INTRODUCTION (continued 5)

Subject are they, overmastered by his all-conquering hands.

Thou shalt be withal liege-lady of many a warrior bold

Which were vassals to my mistress Helka in days of old,

And of many a high-born lady from princely lineage sprung

That to her once rendered service”—spake on that winning tongue—

“This also the King shall give thee, he bade me say unto thee,

So thou yield to wear beside him the crown of royalty,

Power, even the highest that ever in the hands of Helka lay;

All the warrior-vassals of Etzel thee also shall obey.”

“Ah me! how could I ever,” Queen Kriemhild mournfully cried,

“Incline mine heart hereafter to be any hero’s bride,

Even I, whom death hath stricken through one with such bitter grief

That unto my life’s end never from pain shall I find relief?”

“O mighty Queen,” the Hunfolk unto Kriemhild made reply,

“Their life who dwell with Etzel so royally fleeteth by,

That a dream of delight shall thy days be, if thou hearken our counselling.

O, many a gallant baron doeth homage to Etzel the King.

And the bower-maidens of Helka and they that be here with thee

Shall wait upon thy pleasure in one bright company;

And many a knight beholding these shall be glad of heart.

For thy good shall it fall, O Lady, if thou choose the better part.”

Then she spake like a courteous lady: “Awhile from speech refrain

Till the morning-tide of to-morrow; then come ye to me again.

So touching this your petition will I tell you mine intent.”

And the valiant barons of Hunland thereto must needs consent.

So when in hall and hostel lodged and feasted they were,

That noble Lady commanded to send to her Giselher,

And withal her mother Uta; and to these twain did she say:

“No life save weeping and mourning remaineth to me for aye!”

Spake Giselher her brother: “Sister, mine heart foresees—

And I count it herein true prophet—that thy pangs and thy miseries

In King Etzel’s love shall vanish: if thou share his life and his throne,

Let who will speak against it, meseems it shall well be done.

For all thou hast lost,” said her brother, “can he make amends unto thee.

From the River Rhone to the Rhine-stream, from the Elbe to the uttermost sea,

There is no king so mighty that men have known or seen.

Well might thine heart be gladdened that he chooseth thee for his Queen.”

She answered: “O brother belovèd, counsel not this, I implore!

Meeter for me are weeping and wailing evermore.

What have I to do with a palace, in the presence of knights to shine?

Long since my beauty hath faded, if beauty ever was mine.”

Now speaketh the Lady Uta to the daughter she loveth, and saith:

“Nay, do thou, daughter belovèd, as thy brother counselleth.

Hearken the voice of thy kinsfolk, and good days so shalt thou know.

Too long have I seen thee sitting in lamentation and woe.”

Unto God then earnestly prayed she the path of her feet to show;

For, albeit hers should be raiment and silver and gold to bestow,

As of yore when she dwelt with her husband, when his life within him was whole,

The glorious hours of the old time could no more gladden her soul.

Aye in her heart was she musing: “And can I link my life

With a husband that is a heathen—and I, a Christian wife?

Reproach must then be my portion through all the earth, and shame.

Though he gave the whole world’s riches, not so could I stain my name!”

So even there did she leave it. The livelong night till the day

With deep heart-searchings haunted on her bed that lady lay;

And her eyes, the starry-shining, from tears were never dry,

Till she rose, and passed to the mass-tide when the morning sun was high.

Now also unto the mass-tide were come those princes three;

And they took the hand of their sister, and spake to her lovingly,

Still counselling her unto marriage with the Lord of the Hunland folk:

But never the light of smiling o’er the face of sadness broke.

Then sent they for Etzel’s heralds once more to her presence to come—

For now from the land of Gunther would they fain be faring home

Bearing consent or denial, as Kriemhild’s mind might be.

Then Rüdiger came to the palace. Now his fellows instantly

Urged him to seek decision of the mind of the noble King,

And betimes to end their doubting: such was the counselling

Of all; for a weary journey to their land before them lay.

So into the presence of Kriemhild Rüdiger brought they.

With words exceeding courteous that gallant knight drew nigh

To the lady sorrow-stricken, and prayed her to make reply

For the message wherewith she would charge him, to bear to the land of the Hun.

But the herald with all his pleading nought but denial won:—

“Never man will I love hereafter, nor another husband wed!”

“Nay, Lady,” answered the Margrave, “is the word so wisely said?

Wherefore to sorrow’s blasting this glory of beauty ban,

When thou mayest become with honour the bride of a good true man?”

Yet nothing availed their pleading, till Rüdiger drew near,

And murmured a word in secret in the Lady Kriemhild’s ear

That for all the wrongs she had suffered should requital be made unto her.

Now sinketh the storm of her sorrow as the new thoughts inly stir.

Yet again to the Queen he whispered: “Let be thy mourning and moan;

For, though thou hadst mid the Hunfolk none save me alone,

Even me and my loyal kinsmen, and my vassals stout and true,

Whosoever had wronged thee, Lady, we would make him bitterly rue.”

Then the face of the lady lightened, her eyes like steel flashed keen—

“Swear unto me,” she answered, “whatsoever my wrong hath been,

That, Rüdiger, thou wilt be foremost to avenge me with heart and hand.”

Made answer to her the Margrave: “Unto this, Queen, will I stand.”

For himself and for all his vassals Rüdiger sware to her then

To the death evermore to serve her, and that he and his mighty men

Would deny or delay her nothing afar in Etzel’s land,

Whatsoever her honour demanded; and to this he gave his hand.

Then thought the Faithful-hearted: “Since I thus lightly have won

Friends so many and steadfast, I will e’en let folk say on

What things they list of ‘the Heathen’! O sorrow-laden wife!—

What and if I at last win vengeance for my lost belovèd’s life?”

She thought: “Since this King Etzel is served of many a knight

Over whom shall I be mistress, I may do as seemeth me right.

He hath such stintless treasures, I may yet give bounteously:—

All that was mine hath Hagen the ruthless torn from me!”

Again unto Rüdiger spake she: “Except I had heard folk say

That the King is a heathen, gladly my feet should tread the way

Whither the great King biddeth, and him for my lord would I take.”

“Fret not thyself, O Lady,” he answered, “for such words’ sake.

(C) Not wholly is he a heathen; this know thou for very sooth.

For my belovèd master was indeed baptized in his youth,

Though haply he since have turned him unto ancient altar and fane.

But, Lady, if thou wilt wed him, his heart may be turned yet again.

So many good knights serve him which be thanes of Christ the Lord,

That no ill may betide thee with the King, or in deed or word.

And what if thine holy converse thy lord to the font should bring?

Then proud wert thou and happy to be wife of Etzel the King!”

Then spake unto her her brethren: “Belovèd sister, consent,

And all thy tribulation shall be swallowed up in content.”

So long and so instantly prayed they, that the Queen of the Sorrowful Life

Pledged her at last to the heroes to be King Etzel’s wife.

She spake: “I needs must yield me, a crown of sorrow who wear,

With you to go to the Hunfolk when ye bid me thither to fare,

If I find friends trusty and loyal to lead me hence to your land.”

And thereto in the heroes’ presence fair Kriemhild gave her hand.

Answered the Lord of the Marches: “Though thou have but liegemen twain,

Thereto can I add full many. With all these in thy train

Of a surety in safety and honour shalt thou be brought over Rhine.

Lady, tarry no longer in the land that is no more thine!

Knights have I here five hundred, and kinsmen, a warrior-band.

Lo, these be all thy servants, both here and in Etzel’s land,

Sworn to do all thy bidding. I stand by my plighted troth.

I will shame mine honour never when thou biddest remember mine oath.

Prepare then journeying-raiment and the trappings of the steed.

As touching Rüdiger’s counsel, thou never shalt rue his rede.

And bid thy maidens who journey with thee that they swiftly prepare.

Many a chosen hero shall meet us as onward we fare.”

Still had they the trappings and housings wherewith they wont to ride

In Siegfried’s days, so that maidens many in pomp and pride

Might fare in the train of Kriemhild, what time she would be gone.

How goodly the jewelled saddles for those fair ladies shone!

What lovely raiment soever they had e’er worn theretofore,

Thereof for this wondrous journey they brought forth all their store.

From casket and bolted coffer they drew forth vesture and gem—

Such marvels of the splendour of Etzel were told unto them.

Busy they were and eager till the eve of the fifth bright day.

Out of the presses sought they all things therein that lay.

And Kriemhild now bestirred her to unlock her treasury

Of purpose to load with riches all Rüdiger’s company.

Still had she somewhat remaining of the gold of the Niblung Land;

And this to the Hunnish heroes would she deal with lavish hand.

Scarce could a hundred horses bear thence that precious load.

But some talebearer to Hagen the purpose of Kriemhild showed.

“Never,” he said, “will Kriemhild forgive me that ancient wrong:

Therefore the gold of Siegfried must needs here bide full long.

Should I leave so mighty a treasure to my bitterest foes, and rue?

Right well do I know what Kriemhild with all this wealth would do!

If forth of the land she convey it, I know this certainly

That with champions she will but share it, to stir up foes against me:—

And she hath not so much as horses of number to bear it away!

Hagen for her will keep it: to Kriemhild thus let them say.”

When the thing was told unto Kriemhild, she was stung with indignant pain.

Of the tyrannous wrong of Hagen to the three Kings did she complain.

His will were they fain to have thwarted, but his purpose none could shake.

Then Rüdiger the noble lightly to Kriemhild spake:

“O high-born Daughter of Princes, wherefore lament for the gold?

Unto thee is my Lord King Etzel so loving and bounteous-souled,

That, soon as his eyes have beheld thee, he will give thee such rich store

That never thine hands may spend it: I pledge my faith therefor.”

Unto him the Queen made answer: “O noble Rüdiger,

Never had Daughter of Princes such treasure bequeathed unto her

As that whereof Hagen hath stripped me with neither ruth nor shame!”

Then to the treasury royal her brother Gernot came:

In the door did he set the great key with authority as of a king,

And all the treasure of Kriemhild forth of the place did they bring,

Marks full thirty thousand—yea, more, it may haply be—

That the guests might take it; and Gunther rejoiced that deed to see.

But out spake he of Bechlaren, the fair Gotlinda’s lord:

“Nay, though ’neath the hand of Kriemhild lay all the treasure-hoard

That ever was brought aforetime out of the Niblungs’ land,

Nor I nor the Queen my Lady would touch the same with a hand.

Back let them take, let them keep it; for I thereof will naught.

Of mine own wealth out of my country such plenty have I brought,

That of this no whit for our journey shall we need, through the land as we fare.

Even we for our own wayfaring have gotten enough and to spare.”

Yet had her maidens already therefrom filled coffers twelve

Of gold the finest and purest that miner ever may delve.

And with these they bare from the city many a precious thing,

Even jewels and gems, that the maidens would wear in their journeying;

—Yet still by the dread overshadowed of Hagen’s might were they;—

And a thousand marks for masses yet by Kriemhild lay:

For the peace of the soul of Siegfried she gave them as love’s last due.

And Rüdiger thought: “This woman is faithful and loving and true.”

Then spake that Lady of Sorrows: “Who love me yet so well

That for me they be willing as strangers in a strange land to dwell?

Who now will companion my journey, unto Etzel’s land as I ride?

Let them take of my gold, and purvey them horses, and raiment provide.”

Then Eckwart, Lord of the Marches, drew nigh, and thus spake he:

“Since the day when I was appointed to wait, O Queen, upon thee,

Faithfully and truly have I served thee,” said that thane;

“Now also to my life’s ending in my fealty will I remain.

Good knights withal five hundred of mine own will I take with me,

And I tender to thee their service in faith and fealty.

We will ever abide unsundered, except death make an end.”

Low bowed her Kriemhild, and thanked him, that loving and loyal friend.

Then led they out the horses, since forth of the land they must fare.

Then brake forth bitter weeping of dear friends gathered there.

There was the great Queen Uta, with many a comely maid;

And they showed what burden of sorrow upon their hearts was laid.

With a hundred high-born maidens she rode from the land away,

All as beseemed their station attired in costly array.

Ah then with tears upwelling were many bright eyes drowned:

Yet many a day of joyance in Etzel’s land they found.

Lord Giselher, and Gernot, with their vassal-company,

Came on that parting-morning, as bidden of courtesy,

To escort their belovèd sister to the uttermost part of the land,

And they led a thousand warriors in that their gallant band.

Came Gere the swift war-helper, came Ortwein therewithal,

And of these was prepared night-lodging for the ladies all through the way:

And Volker was marshal, and hostels he found for the knights’ array.

(C) When they kissed at that last leave-taking, the hot tears fell like rain

Ere they won through the gates of the castle to the highway through the plain.

Unbidden did many escort them afar on Burgundia’s ways:

But beside them rode King Gunther from the town but a little space.

Ere from the Rhine they departed, they had sent on far before

Swift messengers unto Hunland that joyful tidings bore,

Even to tell King Etzel that Rüdiger would bring

The noble Lady Kriemhild, won to be wife to the King.

(C) Swiftly the heralds onward rode; ay, well was their need,

Alike for the winning of honour and the good-news’ bearer’s meed;

And when they came to the home-land, and that glad word was told,

Never, I ween, had Etzel been so joyful-souled.

(C) In guerdon for these fair tidings Etzel the King bade give

Such costly gifts to the heralds, that they might thereafter live

Through all their days in joyance, yea, to the hour of their death,

For afar had his trouble and anguish been driven upon love’s breath.

XXI. Of Kriemhild’s journeying to the Land of the Huns

Let us suffer those heralds onward to ride:—let the minstrel sing

How rode that Daughter of Princes through the land far-journeying,

And where at the last she parted from Gernot and Giselher.

In loyalty and honour had these twain holpen her.

When they came where looks over Danube Bergen’s citadel,

Then at the last those heroes must bid the Queen farewell,

For that backward unto the Rhineland now must they turn the rein.

When the near and dear so parted could none from tears refrain.

Then Giselher to his sister spake one parting word:

“Sister, if ever thou needest help of my counsel or sword,

What peril soever threatens, send thou word unto me;

Into the land of Etzel will I straightway ride unto thee.”

Then kissed she the lips of her kinsfolk, and they parted in love and grief;

And with kindly word and with hand-clasp friend of friend took leave,

The valiant men of Burgundia and Rüdiger’s cavalcade.

Then with the Queen rode onward many a high-born maid,

Even four and a hundred fair ones: in bright hues rainbow-dyed

Glistened their lovely vesture: broad shields upon either side

Went flashing down the highways on the arms of the Hun-queen’s train.

Then turned, after fair leave-taking, Volker the valiant thane.

Into the land of Bavaria over the Danube they won,

And fast and far went the tidings of the long lines riding on,

And the many unknown faces. Where stand a cloister’s walls,

And where the broad Inn-river into the Danube falls,

There in the city of Passau a great prince-bishop abode.

From their homes, yea, forth from the palace the folk streamed out to the road

Whereby those guests through Bavaria-land came riding in.

There met was Kriemhild the lovely by the bishop Pilgerin.

Glad were the knights Bavarian to look on that winsome sight,

That Queen of Beauty followed by many a maiden bright;

And with loving glances and longing those daughters of earls did they greet.

Fair harbourage full swiftly was found for guests so sweet.

(C) At Pledeling resting-places were prepared for the slumber-tide.

All people came forth riding to meet them from every side;

And they gave to them whatso they needed with willing hands and free

There and elsewhere, and they took it with princely courtesy.

Back rode the bishop to Passau with his niece the royal dame;

And so soon as unto the burghers of the city the tidings came,

That the child of their prince’s sister, Kriemhild the Queen, drew nigh,

The merchants greeted her entry with stately pageantry.

Now the bishop had looked that a little there should his guests stay on;

But Eckwart, Lord of the Marches, said: “Nay, it may nowise be done.

We needs must still ride onward to the land of Rüdiger:

Many knights unto whom our coming hath been heralded wait for us there.”

Now by this known too unto Gotlind the fair one the tidings were;

And with diligent haste did the lady and her high-born daughter prepare:

For a message had Rüdiger sent her that he held it a seemly thing

That to cheer the heart of Kriemhild she should ride to meet her, and bring

With her for a guard of honour all her vassal-array

So far as Ems the river. Then hasted she to obey;

And straightway thronged were the highways with folk that onward pressed,

Afoot, or riding, eager to meet that queenly guest.

Now was the Queen in her journey come unto Everding.

They had passed through the land Bavarian unvexed of the plundering

Of the robber barons which haunted the ways, as their wont was aye.

Well might they have done a mischief unto so rich a prey;

But Rüdiger the noble from peril warded them still:

With a thousand knights, yea, haply yet more, had he fenced them from ill.

And now was the Lady Gotlind, Rüdiger’s wife, at hand,

And with her a host of good knights, a great and gallant band.

Now when they had crossed Traun-river by Ems, in the river-mead green,

There many a booth fair-builded and many a tent was seen

Wherein those guests through the night-tide sweet rest and slumber should win,

Ready-reared at the Margrave’s charges to honour his guests therein.

From the palace prepared for the lodging of those guests Gotlind the fair

Rode forward to meet her Lady: along the highways were

Long lines of goodly horses with jingling bridle-reins:—

Fair welcome! Fain was the Margrave of all their loving pains.

The knights that from eastward and westward along the highway rode

Spurred gallantly forth to the meeting: brave horsemanship they showed,

Those charging ranks of heroes of many a fair maid seen!

In sooth was the good knights’ service well-pleasing to the Queen.

When clashed Lord Rüdiger’s vassals with the guests in the mimic war,

Many a splintered lance-shaft went upward soaring far

From the hands of the gallant heroes as they tilted in knightly wise;

And ladies’ smiles were their guerdon, and the light in ladies’ eyes.

Now stayed is the tide of combat, and the laughing warriors greet

Right courteously the strangers; and forward riding, to meet

The Queen, the glorious Kriemhild, doth the Lady Gotlind go.

Now knights that in ladies’ service be perfect, have work enow.

To meet and to greet his lady rode on Bechlaren’s Lord:

Right glad was the noble Gotlind to hail the lost restored

Whole and unharmed from the Rhineland and from peril of the way.

Vanished her fear and her sorrow as a dream at the dawning of day.

So when she had given him welcome, “I pray thee light,” said he,

“On the grass with thy bower-maidens, all these which have followed thee.”

Then in knightly courtesy busy was many a high-born thane

Which waited with eager service on the ladies of her train.

Then looked the Lady Kriemhild, and beheld the Margravine

Stand in the midst of her ladies. No further rode the Queen;

But she checked with bit and bridle the onward-pacing steed,

And she bade them from the saddle lift her to earth with speed.

Leading the child of his sister the princely bishop strode,

With Eckwart beside him, where Lady Gotlind their coming abode.

To right and to left all people fell back as onward they came;

And the stranger Queen kissed sweetly the lips of the noble dame.

With words all lowly-loving did the wife of Rüdiger say:

“Now happy am I, dear mistress, and a blessing on this day

That in this our land hath given to mine eyes thy face to see!

No sight so heart-rejoicing could now have appeared unto me.”

“O noble Gotlind,” said Kriemhild, “God guerdon thee for this!

If I with the son of Botlung see days of weal and bliss,

Well may it be for thee truly that I have been seen of thee.”

—Ah, neither of these foreboded the things that were yet to be!

Then met with courteous greeting the maidens of either land,

And around them tendering service did many a good knight stand;

And they sat down after the greeting on earth’s clover-mantled floor.

So were they made acquainted which were strangers theretofore,

As they poured the wine for the ladies. By this the sun was high,

Nor longer lingered thereafter that noble company.

On rode they, and came to pavilions broad and fair-arrayed

Wherein might perfect service to the noble guests be paid.

There till the new day’s dawning they rested through the night.

Now the folk of Bechlaren bestirred them that all should be ordered aright,

That guests so many and worthy should be welcomed with honour due:

Such heed had Rüdiger taken, that nothing lacked thereto.

There thrown wide open for welcome were the windows in the walls;

Through the castle of Bechlaren flung wide were the doors of her halls.

There amid welcoming faces the guests through the gateway rode,

And in many a fair-dight chamber by Rüdiger were they bestowed.

The Margravine’s fair daughter drew with her maidens nigh

To the palace-portal, and welcomed the Queen right lovingly,

And there by her side did her mother, the wife of Rüdiger, stand;

And maidens to bower-maidens outstretched the welcoming hand,

And two by two they drew them with fingers that lovingly clung

To a wide hall stately-builded, with tapestries fair-hung.

Afront of the windows the Danube-river flowed below.

There sat they in merry converse, and felt the cool breeze blow.

Of all that befell as they tarried the minstrel may not sing:

Yet certes the knights of Kriemhild at such long tarrying

Murmured, for now were they chafing that so slowly the goal was won.

What gallant knights from Bechlaren thereafter escorted them on!

Service the Margrave tendered most loving and manifold.

Then gave that Daughter of Princes twelve armlets of red gold

Unto the daughter of Gotlind, and raiment lovely-wrought.

Into the land of Etzel none fairer had Kriemhild brought.

Albeit the gold of the Niblungs out of her hand had been reft,

Yet with the little treasure that still unto her was left

She won the hearts of all folk that looked upon her face.

Great gifts unto Rüdiger’s household she gave of her royal grace.

And for her part Lady Gotlind to the guests from Rhineland showed

Such high and bounteous honour in the gifts that she bestowed,

That hard had it been mid the strangers to find so much as one

Who had not of her hands fair-woven vesture or precious stone.

So when these guests had eaten, and would forth on their journey again,

Her loyal service commended that noble chatelaine

In speech most lowly-loving unto great Etzel’s Queen;

And Kriemhild embraced at parting the fair young Margravine.

Then spake unto Kriemhild the damsel: “If this my Queen content,

Well know I, my dear-loved father thereto would gladly consent

To send me to thee into Hunland, to wait on my Lady there.”

How loyal could be that maiden, full well was Kriemhild ware.

All bridled waited the horses before the castle-port,

When the noble Queen had taken her leave in gracious sort

Of the wife of the Lord of the Marches and the fair young child at her side;

And with many a farewell spoken thence did the maidens ride.

Seldom indeed thereafter from that day forth met they!

Out of Medelick came the people, and stood beside the way

With many a golden goblet rich-wrought filled high with wine

That the guests might drink, and “Welcome!” they bade them by word and sign.

The Lord of the place in his castle dwelt there, Astolf hight:

On the road to the Easterlings’ country he set their feet aright:

Over against Mautaren by the Danube runs that road.

There worshipful observance to the great Queen all folk showed.

Of his sister’s daughter the bishop took loving farewell there.

That long she might live and prosper how earnest was his prayer,

And might for herself earn honour as Helka of yore had done!

Ha, what high honour and worship in the hearts of the Huns she won!

So they came in a little season unto the Traisem’s flow,

And still did the knights of the Margrave heedfully guarding them go,

Till far off riding to meet them was a host of the Hunfolk seen.

Ha, then was fulness of honour rendered unto the Queen!

On the Traisem’s bank did a castle of the Lord of the Hunfolk stand,

A passing-stately fortress, well known through all the land;

And the same hight Traisenmauer: there Helka dwelt of old,

A lady beyond all other exceeding bounteous-souled,

Except that other were Kriemhild, for her bounty withal was free.

Well might she be henceforth happy after all her misery,

For all the people of Etzel her kindness extolled and her grace;

Yea, in abundant measure she won the heroes’ praise.

Now the majesty of King Etzel was grown so world-renowned,

That at every time and season about his court were found

All knights on earth most valiant that ever man had known

Mid Christian nations and heathen: all gathered round his throne.

Year in, year out, around him—such sight none now may see—

Were Christian knights and heathen dwelling in amity,

Each after his own land’s custom, even as such might fall.

So full and so free was his bounty, that aye it sufficed for all.

XXII. How King Etzel wedded Kriemhild

At Traisenmauer she tarried till four days were fulfilled;

And all that time on the highways for never an hour was stilled

The uprolling of dust on all sides like smoke from a forest aflame

As the riders of Etzel thither through the land of the Easterlings came.

For by this had the joyful tidings been told unto Etzel the King

How royally Lady Kriemhild through the land was journeying.

By that sweet expectation slain, was the old pain gone,

And arose the King, and hastened to meet that loveliest one.

Streamed far along the highways warriors of many a tongue.

To herald the coming of Etzel came knights in a valiant throng;

Christian knights and heathen, in one vast host came they,

And they saw their Queen, and forward they swept in a stately array.

Warriors many of Russia and many of Greece were there;

On flew they, Poles and Wallachs, swiftly as birds of the air;

Horsemen on goodly horses, kings of the saddle they rode;

Each after his own land’s fashion their knightly prowess they showed.

From the land of Kiev came riding thitherward many a thane:

On came the wild Petschnegers; the great bow did they strain

Against the fowl of the heaven as flickered their wings in the blue.

Up to the head the arrow with marvellous might they drew.

Hard by the Danube river in the land of the Easterlings lies

A burg that men name Tulna: there seen of Kriemhild’s eyes

Was many an alien custom uncouth and marvel-fraught.

There was she welcomed of many whose doom at the last she wrought.

Forerunners of King Etzel rode a vassal-company

Blithe-hearted, splendour-vestured, courtly and goodly to see,

Four and twenty princes, mighty and men of renown,

To look on their Queen: her presence of their heart’s desire was the crown.

Ramung, the great war-captain from far Wallachia-land,

To meet her rode; seven hundred were the warriors of his band.

On sped they all together swiftly as birds on the wing.

Then Prince Gibèk dashed forward with a gallant following.

Forth did the swift knight Hornbog with a thousand vassals ride

From his place beside King Etzel, to greet that glorious bride.

As they rode, they upraised the war-cry of their land, that it rang afar.

On swept the princes of Hunland in magnifical pomp of war.

Forward spurring to meet her came Hawart the dauntless Dane,

And Iring the swift war-helper, of the honour without a stain.

Came Irnfried the lord of Thuringia, a goodly champion he.

Thus welcomed they Queen Kriemhild for her honour and majesty,

With warriors wight twelve hundred, a splendid chivalry.

Then came the war-lord Blödel followed by thousands three,

The brother of King Etzel, and a mighty Hunland thane.

On rode he in pomp of procession, and before the Queen drew rein.

Last came the great King Etzel, with Lord Dietrich at his side,

With all his heroes behind him: it was good to see them ride,

Rank upon rank of warriors noble and faithful and bold:

To behold them heart-uplifted was Kriemhild, and joyful-souled.

Then spake unto Queen Kriemhild the noble Rüdiger:

“Now to the King’s self welcome I give, O Lady, here.

Of whomso I say, ‘Him kiss thou,’ such an one with a kiss do thou greet.

For all the knights of Etzel like welcoming were not meet.”

Then lifted they from her palfrey that stately Queen and fair;

And Etzel the King, the mighty, no longer tarried there,

But begirt with many a baron down from the selle he leapt,

And with eyes for gladness shining unto Lady Kriemhild stept.

As singeth the old-time minstrel, high-born princes twain

Followed the Lady Kriemhild, upbearing her garment’s train,

As strode the great King Etzel his Lady and Queen to meet,

And with gracious kiss of welcome that noble Prince did she greet.

She put back veil and headband; the roses and lilies shone

Forth from the gold that enclosed them: then murmured many an one

That fairer than she not even the Lady Helka had been.

Then the brother of King Etzel, Blödel, drew nigh to the Queen.

With the kiss of salutation, as the Margrave Rüdiger bade,

Blödel and King Gibeke, and Dietrich welcome were made.

Twelve kissed she, kinsmen of Etzel, and chiefs of kingly pride;

And she bowed her in gracious greeting unto many a baron beside.

Through all that time of the meeting of Kriemhild with Etzel the King,

All in the ancient fashion young knights were tourneying:

With gentle and joyous jousting right gallantly they rode,

As the Christian knights and heathen their countries’ customs showed.

With what knightly prowess the champions of Dietrich’s warrior-band

Were hurling the whizzing javelin from the strong unerring hand!

Forth through the air far-leaping over the shields did they skim.

By the guests from Germany shivered was many a broad shield-rim.

With the ceaseless clashing of spear-shafts splintered loud was the air;

For the mighty men of the Hunland all were gathered there;

And there were the guests of Etzel, an exceeding noble array.

Now passeth the King with Kriemhild from the place of their meeting away,

And they come where hard beside them doth a stately pavilion stand:

All round was the whole plain covered with tents on every hand;

There guests after toil of their travel unto sweet rest now might win;

And many a winsome maiden the heroes led therein

Unto their Queen, where Kriemhild sat in splendour there

On a couch all costly-broidered; for the Margrave’s diligent care

Had ordered so its arraying that the tent was splendour-dight:

And the heart of the Hun-king Etzel was filled with deep delight.

What of their princely converse may a simple minstrel know

Save this?—in his right hand rested a hand like a flake of snow.

So sat they on love’s threshold; for the wise thane Rüdiger,

For the honour of Kriemhild, left not King Etzel alone with her.

Then stayed was the clash of tourney o’er all the echoing field.

Hushed as beseemed was the crashing of lance and the clang of shield.

Back to the tents went trooping King Etzel’s vassalage:

And to all was there given lodging and spacious harbourage.

So drew the day to an ending and the sleep of the summer night,

Till fled away the shadows and they saw the breaking of light.

Then many a gallant hero gat him again to horse,

And ho for the honour of Etzel and the gallant tourney-course!

For the King said: “See ye acquit you for yours and for my renown.”

Then rode they on from Tulna to Vienna the royal town:

There splendour-attired did ladies unnumbered their coming abide

To welcome with duteous worship King Etzel’s royal bride.

In plenty to overflowing were all things ready dight,

What things soever they needed; and many an eager knight

With joy looked on to the feast-tide. Fair lodging was given to them all.

Amid joyance began King Etzel’s bridal-festival.

So vast was the throng, in the city harboured they could not be;

And Rüdiger gave commandment—“Whosoever be not guests, ye

Without the walls find lodging in hamlet and homestead around.”

Well wot I that daily and hourly waiting on Kriemhild were found

The noble baron Dietrich and many a knight of his host;

In labour of love aye toiling they wrought to the uttermost

That the hearts of their guests should be gladdened in stintless plenty and peace,

So that Rüdiger and his kinsmen took now their disport and their ease.

Then came that royal bridal on the Feast of Whitsuntide,

Whereon the Hun-king Etzel won Kriemhild to be his bride

In Vienna the royal city: such hosts of men, I wot,

In the days of her first lord Siegfried on her pleasure had waited not.

By her gifts unto many which never had seen her she made her known,

For which cause spake in his wonder to the guests full many an one:

“We weened that of all wealth Kriemhild was stripped bare—so had we heard:

And behold, she doth with her bounty marvels great beyond word!”

Seven days and ten it lasted, that marriage festival-tide.

Ne’er was it told to the minstrel that any king beside

A marriage-feast so glorious hath held—we have heard not his name.

In new bright raiment vestured were all to the feast that came.

Ne’er had she sat in the Low Land in the days of long ago

In the presence of knights so many: yea, this of a truth do I know.

How rich soever in treasure was Siegfried, never had he

So many knights as were bounden to Etzel in fealty.

Never have Kings, of a surety, at their marriage-festivals

Unto guests given mantles so ample, such splendour-woven palls,

Never such costly vesture as was freely lavished here.

It was all for the sake of Kriemhild, for the honour of one most dear.

In all—were they guests, were they home-folk—one mind in them all abode,

Nought to begrudge in their giving, not the dearest thing they owed:

Whatsoe’er was desired of any, given it was forthright,

So that stripped bare even of vesture stood many a generous knight.

When she thought on the days passed over, how she dwelt on the green Rhine-shore

With her noble murdered husband, her eyes with tears brimmed o’er.

Yet the ghost of the past aye banned she, that her sorrow none might know,

That she might not shadow the honour which had come after all her woe.

Whatsoe’er was the bounty of others, as an idle wind would it seem

By the lavish giving of Dietrich: all wealth bestowed upon him

By the King, the son of Botlung, was as water spilt on the sand.

Withal were there marvels of bounty from Rüdiger’s open hand.

Yea, also the good knight Blödel, the Lord of Hungary,

Bade open his treasure-coffers, and empty them utterly

Of the gold therein and the silver—all, all was given away.

The heroes of King Etzel in joy lived day by day.

Yea, also Werbel and Schwemmel—King Etzel’s minstrels they—

Each of them with marks a thousand was guerdoned for harp and lay,

Yea, even with more peradventure, at the marriage-festival

When by Etzel Kriemhild the lovely sat crowned in the sight of all.

Forth on the eighteenth morning from Vienna rode their array.

Once more were the bucklers rifted in the gentle and joyous play

By the spears that were couched for the onset in many a good knight’s hand.

So came at the last King Etzel with joy to the Hunfolk’s land.

At Heimburg the ancient city did the wayfarers rest that night.

How vast was the tale of their army none could number aright,

Nor say with what countless legions on through the land they rode.

Ha, what fair dames in the home-land the coming of these abode!

At Misenburg the wealthy aboard of ships did they go.

’Neath the host of the men and the horses did the waters hidden flow;

It seemed as the dry land fleeted away in one long stream!

Now journeyed the way-worn women lulled in a restful dream.

Galley to goodly galley was lashed with hawsers taut

To the end that by wave and current might no disarray be wrought;

And awnings of costly loomwork were wide outstretched overhead,

That it seemed as if plain and meadow around them still were spread.

Now also in Etzel’s castle was the tale of their coming told,

And all therein, both women and men, were joyful-souled,

The household of Queen Helka, whom she graciously ruled of yore,

And for whom with Kriemhild were many happy days in store.

In its hall did high-born maidens in hope her coming abide

Whose hearts had carried a burden of grief since Helka died.

Yea, seven kings’ daughters Kriemhild in the castle fostered found;

And all the land of Etzel through these was far-renowned.

Of all these Herrat the princess had overcharge and control,

Daughter of Helka’s sister, a maiden pure of soul,

Betrothed unto Dietrich: daughter of a noble prince was she,

The child of the great king Nantwein, high-honoured in days to be.

Expectant of their coming her heart was filled with delight,

And with goodly preparation was the palace richly dight.

How blissfully there King Etzel abode what tongue may tell?

Under no queen ever the Hunfolk thereafter fared so well.

When the King with his wife came riding up from the river-bank,

As maid after maid was presented, named was each, and her rank,

By Herrat, and Kriemhild greeted each as a friend long known.

In what might she sat and what honour soon upon Helka’s throne!

Duteous service and loyal waited upon her aye;

And ever the Queen was giving: gold, lovely-woven array,

Silver and costly gemstones—all goodly things soe’er

That she brought over Rhine into Hunland; for her bounty was free as air.

Vowed evermore to serve her, and proud withal to obey

Were the kinsmen of King Etzel and all that owned his sway,

So that never the Lady Helka ruled with such power and might;

For unto the death of Kriemhild were they bound by that troth-plight.

So exceeding great was the glory of the King, so famed his land,

That wherever knights were yearning with gallant heart and hand

In knightly sport to prove them, thither they flocked from far;

For the love of the King and the kindness of the Queen were their guiding star.

XXIII. How Kriemhild thought on Vengeance for her Wrongs

Amid all this honour and glory—herein doth the bard sing true—

Dwelt they in love together till the seventh year onward drew.

In the midst of the years unto Kriemhild was born a noble son.

In the life of Etzel never had a brighter dayspring shone.

Never she ceased from pleading till she won her love’s reward

That unto the font baptismal of the faith of Christ the Lord

Brought was the child of Etzel, and Ortlieb they named the boy.

Then all King Etzel’s kingdom rejoiced with exceeding joy.

In the selfsame paths of virtue that Helka had trodden erst

The feet of the Lady Kriemhild paced day by day from the first;

By Herrat, the stranger princess, in the ways of the land were they set,

While her secret heart for Helka bore a burden of long regret.

The son of the land and the stranger with one accord confessed

That never had any kingdom of any king possessed

More bounteous queen and gracious: true witness they held it of her.

Such was her praise mid the Hunfolk still till the thirteenth year.

Now when she marked how no man opposed him to her will—

Even so unto wives of princes knights wont to bear them still—

And that twelve kings stood in her presence aye as the years passed on,

On the pain and the wrong she brooded that was dealt to her years agone.

She thought withal on the honour that of yore in the Niblung land

Of right unto her was rendered, whereof had Hagen’s hand

Utterly despoiled her when Siegfried by him had been slain:

And she pondered how she might compass that his wrong should become his bane:—

“Into this land could I but bring him, then might my vengeance betide!”

She dreamed a dream, how that walking anear her, close at her side,

Was Giselher her brother, and she kissed him again and again

In slumber—what meant that vision was thereafter all too plain!

The Foul Fiend was it surely that whispered Kriemhild’s heart

In outward-seeming friendship from Gunther the King to part,

And with kiss of feigned forgiveness, in Burgundia years ago.

Now the old pain woke, and her vesture was drenched with the hot tears’ flow.

On her heart lay morning by morning, and evening by evening lay

The thought, how they had constrained her the faith of her youth to betray

By taking to husband a heathen, when will thereto she had none.

This wrong unto her had Hagen and her brother Gunther done.

How she might wreak her vengeance still thought she day by day:—

“Now am I waxen so mighty, I have such far-reaching sway,

That I of them that have wronged me could exact the penalty.

Gladly with Hagen of Troneg would I deal as he dealt with me!

For my belovèd mourneth my spirit within me still.

Might I but draw them hither which have worked me all this ill,

Then, then might I have vengeance at last for my Siegfried’s death.

Scarce can I endure this waiting!” she moaned with passionate breath.

Well was she loved of all men of Etzel’s vassal-array

Which were named the Knights of Kriemhild: good cause in sooth had they.

Friends many were won by Eckwart her treasurer’s open hand.

The will of the Lady Kriemhild might none in the realm withstand.

Each day was she thinking, thinking: “I will make my request to the King

If so of his grace and his goodness he may haply grant this thing

That my friends be bidden to see me here in the Land of the Hun.”

But the guileful purpose of Kriemhild the while was divined of none.

One night, when the Lady Kriemhild beside King Etzel lay,

When he held her in arms enfolding, even as his wont was aye

In his love for the noble lady who was dear as his life unto him,

Then on her enemies thought she, and her thoughts were guileful and grim.

She spake unto King Etzel: “My dearly-belovèd Lord,

I would make unto thee my petition, if this thy grace would accord,

That thou suffer mine heart to be gladdened, if my love hath deserved this meed,

By the proof of mine eyes that my kinsmen be dear unto thee indeed.”

Then spake the King, and, speaking, was guileless his heart within:

“Hereof will I certify thee: whatsoe’er to thine hero-kin

Is done for their honour and profit, for mine own joy shall it be done;

For never by love of woman nobler kin have I won.”

Unto him the Queen made answer: “Well known is this unto thee,

That indeed I have high-born kinsmen; but sorely it troubleth me

That, since I wedded thee, never their faces have I seen.

In sooth, of all thy people am I known for ‘the Kinless Queen’!”

Made answer and spake King Etzel: “O wife, heart’s dearest mine,

If not too great be the journey, I will bid them over Rhine

Hither to this my kingdom, the friends thou art fain to see.”

Then for the word that spake him her ally glad was she.

“If thou, my lord,” she made answer, “thy kindness to me wilt show,

Unto Worms, to the city of Rhineland, forth let thy messengers go;

So will I send mine heart’s wish to the friends in the far-away home;

And so knights noble and gentle full many to us shall come.”

He answered: “If this thou askest, thereto hast thou my consent.

Thyself in the sight of thy kinsmen shall be never so well content

As I, in beholding the faces of noble Uta’s sons.

I grieve that these have been strangers so long from the land of the Huns.

My wife, my well-belovèd, if this be thy pleasure,” he said,

“As messengers unto thy kinsmen straightway of me shall be sped

Unto Burgundy-land our minstrels, the lords of the viol-string.”

Into his presence the minstrels he bade them straightway bring.

Then came the King’s two servants to the presence of their lord

Where he sat by the Queen, and Etzel delivered to them his word

That he would they should be his heralds unto far Burgundia-land.

And for their arraying in vesture right goodly he gave command.

For good knights four-and-twenty were provided mantle and vest;

For to these withal with the minstrels was given the King’s behest,

Even to bear his bidding unto Gunther and his men.

But the Lady Kriemhild set her to commune with them privily then.

Said the mighty King: “Now hearken, that mine hest ye may so fulfil:

I send unto those our kinsmen all love and all good will,

And I pray them to ride to my country unto them that love them here.

Never in all my life-days guests have I known so dear.

And if these peradventure be minded to grant the thing that I pray,

Even the kinsmen of Kriemhild, I beseech them not to delay,

But to come in the summer season of this year unto my feast:

So by these my marriage-kinsmen shall the joy of my life be increased.”

Made answer the viol-minstrel, and Schwemmel the knightly replied:

“When, O my Lord, in the Hunland shall fall thy festal tide,

To the end that unto thy kinsmen by Rhine we may certainly say?”

Made answer and spake King Etzel, “On next Midsummer Day.”

“We will do after thy commandment,” straight Werbel made reply.

Then Kriemhild caused the heralds to be summoned secretly

Unto the closet royal, and there she communed with the twain.

Thereof unto many a good knight was begotten ruinous bane.

She spake in her guile to the heralds: “Ye shall earn of me rich meed,

If ye keep in your hearts my counsel, and perform it with diligent heed,

And speak in mine ancient home-land the word of my desire;

Then rich in goods will I make you, and give to you royal attire.

When at Worms beside Rhine-river your messenger feet shall be brought

To the presence of those my kinsfolk, see ye confess this not

That here ye have ever beheld me in grief as of widowhood.

And bear ye my love-greeting to the heroes valiant and good,

And pray them to grant this favour, even my lord’s request,

And thereby to bring me riddance from the constant grief of my breast,

Even this, that I seem ‘the Kinless’ here in the Hunfolk’s sight.

For me, full oft to the Rhineland would I come, were I but a knight!

Unto Gernot withal my brother, the noble prince, say ye

That none unto him more loving than I on earth can be;

And pray that he bring with him hither all our noblest kin

To greet us here in the Hunland: high honour so shall we win.

And to Giselher’s remembrance withal be this thing brought,

That never through him to Kriemhild hath wrong or despite been wrought:

Him therefore here in the Hunland gladly mine eyes would see;

Yea, sorely I long to greet him for his love and his faith unto me.

What glory here hath crowned me do ye to my mother say.

And, if haply Hagen of Troneg would fain hang back from the way,

Who then through those strange marches shall be guide to the mighty ones?

For hath not he known from childhood the paths to the land of the Huns?”

Now the messengers knew not wherefore so fixed it was in her mind

That they should not suffer Hagen of Troneg to tarry behind

Beside the Rhine. To their sorrow were they to learn it yet,

When with grim death many a hero face to face should be set.

Unto these were messages given and tokens from Etzel’s hand.

With wealth enriched they journeyed: they might bear them as lords of the land.

Fair leave of their liege-lord Etzel and his comely wife took they,

And they went forth splendour-vestured in royal-rich array.

XXIV. How the Hun-King’s Minstrels bade the Burgundians to the Feast

When Etzel forth to the Rhineland had his viol-minstrels sped,

From land to land the story on the wings of rumour fled.

By messengers swift to his barons request and command he gave

To come to his festal high-tide; and they came—to the gates of the grave.

Meanwhile forth rode the envoys, and afar from the Hunland went

To the folk Burgundian, whither of their lord the King they were sent

Unto those three noble Princes and to all their vassal-array,

To bid them to Etzel’s high-tide; and fast and far rode they.

To the castle of Bechlaren those messengers came with speed:

There blithe was their entertainment; and for this their hosts took heed

That Rüdiger and Gotlind and their daughter sent by these

Unto the knights of Rhineland all loving messages.

They loaded with gifts the envoys or ever they parted thence,

That Etzel’s servants might journey in the more magnificence;

And to Uta and to her children this greeting did Rüdiger send,

That never was living Margrave unto them so true a friend.

They commended also to Brunhild their service and ready will,

And in steadfast faith they pledged them her pleasure to fulfil.

So when they had heard that message, onward the envoys would ride.

Then prayed the Margravine Gotlind that God would guard them and guide.

Or ever the messengers wholly had traversed Bavarian ground,

Werbel the eager minstrel the holy bishop found.

What greetings he sent to his kinsmen, the dwellers beside the Rhine,

This have the old bards told not; but of ruddy gold and fine

He gave to the heralds freely. When now they would forth again,

Spake Pilgerin the bishop: “Mine heart were exceeding fain

If I might but see them before me, for my sister’s sons they are.

Right seldom indeed have I journeyed unto them by the Rhine afar!”

By what tracks fared they onward through the land on the Rhineward way,

Thereof no minstrel singeth. Of their silver and rich array

No spoiler dared to rob them, for the terror of Etzel lay

Heavy on all; so mighty was the high-born Hun-king’s sway.

So they came, even Werbel and Schwemmel, to the folk by Rhine-river side,

Unto Worms the fortress-city, ere the light of the twelfth day died.

Unto Gunther then and his liegemen did the watchman tidings bring

Of the coming of stranger heralds; and straightway questioned the King,

And spake the warder of Rhineland: “Who maketh known unto us

From whence these guests and strangers to our land come riding thus?”

But none was able to answer, till Hagen, Troneg’s Lord,

Looked forth and beheld those envoys, and he spake unto Gunther the word:

“This day is a day of tidings: your surety for this am I;

For these be the men of Etzel, and the lords of his minstrelsy.

None other than your sister to the Rhine hath sped their feet.

For the sake of their noble master must we give them welcome meet.”

Even as he spake it, rode they into the castle court:

Never king’s viol-minstrels came in such gallant sort.

And the servants of King Gunther to welcome them in made speed,

And they gave unto them fair lodging, and looked to their gear with heed.

So rich were their travelling-garments, so goodly-fashioned withal,

Unshamed they might have worn them in the King’s own presence-hall;

Yet they scorned for one hour longer to wear them in courts of kings,

And they bade make inquisition whether any desired the things.

Good sooth, there lacked not people that were right well content

That their need be supplied so richly, and to these were the garments sent.

Then did the envoys array them in splendour of goodliest gear,

Such as fitteth heralds royal in the presence of kings which appear.

Then gat they leave and license, those servants of Etzel, to go

Where the King sat throned: right gladly men looked on their gallant show.

And Hagen sprang from his high-seat, and met them hard by the door,

And greeted with kindly welcome, and they gave him thank therefor.

Then asked he them of their tidings, and prayed the heralds say

Concerning the welfare of Etzel and of all that owned his sway.

“Never the land hath prospered more,” those bards replied;

“Never the folk were happier: hereof be ye certified.”

To the presence of King Gunther they passed the thronged halls through;

And the guests with courteous welcome were received, as aye is it due

That envoys so be greeted in the land of another king.

There round King Gunther standing were knights in a stately ring.

Unto them the King gave greeting of princely courtesy:

“O servants of King Etzel, ye minstrels, welcome be ye,

Welcome your journeying-fellows! Wherefore hath Etzel your lord

Into the land Burgundian sent you hitherward?”

Before the King they bowed them, and Werbel answer made:

“My dearly belovèd master and Kriemhild your sister bade

That hither we fare to your kingdom, and commend their service to you.

Unto you, O knights, have they sent us in kindness loving and true.”

And the mighty King made answer: “Of thy tidings am I fain.

How fareth it now with Etzel?”—spake on that royal thane—

“And how with Kriemhild my sister in the Hunland hath it sped?”

“I will tell thee all their story,” the viol-harper said.

“Better in any kingdom never its lords have been,

Nor blither, know of a surety, than Hunland’s King and Queen,

And all their kinsmen and liegemen, and all their knightly train.

Right glad were they of our journey, when hither we fared, we twain.”

“Now thank we him for the message that he sendeth by your voice.

Thanks unto him and my sister: herein do I greatly rejoice

That your King and all his people in peace and in bliss abide;—

For indeed I feared in mine asking lest haply worse might betide.”

Now came the two young princes into the hall, and heard;

For touching those glad tidings had come to them yet no word.

Bright at beholding the envoys shone young Giselher’s eyes

For the love that he bare to his sister: and he spake in friendliest wise:

“Heralds twain, ye be welcome, right welcome to us this day!

An ye came but oftener riding upon the Rhineward way,

Here should ye find friends’ faces that ye should gladly see.

Small sorrow or scathe should betide you here in Burgundy!”

“Yea, in all honour,” said Schwemmel, “we hail this greeting of thine!

Of a surety I cannot tell you by any words of mine

What loving greetings be sent you of Etzel the Lord of the land,

And your noble sister, who highest beside him in honour doth stand.

And the Queen unto thy remembrance calleth thy faith and thy love,

And the true heart’s tender kindness, and the steadfastness thereof.

Now first before all unto Gunther our King’s request we bear

That ye of your grace into Hunland would ride, to greet them there.

Etzel the King most mighty hath straitly commanded us

That by all his love we entreat you, and to each and to all say thus—

If haply the love of your sister avail not to draw you hence,

Yet fain would he know what trespass ye have found in him, or offence,

That ye hold you so far from his kingdom, and the land ye have never seen.

Yea, though unto you a stranger, and wholly unknown were the Queen,

Yet himself might surely merit that ye deigned to look on his face!

If to this ye consent, ye shall gladden his heart by this great grace.”

Answered and spake King Gunther: “After the seventh night

Will I render to you mine answer, the thing that hath seemed me right

In council with friends and kinsmen. Depart ye; tarry the while

In the halls wherein we have lodged you, and find there rest from your toil!”

But spake the minstrel Werbel: “May this not also be,

That we come before Queen Uta, and the face of our Lady see

Or ever we pass from the presence royal unto our rest?”

And Giselher the courteous made answer to his request:

“That boon shall no man deny you: if ye to her presence would go,

After the will of my mother and her heart’s desire were it so.

For my sister’s sake your faces right gladly will she see.

For the sake of the Lady Kriemhild welcome to her shall ye be.”

Straightway to the presence of Uta leading the twain he went.

Glad was she to see the envoys from the land of the Hunfolk sent;

And she gave to them kindly welcome with queenly and gracious mien,

And the heralds courtly and loyal their message spake to the Queen:

“My Lady,” said Schwemmel, “biddeth that I commend unto thee

Her constant love and her service; and if so it might haply be

That she might oftener see thee, this of a surety believe,

That in all the world no pleasure greater could she receive.”

Answered and spake Queen Uta: “That cannot now befall,

Though fain would I oftener see her, my best beloved of all:

Too far from us she dwelleth, that noble Queen, alas!

Evermore upon her and Etzel all blessing come to pass!

Send word to me—see that ye fail not—ere ye must hence away,

When ye will go. I have seen not for many and many a day

Messengers so welcome as now, when I look upon you.”

Then did the young men pledge them her heart’s desire to do.

So passed they unto their hostels, those knights from the land of the Huns;

And the King to a council summoned his kin and his mighty ones.

Then Gunther the noble questioned the heroes man by man

Touching their rede of the matter; and many an one began

Thus saying: “It were for thine honour unto Etzel’s land to ride.”

This was the rede of the chiefest of them that stood at his side,

Save Hagen alone; but hateful to him was the counsel of those.

To the King he whispered fiercely: “To your own lives are ye foes!

Surely thou hast not forgotten what deeds unto her we wrought!

For us are the wrongs of Kriemhild for ever peril-fraught.

I smote unto death her husband, even I with mine own hand.

How should we be so hardy as to ride into Etzel’s land?”

Made answer the King: “My sister of all wrath emptied her heart:

With kisses of lovingkindness, ere she turned from this land to depart,

She sealed her forgiveness of trespass, whatsoever to her we had done.

If she beareth a grudge, Lord Hagen, it shall be against thee alone.”

“Deceive not thyself,” said Hagen, “whatsoever honied speech

Fall from this woman’s envoys! Come within Kriemhild’s reach,

And thou well mayest lose thine honour; yea, and thou stakest thy life!

A memory long and relentless hath this King Etzel’s wife.”

Before the council Gernot flung back his haughty reply:

“Albeit with too good reason thou haply fear to die

In the kingdom of the Hunfolk, shall we too show faint heart,

And cower away from our sister?—that were a sorry part!”

And scornfully Giselher answered the baron and bitterly:

“If conscience, O friend Hagen, maketh a coward of thee,

Here in the land abide thou, and guard thine health with care,

And let such as fear no dangers with us to my sister fare.”

At his scoffing the hero of Troneg brake into fierceness of wrath—

“I tell thee, that no man fareth with thee on the Hunward path

Who feareth so little as Hagen to Etzel’s palace to ride!

Ay, and by deeds will I prove it, since ye will not be turned aside.”

Then spake the feast-arrayer, Rumold the noble thane:

“The home-friend and the stranger at home can ye entertain

After your own good pleasure, for here nought lacketh to you.

I trow, the counsel of Hagen never yet had ye cause to rue.

If ye will not be counselled by Hagen, I Rumold give you my rede—

Unto you have I ever been faithful, I have served you with diligent heed—

Here in the land, if ye hearken my will, do ye still abide,

And leave King Etzel to tarry yonder by Kriemhild’s side.

Where can ye in all earth’s compass be in better case than here?

So safely here be ye shielded that no foe draweth near:

Here in the goodliest raiment may your bodies be arrayed:

Rich wine may ye drink, and for wooing is many a comely maid.

Here meats be set before you the best that in all the earth

Be arrayed for a great king’s feasting:—and were all this nothing-worth,

Yet in the land should ye tarry for the sake of your winsome wives,

Nor like little wanton children set at the hazard your lives.

(C) Yea, though all other victual utterly failed us, still

One dish could ye have of Rumold to eat thereof your fill”—

And he laughed—“good oil-fried collops! Rumold’s rede is this,

Forasmuch as, my lords, mid the Hunfolk a hidden peril is.

(C) Never to you-ward in kindness will Kriemhild’s heart be turned.

Of a surety nor ye nor Hagen such grace at her hands have earned!

If ye will not tarry, who knoweth how sorely ye yet may rue?

Yea, ye shall yet acknowledge that this I have said was true.

Therefore I say to you, Go not! Rich is this your land:

Here shall ye better acquit you of duties that lie to your hand

Than yonder amid the Hunfolk. Who knows what waiteth us there?

Tarry ye here, my masters: saith Rumold, ‘Avoid the snare!’”

“Nay, now will we nowise tarry!” did Gernot eagerly cry.

“Seeing that thus my sister bids so lovingly,

And with her Etzel the mighty, why hold we back therefrom?

Who is loth with us to journey, e’en let him linger at home!”

(C) “In troth,” made answer Rumold, “I will be one at the least

Who never will cross Rhine-river unto Etzel’s high-tide feast.

The better part I have chosen shall I on the hazard fling?

So long as my strength availeth to my one life will I cling.”

(C) “So likewise am I minded,” spake to him Ortwein the thane;

“I will help thee to ward the kingdom, and the peace of the home to maintain.”

And so spake many another: of the journey would they none.

“Dear Lords, God have you in keeping,” said they, “in the land of the Hun!”

(C) Indignant was then King Gunther, when he saw how many were these

That were minded in Rhineland to tarry, and there to take their ease.

“We will not be turned from our purpose,” he said; “we will forth on the way.

Whoso is prudent of spirit can ward him in peril aye.”

Answered and spake to him Hagen: “Now in ill part take not ye

This last word of my counsel, whatsoever your fate may be,—

For in all true faith I give it:—if aught for your lives ye care,

Arrayed in harness of battle to the Hunland do ye fare.

Since ye will not be swayed from your purpose, summon your men of war,

The best ye may find in your war-band, or hear of near or far;

And out of them all will I choose us a thousand chiefest of might:

So shall ye not be defenceless against this Kriemhild’s spite.”

“Yea, I will follow thy counsel,” answered the King straightway.

Then sent he all through his kingdom to summon his array.

Soon brought they back with them heroes three thousand, yea, haply more.

Little they thought of the death-snare, of the evil days in store!

So onward they rode high-hearted through King Gunther’s land.

Horses to all and raiment were given by the King’s command

Which were ready to fare with the princes forth to the land of the Huns.

Eager he found for the journey full many valiant ones.

Then at the bidding of Hagen Dankwart his brother rode

With fourscore knights of their war-band unto where Rhine-river flowed.

Gallantly rode they and proudly: war-harness the keen knights brought

Unto the land of Gunther, and raiment richly wrought.

There came the aweless Volker, the lord of the viol-string,

With thrice ten stalwart warriors, to ride where rode the King.

Lordly was all their vesture; it was meet for a king to wear.

“These also,” he said unto Gunther, “with thee to the Huns will fare.”

What manner of man was Volker, now be it told in the song.

Sooth, he was a noble baron, and in his vassal-throng

Was many a knight; none stouter were found in Burgundia-land:

“The Minstrel” they named him, for cunning upon the strings was his hand.

Of them all chose Hagen a thousand, men throughly tested of him:

What deeds had been done by their prowess in the storm of battle grim,

And in many a desperate emprise, oft had he seen and known:

Yea, and their peerless valour no man could choose but own.

Now the messengers of Kriemhild chafed that so long they should wait;

For their dread of the King their master was beyond all measure great,

And day by day were they longing to take fair leave and be gone.

Yet by Hagen still were they hindered; of his cunning this was done.

For he said to his lord King Gunther: “We needs must have a care

That we let them not ride homeward, ere ourselves be ready to fare

In seven days thereafter unto Etzel’s land afar:

So, if any mean us a mischief, the better forearmed we are.

Then also shall Lady Kriemhild have scant time so to plot

That by her devising shall mischief to any of us be wrought;

Or, if she should haply essay it, evilly shall she speed:

So many chosen warriors to the land of the Huns do we lead.”

The saddles and the war-shields, and all the goodly gear

Wherewithal in the land of King Etzel they purposed to appear,

By this were fully ready for many a valiant thane.

Then at last to the presence of Gunther they summoned the minstrels twain.

When the messengers stood before him, Lord Gernot spake to them thus:

“The King unto that consenteth which Etzel asketh of us.

We will come, and that right gladly, unto his festal tide,

And to see the face of our sister: thereof be ye certified.”

Then spake unto them King Gunther: “This know ye so as to say,

When beginneth the high-tide, or to tell us on what day

The King will look for our coming?” Schwemmel made answer again:

“At the next Mid-summer season; without fail shall it be then.”

Then the King to the envoys granted what had not aforetime been,

That, if they would fain have audience of the Lady Brunhild the Queen,

Speech of her might be granted unto them by his consent.

But Volker set him to thwart them—for this was the Queen’s intent.

“As touching the Lady Brunhild, as yet it doth not please

The Queen,” that noble baron answered, “to look upon these.

Wait ye till the morrow morning: before her then shall ye come.”

Then trusted they to behold her, but again were they hindered therefrom.

Then commanded the King, of his favour to the envoys of Hunland’s king,

And of his royal bounty, that on broad shields men should bring

Gold from his treasure-chamber—sooth, great store lay therein:

Rich gifts moreover were given unto them by his friends and his kin.

With Gere and Ortwein, the Princes Gernot and Giselher

Showed unto all beholders how open of hand they were;

For unto the herald-minstrels such rich gifts offered they

That for dread of their King they dared not but say the givers nay.

For the messenger-minstrel Werber unto Gunther the King replied:

“Lord King, e’en suffer thy presents here in thy land to abide.

We may not carry them with us, for my Lord hath forbidden us this,

Even accepting of presents—and little we need them, I wis.”

Then the Lord of the Rhine was angered, for he held it discourtesy

That these should reject the bounty of so great a King as he,

So that of force they accepted his gold and raiment at last,

And homeward they needs must bear them when to Etzel’s land they passed.

Fain were they to see Queen Uta, ere homeward they should fare;

Wherefore brought were the minstrels by the young prince Giselher

To the presence of his mother; and she charged them with this word:

“For the honour rendered my daughter mine heart is gladness-stirred.”

Then for the sake of Kriemhild and the love that to her she bare,

The old Queen gave commandment that gold and girdles fair

Be given to those two heralds, yea also for Etzel’s sake.

For the true heart of the giver those gifts they needs must take.

Now the messengers of Kriemhild of all, both dame and knight,

Courteous farewell had taken, and with merry hearts and light

On into Suabia rode they, and Gernot sent thus far

A warrior-band to escort them, that none their peace might mar.

When the knights of the Rhine had departed, who thus had warded their way,

By the power of the terror of Etzel were they shielded from that day.

No reiver there was so daring as to touch or vesture or steed.

So back to the land of the Hunfolk they rode with fiery speed.

Wheresoever they found friends dwelling, they told, as they passed, the tale

How the lords of the land Burgundian in few days would not fail

To come from the Rhineland riding unto the Hun-king’s home;

And to Pilgerin the bishop withal did the tidings come.

When, riding adown the highways, they came to Bechlaren’s hold,

Unto Rüdiger were the tidings of those swift messengers told,

And withal to the Lady Gotlind, the noble Margravine.

With exceeding joy rejoiced they that these of their eyes should be seen.

Ever their foaming horses the minstrels twain spurred on,

Until to the presence of Etzel in his city of Gram they won.

As by greeting upon greeting unto the King they showed

The love of the far-off kinsfolk, for joy his visage glowed.

Now unto the Lady Kriemhild were the welcome tidings come

That her brethren had consented to fare to her Hunland home.

Then was she glad: of her bounty did the messengers receive

Rich gifts, such as are for the honour of so great a queen to give.

She said: “Now give ye answer, Werbel and Schwemmel, to me:

Who of my kinsmen be minded at my festal tide to be

Of their noblest whom we have bidden to ride to the land of the Hun?

When Hagen heard the tidings, what said that mighty one?”

They answered and said: “To their council he came with earliest day;

But little good of the high-tide would he be moved to say.

When others commended the journey hither with eager breath,

Hagen the grim withstood them, and named it the Ride unto Death.

Hitherward come thy brethren, the royal Princes three,

Uplifted in spirit: what other shall be of their company—

Of the rest can I speak not surely that thou shouldst be certified,

Save this, that the valiant minstrel Volker with these will ride.”

“I could well have foregone his presence,” answered Kriemhild the Queen:

“Small longing had I that Volker should here in our halls be seen.

But I joy for the coming of Hagen, for he is a hero good:

In the thought that we shall behold him, lightsome am I of mood.”

Then went that Daughter of Princes where sat the King in hall:

How lovingly did the accents from the lips of Kriemhild fall!

“How pleaseth thee the tidings, my lord, my belovèd?” she cried.

“The long desire of my spirit shall at last be satisfied!”

“Thy will is my chiefest pleasure,” the King made answer to her.

“Were these mine own blood-kinsmen, less joyful my spirit were

For the tidings of their drawing nigh to my land this day.

For the love of these thy kinsmen my cares have vanished away.”

Then did the great King’s stewards send forth urgent behests

That palace and hall with high-seats should be adorned for the guests,

For the loved and long expected who were drawing near at last.

—Yet out of the life of Etzel by these all gladness was cast!

XXV. How the Princes rode to the Land of the Huns

So then of their doings in Hunland needeth no more to say:

But for them of Burgundia—never such high-souled heroes as they

Rode in such lordly fashion in the land of any king.

All had they, weapons and raiment, that they would for their wayfaring.

The Lord of the Rhine in vesture arrayed his warrior-throng,

Knights fourscore and a thousand, as sayeth the olden song;

Yea also, and squires nine thousand to that great feast-tide rode.

—They were sorely bewept thereafter by them that at home abode.

At Worms through the palace-courtyard armour they bare and attire.

As he watched, a word of boding spake the ancient bishop of Speyer

Unto Queen Uta the lovely: “Our friends be minded to fare

To be guests in a far-off country—God have them in his care!”

Then Uta the noble Lady spake to her sons in her fear:

“O heroes mighty-hearted, I pray you, tarry here!

Last night came a dream of anguish mid the visions of mine head;

For meseemed in the land Burgundian that all her birds were dead.”

Swiftly made answer Hagen: “Whoso regardeth a dream

Shall never wisely advise him; he shall never rightly deem

In a matter that toucheth his honour, or choose the better part!

Now it behoveth my master to bid farewell and depart.

Blithely will we ride onward into King Etzel’s land;

There well to a king may service be done by a hero’s hand:

There what manner of high-tide Kriemhild holds shall we see.”

So Hagen counselled the journey—cause to rue it had he!

Nay, still had he spoken against it, were it not for the bitter jeer

That Gernot had flung at the hero, when he said with scornful sneer:

“The ghost of Siegfried standeth, of the Lady Kriemhild’s lord,

In the path, and frighteth Hagen from journeying thitherward!”

Spake Hagen of Troneg: “Never fear stirreth nor stayeth me!

Lo, ye have determined it, heroes: your hands to the work set ye.

Doubt not, I will ride with you blithely into King Etzel’s realm.”

—Soon hewn by him asunder was many a shield and helm.

To bear them over the Rhine-flood ready the galleys lay;

So the warriors set a-shipboard their goodly vesture-array:

With lading and unlading till eventide busy they were.

—O forth from their homes full blithely on the journey did they fare.

The warriors pitched in the meadow for themselves pavilion and tent

On the other side the Rhine-flood, where that last night was spent.

“Tarry, O Gunther!” did Brunhild, his lovely wife, implore,

As she clasped to her heart her husband that night, and never more.

Shrilled flutes and blared forth trumpets as the first of the dawn-light shone,

Bidding them forth on the journey, and all made haste to be gone.

Lover in arms of lover was strained close, close to the heart,

They whom with anguish unending would the wife of Etzel part.

Now the sons of the fair Queen Uta had of their vassals a man

Bold and withal true-hearted: even as the journey began,

The thoughts of his heart he uttered to the King, for he drew him aside,

And he said: “It grieveth me sorely that thou goest to this high-tide.”

And the name of the thane was Rumold, trusty of heart and hand.

“Whom wilt thou leave as warden,” he said, “of thy folk and thy land?

Alas that none can turn you, O knights, from your enterprise!

Never the message of Kriemhild was good in thy servant’s eyes.”

“Unto thee be the land committed, and also my little son.

To our wives do loyal service: I will that so it be done.

Whomsoever thou seest weeping, speak to them words of cheer.

No hurt shall the wife of Etzel do us; have thou no fear.”

(C) Moreover the King took counsel, or ever they parted thence,

With all his chiefest liegemen: he left not bare of defence

His kingdom and his castles: to keep them safe in ward

He delivered them over to chosen barons, to watch and to guard.

All harnessed stood the horses for vassal and for king.

With loving kisses of parting did wives unto husbands cling

In whose bosoms were hearts high-leaping, in whose veins was lusty life,

Yet for whom there was soon sore weeping of many a widowed wife.

(C) Now all the air was thrilling with weeping and wailing wild.

To the King drew nigh Queen Brunhild; she bare in her arms their child:

“How canst thou endure to leave us desolate both in a day?

For love of us,” said the woeful Queen, “ah, stay with us, stay!”

(C) “My wife, it doth not beseem thee thus to be weeping for me;

Rather in queenly courage fearless here shouldst thou be.

With joy shall we soon be returning safe and sound again.”

In that same hour from their dear ones parted all his train.

Now did those valiant warriors their steeds at last bestride,

While many a loving woman stood watching tearful-eyed.

“Long, long shall be this parting!” their hearts were whispering still.

None can be blithe of spirit in the shadow of coming ill.

Forward set the Burgundians, a battle-eager band.

Thronged and pressed to behold them the people of the land.

To right and to left on the hill-sides men and women wept;

But, how sorrowed the people soever, for joy their own hearts leapt.

Forth also with these went riding Niblung men of war,

A thousand heroes in hauberks: in the Niblung homes afar

Fair women they left full many whom they saw not from that day.

—Rankled the wounds of Siegfried in the heart of Kriemhild aye!

(C) Albeit the faith of Christians was weak in those far-off days,

Yet journeyed with these a chaplain for chanting of prayer and praise;

And, though out of desperate peril, alive this man came home;

But all the rest in the Hunland tarried, for death was their doom.

Onward their way they wended far up the stream of Main,

And upward through Eastern Frankland, that armour-glittering line.

By Hagen still were they guided, for all the land knew he.

And Dankwart was their marshal, the hero of Burgundy.

On through the land of the East-Franks, through Swanfeld are they gone.

It was like a procession of princes as the stately ranks swept on,

Kings and their high-born kinsmen, heroes of world-sung fame.

So at the twelfth day’s dawning the King to the Danube came.

There rode Hagen of Troneg afront of all the rest,

Right good at need as a helper, and a stay unto men distressed.

From the saddle that dauntless baron sprang by the river-side,

And the bridle of his charger straightway to a tree hath he tied.

In flood were the mighty waters, no boat might any see.

Then were the Niblung warriors in sore perplexity

How they should win thereover, so broad was the rolling flood.

Down lighted beside the river full many a warrior good.

“Evil may well befall thee,” said Hagen, “in this place.

See, Lord of Rhineland, the peril stareth thee in the face.

Over-bank are the great flood-waters: too strong is their rush to essay:

Many good knights, if we tempt it, I ween, shall we lose this day.”

“Wherefore essay to daunt me, Hagen?” the proud King said.

“For the sake of thy knightly honour no more speak counsels of dread!

Seek thou for a ford for our crossing over to yonder land,

Whereby our gear and our horses may be brought from strand to strand.”

“Not yet of my life so weary am I waxen,” Hagen replied,

“That I were contented to drown me in yonder waters wide.

Full many a warrior smitten by mine hands shall perish first

In the land of this King Etzel—yea, I am battle-athirst.

Tarry ye here by the water, ye thanes of knightly pride.

Alone will I go, and for boatmen will I search by the river-side

Which unto the land of Gelfrat shall ferry us over the spate.”

Then took the aweless Hagen his strong shield, goodly and great.

Well was he armed against foemen: his shield from his shoulders was slung,

And he laced on his head his helmet, a splendour of fight far-flung:

Belted unto his corslet was a broad bright battle-glaive

Twin-edged, whose deadly keenness the shields of the mighty clave.

Up-stream and down-stream casting for a ferry-wight sought he.

Then heard he a plashing of water, and hearkened where it should be.

And lo, in a pool fair-welling did mermaids plunge and swim

To cool in the dimpling river each summer-fevered limb.

Then Hagen was ware of the wise-wives, and stealthily nearer he crept.

They saw him, and swiftly flashing far off through the ripples leapt.

Laughed they for glee, as fleers that mark a pursuer outrun.

Then seized he their raiment, but further scathe unto them did he none.

Then cried unto him a mermaiden, and Hadburg had she to name:

“Behold, we will tell thee, Hagen, thou knight of peerless fame,—

So thou wilt restore our apparel in guerdon for our rede,—

How thou and thy friends in thy journey to the land of the Huns shall speed.”

They swayed on the swaying water as birds that rock on the sea:

And he thought on their weird foreknowledge, on the eyes that pierce the To Be;

The gladlier therefore he trusted that their lips the truth would show;

And answer they made, when he questioned of the thing that he fain would know.

For Hadburg said: “Ye may safely to the land of Etzel ride.

I pledge thee my faith in surety for that I have prophesied.

Never hath journey of heroes to an alien land been crowned

With such high honour and worship. True shall my words be found.”

Welcome and heart-uplifting did the word unto Hagen come:

He restored unto them their raiment, and tarried no more therefrom.

But when they had donned the vesture of the wondrous cloudy fold,

Of the journey to Etzel’s kingdom then first the truth they told.

For now the second mermaid, whose name was Sieglind, spake:

“Aldrian’s son, thou Hagen, from me this warning take:—

False is the thing my cousin but to win her raiment saith.

If thou to the Hunfolk goest, betrayed art thou to thy death.

While yet there is time, turn backward; wisely so should ye do,

Forasmuch as ye valiant heroes are but bidden thereto

To the end that ye all may perish in the Hunfolk’s land.

Yea, whoso rideth thither, Death rideth at his right hand.”

Answered and spake to her Hagen: “This your deceit is vain.

How should thy word be accomplished, that all we should be slain,

And so through any man’s malice dead at their high-tide stay?”

Then to the knight the story did they clearly and throughly say.

Moreover said one of the mermaids: “Thus is it doomed to betide,

That none shall alive fare homeward of all in your host that ride,

Save one, King Gunther’s chaplain. We verily know this thing,

That unharmed he only returneth to the land of Gunther the King.”

In scornful indignation made answer Hagen the bold:

“And a goodly tale to my masters in sooth were this to be told,

That doomed are we all mid the Hunfolk to pour out our lives in blood!

Nay, show us, thou wisest of women, how we may cross this flood.”

She said: “If thou wilt not be counselled, if thy journey needs must be,

Look yonder across the water; a hostel there shalt thou see.

Therein a ferry-wight dwelleth: there is none else far or near.”

Thither impatiently turned he, to ask yet more and to hear.

Yet after the wrathful warrior again the mermaid cried:

“Too hasty art thou, Lord Hagen: a little yet abide

Till thou have received instruction how thou shalt reach yon strand.

Elsè named is the ruler of the marches of yonder land.

Gelfrat named is his brother, a mighty man in fight,

A prince in the land Bavarian. Count not the emprise light,

If ye think to press on through his marches: of peril must ye beware;

And for dealing with yonder boatman have ye need of heedful care.

So grim is he of his temper, he will do a mischief to thee,

If thou gain not the strong one’s goodwill, and bespeak him courteously.

To win him to ferry thee over, proffer him guerdon due.

He is warder of this land’s gateway, and to Gelfrat is faithful and true.

If he come not unto thee straightway, shout over the flood a name;

Thy name is Amelrich, say thou: a warrior good was the same

Who out of this land was driven by the malice of his foes.

Thou shalt so draw over the boatman by the lure of the name that he knows.”

Then bowed him Hagen the haughty to those weird women twain;

But he sought no more of their counsel, and from speech did he refrain.

Up-stream by the swirling waters close to the verge he hied,

Till he marked where a little hostel stood on the farther side.

Then Hagen his voice uplifted, and he shouted across the flood:

“Ho! ferry me over, thou boatman,” cried the thane in battle good,

“And I will give thee an armlet of red gold for thine hire.

Sore is my need of the crossing, and eager my desire.”

Now this ferryman nowise needed to ply, so rich was he.

Right seldom a hire he accepted from whosoe’er it might be.

And his servants were like to their master: haughty as he were they grown.

So there stood Hagen unheeded still by the river alone.

Once more so loudly he shouted, the whole stream rang again;

For like to the crashing thunder was the mighty voice of the thane:

“Me—Amelrich—ferry thou over! Elsè’s liegeman am I,

Who by reason of feud with foemen from thy land was enforced to fly.”

High on his sword he uplifted the armlet full in his sight—

Fair-wrought and golden-ruddy, and flashed therefrom the light—

To tempt him to ferry him over into Gelfrat’s land.

Then gripped that haughty boatman himself the oar in hand.

Now this same ferry-boatman was a churlish wight and dour,

Yet greedy of gain; and ofttimes is greed destruction’s lure.

He weened he should earn full lightly Hagen’s gold for reward—

Ha, but he earned from the hero grim death by the edge of the sword!

With mighty strokes that boatman from bank to bank rowed o’er;

But him who was named he found not abiding him on the shore.

Then brake he forth into fury when Hagen alone he espied:

In the fierceness of his anger unto the hero he cried:

“Haply the name that thou bearest Amelrich may be;

But nothing thou hast of the favour of him I had looked to see.

My brother was he: one father begat us, one mother bare.

Since thou by a lie hast lured me across, e’en bide thou there!”

“Nay, in God’s name I charge thee!” Hagen answering cried.

“A knight am I, and a stranger, and to other thanes am I guide.

Take thou the gold that I proffer unto thee for thine hire as a friend,

And ferry us over the river: no hurt unto thee I intend.”

Swiftly the ferryman answered: “Never shall this be done!

My well-belovèd masters have enemies many an one;

Therefore I bear no strangers from this to the farther shore.

Thou then, if thy life thou lovest, step forth on the bank once more.”

“That will I not,” said Hagen, “for now am I bitter-souled.

Accept thou then as a friend’s gift the jewel of precious gold,

And bear us, a thousand horses and men, across the river,”

But that grim ferryman answered, “That will I do never!”

A mighty oar upswung he, massy and broad of blade,

And on Hagen’s head down dashed it—for the deed right dearly he paid!—

Back in the boat he staggered, and sank upon one knee.

So grim a ferryman never it befell to the hero to see!

To enkindle yet hotter the anger of the valiant stranger, he strake

With a huge boat-pole—so starkly, that wholly asunder it brake—

On the head of Hagen the hero. A giant was he in might;

But thereof came his own destruction on Elsè’s ferry-wight.

In sternness of fury Hagen caught with sudden hand

At his side where hung the sword-sheath, and he flashed thereout the brand;

He smote his head from his shoulders, that adown the bank it rolled.

Soon mid the proud Burgundians the tale thereof was told.

But in that selfsame moment when he laid the ferryman low,

The barge slid down the current, which cost him travail enow:

Yea, ere he could right her, weary he was with labour sore.

In sooth, King Gunther’s liegeman mightily plied the oar.

He toiled, up-stream to turn her, with many a swift strong stroke,

Even till the stubborn oar-shank in his grasp asunder broke,

As he strove to steer to the waiting knights at the river-side.

Inasmuch as he had none other, swiftly around it he tied

His shield-strap, and firmly he spliced it with the narrow steel-strong band;

So hard by a certain coppice he guided the barge to the land.

There on the river-bank waiting his lords his coming abode,

And many a chosen warrior to meet him eagerly strode.

With gladsome greeting they hailed him, those noble knights and good;

And they looked, and they saw yet reeking on the planks of the barge the blood

That welled from the trunk made headless by that swift sweep of the sword;

And a torrent of eager questions anent it on Hagen poured.

Yea also, when King Gunther beheld the hot blood reek,

As within the barge it weltered, he could not choose but speak:

“Prithee, what now, Lord Hagen, hath chanced to the ferryman-wight?

His life, methinks, hath he yielded to thine overmastering might.”

But with lying lips he answered: “Nay, sooth, but the barge I found

By a river-mead, a waste land, and mine hand her hawser unbound.

But as touching ferry-boatmen, this day here saw I none.

Of a truth by mine hands unto no man this day hath scathe been done.”

Straightway thereat did Gernot the Prince Burgundian say:

“Lest many a dear friend perish I needs must fear this day,

Inasmuch as on all the river we see no boatman here.

How we shall win thereover needs must I sorely fear.”

But cheerly and loud cried Hagen: “Down on the bank do ye cast,

O squires, the horses’ harness! I mind me that in time past

Myself was the deftest boatman that on all the Rhine men knew.

Into the land of Gelfrat even I will ferry you.”

To the end that over the river they might win with the better speed,

Thereinto drave they the horses: so well swam each good steed,