INTRODUCTION (continued 3)

Fifty-and-four were her fair ones, the maids of Burgundia-land;

There were none of such high-born lineage as they of her queenly band:

The silken snoods fair-jewelled mid their golden tresses shone.

Sooth, all that the King had prayed for, with right good will was it done.

All of the costliest loom-work and the best that earth bestowed

Was the vesture of their arrayal as to meet those guests they rode;

With the lily and rose of their faces it blended in harmony.

Whosoe’er had been ill-contented, a witless wight were he!

Mantles of ermine and sable over the housings flowed;

On lovely arm and white wrist many a bracelet glowed.

Clasps gathered the silk in many a softly-floating fold:—

But of all their splendour-devising the end can ne’er be told.

Full many a rich-wrought girdle with tassels swinging low

Over their shining raiment did hands of ladies throw,

Coiled round the silken loom-work far-fetched from Araby.

—O, the hearts of the noble maidens with joy and hope beat high!

There too did many a fair one over her bosom lace

The bodice clasped with jewels:—yet she whose lovely face

Outshone not all the splendour of her raiment might well be sad!

So fair a train of ladies never queen in the whole world had.

So when all those winsome ladies were arrayed in their bravery,

Then did the knights of their escort in eager haste draw nigh;

Yea, thither the thanes high-hearted came in a mighty throng

All bearing their shining bucklers and their ashen lances long.

X. Of the strange Bridal of Gunther and Brunhild

Then gazed they across the Rhine-stream, and beheld on the farther shore

The King with his guests around him, which had drawn nigh theretofore;

And they saw the good knights standing by the bridle of many a maid,

Even them that they looked to welcome, who now for their coming stayed.

So passed they down to the galleys, that host from the Northern Land,

They and the Niblung thousand, even Siegfried’s own war-band,

And adown the bank they hasted: their toil the rowers plied,

Till all these friends of Gunther had won to the farther side.

Now list ye withal, how the story of the Queen of Burgundy

Telleth, how Uta the stately with her maiden-company

Went forth of the castle riding with that bright cavalcade:

Then were made known to each other many a knight and maid.

The Lord of the Marches, Gere, led Kriemhild’s steed by the rein

To the fortress-gate, no farther: Siegfried the noble thane

Should render her service thereafter—how queenly and lovely she shone!

Well was his service requited by the maiden’s love anon.

Ortwein the noble, the dauntless, led onward Uta the Queen,

And, each by a lady riding, was many a knight there seen.

Unto festal welcoming rode they, plain for all folk to see.

Never was seen of ladies so goodly a company!

In front of Kriemhild the lovely, through all the merry way

Those far-famed heroes jousted in gentle and joyous play:

’Twas the ancient and honoured custom. So when to the ships they came,

Then lifted they from their palfreys full many a noble dame.

Now the King had by this crossed over with many a stranger knight;

But in jousting still they shivered strong spears in ladies’ sight.

Ever the shields were ringing with echoing clash and clang;

In the press of the warriors charging rich bosses mightily rang.

So there these winsome ladies stood by the river-side;

And forth of the ships came Gunther with his guests, the folk of his bride;

And himself forth out of the galley by the hand led Brunhild the Queen.

As they met, bright raiment to raiment and stone unto stone flashed sheen.

Then stepped the Lady Kriemhild forward with queenly grace,

And she greeted the Lady Brunhild and her train with loving face.

Men saw white hands from their foreheads the coronals softly move,

As each fair queen kissed other in token of knitting of love.

Then sweet spake Kriemhild the maiden, the child of a royal line:

“Into this our land Burgundian welcome be thou and thine

Unto me and to my mother, and to all this loyal crowd

Of liegemen and kinsfolk,” With stately grace Queen Brunhild bowed.

Ofttimes with arms enfolding those lovely ladies clung;—

Of such loving welcome aforetime hath never minstrel sung

As now to the bride was rendered of those noble ladies twain

Uta and Kriemhild: her sweet lips kissed they once and again.

Now as the ladies of Brunhild beside the river stand,

The goodly knights step forward, and they take them by the hand

In token of loving greeting to those fair ones lovely-eyed—

Ah, comely were they, the maidens at the Lady Brunhild’s side!

Ere all that greeting was ended, long time had fleeted by:

On rosebud lips full many fell kisses lovingly.

Long face to face communing those Daughters of Kings abode;

And the peerless knights looked on them with hearts that for gladness glowed.

With their own eyes then beheld they, who oft had heard it told

That so glorious beauty might no man in all the world behold

As the beauty of these two fair ones; and the rumour’s truth they learned;

For in all their lovely bodies might no blemish be discerned.

Of such as could weigh the fairness of form and winsome face,

Some to the bride of Gunther gave beauty’s chiefest praise;

But they that were more discerning, that wiselier looked thereon,

Said, “Nay, ye must own that Brunhild by Kriemhild is outshone.”

Now mingled they, home-abiders and strangers, matron and maid:

There many a comely woman was seen all costly-arrayed.

Rich tents and silken pavilions all round lay far and wide,

Wherewith were the green meads covered from Worms to the river-side.

Then nigher pressed to behold them King Gunther’s friends and kin.

Then prayed they the Lady Brunhild and Kriemhild to pass within,

And all their handmaids with them, ’neath the wavering silken shade.

Thither the knights Burgundian their noble guests conveyed.

Now by this upon their horses those knightly guests had sprung,

And with sport of the breaking of lances the shining bucklers rung.

Over the field upsoaring was the dust, as though all the land

Were flame-devoured, as the heroes made proof of their might of hand.

To the eyes of the watching maidens those knights their prowess showed:

Right well with the host of his warriors Siegfried the valiant rode;

In tourney before the pavilion aye to and fro he wheeled:

With the hero a thousand Niblungs went sweeping across the field.

Then strode forth Hagen of Troneg at Gunther the King’s behest,

And courteously the hero bade the knights from their jousting rest,

That they should not o’erpall with the dust-cloud the maidens fair and sweet;

And the knightly guests blithe-hearted rendered obedience meet.

Then out spake Gernot the noble: “Awhile let the horses abide

Till the day on-draweth to coolness, and so shall our escort ride

Beside the lovely ladies to the wide-roofed palace-hall.

When the word of the King shall be given, ‘To horse!’ be ye ready all.”

Through the length and the breadth of the lealand stayed was the tournament;

Then the knights sought unto the ladies in many a stately tent

To while the hours in converse, and to make them merry of heart:

So fleeted fast the moments, till time was thence to depart.

Before the falling of even, when sank the light of the sun,

And came thereafter the coolness, no more would they linger on.

Then cityward knight and lady rode the summer ways,

And on many a form most winsome fell warrior’s loving gaze.

Were twitched from the gallant riders, after the wont of the land,

Till afront of the gate of the palace the King his war-horse stayed:

So by the knights to the ladies was honour-service paid.

Then from the throng departed those Queens in their royal pride;

And the Lady Uta and Kriemhild straightway turned aside

With all the train of their handmaids into a fair wide hall:

There did bright tides of laughter and of voices rise and fall.

Now set they in order the high-seats, and on King Gunther passed

Leading his guests to the banquet. Then saw they beside him at last

A Queen!—it was Brunhild the lovely. A crown on her brow she bare

As a queen in her king’s dominions—ah, stately she was and fair!

For the banquet were seats rich-carven, broad tables goodly to see

Laden with plenty, as singeth the ancient minstrelsy.

Of all the due of the feasters there lacked not anything.

Sat many a noble baron in the presence of the King.

Then entered the chamberlains bringing in basons golden-red

For the hands of the guests bright water—all vainly his labour were sped

Who would say that courtlier service was rendered ever on earth

At a prince’s feast—I would reckon his word as nothing-worth.

But or ever the Lord of the Rhineland set hand to the water clear,

Siegfried—unshamed might he do it—unto Gunther the King drew near:

“Bethink thee of that faith royal and the pledge thou gavest me,”

He said, “ere thou sawest Brunhild in Iceland far oversea.”

Yea, he added and said, “Remember how thou swarest by thy right hand,

In the day we should bring Queen Brunhild home unto this your land,

Thou wouldst give me to wife thy sister—doth the oath unbroken remain?

Thou knowest, for that thy journey I begrudged nor travail nor pain.”

The host to the guest made answer: “Well dost thou to call it to mind.

I will break not the oath that with hand-clasp close to my soul did I bind.

Lo, I help thee to its fulfilment—may blessing thereof befall!”

With the train of her lovely maidens on to the hall she swept;

Then from the dais of honour Giselher lightly stept:—

“Now give ye command to the handmaids that backward they turn to their bower:

It befits that alone my sister commune with the King in this hour.”

Thither bring they the Lady Kriemhild where waiting doth Gunther stand,

And noble knights stood round him, and princes of many a land.

And now proclaimed they silence through the Hall of the Presence vast.

—In the midst of the hush Queen Brunhild to the feast-hall proudly passed.

(C) So entered the maid, nothing wotting of work whose fulfilment was nigh.

But first spake the son of Dankart to his knights that stood thereby:

“Help me at need, that my sister may take for her lord Siegfried.”

With one accord they answered: “In sooth ’twere a goodly deed!”

Then spake unto her King Gunther: “My sister, noble maid,

Let thy queenly blood and thine heart’s love for mine oath’s redemption aid.

I have pledged thine hand to a warrior; if thou take him for thy lord,

Then thou by thy loyal obedience hast redeemed my plighted word.”

Answered the noble maiden: “Heart’s dearest, brother mine,

Needs not that thou supplicate me: my will shall be even as thine.

What thing thou commandest soever, of a surety shall that be done:

Whom thou, Lord, appointest my bridegroom, I will wed that noble one.”

As a fire was the face of Siegfried, his eyes were rapture-ablaze

As the knight unto Kriemhild tendered love-service through all his days.

Then hand in hand they set them in the midst of the great hushed ring,

And they asked, “Wilt thou take this hero for thy lord and for thine heart’s king?”

A little she hung in the balance in maiden shamefastness;

But the Fortune of Siegfried whispered to her heart’s love, “Answer ‘Yes!’”

That she could not, and ah, she would not, deny unto him her hand;

And he plighted him her husband, the Hero of Netherland.

And so soon as his troth was spoken, and her troth unto his had replied,

Swiftly in arms enfolding he drew unto him his bride.

There in the arms of Siegfried that tender maiden lay,

And he kissed the noble princess in the midst of that knightly array.

As parted the throngs asunder, and the banquet’s order was seen,

Lo, in the place of honour, facing the King and the Queen,

Was Siegfried by Kriemhild seated, with service of many a knight;

And there were the Niblung warriors beside him to left and to right.

Beside the King at the banquet sat Brunhild the maiden Queen:

Then Kriemhild she saw—no dagger to her heart had stabbed more keen—

By the side of Siegfried seated; and from weeping she could not refrain,

So that adown her fair cheeks fast did the hot tears rain.

Then spake the Lord of Rhineland: “What aileth thee, lady mine,

That thou drawest a cloud of grieving o’er the brightness of thine eyne?

Thou shouldst rather be heart-uplifted, for bowed in subjection to thee

This day are my land and my castles and all her chivalry.”

“Nay, I do well to be weeping,” unto him did the maid-queen say;

“My heart for the sake of thy sister is in bitterness this day,

That I see her beside one sitting who is nought but thy vassal, thy thrall!

Well may I weep unceasing that she unto this should fall.”

Answered and spake King Gunther: “Thy peace as now do thou hold.

Unto thee at a fitting season shall all the tale be told,

For what cause unto this Siegfried I have given my sister to wife.

A blessing on them! With the hero be hers a happy life!”

She answered: “I cease not to pity her fairness, her royal birth.

Of a truth would I flee hence, knew I a place of refuge on earth!

—Never, I tell thee, never will I couch me by thy side,

Or ever I know cause wherefore is Kriemhild Siegfried’s bride!”

Answered and spake King Gunther to her: “Unto thee be it known,

He hath in possession castles and lands as wide as mine own.

Yea, I tell thee this of a surety, a mighty king is he,

And I give him my comely sister with a glad heart and free.”

Yet, how pleaded the King soever, she sat with lowering eyes.

But by this from the banquet-table doth many a good knight rise,

And they clash so hotly in tourney that the courts of the castle ring.

—But amidst of his guests for the host-king time traileth a broken wing.

“By the side of my love, my fair one,” he thought, “how sweet to lie!”

His heart to the dream was captive, he could not thrust it by,

The dream of her lovingkindness, and all the joy thereof.

And ever on Lady Brunhild he glanced with eyes of love.

So they gave command to the good knights from tourney-sport to refrain,

For that now for the peace of the night-tide the King and his bride were fain.

And before the great hall-stairway face to face they met,

Kriemhild and Brunhild—nothing had sundered their love as yet.

Followed the train of the handmaids; they lingered there no more

As on to the bridal-chamber the torches led before.

Now came the Kings, and parted the knights of either’s train.

Then followed after Siegfried full many a noble thane.

Now over the bridal threshold are King and Hero gone,

And the heart of either was leaping at the thought of a winsome one,

And of Love the Overcomer—how glad were their souls for this!

And for Siegfried the arms of the loving were a haven of infinite bliss.

As Siegfried the hero gathered Kriemhild unto his breast,

And poured out his love upon her in the glory of love’s twin-rest,

As a knight all-courteous, his darling became unto him as his life.

Not for a thousand fair ones had he given his belovèd—his wife!

Now no more singeth the minstrel of his joy in that lady bright;

But thereafter the story telleth how Gunther fared that night

In the bride-bower of Queen Brunhild—O me, that gentle thane

By any other woman in easier plight had lain!

All folk were gone out from before him, maid and man were gone:

Fast shut was the door of the bridal bower; they twain were alone.

He looked that in arms fond-clasping he should fold her loveliness—

Ah, not but through weary waiting he won her and bitter stress!

Vestured in fair white linen to the couch that Lady passed;

And the noble knight to his heart cried—“Now all is mine at last,

Even all that mine heart hath longed for my life through unto this hour!”

Well might she to him be delightsome for her beauty’s priceless dower.

Then the hand of the King in a darkling nook set the lamp aside;

And he turned him, the valiant warrior, to the bed of the maiden bride,

And he laid himself anear her, and the tide of his joy was at flood,

As he stretched arms fain of embracing to that glory of womanhood.

Upon nought but gentle dalliance the King in that sweet hour thought,

Had the noble lady but suffered the will of love to be wrought.

But she raged with exceeding fury, that the heart of the King was stung:

He looked but for lovingkindness, and hate in his face was flung.

For she said to him, “Noble warrior, I say unto thee, refrain!

That which thine heart desireth in no wise shalt thou attain.

I still will abide a maiden, Sir King, I do thee to wit,

Till I know truth touching Siegfried.” Then the flame of his wrath was lit.

By force he essayed to embrace her, that her fair white vesture was torn.

Then the proud maid caught at her girdle in her terrible anger and scorn,

Wherewithal was her waist encompassed—it was strong as an iron chain—

Therewith did she deal King Gunther exceeding bitter pain.

For she gripped him, she bound together his feet and his hands withal:

To a staple of iron she bare him, and hung him thence by the wall.

“Thy love shall not trouble my slumber!” she laughed with bitter breath.

Her terrible strength had thrust him well-nigh through the gates of death.

Then fell he to make supplication—he who should be her lord!—

“O noble Queen, I beseech thee, loose from the captive the cord!

Fair Lady, I pledge me never to essay thy will to constrain.

Long shall it be of a surety ere I couch me nigh thee again.”

She recked not how fared it with Gunther, so she all restfully lay.

There must he hang in torment through the weary night till the day,

Yea, until shot through the casement were the shafts of the dawning light.

—Had he ever been stalwart of body, now passing faint was his might!

“Make answer to me, Lord Gunther, wouldst haply be sore dismayed

If thy chamberlains entered and found thee,” spake that lovely maid,

“Hanging a shackled captive, by a woman’s hand so bound?”

But he answered, “Therein thy dishonour and thine own hurt should be found.

Yea also, and little honour,” said the King, “were this for me.

By thy queenly heart and thy kindness, let me now draw nigh unto thee!

And if thou dost abhor my embraces, and my love dost wholly contemn,

This hand of mine shall touch not so much as thy vesture’s hem.”

Then loosed she the King, that hanging he should not longer abide;

And he went to the couch, and he laid him in sooth by that fair one’s side,

Yet so far off, and he bare him so fearful-reverent,

That he stirred not her fine-spun vesture; nor once did her heart relent.

Then came who waited upon them, which bare to them fresh attire

Whereof upon such a morning was more than heart could desire.

But, how blithe soe’er were his people, in bitter heaviness

Went the Lord of the land: on his forehead did the crown royal heavily press.

After the land’s old custom, whereunto bound are kings,

Gunther and Brunhild forbore not from observance of holy things.

So passed they on to the minster, and the mass-chant rolled along

The aisles: thither also Siegfried came, and a mighty throng.

As beseemeth the honour of kingfolk, ready were all things found

Which were meet for their arraying, wherein to be robed and crowned,

And the oil of consecration. Now all hath been done aright,

And they four, joy-triumphant, stand crowned in all men’s sight.

Unto squires was the accolade given in honour of the King,

To six hundred, yea, more it may be, as the olden minstrels sing.

High swelled the tides of joyance through all Burgundia-land

As the lances crashed and splintered in the sworded warrior’s hand.

There sat on high at the casements the lovely maidens arow;

Lightened before them ever the shield-flash to and fro.

But the King the while had sundered himself from his vassal-train:

What sport they devised soever, it could not salve his pain.

Far other than Gunther’s anguish was Siegfried’s happy mood;

Well he divined what ailed him, that noble knight and good.

So to the King hath he hied him, and questioneth lovingly:

“How fared with you twain the night-tide? I pray thee tell unto me.”

And the host to the guest made answer: “My portion is scathe and shame!

To mine house a very demon have I brought for wedded dame!

When I thought to embrace her, swiftly my limbs into bonds she flung:

To an iron staple she bare me, and against the wall she hung.

There swung I sore in torment the long night through till the day

Or ever she deigned to unbind me—and she all restfully lay!

Lo, this is my bitter secret—O true friend, pity thou me!”

Made answer Siegfried the mighty: “Of a truth I sorrow for thee.

Yea, this will I prove, if for thy part thou count not the deed for despite.

I will bring to pass her submission to couch by thy side this night;

And she shall not spurn thine embraces from this time forth again.”

After all his anguish the war-king for the word was exceeding fain.

(C) “Look on mine hands, and mark them, how bruised and swollen are they:

Her grip thereon was so mighty, as a babe in her arms I lay:

From beneath my nails was bursting the blood, and earthward dripped.

No whit in that hour I doubted that my throat by death was gripped.”

Answered him Siegfried the stalwart: “Fear not, all yet shall be well.

Far other was my well-faring from thine when the darkness fell.

Unto me is Kriemhild thy sister dear as limb and life!

Yea, also to-night must Brunhild become in truth thy wife.

I will come when the daylight endeth unto thy bridal bower

So veiled in my Hood of Darkness, the screen of magic power,

That of these my cunning devices no man on earth may be ware.

First bid thou thy lords of the chamber that unto their lodging they fare.

The lights in the hands of the pages will I darken suddenly,

And that same manifest token shall then be a sign unto thee

That I have entered the chamber. I will surely tame thy wife:

’Neath the yoke of love shall she bow her—or forfeited be my life!”

“But not ’neath the yoke of thy love!” cried the King in sudden fear.

“Be all the rest as thou sayest; but she still is my wife most dear.

Yet—though in the grapple thou slay her, if it may not better be,

Even so could I hold thee guiltless, for a fearful bride is she!”

“Thereunto I plight me,” said Siegfried; “be mine honour the pledge thereof.

For me shall she still be virgin. Thy sister hath all my love:

She far above all earth’s daughters that mine eyes have seen is preferred.”

Then with all his heart King Gunther gave credence to Siegfried’s word.

The rapture and travail of jousting went on without surcease,

Till over the clangour and clamour the marshal’s voice cried “Peace!”

For now would the ladies be passing to the hall where the feast was dight:

And the chamberlains bade all people avoid from their path forthright.

Cleared was the castle courtyard of armèd knight and steed.

Then each fair Queen to the feast-hall did the hand of a bishop lead,

As these passed in to the banquet before those war-kings twain:

And after them thronged to the high-seats many a chosen thane.

In high-wrought expectation by his wife’s side sat the King,

For aye did the promise of Siegfried within the heart of him sing.

Unto him that one day’s evening was as thirty days by seeming,

For still on the love of Brunhild his trancèd soul was dreaming.

Scarce could he tarry till ended was the banquet-festival;

But at last rose Brunhild the lovely, and passed forth out of the hall,

And forth of the feast went Kriemhild; for the slumber-tide was nigh.

What throngs of valiant barons stood up as the Queens swept by!

Now a little while thereafter, as, with Siegfried at her side,

In the joy and trust of the wedded sat Kriemhild his fair bride,

His hands she lovingly folded in her fingers snowy-fair;—

He was gone from her—how, she knew not; but she saw him no more there!

Even now his hand was she fondling—and now she saw him no more!

Then to the train of her handmaids the Queen spake wondering sore:

“Exceedingly do I marvel whither my lord is gone,

Who out of my clasping fingers his hands even now hath drawn!”

Then her wonder fell to silence. But he hasted to Gunther’s door,

And bearing the lamps the pages were standing therebefore.

In their hands all suddenly quenched he the lights that the chamberlains bare;

And Gunther knew by the token that now was Siegfried there.

Well knew he what was his purpose: he sent forth thence each one,

Each handmaid and dame of the chamber: so soon as his hest was done,

That noble King with his own hand shut the bower-door fast,

And strong bolts twain right swiftly through the iron staples passed.

The hand of the King in a darkling nook set the lamp aside.

Now a trial of strength beginneth which of sore need must betide

Of strong hero and lovely maiden, a strife of bitter strain;

And the same was for King Gunther full fraught with joy and pain.

For now to the couch stole Siegfried, and laid him down by the Queen;

And she said, “Refrain thee, Gunther—ay, though thy longing be keen!—

Lest thou get to thyself sore anguish, even as yesternight.”

—Of a truth, ere all was ended, he was oft in desperate plight.

He locked his lips from speaking, he uttered never a word;

And, albeit he said nought, Gunther full keenly hearkened and heard

That by word or by deed in secret nothing by them was done.

—Good sooth, it was no soft lying that these on the bride-bed won!

He made as though he were Gunther, Burgundia’s mighty King;

And around that peerless maiden a sudden arm did he fling.

But forth of the couch she hurled him, and against a high-seat dashed,

That his brows against the footstool thereof full heavily crashed.

Then leapt to his feet the hero, and he summoned up all his might

To essay it with better fortune; and these twain closed in a fight

Wherein he strove to tame her, and bitter she made it for him.

—Never, I ween, of woman was made a defence so grim!

Forasmuch as he would not refrain him, the Maiden sprang full-height—

“How dar’st thou so much as ruffle the hem of my vesture white,

Thou insolent knave, thou ruffian? The deed shalt thou dearly abide!

Yea, now will I make thee to know it!” that warrior maiden cried.

Arms like unto bands of iron she locked round the valiant thane.

She was minded in fetters to lay him even as the King had lain,

That still she might lie untroubled in the peace of her maiden sleep.

That he touched but her vesture, how fiercely did the flame of her fury upleap!

Despite his brawny sinews, in his magic power’s despite,

She gave dread proof to the hero of her matchless bodily might:

She bare him resistlessly backward with overmastering stress.

As in vice of steel she crushed him ’twixt the bed and an oaken press.

“Out on it!” his heart indignant cried; “if my limb and life

Be lost at the hands of a maiden, then every shrewish wife—

Who had dreamed not else of rebellion—against her lord shall upraise

Malapert brows of defiance through all earth’s coming days!”

Now the King heard all: for his champion with exceeding fear was he filled.

Then swift through the heart of Siegfried fierce shame and anger thrilled.

With the might of the Dwarfs and the Giants he hurled himself on his foe,

And strained his strength against Brunhild as in fury of madness-throe.

(C) Yea, even as she thrust him backward, it spurred his fury on,

So stinging each mighty sinew, that, spite of her vantage won,

He upwrithed himself against her: the flame of his rage outflashed,

And from wall unto wall of the chamber those wrestlers hurtled and crashed.

(C) Great fear and tribulation the King endured in that hour:

Oft must he flee before them to this side and that of the bower.

So furiously they grappled and strained, that a marvel it seemed

That out of the hands of each other their very lives were redeemed.

(C) In anguish of dread King Gunther trembled for each of twain;

But most was his spirit quaking lest Siegfried should be slain.

Oft thought he, “The life of the hero is well nigh reft by the maid!”

Had he but dared to essay it, he would fain have gone to his aid.

(C) Long, long between those wrestlers endured that desperate strife:

But he slowly at last bare backward to the couch that maiden-wife.

How grimly she fought soever, her strength waxed faint at the last:

But aye through the heart of Gunther a tumult of wild thoughts passed.

Long, long it seemed unto Gunther ere Siegfried tamed her mood.

Her grip on his hands was so mighty that from ’neath his nails the blood

At her terrible crushing spirted, that his soul was wrung with pain:

Yet he wore her down by his stubborn endurance, and forced to refrain

From the fury of eager onset, from the erstwhile tiger-leap.

—Ware of all this was Gunther, though he hearkened in silence deep.

He crushed her against the bed-beam, that for pain aloud she cried;

For the strength of Siegfried the mighty tortured at last the bride.

In a desperate hope, at the girdle that around her sides she wore

She snatched, if she haply might bind him; but this from her grasp he tore.

Her joints are strained unto breaking, on the rack is her fainting frame—

Lo, now is the strife’s decision: wife to the King is the dame.

She moaned, “O king and hero, take not my life from me!

Atoned for in wifely duty shall be all scathe done unto thee!

Against thy noble embraces myself no more do I ward.

At last have I throughly proved it, that thou art master and lord.”

Uprose from the grapple Siegfried—while faint lay the panting bride—

Back drew he as though he were minded to put but his raiment aside:

Yet first did he draw from her finger a little golden ring;

But thereof the Queen outwearied knew not anything.

That silken marvel, her girdle, for a trophy withal took he:

I know not if haply he did it in pride of victory.

To his wife he gave them thereafter—his own bane came thereof!

He is gone; and the King and Brunhild are alone in the bed of love.

All in the old sweet fashion he gathered her unto his breast:

The erstwhile shame and the anger are for ever laid to rest.

As Love the Overcomer prevailed, her cheek waxed wan—

There is no more Brunhild the Maiden, and her might as a dream is gone!

O yea, she is now no stronger than any woman beside!

He poured out his love upon her, he cherished his winsome bride.

Ay, though she now should withstand him, what were her strength made frail?

Unto Gunther is victory given by Love who is strong to prevail.

Ah, in what lovingkindness the knight and the lady lay

Through the glory-litten darkness till the shadows fled away!

But long since had the hero Siegfried from the Bower of Slain Hate hied

To the welcoming arms of the lovely, to the lips of a waiting bride.

Lightly he put by questions that trembled on her tongue;

And he kept those victory-trophies hidden from sight full long,

Until to his Queen in his kingdom he gave, afar and late,

The Gifts of Doom—how little availeth to strive with fate!

That King on the morrow’s dawning far blither was of cheer

Than yestermorn: through the marches of his kingdom far and near

High swelled the tides of joyance in stately homes and fair;

And the guests to the palace bidden rendered him homage there.

Through days twice seven lasted the joy of the bridal-feast,

So that in all that season never the music ceased

Of all manner of mirth and pastime that the wit of man may devise:

And all was at Gunther’s charges at his marriage-solemnities.

The noble Gunther’s kinsmen, according to his behest,

Gave gifts of gold in his honour, and many a rich-wrought vest.

Silver withal and horses on the wandering bard they bestowed:

All lovers of royal bounty from Worms glad-hearted rode.

Yea, also Siegfried the Hero, the Prince of the Nether Land,

Caused all the goodly raiment that was brought by his Niblung band,

His thousand, to Rhine, to be given to whosoever might crave,

Fair horses withal, and saddles: like kings his vassals gave.

Ere the giving of costly presents to an end had wholly come,

Long seemed the time to the sated guests that yearned for home.

Ne’er with such royal bounty were desires of guests fulfilled.

So ended the marriage high-tide, and all was as Gunther willed.

XI. How Siegfried and his Wife journeyed Home

Now so soon as the guests of Gunther had wended all away,

Then spake the Son of Siegmund unto them of his vassal-array:

“Time is it we made us ready to our fatherland to ride.”

Right glad to hear that saying was the heart of Kriemhild the bride.

Then spake she unto her husband: “How soon is thy mind to depart?

So hastily hence to be faring is nowise after mine heart,

Ere my brethren divide me my portion of the land of Burgundy.”

But vexed was the soul of Siegfried that such her desire should be.

Then came unto him the Princes, and with one voice spake all three:

“We do thee to wit, Lord Siegfried, that for aye are we bound unto thee

In loyalty of service, so long as life shall remain.”

Unto this their gracious tender low bowed that royal thane.

“We will give thee withal thy portion,” the young lord Giselher cried,

“Of all that we hold in possession, of our castles and manors wide,

And of all this mighty kingdom the rule whereof we claim.

Yea, thou receivest with Kriemhild thine own full share of the same.”

Made answer then to the Princes the son of Siegmund the King,

When he heard the speech of their kindness and their royal offering:

“God seal unto you by His blessing your heritage all your life,

And therewithal its people: but this my beloved wife,

No need hath she of the portion that ye so freely would give.

Where she shall reign a crowned queen—if to see that day we live—

There shall she be far richer than any the wide world through.

For all that beside ye have proffered I am ever beholden to you.”

Then answered the Lady Kriemhild: “Though lightly thou reck of my land,

As touching the thanes Burgundian not so doth the matter stand:

For the escort-royal homeward these may no king disdain.

Let my loving brethren give me of these for my princely train.”

Answered and spake Lord Gernot: “Whomsoever thou wilt, take thou.

Thou shalt find here many that gladly will ride with thee, I trow.

There be good knights thirty hundred; take thee a thousand of these

For thy palace-retainers.” Kriemhild ’gan send forth messages

Unto Hagen of Troneg and Ortwein, and asked that mighty twain

If they and their kinsmen accepted Kriemhild for suzerain.

But an answer of scornful anger from Hagen her message won:

“Unto no one on earth can Gunther pass us as chattels on!

Let other escort-vassals with you on your journey go.

The Law of the Men of Troneg full well by this should ye know:

We be bound to abide with our liege-lord the King in hall and field,

And to them which have had our homage, our homage ever to yield.”

So they spake no more of the matter, but they dight them for the way;

And Kriemhild took for escort of her noble palace-array

Two-and-thirty maidens, and of knights five hundred men;

And Eckwart Lord of the Marches went forth with Kriemhild then.

All these took leave of their people, from the henchman unto the knight,

The stately dame and the handmaid, even as was meet and right:

With manifold clasping and kissing was wrought that sundering.

So fared they forth blithe-hearted from the land of Gunther the King.

Far on the way with them kinsfolk for friendship and honour fared.

Unto Burgundy’s uttermost marches for their resting was lodging prepared

Wheresoe’er in the land of Gunther they chose to abide for the night.

Therewithal to the old king Siegmund were messengers sent forthright,

To bear unto him the tidings and to Siegelind the Queen

That his son and the Daughter of Uta full soon at his gates should be seen,

Kriemhild the Fair, from the City of Worms, from the Rhine-stronghold.

Never could welcomer tidings in the ears of these be told.

“Happy am I,” cried Siegmund, “that I live to see the day

When in this land Kriemhild the Lovely shall be crowned for royal sway!

Henceforth shall my father’s kingdom yet higher in honour stand,

For now shall my son, my Siegfried, himself be king of the land.”

Then Siegelind gave to the heralds for vesture the velvet red

And the massy gold and the silver, their guerdon for tidings sped.

She joyed beyond words for the story, she had gotten her heart’s desire.

And all her palace-maidens made ready their fairest attire.

Each told unto other what escort drew with Siegfried near;

And they gave command that the craftsmen should the ranks of the high-seats rear

Wherefrom all friends should behold him crowned their king ere long.

Then rode forth onward to meet them King Siegmund’s vassal-throng.

If ever was royaller welcome, thereof have I heard not yet

Than this wherewith were the heroes in the land of Siegmund met.

Forth to the meeting with Kriemhild did Siegfried’s mother ride

With many a lovely lady and valiant knight at her side.

A day’s march rode they, or ever those guests they might behold.

Home-dwellers and far-comers alike were restless-souled

Till they met at the last by a fortress with towers encompassed round,

Xanten its name, where Siegfried and Kriemhild ere long should be crowned.

With smiling lips King Siegmund and Siegelind greeted there

With kisses on loving kisses Queen Uta’s daughter fair

And Siegfried the Knight—for his safety had their hearts been long in pain;—

And they gave withal glad welcome unto all his escort-train.

Into the hall of Siegmund the long-desired led they;

And unto the winsome handmaids was many a hand straightway

Upreached, from the palfreys to lift them: knights many of high degree

Waited on those fair ladies with eager courtesy.

How splendid soever the bridal had been where Rhine-river flowed,

This day far goodlier raiment on the hero-guests they bestowed

For the marriage-feast, than ever had arrayed them in all their days.

Of the wealth of their kingdom marvels are sung in the minstrels’ praise.

So sat they high in honour amid all that heart desired.

In what gold-broidered vesture were the palace-pages attired!

With needlework laid were their garments and the gemstone’s starry sheen

By the heedful care provided of Siegelind the Queen.

Then in his leal friends’ presence did Siegmund rise and say:

“Be it known unto all my lovers and all my folk this day

That from this hour forward Siegfried the crown of my lordship shall wear.”

And with joy that proclamation did the men of the Netherland hear.

Unto Siegfried his crown he committed, his land, and the power of the sword.

Henceforth was he lord and master: as he spake in judgment’s award,

As he visited for transgression, his word was the whole land’s law,

So that under the lord of Kriemhild all men bowed down in awe.

In the midst of such high honour he lived—this witness is true—

Doing crowned kings’ judgment and justice, till onward the tenth year drew.

And now to the fair Queen Kriemhild was born at the last a son

In whom for the kinsmen of Siegfried all hope and desire were won.

They bare to the font baptismal the babe, and they chose him a name,

The name of his uncle Gunther—thereof could he take no shame.

So he grew unto man like his kinsman, a valiant lord should he be.

And with watchful love, as behoved them, they nurtured him heedfully.

Now it came to pass that in those days did the Lady Siegelind die,

And to Uta’s noble daughter passed all her majesty,

As beseemed so royal a lady in the land where her lord bare sway:

Yet sorely for her they lamented whom death had taken away.

Now also beside Rhine-river, as the olden minstrels sing,

In that fair land Burgundian unto Gunther the mighty king

The Queen, even Brunhild the lovely, had also borne a son.

Siegfried, for love of the Hero, they named that little one.

Ah, with what care exceeding they watched his childhood-days!

Wise warders Gunther appointed to rear him in wisdom’s ways,

Even all that for noble manhood and knightly should stand him in stead.

—Ah me, what woes from his kinsfolk lighted on that child’s head!

Through the golden years was the story aye published far and wide

In what fashion those valiant barons in princely pomp and pride

Lived in the land of Siegmund through the happy-fleeting days.

Yea, Gunther withal with his kinsfolk dwelt amid all men’s praise.

All the land of the Niblungs was bowed under Siegfried’s sway,

—Such wealth had none of his kinsfolk as gathered in that Hoard lay—

With all the knights of Schilbung and the slain kings’ treasure-store;

And for this cause heart-uplifted was the hero yet the more.

Yea, a Hoard, of treasures the hugest that ever hero won,

Save the lords that of old possessed it, had Siegfried gained for his own,

The which by the Misty Mountain his right hand took in fight,

When he dealt for its sake the death-stroke unto many a stalwart knight.

He was crowned with the fulness of honour—yea, had his portion been less,

Yet of that noble warrior all men must needs confess

That of all knights this was the chiefest that ever backed a steed.

Men dreaded his might—and reason had they in veriest deed!

XII. How Gunther bade Siegfried to a Festival

Now through all these years ever Brunhild the Queen to her own heart said:

“How comes it that Lady Kriemhild beareth so proudly her head?

And yet is her husband Siegfried nought but our vassal, I trow;

Yet for long hath he rendered homage or service little enow!”

So bare she in secret a burden of brooding and heart’s unrest,

And that these in a far land tarried was ever a thorn in her breast,

Yea also, that none brought tribute to her out of Siegfried’s land;

How it befell she knew not, and she wearied to understand.

Then made she trial of Gunther, if haply she might attain

Her purpose, to meet Queen Kriemhild face to face again;

And she took with him secret counsel for that whereon aye did she brood.

But the word of the Queen unto Gunther seemed in no wise good.

“How might we bring them hither?” that noble King replied,

“Even to this our kingdom? The thing can never betide.

Too far is their dwelling: I dare not ask that this might be!”

But Brunhild to him made answer with speech of subtlety:

“And be he never so mighty, who is vassal still to a King,

Whatsoever his liege-lord biddeth, of force must he do the thing.”

Smiled Gunther for this delusion that in her heart had place—

Little he thought on homage when he looked upon Siegfried’s face.

“Nay, dear my lord,” she made answer, “I pray thee, help me herein—

By my love I beseech thee—that Siegfried and thy sister Kriemhild the Queen

May come unto this thy kingdom, that we may behold them here.

In all this world could be given no joy to mine heart more dear.

That gracious mien of thy sister, and her queenly courtesy,

Still as I muse thereover, how sweet is the memory,

How we sat at the feast of my bridal side by side at the board!

In sooth hath she chosen with honour Siegfried the brave for her lord.”

She lay on him sore in entreaty, that at last King Gunther said:

“Now know, that no guests more welcome my feast-hall floor could tread.

Lightly is gained thy petition: swift messengers of mine

Shall be sent unto them, to bid them come unto us by Rhine.”

Then spake that Daughter of Princes: “Now shalt thou tell unto me

When thou wilt send to bid them, and how many days shall it be

Ere come into this our kingdom the friends we love so well.

And whom thou wilt send to bid them unto me beforehand tell.”

“Yea,” answered the King, “that will I: There shall go of my knightly array

Thirty thitherward riding.” For these did he send straightway;

And with that message he charged them, to bear it to Siegfried’s land.

Rich raiment to gladden their spirits received they of Brunhild’s hand.

“My knights, ye shall take this message from me”; thus spake the King;

“And of all wherewith I have charged you withhold not anything.

Say unto Siegfried the mighty, and unto my sister say,

That in all this world may no one be dearer to me than they.

And pray them to come to their kinsfolk here beside Rhine-river:

And for this unto them shall Brunhild and I be beholden ever.

Ere summer to autumn waneth full many shall he see here,

Even he and his men, that in honour hold him passing dear.

And bear ye to King Siegmund my service in courtesy,

And say that to him aye bounden my friends and I shall be:

And pray ye also my sister that she tarry not to ride

To her friends—she hath lighted never on so worthy a festal-tide.”

Brunhild withal, and Uta, yea, every high-born dame

Unto the land of Siegfried fair greeting sent by name

To their kinsfolk and their acquaintance, fair lady and valiant knight.

So, sped by King and Council, they hasted thence forthright;

For they stood all girt for the journey, seeing all things ready to hand

Had they, their horses, their raiment: so rode they forth of the land.

On to the goal they hasted whereunto their hearts were bent.

Strong escort on that wayfaring to guard them the King had sent.

So it was, on the twelfth day’s dawning they came to the Niblung land,

To the fencèd city, whither they were sent by the King’s command.

Afar on the marches of Norway that hero-thane found they:

And by this were steed and rider forwearied with all the way.

Unto Siegfried and unto Kriemhild were tidings borne with speed

That knights were come to their castle arrayed in suchlike weed

As folk in the land Burgundian were wont to wear alway.

Then leapt from the couch that lady, where resting yet she lay;

And a certain one of her handmaids she bade to the casement go,

Who beheld the valiant Gere in the court stand therebelow,

Even him and his fellow-farers which thither from far had sped.

All heart-ache of the exile like a dream at the tidings fled.

And she cried aloud unto Siegfried: “Behold how there they wait,

These that with Gere the stalwart have ridden through our gate,

These whom my brother Gunther unto us down Rhine-flood sends!”

Made answer Siegfried the mighty, “Welcome to us be our friends!”

Straightway beholding them hasted to greet them squire and knight,

And this one and that with welcome hailed them, and, each as he might,

They paid to the heralds royal all loving courtesies.

Yea, also the old King Siegmund rejoiced for the coming of these.

So when they had given fair lodging to Gere and all his men,

And had stabled in stall their horses, they led those messengers then

To the place where sat King Siegfried with Kriemhild at his side,

Even the Hall of the Presence, when his pleasure was signified.

Then the King and the Queen from their high-seats rose up at their entering-in,

And they graciously greeted the envoys of their far Burgundian kin,

Even these and their fellow-farers, King Gunther’s liegemen all,

And entreated Gere the noble, “Sit thou with us in the hall.”

“Let us first of our message acquit us, ere we sit down to rest:

So long let him stand in thy presence, thy travel-weary guest;

And so shall the word be spoken which is sent unto you of the King,

Of Gunther, and of Queen Brunhild. In bliss be they prospering.

From the Lady Uta thy mother, O Queen, have we also a word,

And from Giselher the stripling, and from Gernot the royal lord,

And from all your nearest kinsfolk: hither have these sent us

From Burgundia-land with greetings exceeding courteous.”

“God guerdon them!” said Siegfried; “I put my trust alway

In their love and their faith true-hearted, as friend with friend doth aye:

This doth withal their sister. Now shall ye further tell

If our friends in their far-off homeland be merry, and all go well.

Since the day that we parted from them, hath any evil been done

By a foe to my Lady’s brethren? Concerning this say on.

In loyal faith will I help them aye to the uttermost.

Of my service to these shall foemen learn to their bitter cost.”

Answered the Lord of the Marches, Gere, a right good knight:

“In chivalry and in joyance be all things going aright;

And they bid you now unto Rhineland to a glorious festal-tide.

Glad shall they be to behold you, hereof be ye certified.

They beseech my Lady Kriemhild withal that she come with thee

So soon as the feet of the winter from the face of the spring shall flee.

Or ever the summer waneth full fain would they look upon you.”

Answered Siegfried the mighty, “Not lightly this may I do!”

But Gere the earl Burgundian spake on furthermore:

“Nay also Uta your mother beseecheth you very sore,

And Giselher and Gernot: ye may not say them nay.

That ye dwell so far from their faces is their sorrow day by day.

Brunhild withal my Lady and her maidens in bower and hall

Rejoice over this my message; and if haply it might befall

That they look once more on your faces, heart-uplifted they were.”

Then exceeding glad for the tidings was Kriemhild the loving and fair.

Now the Queen’s near kinsman was Gere, and the King bade seat him on high,

And pour them the wine of welcome; no more might they put it by.

Thither withal came Siegmund, and rejoiced their faces to see;

And the old king lovingly greeted the heralds of Burgundy:

“Welcome to us, ye liegemen of Gunther, knight and thane!

Behold, forasmuch as Siegfried my son to wife hath ta’en

Kriemhild, the great King’s sister, more oft should we see you thus

Guests in our land, if closer ye would knit up friendship with us.”

And they cried, whensoe’er it should please him, with joyful hearts would they come.

From their limbs was weariness banished, by gladness stolen therefrom.

Then the horns blew up to the banquet, and they feasted with all good cheer,

For Siegfried had bidden lavish the best upon friends so dear.

Till nine full days were accomplished, they constrained them there to abide,

Till the eager knights uplifted a voice of complaining, and cried:

“Will ye aye withhold us from riding back to our land at all?”

Then to a council did Siegfried his friends and his kinsmen call.

He prayed them to give their counsel, should he go to the Rhine or forbear:

“Gunther, my fair Queen’s brother, entreateth me to fare

To the land where he and his brethren a mighty feast will array;

And fain would I go, but his kingdom is exceeding far away.

And they make request that Kriemhild shall thitherward fare with me.

Give counsel, friends and kinsmen, shall this her journey be?

Were it but to lead through kingdoms thrice ten a warrior-band,

Glad help and willing service should they have of Siegfried’s hand.”

Unto him did the knights make answer: “If thy will and thy pleasure it is

To journey to this high feast-tide, our rede unto thee is this:

With good knights twice five hundred hence shalt thou ride to the Rhine,

So through all thy stay in Burgundia shall royal honour be thine.”

Then spake the old king Siegmund, erewhile the Netherland’s Lord:

“Wouldst thou to a feast-tide, and tellest to me thereof no word!

Even I will be your companion, if this content you well,

And thanes of my train a hundred your guard-array shall swell.”

“If thou, O father beloved, wilt ride in our company,”

Made answer Siegfried the dauntless, “a joy shall it be unto me.

Ere twelve days have passed over, I ride forth out of our land.”

Then gave they horses and raiment unto all that should be of their band.

When therefore set on the journey was the heart of that king of men,

They suffered the eager envoys to ride thence homeward again;

And he charged them to say to the brethren of Kriemhild, by Rhine-river side,

That Siegfried joyful-hearted would come to their festival-tide.

Siegfried the hero and Kriemhild, as telleth the minstrel’s tale,

So laded with presents the heralds, that their own steeds could not avail

To bear all the guerdon homeward, so wealthy a lord was he:

So they drove it on sumpter-horses, journeying joyfully.

To their people was raiment given by Siegfried and Siegmund his sire;

And Eckwart, Lord of the Marches, bade seek out splendid attire

For the ladies of Kriemhild, the richest vesture that might be found

Or be won by diligent searching in all the land around.

Goodly saddles and bucklers they bade the craftsmen prepare

For the noble knights and ladies that with him were bidden to fare.

Nought lacked they; all that they asked for was given with open hand.

So brought he guests most princely to his friends in the far-off land.

Meanwhile are the envoys returning, and ever they speed on fast.

So cometh the proud thane Gere to Burgundia-land at last,

And with honour there is he welcomed. Down to the earth they spring

From saddle of steed and palfrey in front of the hall of the King.

Forth poured the youths and the elders, as folk be wont to do,

And asked of him touching his tidings. Made answer the knight thereto:

“When I speak to the King my message, unto you shall the same be known.”

So entered he in with his comrades where Gunther sat on his throne.

Upleapt the King from the high-seat, and bright for joy was his face.

Brunhild withal the lovely thanked them with queenly grace

For this their speedy returning, and the King to the messengers spake:

“How fareth Siegfried, who ofttimes hath ventured his life for my sake?”

Made answer Gere the valiant: “For joy was his face aflame,

Even his and thy sister’s. Message so gracious never came

From any man aforetime that would greet far-sundered friends,

As now unto you with his father the noble Siegfried sends.”

Then of the Lord of the Marches the King’s wife questioned and cried:

“Answer me, cometh Kriemhild? As of old is her beauty’s pride

And the grace of the queenly bearing that to her did of yore appertain?”

“O yea, of a surety she cometh,” made answer Gere the thane.

Then the herald at Uta’s bidding came before that Queen,

And now by her eager asking all in a moment was seen

Whereunto was her whole heart yearning—“How hath my child’s weal sped?”

And he said, “She is well, and she cometh ere many days be fled.”

Then showed they the herald’s guerdon in the palace for all to behold,

The gifts of the hand of Siegfried, the raiment and the gold:

Nothing thereof was hidden from the three Kings’ vassalry.

All rendered the hero honour for his bounty and courtesy.

“Ha! well may the man,” cried Hagen, “with full hand give away.

Ne’er could he spend his treasure, not though he should live for aye.

The Hoard of the Niblungs lieth in the hollow of his hand!

—Ha, if the same came ever hither to Burgundy-land!”

Right glad in court and castle were all the thanes when they heard

Of the friends that should come; and a spirit of diligent toiling stirred

In all men late and early, yea, in all the Kings’ array.

Long ranks of stately high-seats afront of the burg reared they.

There toiling was Hunold the valiant, there toiling was Sindold the thane:

Full little rest they tasted, in their office as laboured the twain,

Steward and cupbearer-royal, as the seats rose rank on rank:

There daily was Ortwein helping; and Gunther rendered them thank.

Rumold the feast-arrayer, how urged he on at that tide

The vassalry of the kitchen!—full many a caldron wide,

Skillet and seething-vessel—how shone they in line on line

For the ordering of the feasting of the guests of the Land of Rhine!

(C) Toiled also the palace-maidens in many a fair device:

They broidered the costly loomwork, and many a gem of price

They set in the midst of the gold thread, that far its splendour shone.

Was none but thanked them and praised them as they cunningly laid them thereon.

XIII. How they Fared to the Feast-tide

From the tale of their diligent toiling awhile refraineth the song,

And telleth how Lady Kriemhild and all her handmaid-throng

Set forth from the land of the Niblungs to the realms by Rhine to fare.

Never such wealth of royal vesture did horses bear:

For with many a casket and coffer they laded the sumpter-train.

Amidst of friends and kinsmen rode Siegfried the hero-thane;

And beside him the Daughter of Princes mid dreams of gladness rode:

—Ah me, sore grief lay ambushed by the path that their horses trode!

But the little child of Siegfried, but Kriemhild’s darling one,

Safe in the home-land left they; of need must it so be done.

Begotten for him of their journey was bitter affliction and sore.

Strong father and lovely mother that child saw never more!

Beside them went forth riding Siegmund the ancient king.

Ah, had his heart foreboded what sorrow was doomed to spring

For him of that festal high-tide, he had never looked thereon!

Never from wrongs of kindred such bitter grief had he won!

Forerunners to tell of their coming betimes far onward they sent:

Then riding forth to meet them all splendour-gleaming went

Many a friend of Uta and vassal of Gunther the King:

With looking for that guest-meeting his heart was hungering.

Then went he and spake unto Brunhild, where sat the Queen in her bower:—

“When hither thou camest, how welcomed my sister thee in that hour?

So will I the wife of Siegfried should be welcomed now of thee.”

“That will I gladly,” she answered, “of right is she dear unto me.”

Thereunto the great King answered: “To-morrow betimes come they.

If thou wilt fitly receive them, lay to thine hand straightway,

Lest they peradventure prevent us ere we ride from our towered home;

For guests so well-belovèd never to me have come.”

Forthwith she gave to the maidens and palace-dames her behest

To search out goodly raiment, of all their attire the best,

Wherein her retinue-royal in the presence of guests might shine:

And the same did they blithe-hearted, lightly may one divine.

Forth to the welcoming hasted all Gunther’s liegemen withal;

Yea, to ride with him to the greeting each man of his knights did he call.

There rode that Daughter of Princes in royal pomp to meet

Those dear-loved guests far-travelled, and with gracious lips to greet.

What heaped-up measure of honour in their hands to their guests did they bring!

Men thought that the Lady Brunhild had scarce such welcoming

At the hands of the Princess Kriemhild when she came to Burgundia-land.

Friends became some, that were erstwhile strangers, by clasp of hand.

By this came the band of warriors that rode at Siegfried’s side.

Men saw those ranks of heroes hitherward, thitherward ride

Through all the breadth of the lealand, a warrior-host untold:

There was no space clear from their thronging, and the clouds of dust uprolled.

When the Lord of the Land Burgundian looked upon Siegfried’s face

And the eyes of the old king Siegmund, what courtly and loving grace

Was his as he cried, “Be welcome to me, to my friends and my kin!

Well may we be glad-hearted at this your entering-in!”

“God guerdon you!” cried Siegmund, the old king honour-athirst.

“Since the day that my dear son Siegfried was won to your friend at the first,

Ever mine heart hath whispered, ‘Their faces must thou too see’.”

Spake Gunther, “Mine heart rejoiceth for that day risen on me.”

Such was the welcome of Siegfried, right worthy of such a lord.

With the love thereof and the honour were all hearts in accord:

This Gernot and Giselher bettered with their knightly courtesy.

No guests were welcomed ever, I ween, so lovingly.

Unto hand-clasp and embracing the wives of the two Kings came.

Now fast were the saddles emptied, for many a comely dame

By heroes’ hands down-holpen, stood on the meadow-green.

Who joyed in the service of ladies, had work enow, I ween.

To meet and to greet each other those winsome ladies stept,

And for joy of their lovely presence full many a knight’s heart leapt,

And for joy of the gracious greeting of the glory of either land;

For beside those comely maidens did many a good knight stand.

Then did the hands kind-clasping each unto other cling:

There was grace of courtly obeisance through that bright gathering,

Sweet salutations of kisses ’twixt ladies passing fair:

And the men of Gunther and Siegfried glad-hearted watched them there.

Then tarried they there no longer, but on to the city they rode.

And the folk of the Land Burgundian by command of their Lord forthshowed

To their guests their joy of the meeting by knightly courtesies;

And through all the way they jousted to gladden the ladies’ eyes.

Hagen of Troneg and Ortwein made manifest that day

To the eyes of all beholders what stalwart knights were they:

Marshals they were of the tourney, and all men obeyed their behests;

So of these much courtly service was rendered to those dear guests.

There might ye hear shields ringing afront of the castle-gate,

Spear-snapping and buckler-crashing: long time on his charger sate

The King mid his friends there watching, or ever within they passed.

In many a knightly pastime the bright hours fleeted fast.

Unto the gate of the guest-hall rode they all joyously.

Many a rich-wrought housing fashioned fair to see

From the saddles of lovely ladies swinging on either hand

Hung to the ground. There waiting did the palace-pages stand.

Unto their several chambers by these were the guests led on;

And men marked how the eyes of Brunhild glanced ever and anon

Askance at the Lady Kriemhild;—sooth, passing-fair she showed,

As her bright cheeks’ lilies and roses against the red gold glowed.

All up through the streets of the city of Worms did the glad sounds ring

Of that merry company’s thronging. His hest gave Gunther the King

Unto his marshal Dankwart to provide for all their need;

And to fair-dight harbourage therefore those several guests did he lead.

Spread was the feast in the castle and all the city through.

Never were guests from a far land so ministered unto!

Whatsoever one haply craved for, with joy unto him was it brought:

So rich was the Lord of the kingdom that from none withheld they aught.

Lovingly all folk served them and ever ungrudgingly.

The King in the great hall feasted, and amidst of his guests sat he;

And to Siegfried the place of honour, even as of old, they gave,

And with him passed in to the banquet warriors many and brave.

Yea, noble knights twelve hundred in that mighty hall were seen

With him at the banquet seated. And ever Brunhild the Queen

Thought in her heart: “Never vassal hath been so wealthy as this!”

Yet still did she bear him a kindness, and she grudged him nought of his bliss.

Mid the mirth of the summer evening as sat the King mid his guests,

Dew-sprent with the ruddy wine-drops were many rich-wrought vests,

As the cupbearers brimming the goblets from table to table went

In ever-unfailing service tireless-diligent.

In the olden courteous fashion whensoe’er was the banquet arrayed,

From the board to their bowers of slumber escorted were matron and maid.

Whence came each guest soever, he seemed the King’s chief care.

In all lovingkindness and honour had each enough and to spare.

When ended now was the night-tide, and the light of the dayspring shone,

Out of the sumpter-caskets full many a precious stone

Came flashing on rich-wrought raiment, as forth fair fingers brought

Many a royal vesture, through the scented chests as they sought.

Ere day had fully broken, to the court before the hall

Came knights and squires full many, and rang from wall to wall

The tourney-clash, ere matins before the King had been sung;

And he thanked for their gallant riding those valiant knights and young.

With strenuous blast the trumpets roared through the morning air,

With pipes and drums replying; so mighty was the blare

That Worms the wide-built fortress with clamorous echoes rang.

Then here, then there the bold knights upon their chargers sprang.

Then in the Land Burgundian a glorious tourney began

Where good knights thronged to the contest: was many a valiant man

Whose young heart with glad courage was thrilled and filled to the height:

Ha! there under shield beheld they many a gallant knight.

Adown from the casements gazing in fair adornings arrayed

Were many a noble lady and many a lovely maid:

They watched while the throngs of brave men played that knightly play.

Yea, the King himself with his kinsmen rode the lists that day.

So fleeted the summer morning, and the hours seemed all too short

Ere the chiming bells of the minster summoned them from the sport.

Palfreys they brought for the ladies, and a river of splendour flowed

Through the streets as the valiant warriors behind the proud Queens rode.

They lighted down on the greensward before the minster-gate.

Still to her guests did Brunhild harbour nought of hate.

Hosts, guests, passed crowned together beneath the wide-hung dome.

—Soon all that love was sundered; sprang bitter affliction therefrom.

When the chanting of mass was ended, forth of the doors again

Came they in splendour and honour. Passed that gladsome train

On to the banquet-royal: joy knew nor stint nor stay

In the flowing tide of pleasure—till dawned the eleventh day.

(C) Yet ever the Queen was musing: “Delay no longer will I!

In such fashion will I contrive it, that Kriemhild must needs reply

Wherefore is tribute denied us by her lord thus year after year—

Yet is the man but our vassal! From searching I cannot forbear!”

(C) So she bided her time till the Devil whispered to her at the last

To wither the festal glory, and pleasure with pain to blast.

The serpent of jealousy coiling round her heart to the light must come;

And therefrom through many a kingdom spread desolation and doom.

XIV. How the Queens spake bitter Words Each unto Other

It befell, ere it rang unto vespers, that the clash of joyous sport

Came up through the palace-casements from many a knight in the court

As they fell to the gallant tourney to wing with mirth the hours.

From the hall men hasted to watch them, and maidens from their bowers.

There sat those Queens together, queens famous far and near,

And of two knights still were they thinking, two knights without a peer.

Then spake Kriemhild the lovely: “My lord is such a knight

That beneath him all these kingdoms might well be bowed as of right.”

Answered the Lady Brunhild: “Tush! how may such thing be?

If there lived on the earth no mortal save only thou and he,

Then haply might this kingdom be subject to Siegmund’s son;

But so long as Gunther liveth, may such thing never be done.”

Thereto made answer Kriemhild: “Dost mark how stands he there?

With the princely pride of his presence none other knight may compare,

As the full moon in her brightness doth all the stars outshine.

Wherefore for good cause ever glad heart and proud is mine.”

But again made answer Brunhild: “Be he goodly as ye will,

And stately and noble-hearted, one standeth above him still,

Gunther, the flower of knighthood, thine high-born brother: in sooth,

High stands he above all earth-kings, and this thou knowest for truth.”

But again made answer Kriemhild: “My lord is of such high worth,

That with fullest right have I praised him for the mightiest man on earth.

In many a thing is he worthy of honour’s chiefest meed.

Doth thine heart not tell thee, Brunhild, he is Gunther’s peer indeed?”

“Now this my word, O Kriemhild, take not as said in despite,

In that I say that my boasting is made of fullest right.

This said they both—I heard it, when first these twain I beheld

In the day when in my contests my will by the King’s was quelled,

When he won my love, in fashion so knightly triumphing,

Siegfried himself said, ‘Vassal am I unto Gunther the King.’

Therefore I hold him his liegeman: of himself I heard it confessed.”

Made answer Kriemhild the lovely: “For me ’twere a bitter jest!

How like were my noble brethren so to have dealt with me

That they should abase me ever the bride of a vassal to be!

Therefore will I, O Brunhild, entreat thee even as a friend—

For courtesy’s sake, and my love’s sake, let this thy babble have end.”

Made answer the Queen: “I may not refrain me from this my claim.

Am I like to renounce the service of all these knights of fame

Which, even as thine, be bounden to homage unto my lord?”

Then the anger of Kriemhild the lovely leapt into flame at the word:

“This boast, thou must needs forego it, that my lord ever on earth

Hath rendered thee aught of homage! Mine hero is more of worth

Than thy lord, my brother Gunther, be he never so noble a king.

Thou therefore shalt spare me the hearing of thy fond imagining.

Yea, needs must I marvel ever, if he be thy vassal-thane,

And thou be exalted so highly in worship above us twain,

Wherefore so long all tribute to thee hath of him been denied!

Of right I demand to be pestered no more with thine arrogant pride.”

“Too high dost thou exalt thee,” Queen Brunhild made reply:

“Now will I prove of a surety if folk account thee as high

In royal esteem and honour as they hold the Queen, even me!”

By this was the two Queens’ anger kindled unquenchably.

Flashed out her answer Kriemhild: “Soon shall the issue be shown,

Since thou darest to claim my Siegfried for a vassal of thy throne!

By all the two Kings’ barons this day shall it be seen

If I dare or dare not enter the minster before the Queen!

I will show unto thee right plainly that noble am I and free!

I will prove my lord more worthy than thine may ever be!

Yea I, even I, will brook not thy malapert insults!—know,

This day shalt thyself behold it, how thy vassal—quotha!—shall go

In royal procession leading her knights in Burgundy.

Mine head shall be higher than ever it hath happed unto any to see

The head of a Daughter of Princes—though a crown make the little great!”

By this betwixt those ladies exceeding stern was the hate.

Fiercely made answer Brunhild: “Wouldst not for a vassal be known?

Then of sore need must thou sever thyself with thy train from mine own,

When subject and Queen in procession on to the minster go.”

“Of a truth,” laughed scornfully Kriemhild, “doubt not but it shall be so!”

“Now array yourselves, my maidens,” to her damsels Kriemhild cried.

“Let see if unshamed I may not within this land abide!

Be it seen to-day if ye have not royal-rich attire.

Soon shall the lie be given to herself by Brunhild the liar!”

Small need was to urge them: raiment they sought out rich and rare.

Swiftly radiant in splendour stood matron and maiden there.

Now with the train of her handmaids paced to the minster the Queen—

But lo, cometh Kriemhild the lovely, a very glory-sheen,

With maidens three-and-forty, which had fared with her unto Rhine:

In loveliest loomwork, woven in Araby, did they shine.

So royally swept the maidens up to the minster-door;

And for her the vassals of Siegfried were waiting therebefore.

Then looked the people, and marvelled for what cause this befell

That they saw the Queens from each other sundered, and none could tell

Wherefore they walked not together side by side as of old.

—Thence came unto many a baron affliction manifold.

Even as in front of the minster the wife of Gunther stood,

And the gallant knights Burgundian made sport in frolic mood

With them of the Queen’s train-royal, fair dame and winsome maid,

Came thither the Lady Kriemhild with her troop all splendour-arrayed.

What raiment soever the daughter of a noble knight might wear,

By the gorgeous attire of her maidens had all been as empty air.

Her wealth was so all-unmeasured that wives of kings thrice ten

Never had shown such splendour as was flaunted by Kriemhild then.

How much he desired soever, no man had dared to say

That in all his days he had gazed on such royal-rich array

As shone in that hour on her maidens magnifical-bedight.

Never Kriemhild had done it, but to render to Brunhild despite for despite.

Each face to face met other at that wide minster-gate;

And thereat the wife of Gunther in her jealousy and hate

Cried out, “Stand still, thou Kriemhild!”—her rage in her voice rang keen—

“It beseems not the wife of a vassal to pass before a Queen!”

Swift answer made Kriemhild the lovely in angry and scornful mood:

“Hadst had but the grace to be silent, for thee had it been right good.

Thou!—thou hast on thy fair body brought shame by wantoning!

How might another’s leman ever be wife of a King?”

“Whom hast thou here named leman?”—the cry from the Queen’s lips burst.

“That have I thee!” hissed Kriemhild; “for thy fair body first

Was embraced by none other than Siegfried, mine own belovèd lord.

Of a surety it was not my brother—nay, but by him wert thou whored!

How was thy wit so hoodwinked?—a cunning wile was it all!

How couldst thou let him embrace thee who is but thy vassal-thrall?

I hear thee,” scoffed on Kriemhild, “complain where no cause is!”

“In veriest deed,” cried Brunhild, “I will tell unto Gunther this!”

“Wherein unto me is the peril? Thyself hath thine arrogance snared!

To summon me to render homage to thee hast thou dared!

This one thing know of a surety—I grieve, but the cause art thou—

All trust and friendship is ended between us for ever now.”

Brake Brunhild forth into weeping: but Kriemhild tarried no more,

And before the wife of Gunther she entered the minster-door,

She and her train. Most bitter hate did her words beget.

Therefrom bright eyes full many were grief-overclouded and wet.

For all the solemn service, and the holy chant and song,

That hour of worship to Brunhild lasted all too long;

She was heart-overclouded with anguish, and darkly did she brood;

And for this full penalty lighted on warriors brave and good.

In front of the gate of the minster with her maids did Brunhild stay;

And she said to her heart: “Now Kriemhild unto me shall the whole truth say

Of those loud-throated railings, who hath whetted her tongue like a sword.

If Siegfried thus hath vaunted, his life shall pay for the word!”

Now Kriemhild with bold knights many came forth of the holy place;

And sharply spake Queen Brunhild: “Abide thou there for a space!

Thou hast chosen to call me leman: the proof thereof will I see.

Thy word, know thou, is an evil and a loathly word to me.”

Spake Kriemhild the Fair: “It were better for thee hadst thou let me go!

With the golden ring I prove it on mine hand that glittereth—lo!

Unto me did Siegfried bring this what time by thy side he lay.”

Never had dawned on Brunhild such an utter-wretched day.

She cried: “This gold ring royal—even this was stolen from me!

It hath been for long years hidden by caitiff treachery!

I am now on the track of the felon, the thief that my jewel hath ta’en!”

Raging in reinless fury were now these ladies twain.

Spake Kriemhild again: “Of thy jewel the thief was nowise I.

Far better hadst thou kept silence, hadst thou held thine honour high!

Lo, I prove it again by the girdle which compasseth my waist.

Not I am the liar!—by Siegfried first was thy body embraced.”

Fair-plaited of silk of the Orient was the girdle that she ware,

With precious stones thick-studded, a marvel passing fair.

That Brunhild beheld, and she brake forth into stormy weeping then,

Crying, “This shall be known of Gunther and of all his mighty men!”

Then spake the Queen of Rhineland: “Send unto me straightway

Gunther the Lord of the Kingdom, for he shall hear this day

How foully his sister hath slandered and spoken shame of the Queen.

She saith before all people that Siegfried’s wife have I been.”

The King came girt with his barons: he saw the grief-bowed head

And the tears of his dear wife Brunhild, and lovingly he said:

“Of whom, my wife, my belovèd, hath a hurt been done unto thee?”

And she spake to the King, and she answered: “Joyless for aye must I be!

Of all my wifely honour this thy sister is fain

To strip me by shameful accusing: unto thee I must needs complain.

She saith that with Siegfried her husband I have wantoned in shame and sin.”

Answered and spake King Gunther: “She hath wickedly done herein!”

“She weareth here my girdle, which long time since I lost,

And withal my ring of the red gold—O me, to my bitter cost

Was I born, and I rue it ever! If thou clear not my name

From the stain of such utter abasement, my love never more shalt thou claim.”

Then spake to a lord King Gunther: “Summon him hither thou.

If he of such deed have boasted, he must make confession now,

Or must give to the lie denial, this hero of Netherland.”

So unto that presence Siegfried was called by the King’s command.

So then when the good knight Siegfried saw faces disquieted,

And the cause thereof divined not, straightway he spake and said:

“Now wherefore weep these ladies? This unto me make known;

And wherefore the King hath called me hither, be this too shown.”

Then spake King Gunther: “Sorrow I find here bitter as death.

The Lady Brunhild hath told me a tale of venomous breath,

Even this, that thou hast vaunted that thou in bridal bed

First didst embrace her. Of Kriemhild thy wife is this thing said.”

Made answer the hero Siegfried: “If Kriemhild hath said this thing,

I will take no rest or ever she rue her slandering!

Yea, and thereof will I clear me in presence of all thy lords

By the faith of my solemn oath-plight, that never I spake such words.”

Answered the Lord of Rhineland: “Give that assurance thou.

Let the oath that thou hast tendered be spoken before these now.

So shalt thou of treacherous dealing be acquitted, and stand without stain.”

Then made they the proud Burgundians in a ring draw round these twain.

His hand stretched Siegfried the dauntless to the hand of the King to swear;

But Gunther spake: “Thine utter guiltlessness here I declare

Out of mine heart’s assurance. Thou goest of this charge free.

That whereof Kriemhild accused thee never was done of thee.”

Then yet again spake Siegfried: “And if ever my wife reap joy

Of her sowing for Lady Brunhild this seed of heart-annoy,

This unto me of a surety shall be nought but measureless grief.”

Then looked on each other the good knights with faces of glad relief.

“So must men’s wives be governed,” again spake Siegfried the thane,

“That from all such arrogant speeches they may for ever refrain.

Thou then to thy wife forbid them; this likewise to mine will I.

For such overweening railing I take shame verily.”

But by reason of words once spoken fair ladies held them apart.

And the Lady Brunhild sorrowed with such sore anguish of heart

That in all her affliction afflicted were Gunther’s vassal-train.

Then went in Hagen of Troneg to commune with the Queen of her pain.

And he asked of her what ailed her, that weeping he found her there;

And she told him the shameful story. A grim oath straightway he sware:

“For this shall the lord of Kriemhild to the uttermost atone,

Or never hereafter joyance by Hagen shall be known!”

Joined in their plotting were Gernot and Ortwein, Metz’s lord.

“Death unto Siegfried!” the heroes counselled with one accord.

Then Giselher, child of Uta, did these into council take;

But swiftly against their sentence the lad true-hearted spake:

“Alas, good knights, now wherefore would ye do so black a deed?

Never such ruthless hatred hath Siegfried earned for meed

That e’er he should pay you forfeit of the precious life for this!

By very nothings enkindled is the wrath of a woman, I wis.”

“Shall men say that we rear his bastards?” cried Hagen savagely:

“It should bring right little honour unto good knights such as we!

The name of our Lady belovèd hath he blasted with arrogant breath!

If his life for the slander atone not, myself will die the death!”

Then the King’s self spake: “Nay, nothing hath he done to us unto this day

Save lovingkindness and honour: let him therefore live, I say.

What boots it that I should harbour hatred of this good knight?

Loyally aye hath he helped us, and hath had therein his delight.”

Then the Knight of Metz, Lord Ortwein, made answer passion-hot:

“Though passing-great be his prowess, it shall verily help him not:

I will wreak on him deadliest vengeance, so my Lord will but suffer me.”

So the heroes imagined mischief against him causelessly.

Yet further went none with the matter, save that Hagen ever and aye

In season and out of season, still unto Gunther would say:

“If but Siegfried live no longer, lordships many shall come

Under thine hand.” The spirit of the King was wrapped in gloom.

But awhile the matter rested. Men jousted even as before:

Strong spear-shafts many they shivered from afront of the minster-door

Up the broad green space to the palace, escorting Siegfried’s wife.

But of Gunther’s liegemen were many that lowered on the joyous strife.

Spake the King: “Put away for ever the murderous hate ye nurse.

He was born to be honour and profit to us, and nowise a curse;

Yea also, so battle-resistless is the marvellous hero’s hand,

That, if aught he divined of your purpose, before him should no man stand.”

“That shall he never,” said Hagen. “Beware thou reveal it not!

With secrecy so deadly will I handle the matter, I wot,

That to him shall the weeping of Brunhild be Ruin’s baleful breath.

Evermore unto him shall Hagen be Hate and the Shadow of Death!”

But spake unto him King Gunther: “How then may ye compass the deed?”

Thereunto answered Hagen: “Hearken to this my rede:

There shall ride into this land heralds, as it were from a land afar,

Men known unto none in thy city, denouncing against us war.

Then say thou in these guests’ presence: ‘Lo, I must forth to the fight

With all my warrior vassals’—then is thy goal in sight.

He will offer himself for thine helping: thereby shall he spill his life,

If I win but his woundless secret from the fearless hero’s wife.”

Alas and alas! and he hearkened unto Hagen’s evil wile;

And these twain fell to devising of treachery and guile—

These two knights chivalrous-nurtured!—ere any divined their intent.

So through two women’s wrangling to their death many heroes were sent.

XV. How woven for Siegfried was the Net of Betrayal

To the gates of the royal city men saw on the fourth day’s morn

Come two-and-thirty riders. Straightway was their message borne

Unto Gunther, to wit, a defiance unto war from a far-off foe.

—That lie unto wives and mothers was a fathomless wellspring of woe.

Unto these was licence given to appear before the King.

Then said they to him: “We be liegemen of Lüdeger’s following,

The King overcome in battle, time was, by Siegfried’s hand,

And by him led thence as a hostage into King Gunther’s land.”

Then Gunther greeted the heralds, and bade them sit at the meat.

But spake of them one, and answered: “Lord King, let us stand on our feet

Till we tell out all the tidings wherewith we be sent unto thee.

Of many children of women be ye holden in enmity.

King Lüdegast bids thee defiance, and with him King Lüdeger,

Because at thine hands aforetime despitefully used they were.

They will ride now into thy kingdom with a host for battle arrayed.”

Great semblance of indignation at their message Gunther made.

Then lodged they those feigned heralds, as who would take counsel awhile.

How might it be that Siegfried should beware of such deep guile—

He, yea, or any other, when the snare for his feet was cast?

Ha, in the net they had hidden were their own feet taken at last!

To and fro the King with his kinsmen whispering ever went:

Ever Hagen of Troneg was pricking the sides of his intent.

In sooth, of Gunther’s liegemen was many a man for peace,

But never from dark devising of murder would Hagen cease.

Thus as they whispered, Siegfried found these thanes on a day;

And the Hero of Netherland marvelled, and questioning thus ’gan say:

“Why goeth the King with his liegemen in heaviness of heart?

In avenging your wrongs am I ever ready to bear my part.”

Answered and spake King Gunther: “Good cause for trouble have I.

Me do the Dane and the Saxon again unto battle defy.

With their war-hosts now be they minded to ride into Burgundy-land.”

Answered the aweless Hero: “Their onset shall Siegfried’s hand,

As best befitteth your honour, meet in the battle’s strain.

That I did to the kings aforetime, shall now be done yet again:

I will ravage their land and their strongholds beneath the spoiler’s tread

Or ever from war I refrain me: hereon will I stake mine head.

As for thee, do thou and thy liegemen here in the homeland stay.

Let me ride forth against them with mine own war-array.

That I render you service gladly, shall ye and all men see.

Be ye sure, full evil entreated at mine hand shall your enemies be.”

“Now welcome to me is thy saying,” the King said joyful-voiced,

As though in the proffered helping indeed and in truth he rejoiced.

In his falseness lowly he bowed him, that King of the traitor-heart!

Yet again spake Siegfried the noble, “Let all your fears depart.”

Plotters and vassals prepared them, as it were for the war-march, then;

But all was done for a semblance unto Siegfried and his men.

And the hero bade his warriors of Netherland arm for the fray;

And straightway the knights of Siegfried sought out their war-array.

To his sire spake Siegfried the mighty: “Here in the land remain,

Siegmund my father: returning soon shalt thou see us again,

So God but grant good fortune to us, to the land of the Rhine.

While thou with the King abidest fair days and glad shall be thine.”

Now all were at point of departing: banners to staves they bound.

Many of Gunther’s liegemen the while were standing round:

But that all was hollow semblance no man of these was ware.

Sooth, mighty was the war-host arrayed round Siegfried there.

The hauberks and the helmets on the horses laded they:

Knights many stalwart and fearless would forth of the land straightway.

Then stole thence Hagen of Troneg: to the presence of Kriemhild he came,

As who, ere they marched unto battle, would take his leave of the dame.

“Now happy am I,” said Kriemhild, “to have won to myself such a lord

Who unto my friends belovèd is so mighty a battle-ward

As Siegfried is to my brethren when he aideth them in fight;

And for this am I heart-uplifted,” said the Queen, “with abiding delight.

Hagen, friend well-belovèd, I pray thee, of this take thought—

I have joyed to do thee service, nor borne thee malice in aught:

Let this be requited in kindness to my belovèd lord.

Let him suffer not for my speaking to Brunhild a hasty word.

Thereof,” said the noble lady, “constrained have I been to repent:

He hath visited on my body in sorest chastisement

My folly of speech in stirring the Queen unto angry mood:

He hath verily well avenged her, that noble knight and good.”

“Yet a little while, and atonement shall she accept of thee,”

He said, “dear Lady Kriemhild: now I pray thee, tell unto me

In what wise I may do thee service through Siegfried thy lord and thy knight.

None living would I, O lady, for thy kindness so gladly requite.”

“For him were I wholly dreadless,” made answer Siegfried’s wife,

“Lest any in storm of battle should imperil mine hero’s life,

Were it not for his reckless defying of danger in battle’s van;

Else would he aye go scatheless, that good and valiant man.”

“O Lady, if this thou fearest,” in his subtlety Hagen replied,

“Lest in battle he haply be wounded, then unto me confide

How best I may devise it, such peril to withstand;

Then for his warding ever will I ride full near at hand.”

She answered, “Thou art my kinsman, and of blood am I near unto thee.

I commit my lord, my belovèd, to thy faith and thy fealty,

That for my sake o’er my belovèd the shield of protection thou hold.”

Then to Hagen revealed she a story that had better been left untold.

For she said, “My lord is fearless, and the strongest man of men;

And he slew on a day mid the mountains the Dragon of the Fen;

Then bathed the hero his body in the blood of the monster worm,

Wherefore availeth to wound him no weapon that man may form.

Yet ever mine heart is fearful when in forefront of battle he stands,

And many a flying javelin is sped from warriors’ hands,

Lest I peradventure may lose him, mine hero of all loved best:—

Ah me, with what fears for Siegfried tosses mine heart in unrest!

O friend, dear friend and kinsman, on thy faithful love I lean

That thou wilt guard thy troth-plight given herein to a queen,

When I tell to thee where my belovèd may be wounded of the steel.

Now shalt thou hear: the secret to thine honour and love I reveal.

When from the wounds of the Dragon flowed the hot-reeking blood,

And when in the red pool bathed him that fearless knight and good,

There fell on him ’twixt the shoulders one broad lime-tree leaf

On that spot may he be wounded; and this is my sorrow and grief.”

Answered her Hagen of Troneg: “Thou then with thine own hand sew

On his vesture a little token that to me that spot may show

The which, when we stand in the war-storm, with heed evermore must I shield.”

She thought from peril to save him; but so unto death was he sealed.

She said, “I will sew on his garment with a silken thread spun fine

A faintly-visible crosslet: there that strong hand of thine,

Hero, shall guard mine husband, as he presseth aye to the front,

And standeth begirt with foemen in the battle’s sternest brunt.”

“Even this will I do, dear Lady,” false Hagen made reply.

She thought in her wifely yearning to redeem him from death thereby:—

Ah me, thereby did Kriemhild her lord unto death betray!

Most courteous leave took Hagen, and with glad heart hasted away.

(C) Then asked of him King Gunther: “What secret hath Hagen learned?”

“King, we will ride forth hunting when back is the war-march turned.

Now have I gotten the knowledge whereby he shall surely die.

Thou, wilt thou appoint this hunting?” Said the King, “Yea, that will I!”

Now are the kinsmen of Gunther blithe, and their hearts are light!

Never, I ween, thereafter to the end of time shall knight

Devise such black betrayal as by these contrived hath been

From the trust in knighthood’s honour placed by a wife and a Queen!

On the morrow’s morning early Siegfried the knight rode forth

With a thousand men blithe-hearted, their faces set to the north.

He weened he should take a vengeance for his friends’ wrong fierce and fell.

So nigh unto him rode Hagen that he marked his surcoat well.

Then, when he spied the token, he sent all secretly

To be bearers of other tidings two men of his company