Books: The Nibelungenlied

T >> trans. by George Henry Needler >> The Nibelungenlied

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1610

Where met in charge their followers, / did crash of shafts resound.
Risen eke was Hagen, / who erst unto the ground
Was borne by mighty lance-thrust, / prone upon the grass.
I ween that unto Gelfrat / nowise of gentle mood he was.

1611

Who held their horses' bridles / can I not recount,
But soon from out their saddles / did they all dismount.
Hagen and Gelfrat / straightway did fierce engage,
And all their men around them / did eke a furious combat wage.

1612

Though with fierce onslaught Hagen / upon Gelfrat sprung,
On his shield the noble margrave / a sword so deftly swung
That a piece from off the border / 'mid flying sparks it clave.
Well-nigh beneath its fury / fell dead King Gunther's warrior brave.

1613

Unto Dankwart loudly / thereat he gan to cry:
"Help! ho! my good brother! / Encountered here have I
A knight of arm full doughty, / from whom I come not free."
Then spake the valiant Dankwart: / "Myself thereof the judge will be."

1614

Nearer sprang the hero / and smote him such a blow
With a keen-edged weapon / that he in death lay low.
For his slain brother Else / vengeance thought to take,
But soon with all his followers / 'mid havoc swift retreat must make.

1615

Slain was now his brother, / wound himself did bear,
And of his followers eighty / eke had fallen there,
By grim death snatched sudden. / Then must the doughty knight,
From Gunther's men to save him, / turn away in hasty flight.

1616

When that they of Bavaria / did from the carnage flee,
The blows that followed after / resounded frightfully;
For close the knights of Tronje / upon their enemies chased,
Who to escape the fury / did quit the field in mickle haste.

1617

Then spake upon their fleeing / Dankwart the doughty thane:
"Upon our way now let us / backward turn again,
And leave them hence to hasten / all wet with oozing blood.
Unto our friends return we, / this verily meseemeth good."

1618

When back they were returned / where did the scathe befall,
Outspake of Tronje Hagen: / "Now look ye, warriors all,
Who of our tale is lacking, / or who from us hath been
Here in battle riven / through the doughty Gelfrat's spleen."

1619

Lament they must for warriors / four from them were ta'en.
But paid for were they dearly, / for roundabout lay slain
Of their Bavarian foemen / a hundred or more.
The men of Tronje's bucklers / with blood were wet and tarnished o'er.

1620

From out the clouds of heaven / a space the bright moon shone.
Then again spake Hagen: / "Bear report let none
To my beloved masters / how we here did fare.
Let them until the morrow / still be free from aught of care."

1621

When they were back returned / who bore the battle's stress,
Sore troubled was their company / from very weariness.
"How long shall we keep saddle?" / was many a warrior's quest.
Then spake the valiant Dankwart: / "Not yet may we find place of rest,

1622

"But on ye all must journey / till day come back again."
Volker, knight of prowess, / who led the foremost train,
Bade to ask the marshal: / "This night where shall we be,
That rest them may our chargers, / and eke my royal masters three?"

1623

Thereto spake valiant Dankwart: / "The same I ne'er can say,
Yet may we never rest us / before the break of day.
Where then we find it fitting / we'll lay us on the grass."
When they did hear his answer, / what source of grief to all it was!

1624

Still were they unbetrayed / by reeking blood and red,
Until the sun in heaven / its shining beams down shed
At morn across the hill-tops, / that then the king might see
How they had been in battle. / Spake he then full angrily:

1625

"How may this be, friend Hagen? / Scorned ye have, I ween,
That I should be beside you, / where coats of mail have been
Thus wet with blood upon you. / Who this thing hath done?"
Quoth he: "The same did Else, / who hath this night us set upon.

1626

"To avenge his boatman / did they attack our train.
By hand of my brother / hath Gelfrat been slain.
Then fled Else before us, / and mickle was his need.
Ours four, and theirs a thousand, / remained behind in battle dead."

1627

Now can we not inform you / where resting-place they found.
But cause to know their passing / had the country-folk around,
When there the sons of Ute / to court did fare in state.
At Passau fit reception / did presently the knights await.

1628

The noble monarchs' uncle, / Bishop Pilgrim that was,
Full joyous-hearted was he / that through the land did pass
With train of lusty warriors / his royal nephews three.
That willing was his service, / waited they not long to see.

1629

To greet them on their journey / did friends lack no device,
Yet not to lodge them fully / might Passau's bounds suffice.
They must across the water / where spreading sward they found,
And lodge and tent erected / soon were stretching o'er the ground.

1630

Nor from that spot they onward / might journey all that day,
And eke till night was over, / for pleasant was their stay.
Next to the land of Ruediger / must they in sooth ride on,
To whom full soon the story / of their coming eke was known.

1631

When fitting rest had taken / the knights with travel worn,
And of Etzel's country / they had reached the bourn,
A knight they found there sleeping / that ne'er should aught but wake,
From whom of Tronje Hagen / in stealth a mighty sword did take.

1632

Hight in sooth was Eckewart / that same valiant knight.
For what was there befallen / was he in sorry plight,
That by those heroes' passing / he had lost his sword.
At Ruediger's marches / found they meagre was the guard.

1633

"O, woe is me dishonored," / Eckewart then cried;
"Yea, rueth me fully sorely, / this Burgundian ride.
What time was taken Siegfried, / did joy depart from me.
Alack, O Master Ruediger, / how ill my service unto thee!"

1634

Hagen, full well perceiving / the noble warrior's plight,
Gave him again his weapon / and armbands six full bright.
"These take, good knight, in token / that thou art still my friend.
A valiant warrior art thou, / though dost thou lone this border tend."

1635

"May God thy gifts repay thee," / Eckewart replied,
"Yet rueth me full sorely / that to the Huns ye ride.
Erstwhile slew ye Siegfried / and vengeance have to fear;
My rede to you is truly: / "Beware ye well of danger here."

1636

"Now must God preserve us," / answered Hagen there.
"In sooth for nothing further / have these thanes a care
Than for place of shelter, / the kings and all their band,
And where this night a refuge / we may find within this land.

1637

"Done to death our horses / with the long journey are,
And food as well exhausted," / Hagen did declare.
"Nor find we aught for purchase; / a host we need instead,
Who would in kindness give us, / ere this evening, of his bread."

1638

Thereto gave answer Eckewart: / "I'll show you such a one,
That so warm a welcome / find ye never none
In country whatsoever / as here your lot may be,
An if ye, thanes full gallant, / the noble Ruediger will see.

1639

He dwelleth by the highway / and is most bounteous host
That house e'er had for master. / His heart may graces boast,
As in the lovely May-time / the flowrets deck the mead.
To do good thanes a service / is for his heart most joyous deed."

1640

Then spake the royal Gunther: / "Wilt thou my messenger be,
If will my dear friend Ruediger, / as favor done to me,
His hospitable shelter / with all my warriors share,
Therefor full to requite thee / shall e'er hereafter be my care."

1641

"Thy messenger am I gladly," / Eckewart replied,
And in right willing manner / straight away did ride,
The message thus received / to Ruediger to bear.
Nor did so joyous tidings / for many a season greet his ear.

1642

Hasting to Bechelaren / was seen a noble thane.
The same perceived Ruediger, / and spake: "O'er yonder plain
Hither hastens Eckewart, / who Kriemhild's might doth own."
He weened that by some foemen / to him had injury been done.

1643

Then passed he forth the gateway / where the messenger did stand.
His sword he loosed from girdle / and laid from out his hand.
The message that he carried / might he not long withhold
From the master and his kinsmen; / full soon the same to them was told.

1644

He spake unto the margrave: / "I come at high command
Of the lordly Gunther / of Burgundian land,
And Giselher and Gernot, / his royal brothers twain.
In service true commends him / unto thee each lofty thane.

1645

"The like hath Hagen bidden / and Volker as well
With homage oft-times proffered. / And more have I to tell,
The which King Gunther's marshal / to thee doth send by me:
How that the valiant warriors / do crave thy hospitality."

1646

With smiling visage Ruediger / made thereto reply:
"Now joyeth me the story / that the monarchs high
Do deign to seek my service, / that ne'er refused shall be.
Come they unto my castle, / 'tis joy and gladness unto me."

1647

"Dankwart the marshal / hath bidden let thee know
Who seek with them thy shelter / as through thy land they go:
Three score of valiant leaders / and thousand knights right good,
With squires eke nine thousand." / Thereat was he full glad of mood.

1648

"To me 'tis mickle honor," / Ruediger then spake,
"That through my castle's portals / such guests will entry make,
For ne'er hath been occasion / my service yet to lend.
Now ride ye, men and kinsmen, / and on these lofty knights attend."

1649

Then to horse did hasten / knight and willing squire,
For glad they were at all times / to do their lord's desire,
And keen that thus their service / should not be rendered late.
Unwitting Lady Gotelinde / still within her chamber sate.

TWENTY-SEVENTH ADVENTURE

How they came to Bechelaren

1650

Then went forth the margrave / where two ladies sate,
His wife beside his daughter, / nor longer did he wait
To tell the joyful tidings / that unto him were brought,
How Kriemhild's royal brothers / his hospitality had sought.

1651

"Dearly loved lady," / spake then Ruediger,
"Full kind be thy reception / to lordly monarchs here,
That now with train of warriors / to court do pass this way.
Fair be eke thy greeting / to Hagen, Gunther's man, this day.

1652

"One likewise with them cometh, / Dankwart by name,
Volker hight the other, / a knight of gallant fame.
Thyself and eke thy daughter / with kiss these six shall greet;
Full courteous be your manner / as ye the doughty thanes shall meet."

1653

Gave straight their word the ladies, / and willing were thereto.
From out great chests they gorgeous / attire in plenty drew,
Which they to meet the lofty / strangers thought to wear,
Mickle was the hurry / there of many a lady fair.

1654

On ne'er a cheek might any / but nature's hue be seen.
Upon their head they carried / band of golden sheen,
That was a beauteous chaplet, / that so their glossy hair
By wind might not be ruffled: / that is truth as I declare.

1655

At such employment busy / leave we those ladies now.
Here with mickle hurry / across the plain did see
Friends of noble Ruediger / the royal guests to meet,
And them with warmest welcome / unto the margrave's land did greet.

1656

When coming forth the margrave / saw their forms appear,
How spake with heart full joyous / the valiant Ruediger!
"Welcome be ye, Sires, / and all your gallant band.
Right glad am I to see you / hither come unto my land."

1657

Then bent the knights before him / each full courteously.
That he good-will did bear them / might they full quickly see.
Hagen had special greeting, / who long to him was known;
To Volker eke of Burgundy / was like highest honor shown.

1658

Thus Dankwart eke he greeted, / when spake the doughty thane:
"While we thus well are harbored, / who then for all the train
Of those that follow with us / shall meet provision make?"
"Yourselves this night right easy / shall rest," the noble margrave
spake.

1659

"And all that follow with you, / with equipment whatsoe'er
Ye bring into my country / of steed or warlike gear,
So sure shall it be guarded / that of all the sum,
E'en to one spur's value, / to you shall never damage come.

1660

"Now stretch aloft, my squires, / the tents upon the plain.
What here ye have of losses / will I make good again.
Unbridle now the horses / and let them wander free."
Upon their way they seldom / did meet like hospitality.

1661

Thereat rejoiced the strangers. / When thus it ordered was,
Rode the high knights forward. / All round upon the grass
Lay the squires attendant / and found a gentle rest.
I ween, upon their journey / was here provision costliest.

1662

Out before the castle / the noble margravine
Had passed with her fair daughter. / In her train were seen
A band of lovely women / and many a winsome maid,
Whose arms with bracelets glittered, / and all in stately robes arrayed.

1663

The costly jewels sparkled / with far-piercing ray
From out their richest vestments, / and buxom all were they.
Now came the strangers thither / and sprang upon the ground.
How high in noble courtesy / the men of Burgundy were found!

1664

Six and thirty maidens / and many a fair lady,
--Nor might ye ever any / more winsome wish to see--
Went then forth to meet them / with many a knight full keen.
At hands of noble ladies / fairest greeting then was seen.

1665

The margrave's youthful daughter / did kiss the kings all three
As eke had done her mother. / Hagen stood thereby.
Her father bade her kiss him; / she looked the thane upon,
Who filled her so with terror, / she fain had left the thing undone.

1666

When she at last must do it, / as did command her sire,
Mingled was her color, / both pale and hue of fire.
Likewise kissed she Dankwart / and the Fiddler eke anon:
That he was knight of valor / to him was such high favor shown.

1667

The margrave's youthful daughter / took then by the hand
The royal knight Giselher / of Burgundian land.
E'en so led forth her mother / the gallant Gunther high.
With those guests so lofty / walked they there full joyfully.

1668

The host escorted Gernot / to a spacious hall and wide,
Where knights and stately ladies / sate them side by side.
Then bade they for the strangers / pour good wine plenteously:
In sooth might never heroes / find fuller hospitality.

1669

Glances fond and many / saw ye directed there
Upon Ruediger's daughter, / for she was passing fair.
Yea, in his thoughts caressed her / full many a gallant knight;
A lady high in spirit, / well might she every heart delight.

1670

Yet whatsoe'er their wishes, / might none fulfilled be.
Hither oft and thither / glanced they furtively
On maidens and fair ladies, / whereof were many there.
Right kind the noble Fiddler / disposed was to Ruediger.

1671

They parted each from other / as ancient custom was,
And knights and lofty ladies / did separating pass
When tables were made ready / within the spacious hall.
There in stately manner / they waited on the strangers all.

1672

To do the guests high honor / likewise the table sought
With them the lofty margravine. / Her daughter led she not,
But left among the maidens, / where fitting was she sat.
That they might not behold her, grieved were the guests in sooth thereat.

1673

The drinking and the feasting, / when 'twas ended all,
Escorted was the maiden / again into the hall.
Then of merry jesting / they nothing lacked, I ween,
Wherein was busy Volker, / a thane full gallant and keen.

1674

Then spake the noble Fiddler / to all in lofty tone:
"Great mercy, lordly margrave, / God to thee hath shown,
For that he hath granted / unto thee a wife
Of so surpassing beauty, / and thereto a joyous life.

1675

"If that I were of royal / birth," the Fiddler spake,
"And kingly crown should carry, / to wife I'd wish to take
This thy lovely daughter, / --my heart thus prompteth me.
A noble maid and gentle / and fair to look upon is she."

1676

Then outspake the margrave: / "How might such thing be,
That king should e'er desire / daughter born to me?
Exiled from my country / here with my spouse I dwell:
What avails the maiden, / be she favored ne'er so well?"

1677

Thereto gave answer Gernot, / a knight of manner kind:
"If to my desire / I ever spouse would find,
Then would I of such lady / right gladly make my choice."
In full kindly manner / added Hagen eke his voice:

1678

"Now shall my master Giselher / take to himself a spouse.
The noble margrave's daughter / is of so lofty house,
That I and all his warriors / would glad her service own,
If that she in Burgundy / should ever wear a royal crown."

1679

Glad thereat full truly / was Sir Ruediger,
And eke Gotelinde: / they joyed such words to hear.
Anon arranged the heroes / that her as bride did greet
The noble knight Giselher, / as was for any monarch meet.

1680

What thing is doomed to happen, / who may the same prevent?
To come to the assembly / they for the maidens sent,
And to the knight they plighted / the winsome maid for wife,
Pledge eke by him was given, / his love should yet endure with life.

1681

They to the maid allotted / castles and spreading land,
Whereof did give assurance / the noble monarch's hand
And eke the royal Gernot, / 'twould surely so be done.
Then spake to them the margrave: / "Lordly castles have I none,

1682

"Yet true shall be my friendship / the while that I may live.
Unto my daughter shall I / of gold and silver give
What hundred sumpter-horses / full laden bear away,
That her husband's lofty kinsmen / find honor in the fair array."

1683

They bade the knight and maiden / within a ring to stand,
As was of old the custom. / Of youths a goodly band,
That all were merry-hearted, / did her there confront,
And thought they on her beauty / as mind of youth is ever wont.

1684

When they began to question / then the winsome maid,
Would she the knight for husband, / somewhat she was dismayed,
And yet forego she would not / to have him for her own.
She blushed to hear the question, / as many another maid hath done.

1685

Her father Ruediger prompted / that Yes her answer be,
And that she take him gladly. / Unto her instantly
Sprang the young Sir Giselher, / and in his arm so white
He clasped her to his bosom. / --Soon doomed to end was her delight.

1686

Then spake again the margrave: / "Ye royal knights and high,
When that home ye journey / again to Burgundy
I'll give to you my daughter, / as fitting is to do,
That ye may take her with you." / They gave their plighted word thereto.

1687

What jubilation made they / yet at last must end.
The maiden then was bidden / unto her chamber wend,
And guests to seek their couches / and rest until the day.
For them the host provided / a feast in hospitable way.

1688

When they had feasted fully / and to the Huns' country
Thence would onward journey, / "Such thing shall never be,"
Spake the host full noble, / "but here ye still shall rest.
Seldom hath my good fortune / welcomed yet so many a guest."

1689

Thereto gave answer Dankwart: / "In sooth it may not be.
Bread and wine whence hast thou / and food sufficiently,
Over night to harbor / of guests so great a train?"
When the host had heard it, / spake he: "All thy words are vain.

1690

"Refuse not my petition, / ye noble lords and high.
A fortnight's full provision / might I in sooth supply,
For you and every warrior / that journeys in your train.
Till now hath royal Etzel / small portion of my substance ta'en."

1691

Though fain they had declined it, / yet they there must stay
E'en to the fourth morning. / Then did the host display
So generous hand and lavish / that it was told afar.
He gave unto the strangers / horses and apparel rare.

1692

The time at last was over / and they must journey thence.
Then did the valiant Ruediger / with lavish hand dispense
Unto all his bounty, / refused he unto none
Whate'er he might desire. / Well-pleased they parted every one.

1693

His courteous retainers / to castle gateway brought
Saddled many horses, / and soon the place was sought
Eke by the gallant strangers / each bearing shield in hand,
For that they thence would journey / onward into Etzel's land.

1694

The host had freely offered / rich presents unto all,
Ere that the noble strangers / passed out before the hall.
High in honor lived he, / a knight of bounty rare.
His fair daughter had he / given unto Giselher.

1695

Eke gave he unto Gunther, / a knight of high renown,
What well might wear with honor / the monarch as his own,
--Though seldom gift received he-- / a coat of harness rare.
Thereat inclined King Gunther / before the noble Ruediger.

1696

Then gave he unto Gernot / a good and trusty blade,
Wherewith anon in combat / was direst havoc made.
That thus the gift was taken / rejoiced the margrave's wife:
Thereby the noble Ruediger / was doomed anon to lose his life.

1697

Gotelinde proffered Hagen, / as 'twas a fitting thing,
Her gifts in kindly manner. / Since scorned them not the king,
Eke he without her bounty / to the high festivity
Should thence not onward journey. / Yet loath to take the same was he.

1698

"Of all doth meet my vision," / Hagen then spake,
"Would I wish for nothing / with me hence to take
But alone the shield that hanging / on yonder wall I see.
The same I'd gladly carry / into Etzel's land with me."

1699

When the stately margravine / Hagen's words did hear,
Brought they to mind her sorrow, / nor might she stop a tear.
She thought again full sadly / how her son Nudung fell,
Slain by hand of Wittich; / and did her breast with anguish swell.

1700

She spake unto the hero: / "The shield to thee I'll give.
O would to God in heaven / that he still did live,
Whose hand erstwhile did wield it! / In battle fell he low,
And I, a wretched mother, / must weep with never-ending woe.

1701

Thereat the noble lady / up from the settle rose,
And soon her arms all snow-white / did the shield enclose.
She bore it unto Hagen, / who made obeisance low;
The gift she might with honor / upon so valiant thane bestow.

1702

O'er it, to keep its color, / a shining cover lay
With precious stones all studded, / nor ever shone the day
Upon a shield more costly; / if e'er a longing eye
Did covet to possess it, / scarce thousand marks the same might buy.

1703

The shield in charge gave Hagen / thence away to bear.
Before his host then Dankwart / himself presented there,
On whom the margrave's daughter / did costly dress bestow.
Wherein anon in Hunland / arrayed full stately he did go.

1704

Whate'er of gifts by any / was accepted there,
Them had his hand ne'er taken, / but that intent all were
To do their host an honor / who gave with hand so free.
By his guests in combat / soon doomed was he slain to be.

1705

Volker the valiant / to Gotelinde came
And stood in courteous manner / with fiddle 'fore the dame.
Sweet melodies he played her / and sang his songs thereby,
For thought he from Bechelaren / to take departure presently.

1706

The margravine bade to her / a casket forth to bear.
And now of presents given / full freely may ye hear.
Therefrom she took twelve armbands / and drew them o'er his hand.
"These shall thou with thee carry, / as ridest thou to Etzel's land,

1707

"And for my sake shalt wear them / when at court thou dost appear,
That when thou hither comest / I may the story hear
How thou hast done me honor / at the high festival."
What did wish the lady, / faithfully performed he all.

1708

Thus to his guests the host spake: / "That ye more safely fare,
Myself will give you escort / and bid them well beware
That upon the highway / no ill on you be wrought."
Thereat his sumpter horses / straightway laden forth were brought

1709

The host was well prepared / with five hundred men
With horse and rich attire. / These led he with him then
In right joyous humor / to the high festival.
Alive to Bechelaren / again came never one of all.

1710

Thence took his leave Sir Ruediger / with kiss full lovingly;
As fitting was for Giselher, / likewise the same did he.
With loving arms enfolding / caressed they ladies fair.
To many a maid the parting / did bring anon full bitter tear.

1711

On all sides then the windows / were open wide flung,
As with his train of warriors / the host to saddle sprung.
I ween their hearts did tell them / how they should sorrow deep.
For there did many a lady / and many a winsome maiden weep.

1712

For dear friends left behind him / grieved many a knight full sore.
Whom they at Bechelaren / should behold no more.
Yet rode they off rejoicing / down across the sand
Hard by the Danube river / on their way to Etzel's land.

1713

Then spake to the Burgundians / the gallant knight and bold,
Ruediger the noble: / "Now let us not withhold
The story of our coming / unto the Hun's country.
Unto the royal Etzel / might tidings ne'er more welcome be."

1714

Down in haste through Austria / the messenger did ride,
Who told unto the people / soon on every side,
From Worms beyond Rhine river / were high guests journeying.
Nor unto Etzel's people / gladder tidings might ye bring.

1715

Onward spurred the messengers / who did the message bear,
How now in Hunnish country / the Nibelungen were.
"Kriemhild, lofty lady, / warm thy welcome be;
In stately manner hither / come thy loving brothers three."

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