The Nibelungenlied (romantic story to read TXT) 📖

its ending: they laid them down to sleep
Until the light of morning again began to peep.
Then were the steeds bestridden once more, by many a man:
Ha, and in Etzel’s honour what pastimes then began!

1361

The king enjoin’d his Hunsmen to do all honour bade.
Unto Vienna city their way from Tuln they made;
There, deck’d in fine apparel, full many a dame they found;
King Etzel’s wife these welcomed, as in all honour bound.

1362

In all-sufficing plenty whatever they would have
Was there, already for them. Right many a warrior brave
With joy the sport awaited. All went to hostelry.
And soon the royal wedding began right merrily.

1363

But not for all could lodgings be found within the town.
To such as were not strangers, did Rüdeger make known
That they must seek out quarters in country places round.
I ween there were at all times near dame Kriemhilda found

1364

Dietrich, the noble warrior, and many another thane.
These, in their work unresting, but little peace mote gain
Till nothing should be lacking to cheer the strangers’ mood.
So Rüdeger and his comrades had rest and pastime good.

1365

The marriage was accomplish’d one day in Whitsuntide,
When first the royal Etzel lay by Kriemhilda’s side,
Within Vienna’s city. So many men, thought she,
At her first husband’s bidding, she surely ne’er did see.

1366

To those who had not seen her she made herself well known
By gifts; yea many among them unto the guests did own:
“We deemed that dame Kriemhilda had little goods or gold⁠—
But here hath she, by giving, wrought marvels manifold.”

1367

The merry-making lasted for days full seventeen.
And never was there told of another king, I ween,
Whose wedding was more noble: such is to us unknown.
All folk who there were present did new apparel own.

1368

In Netherland, aforetime, thought she, she ne’er had sat
With such a throng of warriors. I say, moreover, that,
If great was Siegfried’s substance, he ne’er had, as his men,
So many noble warriors as stood round Etzel then.

1369

Nor was there ever any who at his wedding-tide
Of mantles gave so many, so rich and deep and wide;
Nor any such good raiment as here there was to don.
In honour of Kriemhilda was all in this wise done.

1370

Their friends and eke the strangers were all alike of mind,
That there had been no sparing in gear of any kind.
Whatever any wanted, that presently he had.
Yea many a knight through kindness was well-nigh naked made.

1371

Yet days of old in Rhineland she could not quite forget,
Beside her noble husband; and then her eyes grew wet.
She did her best to hide it, lest anyone should see.
After so many a sorrow much honour now had she.

1372

What others gave in bounty no better was than air
Compared with Dietrich’s giving. Whatever Botlung’s heir
Had given him for largesse, that quickly lavish’d he.
Eke Rüdeger with bounty was marvellously free.

1373

And Bloedelin came also, the prince from Hungary,
And bade men take whatever in many chests might be
Of gold and silver pieces: ’twas all to give away.
Then saw one the king’s heroes keeping high holiday.

1374

The players of King Etzel, Wärbel and Swemmelin,
I ween that either of them did at the wedding win
A thousand marks for certain, or maybe even more,
What time the fair Kriemhilda her crown by Etzel wore.

1375

Upon the eighteenth morning they from Vienna went.
Then was in knightly pastime full many a buckler bent,
By lances that were carried in every warrior’s hand.
Soon came the royal Etzel unto the Hunnish land.

1376

In the old town of Heimburg they rested overnight.
By then the throng of people could no one tell aright,
Nor with what strength of numbers they overspread the ground.
Ay me, and what fair women they in his country found!

1377

At Miesenburg the wealthy unto the boats they took.
The stream with men and horses was hidden, as to look
Not otherwise than dry land; yet ever seem’d to flow.
The women, travel-weary, had ease and comfort now.

1378

Together had been fasten’d ships many and right good,
That they might get no damage from either waves or flood;
And many a well-made awning thereover did they strain,
As if they still beneath them had land and open plain.

1379

At Etzelburg, before them, arrived these tidings then.
Whereat was great rejoicing of women and of men.
The ladies of Queen Helka, who erewhile were her care,
Soon many days and happy did with Kriemhilda share.

1380

There stood and waited for her full many a noble maid,
On whom abundant sorrow since Helka’s death had weigh’d.
The daughters of kings seven still there Kriemhilda found,
Who were the pride and glory of Etzel’s land around.

1381

The maiden lady Herrat, still of them all had care,
Queen Helka’s sister’s daughter, of many virtues rare,
The bride betroth’d of Dietrich, child of a king of fame,
The daughter, too, of Nentwein: to honour great she came.

1382

Unto the guests’ arrival she look’d with mood right glad,
Whereto great stores and treasure were also ready made.
How later the king feasted⁠— who could it all declare?
And with a queen at no time did Hunsmen better fare.

1383

As with his wife beside him the king rode from the strand,
The noble dame Kriemhilda was given to understand
The name of every lady, the better them to greet.
Ay, mightily she bore her sitting in Helka’s seat.

1384

To her was faithful service render’d right readily.
Wherefore the queen divided her gold and jewelry,
Her silver and apparel: whatever she did convey
From over Rhine to Hunsland must all be given away.

1385

Also with suit and service subject to her, from then,
Were all of the king’s kinsmen, and likewise all his men.
Never had Lady Helka enjoy’d such potent sway;
So must they serve Kriemhilda until her dying day.

1386

Then stood so high in honour the court and realm around,
That men came there at all times, and chosen pastime found⁠—
To whatsoe’er it might be that each one’s heart did lean⁠—
Be it the king’s good favour or bounty of the queen.

Adventure XXIII How Kriemhilda Thought to Avenge Her Injury

1387

In great estate of honour, as truly doth appear,
They dwelt with one another until the seventh year.
During this time the king’s wife brought forth a son and heir;
Whereat the royal Etzel could ne’er be happier.

1388

She would not be persuaded to be content with aught
But that the child of Etzel should to the font be brought,
With Christian rites according. Ortlieb they named the boy:
Which all through Etzel’s country was cause of mickle joy.

1389

Whatever noble virtues in Lady Helka lay,
To match them dame Kriemhilda aye studied, day by day.
The customs soon were taught her, by Herrat, maid forlorn,
Who with a secret longing for Helka still did mourn.

1390

To native folk and strangers she now was widely known:
’Twas said of her, that never did any king’s land own
A better, milder mistress; right sure of this they were.
Such fame she bore in Hunsland until the thirteenth year.

1391

Now since she knew for certain that none