The Nibelungenlied (romantic story to read TXT) 📖

Brunhild with his own royal hand.
Then shone against each other bright gems and garments grand.

587

With courtly grace Dame Kriemhild did thereupon repair
To where the Lady Brunhild and all her courtiers were.
One saw them push their chaplets with their white fingers by,
What time they kissed each other: ’twas done in courtesy.

588

Then spake the maid Kriemhilda, and fittingly spake she:
“To us in this our country right welcome may you be;
To me, and to my mother, as unto ev’ry friend
Whom we as faithful reckon.” Then each did lowly bend.

589

The dames each other greeted with clasp of hand and arm,
No one had ever heard of a welcoming so warm.
As soon as the two ladies the bride for certain wist,
Dame Uté and her daughter her sweet mouth often kiss’d.

590

When all Brunhilda’s ladies had lighted on the strand,
They tenderly were greeted, and taken by the hand.
For many a well-dight woman there was a warrior good;
And many beauteous maidens with Dame Brunhilda stood.

591

Before their greeting ended a good long hour had sped;
Ay, and the lips, like roses, were kiss’d of many a maid.
Still stood by one another those two kings’ daughters bright⁠—
To many a valiant hero they were a lovely sight.

592

With their own eyes beheld they, who often told had been
That no such peerless beauty had ever yet been seen
As that of these two ladies: it now was plain to view;⁠—
One saw, too, on their bodies naught in the least untrue.

593

Those who could judge of women and on fair forms decide,
Did laud and praise for beauty the royal Gunther’s bride.
But others⁠—they were wise men with more discerning eyes⁠—
Said, that from Dame Brunhilda Kriemhilda won the prize.

594

Now dame and maid were walking, each other opposite,
And many a lovely body one saw right nobly dight.
And many a rich pavilion and silken tent were there:
The plain that Worms surrounded was crowded everywhere.

595

The kinsmen of King Gunther came thronging thereunto.
Brunhilda and Kriemhilda were thither bade to go
And take with them their ladies⁠— where they in shade could stand.
There, with them, came the nobles of the Burgundian land.

596

Meanwhile upon their chargers the guests were all a-field,
And many a doughty lance-thrust was caught upon the shield.
The plain with dust was smoking⁠— as though the very earth
In flames would soon be bursting: now heroes show’d their worth.

597

Upon these knightly doings looked many a maiden’s eye.
I doubt not that Sir Siegfried full many a time rode by
The tents, as with his liegemen he back and forward sped.
A thousand gallant warriors from Nibelung he led.

598

Then Hagen, lord of Tronjé, at his host’s bidding went,
And courteously the hero did close the tournament⁠—
Lest by the dust besprinkled the beauteous maids should be.
This order by the guests was obey’d good-humouredly.

599

Then spake the noble Gernot: “Let now the horses rest.
As soon as it grows cooler we knights will do our best
To please these lovely ladies, before the palace wide.
Let everyone be ready whene’er the king will ride.”

600

When all the wide field over the tournament was stayed,
For pastime went the heroes beneath the tall tents’ shade,
To parley with the ladies⁠— on mirth and pleasure bent;
Thus, till ’twas time for riding, their leisure hours were spent.

601

But when it grew towards even and near the sun’s last ray⁠—
Seeing the air was cooler⁠— they would no more delay.
Then many a knight and lady toward the castle rode.
On many a beauteous woman were loving looks bestow’d.

602

And now they raced for raiment such as good knights do wear,
These highly-mettled warriors⁠— as was the custom there⁠—
Until they reach’d the palace; there did the king dismount,
And they the ladies aided as gallant knights be wont.

603

Now, too, the royal ladies did from each other part.
Queen Uté and her daughter together did depart,
With all their court-attendants, unto a chamber wide.
Then shouts of joy and laughter were heard on ev’ry side.

604

The seats being set in order, the royal Gunther would
Go with his guests to supper; ’twas seen how by him stood
The beautiful Brunhilda; and now a crown she wore,
As queen in her king’s kingdom;⁠— well worth was she therefore.

605

Fine seats were set for many, by tables broad and good⁠—
As we have been assuréd⁠— laid with abundant food.
Of all that they could wish for how little lack was seen!
And with the king was many a guest of lordly mien.

606

The host’s own body-servants, in ewers of red gold,
Did fetch and carry water. If you should e’er be told
That at a prince’s wedding the service was more fit,
’Twould trouble me but little⁠— I’d put no faith in it!

607

Before the great Rhine ruler did of the water take,
Sir Siegfried went unto him a due request to make:
To warn him of his promise, which he, by his right hand
Pledged, ere he saw Brunhilda at home in Isenland.

608

He spake: “You must remember, you swore by your right hand,
If ever Dame Brunhilda should come to this your land,
You’d give to me your sister; now what hath got your oath?
Much trouble with your journey I’ve taken, nothing loth.”

609

Then to his guest the king said: “Thou didst right well to speak;⁠—
What on my hand I swore you, that oath I will not break.
As best I can, I’ll help you to bring about this thing.”
Then was Kriemhilda summon’d to court before the king.

610

With all her beauteous maidens she came unto the hall.
Then, from a dais springing, young Giselher did call:
“Bid all these other damsels return, for verily
No other than my sister here with the king shall be.”

611

They brought the Lady Kriemhild to where the king did stand,
With noble knights around him from many a prince’s land.
In the wide hall they bade her stand quietly alone;⁠—
Meanwhile the Lady Brunhild had to the banquet gone.

612

Thereon did speak King Gunther: “Dear sister, noble maid,
I trust unto thy goodness to let mine oath be paid.
I’ve pledged thee to a warrior; should he become thy lord,
By thy true faith and duty thou wilt have kept my word!”

613

Then spake the noble maiden: “Belovéd brother mine,
Thou shouldst not thus beseech me; my will is ever thine
To do as thou commandest; what thou hast will’d, shall be:
I’ll take, my lord, for husband, him whom thou giv’st to me.”

614

At her dear eyes’ kind glances all red grew Siegfried’s face;
At Dame Kriemhilda’s service the knight himself did place.
They twain then must together within the circle stand:
They asked if she were willing to take this hero’s hand?

615

A little was she shaméd with maiden modesty;
But yet, so blest was Siegfried and eke so lucky he,
That she did not refuse him at once and out of hand.
To wife he swore to take her, that king of Netherland.

616

So he to her was plighted, and unto him the maid.
And now the loving damsel no longer was