Books: The Fall of the Niebelungs
U >>
Unknown >> The Fall of the Niebelungs
Pages:
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 Transcribed by John Bursey (Mordaunt@aol.com)
The Fall of the Niebelungs
Translated by Margaret Armour
Book I
First Adventure
Concerning the Niebelungs
In old tales they tell us many wonders of heroes and of high courage, of
glad feasting, of wine and of mourning; and herein ye shall read of the
marvellous deeds and of the strife of brave men.
There grew up in Burgundy a noble maiden, in no land was a fairer.
Kriemhild was her name. Well favoured was the damsel, and by reason of
her died many warriors. Doughty knights in plenty wooed her, as was
meet, for of her body she was exceeding comely, and her virtues were an
adornment to all women.
Three kings noble and rich guarded her, Gunther and Gernot, warriors of
fame, and Giselher the youth, a chosen knight. The damsel was their
sister, and the care of her fell on them. These lords were courteous and
of high lineage, bold and very strong, each of them the pick of knights.
The name of their country was Burgundy, and they did great deeds, after,
in Etzel's land. At Worms, by the Rhine, they dwelled in might with many
a proud lord for vassal.
Their mother was a rich queen and hight Uta, and the name of their father
was Dankrat, who, when his life was ended, left them his lands. A strong
man was he in his time, and one that in his youth won great worship.
These three princes, as I have said, were valiant men, overlords of the
best knights that folk have praised, strong and bold and undismayed in
strife. There were Hagen of Trony, and also his brother Dankwart the
swift; and Ortwin of Metz; the two Margraves, Gary and Eckewart; Volker
of Alzeia, strong of body; Rumolt, the steward, a chosen knight; Sindolt
and Hunolt. These last three served at court and pursued honour. And
other knights were there, more than I can name. Dankwart was the
marshal; the nephew of Ortwin of Metz carved at the board; Sindolt was
the butler, a worthy warrior: each did his part as a good knight.
The splendour of this court and its might, the high valour and chivalry
of its lords, were a tale without end.
Now it so fell that Kriemhild, the pure maid, dreamed a dream that she
fondled a wild falcon, and eagles wrested it from her; the which to see
grieved her more than any ill that had happened to her heretofore.
This dream she told to Uta, her mother, who interpreted it on this wise.
"The falcon that thou sawest is a noble man; yet if God keep him not, he
is a lost man to thee."
"What speakest thou to me of a man, mother mine? Without their love
would I still abide, that I may remain fair till my death, nor suffer
dole from any man's love."
Said her mother then, "Be not so sure; for wouldst thou ever on this
earth have heart's gladness, it cometh from the love of a man. And a
fair wife wilt thou be, if God but lead hither to thee a true and trust
knight."
"Say not so, mother mine," answered the maiden, "for on many a woman, and
oft hath it been proven, that the meed of love is sorrow. From both I
will keep me, that evil betide not."
Long in such wise abode the high, pure maiden, nor thought to love any.
Nevertheless, at the last, she wedded a brave man; that was the falcon
she dreamed of erstwhile, as her mother foretold it. Yea, bitter was her
vengeance on her kinsmen that slew him, and by reason of his death died
many a mother's son.
Second Adventure
Concerning Siegfried
There grew up in the Netherland a rich king's child, whose father hight
Siegmund and his mother Sieglind, in a castle high and famous called
Xanten, down by the Rhine's side. Goodly was this knight, by my troth,
his body without blemish, a strong and valiant man of great worship;
abroad, through the whole earth, went his fame. The hero hight
Siegfried, and he rode boldly into many lands. Ha! in Burgundy, I trow,
he found warriors to his liking. Or he was a man grown he had done
marvels with his hand, as is said and sung, albeit now there is no time
for more word thereof.
Of his best days there were many wonders to tell, how he waxed in
goodliness and honour; his, too, was the love of women.
As was seemly for such an one, his breeding was well seen to, and of his
nature, likewise, he was virtuous. His father's land was famed for his
worth, for in all things he was right noble.
When he was of an age to ride to the court, the people saw him gladly,
and wedded wives and maids were alike fain that he should tarry there.
By order of Siegmund and Sieglind he was richly clad, and without guards
he was suffered not to ride abroad. They that had him in charge were
wise men versed in honour, to the end that he might win thereby liegemen
and lands.
Now was he grown a stark youth, of stature and strength to bear weapons;
he lacked nothing needful thereto, and inclined him already to the wooing
of women. Nor did these find the fair youth amiss.
So Siegmund his father cried a hightide, and word thereof came to the
kingdoms that were round about. To strangers and to friends alike he
gave horses and apparel, and wheresoever they found one of knightly
birth, that youth they bade to the hightide, to be dubbed a knight with
Siegfried.
Many wonders might one tell of that hightide, and rightly Siegmund and
Sieglind won glory from the gifts of their hand, by reason whereof a
multitude rode into the land. To four hundred sworded knights and to
Siegfried was given rich apparel. Full many a fair damsel ceased not
from working with her needle for his sake. Precious stones without stint
they set in gold, and embroidered them with silk on the vest of the proud
youth. He was little loth thereto. And the king bade them set places
for many a hero the mid-summer that Siegfried became a knight.
The rich squires and great knights drew to the minster. Meet is it that
the old help the young, even as they in their day were holpen.
The time sped in merriment and sports. First, God to honour, they sang
mass. Then the people pressed in hard to behold the youths dubbed
knights with such pomp and high observance as we see not the like of
nowadays.
Then they ran where they found saddled horses. And the noise of tourney
was so great at Siegmund's court that palace and hall echoed therewith,
for there was a mighty din of heroes. From old and young came the noise
of hurtling and of broken shafts whizzing in the air; and from warring
hands flew splintered lances as far as the castle; men and women looked
on at the sport. Then the king bade stay the tilting. And they led off
the horses. Many shields lay broken, and, strewed on the grass, were
jewels from shining bucklers, fallen in the fray.
The guests went in and sat down as they were bidden, and over the choice
meats and good wine, drunk to the full, they parted from their
weariness. Friends and strangers were entreated with equal honour.
Albeit they ceased not from tilting all the day, the mummers and the
minstrels took no rest, but sang for gold and got it; wherefore they
praised the land of Siegmund. The king enfeoffed Siegfried with lands
and castles, as in his youth his father had enfeoffed him, and to his
sword-fellows he gave with full hand, that it rejoiced them to be come
into that country.
The hightide endured seven days. Sieglind, the wealthy queen, did
according to old custom. She divided red gold among her guests for love
of her son, that she might win their hearts to him.
Among the minstrels none were needy. Horses and raiment were as free as
if they that gave had but a day to live. Never company gave readier.
So the hightide ended with glory, and the rich lords were well minded to
have Siegfried to their prince. While Siegmund and Sieglind lived, their
son, that loved them, desired not to wear the crown, but only, as a brave
man, to excel in strength and might. Greatly was he feared in the land;
nor durst any chide him, for from the day he bare arms he rested not from
strife. Yea, in far countries and for all time, his strong hand won him
glory.
Third Adventure
How Siegfried Came to Worms
Little recked Siegfried of heart's dole till that the news reached him of
a fair maid of Burgundy, than whom none could wish a fairer; by reason of
her, joy befell him, and sorrow.
Her beauty was rumoured far and wide, and the fame of her virtues,
joined thereto, brought many strangers into Gunther's land. Yet, though
many wooed her, Kriemhild was firm-minded to wed none.
Thereupon Siegmund's son yearned to her with true love. Weighed with him
all other suitors were as wind, for he was meet to be chosen of fair
women; and, or long, Kriemhild the high maiden was bold Sir Siegfried's
bride.
His kinsmen and his liegemen counselled him to woo a fitting mate, if he
meant to love in earnest, whereto Siegfried answered, "It shall be
Kriemhild. So measureless fair is the maiden of Burgundy, that the
greatest emperor, were he minded to wed, were none too good for her."
The tidings came to Siegmund's ear. His knights told him Siegfried's
intent, and it irked him that his son should woo the royal maiden. To
Sieglind, the king's wife, they told it also, and she feared for his
life, for she knew Gunther and his men.
They would have turned him from his quest.
Spake bold Siegfried then, "Dearest father mine, either I will think no
more on women at all, or I will woo where my heart's desire is." And for
all they could say, he changed not his purpose.
Then said the king, "If thou wilt not yield in this, i'faith, I approve
thy choice, and will further thee therein as I best can. Nevertheless,
Gunther hath many mighty men, were it none other than Hagen, an arrogant
and overweening knight. I fear both thou and I must rue that thou goest
after this king's daughter."
"What harm can come thereof?" answered Siegfried. "What I win not for
the friendly asking, I will take by the prowess of my hand. I doubt not
but I shall strip him of both liegemen and lands."
But Siegmund said, "I am grieved at thy word. If it were heard at the
Rhine, thou durst not ride at all into Gunther's country. Both Gunther
and Gernot are known to me from aforetime, and by force shall none win
the maiden. That have I often heard. But if thou wilt ride thither with
warriors, I will summon my friends. They will follow thee nothing loth."
Siegfried answered, "I will not ride with an army of warriors to the
Rhine; it would shame me so to win the maiden by force. I would win her
with mine own hand. One of twelve I will forth to Gunther's land, and to
this shalt thou help me, my father Siegmund."
They gave to his knights cloaks of fur, some grey and some striped.
Sieglind his mother heard it, and sorrowed for her dear son, for fear she
might lose him by the hand of Gunther's men. The noble queen wept sore.
Siegfried went where she sat, and spake comfortably to her. "Weep not,
mother, for my sake, for I shall be without scathe among foemen. Help me
rather to the journey that I make into Burgundy, that I and my fellows
may have raiment beseeming proud knights. For this shalt thou have much
thanks."
"Since thou wilt not be turned," spake Sieglind, "I will give to thee, my
only child, the best apparel that ever knight did on, and to thy
companions, for thy journey. Thou shalt receive without stint."
The youth bowed before the queen and said, "Twelve strong we ride forth,
no more. I would have raiment for so many; for I would see with mine
eyes how it standeth with Kriemhild."
The women sat night and day, nor rested till Siegfried's mantle was
ready; for none could dissuade him from his quest. His father let forge
for him a coat of mail that might do honour to his land. Bright were the
breastplates and the helmet, and the bucklers fair and massy.
Now the time was come to ride forth, and all the folk, men and women,
made dole, lest they should return never more. The hero bade load the
sumpters with the arms and apparel. The horses were goodly, and their
equipment of ruddy gold. None had more cause for pride than Siegfried
and his knights. He asked leave to set out for Burgundy, and the king
and the queen gave it sorrowing. But he spake comfortably to both of
them, and said, "Weep not for my sake; nor fear aught for my life."
The knights were downcast, and the maidens wept. Their hearts told them,
I ween, that by reason of this day's doings, many a dear one would lie
dead. Needs made they dole, for they were sorrowful.
On the seventh morning after this, the fearless band drew towards Worms
on the Rhine. Their garments were woven of ruddy gold, and their riding-
gear was to match. Smooth paced the horses, deftly managed by
Siegfried's bold warriors. Their shields were new, bright and massy, and
their helmets goodly, as Siegfried the hero and his following rode into
Gunther's country to the court. Never knights were in seemlier trim.
Their sword-points clanged on their spurs, and in their hands they bare
sharp spears; the one that Siegfried carried was broad two spans or more,
of the sort that maketh grim wounds. Gold-hued were their bridles, their
poitrels of silk; so they rode through the land.
Everywhere the folk marvelled, gazing at them, and Gunther's men ran to
meet them; proud warriors, knights and squires, went toward the
strangers, as was meet, and welcomed the guests to the court of their
king, taking horse and shield from their hands. They would have put the
horses in the stalls, but Siegfried spake in haste, "Let our horses
stand, for I am minded to depart again speedily. Where I may find
Gunther, the great king of Burgundy, let whoso knoweth tell me."
One answered him that knew, "Thou mayest see the king if thou wilt. I
saw him amidst of his men in yonder wide hall. Go in to him. Thou shalt
find there many brave warriors."
They told the king that a valiant knight, fair equipped and apparelled,
that knew none in Burgundy, was come thither. And the king marvelled
where those proud knights in shining harness, with their shields new and
massy, might hie from . It irked him that none knew it.
Ortwin of Metz, a goodly man of high courage, spake to the king then,
"Since we know naught thereof, bid to thee Hagen mine uncle, and show
them to him. For he hath knowledge of the mighty men of all lands; and
what he knoweth he will tell us."
The king summoned Hagen with his vassals, and he drew night with proud
step, and asked the king his will.
"Strange knights are come to my court that none knoweth. If thou hast
ever seen them afore, tell me thereof truly."
"That will I," spake Hagen, and went to the window, and looked down on
the strangers below. The show of them and their equipment pleased him,
but he had not seen them afore in Burgundy. And he said, "From
wheresoever they be come, they must be princes, or princes' envoys.
Their horses are good, and wonderly rich their vesture. From whatso
quarter they hie, they be seemly men. But for this I vouch, that, though
I never saw Siegfried, yonder knight that goeth so proud is, of a surety,
none but he. New adventures he bringeth hither. By this hero's hand
fell the brave Nibelungs, Shilbung and Nibelung, the high princes.
Wonders hath he wrought by his prowess. I have heard tell that on a day
when he rode alone, he came to a mountain, and chanced on a company of
brave men that guarded the Nibelung's hoard, whereof he knew naught. The
Nibelung men had, at that moment, made an end of bringing it forth from a
hole in the hill, and oddly enow, they were about to share it. Siegfried
saw them and marvelled thereat. He drew so close that they were ware of
him, and he of them. Whereupon one said, 'Here cometh Siegfried, the
hero of the Netherland!' Strange adventure met he amidst of them.
Shilbung and Nibelung welcomed him, and with one accord the princely
youths asked him to divide the treasure atween them, and begged this so
eagerly that he could not say them nay. The tale goeth that he saw there
more precious stones than an hundred double waggons had sufficed to
carry, and of the red Nibelung gold yet more. This must bold Siegfried
divide. In guerdon therefor they gave him the sword of the Nibelungs,
and were ill paid by Siegfried for the service. He strove vainly to end
the task, whereat they were wroth. And when he could not bear it
through, the kings, with their men, fell upon him. But with their
father's sword, that hight Balmung, he wrested from them both hoard and
land. The princes had twelve champions - stark giants, yet little it
bested them. Siegfried slew them wrathfully with his hand, and, with
Balmung, vanquished seven hundred knights; and many youths there, afraid
of the man and his sword, did homage for castles and land. He smote the
two kings dead. Then he, himself, came in scathe by Albric, that would
have avenged the death of his masters then and there, till that he felt
Siegfried's exceeding might. When the dwarf could not overcome him, they
ran like lions to the mountain, where Siegfried won from Albric the cloud-
cloak that hight _Tarnkappe_. Then was Siegfried, the terrible man,
master of the hoard. They that had dared the combat lay slain; and he
bade carry the treasure back whence the Nibelungs had brought it forth;
and he made Albric the keeper thereof, after that he had sworn an oath to
serve him as his man, and to do all that he commanded him."
"These are his deeds," said Hagen; "bolder knight there never was. Yet
more I might tell of him. With his hand he slew a dragon, and bathed him
in its blood, that his skin is as horn, and no weapon can cut him, as
hath been proven on him ofttimes."
"Let us welcome the young lord, that we come not in his hate. So fair is
he of his body that one may not look unfriendly thereon; with his
strength he hath done great deeds."
Then spake the great king, "Belike thou sayest sooth. Knightly he
standeth there as for the onset - he and his warriors with him. We will
go down to him and greet him."
"Thou mayest do that with honour," answered Hagen; "for he is of high
birth, even a great king's son. By Christ, there is somewhat in his
bearing that showeth he hath ridden hither on no slight matter."
The king of the land said, "He is right welcome, for I perceive that he
is brave and noble, the which shall profit him in Burgundy."
Gunther went out to Siegfried. The king and his men gave the strangers
courteous welcome, and the valiant man bowed before them because they
greeted him so fair.
"I would know," said the king, "whence noble Siegfried cometh, and what
he seeketh at Worms by the Rhine."
The guest answered him, "I will tell thee that readily. Word hath
reached me in the land of my father, that, hereby thee, dwell the prowest
ever sworn to king. I have heard much of these, and would know them; for
this I am come hither. Thy knightliness also I hear praised, and am told
that nowhere is a better king. So say the folk throughout the land; and,
till I have proven it, I will not depart hence. I also am a king that
shall wear a crown, and I would have men say of me that the country and
the people are rightly mine. Thereto I pledge both honour and life. If
thou art valiant, as they say, I care not whom it liketh or irketh, I
will take from thee all thou hast, land and castles, and they shall be
mine."
The king and his men marvelled when they heard this strange saying, that
he would take their land; when the warriors understood it they were wroth.
"Wherein have I wronged thee," said Gunther the knight, "that I should
yield to the might of any man what my father ruled so long with honour?
We will show thee to thy hurt that we also are brave knights."
"I will abide by my purpose," said the doughty man. "If thou canst not
hold they land in peace, I will rule it. Also what I have in fee, if
thou overcome, shall be thine. With thy country be it even as with
mine. To the one of us twain that overcometh shall the whole belong,
people and land."
But Hagen and Gernot answered him back straightway. "We desire not,"
said Gernot, "to win new kingdoms at the cost of dead heroes. Our land
is rich, and we are the rightful lords. The folk desire none better."
Grim and angered stood Gunther's kinsmen. Amidst of them was Ortwin of
Metz, who said, "This bargain pleaseth me little. Bold Siegfried hath
challenged thee wrongfully. Were thou and thy brothers naked, and he
with a whole king's army at his back, I would undertake to show the
overweening man he did well to abate his pride."
Whereat the knight of the Netherland was wroth and said, "Not such as
thou art shall raise a hand against me, for I am a great king; thou art
but a king's man. Twelve of thy sort could not withstand me."
Then Ortwin of Metz, the sister's son of Hagen of Trony, cried aloud for
his sword. It grieved the king that he had kept silence so long, but
Gernot, a warrior bold and keen, came betwixt them.
He said to Ortwin, "Calm thyself. Siegfried hath done naught to us,
that we should not end this matter peaceably. I counsel that we take
him to friend. That were more to our honour."
Then said Hagen the stark man, "It may well irk thy knights that he
rideth hither as a foeman. Better had he refrained. My masters had
never done the like by him."
Brave Siegfried answered, "If thou like not my words, I will show thee
here, in Burgundy, the deeds of my hand."
"That I will hinder," said Gernot, and he forbade to his knights their
overweening words, for they irked him. Siegfried also thought on the
noble maiden.
"Wherefore should we fight with thee?" said Gernot. "Though every knight
lay dead thereby, small were our glory and little thine adventure."
Whereto Siegfried, King Siegmund's son, answered, "Why do Hagen and
Ortwin hang back, and their friends, whereof they have enow in Burgundy?"
But these must needs hold their peace, as Gernot commanded them.
"Thou art welcome," said Uta's son; "thou and they comrades that are with
thee. We will serve thee gladly, I and my kinsmen."
They let pour for them Gunther's wine, and the host of that land, even
Gunther the king, said, "All that is ours, and whatsoever thou mayest
with honour desire, is thine to share with us, body and goods."
Then Siegfried was milder of his mood.
What he and his men had with them was seen to; they gave Siegfried's
knights good quarters and fair lodging; and they rejoiced to see the
stranger in Burgundy.
They did him honour many days: more than I can tell. This he won, I
trow, by his valour. Few looked on him sourly.
The king and his men busied them with sports, and in each undertaking
Siegfried still approved him the best. Whether they threw the stone or
shot with the shaft, none came near him by reason of his great strength.
Held the doughty warriors tourney before the women, then looked these
all with favour on the knight of the Netherland. But, as for him, he
thought only on his high love. The fair women of the court demanded who
the proud stranger was. "He is so goodly," they said, "and so rich his
apparel."
And there answered them folk enow, "It is the king of the Netherland."
Whatsoever sport they followed, he was ready. In his heart he bare the
beautiful maiden that as yet he had not seen: the which spake in secret
kind words also of him. When the youths tilted in the courtyard,
Kriemhild, the high princess, looked down at them from her window; nor,
at that time, desired she better pastime. Neither had he asked better,
had he known that his heart's dear one gazed upon him: the fairest thing
on earth had he deemed it to behold her eyes. When he stood there amidst
of the heroes in the tilt-yard, as the custom is, to rest at the tourney,
so graceful the son of Sieglind bare him, that the hearts of many maidens
yearned toward him. And ofttimes would he think, "How shall I attain to
behold the noble lady that I have loved long and dearly? She is still a
stranger. For this reason I am downcast."
When the rich kings rode abroad, it behoved the knights to go with them,
wherefore Siegfried also rode forth, the which irked the damsel sore; and
likewise, for love of her, he was heavy enow of his cheer.
So in a year (I say sooth) he abode by these princes, nor in all that
time had once seen his dear one, that afterward brought him so much
gladness and dole.
Fourth Adventure
How Siegfried Fought with the Saxons
Now there were brought into Gunther's land strange tidings by envoys sent
from afar by foreign princes that hated him; and when they heard the
message they were troubled. The kings were as I will tell you: Ludger of
the Saxons, a high and might prince; and Ludgast of Denmark, and many
bold warriors with them.
These envoys, sent by his foemen, came into Gunther's land, and the
strangers were asked their business, and brought before the king.
The king greeted them fair, and said, "I know not who hath sent you
hither, and would hear it." So spake the good king, and they greatly
feared his wrath.
"If thou wilt have our message, O king, we will tell it plain, and name
thee the princes that have sent us. They are Ludgast and Ludger, and
will come against thee into they land. Thou are fallen in their
displeasure, and we know that they bear thee bitter hate. They come
hither with an armed force to Worms by the Rhine - they and their
warriors. Wherefore be warned. Inside of twelve days they will ride.
If thou hast truly friends, let it appear now; let them help thee to keep
thy castles and they country, for, or long, there will be smiting of
helmets and shields here. Or wouldst thou treat with them, then declare
it straightway, that thy foemen come not night thee to thy hurt, and that
goodly knights perish not thereby."
Pages:
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17