The Nibelungenlied (romantic story to read TXT) 📖

his hands so tightly, that from each finger-nail
The blood burst from her pressure;⁠— sad pain the hero bore
Ere yet the noble maiden he made for evermore

676

Renounce that will unruly, of which she was so proud.
The king heard what was passing, but durst not speak a word.
Against the bed he press’d her, until she cried again:
His strength it was sufficient to cause her gruesome pain.

677

Then clutch’d she at the girdle she wore about her waist,
And would have bound him with it: he stopp’d it with such haste
And force, that all her body and joints crack’d in the strife.
Thus ended was the battle⁠— she now was Gunther’s wife.

678

She spake: “O noble sovran, now let my life go free,
And all shall be atoned for that I have done to thee.
Ne’er more I’ll do despite to the love of thy true heart:
Right surely have I proved that thou women’s master art.”

679

Sir Siegfried stepp’d aside then⁠— whilst there the maiden lay⁠—
As though he had bethought him his clothes to put away;
But first, from off her finger a golden ring he drew,
So that the noble maiden naught of it ever knew.

680

He likewise took her girdle⁠— a silken cord and good⁠—
I know not if he took it in arrogance of mood.
Unto his wife he gave it, whence woe he one day had.
Then lay each by the other the king and his fair maid.

681

He woo’d her as a lover, as was his right to do.
And needs must she her anger and eke her shame forego.
So closely did he court her her cheeks grew somewhat pale:
Ah me! how all her power was made by love to fail!

682

For now she was no stronger than any other dame,
And all her lovely body his very own became.
If she had tried to spurn him, what profit could it prove?
This was the work of Gunther by virtue of his love.

683

How full of fond endearments he by the lady lay,
In tender love and kindness until the dawn of day!
Meanwhile, the noble Siegfried had gone again outside,
And was right warmly welcomed by his own winsome bride.

684

He put aside the questions which did perplex her thought,
And long from her kept hidden what he for her had brought;⁠—
Until, a queen and crownéd, to his own land she went.
What he was doom’d to give her he nowise could prevent!

685

The host upon the morrow was in a gayer mood
Than on the former morning; thereby a humour good
Spread through his lands, rejoicing full many a noble thane
Whom to his house he summon’d, and well did entertain.

686

The merry-making lasted until the fourteenth day.
And all the while the turmoil did not abate nor stay
With all kinds of rejoicing, which one and all must share.
’Twas all at the king’s charges, and great in sooth they were.

687

For noble Gunther’s kinsmen, as them the king had told,
Gave gifts to do him honour, of raiment and red gold,
Of horses and of silver, unto the outland men.
They who for gifts were eager departed happy then.

688

And even the lord Siegfried from out of Netherland,
With all his thousand lieges, of that apparel grand
Which they had brought to Rhineland to them did freely give;
Fine horses, eke, and saddles: right nobly could they live!

689

Ere all the costly presents were shared among the throng,
Those who would fain go homeward began to think it long.
Ne’er yet of like enjoyment had guests so had their fill.
And so the wedding ended, such was King Gunther’s will.

Adventure XI How Siegfried Went Home with His Wife

690

Now that the guests departing all on their way were sped,
Siegfried the son of Siegmund unto his people said:
“We likewise must make ready home to our land to go.”
Well liked his wife these tidings, when she the news did know.

691

She spake unto her husband: “When must we needs set out?
That I should go thus quickly I very much misdoubt;
For firstly must my brothers with me the kingdom share.”
’Twas irksome unto Siegfried from Kriemhild this to hear.

692

The princes went unto him and spake to him, all three:
“Now be assured, Sir Siegfried, that yours shall ever be
Our true and faithful service, ay, even unto death!”
He bowed unto the princes who pledged him thus their faith.

693

“We would with you share also,” said Giselher the young,
“The lands and eke the castles which unto us belong.
Whate’er of this wide kingdom be subject to our rule,
Together with Kriemhilda, that shall you share in full.”

694

Thereon the son of Siegmund said to the princes three,
As soon as of these nobles the goodwill he did see:
“Your heritage, God grant it for ever blesséd be,
And eke the folk within it! But, for my dear wife, she

695

“Gladly foregoes the portion that ye to her would give.
A crown she’ll soon be wearing, and, if we both should live,
She’ll be, in sooth, far richer than any living bride.
In aught else at your service I’ll loyally abide.”

696

Then spake the lady Kriemhild: “Though naught my land you deem,
Burgundian thanes should never stand in such small esteem!
To lead them to his country right glad a king might be.
Ay! let my own dear brothers e’en share in all with me.”

697

Then spake the noble Gernot: “Take whom thou hast a mind;
Of those who would ride with thee, thou here wilt plenty find!
Of thirty hundred warriors a thousand we’ll give thee
To be thine own attendants.” Then Kriemhild speedily

698

For Hagen sent, of Tronjé, and likewise for Ortwein:
“Will ye and eke your kinsmen,” she asked, “be men of mine?”
But Hagen, when he heard it, cried in a mood of wrath:
“Nay, Gunther may not give us to anyone on earth!

699

“Let others of your household attend you on your way,
Well might you know by this time the customs of Tronjé
Upon the king attending at court we choose to stay⁠—
Whom we thus far have follow’d, we still would serve alway,”

700

’Twas therefore so decided: to start they did prepare.
As noble court-attendants Dame Kriemhild took with her
Of maidens two-and-thirty, besides five hundred men.
Sir Eckewart, the Margrave, went with Kriemhilda then.

701

Then was a great leave-taking, of squire as well as knight,
Of maiden and of matron: as was indeed but right.
Friend kissing friend at parting was seen on every hand:
Right gaily they departed from out King Gunther’s land.

702

Their kinsmen did escort them far out upon the way.
And camping-grounds were fix’d on, where they the night should stay⁠—
Wherever seem’d good to them throughout the kings’ domain.
Swift messengers to Siegmund the tidings bear amain

703

That he and Dame Sieglinda, might straight be made aware
How that their son was coming, with Uté’s daughter fair⁠—
The beauteous Kriemhilda, of Worms on the Rhine-strand.
No dearer news and better could e’er have come to hand.

704

“Ah, well for me,”