queen, "who be these unknown knights, who stand
so lordly in my castle, and for whose sake the heroes have
journeyed hither?"
Then spake one of the courtiers: "My lady, I can well say that
never have I set eyes on any of them, but one like Siegfried doth
stand among them. Him ye should give fair greetings; that is my
rede, in truth. The second of their fellowship is so worthy of
praise that he were easily a mighty king over broad and princely
lands, and he had the power and might possess them. One doth see
him stand by the rest in such right lordly wise. The third of
the fellowship is so fierce and yet withal so fair of body, most
noble queen. By the fierce glances he so oft doth east, I ween
he be grim of thought and mood. The youngest among them is
worshipful indeed. I see the noble knight stand so charmingly,
with courtly bearing, in almost maiden modesty. We might all
have cause for fear, had any done him aught. However blithely he
doth practice chivalry, and howso fair of body he be, yet might
he well make many a comely woman weep, should he e'er grow angry.
He is so fashioned that in all knightly virtues he must be a bold
knight and a brave."
Then spake the queen: "Now bring me my attire. If the mighty
Siegfried be come unto this land through love of mine, he doth
risk his life. I fear him not so sore, that I should become his
wife."
Brunhild, the fair, was soon well clad. Then went there with her
many a comely maid, full hundred or more, decked out in gay
attire. The stately dames would gaze upon the strangers. With
them there walked good knights from Isenland, Brunhild's men-
at-arms, five hundred or more, who bore swords in hand. This the
strangers rued. From their seats then the brave and lusty heroes
rose. When that the queen spied Siegfried, now hear what the
maid did speak.
"Be ye welcome, Siegfried, here in this our land! What doth your
journey mean? That I fain would know."
"Gramercy, my Lady Brunhild, that ye have deigned to greet me,
most generous queen, in the presence of this noble knight who
standeth here before me, for he is my liege lord. This honor I
must needs forswear. By birth he's from the Rhine; what more
need I to say? For thy sake are we come hither. Fain would he
woo thee, however he fare. Methink thee now betimes, my lord
will not let thee go. He is hight Gunther and is a lordly king.
An' he win thy love, he doth crave naught more. Forsooth this
knight, so well beseen, did bid me journey hither. I would fain
have given it over, could I have said him nay."
She spake: "Is he thy liege and thou his man, dare he assay the
games which I mete out and gain the mastery, then I'll become his
wife; but should I win, 't will cost you all your lives."
Then up spake Hagen of Troneg: "My lady, let us see your mighty
games. It must indeed go hard, or ever Gunther, my lord, give
you the palm. He troweth well to win so fair a maid."
"He must hurl the stone and after spring and cast the spear with
me. Be ye not too hasty. Ye are like to lose here your honor
and your life as well. Bethink you therefore rightly," spake the
lovely maid.
Siegfried, the bold, went to the king and bade him tell the queen
all that he had in mind, he should have no fear. "I'll guard you
well against her with my arts."
Then spake King Gunther: "Most noble queen, now mete out whatso
ye list, and were it more, that would I all endure for your sweet
sake. I'll gladly lose my head, and ye become not my wife."
When the queen heard this speech, she begged them hasten to the
games, as was but meet. She bade purvey her with good armor for
the strife: a breastplate of ruddy gold and a right good shield.
A silken surcoat, (2) too, the maid put on, which sword had never
cut in any fray, of silken cloth of Libya. Well was it wrought.
Bright embroidered edging was seen to shine thereon.
Meanwhile the knights were threatened much with battle cries.
Dankwart and Hagen stood ill at ease; their minds were troubled
at the thought of how the king would speed. Thought they: "Our
journey will not bring us warriors aught of good."
Meanwhile Siegfried, the stately man, or ever any marked it, had
hied him to the ship, where he found his magic cloak concealed.
Into it he quickly slipped and so was seen of none. He hurried
back and there he found a great press of knights, where the queen
dealt out her lofty games. Thither he went in secret wise (by
his arts it happed), nor was he seen of any that were there. The
ring had been marked out, where the games should be, afore many
valiant warriors, who were to view them there. More than seven
hundred were seen bearing arms, who were to say who won the game.
Then was come Brunhild, armed as though she would battle for all
royal lands. Above her silken coat she wore many a bar of gold;
gloriously her lovely color shone beneath the armor. Then came
her courtiers, who bare along a shield of ruddy gold with large
broad strips as hard as steel, beneath the which the lovely maid
would fight. As shield-thong there served a costly band upon
which lay jewels green as grass. It shone and gleamed against
the gold. He must needs be passing bold, to whom the maid would
show her love. The shield the maid should bear was three spans
thick beneath the studs, as we are told. Rich enow it was, of
steel and eke of gold, the which four chamberlains could scarcely
carry.
When the stalwart Hagen saw the shield borne forth, the knight of
Troneg spake full grim of mood: "How now, King Gunther? How we
shall lose our lives! She you would make your love is the
devil's bride, in truth."
Hear now about her weeds; enow of these she had; she wore a
surcoat of silk of Azagoue, (3) noble and costly. Many a lordly
stone shone in contrast to its color on the person of the queen.
Then was brought forth for the lady a spear, sharp, heavy, and
large, the which she cast all time, stout and unwieldy, mickle
and broad, which on its edges cut most fearfully. Of the spear's
great weight hear wonders told. Three and one half weights (4)
of iron were wrought therein, the which scarce three of
Brunhild's men could bear. The noble Gunther gan be sore afraid.
Within his heart he thought: "What doth this mean? How could the
devil from hell himself escape alive? Were I safe and sound in
Burgundy, long might she live here free of any love of mine."
Then spake Hagen's brother, the valiant Dankwart: "The journey to
this court doth rue me sore. We who have ever borne the name of
knights, how must we lose our lives! Shall we now perish at the
hands of women in these lands? It doth irk me much, that ever I
came unto this country. Had but my brother Hagen his sword in
hand, and I mine, too, then should Brunhild's men go softly in
their overweening pride. This know for sure, they'd guard
against it well. And had I sworn a peace with a thousand oaths,
before I'd see my dear lord die, the comely maid herself should
lose her life."
"We might leave this land unscathed," spake then his brother
Hagen, "had we the harness which we sorely need and our good
swords as well; then would the pride of this strong dame become a
deal more soft."
What the warrior spake the noble maid heard well. Over her
shoulders she gazed with smiling mouth. "Now sith he thinketh
himself so brave, bring them forth their coats-of-mail; put in
the warriors' hands their sharp-edged swords."
When they received their weapons as the maiden bade, bold
Dankwart blushed for very joy. "Now let them play whatso they
list," spake the doughty man. "Gunther is unconquered, since now
we have our arms."
Mightily now did Brunhild's strength appear. Into the ring men
bare a heavy stone, huge and great, mickle and round. Twelve
brave and valiant men-at-arms could scarcely bear it. This she
threw at all times, when she had shot the spear. The
Burgundians' fear now grew amain.
"Woe is me," cried Hagen. "Whom hath King Gunther chosen for a
love? Certes she should be the foul fiend's bride in hell."
Upon her fair white arm the maid turned back her sleeves; with
her hands she grasped the shield and poised the spear on high.
Thus the strife began. Gunther and Siegfried feared Brunhild's
hate, and had Siegfried not come to Gunther's aid, she would have
bereft the king of life. Secretly Siegfried went and touched his
hand; with great fear Gunther marked his wiles. "Who hath
touched me?" thought the valiant man. Then he gazed around on
every side, but saw none standing there.
"'Tis I, Siegfried, the dear friend of thine. Thou must not fear
the queen. Give me the shield from off thy hand and let me bear
it and mark aright what thou dost hear me say. Make thou the
motions, I will do the deeds."
When Gunther knew that it was Siegfried, he was overjoyed.
Quoth Siegfried: "Now hide thou my arts; tell them not to any
man; then can the queen win from thee little fame, albeit she
doth desire it. See how fearlessly the lady standeth now before
thee."
Then with might and main the noble maiden hurled the spear at a
shield, mickle, new, and broad, which the son of Siegelind bore
upon his arm. The sparks sprang from the steel, as if the wind
did blow. The edge of the mighty spear broke fully through the
shield, so that men saw the fire flame forth from the armor
rings. The stalwart men both staggered at the blow; but for the
Cloak of Darkness they had lain there dead. From the mouth of
Siegfried, the brave, gushed forth the blood. Quickly the good
knight sprang back again and snatched the spear that she had
driven through his shield. Stout Siegfried's hand now sent it
back again. He thought: "I will not pierce the comely maid." So
he reversed the point and cast it at her armor with the butt,
that it rang out loudly from his mighty hand. The sparks flew
from the armor rings, as though driven by the wind. Siegmund's
son had made the throw with might. With all her strength she
could not stand before the blow. In faith King Gunther never
could have done the deed.
Brunhild, the fair, how quickly up she sprang! "Gunther, noble
knight, I cry you mercy for the shot." She weened that he had
done it with his strength. To her had crept a far more powerful
man. Then went she quickly, angry was her mood. The noble maid
and good raised high the stone and hurled it mightily far from
her hand. After the cast she sprang, that all her armor rang, in
truth. The stone had fallen twelve fathoms hence, but with her
leap the comely maid out-sprang the throw. Then went Sir
Siegfried to where lay the stone. Gunther poised it, while the
hero made the throw. Siegfried was bold, strong, and tall; he
threw the stone still further and made a broader jump. Through
his fair arts he had strength enow to bear King Gunther with him
as he sprang. The leap was made, the stone lay on the ground;
men saw none other save Gunther, the knight, alone. Siegfried
had banished the fear of King Gunther's death. Brunhild, the
fair, waxed red with wrath. To her courtiers she spake a deal
too loud, when she spied the hero safe and sound at the border of
the ring: "Come nearer quickly, ye kinsmen and liegemen of mine,
ye must now be subject to Gunther, the king."
Then the brave knights laid aside their arms and paid their
homage at the feet of mighty Gunther from the Burgundian land.
They weened that he had won the games by his own strength alone.
He greeted them in loving wise; in sooth he was most rich in
virtues.
Then the lovely maiden took him by the hand; full power she
granted him within the land. At this Hagen, the bold and doughty
knight, rejoiced him. She bade the noble knight go with her
hence to the spacious palace. When this was done, they gave the
warriors with their service better cheer. With good grace Hagen
and Dankwart now must needs submit. The doughty Siegfried was
wise enow and bare away his magic cloak. Then he repaired to
where the ladies sate. To the king he spake and shrewdly did he
this: "Why wait ye, good my lord? Why begin ye not the games, of
which the queen doth deal so great a store? Let us soon see how
they be played." The crafty man did not as though he wist
not a whit thereof.
Then spake the Queen: "How hath it chanced that ye, Sir
Siegfried, have seen naught of the games which the hand of
Gunther here hath won?"
To this Hagen of the Burgundian land made answer. He spake: "Ye
have made us sad of mind, my lady. Siegfried, the good knight,
was by the ship when the lord of the Rhineland won from you the
games. He knoweth naught thereof."
"Well is me of this tale," spake Siegfried, the knight, "that
your pride hath been brought thus low, and that there doth live a
wight who hath the power to be your master. Now, O noble maiden,
must ye follow us hence to the Rhine."
Then spake the fair-fashioned maid: "That may not be. First must
my kith and liegemen learn of this. Certes, I may not so lightly
void my lands; my dearest friends must first be fetched."
Then bade she messengers ride on every side. She called her
friends, her kinsmen, and her men-at-arms and begged them come
without delay to Isenstein, and bade them all be given lordly and
rich apparel. Daily, early and late, they rode in troops to
Brunhild's castle.
"Welaway," cried Hagen, "what have we done! We may ill abide the
coming of fair Brunhild's men. If now they come into this land
in force, then hath the noble maid been born to our great rue.
The will of the queen is unknown to us; what if she be so wroth
that we be lost?"
Then the stalwart Siegfried spake: "Of that I'll have care. I'll
not let hap that which ye fear. I'll bring you help hither to
this land, from chosen knights the which till now ye have not
known. Ye must not ask about me; I will fare hence. Meanwhile
may God preserve your honor. I'll return eftsoon and bring you a
thousand men, the very best of knights that I have ever known."
"Pray tarry not too long," spake then the king; "of your help we
be justly glad."
He answered: "In a few short days I'll come again. Tell ye to
Brunhild, that ye've sent me hence."
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Palaces". See Adventure III, note 7.
(2) "Surcoat", which here translates the M.H.G. "wafenhemde", is
a light garment of cloth or silk worn above the armor.
(3) "Azagouc". See Zazamanc, Adventure VI, note 2. This
strophe is evidently a late interpolation, as it contradicts
the description given above.
(4) Weights. The M.H.G. "messe" (Lat. "masse") is just as
indefinite as the English expression. It was a mass or lump
of any metal, probably determined by the size of the
melting-pot.
ADVENTURE VIII (1)
How Siegfried Fared To His Men-At-Arms, the Nibelungs.
Through the gate Siegfried hied him in his Cloak of Darkness down
to the sand, where he found a skiff. Secretly the son of
Siegmund embarked and drove it quickly hence, as though the wind
did blow it on. None saw the steersman; the bark fared fast,
impelled by Siegfried's mighty strength. They weened a seldom
strong wind did drive it on. Nay, it was rowed by Siegfried, the
son of Siegelind, the fair. In the time of a day and night with
might and main he reached a land full hundred rests (2) away, or
more. The people hight Nibelungs, where he owned the mighty
hoard. The hero rowed alone to a broad isle, where the lusty
knight now beached the boat and made it fast full soon. To a
hill he hied him, upon which stood a castle, and sought here
lodgment, as way-worn travelers do. He came first to a gateway
that stood fast locked. In sooth they guarded well their honor,
as men still do. The stranger now gan knock upon the door, the
which was closely guarded. There within he saw a giant standing,
who kept the castle and at whose side lay at all times his arms.
He spake: "Who is it who doth knock so rudely on the gate?"
Then bold Siegfried changed his voice and spake: "I am a knight;
do up the door, else will I enrage many a one outside to-day, who
would liefer lie soft and take his ease."
When Siegfried thus spake, it irked the warder. Meanwhile the
giant had donned his armor and placed his helm upon his head.
Quickly the mighty man snatched up his shield and opened wide the
gate. How fiercely he ran at Siegfried and asked, how he durst
wake so many valiant men? Huge blows were dealt out by his hand.
Then the lordly stranger gan defend him, but with an iron bar the
warder shattered his shield-plates. Then was the hero in dire
need. Siegfried gan fear a deal his death, when the warder
struck such mighty blows. Enow his master Siegfried loved him
for this cause. They strove so sore that all the castle rang and
the sound was heard in Nibelung's hall. He overcame the warder
and bound him, too.
The tale was noised abroad in all the Nibelungs' land. Alberich,
the bold, a savage dwarf, heard the fierce struggle through the
mountain. He armed him quick and ran to where he found the noble
stranger, as he bound the mighty giant. Full wroth was Alberich
and strong enow. On his body he bare helmet and rings of mail
and in his hand a heavy scourge of gold. Swift and hard he ran
to where Siegfried stood. Seven heavy knobs (3) hung down in
front, with which he smote so fiercely the shield upon the bold
man's arm, that it brake in parts. The stately stranger came in
danger of his life. From his hand he flung the broken shield and
thrust into the sheath a sword, the which was long. He would not
strike his servant dead, but showed his courtly breeding as his
knightly virtue bade him. He rushed at Alberich and with his
powerful hands he seized the gray-haired man by the beard. So
roughly he pulled his beard, that he screamed aloud. The tugging
of the youthful knight hurt Alberich sore.
Loud cried the valiant dwarf: "Now spare my life. And might I be
the vassal of any save one knight, to whom I swore an oath that I
would own him as my lord, I'd serve you till my death." So spake
the cunning (4) man.
He then bound Alberich as he had the giant afore. Full sore the
strength of Siegfried hurt him. The dwarf gan ask: "How are ye
named?"
"My name is Siegfried," he replied; "I deemed ye knew me well."
"Well is me of these tidings," spake Alberich, the dwarf. "Now
have I noted well the knightly deeds, through which ye be by
right the sovran of the land. I'll do whatso ye bid, and ye let
me live."
Then spake Sir Siegfried: "Go quickly now and bring me the best
of knights we have, a thousand Nibelungs, that they may see me
here."
Why he wanted this, none heard him say. He loosed the bonds of
Alberich and the giant. Then ran Alberich swift to where he
found the knights. In fear he waked the Nibelung men. He spake:
"Up now, ye heroes, ye must go to Siegfried."
From their beds they sprang and were ready in a trice. A
thousand doughty knights soon stood well clad. They hied them to
where they saw Sir Siegfried stand. Then was done a fair
greeting, in part by deeds. Great store of tapers were now lit
up; they proffered him mulled wine. (5) He gave them thanks that
they were come so soon. He spake: "Ye must away with me across
the flood."
Full ready for this he found the heroes brave and good. Well
thirty hundred men were come eftsoon, from whom he chose a
thousand of the best. Men brought them their helmets and other
arms, for he would lead them to Brunhild's land. He spake: "Ye
good knights, this will I tell you, ye must wear full costly
garments there at court, for many lovely dames shall gaze upon
us. Therefore must ye deck yourselves with goodly weeds."
Early on a morn they started on their way. What a speedy journey
Siegfried won! They took with them good steeds and lordly
harness, and thus they came in knightly wise to Brunhild's land.
The fair maids stood upon the battlements. Then spake the queen:
"Knoweth any, who they be whom I see sailing yonder far out upon
the sea? They have rich sails e'en whiter than the snow."
Quoth the king of the Rhineland: "They're men of mine, the which
I left hard by here on the way. I had them sent for, and now
they be come, my lady." All eyes were fixed upon the lordly
strangers.
Then one spied Siegfried standing at his vessel's prow in lordly
weeds and many other men. The queen spake: "Sir King, pray tell
me, shall I receive the strangers or shall I deny them
greetings?"
He spake: "Ye must go to meet them out before the palace, that
they may well perceive how fain we be to see them here."
Then the queen did as the king advised her. She marked out
Siegfried with her greetings from the rest. Men purveyed them
lodgings and took in charge their trappings. So many strangers
were now come to the land, that everywhere they jostled
Brunhild's bands. Now would the valiant men fare home to
Burgundy.
Then spake the queen: "My favor would I bestow on him who could
deal out to the king's guests and mine my silver and gold, of
which I have such store."
To this Dankwart, King Giselher's liegeman, answered: "Most noble
queen," spake the brave knight, "let me but wield the keys. I
trow to deal it out in fitting wise; whatso of blame I gain, let
be mine own." That he was bountiful, he made appear full well.
When now Sir Hagen's brother took the keys in charge, the hero's
hand did proffer many a costly gift. He who craved a mark (6)
received such store that all the poor might lead a merry life.
Full hundred pounds he gave, nor did he stop to count. Enow
walked before the hall in rich attire, who never had worn afore
such lordly dress. Full sore it rued the queen when this she
heard. She spake: "Sir King, I fain would have your aid, lest
your chamberlain leave naught of all my store of dress; he
squandereth eke my gold. If any would forfend this, I'd be his
friend for aye. He giveth such royal gifts, the knight must
ween, forsooth, that I have sent for death. I would fain use it
longer and trow well myself to waste that which my father left
me." No queen as yet hath ever had so bounteous a chamberlain.
Then spake Hagen of Troneg: "My lady, be it told you that the
king of the Rhineland hath such great store of gold and robes to
give, that we have no need to carry hence aught of Brunhild's
weeds."
"Nay, and ye love me," spake the queen, "let me fill twenty
traveling chests with gold and silk as well, the which my hand
shall give, when we are come across to Gunther's land."
Men filled her chests with precious stones, the while her
chamberlains stood by. She would not trust the duty to
Giselher's men. Gunther and Hagen began to laugh thereat.
Then spake the queen: "With whom shall I leave my lands? This my
hand and yours must first decree."
Quoth the noble king: "Now bid draw near whom ye deem fit and we
will make him steward."
The lady spied near by one of her highest kin (it was her
mother's brother); to him the maiden spake: "Now let be
commended to your care my castles and my lands, till that King
Gunther's hand rule here."
Then twenty hundred of her men she chose, who should fare with
her hence to Burgundy, together with those thousand warriors from
the Nibelung land. They dressed their journey; one saw them
riding forth upon the sand. Six and eighty dames they took along
and thereto a hundred maids, their bodies passing fair. No
longer now they tarried, for they were fain to get them hence.
Ho, what great wail was made by those they left at home! In
courtly wise she voided thus her land. She kissed her nearest
kinsmen who were found at court. After a fair leave-taking they
journeyed to the sea. To her fatherland the lady nevermore
returned. Many kinds of games were seen upon the way; pastimes
they had galore. A real sea breeze did help them on their
voyage. Thus they fared forth from the land fully merrily. She
would not let her husband court her on the way; this pleasure was
deferred until their wedding-tide in the castle, their home, at
Worms, to which in good time she came right joyfully with all her
knights.
ENDNOTES:
(1) Adventure VIII. This whole episode, in which Siegfried
fetches men to aid Gunther in case of attempted treachery on
Brunhild's part, is of late origin and has no counterpart in
the older versions. It is a further development of
Siegfried's fight in which he slew Schilbung and Nibelung
and became the ruler of the Nibelung land. The fight with
Alberich is simply a repetition of the one in the former
episode.
(2) "Rest" (M.H.G. "rast"), originally 'repose', then used as a
measure of distance, as here.
(3) "Knobs", round pieces of metal fastened to the scourge.
(4) "Cunning" is to be taken here in the Biblical sense of
'knowing'. The M.H.G. "listig" which it here translates,
denotes 'skilled' or 'learned' in various arts and is a
standing epithet of dwarfs.
(5) "Mulled wine" translates M.H.G. "lutertranc", a claret
mulled with herbs and spice and left to stand until clear.
(6) "Mark". See Adventure V, note 5.
ADVENTURE IX
How Siegfried Was Sent To Worms.
When they had thus fared on their way full nine days, Hagen of
Troneg spake: "Now mark ye what I say. We wait too long with
the tidings for Worms upon the Rhine. Our messengers should be
e'en now in Burgundy."
Then spake King Gunther: "Ye have told me true, and none be more
fitting for this trip than ye, friend Hagen; now ride ye to my
land. None can acquaint them better with our journey home to
court."
To this Hagen made answer: "I am no fit envoy. Let me play
chamberlan, I'll stay with the ladies upon the flood and guard
their robes, until we bring them to the Burgundian land. Bid
Siegfried bear the message, he knoweth how to do it well with his
mighty strength. If he refuse you the journey, then must ye in
courtly and gentle wise pray him of the boon for your sister's
sake."
Gunther sent now for the warrior, who came to where he stood. He
spake: "Sith we be now nearing my lands at home, it behooveth me
to send a messenger to the dear sister of mine and to my mother,
too, that we draw near the Rhine. This I pray you, Siegfried;
now do my will, that I may requite it to you ever," spake the
good knight.
Siegfried, the passing bold man, however said him nay, till
Gunther gan beseech him sore. He spake: "Ye must ride for my
sake and for Kriemhild's too, the comely maiden, so that the
royal maid requite it, as well as I."
When Siegfried heard these words, full ready was the knight.
"Now bid me what ye will; naught shall be withheld. I will do it
gladly for the fair maid's sake. Why should I refuse her whom I
bear in heart? Whatso ye command for love of her, shall all be
done."
"Then tell my mother Uta, the queen, that we be of lofty mood
upon this voyage. Let my brothers know how we have fared. These
tidings must ye let our friends hear, too. Hide naught from my
fair sister, give her mine and Brunhild's greetings. Greet the
retainers, too, and all my men. How well I have ended that for
which my heart hath ever striven! And tell Ortwin, the dear
nephew of mine, that he bid seats be built at Worms along the
Rhine. Let my other kinsmen know that I am willed to hold with
Brunhild a mighty wedding feast. And tell my sister, when she
hath heard that I be come with my guests to the land, that she
give fair greeting to my bride. For that I will ever render
Kriemhild service."
The good Lord Siegfried soon took leave of Lady Brunhild, as
beseemed him well, and of all her train; then rode he to the
Rhine. Never might there be a better envoy in this world. He
rode with four and twenty men-at-arms to Worms; he came without
the king. When that was noised about, the courtiers all were
grieved; they feared their master had been slain.
Then they dismounted from their steeds, high stood their mood.
Giselher, the good young king, came soon to meet them, and Gernot
his brother, too. How quickly then he spake, when he saw not
Gunther at Siegfried's side: "Be welcome, Siegfried; pray let me
know where ye have left the king my brother? The prowess of
Brunhild, I ween, hath ta'en him from us. Great scathe had her
haughty love then brought us."
"Let be this fear. My battle-comrade sendeth greetings to you
and to his kin. I left him safe and sound. He sent me on ahead,
that I might be his messenger with tidings hither to this land.
Pray have a care, however that may hap, that I may see the queen
and your sister, too, for I must let them hear what message
Gunther and Brunhild have sent them. Both are in high estate."
Then spake Giselher, the youth: "Now must ye go to her, for ye
have brought my much of joy. She is mickle fearful for my
brother. I'll answer that the maid will see you gladly."
Then spake Sir Siegfried: "Howsoever I may serve her, that shall
be gladly done, in faith. Who now will tell the ladies that I
would hie me thither?"
Giselher then became the messenger, the stately man. The doughty
knight spake to his mother and his sister too, when that he saw
them both: "To us is come Siegfried, the hero from Netherland;
him my brother Gunther hath sent hither to the Rhine. He
bringeth the news of how it standeth with the king. Pray let him
therefore come to court. He'll tell you the right tidings
straight from Isenland."
As yet the noble ladies were acquaint with fear, but now for
their weeds they sprang and dressed them and bade Sir Siegfried
come to court. This he did full gladly, for he was fain to see
them. Kriemhild, the noble maid, addressed him fair: "Be
welcome, Sir Siegfried, most worshipful knight. Where is my
brother Gunther, the noble and mighty king? We ween that we have
lost him through Brunhild's strength. Woe is me, poor maid, that
ever I was born."
Then spake the daring knight: "Now give me an envoy's guerdon, ye
passing fair ladies, ye do weep without a cause. I do you to
wit, I left him safe and sound. They have sent me with the
tidings to you both. He and his bride do send you kindly
greetings and a kinsman's love, O noble queen. Now leave off
your weeping, they'll come full soon."
In many a day she had not heard a tale so glad. With her snow-
white hem she wiped the tears from her pretty eyes and began to
thank the messenger for the tidings, which now were come. Thus
her great sorrow and her weeping were taken away. She bade the
messenger be seated; full ready he was for this. Then spake the
winsome maid: "I should not rue it, should I give you as an
envoy's meed my gold. For that ye are too rich, but I will be
your friend in other ways."
"And had I alone," spake he, "thirty lands, yet would I gladly
receive gifts from your fair hand."
Then spake the courtly maid: "It shall be done." She bade her
chamberlain go fetch the meed for tidings. Four and twenty arm-
rings, set with goodly gold, she gave him as his meed. So stood
the hero's mood that he would not retain them, but gave them
straightway to her nearest maidens, he found within the bower.
Full kindly her mother offered him her service. "I am to tell
you the tale," then spake the valiant man, "of what the king doth
pray you, when he cometh to the Rhine. If ye perform that, my
lady, he'll ever hold you in his love. I heard him crave that ye
should give fair greetings to his noble guests and grant him the
boon, that ye ride to meet him out in front of Worms upon the
strand. This ye are right truly admonished by the king to do."
Then spake the winsome maid: "For this am I full ready. In
whatsoever wise I can serve the king, that will I not refuse;
with a kinsman's love it shall be done." Her color heightened
for very joy. Never was the messenger of any prince received
more fair. The lady would have kissed him, had she but dared.
How lovingly he parted from the dames!
The men of Burgundy then did as Siegfried counseled. Sindolt and
Hunolt and Rumolt, the knight, must needs be busy with the work
of putting up the seats outside of Worms upon the strand. The
royal stewards, too, were found at work. Ortwin and Gere would
not desist, but sent to fetch their friends on every side, and
made known to them the feasting that was to be. The many comely
maids arrayed themselves against the feast. Everywhere the
palace and the walls were decked out for the guests. Gunther's
hall was passing well purveyed for the many strangers. Thus
began full merrily this splendid feast.
From every side along the highways of the land pricked now the
kinsmen of these three kings, who had been called that they might
wait upon those who were coming home. Then from the presses
great store of costly weeds was taken. Soon tidings were brought
that men saw Brunhild's kinsmen ride along. Great jostling then
arose from the press of folk in the Burgundian land. Ho, what
bold knights were found on either side!
Then spake fair Kriemhild: "Ye maids of mine, who would be with
me at the greeting, seek out from the guests the very best of
robes; then will praise and honor be given us by the guests."
Then came the warriors, too, and bade the lordly saddles of pure
red gold be carried forth, on which the ladies should ride from
Worms down to the Rhine. Better trappings might there never be.
Ho, what bright gold did sparkle on the jet-black palfreys! From
their bridles there gleamed forth many a precious stone. The
golden stepping-blocks were brought and placed on shining carpets
for the ladies, who were gay of mood. As I have said, the
palfreys now stood ready in the courtyard for the noble maids.
One saw the steeds wear narrow martingales of the best of silk,
of which tale might be told. Six and eighty ladies who wore
fillets (1) in their hair were seen come forth. The fair ones
came to Kriemhild wearing glittering robes. Then followed many a
comely maid in brave attire, fifty and four from the Burgundian
land. They were eke the best that might anywhere be found. Men
saw them walking with their flaxen hair and shining ribbons.
That which the king desired was done with zeal. They wore before
the stranger knights rich cloth of silk, the best that could be
found, and so many a goodly robe, which well befit their ample
beauty. One found there many clothes of sable and ermine fur.
Many an arm and hand was well adorned with bracelets over the
silken sleeves, which they should wear. None might tell the
story of this tiring to the end. Many a hand played with
well-wrought girdles, rich and long, above gay colored robes,
over costly ferran (2) skirts of silken cloth of Araby. In high
spirits were these maids of noble birth. Clasps (3) were sewed
in lovely wise upon the dress of many a comely maid. She had
good cause to rue it, whose bright color did not shine in
contrast to her weeds. No kingly race hath now such fair
retainers. When now the lovely maids had donned the garments
they should wear, there then drew near a mickle band of
high-mettled champions. Together with their shields they carried
many an ashen spear.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Fillets" were worn only by married women.
(2) "Ferran", a gray colored cloth of silk and wool; from O.F.
"ferrandine".
(3) "Clasps" or "brooches" were used to fasten the dresses in
front.
ADVENTURE X
How Brunhild Was Received At Worms.
Across the Rhine men saw the king with his guests in many bands
pricking to the shore. One saw the horse of many a maiden, too,
led by the bridle. All those who should give them welcome were
ready now. When those of Isenland and Siegfried's Nibelung men
were come across in boats, they hasted to the shore (not idle
were their hands), where the kindred of the king were seen upon
the other bank. Now hear this tale, too, of the queen, the noble
Uta, how she herself rode hither with the maidens from the
castle. Then many a knight and maid became acquaint. Duke Gere
led Kriemhild's palfroy by the bridle till just outside the
castle gate. Siegfried, the valiant knight, must needs attend
her further. A fair maid was she! Later the noble dame requited
well this deed. Ortwin, the bold, rode by Lady Uta's side, and
many knights and maidens rode in pairs. Well may we aver that so
many dames were never seen together at such stately greeting.
Many a splendid joust was ridden by worshipful knights (not well
might it be left undone) afore Kriemhild, the fair, down to the
ships. Then the fair-fashioned ladies were lifted from the
palfreys. The king was come across and many a worthy guest. Ho,
what stout lances brake before the ladies' eyes! One heard the
clash of many hurtling shields. Ho, what costly bucklers rang
loudly as they closed! The lovely fair stood by the shore as
Gunther and his guests alighted from the boats; he himself led
Brunhild by the hand. Bright gems and gleaming armor shone forth
in rivalry. Lady Kriemhild walked with courtly breeding to meet
Dame Brunhild and her train. White hands removed the chaplets,
(1) as these twain kissed each other; through deference this was
done.
Then in courteous wise the maiden Kriemhild spake: "Be ye welcome
in these lands of ours, to me and to my mother and to all the
loyal kin we have."
Low bows were made and the ladies now embraced full oft. Such
loving greeting hath one never heard, as the two ladies, Dame
Uta and her daughter, gave the bride; upon her sweet mouth they
kissed her oft. When now Brunhild's ladies all were come to
land, stately knights took many a comely woman by the hand in
loving wise. The fair-fashioned maids were seen to stand before
the lady Brunhild. Long time elasped or ever the greetings all
were done; many a rose-red mouth was kissed, in sooth. Still
side by side the noble princesses stood, which liked full well
the doughty warriors for to see. They who had heard men boast
afore that such beauty had ne'er been seen as these two dames
possessed, spied now with all their eyes and must confess the
truth. Nor did one see upon their persons cheats of any kind.
Those who wot how to judge of women and lovely charms, praised
Gunther's bride for beauty; but the wise had seen more clear and
spake, that one must give Kriemhild the palm before Brunhild.
Maids and ladies now drew near each other. Many a comely dame
was seen arrayed full well. Silken tents and many rich pavilions
stood hard by, the which quite filled the plain of Worms. The
kinsmen of the king came crowding around, when Brunhild and
Kriemhild and with them all the dames were bidden go to where
shade was found. Thither the knights from the Burgundian land
escorted them.
Now were the strangers come to horse, and shields were pierced in
many royal jousts. From the plain the dust gan rise, as though
the whole land had burst forth into flames. There many a knight
became well known as champion. Many a maiden saw what there the
warriors plied. Methinks, Sir Siegfried and his knights rode
many a turn afore the tents. He led a thousand stately
Nibelungs.
Then Hagen of Troneg came, as the king had counseled, and parted
in gentle wise the jousting, that the fair maids be not covered
with the dust, the which the strangers willingly obeyed. Then
spake Sir Gernot: "Let stand the steeds till the air grow cooler,
for ye must be full ready when that the king will ride.
Meanwhile let us serve the comely dames before the spacious
hall."
When now over all the plain the jousts had ceased, the knights,
on pastime bent, hied them to the ladies under many a high
pavilion in the hope of lofty joys. There they passed the hours
until they were minded to ride away.
Just at eventide, when the sun was setting and the air grew
chill, no longer they delayed, but man and woman hasted toward
the castle. Many a comely maiden was caressed with loving
glances. In jousting great store of clothes were torn by good
knights, by the high-mettled warriors, after the custom of the
land, until the king dismounted by the hall. Valiant heroes
helped the ladies, as is their wont. The noble queens then
parted; Lady Uta and her daughter went with their train to a
spacious hall, where great noise of merriment was heard on every
side.
The seats were now made ready, for the king would go to table
with his guests. At his side men saw fair Brunhild stand,
wearing the crown in the king's domain. Royal enow she was in
sooth. Good broad tables, with full many benches for the men,
were set with vitaille, as we are told. Little they lacked that
they should have! At the king's table many a lordly guest was
seen. The chamberlains of the host bare water forth in basins of
ruddy gold. It were but in vain, if any told you that men were
ever better served at princes' feasts: I would not believe you
that.
Before the lord of the Rhineland took the water to wash his
hands, Siegfried did as was but meet, he minded him by his troth
of what he had promised, or ever he had seen Brunhild at home in
Isenland. He spake: "Ye must remember how ye swore me by your
hand, that when Lady Brunhild came to this land, ye would give me
your sister to wife. Where be now these oaths? I have suffered
mickle hardship on our trip."
Then spake the king to his guest: "Rightly have ye minded me.
Certes my hand shall not be perjured. I'll bring it to pass as
best I can."
Then they bade Kriemhild go to court before the king. She came
with her fair maidens to the entrance of the hall. At this Sir
Giselher sprang down the
steps. "Now bid these maidens turn again. None save my sister
alone shall be here by the king."
Then they brought Kriemhild to where the king was found. There
stood noble knights from many princes' lands; throughout the
broad hall one bade them stand quite still. By this time Lady
Brunhild had stepped to the table, too. Then spake King Gunther:
"Sweet sister mine, by thy courtesie redeem my oath. I swore to
give thee to a knight, and if he become thy husband, then hast
thou done my will most loyally."
Quoth the noble maid: "Dear brother mine, ye must not thus
entreat me. Certes I'll be ever so, that whatever ye command,
that shall be done. I'll gladly pledge my troth to him whom ye,
my lord, do give me to husband."
Siegfried here grew red at the glance of friendly eyes. The
knight then proffered his service to Lady Kriemhild. Men bade
them take their stand at each other's side within the ring and
asked if she would take the stately man. In maidenly modesty she
was a deal abashed, yet such was Siegfried's luck and fortune,
that she would not refuse him out of hand. The noble king of
Netherland vowed to take her, too, to wife. When he and the maid
had pledged their troths, Siegfried's arm embraced eftsoon the
winsome maid. Then the fair queen was kissed before the knights.
The courtiers parted, when that had happed; on the bench over
against the king Siegfried was seen to take his scat with
Kriemhild. Thither many a man accompanied him as servitor; men
saw the Nibelungs walk at Siegfried's side.
The king had seated him with Brunhild, the maid, when she espied
Kriemhild (naught had ever irked her so) sitting at Siegfried's
side. She began to weep and hot tears coursed down fair cheeks.
Quoth the lord of the land: "What aileth you, my lady, that ye
let bright eyes grow dim? Ye may well rejoice; my castles and my
land and many a stately vassal own your sway."
"I have good cause to weep," spake the comely maid; "my heart is
sore because of thy sister, whom I see sitting so near thy
vassal's side. I must ever weep that she be so demeaned."
Then spake the King Gunther: "Ye would do well to hold your
peace. At another time I will tell you the tale of why I gave
Siegfried my sister unto wife. Certes she may well live ever
happily with the knight."
She spake: "I sorrow ever for her beauty and her courtesie. I
fain would flee, and I wist whither I might; go, for never will I
lie close by your side, unless ye tell me through what cause
Kriemhild be Siegfried's bride."
Then spake the noble king: "I'll do it you to wit; he hath
castles and broad domains, as well as I. Know of a truth, he is
a mighty king, therefore did I give him the peerless maid to
love."
But whatsoever the king might say, she remained full sad of mood.
Now many a good knight hastened from the board. Their hurtling
waxed so passing hard, that the whole castle rang. But the host
was weary of his guests. Him-thought that he might lie more soft
at his fair lady's side. As yet he had not lost at all the hope
that much of joy might hap to him through her. Lovingly he began
to gaze on Lady Brunhild. Men bade the guests leave off their
knightly games, for the king and his wife would go to bed.
Brunhild and Kriemhild then met before the stairway of the hall,
as yet without the hate of either. Then came their retinue.
Noble chamberlains delayed not, but brought them lights. The
warriors, the liegemen of the two kings, then parted on either
side and many of the knights were seen to walk with Siegfried.
The lords were now come to the rooms where they should lie. Each
of the twain thought to conquer by love his winsome dame. This
made them blithe of mood. Siegfried's pleasure on that night was
passing great. When Lord Siegfried lay at Kriemhild's side and
with his noble love caressed the high-born maid so tenderly, she
grew as dear to him as life, so that not for a thousand other
women would he have given her alone. No more I'll tell how
Siegfried wooed his wife; hear now the tale of how King Gunther
lay by Lady Brunhild's side. The stately knight had often lain
more soft by other dames. The courtiers now had left, both maid
and man. The chamber soon was locked; he thought to caress the
lovely maid. Forsooth the time was still far off, ere she became
his wife. In a smock of snowy linen she went to bed. Then
thought the noble knight: "Now have I here all that I have ever
craved in all my days." By rights she must needs please him
through her comeliness. The noble king gan shroud the lights and
then the bold knight hied him to where the lady lay. He laid him
at her side, and great was his joy when in his arms he clasped
the lovely fair. Many loving caresses he might have given, had
but the noble dame allowed it. She waxed so wroth that he was
sore a-troubled; he weened that they were lovers, but he found
here hostile hate. She spake: "Sir Knight, pray give this over,
which now ye hope. Forsooth this may not hap, for I will still
remain a maid, until I hear the tale; now mark ye that."
Then Gunther grew wroth; he struggled for her love and rumpled
all her clothes. The high-born maid then seized her girdle, the
which was a stout band she wore around her waist, and with it she
wrought the king great wrong enow. She bound him hand and foot
and bare him to a nail and hung him on the wall. She forbade him
love, sith he disturbed her sleep. Of a truth he came full nigh
to death through her great strength.
Then he who had weened to be the master, began to plead. "Now
loose my bands, most noble queen. I no longer trow to conquer
you, fair lady, and full seldom will I lie so near your side."
She reeked not how he felt, for she lay full soft. There he had
to hang all night till break of day, until the bright morn shone
through the casements. Had he ever had great strength, it was
little seen upon him now.
"Now tell me, Sir Gunther, would that irk you aught," the fair
maid spake, "and your servants found you bound by a woman's
hand?"
Then spake the noble knight: "That would serve you ill; nor would
it gain me honor," spake the doughty man. "By your courtesie,
pray let me lie now by your side. Sith that my love mislike you
so, I will not touch your garment with my hands."
Then she loosed him soon and let him rise. To the bed again, to
the lady he went and laid him down so far away, that thereafter
he full seldom touched her comely weeds. Nor would she have
allowed it.
Then their servants came and brought them new attire, of which
great store was ready for them against the morn. However merry
men made, the lord of the land was sad enow, albeit he wore a
crown that day. As was the usage which they had and which they
kept by right, Gunther and Brunhild no longer tarried, but hied
them to the minster, where mass was sung. Thither, too, Sir
Siegfried came and a great press arose among the crowd. In
keeping with their royal rank, there was ready for them all that
they did need, their crowns and robes as well. Then they were
consecrated. When this was done, all four were seen to stand
joyful 'neath their crowns. Many young squires, six hundred or
better, were now girt with sword in honor of the kings, as ye
must know. Great joy rose then in the Burgundian land; one heard
spear-shafts clashing in the hands of the sworded knights. There
at the windows the fair maids sat; they saw shining afore them
the gleam of many a shield. But the king had sundered him from
his liegemen; whatso others plied, men saw him stand full sad.
Unlike stood his and Siegfried's mood. The noble knight and good
would fain have known what ailed the king. He hasted to him and
gan ask: "Pray let me know how ye have fared this night, Sir
King."
Then spake the king to his guest: "Shame and disgrace have I won;
I have brought a fell devil to my house and home. When I weened
to love her, she bound me sore; she bare me to a nail and hung me
high upon a wall. There I hung affrighted all night until the
day, or ever she unbound me. How softly she lay bedded there!
In hope of thy pity do I make plaint to thee as friend to
friend."
Then spake stout Siegfried: "That rueth me in truth. I'll do you
this to wit; and ye allow me without distrust, I'll contrive that
she lie by you so near this night, that she'll nevermore withhold
from you her love."
After all his hardships Gunther liked well this speech. Sir
Siegfried spake again: "Thou mayst well be of good cheer. I ween
we fared unlike last night. Thy sister Kriemhild is dearer to me
than life; the Lady Brunhild must become thy wife to-night. I'll
come to thy chamber this night, so secretly in my Cloud Cloak,
that none may note at all my arts. Then let the chamberlains
betake them to their lodgings and I'll put out the lights in the
pages' hands, whereby thou mayst know that I be within and that
I'll gladly serve thee. I'll tame for time thy wife, that thou
mayst have her love to-night, or else I'll lose my life."
"Unless be thou embrace my dear lady," spake then the king, "I
shall be glad, if thou do to her as thou dost list. I could
endure it well, an' thou didst take her life. In sooth she is a
fearful wife."
"I pledge upon my troth," quoth Siegfried, "that I will not
embrace her. The fair sister of thine, she is to me above all
maids that I have ever seen."
Gunther believed full well what Siegfried spake.
From the knightly sports there came both joy and woe; but men
forbade the hurtling and the shouting, since now the ladies were
to hie them to the hall. The grooms-in-waiting bade the people
stand aside; the court was cleared of steeds and folk. A bishop
led each of the ladies, as they should go to table in the
presence of the kings. Many a stately warrior followed to the
seats. In fair hope the king sate now full merrily; well he
thought on that which Siegfried had vowed to do. This one day
thought him as long as thirty days, for all his thoughts were
bent upon his lady's love. He could scarce abide the time to
leave the board. Now men let fair Brunhild and Kriemhild, too,
both go to their rest. Ho, what doughty knights were seen to
walk before the queens!
The Lord Siegfried sate in loving wise by his fair wife, in bliss
without alloy. With her snow-white hands she fondled his, till
that he vanished from before her eyes, she wist not when. When
now she no longer spied him, as she toyed, the queen spake to his
followers: "Much this wondereth me, whither the king be gone.
Who hath taken his hands from mine?"
She spake no other word, but he was gone to where he found many
grooms of the chamber stand with lights. These he gan snuff out
in the pages' hands. Thus Gunther knew that it was Siegfried.
Well wist he what he would; he bade the maids and ladies now
withdraw. When that was done, the mighty king himself made fast
the door and nimbly shoved in place two sturdy bolts. Quickly
then he hid the lights behind the hangings of the bed. Stout
Siegfried and the maiden now began a play (for this there was no
help) which was both lief and loth to Gunther. Siegfried laid
him close by the high-born maid. She spake: "Now, Gunther, let
that be, and it be lief to you, that ye suffer not hardship as
afore."
Then the lady hurt bold Siegfried sore. He held his peace and
answered not a whit. Gunther heard well, though he could not see
his friend a bit, that they plied not secret things, for little
ease they had upon the bed. Siegfried bare him as though he were
Gunther, the mighty king. In his arms he clasped the lovely
maid. She cast him from the bed upon a bench near by, so that
his head struck loudly against the stool. Up sprang the valiant
man with all his might; fain would he try again. When he thought
now to subdue her, she hurt him sore. Such defense, I ween,
might nevermore be made by any wife.
When he would not desist, up sprang the maid. "Ye shall not
rumple thus my shift so white. Ye are a clumsy churl and it
shall rue you sore, I'll have you to know fall well," spake the
comely maid. In her arms she grasped the peerless knight; she
weened to bind him, as she had done the king, that she might have
her case upon the bed. The lady avenged full sore, that he had
rumpled thus her clothes. What availed his mickle force and his
giant strength? She showed the knight her masterly strength of
limb; she carried him by force (and that must needs be) and
pressed him rudely 'twixt a clothes-press and the wall.
"Alas," so thought the knight, "if now I lose my life at a
maiden's hands, then may all wives hereafter bear towards their
husbands haughty mien, who would never do it else."
The king heard it well and feared him for his liegeman's life.
Siegfried was sore ashamed; wrathful he waxed and with surpassing
strength he set himself against her and tried it again with Lady
Brunhild in fearful wise. It thought the king full long, before
he conquered her. She pressed his hands, till from her strength
the blood gushed forth from out the nails: this irked the hero.
Therefore he brought the highborn maiden to the pass that she
gave over her unruly will, which she asserted there afore. The
king heard all, albeit not a word he spake. Siegfried pressed
her against the bed, so that she shrieked aloud. Passing sore
his strength did hurt her. She grasped the girdle around her
waist and would fain have bound him, but his hand prevented it in
such a wise that her limbs and all her body cracked. Thus the
strife was parted and she became King Gunther's wife.
She spake: "Most noble king, pray spare my life. I'll do thee
remedy for whatso I have done thee. I'll no longer struggle
against thy noble love, for I have learned full well that thou
canst make thee master over women."
Siegfried let the maiden be and stepped away, as though he would
do off his clothes. From her hand he drew a golden finger ring,
without that she wist it, the noble queen. Thereto he took her
girdle, a good stout band. I know not if he did that for very
haughtiness. He gave it to his wife and rued it sore in after
time.
Then lay Gunther and the fair maid side by side. He played the
lover, as beseemed him, and thus she must needs give over wrath
and shame. From his embrace a little pale she grew. Ho, how her
great strength failed through love! Now was she no stronger than
any other wife. He caressed her lovely form in lover's wise.
Had she tried her strength again, what had that availed? All
this had Gunther wrought in her by his love. How right lovingly
she lay beside him in bridal joy until the dawn of day!
Now was Sir Siegfried gone again to where he was given fair
greetings by a woman fashioned fair. He turned aside the
question she had thought to put and hid long time from her what
he had brought, until she ruled as queen within his land. How
little he refused to give her what he should!
On the morn the host was far cheerier of mood than he had been
afore. Through this the joy of many a noble man was great in all
his lands, whom he had bidden to his court, and to whom he
proffered much of service. The wedding feast now lasted till the
fourteenth day, so that in all this while the sound never died
away of the many joys which there they plied. The cost to the
king was rated high. The kinsmen of the noble host gave gifts in
his honor to the strolling folk, as the king commanded: vesture
and ruddy gold, steeds and silver, too. Those who there craved
gifts departed hence full merrily. Siegfried, the lord from
Netherland, with a thousand of his men, gave quite away the
garments they had brought with them to the Rhine and steeds and
saddles, too. Full well they wot how to live in lordly wise.
Those who would home again thought the time too long till the
rich gifts had all been made. Nevermore have guests been better
eased. Thus ended the wedding feast; Gunther, the knight, would
have it so.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Chaplet" (O.F. "chaplet", dim. of "chapel", M.H.G.
"schapel" or "schapelin") or wreath was the headdress
especially of unmarried girls, the hair being worn flowing.
It was often of flowers or leaves, but not infrequently of
gold and silver. (See Weinhold, "Deutsche Frauen im
Mittelalter", i, 387.)
ADVENTURE XI
How Siegfried Journeyed Homeward With His Wife.
When now the strangers had all ridden hence, Siegmund's son spake
to his fellowship: "We must make us ready, too, to journey to my
lands."
Lief was it to his wife, when the lady heard the tale aright.
She spake to her husband: "When shall we ride? I pray thee, make
me not haste too sore. First must my brothers share their lands
with me."
It was loth to Siegfried, when he heard this from Kriemhild. The
lordings hied them to him and all three spake: "Now may ye know,
Sir Siegfried, that our true service be ever at your bidding till
our death."
Then he made obeisance to the knights, as it was proffered him in
such kindly wise. "We shall share with you," spake Giselher, the
youth, "both land and castles which we do own and whatever broad
realms be subject to our power. Of these ye and Kriemhild shall
have a goodly share."
The son of Siegmund spake to the princes, as he heard and saw the
lordings' will: "God grant that ye be ever happy with your
heritage and the folk therein. My dear bride can well forego in
truth the share which ye would give. There where she shall wear
a crown, she shall be mightier than any one alive, and live to
see the day. For whatsoever else ye do command, I stand ready to
your bidding."
Then spake the Lady Kriemhild: "Though ye forego my heritage, yet
is it not so light a matter with the Burgundian men-at-arms. A
king might gladly lead them to his land. Forsooth my brothers'
hands must share them with me."
Then spake the Lord Gernot: "Now take whomsoever thou dost wish.
Thou wilt find here really a one who'll gladly ride with thee.
We will give thee a thousand of our thirty hundred warriors; be
they thy court retainers."
Kriemhild then gan send for Hagen of Troneg and also for Ortwin,
to ask if they and their kinsfolk would be Kriemhild's men.
At this Hagen waxed wonderly wroth. He spake: "Certes, Gunther
may not give us to any in the world. Let others follow as your
train. Ye know full well the custom of the men of Troneg: we
must in duty bound remain here with the kings at court. We must
serve them longer, whom we till now have followed."
They gave that over and made them ready to ride away. Lady
Kriemhild gained for herself two and thirty maids and five
hundred men, a noble train. The Margrave Eckewart (1) followed
Kriemhild hence. They all took leave, both knights and squires
and maids and ladies, as was mickle right. Anon they parted with
a kiss and voided merrily King Gunther's land. Their kinsmen
bare them company far upon the way and bade them pitch their
quarters for the night, whereso they listed, throughout the
princes' land.
Then messengers were sent eftsoon to Siegmund, that he might
know, and Siegelind, too, that his son would come with Lady Uta's
child, Kriemhild, the fair, from Worms beyond the Rhine. Liefer
tidings might they never have. "Well for me," spake then
Siegmund, "that I have lived to see fair Kriemhild here as queen.
My heritage will be thereby enhanced. My son, the noble
Siegfried, shall himself be king."
Then the Lady Siegelind gave much red velvet, silver, and heavy
gold; this was the envoy's meed. The tale well liked her, which
then she heard. She clad her and her handmaids with care, as did
beseem them. Men told who was to come with Siegfried to the
land. Anon they bade seats be raised, where he should walk
crowned before his friends. King Siegmund's liegemen then rode
forth to meet him. Hath any been ever better greeted than the
famous hero in Siegmund's land, I know not. Siegelind, the fair,
rode forth to meet Kriemhild with many a comely dame (lusty
knights did follow on behind), a full day's journey, till one
espied the guests. Home-folk and the strangers had little
easement till they were come to a spacious castle, hight Xanten,
(2) where they later reigned.
Smilingly Siegelind and Siegmund kissed Kriemhild many times for
joy and Siegfried, too; their sorrow was taken from them. All
their fellowship received great welcome. One bade now bring the
guests to Siegmund's hall, and lifted the fair young maids down
from the palfreys. Many a knight gan serve the comely dames with
zeal. However great the feasting at the Rhine was known to be,
here one gave the heroes much better robes than they had worn in
all their days. Of their splender great marvels might be told.
When now they sate in lofty honors and had enow of all, what
gold-hued clothes their courtiers wore with precious stones well
worked thereon! Thus did Siegelind, the noble queen, purvey them
well.
Then to his friends Lord Siegmund spake: "I do all Siegfried's
kin to wit, that he shall wear my crown before these knights."
Those of Netherland heard full fain the tale. He gave his son
the crown, the cognizance, (3) and lands, so that he then was
master of them all. When that men went to law and Siegfried
uttered judgment, that was done in such a wise that men feared
sore fair Kriemhild's husband.
In these high honors Siegfried lived, of a truth, and judged as
king, till the tenth year was come, when his fair lady bare a
son. This was come to pass after the wish of the kinsmen of the
king. They hastened to baptize and name him Gunther for his
uncle; nor had he need to be ashamed of this. Should he grow
like to his kinsman, he would fare full well. They brought him
up with care, as was but due. In these same times the Lady
Siegelind died, and men enow made wail when death bereft them of
her. Then the child of the noble Uta held withal the power over
the lands, which well beseemed such high-born dames. (4)
Now also by the Rhine, as we hear tell, at mighty Gunther's
court, in the Burgundian land, Brunhild, the fair, had born a
son. For the hero's sake they named him Siegfried. With what
great care they bade attend him! The noble Gunther gave him
masters who well wot how to bring him up to be a doughty man.
Alas, what great loss of kin he later suffered through
misfortune!
Many tales were told all time, of how right worshipfully the
lusty knights dwelt alway in Siegmund's land. Gunther dealt the
same with his distinguished kin. The Nibelung land and
Schilbung's knights and the goods of both served Siegfried here
(none of his kinsmen ever waxed mightier than he). So much the
higher rose the mood of the valiant man. The very greatest heard
that any hero ever gained, save those who owned it aforetime, the
bold man had, the which he had won by his own hand hard by a
hill, and for which he did many a lusty knight to death. He had
honors to his heart's desire, and had this not been so, yet one
must rightly aver of the noble champion, that he was one of the
best that ever mounted horse. Men feared his might and justly,
too.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Eckewart", see Adventure I, note 15.
(2) "Xanten", see Adventure II, note 3.
(3) "Cognizance", 'jurisdiction.'
(4) "Dames", i.e., Siegelind and Kriemhild.
ADVENTURE XII
How Gunther Bade Siegfried To The Feasting.
Now Gunther's wife thought alway: "How haughtily doth Lady
Kriemhild bear her! Is not her husband Siegfried our liegeman?
Long time now hath he done us little service." This she bare
within her heart, but held her peace. It irked her sore that
they did make themselves such strangers and that men from
Siegfried's land so seldom served her. Fain would she have known
from whence this came. She asked the king if it might hap that
she should see Kriemhild again. Secretly she spake what she had
in mind. The speech like the king but moderately well. "How
might we bring them," quoth he, "hither to our land? That were
impossible, they live too far away; I dare not ask them this."
To this Brunhild replied in full crafty wise: "However high and
mighty a king's vassal be, yet should he not leave undone
whatsoever his lord command him."
King Gunther smiled when she spake thus. However oft he saw
Siegfried, yet did he not count it to him as service.
She spake: "Dear lord, for my sake help me to have Siegfried and
thy sister come to this land, that we may see them here. Naught
liefer might ever hap to me in truth. Whenso I think on thy
sister's courtesie and her well-bred mind, how it delighteth me!
How we sate together, when I first became thy wife! She may with
honor love bold Siegfried."
She besought so long, till the king did speak: "Now know that I
have never seen more welcome guests. Ye need but beg me gently.
I will send my envoys for the twain, that they may come to see us
to the Rhine."
Then spake the queen: "Pray tell me then, when ye are willed to
send for them, or in what time our dear kinsmen shall come into
the land. Give me also to know whom ye will send thither."
"That will I," said the prince. "I will let thirty of my men ride
thither."
He had these come before him and bade them carry tidings to
Siegfried's land. To their delight Brunhild did give them full
lordly vesture.
Then spake the king: "Ye knights must say from me all that I bid
you to mighty Siegfried and the sister of mine; this must ye not
conceal: that no one in the world doth love them more, and beg
them both to come to us to the Rhine. For this I and my lady
will be ever at your service. At the next Midsummer's Day shall
he and his men gaze upon many here, who would fain do them great
honor. Give to the king Siegmund my greetings, and say that I
and my kinsmen be still his friends, and tell my sister, too,
that she fail not to ride to see her kin. Never did feasting
beseem her better."
Brunhild and Uta and whatever ladies were found at court all
commended their service to the lovely dames and the many valiant
men in Siegfried's land. With the consent of the kinsmen of the
king the messengers set forth. They rode as wandering knights;
their horses and their trappings had now been brought them. Then
they voided the land, for they had haste of the journey, whither
they would fare. The king bade guard the messengers well with
convoys. In three weeks they came riding into the land, to
Nibelung's castle, in the marches of Norway, (1) whither they
were sent. Here they found the knight. The mounts of the
messengers were weary from the lengthy way.
Both Siegfried and Kriemhild were then told that knights were
come, who wore such clothes as men were wont to wear at Burgundy.
She sprang from a couch on which she lay to rest and bade a
maiden hie her to the window. In the court she saw bold Gere
standing, him and the fellowship that had been sent thither.
What joyful things she there found against her sorrow of heart!
She spake to the king: "Now behold where they stand, who walk in
the court with the sturdy Gere, whom my brother sendeth us adown
the Rhine.
Spake Then the valiant Siegfried: "They be welcome to us."
All the courtiers ran to where one saw them. Each of them in
turn then spake full kindly, as best he could to the envoys.
Siegmund, the lord, was right blithe of their coming. Then Gere
and his men were lodged and men bade take their steeds in charge.
The messengers then went hence to where Lord Siegfried sate by
Kriemhild. This they did, for they had leave to go to court.
The host and his lady rose from their seats at once and greeted
well Gere of the Burgundian land with his fellowship, Gunther's
liegemen. One bade the mighty Gere go and sit him down.
"Permit us first to give our message, afore we take our seats;
let us way-worn strangers stand the while. We be come to tell
you tidings which Gunther and Brunhild, with whom all things
stand well, have sent you, and also what Lady Uta, your mother,
sendeth. Giselher, the youth, and Sir Gernot, too, and your
dearest kin, they have sent us hither and commend their service
to you from out the Burgundian land."
"Now God requite them," quoth Siegfried; "I trow them much troth
and good, as one should to kinsfolk; their sister doth the same.
Ye must tell us more, whether our dear friends at home be of good
cheer? Since we have been parted from them, hath any done amiss
to my lady's kinsmen? That ye must let me know. If so, I'll
ever help them bear it in duty bound, until their foes must rue
my serviceú"
Then spake the Margrave Gere, a right good knight: "They are in
every virtue of such right high mood, that they do bid you to a
feasting by the Rhine. They would fain see you, as ye may not
doubt, and they do beg my lady that she come with you, when the
winter hath taken an end. They would see you before the next
Midsummer's Day."
Quoth the stalwart Siegfried: "That might hardly hap."
Then answered Gere from the Burgundian land: "Your mother Uta,
Gernot, and Giselher have charged you, that ye refuse them not.
I hear daily wail, that ye do live so far away. My Lady Brunhild
and all her maids be fain of the tidings, if that might be that
they should see you again; this would raise their spirits high."
These tidings thought fair Kriemhild good.
Gere was of their kin; the host bade him be seated and had wine
poured out for the guests; no longer did they tarry. Now
Siegmund was come to where he saw the messengers. The lord said
to the Burgundians in friendly wise: "Be welcome, Sir Knights, ye
men of Gunther. Sith now Siegfried, my son, hath won Kriemhild
to wife, one should see you more often here in this our land, if
ye would show your kinship."
They answered that they would gladly come, when so he would. Of
their weariness they were cased with joyous pastime. Men bade
the messengers be seated and brought them food, of which
Siegfried had them given great store. They must needs stay there
full nine days, till at last the doughty knights made plaint,
that they durst not ride again to their land.
Meantime king Siegfried had sent to fetch his friends; he asked
them what they counseled, whether or no they should to the Rhine.
"My kinsman Gunther and his kin have sent to fetch me for a
feasting. Now I would go full gladly, but that his land doth lie
too far away. They beg Kriemhild, too, that she journey with me.
Now advise, dear friends, in what manner she shall ride thither.
Though I must harry for them through thirty lands, yet would
Siegfried's arm fain serve them there."
Then spake his warriors: "And ye be minded to journey to the
feasting, we will advise what ye must do. Ye should ride to the
Rhine with a thousand knights, then can ye stand with worship
there in Burgundy land."
Up spake then Lord Siegmund of Netherland: "Will ye to the
feasting, why make ye it not known to me? If ye scorn it not, I
will ride thither with you and will take a hundred knights,
wherewith to swell your band."
"And will ye ride with us, dear father mine," quoth brave
Siegfried, "glad shall I be of that. Within a twelfth night I
will quit my lands."
All who craved it were given steeds and vesture, too.
Since now the noble king was minded for the journey, men bade the
good and speedy envoys ride again. He sent word to his wife's
kindred on the Rhine, that he would full fain be at their
feasting. Siegfried and Kriemhild, as the tale doth tell, gave
the messengers such store of gifts that their horses could not
bear them to their native land. A wealthy man was he. They
drove their sturdy sumpters merrily along.
Siegfried and Siegmund arrayed their men. Eckewart, the
margrave, that very hour bade seek out ladies' robes, the best
that were at hand or might be found throughout all Siegfried's
land. Men gan prepare the saddles and the shields. To knights
and ladies who should go hence with him was given whatso they
would, so that they wanted naught. He brought to his kinsfolk
many a lordly stranger.
The messengers pricked fast upon their homeward way. Now was
Gere, the knight, come to Burgundy and was greeted fair. Then
they dismounted from their steeds and from the nags in front of
Gunther's hall. Young and old did hie them, as people do, to ask
the tidings. Quoth the good knight: "When I tell them to the
king, thou be at hand a hear."
With his fellowship he went to where he found King Gunther. For
very joy the king sprang from his seat. Fair Brunhild cried them
mercy, that they were come so quick. Gunther spake to the
envoys: "How fareth Siegfried, from whom so much of gladness hath
happed to me?"
Brave Gere spake: "He blushed for joy, he and your sister; no
truer tidings did ever any man send to friends, than the Lord
Siegfried and his father, too, have sent to you."
Then to the margrave spake the noble queen: "Now tell me, cometh
Kriemhild to us? Hath the fair still kept the graces which she
knew how to use?"
"She cometh to you surely," quoth Gere, the knight.
Then Uta bade the messenger come quickly to her. By her question
one might note full well that she was fain to hear if Kriemhild
still were well. He told how he had found her and that she would
shortly come. Nor were the gifts concealed by them at court,
which Siegfried gave them, gold and vesture; these they brought
for the vassals of the three kings to see. For their passing
great bounty men gave them thanks.
"He may lightly give great gifts," spake then Hagen; "he could
not squander all his wealth, and he should live for aye. His
hand hath closed upon the hoard of the Nibelungs. Ho, let him
only come to the Burgundian land!"
All the courtiers were glad that they should come. Early and
late the men of the three kings were busy. Many benches they gan
raise for the folk. The valiant Hunolt and the knight Sindolt
had little rest. All time they had to oversee the stewards and
the butlers and raise many a bench. Ortwin helped them, too, at
this, and Gunther said them thanks. Rumolt, the master cook, how
well he ruled his underlings! Ho, how many a broad kettle, pot,
and pan they had! They made ready the vitaille for those who
were coming to the land.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Norway". The interpolated character of the Adventures XI
to XIII, which are not found in the earlier versions, is
shown by the confusion in the location of Siegfried's court.
The poet has forgotten that Xanten is his capital, and
locates it in Norway. No mention is made, however, of the
messengers crossing the sea; on the contrary, Kriemhild
speaks of their being sent down the Rhine.
ADVENTURE XIII
How They Journeyed To The Feasting.
Let us now take leave of all their bustling, and tell how Lady
Kriemhild and her maidens journeyed from the Nibelung land down
toward the Rhine. Never did sumpters bear so much lordly
raiment. They made ready for the way full many traveling chests.
Then Siegfried, the knight, and the queen as well, rode forth
with their friends to where they had hope of joys. Later it sped
them all to their great harm. They left Siegfried's little
child, Kriemhild's son, at home. That must needs be. Great
grief befell him through their journey to the court. The bairn
never saw his father and his mother more. With them, too, there
rode Lord Siegmund. Had he known aright how he would fare at the
feasting, no whit of it would he have seen. No greater woe might
ever hap to him in loving friends.
Messengers were sent ahead, who told the tale. Then with a
stately band there rode to meet them many of Uta's kith and
Gunther's liegemen. The host gan bestir him for his guests. He
went to where Brunhild sate and asked: "How did my sister greet
you when ye came to our land? In like manner must ye greet
Siegfried's wife."
"That will I gladly," quoth she, "for I have good cause to be her
friend."
The mighty king spake further: "They come to us early on the
morrow; if ye would greet them, set quickly to work, that we
abide them not within the castle. At no time have such welcome
guests ever come to see me."
At once she bade her maids and ladies hunt out goodly raiment,
the best they had, the which her train should wear before the
guests. One may lightly say, they did this gladly. Gunther's
men hasted also for to serve them, and around him the host did
gather all his knights. Then the queen rode forth in princely
wise and mickle greeting of the welcome guests was done. With
what great joy did they receive them! It thought them as though
Lady Kriemhild had not greeted Lady Brunhild so fair in the
Burgundian land. Those who had never seen her became acquaint
with lofty mood.
Now was Siegfried come with his liegemen. One saw the heroes
wending to and fro upon the plain in unwieldy bands. None might
guard him there against the jostling and the dust.
When that the ruler of the land spied Siegfried and Siegmund, how
lovingly he spake: "Now be ye full welcome to me and all my
friends; we shall be of good cheer because of this your journey
to our court."
"Now God requite you," quoth Siegmund, the honor-seeking man;
"sith my son Siegfried won you to kinsman, my heart hath urged
that I should go to see you."
At this spake Gunther: "Now hath joy happed to me thereby."
Siegfried was received with much great worship as beseemed him;
none bare him hatred there. Giselher and Gernot helped thereby
with great courtesie. I ween, never have guests been greeted in
such goodly wise.
Then the wives of the two kings drew near each other. Emptied
were many saddles, as fair ladies were lifted down by knightly
hands upon the sward. How busy were those who gladly served the
dames! The lovely women now drew near each other, and many a
knight was blithe, that such fair greeting passed between the
twain. Then one saw great press of warriors standing by the
high-born maids. The lordly meiny (1) grasped each other by the
hand. Much courteous bowing was seen and loving kisses from
fair-fashioned dames. This liked well Gunther's and Siegfried's
liegemen for to see. They bided now no longer, but rode to town.
The host bade show his guests full well that all were fain to see
them in the Burgundian land. Many a royal joust took place
before the high-born maids. Hagen of Troneg and Ortwin, too,
proved full well their prowess. One durst not leave undone
whatso they would command. Much service was rendered by them to
the welcome guests. Many shields were heard resound from thrusts
and blows before the castle gate. The host and his guests
tarried long time without, or ever they came within. Forsooth
the hours passed quickly for them with their sports. Merrily
they rode before the royal palace. Many cunning housings (2) of
good cloth and well cut were seen hanging on either side from the
saddles of the fair-fashioned dames.
Then came Gunther's liegemen. Men bade lead the strangers
quickly to their easement. At times one saw Brunhild glance at
Lady Kriemhild, who was passing fair enow. Her color against the
gold gave back the gleam in lovely wise. On every side in Worms
one heard the courtiers shout. Gunther bade Dankwart, his
marshal, have them in his care, who then gan lodge the retinue in
goodly wise. One let them eat within and eke without. Never
were stranger guests better cared for. Men gave them gladly all
they craved; so rich was the king, that not a wish was there
denied. Men served them in friendly wise without all hate. The
host now took his seat at table with his guests. One bade
Siegfried be seated where he sate afore. Then many a stately man
went with him to the seats. Twelve hundred warriors in sooth did
sit at his round table. Brunhild thought her that a vassal could
not be mightier than he; yet she was still so friendly to him
that she did not wish his death.
On an evening when the king was seated at the board, many costly
robes were wet with wine, as the butlers hied them to the tables.
Full service was given there with mickle zeal. As hath long been
the wont at feasts, men bade the ladies and the maids be given
fair lodgment. From wherever they were come, the host bare them
right good will. One gave them all enow with goodly honors.
When the night had an end and the day appeared, many a precious
stone from the sumpter chests sparkled on goodly weeds, as they
were touched by woman's hand. Many a lordly robe was taken
forth. Or ever the day had fully dawned, many knights and
squires came out before the hall. Then rose a merry rout before
the early mass, which was sung for the king. There young heroes
rode so well that the king did cry them mercy. Many a trumpet
rang out passing loud, and the noise of drums and flutes did grow
so great that the broad town of Worms reechoed with the sound.
The high-mettled heroes horsed them everywhere. Then there rose
in the land high knightly play from many a doughty champion; one
saw a great rout of them whose youthful hearts beat high, and
many a dapper knight and a good stood armed with shield. At the
easements sate the high-born dames and many comely maids, decked
out in brave attire. They watched the pastimes of the many
valiant men. The host himself gan tilt there with his friends.
Thus they passed the time, the which seemed aught but long.
Then from the dome was heard the sound of many bells. The
palfreys came, the ladies rode away; but many a bold man followed
the noble queens. They alighted on the green before the minster;
Brunhild was still friendly to her guests. Wearing crowns, they
entered the spacious church. Later their love was parted, which
caused great hate. When they had heard the mass, they rode away
again with many honors and were soon seen going merrily to table.
Their pleasure at the feasting did not flag until the eleventh
day.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Meiny" (M.E. "meiny", O.F. "mesnee"), 'courtiers', 'serving
folk'.
(2) "Housings", 'saddle cloths'.
ADVENTURE XIV
How The Queens Reviled Each Other.
On a day before the vesper tide a great turmoil arose, which many
knights made in the court, where they plied their knightly sports
for pastime's sake, and a great throng of men and women hasted
there to gaze. The royal queens had sat them down together and
talked of two worshipful knights.
Then spake the fair Kriemhild: "I have a husband who by right
should rule over all these kingdoms."
Quoth Lady Brunhild: "How might that be? If none other lived but
he and thou, then might these kingdoms own his sway, but the
while Gunther liveth, this may never hap."
Kriemhild replied: "Now dost thou see, how he standeth, how right
royally he walketh before the knights, as the moon doth before
the stars? Therefore must I needs be merry of mood."
Said Lady Brunhild: "However stately be thy husband, howso worthy
and fair, yet must thou grant the palm to Knight Gunther, the
noble brother of thine. Know of a truth, he must be placed above
all kings."
Then Kriemhild spake again: "So doughty is my husband, that I
have not lauded him without good cause. His worship is great in
many things. Dost thou believe it, Brunhild, he is easily
Gunther's peer."
"Forsooth thou must not take it amiss of me, Kriemhild, for I
have not spoken thus without good reason. I heard them both
aver, when I saw them first of all, and the king was victor
against me in the games, and when he won my love in such knightly
wise, that he was liegeman to the king, and Siegfried himself
declared the same. I hold him therefore as my vassal, sith I
heard him speak thus himself."
Then spake fair Kriemhild: "Ill had I then sped. How could my
noble brothers have so wrought, that I should be a mere vassal's
bride? Therefore I do beseech thee, Brunhild, in friendly wise,
that for my sake thou kindly leave off this speech."
"I'll not leave it off," quoth the king's wife. "Why should I
give up so many a knight, who with the warrior doth owe us
service?"
Kriemhild, the passing fair, waxed wroth out of wit. "Thou must
forego that ho ever do you a vassal's service; he is worthier
than my brother Gunther, the full noble man. Thou must retract
what I have heard thee say. Certes, it wondereth me, sith he be
thy vassal and thou hast so much power over us twain, why he hath
rendered thee no tribute so long a time. By right I should be
spared thy overweening pride."
"Thou bedrest thee too high," spake the king's wife. "I would
fain see whether men will hold thee in such high honor as they do
me."
The ladies both grew wonderly wroth of mood. Then spake the Lady
Kriemhild: "This must now hap. Sith thou hast declared my
husband for thy liegeman, now must the men of the two kings
perceive to-day whether I durst walk before the queen to church.
Thou must see to-day that I am noble and free and that my husband
is worthier than thine; nor will I myself be taxed therewith.
Thou shalt mark to-day how thy liegewoman goeth to court before
the knights of the Burgundian land. I myself shall be more
worshipful than any queen was known to be, who ever wore a
crown." Great hate enow rose then betwixt the ladies.
Then Brunhild answered: "Wilt thou not be a liegewoman of mine,
so must thou sunder thee with thy ladies from my train when that
we go to church."
To this Kriemhild replied: "In faith that shall be done."
"Now array you, my maids," spake Siegfried's wife. "I must be
here without reproach. Let this be seen to-day, and ye do have
rich weeds. Brunhild shall fain deny what she hath here
averted."
They needed not much bidding, but sought rich robes and many a
dame and maid attired her well. Then the wife of the noble king
went forth with her train. Fair Kriemhild, too, was well arrayed
and three and forty maidens with her, whom she had brought hither
to the Rhine. They wore bright vesture wrought in Araby, and
thus the fair-fashioned maids betook them to the minster. All
Siegfried's men awaited them before the house. The folk had
marvel whence it chanced that the queens were seen thus sundered,
so that they did not walk together as afore. From this did many
a warrior later suffer dire distress. Here before the minster
stood Gunther's wife, while many a good knight had pastime with
the comely dames whom they there espied.
Then came the Lady Kriemhild with a large and noble train.
Whatever kind of clothes the daughters of noble knights have ever
worn, these were but the wind against her retinue. She was so
rich in goods, that what the wives of thirty kings could not
purvey, that Kriemhild did. An' one would wish to, yet he could
not aver that men had ever seen such costly dresses as at this
time her fair-fashioned maidens wore. Kriemhild had not done it,
save to anger Brunhild. They met before the spacious minster.
Through her great hate the mistress of the house in evil wise
bade Kriemhild stand: "Forsooth no vassaless should ever walk
before the queen."
Then spake fair Kriemhild (angry was her mood): "Couldst thou
have held thy peace, 'twere well for thee. Thou hast disgraced
thee and the fair body of thine. How might a vassal's leman (1)
ever be the wife of any king?"
"Whom callest thou here leman?" spake the queen.
"That call I thee," quoth Kriemhild. "Thy fair person was first
caressed by Siegfried, my dear husband. Certes, it was not my
brother who won thy maidhood. Whither could thy wits have
wandered? It was an evil trick. Wherefore didst thou let him
love thee, sith he be thy vassal? I hear thee make plaint
without good cause," quoth Kriemhild.
"I' faith," spake then Brunhild, "Gunther shall hear of this."
"What is that to me?" said Kriemhild. "Thy pride hath bewrayed
thee. With words thou hast claimed me for thy service. Know, by
my troth, it will ever grieve me, for I shall be no more thy
faithful friend."
Then Brunhild wept. Kriemhild delayed no longer, but entered the
minster with her train before the queen. Thus there rose great
hatred, from which bright eyes grew dim and moist.
Whatso men did or sang to God's service there, the time seemed
far too long for Brunhild, for she was sad of heart and mood.
Many a brave knight and a good must later rue this day. Brunhild
with her ladies now went forth and stopped before the minster.
Her-thought: "Kriemhild must tell me more of what this word-
shrewd woman hath so loudly charged me. Hath Siegfried made
boast of this, 'twill cost his life."
Now the noble Kriemhild came with many a valiant liegeman. Lady
Brunhild spake: "Stand still a while. Ye have declared me for a
leman, that must ye let be seen. Know, that through thy speech,
I have fared full ill."
Then spake the Lady Kriemhild: "Ye should have let me pass. I'll
prove it by the ring of gold I have upon my hand, and which my
lover brought me when he first lay at your side."
Brunhild had never seen so ill a day. She spake: "This costly
hoop of gold was stolen from me, and hath been hid full long a
time from me in evil wise. I'll find out yet who hath ta'en it
from me."
Both ladies now had fallen into grievous wrath.
Kriemhild replied: "I'll not be called a thief. Thou hadst done
better to have held thy peace, an' thou hold thine honor dear.
I'll prove it by the girdle which I wear about my waist, that I
lie not. Certes, my Siegfried became thy lord."
She wore the cord of silk of Nineveh, set with precious stones;
in sooth 'twas fair enow. When Brunhild spied it, she began to
weep. Gunther and all the Burgundian men must needs now learn of
this.
Then spake the queen: "Bid the prince of the Rhineland come
hither. I will let him hear how his sister hath mocked me. She
saith here openly that I be Siegfried's wife."
The king came with knights, and when he saw his love a-weeping,
how gently he spake: "Pray tell me, dear lady, who hath done you
aught?"
She answered to the king: "I must stand unhappy; thy sister would
fain part me from all mine honors. I make here plaint to thee
she doth aver that Siegfried, her husband hath had me as his
leman."
Quoth King Gunther: "Then hath she done ill."
"She weareth here my girdle, which I have lost, and my ring of
ruddy gold. It doth repent me sore that I was ever born, unless
be thou clearest me of this passing great shame, for that I'll
serve thee ever."
King Gunther spake: "Have him come hither. He must let us hear
if he hath made boast of this, or he must make denial, the hero
of Netherland." One bade fetch at once Kriemhild's love.
When Siegfried saw the angry dames (he wist not of the tale), how
quickly then he spake: "I fain would know why these ladies weep,
or for what cause the king hath had me fetched."
Then King Gunther spake: "It doth rue me sore, forsooth. My Lady
Brunhild hath told me here a tale, that thou hast boasted thou
wast the first to clasp her lovely body in thine arms; this Lady
Kriemhild, thy wife, doth say."
Then spake Lord Siegfried: "And she hath told this tale, she
shall rue it sore, or ever I turn back, and I'll clear me with
solemn oaths in front of all thy men, that I have not told her
this."
Quoth the king of the Rhineland: "Let that be seen. The oath
thou dost offer, and let it now be given, shall free thee of all
false charges."
They bade the proud Burgundians form a ring. Siegfried, the
bold, stretched out his hand for the oath; then spake the mighty
king: "Thy great innocence is so well known to me, that I will
free thee of that of which my sister doth accuse thee and say,
thou hast never done this thing."
Siegfried replied: "If it boot my lady aught to have thus
saddened Brunhild, that will surely cause me boundless grief."
Then the lusty knights and good gazed one upon the other. "One
should so train women," spake again Siegfried, the knight, "that
they leave haughty words unsaid. Forbid it to thy wife, and I'll
do the same to mine. In truth, I do shame me of her great
discourtesie."
Many fair ladies were parted by the speech. Brunhild mourned so
sore, that it moved King Gunther's men to pity. Then came Hagen
of Troneg to his sovran lady. He found her weeping, and asked
what grief she had. She told him then the tale. On the spot he
vowed that Kriemhild's lord should rue it sore, or he would
nevermore be glad. Ortwin and Gernot joined their parley and
these heroes counseled Siegfried's death. Giselher, the son of
the noble Uta, came hither too. When he heard the talk, he spake
full true: "Ye trusty knights, wherefore do ye this? Siegfried
hath not merited forsooth such hate, that he should therefore
lose his life. Certes, women oft grow angry over little things."
"Shall we then raise cuckolds?" answered Hagen; "such good
knights would gain from that but little honor. Because he hath
boasted of my liege lady, I will rather die, an' it cost him not
his life."
Then spake the king himself: "He hath shown us naught but love
and honor, so let him live. What booteth it, if I now should
hate the knight? He was ever faithful to us and that right
willingly."
Knight Ortwin of Metz then spake: "His great prowess shall not
in sooth avail him aught. If my lord permit, I'll do him every
evil."
So without cause the heroes had declared a feud against him. In
this none followed, save that Hagen counselled all time Knight
Gunther the that if Siegfried no longer lived, then many kingly
lands would own his sway. At this the king grew sad, so they let
it rest.
Jousting was seen once more. Ho, what stout shafts they
splintered before the minster in the presence of Siegfried's
wife, even down to the hall! Enow of Gunther's men were now in
wrath. The king spake: "Let be this murderous rage, he is born
to our honor and to our joy. Then, too, the wonderly bold man is
so fierce of strength, that none durst match him, if he marked
it."
"No, not he," spake Hagen then, "Ye may well keep still; I trow
to bring it to pass in secret, that he rue Brunhild's tears.
Certes, Hagen hath broken with him for all time."
Then spake King Gunther: "How might that chance?"
To this Hagen made answer: "I'll let you hear. We'll bid
messengers, that be not known to any here, ride into our land, to
declare war upon us openly. Then do ye say before your guests
that ye and your men will take the field. When that is done, he
will vow to serve you then and from this he shall lose his life,
an' I learn the tale from the bold knight's wife."
The king followed his liegeman Hagen in evil wise. These chosen
knights gan plan great faithlessness, or ever any one was ware.
From two women's quarreling full many a hero lost his life.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Leman" (M.E. "lemman", O.E. "leof mann", 'lief man', i.e.,
'dear one'), 'mistress' in a bad sense.
ADVENTURE XV
How Siegfried Was Betrayed.
Upon the fourth morning two and thirty men were seen to ride to
court and the tale was brought to mighty Gunther that war had
been declared. The very direst woes befell fair women from a
lie. They gained leave to come before the king and say that they
were Liudeger's men, whom Siegfried's hand had conquered afore
and had brought as hostages to Gunther's land. He greeted then
the messengers and bade them go and seat them. One among them
spake: "My lord, pray let us stand till we have told the message
we do bear you. This know, ye have of a truth many a mother's
son as foe. Liudegast and Liudeger, whom ye one time gave
grievous sores, declare a feud against you and are minded to ride
with an army to this land." The king waxed wroth when he heard
This tale.
Men bade lead the perjurers to their lodgings. How might
Siegfried, or any else against whom they plotted, ware himself
against their wiles? This later brought great sorrow to them
all. The king walked whispering with his friends; Hagen of
Troneg never let him rest. Enow of the king's liegemen would
fain have parted the strife, but Hagen would not give up his
plan. On a day Siegfried found them whispering. The hero of
Netherland gan ask: "How go the king and his men so sadly? I'll
help avenge it, hath any done you aught."
Then spake King Gunther: "I am rightly sad. Liudegast and
Liudeger have challenged me to war; they are minded to ride
openly into my land."
At this the bold knight said: "Siegfried's hand shall hinder that
with zeal, as beseemeth all your honors. I'll do yet to these
knights as I did before; I'll lay waste their lands, or ever I
turn again. Be my head your pledge of this. Ye and your
warriors shall stay at home and let me ride to meet them with
those I have. I'll let you see how fain I serve you. This know,
through me it shall go evil with your foes."
"Well is me of these tidings," spake then the king, as though he
were glad in earnest of this aid. With guile the faithless man
bowed low.
Quoth Lord Siegfried: "Ye shall have small care."
Then they made ready for the journey hence with the men-at-arms.
This was done for Siegfried and his men to see. He, too, bade
those of Netherland get them ready. Siegfried's warriors sought
out warlike weeds. Then the stalwart Siegfried spake: "My father
Siegmund, ye must stay here. We shall return in short space
hither to the Rhine, and God give us luck. Ye must here make
merry with the king."
They tied fast their banners, as though they would away, and
there were enow of Gunther's men who wist not wherefore this was
done. Great rout of men was seen at Siegfried's side. They
bound their helmets and their breastplates upon the steeds, and
many a stout knight made ready to quit the land. Then Hagen of
Troneg went to find Kriemhild and asked for leave; sith they
would void the land.
"Now well is me," spake Kriemhild, "that I have won a husband who
dare protect so well my loving kinsfolk, as my Lord Siegfried
doth here. Therefore," spake the queen, "will I be glad of
heart. Dear friend Hagen, think on that, that I do serve you
gladly and never yet did bear you hate. Requite this now to me
in my dear husband. Let him not suffer, if I have done to
Brunhild aught. I since have rued it," spake the noble wife.
"Moreover, he since hath beaten me black and blue; the brave hero
and a good hath well avenged that ever I spake what grieved her
heart."
"Ye'll be friends once more after some days. Kriemhild, dear
lady, pray tell me how I may serve you in your husband Siegfried.
Liefer will I do this for you than for any else."
"I should be without all fear," quoth the noble dame, "that any
one would take his life in the fray, if he would not follow his
overweening mood; then the bold knight and a good were safe."
"Lady," spake then Hagen, "an' ye do think that men might wound
him, pray let me know with what manner of arts I can prevent
this. On foot, on horse, will I ever be his guard."
She spake: "Thou art my kinsman and I am thine. I'll commend to
thee trustingly the dear lover of mine, that thou mayst guard him
well, mine own dear husband." She made him acquaint with tales
which had been better left unsaid. She spake: "My husband is
brave and strong enow. When he slew the dragon on the hill, the
lusty warrior bathed him of a truth in the blood, so that since
then no weapon ever cut him in the fray. Yet am I in fear,
whenever he standeth in the fight and many javelins are cast by
heroes' hands, that I may lose this dear husband of mine. Alas,
how oft I suffer sore for Siegfried's sake! Dear kinsman, in the
hope that thou wilt hold thy troth with me, I'll tell thee where
men may wound the dear lord of mine. I let thee hear this, 'tis
done in faith. When the hot blood gushed from the dragon's
wounds and the bold hero and a good bathed him therein, a broad
linden leaf did fall betwixt his shoulder blades. Therefore am I
sore afraid that men may cut him there."
Then spake Hagen of Troneg: "Sew a small mark upon his coat,
whereby I may know where I must guard him, when we stand in
battle."
She weened to save her knight, but 'twas done unto his death.
She spake: "With fine silk I'll sew a secret cross upon his
vesture. There, knight, thy hand must guard my husband, when the
strife is on and he standeth in the battle before his foes."
"That will I well, dear my lady," Hagen then replied.
The lady weened that it would boot him aught, but Kriemhild's
husband was thereby betrayed. Hagen then took leave; merrily he
hied him hence. The king's liegeman was blithe of mood. I ween
that nevermore will warrior give such false counsel, as was done
by him when Kriemhild trusted in his troth.
Next morning Siegfried with a thousand of his men rode merrily
forth. He weened he should avenge the grievance of his kinsmen.
Hagen rode so near him that he could eye his clothes. When he
saw the sign, he sent in secret twain of his men, who should tell
another tale: that Gunther's land should still have peace and
that Liudeger had sent them to the king. How loth Siegfried now
rode home again, or ever he had avenged his kinsmen's wrongs!
Gunther's men could hardly turn him back. He rode then to the
king; the host gan thank him. "Now God requite you of your will,
friend Siegfried, that ye do so willingly what I bid you. For
this I'll ever serve you, as I rightly should. I trust you more
than all my friends. Now that we be rid of this foray, I am
minded to ride a-hunting for bears and boars to the Vosges
forest, as I have done oft-time." That Hagen, the faithless
knight, had counseled. "Let it be told to all my guests, that we
ride betimes. Those that would hunt with me must make them
ready. If any choose to stay at home to court the ladies, that
liketh me as well."
Then spake Sir Siegfried in lordly wise: "And ye would a-hunting,
I'd fain go with you. Pray lend me a huntsman and some brach,
(1) and I will ride to the pines."
"Will ye have but one?" spake the king anon. "I'll lend you, an'
ye will, four men to whom both wood and paths be known where the
game is wont to go, and who will not let you miss the camp."
Then rode the full lusty warrior to his wife, whilst Hagen
quickly told the king how he thought to trap the doughty knight.
A man should never use such faithlessness.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Brach", 'hunting dog', cognate with M.H.G. "braeke", used
here.
ADVENTURE XVI
How Siegfried Was Slain.
Gunther and Hagen, the passing bold knights, faithlessly let cry
a-hunting in the woods, that with sharp spears they would hunt
boars and bears and bison. What might be braver? With them rode
Siegfried in lordly guise; many kinds of victual did they take
along. At a cool spring he later lost his life, the which
Brunhild, King Gunther's wife, had counseled. The bold knight
then went to where he found Kriemhild. His costly hunting garb
and those of his fellowship were already bound upon the sumpters,
for they would cross the Rhine. Never could Kriemhild have been
more sorrowful. He kissed his love upon her mouth. "God let me
see thee, lady, still in health and grant that thine eyes may see
me too. Thou shalt have pastime with thy loving kinsmen. I may
not stay at home."
Then she thought of the tale she had told to Hagen, though she
durst not say a whit. The noble queen began to rue that she was
ever born. Lord Siegfried's wife wept out of measure. She spake
to the knight: "Let be your hunting. I had an evil dream last
night, how two wild boars did chase you across the heath; then
flowers grew red. I have in truth great cause to weep so sore.
I be much adread of sundry plans and whether we have not
misserved some who might bear us hostile hate. Tarry here, dear
my lord, that I counsel by my troth."
He spake: "Dear love, I'll come back in a few short days. I wot
not here of people who bear me aught of hate. Each and all of
thy kinsmen be my friends, nor have I deserved it other of the
knights."
"No, no, Sir Siegfried, in truth I fear thy fall. I had last
night an evil dream, how two mountains fell upon thee. I saw
thee nevermore. It doth cut me to the heart, that thou wilt part
from me."
In his arms he clasped his courteous wife and kissed her
tenderly. Then in a short space he took his leave and parted
hence. Alas, she never saw him in health again.
Then they rode from thence into a deep wood for pastime's sake.
Many bold knights did follow Gunther and his men, but Gernot and
Giselher stayed at home. Many laden sumpters were sent before
them across the Rhine, the which bare for the hunting fellowship
bread and wine, meat and fish, and great store of other things,
which so mighty a king might rightly have. They bade the proud
huntsmen and bold halt before a green wood over against the
courses of the game, upon a passing broad glade where they should
hunt. The king was told that Siegfried, too, was come. The
hunting fellowship now took their stand on every side. Then the
bold knight, the sturdy Siegfried, asked: "Ye heroes bold and
brave, who shall lead us to the game within the wood?"
"Let us part," spake Hagen, "ere we begin the chase. Thereby my
lords and I may know who be the best hunter on this woodland
journey. Let us divide the folk and hounds and let each turn
whithersoever he list. He who doth hunt the best shall have our
thanks." Short time the huntsmen bided by another after that.
Then spake Lord Siegfried: "I need no dogs save one brach that
hath been trained that he can tell the track of the beasts
through the pine woods." Quoth Kriemhild's husband: "We'll find
the game."
Then an old huntsman took a good sleuth-hound and in a short
space brought the lord to where many beasts were found. Whatso
rose from its lair the comrades hunted as good hunters still are
wont to do. Whatever the brach started, bold Siegfried, the hero
of Netherland, slew with his hand. His horse did run so hard
that none escaped him. In the chase he gained the prize above
them all. Doughty enow he was in all things. The beast which he
slew with his hands was the first, a mighty boar; after which he
found full soon a monstrous lion. (1) When the brach started
this from its lair, he shot it with his bow, in which he had
placed a full sharp arrow. After the shot the lion ran the space
of but three bounds. The hunting fellowship gave Siegfried
thanks. Thereafter he speedily slew a bison and an elk, four
strong ure-oxen, (2) and a savage shelk. (3) His horse bare him
so swiftly that naught escaped him, nor could hart or hind avoid
him. Then the sleuth-hound found a mighty boar; when he began to
flee, at once there came the master oœ the hunt and encountered
him upon his path. Wrathfully the boar did run against the
valiant hero, but Kriemhild's husband slew him with his sword.
Another huntsman might not have done this deed so lightly. When
he had felled him, they leashed the sleuth-hound; his rich booty
was soon well known to the Burgundian men.
Then spake his huntsman: "Sir Siegfried, if might so be, let us
leave a deal of the beasts alive. Ye'll empty both our hill and
woods to-day."
At this the brave knight and a bold gan smile. Then the calls of
men and the baying of hounds were heard on every side; so great
was the noise that both hill and pine woods echoed with the
sound. The huntsmen had let loose full four and twenty packs.
Then passing many beasts must needs lose their lives. Each man
weened to bring it to pass that men should give him the prize of
the hunt; that might not be, for the stalwart Siegfried was
already standing by the fire. The chase was over, and yet not
quite. Those who would to the camp-fire brought with them
thither hides of many beasts and game in plenty. Ho, how much
the king's meiny bare then to the kitchen!
Then bade the king announce to the huntsman that he would
dismount. A horn was blown full loud just once, that all might
know that one might find the noble prince in camp. Spake then
one of Siegfried's huntsmen: "My lord, I heard by the blast of a
horn that we must now hie us to the quarters; I'll now give
answer."
Thus by many blasts of horns they asked about the hunters. Then
spake Sir Siegfried: "Now let us leave the pine wood!" His steed
bare him smoothly and with him they hasted hence. With their
rout they started up a savage beast; a wild bear it was. Quoth
then the knight to those behind: "I'll give our fellowship a
little pastime. Let loose the brach. Forsooth I spy a bear
which shall journey with us to the camp. Flee he never so fast,
he shall not escape us,"
The brach was loosed, the bear sprang hence; Kriemhild's husband
would fain overtake him. He reached a thicket, where none could
follow. The mighty beast weened now to escape from the hunter
with his life, but the proud knight and a good leaped from his
steed and began to chase him. The bear was helpless and could
not flee away. At once the hero caught it and bound it quickly
with not a wound, so that it might neither scratch nor bite the
men. The doughty knight then tied it to his saddle and horsed
him quickly. Through his overweening mood the bold warrior and a
good brought it to the camp-fire as a pastime. In what lordly
wise he rode to the quarters! Mickle was his boar-spear, strong
and broad. A dainty sword hung downward to his spurs. The lord
bare also a fair horn of ruddy gold. Never heard I tale of
better hunting weeds. One saw him wear a coat of black and silky
cloth and a hat of sable: rich enow it was. Ho, what costly
bands he wore upon his quiver! A panther's skin was drawn over
it for its sweet fragrance' (4) sake. He bare a bow, which any
but the hero must needs draw back with a windlass, and he would
bend it. His vesture was befurred with otter skin (5) from head
to toe. From the bright fur shone out on both sides of the bold
master of the hunt many a bar of gold. Balmung (6) he also bare,
a good broad sword, that was so sharp that it never failed when
'twas wielded 'gainst a helmet; its edge was good. In high
spirits was the lordly huntsman. Sith I must tell you all the
tale, his costly quiver was full of goodly darts, the heads a
full hand's breadth, on golden shafts. What he pierced therewith
must needs die soon.
Thus the noble knight rode hence in hunter's garb. Gunther's men
espied him coming and ran out to meet him and took his horse in
charge. On his saddle he carried a large bear and a strong.
When he had dismounted, he loosed the bonds from feet and snout.
Those of the pack bayed loudly, that spied the bear. The beast
would to the woods; the serving folk had fear. Dazed by the din,
the bear made for the kitchen. Ho, how he drove the scullions
from the fire! Many a kettle was upset and many a firebrand
scattered. Ho, what good victual men found lying in the ashes!
Then the lordings and their liegemen sprang from their scats.
The bear grew furious and the king bade loose the pack that lay
enleashed. Had all sped well, they would have had a merry day.
No longer the doughty men delayed, but ran for the bear with bows
and pikes. There was such press of dogs that none might shoot,
but from the people's shouts the whole hill rang. The bear began
to flee before the dogs; none could follow him but Kriemhild's
husband, who caught and slew him with his sword. Then they bore
the bear again to the fire. Those that saw it, averred he was a
mighty man.
Men bade now the proud hunting fellowship seat them at the
tables. Upon a fair mead there sate a goodly company. Ho, what
rich viands they bare there to the noble huntsmen! The butlers
who should bring the wine delayed; else might never heroes have
been better served. Had they not been so falsely minded, then
had the knights been free of every blame.
Now the Lord Siegfried spake: "Me-wondereth, since men do give us
such great store from the kitchen, why the butlers bring us not
the wine. Unless men purvey the hunters better, I'll be no more
your hunting-fellow. I have well deserved that they regard me,
too."
The king addressed him from his seat with guile: "We fain would
do you remedy of what we lack. It is Hagen's fault, who is
willed to let us die of thirst."
Then spake Hagen: "Dear my lord, I weened that the hunt should be
in the Spessart (7) wood, therefore sent I thither the wine.
Though we may not drink today, how well will I avoid this in the
future!"
At this Lord Siegfried spake: "Small thanks ye'll get for that.
One should have brought me hither seven sumpter loads of mead and
mulled wine. (8) If that might not be, then men should have
placed our benches nearer to the Rhine."
Then spake Hagen of Troneg: "Ye noble knights and bold, I wot
near by a good cold spring. Let us go thither, that ye wax not
wroth."
To the danger of many a knight was this counsel given. The pangs
of thirst now plagued the warrior Siegfried. He bade the tables
be borne away the sooner, for he would go to the spring in the
mountains. With false intent the counsel was then given by the
knights. They bade the game which Siegfried's hand had slain, be
carried home on wains. Whoever saw it gave him great laud.
Hagen of Troneg now foully broke his troth to Siegfried. When
they would hence to the broad linden, he spake: "It hath oft been
told me, that none can keep pace with Kriemhild's husband when he
be minded for to race. Ho, if he would only let us see it here!"
Bold Siegfried from Netherland then answered: "Ye can well test
that, and ye will run a race with me to the spring. When that is
done, we call give the prize to him who winneth."
"So let us try it then," quoth Hagen, the knight.
Spake the sturdy Siegfried: "Then will I lay me down on the green
sward at your feet." (9)
How lief it was to Gunther, when he heard these words! Then the
bold knight spake again: "I'll tell you more. I'll take with me
all my trappings, my spear and shield and all my hunting garb."
Around him he quickly girded his quiver and his sword.
Then they drew the clothes from off their limbs; men saw them
stand in two white shifts. Like two wild panthers through the
clover they ran, but men spied bold Siegfried first at the
spring. In all things he bare away the prize from many a man.
Quickly he ungirt his sword and laid aside his quiver and leaned
the stout spear against a linden bough. The lordly stranger
stood now by the flowing spring. Passing great was Siegfried's
courtesie. He laid down his shield where the spring gushed
forth, but the hero drank not, albeit he thirsted sore until the
king had drunk, who gave him evil thanks. Cool, clear, and good
was the spring. Gunther stooped down then to the flowing stream,
and when he had drunken straightened up again. Bold Siegfried
would fain also have done the same, but now he paid for his
courtesie. Hagen bare quite away from him both bow and sword and
bounded then to where he found the spear; then he looked for the
mark on bold Siegfried's coat. As Lord Siegfried drank above the
spring, he pierced him through the cross, so that his heart's
blood spurted from the wounds almost on Hagen's clothes.
Nevermore will hero do so foul a deed. Hagen left the spear
a-sticking in his heart and fled more madly than he ever in the
world had run from any man.
When Lord Siegfried felt the mighty wound, up from the spring he
started in a rage. From betwixt his shoulder blades a long
spear-shaft towered. He weened to find his bow or his sword, and
then had Hagen been repaid as he deserved. But when the sorely
wounded hero found no trace of his sword, then had he naught else
but his shield. This he snatched from the spring and ran at
Hagen; nor could King Gunther's man escape him. Albeit he was
wounded unto death, yet he smote so mightily that a plenty of
precious stones were shaken from the shield. The shield itself
burst quite apart. Fain would the lordly stranger have avenged
him. Now was Hagen fallen to the ground at his hands, and from
the force of the blow the glade rang loudly. Had he had a sword
in hand, then had it been Hagen's death, so sore enraged was the
wounded man. Forsooth he had good cause thereof. His hue grew
pale, he could not stand; his strength of body melted quite away,
for in bright colors he bore the signs of death. Thereafter he
was bewailed by fair dames enow.
Kriemhild's husband fell now among the flowers. Fast from his
wounds his blood was seen to gush. He began to rail, as indeed
he had great cause, at those who had planned this treacherous
death. The deadly wounded spake: "Forsooth, ye evil cowards,
what avail my services now that ye have slain me? This is my
reward that I was always faithful to you. Alas, ye have acted
ill against your kinsmen. Those of them who are born in after
days will be disgraced. Ye have avenged your wrath too sore upon
me. With shame shall ye be parted from all good warriors."
The knights all ran to where he lay slain. For enow of them it
was a hapless day. He was bewailed by those who had aught of
loyalty, and this the brave and lusty knight had well deserved.
The king of the Burgundians bemoaned his death. Quoth the deadly
wounded: "There is no need that he should weep who hath done the
damage; he doth merit mickle blame. It had been better left
undone."
Then spake the fierce Hagen: "Forsooth I wot not what ye now
bewail. All our fear and all our woe have now an end. We shall
find scant few who dare withstand us now. Well is me, that to
his rule I have put an end."
"Ye may lightly boast you," Siegfried then replied. "Had I wist
your murderous bent, I had well guarded my life against you.
None doth rue me so sore as Lady Kriemhild, my wife. Now may God
have pity that I ever had a son to whom the reproach will be made
in after days, that his kindred have slain a man with murderous
intent. If I might," so spake Siegfried, "I should rightly make
complaint of this." Piteously the deadly wounded spake again:
"Noble king, if ye will keep your troth to any in the world, then
let my dear love be commended to your grace and let it avail her
that she be your sister. For the sake of your princely courtesie
protect her faithfully. My father and my men must wait long time
for me. Never was woman sorer wounded in a loving friend."
The flowers on every side were wot with blood. With death he
struggled, but not for long, sith the sword of death had cut him
all too sorely. Then the lusty warrior and a brave could speak
no more.
When the lordlings saw that the knight was dead, they laid him on
a shield of ruddy gold and took counsel how they might conceal
that Hagen had done the deed. Enow of them spake: "Ill hath it
gone with us. Ye must all hide it and aver alike that robbers
slew Kriemhild's husband as he rode alone a-hunting through the
pine wood."
Then Hagen of Troneg spake: "I'll bring him home; I care not if
it be known to her, for she hath saddened Brunhild's heart.
Little doth it trouble me however much she weep."
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Lion." It is hardly necessary to state that lions did not
roam at large in the forests of Germany. They were,
however, frequently exhibited in the Middle Ages, and the
poet introduced one here to enhance Siegfried's fame as a
hunter.
(2) "Ure-oxen", the auerochs, or European bison, now practically
extinct.
(3) "Shelk" (M.H.G. "schelch"), probably a species of giant
deer.
(4) "Fragrance". It was believed that the odor of the panther
attracted the game. Compare the description of the panther
in the older "Physiologus", where the odor is said to
surpass that of all ointments.
(5) "Otter" translates here M.H.G. "ludem", whose exact
connotation is not known. Some interpret it to meau the
fish otter, others the "Waldschrat", a kind of faun.
(6) "Balmung", see Adventure III, note 7.
(7) "Spessart wood" lies forty to fifty miles east of Worms and
is therefore too distant for a day's hunt, but such trifles
did not disturb the poet.
(8) "Mulled wine", see Adventure VIII, note 5.
(9) "Feet". This was probably done as a handicap. The time
consumed in rising to his feet would give his opponent quite
a start.
ADVENTURE XVII
How Kriemhild Mourned Her Husband And How He Was Buried.
Then they waited for the night and crossed the Rhine. Never had
heroes hunted worse. Noble maids bewept the game they slew.
Forsooth many good warriors must needs atone for this in after
days. Now ye may hear a tale of great overweening and dire
revenge. Hagen bade carry Siegfried of the Nibelung land, thus
dead, before the bower where Kriemhild lodged. He bade place
him stealthily against the door, that she might find him when she
went forth before the break of day to matins, which Lady
Kriemhild full seldom missed through sleep.
Men rang the minster bells according to their custom. Lady
Kriemhild, the fair, now waked her many maids and bade them bring
a light and her vesture, too. Then came a chamberlain and found
Siegfried there. He saw him red with blood, his clothes all wet.
He wist not it was his lord, but with the light in his hand he
hasted to the bower and through this Lady Kriemhild learned the
baneful tale. As she would set out with her ladies for the
minster, the chamberlain spake: "Pray stay your feet, there doth
lie before the chamber a knight, slain unto death."
Kriemhild gan make passing sore wail, or ever she heard aright
that it was her husband. She began to think of Hagen's question,
of how he might protect him. Then first she suffered dole; she
renounced all pleasure at his death. To the earth she sank, not
a word she spake, and here they found lying the hapless fair.
Passing great grew Kriemhild's woe. After her faint, she
shrieked, that all the chamber rang. Then her meiny said:
"Perchance it is a stranger knight."
The blood gushed from her mouth, from dole of heart; she spake:
"'Tis Siegfried, mine own dear husband. Brunhild hath counseled
this and Hagen hath done the deed."
The lady bade them lead her to where the hero lay. With her
white hand she raised his head, and though it was red with blood,
she knew him soon. There lay the hero of the Nibelung land in
piteous guise. The gracious queen cried sadly: "Oh, woe is me of
my sorrow! Thy shield is not carved with swords, thou liest
murdered here. Wist I who hath done the deed, I'd ever plot his
death."
All her maids made mourn and wailed with their dear lady, for
they grieved full sore for their noble lord whom they had lost.
Hagen had cruelly avenged the wrath of Brunhild.
Then spake the grief-stricken dame: "Go now and wake with haste
all Siegfried's men. Tell Siegmund also of my grief, mayhap
he'll help me bewail brave Siegfried."
A messenger ran quickly to where lay Siegfried's warriors from
the Nibelung land, and with his baleful tidings stole their joy.
They could scarce believe it, till they heard the weeping. Right
soon the messenger came to where the king did lie. Siegmund, the
lord, was not asleep. I trow his heart did tell him what had
happed. Never again might he see his dear son alive.
"Awake, Sir Siegmund; Kriemhild, my lady, bade me go to fetch
you. A wrong hath been done her that doth cut her to the heart,
more than all other ills. Ye must help her mourn, for much it
doth concern you."
Siegmund sat up; he spake: "What are fair Kriemhild's ills, of
which thou tellest me?"
Weeping the messenger spake: "I cannot hide them from you; alas,
bold Siegfried of Netherland is slain."
Quoth Siegmund: "For my sake let be this jesting and such evil
tales, that thou shouldst tell any that he be dead, for I might
never bewail him fully before my death."
"If ye will believe naught of what ye hear me say, then you may
hear yourself Kriemhild and all her maids bewailing Siegfried's
death."
Siegmund then was sore affrighted, as indeed he had great need,
He and a hundred of his men sprang from their beds and grasped
with their hands their long sharp swords. In sorrow they ran
toward the sound of wail. Then came a thousand men-at-arms, bold
Siegfried's men. When they heard the ladies wail so pitifully,
some first grew ware that they should dress them. Forsooth they
lost their wits for very sorrow. Great heaviness was buried in
their hearts.
Then King Siegmund came to where he found Kriemhild. He spake:
"Alas for the journey hither to this land! Who hath so foully
bereft me of my child and you of your husband among such good
friends?"
"Oh, if I knew him," spake the noble wife, "neither my heart nor
soul would ever wish him well. I would plan such ill against him
that his kin must ever weep because of me."
Around the prince Lord Siegmund threw his arms. So great grew
the sorrow of his kin, that the palace, the hall, and the town of
Worms resounded from the mighty wail and weeping. None might now
comfort Siegfried's wife. They stripped off the clothes from his
fair body; they washed his wounds and laid him on the bier. Woe
were his people from their mighty grief. Then spake his warriors
from the Nibelung land: "Our hands be ever ready to avenge him;
he liveth in this castle who hath done the deed."
All of Siegfried's men hasted then to arms. These chosen knights
came with their shields, eleven hundred men-at-arms, whom Lord
Siegmund had in his troop. He would fain avenge the death of his
son, as indeed he had great need. They wist not to whom they
should address their strife, unless it be to Gunther and his men,
with whom Lord Siegfried had ridden to the hunt.
Kriemhild saw them armed, which rued her sore. However great her
grief and how dire her need, yet she did so mightily fear the
death of the Nibelungs at the hands of her brothers' liegemen,
that she tried to hinder it. In kindly wise she warned them, as
kinsmen do to loving kin. The grief-stricken woman spake: "My
Lord Siegmund, what will ye do? Ye wot naught aright; forsooth
King Gunther hath so many valiant men, ye will all be lost, and
ye would encounter these knights."
With their shields uncovered, the men stood eager for the fight.
The noble queen both begged and bade that the lusty knights avoid
it. When they would not give it over, sorely it grieved her.
She spake: "Lord Siegmund, ye must let it be until more fitting
time, then I'll avenge my husband with you. An' I receive proof
who hath bereft me of him, I'll do him scathe. There be too many
haughty warriors by the Rhine, wherefore I will not counsel you
to fight. They have full well thirty men to each of ours. Now
God speed them, as they deserve of us. Stay ye here and bear
with me my dole. When it beginneth to dawn, help me, ye lusty
knights, to coffin the dear husband of mine."
Quoth the knights: "That shall be done."
None might tell you all the marvel of knights and ladies, how
they were heard to wail, so that even in the town men marked the
sound of weeping. The noble burghers hasted hither. With the
guests they wept, for they, too, were sore aggrieved. None had
told them of any guilt of Siegfried, or for what cause the noble
warrior lost his life. The wives of the worthy burghers wept
with the ladies of the court. Men bade smiths haste to work a
coffin of silver and of gold, mickle and strong, and make it firm
with strips of good hard steel. Sad of heart were all the folk.
The night was gone, men said the day was dawning. Then the noble
lady bade them bear Lord Siegfried, her loved husband, to the
minster. Whatever friends he had there were seen weeping as they
went. Many bells were ringing as they brought him to the church.
On every side one heard the chant of many priests. Then came
King Gunther with his men and grim Hagen also toward the sound
of wail. He spake: "Alas for thy wrongs, clear sister, that we
may not be free from this great scathe. We must ever lament for
Siegfried's death."
"That ye do without cause," spake the sorrow-laden wife. "Were
this loth to you, it never would have happed. I may well aver,
ye thought not on me, when I thus was parted from my dear
husband. Would to God," quoth Kriemhild, "that it had happed to
me."
Firmly they made denial. Kriemhild gan speak: "Whoso declareth
him guiltless, let him show that now. He must walk to the bier
before all the folk; thereby one may know the truth eftsoon."
This is a great marvel, which oft doth hap; whenever the blood-
stained murderer is seen to stand by the dead, the latter's
wounds do bleed, (1) as indeed happed here, whereby one saw the
guilt was Hagen's. The wounds bled sore, as they had done at
first. Much greater grew the weeping of those who wailed afore.
Then spake King Gunther: "I'd have you know that robbers slew
him; Hagen did not do the deed."
"I know these robbers well," quoth she. "Now may God yet let his
friends avenge it. Certes, Gunther and Hagen, 'twas done by
you."
Siegfried's knights were now bent on strife. Then Kriemhild
spake again: "Now share with me this grief."
Gernot, her brother, and young Giselher, these twain now came to
where they found him dead. They mourned him truly with the
others; Kriemhild's men wept inly. Now should mass be sung, so
on every side, men, wives, and children did hie them to the
minster. Even those who might lightly bear his loss, wept then
for Siegfried. Gernot and Giselher spake: "Sister mine, now
comfort thee after this death, as needs must be. We'll try to
make it up to thee, the while we live."
Yet none in the world might give her comfort. His coffin was
ready well towards midday. From the bier whereon he lay they
raised him. The lady would not have that he be buried, so that
all the folk had mickle trouble. In a rich cloth of silk they
wound the dead. I ween, men found none there that did not weep.
Uta, the noble dame, and all her meiny mourned bitterly the
stately man. When it was noised abroad that men sang in the
minster and had encoffined him, then rose a great press of folk.
What offerings they made for his soul's sake! He had good
friends enow among these foes. Poor Kriemhild spake to her
chamberlains: "Ye must now be put to trouble for my sake, ye who
wished him well and be my friends. For Siegfried's soul shall ye
deal out his gold."
No child, however small, that had its wits, but must go to
service, or ever he was buried. Better than a hundred masses
were sung that day. Great throng was there of Siegfried's
friends.
When that mass was sung, the folk went hence. Then Lady
Kriemhild spake: "Pray let me not hold vigil over the chosen
knight this night alone. With him all my joys have come to fall.
I will let him lie in state three days and nights, until I sate
me with my dear lord. What if God doth bid that death should
take me too. Then had ended well the grief of me, poor
Kriemhild."
The people of the town returned now to their lodgeings. She
begged the priests and monks and all his retinue, that served the
knight, to stay. They spent full evil nights and toilsome days;
many a man remained without all food and drink. For those who
would partake, it was made known that men would give them to the
full. This Sir Siegmund purveyed. Then were the Nibelungs made
acquaint with mickle toil. During the three days, as we hear
tell, those who knew how to sing, were made to bear a deal of
work. What offerings men brought them! Those who were very
poor, grew rich enow. Whatever of poor men there were, the which
had naught, these were bid go to mass with gold from Siegfried's
treasure chamber. Since he might not live, many thousand marks
of gold were given for his soul. She dealt out well-tilled
lands, wherever cloisters and pious folk were found. Enow of
gold and silver was given to the poor. By her deeds she showed
that she did love him fondly.
Upon the third morning at time of mass, the broad churchyard by
the minster was full of weeping country folk. They served him
after death, as one should do to loving kin. In the four days,
as hath been told, full thirty thousand marks or better still
were given to the poor for his soul's sake. Yet his great beauty
and his life lay low. When God had been served and the chants
were ended, much people fought 'gainst monstrous grief. Men bade
bear him from the minster to the grave. Those were seen to weep
and wail who missed him most. With loud laments the people
followed hence; none was merry, neither wife nor man. They sang
and read a service before they buried him. Ho, what good priests
were present at his burial! Ere Siegfried's wife was come to the
grave, her faithful heart was rung with grief, so that they must
needs oft sprinkle her with water from the spring. Her pain was
passing great; a mickle wonder it was that she ever lived. Many
a lady helped her in her plaint.
Then spake the queen: "Ye men of Siegfried, by your loyalty must
ye prove your love to me. Let me receive this little favor after
all my woe, that I may see once more his comely head."
She begged so long, with griefs strong will, that they must needs
break open the lordly casket. Then men brought the lady to where
he lay. With her white hand she raised his fair head and kissed
the noble knight and good, thus dead. Tears of blood her bright
eyes wept from grief. Then there happed a piteous parting. Men
bare her hence, she could not walk, and soon they found the high-
born lady lying senseless. Fain would the lovely fair have died
of grief.
When they had now buried the noble lord, those who were come with
him from the Nibelung land were seen to suffer from unmeasured
grief. Men found Siegmund full seldom merry then. There were
those that for three days would neither eat nor drink for passing
grief. Yet might they not so waste away their bodies, but that
they recovered from their sorrows, as still happeneth oft enow.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Bleed". This was not only a popular superstition, but also
a legal practice in case of a murder when the criminal had
not been discovered, or if any one was suspected. The
suspected person was requested to approach the bier and
touch the body, in the belief that the blood would flow
afresh if the one touching the body were guilty. Our
passage is the first instance of its mention in German
literature. A similar one occurs in "Iwein", 1355-1364.
The usage was also known in France and England. See the
instances quoted by Jacob Grimm in his "Rechtsaltertumer",
930.
ADVENTURE XVIII
How Siegmund Journeyed Home Again.
Kriemhild's husband's father went to where he found her. Unto
the queen he spake: "We must unto our land; by the Rhine, I ween,
we be unwelcome guests. Kriemhild, dear lady, now journey with
me to my lands. Albeit treachery here in these lands hath bereft
us of your noble husband, yet should ye not requite this. I will
be friendly to you for my dear son's sake, of this shall ye have
no doubt. Ye shall have, my lady, all the power which Siegfried,
the bold knight, gave you aforetime. The land and also the crown
shall be subject to you. All Siegfried's men shall serve you
gladly."
Then the squires were told that they must ride away. A mickle
hurrying for steeds was seen, for they were loth to stay with
their deadly foes. Men bade dames and maidens seek their robes.
When that King Siegmund would fain have ridden forth, Kriemhild's
mother gan beg her that she stay there with her kindred.
The royal lady answered: "That might hardly hap. How could I
bear the sight of him from whom such great wrong hath happed to
me, poor wife?"
Then spake young Giselher: "Dear sister mine, by thy troth thou
shouldst stay here with thy mother. Thou dost need no service of
them that have grieved thee and saddened thy mood. Live from my
goods alone."
To the warrior she spake: "Certes, it may not hap, for I should
die of dole whenever I should gaze on Hagen."
"I'll give thee rede for that, dear sister mine. Thou shalt live
with thy brother Giselher, and of a truth I'll comfort thee of
thy husband's death."
Then answered the hapless wife: "Of that hath Kriemhild need."
When the youth had made her such kindly offer, then gan Uta and
Gernot and her faithful kin entreat. They begged her to tarry
there, for but little kith she had among Siegfried's men.
"They be all strangers to you," spake Gernot; "none that liveth
is so strong but that he must come to die. Consider that, dear
sister, and console your mind. Stay with your kinsfolk; ye shall
fare well in truth."
Then she made vow to Giselher that she would stay. The steeds
were brought for Siegfried's men, sith they would ride to the
Nibelung land. Also all the trappings of the knights were packed
upon the sumpters. Then the Lord Siegmund hied him to
Kriemhild's side. To the lady he spake: "Siegfried's men are
waiting by the steeds. Now must we ride away, for I be ill
content in Burgundy."
The Lady Kriemhild then replied: "All that I have of faithful kin
advise me that I stay here with them; I have no kith in the
Nibelung land."
Loth it was to Siegmund, when that he found Kriemhild of this
mind. He spake: "Let no one tell you that. Before all my
kinsmen ye shall wear the crown with such sovran power as ye did
aforetime. Ye shall not suffer, because we have lost the knight.
Ride also with us home again, for the sake of your little child.
Lady, ye should not leave him orphaned. When your son groweth
up, he will comfort your heart. Meanwhile many bold heroes and
good shall serve you."
"Sir Siegmund," quoth she, "forsooth I like not for to ride.
Whatever fortune, here must I tarry with my kindred, who help me
mourn."
These tales gan now displease the doughty warriors. All spake
alike: "We might well aver that now first hath ill befallen us.
If ye would stay here with our foes, then have heroes never
ridden to court more sorrowfully."
"Ye shall journey free of care, commended unto God; ye shall be
given safe-conduct to Siegmund's land, I'll bid them guard you
well. To the care of you knights shall my dear child be given."
When they marked that she would not go hence, then wept all of
Siegmund's men alike. How right sorrowfully Siegmund parted
then from Lady Kriemhild! He became acquaint with grief. "Woe
worth this courtly feasting," spake the noble king. "Through
pastime will nevermore hap to king or to his kinsmen, what here
hath happed to us. Men shall see us nevermore in Burgundy."
Then Siegfried's men spake openly: "A journey to this land might
still take place, if we discovered aright him who slew our lord.
Enow of his kinsmen be their deadly foes."
He kissed Kriemhild; how sorrowfully he spake, when he perceived
aright that she would stay: "Now let us ride joyless home unto
our land, now first do I feel all my sorrow."
Down to the Rhine from Worms they rode without an escort. They
were surely of the mind that they, the bold Nibelungs, could well
defend them, should they be encountered in hostile wise. Leave
they asked of none, but Gernot and Giselher were seen to go to
Siegmund in loving wise. These brave and lusty knights convinced
him that they mourned his loss. Courteously Prince Gernot spake:
"God in heaven knoweth well that I be not to blame for
Siegfried's death, nor heard I ever that any was his foe. I
mourn him justly."
Giselher, the youth, gave them then safe-conduct. Sorrowly he
led them from the land home to Netherland. How few kinsman were
found joyous then!
How they now fared at Worms I cannot tell. All time men heard
Kriemhild mourn, so that none might comfort her heart nor mind,
save Giselher alone; loyal he was and good. Brunhild, the fair,
sate in overweening pride. How Kriemhild wept, she recked not,
nor did she ever show her love or troth. Lady Kriemhild wrought
her in after days the bitterest woe of heart.
ADVENTURE XIX
How The Nibelung Hoard Was Brought to Worms.
When the noble Kriemhild thus was widowed, the Margrave Eckewart
with his vassals stayed with her in the land, and served her
alway. He also often helped his mistress mourn his lord. At
Worms, hard by the minster, they built for her a dwelling, broad
and passing large, costly and great, where, with her maids, she
since dwelt joyless. She liked for to go to church and did this
willingly. Where her love lay buried, thither she went all time
in mournful mood (how seldom she gave that over). She prayed the
good God to have mercy on her soul. With great fidelity she
bewept the knight full oft. Uta and her meiny comforted her all
time, but so sorely wounded was her heart, that it booted naught,
whatever comfort men did offer her. She had the greatest longing
for her dear love, that ever wife did have for loving husband.
One might see thereby her passing virtue; until her end she
mourned, the while life lasted. In after days brave Siegfried's
wife avenged herself with might.
Thus she dwelt after her sorrow, after her husband's death, and
this is true, well three and one half years, that she spake no
word to Gunther, nor did she see her foeman Hagen in all this
time.
Then spake Hagen of Troneg: "If ye could compass it to make your
sister friendly, then might come to these lands the gold of
Nibelung. Of this might ye win great store, an' the queen would
be our friend."
The king made answer: "Let us try. My brothers bide with her; we
will beg them to bring it to pass that she be our friend, if
perchance she might gladly see us win the hoard."
"I trow not," spake Hagen, "that it will ever hap."
Then he bade Ortwin and the Margrave Gere go to court. When that
was done, Gernot and Giselher, the youth, were also brought.
They tried it with the Lady Kriemhild in friendly wise. Brave
Gernot of Burgundy spake: "Lady, ye mourn too long for
Siegfried's death. The king will give you proof that he hath not
slain him. We hear you mourn all time so greatly."
She spake: "None chargeth him with this. 'Twas Hagen's hand that
struck him, where he could be wounded. When he learned this of
me, how could I think that he did bear him hate? Else had I
guarded against this full well," spake the queen, "so that I had
not betrayed his life; then would I, poor wife, leave off my
weeping. I'll never be a friend of him that did the deed." Then
Giselher, the full stately man, began implore.
When at last she spake: "I will greet the king," men saw him
stand before her with his nearest kin, but Hagen durst not come
before her. Well he wot his guilt; 'twas he had caused her dole.
When now she would forego her hate of Gunther, so that he might
kiss her, it had befitted him better had she not been wronged by
his advice; then might he have gone boldly unto Kriemhild.
Nevermore was peace between kindred brought to pass with so many
tears; her loss still gave her woe. All, save the one man alone,
she pardoned. None had slain him, had not Hagen done the deed.
Not long thereafter they brought it to pass that Lady Kriemhild
gained the hoard from the Nibelung land and brought it to the
Rhine. It was her marriage morning gift (1) and was hers by
right. Giselher and Gernot rode to fetch it. Kriemhild ordered
eighty hundred men, that they should bring it from where it lay
hid, where it was guarded by the knight Alberich (2) and his
nearest kin. When they saw those from the Rhine coming for the
hoard, Alberich, the bold, spake to his friends: "Naught of the
treasure dare we withhold from her, sith the noble queen averreth
it to be her marriage morning gift. Yet should this never be
done," quoth Alberich, "but that with Siegfried we have foully
lost the good Cloud Cloak, for fair Kriemhild's love did wear it
alway. Now, alas, it hath fared ill with Siegfried, that the
hero bereft us of the Cloud Cloak and that all this land did have
to serve him."
Then went the warder to where he found the keys. Before the
castle stood Kriemhild's liegemen and a deal of her kinsfolk.
Men bade carry the treasure hence to the sea, down to the boats;
one bare it then upon the waves to the mountains on the Rhine.
Now may ye hear marvels of the hoard, the which twelve huge
wains, packed full, were just able to bear away from the hill in
four days and nights and each must make the trip three times a
day. There was naught else but gems and gold, and had men paid
therewith the wage of all the world, not a mark less had it been
in worth. Forsooth Hagen did not crave it so without good cause.
The greatest prize of all was a wishing-rod (3) of gold. He who
knew its nature, might well be master over any man in all the
world.
Many of Alberich's kinsmen journeyed with Gernot hence. When
they stored away the hoard in Gunther's land and the queen took
charge of everything, chambers and towers were filled therewith.
Never did men hear tales told of such wondrous store of goods.
And had it been a thousand times as much, if the Lord Siegfried
were but alive again, Kriemhild would fain have stood empty-
handed at his side. No more faithful wife did hero ever win.
Now that she had the hoard, she brought many unknown warriors to
the land. In truth the lady's hand gave in such wise that men
have never seen such bounty more. She used great courtesie; men
owned this of the queen. To the rich and the poor she began to
give so greatly that Hagen said, should she live yet a while, she
would gain so many a man for her service that they would fare
full ill.
Then spake King Gunther: "Her life and her goods be hers. How
shall I hinder that she do with them as she will? Forsooth I
hardly compassed it, that she became thus much my friend. Let us
not reck to whom she deal out her silver and her gold."
Spake Hagen to the king: "No doughty man should leave to any wife
aught of the heard. With her gifts she'll bring about the day
when it well may rue the brave Burgundians sore."
Then spake King Gunther: "I swore an oath, that nevermore would I
do her harm, and will keep it further, for she is my sister."
Spake then Hagen: "Let me be the guilty one."
Few of their oaths were kept. From the widow they took the
mighty store and Hagen made him master of all the keys. This
vexed her brother Gernot, when he heard the tale aright. Lord
Giselher spake: "Hagen hath done my sister much of harm; I
should prevent it. It would cost him his life, were he not my
kin."
Siegfried's wife shed tears anew. Then spake the Lord Gernot:
"Or ever we be imperiled by the gold, we should have it sunk
entirely in the Rhine, that it belong to none."
Full pitifully she went before her brother Giselher. She spake:
"Dear brother, thou shouldst think of me and be the guardian of
both my life and goods."
Quoth he then to the lady: "That shall be done when we return
again, for now we think to ride."
The king and his kindred voided then the land, the very best
among them that one might find. Only Hagen alone remained at
home, through the hatred he bare to Kriemhild, and did so
willingly. Before the king was come again, Hagen had taken the
treasure quite and sunk it all at Loche, (4) in the Rhine. He
weened to use it, but that might not be. The lordings came again
and with them many men. With her maids and ladies Kriemhild gan
bewail her passing loss, for sore it grieved them. Gladly would
Giselher have helped in all good faith. All spake alike: "He
hath done wrong."
Hagen avoided the princes' wrath, until he gained their favor.
They did him naught, but Kriemhild might never have borne him
greater hate. Before Hagen of Troneg thus hid the treasure, they
had sworn with mighty oaths that it should lie concealed as long
as any one of them might live. Later they could not give it to
themselves or any other.
Kriemhild's mind was heavy with fresh sorrow over her husband's
end, and because they had taken from her all her wealth. Her
plaints ceased not in all her life, down to her latest day.
After Siegfried's death, and this is true, she dwelt with many a
grief full thirteen years, that she could not forget the
warrior's death. She was true to him, as most folk owned.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Marriage morning gift" was the gift which it was customary
for the bridegroom to give the bride on the morning after
the bridal night. On this custom see Weinhold, "Deutsche
Frauen im Mittelalter", i, p. 402.
(2) "A1berich", see Adventure III, note 8. It is characteristic
of the poem that even this dwarf is turned into a knight.
(3) "Wishing-rod", a magic device for discovering buried
treasure. Cf. Grimm, "Deutsche Mythologie, ii, 813.
(4) "Loche", according to Piper, is the modern "Locheim" in the
Rhine province.
ADVENTURE XX
How King Etzel (1) Sent To Burgundy For Kriemhild.
That was in a time when Lady Helca (2) died and the king Etzel
sought another wife, that his friends advised his marriage to a
proud widow in the Burgundian land, hight Lady Kriemhild. Since
fair Helca was dead, they spake: "Would ye gain a noble wife, the
highest and the best king ever won, then take this same lady; the
stalwart Siegfried was her husband."
Then spake the mighty king: "How might that chance, sith I am
heathen and be christened not a whit, whereas the lady is a
Christian and therefore would not plight her troth? It would be
a marvel, and that ever happed."
The doughty warriors answered: "What if she do it, perchance, for
the sake of your high name and your mickle goods? One should at
least make a trial for the noble dame. Well may ye love the
stately fair."
The noble king then spake: "Which of you be acquaint with the
people and the land by the Rhine?"
Up spake then the good knight Rudeger of Bechelaren: (3) "I have
known from a child the three noble and lordly kings, Gunther and
Gernot, the noble knights and good; the third hight Giselher.
Each of them doth use the highest honors and courtesie, as their
forebears, too, have always done."
Then answered Etzel: "Friend, I prithee, tell me whether she
should wear the crown in this my land. An' she be so fair, as
hath been told me, it shall never rue my dearest kin."
"She compareth well in beauty with my Lady Helca, the royal
queen. Certes, there might not be in all this world a king's
bride more fair. He may well be of good cheer to whom she plight
her troth."
He spake: "So bring it to pass, Rudeger, as I be dear to thee;
and if ever I do lie at Kriemhild's side, I will requite thee for
it as best I may. Then hast thou done my will in fullest wise.
From my treasure chambers I will bid thee be given such store of
horses, of clothes and all thou wilt, that thou and thy
fellowship may live full merrily. I'll bid full plenty of these
things be made ready against thine errand."
To this the lordly margrave Rudeger replied: "Craved I thy goods,
that were not worthy of praise. With mine own goods, which I
have from thy hands, will I gladly be thy envoy to the
Rhine."
Then spake the mighty king: "Now when wilt thou ride for the
fair? May God keep thee and my lady in all worship on the
journey. May fortune help me, that she look with favor on my
suit."
Rudeger made answer: "Ere we void the land, we must first make
ready arms and trappings, that we may stand with honor before
princes. I will lead to the Rhine five hundred stately men, that
wherever in Burgundy I and mine be seen, all may say of thee:
`Never did any king send afar so many men in better wise than
thou hast done to the Rhine.' If thou, O mighty king, wilt not
turn back on this account, I'll tell thee that her noble love was
subject unto Siegfried, Siegmund's son. Him thou hast seen here.
(4) Men could in right truth ascribe to him great worship."
Then spake King Etzel: "Tho' she was the warrior's wife, yet was
the noble prince so peerless that I should not disdain the queen.
She liketh me well for her passing beauty."
The margrave answered: "Then I will tell thee that we will start
hence in four and twenty days. I'll send word to Gotelind, my
dear lady, that I myself will be the messenger to Kriemhild."
Rudeger sent word to Bechelaren, at which the margravine grew
both sorrowful and proud. He told her he should woo for the king
a wife. Lovingly she thought on Helca, the fair. When the
margravine heard the message, a deal she rued it; weeping
beseemed her at the thought whether she should gain a lady as
afore. When she thought on Helca, it grieved her heart full
sore.
Rudeger should ride in seven days from Hungary; lusty and merry
King Etzel was at this. There in the town of Vienna men prepared
their weeds. Then might he no longer delay his journey. At
Bechelaren Gotelind awaited him; the young margravine, too,
Rudeger's child, gladly saw her father and his men. Many fair
maids awaited them with joy. Ere the noble Rudeger rode from the
city of Vienna to Bechelaren, all their clothes were placed upon
the sumpters. They journeyed in such wise that not a whit was
taken from them.
When they were come to tho town of Bechelaren, the host full
lovingly bade lodge his fellowship and ease them well. The noble
Gotelind saw the host come gladly, as likewise his dear daughter
did, the young margravine. To her his coming could not be
liefer. How fain she was to see the heroes from the Hunnish
land! With smiling mien the noble maiden spake: "Now be my
father and his men full welcome here."
Then great thanks were given to the young margravine by many a
doughty knight in courteous wise. Well wot Gotelind Sir
Rudeger's mood. When at night she lay close by his side, what
kindly questions the margravine put, whither the king of the
Huns had sent him. He spake: "My Lady Gotelind, I'll gladly
make this known to thee. I must woo another lady for my lord,
sith that the fair Helca hath died. I will ride for Kriemhild to
the Rhine; she shall become a mighty queen here among the Huns."
"Would to God," spake Gotelind, "an' that might hap, sith we do
hear such speech of her many honors, that she might perchance
replace our lady for us in our old age, and that we might be fain
to let her wear the crown in Hungary."
Then spake the margrave: "My love, ye must offer to those who are
to ride with me to the Rhine, your goods in loving wise. When
heroes travel richly, then are they of lofty mood."
She spake: "There be none that taketh gladly from my hand, to
whom I would not give what well beseemeth him, or ever ye and
your men part hence."
Quoth the margrave: "That doth like me well."
Ho, what rich cloths of silk were borne from their treasure
chambers! With enow of this the clothing of the noble warriors
was busily lined from the neck down to their spurs. Rudeger had
chosen only men that pleased him well.
On the seventh morning the host and his warriors rode forth from
Bechelaren. Weapons and clothes a plenty they took with them
through the Bavarian land. Seldom did men assail them on the
highways for robbery's sake, and within twelve days they reached
the Rhine. Then might the tidings not be hid; men told it to the
king and to his liegemen, that stranger guests were come. The
host gan say, if any knew them, he should tell him so. One saw
their sumpters bear right heavy loads. 'Twas seen that they were
passing rich.
Anon in the broad town men purveyed them quarters. When that the
many strangers had been lodged, these same lords were gazed upon
full oft. The people wondered from whence these warriors were
come to the Rhine. The host now sent for Hagen, if perchance
they might be known to him. Then spake the knight of Troneg:
"None of them have I ever seen, but when we now gaze upon them, I
can tell you well from whence they ride hither to this land.
They must indeed be strangers, an' I know them not full soon."
(5)
Lodgings were now taken for the guests. The envoy and his
fellowship were come in passing costly vesture. To the court
they rode wearing good garments, cut in full cunning wise. Then
spake the doughty Hagen: "As well as I can tell, for I have not
seen the lord long time, they ride as if 'twere Rudeger from the
Hunnish land, a lordly knight and a brave."
"How can I believe," spake at once the king, "that the lord of
Bechelaren be come to this land?"
When King Gunther had ended his speech, Hagen, the brave, espied
the good knight Rudeger. He and his friends all ran to meet
them. Then five hundred knights were seen dismounting from their
steeds. Fair were the men from Hungary greeted; messengers had
never worn such lordly clothes. Then Hagen of Troneg spake full
loudly: "Now be these knights, the lord of Bechelaren and all his
men, welcome in God's name."
With worship the speedy knights were greeted. The next of kin to
the king went to where they stood. Ortwin of Metz spake to
Rudeger: "Never have we seen guests so gladly here at any time.
This I can truly say."
On all sides they thanked the warriors for their greeting. With
all their fellowship they hied them to the hall, where they found
the king and with him many a valiant man. The lords rose from
their seats; through their great chivalry this was done. How
right courteously he met the messengers! Gunther and Gernot
greeted the stranger and his vassals warmly, as was his due. He
took the good knight Rudeger by the hand and led him to the seat
where he sat himself. Men bade pour out for the guests (full
gladly this was done) passing good mead and the best of wine that
one might find in the land along the Rhine. Giselher and Gere
both were come; Dankwart and Folker, too, had heard about the
strangers. Merry they were of mood and greeted before the king
the noble knights and good.
Then spake Hagen of Troneg to his lord: "These thy knights should
ever requite what the margrave for our sake hath done; for this
should the husband of fair Gotelind receive reward."
King Gunther spake: "I cannot hold my peace; ye must tell me how
fare Etzel and Helca of the Hunnish land."
To this the margrave now made answer: "I'll gladly let you know."
He rose from his seat with all his men and spake to the king:
"An' may that be that ye permit me, O prince, so will I not
conceal the tidings that I bring, but will tell them willingly."
Quoth the king: "The tidings that have been sent us through you,
these I'll let you tell without the rede of friends. Pray let me
and my vassals hear them, for I begrudge you no honor that ye
here may gain."
Then spake the worthy envoy: "My great master doth commend to you
upon the Rhine his faithful service and to all the kinsmen ye may
have. This message is sent in all good faith. The noble king
bade complain to you his need. His folk is joyless; my lady, the
royal Helca, my master's wife, is dead. Through her hath many a
high-born maid been orphaned, daughters of noble princes, whom
she hath trained. Therefore it standeth full piteously in his
land; they have alas none that might befriend them faithfully.
The king's grief, I ween, will abate but slowly."
"Now God reward him," spake Gunther, "that he so willingly
commendeth his service to me and to my kin. Full gladly have I
here heard his greeting, and this both my kindred and my men
shall fain requite."
Then spake the warrior Gernot of Burgundy: "The world must ever
rue fair Helca's death, for her many courtesies, which she well
knew how to use."
With this speech Hagen, the passing stately knight, agreed.
Then answered Rudeger, the noble and lordly envoy: "Sith ye
permit me, O king, I shall tell you more, the which my dear lord
hath hither sent you, sith he doth live so right sorrowfully in
longing after Helca. Men told my lord that Kriemhild be without
a husband, that Sir Siegfried be dead. If this be so, then shall
she wear a crown before Etzel's knights, would ye but permit her.
This my sovran bade me say."
Then spake the mighty king, full courteous was his mood: "And she
care to do this, she shall hear my pleasure. This will I make
known to you in these three days. Why should I refuse King Etzel
before I've learned her wish?"
Meanwhile men bade purvey good easement for the guests. They
were served so well that Rudeger owned he had good friends there
among Gunthers men. Hagen served him gladly, as Rudeger had done
to him of yore. Till the third day Rudeger thus remained. The
king sent for his counsel (full wisely he acted) to see whether
his kinsmen would think it well that Kriemhild take King Etzel to
husband. All together they advised it, save Hagen alone. He
spake to Gunther, the knight: "Have ye but the right wit, ye will
take good care that ye never do this, tho' she were fain to
follow."
"Why," spake then Gunther, "should I not consent? Whatever
pleasure happen to the queen, I should surely grant her this; she
is my sister. We ourselves should bring it to pass, if perchance
it might bring her honor."
Then answered Hagen: "Give over this speech. Had ye knowledge of
Etzel as have I, and should she harry him, as I hear you say,
then first hath danger happed to you by right."
"Why?" quoth Gunther. "I'll take good care that I come not so
near him that I must suffer aught of hatred on his part, an' she
become his wife."
Said Hagen: "Never will I give you this advice."
For Gernot and Giselher men bade send to learn whether the two
lords would think it well that Kriemhild should take the mighty
and noble king. Hagen still gainsaid, but no one other. Then
spake the knight Giselher of Burgundy: "Friend Hagen, ye may
still show your fealty. Make her to forget the wrongs that ye
have done her. Whatever good fortune she may have, this ye
should not oppose. Ye have in truth done my sister so many an
ill," continued Giselher, the full lusty knight, "that she hath
good cause, if she be angry with you. Never hath one bereft a
lady of greater joys."
Quoth Hagen: "I'll do you to wit what well I know. If she take
Etzel and live long enow, she'll do us still much harm in
whatever way she can. Forsooth full many a stately vassal will
own her service."
To this brave Gernot answered: "It may not happen, that we ever
ride to Etzel's land before they both be dead. Let us serve her
faithfully, that maketh for our honor."
Again Hagen spake: "None can gainsay me, an' the noble Kriemhild
wear the crown of Helca, she will do us harm as best she may. Ye
should give it over, 'twould beseem you knights far better."
Wrathfully then spake Giselher, fair Uta's son: "Let us not all
act as traitors. We should be glad of whatever honors may be
done her. Whatever ye may say, Hagen, I shall serve her by my
troth."
Gloomy of mood grew Hagen when he heard these words. Gernot and
Giselher, the proud knights and good, and Gunther, the mighty,
spake at last, if Kriemhild wished it, they would let it hap
without all hate.
Then spake Prince Gere: "I will tell the lady that she look with
favor upon King Etzel, to whom so many knights owe dread
obedience. He can well requite her of all the wrongs that have
been done her."
Then the doughty warrior hied him to where he saw Kriemhild.
Kindly she received him. how quickly then he spake: "Ye may well
greet me gladly and give me a messenger's meed. Fortune is about
to part you from all your woes. For the sake of your love, my
lady, one of the very best that ever gained a kingdom with great
honors, or should wear a crown, hath sent envoys hither. Noble
knights be wooing; this my brother bade me tell you."
Then spake the sorrow-laden dame: "God should forbid you and all
my kinsmen that ye make a mock of me, poor woman. What could I
be to a man who had ever gained heartfelt love from a faithful
wife?"
Sorely she gainsaid it, but then came Gernot, her brother, and
Giselher, the youth, and lovingly bade her ease her heart. It
would do her good in truth, could she but take the king.
None might persuade the lady that she should marry any man. Then
the knights begged: "If ye do naught else, pray let it hap that
ye deign to see the messengers."
"I'll not deny," spake the noble dame, "but that I should gladly
see the Margrave Rudeger for his passing courtesie. Were he not
sent hither, whoever else might be the messenger, never should he
become acquainted with me. Pray bid him come to-morrow to my
bower. I'll let him hear my will in full and tell it him
myself." At this her great laments brake forth anew.
The noble Rudeger now craved naught else but that he might see
the high-born queen. He wist himself to be so wise that she
could not but let the knight persuade her, if it should ever be.
Early on the morrow when mass was sung, the noble envoys came. A
great press arose; of those who should go to court with Rudeger,
many a lordly man was seen arrayed. Full sad of mood, the high-
born Kriemhild bided the noble envoy and good. He found her in
the weeds she wore each day, whereas her handmaids wore rich
clothes enow. She went to meet him to the door and greeted full
kindly Etzel's liegeman. Only as one of twelve he went to meet
her. Men offered him great worship, for never were come more
lofty envoys. They bade the lording and his vassals seat them.
Before her were seen to stand the two Margraves Eckewart and
Gere, the noble knights and good. None they saw merry of mood,
for the sake of the lady of the house. Many fair women were seen
to sit before her, but Kriemhild only nursed her grief; her dress
upon her breast was wot with scalding tears. This the noble
margrave noted well on Kriemhild.
Then spake the high-born messenger: "Most noble princess, I pray
you, permit me and my comrades that are come with me, to stand
before you and tell you the tidings for the sake of which we have
ridden hither."
"Now may ye speak whatso ye list," spake the queen. "I am minded
to hear it gladly; ye be a worthy messenger."
The others noted well her unwilling mood.
Then spake Prince Rudeger of Bechelaren: "Etzel, a high-born
king, hath in good faith sent you a friendly greeting, my lady,
by messengers hither to this land. Many good knights hath he
sent hither for your love. Great joy without grief he doth offer
you most truly. He is ready to give you constant friendship, as
he did afore to Lady Helca, who lay within his heart. Certes,
through longing for her virtues he hath full often joyless days."
Then spake the queen: "Margrave Rudeger, were there any who knew
my bitter sorrow, he would not bid me marry any man. Of a truth
I lost the best of husbands that ever lady won."
"What may comfort grief," the bold knight replied, "but married
joy. When that any gan gain this and chooseth one who doth
beseem him, naught availeth so greatly for woe of heart. And ye
care to love my noble master, ye shall have power over twelve
mighty crowns. Thereto my lord will give you the lands of thirty
princes, all of which his doughty hand hath overcome. Ye shall
become the mistress over many worthy liegemen, who were subject
to my Lady Helca, and over many dames of high and princely race,
who owned her sway." Thus spake the brave knight and bold.
"Thereto my lord will give you (this he bade me say), if ye would
deign to wear with him the crown, the very highest power which
Helca ever won; this shall ye rule before all Etzel's men."
Then spake the queen: "How might it ever list me to become a
hero's bride? Death hath given me in the one such dole that I
must ever live joyless unto mine end."
To this the Huns replied: "O mighty queen, your life at Etzel's
court will be so worshipful that it will ever give you joy, an'
it come to pass, for the mighty king hath many a stately knight.
Helca's damosels and your maids shall together form one retinue,
at sight of which warriors may well be blithe of mood. Be
advised, my lady, ye will fare well in truth."
With courtesie she spake: "Now let be this speech until the
morrow early, when ye shall come here again. Then will I give
you answer to what ye have in mind."
The bold knights and good must needs obey.
When all were now come to their lodgings, the noble dame bade
send for Giselher and for her mother, too. To the twain she
said, that weeping did beseem her and naught else better.
Then spake her brother Giselher: "Sister, it hath been told me,
and I can well believe it, that King Etzel would make all thy
sorrows vanish, and thou takest him to be thy husband. Whatever
others may advise, this thinketh me well done. He is well able
to turn thy grief to joy," spake Giselher again; "from the Rhone
to the Rhine, from the Elbe down to the sea, there be no other
king as mighty as he. Thou mayst well rejoice, an' he make thee
his wife."
She spake: "My dear brother, why dost thou advise me this?
Weeping and wailing beseem me better far. How should I go to
court before his knights? Had I ever beauty, of this I am now
bereft."
To her dear daughter the Lady Uta spake: "Whatever thy brothers
counsel thee, dear child, that do. Obey thy kindred and it will
go well with thee. I have seen thee now too long in thy great
grief."
Then she prayed God full oft to grant her such store of goods
that she might have gold, silver, and clothes to give, as at her
husband's side of yore, when that he was still alive and well.
Else would she never have again such happy hours. She thought
within her mind: "And shall I give my body to a paynim (6) (I am
a Christian wife), forever in the world must I bear shame. An'
he gave me all the kingdoms in the world still 1 would not do
it."
Thus she let the matter rest. All night until the break of day
the lady lay upon her bed in thought. Her bright eyes never grew
dry, till on the morn she went to matins. Just at the time for
mass the kings were come and took their sister again in hand. In
truth they urged her to wed the king of the Hunnish land; little
did any of them find the lady merry. Then they bade fetch hither
Etzel's men, who now would fain have taken their leave, whatever
the end might be, whether they gained or lost their suit.
Rudeger came now to court; his heroes urged him to learn aright
the noble prince's mind. To all it seemed well that this be done
betimes, for long was the way back into their land. Men brought
Rudeger to where Kriemhild was found. Winningly the knight gan
beg the noble queen to let him hear what message she would send
to Etzel's land. I ween, he heard from her naught else than no,
that she nevermore would wed a man. The margrave spake: "That
were ill done. Why would ye let such beauty wither? Still with
honor may ye become the bride of a worthy man."
Naught booted that they urged, till Rudeger told the noble queen
in secret that he would make amends for all that ever happed to
her. At this her great sorrow grew a deal more mild. To the
queen he spake: "Let be your weeping. If ye had none among the
Huns but me and my faithful kin and liegemen, sore must he repent
it who had ever done you aught."
At this the lady's mood grew gentler. She spake: "Then swear me
an oath, that whatever any do to me that ye will be the first to
amend my wrongs."
Quoth the margrave: "For this, my lady, I am ready."
Rudeger with all his vassals swore that he would ever serve her
faithfully and pledged his hand, that the noble knights from
Etzel's land would ne'er refuse her aught.
Then the faithful lady thought: "Sith I, wretched wife, have won
so many friends, I'll let the people say whatso they choose.
What if my dear husband's death might still be avenged?" She
thought: "Sith Etzel hath so many men-at-arms, I can do whatso I
will, an' I command them. He is likewise so rich that I shall
have wherewith to give; the baleful Hagen hath bereft me of my
goods."
To Rudeger she spake: "Had I not heard that he were a paynim,
gladly would I go whithersoever he listed and would take him to
my husband."
Then spake the margrave: "Lady, give over this speech. He hath
so many knights of Christian faith, that ye'll ever be joyful at
his court. What if ye bring it to pass, that he should let
himself be christened? Therefore may ye fain become King Etzel's
wife."
Then her brothers spake again: "Now pledge your troth, dear
sister. Ye should now give over your sadness."
They begged her till she sadly vowed before the heroes to become
King Etzel's bride. She spake: "I will obey you, I poor queen,
and fare to the Huns as soon as ever that may be, whenever I have
friends who will take me to his land."
Of this fair Kriemhild pledged her hand before the knights.
Then spake the margrave: "If ye have two liegemen, I have still
more. 'Twill be the best, that with worship we escort you across
the Rhine. No longer, lady, shall ye tarry here in Burgundy. I
have five hundred vassals and kinsmen, too; they shall serve you,
lady, and do whatso ye bid, both here and there at home. I'll do
by you the same whenever ye do mind me of the tale and never feel
ashamed. Now bid the housings for your horses be made ready
(Rudeger's counsel will never irk you) and tell it to your maids,
whom ye would take along, for many a chosen knight will meet us
on the road."
She still had harness with which they rode afore in Siegfried's
time, so that she might take with her many maidens now with
worship, whenever she would hence. Ho, what good saddles they
fetched for the comely dames! Albeit they had aye worn costly
robes, many more were now made ready, for much had been told them
of the king. They opened up the chests, which stood afore well
locked. For four and one half days they were aught but idle;
from the presses they brought forth the stores that lay therein.
Kriemhild now began to open up her treasure rooms, she fain would
make all Rudeger's liegemen rich. Of the gold from the Nibelung
land she still had such store that a hundred horses might not
bear it; she weened her hand should deal it out among the Huns.
This tale Hagen heard told of Kriemhild. He spake: "Sith
Kriemhild will not become my friend, so Siegfried's gold must
stay behind. For why should I give to my foes such great store
of goods? Well I wot what Kriemhild will do with this hoard. I
can well believe, an' she take it with her, that it will be doled
out to call forth hate against me. Nor have they steeds enow to
bear it hence. Hagen doth intend to keep it, pray tell Kriemhild
that."
When that she heard this tale, it irked her sore. It was
likewise told to all three kings. Fain would they have changed
it, but as this did not hap, the noble Rudeger spake full
blithely: "Mighty queen, why mourn ye for the gold? King Etzel
doth bear you such great love, that when his eyes do light upon
you, such store he'll give you that ye can never spend it all;
this will I swear to you, my lady."
Then spake the queen: "Most noble Rudeger, never hath king's
daughter gained such wealth as that, of which Hagen hath bereft
me."
Then came her brother Gernot to the treasure chamber. By leave
of the king in the door he thrust the key. Kriemhild's gold was
handed forth, a thousand marks or more. He bade the strangers
take it; much this pleased King Gunther.
Then spake Gotelind's knight from Bechelaren: "And had my Lady
Kriemhild all the hoard that was brought from the Nibelung land,
little of it would mine or the queen's hand touch. Now bid them
keep it, for I will none of it. Forsooth I brought from home
such store of mine that we can lightly do without this on the
road, for we be furnished for the journey in full lordly wise."
Aforr this her maids had filled twelve chests at leisure with the
very best of gold that anywhere might be. This they took with
them and great store of women's trinkets, which they should wear
upon the road. Her thought too great the might of Hagen. Of her
gold for offerings (7) she had still a thousand marks. For her
dear husband's soul she dealt it out. This Rudeger thought was
done in faithful love. Then spake the mournful lady: "Where be
now my friends who for my sake would live in exile? Let those
who would ride with me to the Hunnish land, take now my treasure
and purchase horses and trappings."
Then spake the margrave Eckewart to the queen: "Since the day I
first became your vassal, I have served you faithfully," spake
the knight, "and aye will do the same by you until mine end. I
will take with me also five hundred of my men and place them in
your service right loyally. Naught shall ever part us, save
death alone."
For this speech Kriemhild bowed her thanks; forsooth she had full
need.
Men now led forth the palfreys; for they would ride away. Then
many tears were shed by kinsfolk. Royal Uta and many a comely
maiden showed that they were sad at Kriemhild's loss. A hundred
high-born maids she took with her hence, who were arrayed as well
befit them. Then from bright eyes the tears fell down, but soon
at Etzel's court they lived to see much joy. Then came Lord
Giselher and Gernot, too, with their fellowship, as their
courtesie demanded. Fain would they escort their dear sister
hence; of their knights they took with them full a thousand
stately men. Then came Or(win and the doughty Gere; Rumolt, the
master of the kitchen, must needs be with them, too. They
purveyed them night quarters as far as the Danube's shore, but
Gunther rode no further than a little from the town. Ere they
fared hence from the Rhine, they had sent their messengers
swiftly on ahead to the Hunnish land, who should tell the king
that Rudeger had gained for him to wife the noble high-born
queen.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Etzel", see Adventure I, note 7.
(2) "Helca" (M.H.G. "Helche") or "Herka", Etzel's wife, is the
daughter of king "Oserich" or "Osantrix", as the
"Thidreksaga" calls him. In the latter work (chap. 73-80)
we read how Rudeger (Rodingeir) took her by force from her
father and brought her to Etzel to be the latter's bride.
On her identity with the historical "Kerka" of Priscus, see
Bleyer, PB. "Beit." xxxi, 542.
(3) "Rudeger of Bechelaren", or, as the name reads in the
"Thidreksaga", "Rodingeir of Bakalar", is probably not an
historical personage, but the hero of a separate legend.
Evidence of this is seen in the fact that he calls himself
an exile, though he is Etzel's mightiest vassal, with
castles and lands in fief. He may have been introduced, as
Wilmanns ("Anz." xviii 101) thinks, to play a role
originally assigned to Dietrich, who is also an exile.
Mullenhoff considered him to have been a mythical person.
Bechelaren, or Pechlarn, lies at the junction of the Erlach
with the Danube.
(4) "hast seen here". "Biterolf", 9471, relates that Dietrich
had carried Siegfried, when young, by force to Etzel's
court.
(5) "full soon". See Adventure III, note 4.
(6) "Paynim" (O F. "paienime", late Latin "paganismus"),
'heathen'.
(7) "gold for offerings". This was the gold to be used as
offering when masses were sung for Siegfried's soul.
ADVENTURE XXI
How Kriemhild Journeyed To The Huns.
Let now the messengers ride. We will do you to wit, how the
queen journeyed through the lands and where Giselher and Gernot
parted from her. They had served her as their fealty bade them.
Down to Vergen (1) on the Danube they rode; here they gan crave
leave of the queen, for they would ride again to the Rhine.
Without tears these faithful kinsmen might not part. Doughty
Giselher spake then to his sister: "Whenever, lady, thou shouldst
need me, when aught doth trouble thee, let me but know, and I
will ride in thy service to Etzel's land."
Those who were her kin she kissed upon the mouth. Lovingly they
took their leave of Margrave Rudeger's men. The queen had with
her many a fair-fashioned maid, full a hundred and four, that
wore costly robes of rich, gay-colored silks. Many broad shields
were borne close by the ladies on the road, but many a lordly
warrior turned then from her.
They journeyed soon from thence down through Bavarian land. Here
the tale was told that many unknown strangers had gathered there,
where still a cloister standeth and where the Inn floweth into
the Danube. In the town of Passau, where lived a bishop,
lodgings were soon emptied and the prince's court as well, as
they hurried forth to meet the strangers in the Bavarian land,
where the Bishop Pilgrim (2) found fair Kriemhild. The knights
of the land were little loth, when in her train they saw so many
comely maids; with their eyes they courted the daughters of noble
knights. Later good lodgings were given the noble guests.
With his niece the bishop rode toward Passau. When it was told
the burghers of the town that Kriemhild was come, their prince's
sister's child, well was she greeted by the merchants. The
bishop had the hope that they would stay. Then spake Sir
Eckewart: "That may not be. We must fare further down to
Rudeger's land. Many knights await us, for all wot well the
news."
Well wist fair Gotelind the tale. She tired her and her noble
child with care. Rudeger had sent her word that it thought him
good that she should cheer the mind of the queen by riding forth,
with his vassals to the Enns (3) for to meet her. When this
message had been given, one saw on every side the roads alive; on
foot and horse they hastened to meet their guests. Now was the
queen come to Efferding. (4) Enow there were from the Bavarian
land who might perchance have done the guests much harm, had they
robbed upon the roads, as was their wont. That had been
forestalled by the lordly margrave: he led a thousand knights or
more.
Now Gotelind, the wife of Rudeger, was come; with her there rode
many a noble knight in lordly ;vise. When they were come across
the Traun, (5) upon the plain by Enns, one saw erected huts and
tents, where the guests should have their lodgings for the night.
Rudeger gave the vitaille to his guests. Fair Gotelind left her
lodgings far behind her; along the road there trotted many a
shapely palfrey with jingling bridle. Fair was the welcome;
right well was Rudeger pleased. Among those who rode to meet
them on the way, on either side, in praiseworthy wise, was many a
knight. They practised chivalry, the which full many a maiden
saw. Nor did the service of the knights mislike the queen. When
that Rudeger's liegemen met the guests, many truncheons (6) were
seen to fly on high from the warriors' hands in knightly custom.
As though for a prize they rode before the ladies there. This
they soon gave over and many warriors greeted each other in
friendly wise. Then they escorted fair Gotelind from thence to
where she saw Kriemhild. Scant leisure had they who wot how to
serve the ladies.
The lord of Bechelaren rode now to his wife. Little it irked the
noble margravine that he was come so well and sound from the
Rhine. In part her cares had given way to .joy. When she had
welcomed him, he bade her dismount with the ladies of her train
upon the sward. Many a noble knight bestirred him and served the
ladies with eager zeal. Then Kriemhild spied the margravine
standing with her meiny. No nearer she drew, but checked the
palfrey with the bridle and bade them lift her quickly from the
saddle. Men saw the bishop with Eckewart lead his sister's child
to Gotelind. All stood aside at once. Then the exiled queen
kissed Gotelind upon the mouth. Full lovingly spake Rudeger's
wife: "Now well is me, dear lady, that I have ever seen with mine
own eyes your charming self in these our lands. Naught liefer
might hap to me in all these times."
"Now God requite you," quoth Kriemhild, "most noble Gotelind.
Shall I and Botelung's (7) son remain alive and well, it may be
lief to you that ye have seen me here."
Neither knew what must needs later hap. Many maidens went to
meet each other in courtly wise. The warriors, too, were full
ready with their service. After the greeting they sat them down
upon the clover. With many they became acquaint, who were full
strange to them aforetime. As it was now high noon, men bade
pour out wine for the ladies. The noble meiny no longer tarried,
but rode to where they found many broad pavilions; there ample
service stood ready for the guests.
That night they had repose till early on the morn. Those from
Bechelaren made ready for to lodge the worthy guests. So well
had Rudeger planned, that little enow they lacked. The
embrasures in the walls stood open, the castle at Bechelaren was
opened wide. In rode the guests whom men were fain to see; the
noble host bade purvey them proper easement. Most lovingly
Rudeger's daughter with her meiny went to welcome the queen.
There, too, stood her mother, the margrave's wife; many a high-
born maid was greeted with delight. They took each other by the
hand and hied them hence to a broad hall, fashioned full fair,
under which the Danube flowed along. Towards the breeze they
sate and held great pastime. What more they did I cannot tell,
save that Kriemhild's men-at-arms were heard to grumble that they
fared so slowly on their way, for much it irked them. Ho, what
good knights rode with them hence from Bechelaren!
Rudeger offered them much loving service. The queen gave
Gotelind's daughter twelve ruddy armlets, and raiment too, as
good as any that she brought to Etzel's land. Although the
Nibelung gold was taken from her, yet she did win the hearts of
all that saw her with the little she still might have. Great
gifts were given to the courtiers of the host. In turn the Lady
Gotelind offered the guests from the Rhine worship in such
friendly wise, that men found passing few of the strangers that
did not wear her jewels or her lordly robes.
When they had eaten and should depart, faithful service was
proffered by the lady of the house to Etzel's bride. The fair
young margravine, too, was much caressed. To the queen she
spake: "Whenso it thinketh you good, I