The Nibelungenlied (romantic story to read TXT) 📖

tidings, to laugh for glee began.

1717

“Now joy of all who love me be mine!” Kriemhilda said,
“For hither come my kinsmen with many a shield new-made,
And many a bright steel hauberk. Who would have gold of me,
Let him my wrongs remember, my friend he e’er shall be!”

Adventure XXVIII How the Burgundians Came to Etzel’s Stronghold

1718

As soon as the Burgundians were come to Hunnish land,
Of Bern2 a chieftain heard it⁠— the aged Hildebrand.
Unto his lord he told it; to him ’twas all unmeet;
Yet bade he them with kindness the valiant knights to greet.

1719

The ready Wolfhart bade them to bring the horses out.
Then rode along with Dietrich full many a warrior stout,
As towards the open country to welcome them he went.
There had they pitch’d already full many a noble tent.

1720

When Hagen, lord of Tronjé, them from afar espied,
Unto his masters turning, in courteous words he cried:
“Now, please ye, gallant warriors, dismount on to your feet,
And them whom you would welcome go forth yourselves to meet.

1721

“The company that cometh is right well known to me:
They are the doughty warriors from Amelung country,
And he of Bern doth lead them; they are of courage high.
’Twere better not to flout them when folk to serve ye try.”

1722

Then down from horse alighted (as was indeed but right)
All they who came with Dietrich, full many a squire and knight.
They walk’d towards the strangers, where they the chiefs could see,
And courteously greeted the men of Burgundy.

1723

When noble Dietrich saw them their way towards him make,
Perchance ye fain would hearken to what the warrior spake
Unto the sons of Uté. Their journey grieved him sore:
The truth, he thought, Sir Rüdeger had known and told before.

1724

“Be welcome, sirs, right welcome, Gunther and Giselher,
And Gernot, too, and Hagen; and, not the less, Volker
And swift and ready Dankwart! Have ye not understood
That o’er her Niblung hero Kriemhilda yet doth brood?”

1725

“Then let her brood for ever!” Hagen in answer said,
“For many a long year is it since he was stricken dead.
To love the King of Hunsland is now her duty plain:
Siegfried hath long been buried; he comes not back again.”

1726

“Now let us, an’ it please you, leave Siegfried’s wounds alone;
Whilst Dame Kriemhilda liveth evil may still be done.”
So did the noble Dietrich, the knight of Bern, declare.
“Thou Mainstay of the Niblungs, to guard thyself beware!”

1727

“And wherefore should I guard me?” the high-born king replied;
“Tidings we had from Etzel (what should I ask beside?)
That, came we hither riding, ’twould give him much content
My sister Kriemhild, likewise, hath many a message sent.”

1728

“If I may give you counsel,” so Hagen to them spake,
“Beg that the noble Dietrich and his good warriors make
Some better declaration of what they have in mind,
And tell us to what humour Dame Kriemhild is inclined.”

1729

Then the three mighty chieftains to speak apart withdrew,
Gunther to wit, and Gernot, and the lord Dietrich, too:
“Now, knight of Bern, pray tell us, thou noble warrior good,
What of the queen thou knowest, and what may be her mood.

1730

The knight of Bern made answer: “What can I tell you more?
I hear her ev’ry morning weeping and wailing sore⁠—
This wedded wife of Etzel⁠— in manner piteous,
To the great God of Heaven, for stalwart Siegfried’s loss.”

1731

“It may not be averted,”⁠— that boldest man declared,
Volker, the fiddle-player⁠— “the doom whereof we’ve heard;
To court we’re bound to journey, there for ourselves to see
What fate for us good warriors among the Huns shall be.”

1732

So hence the bold Burgundians to court rode on their way
After their country’s fashion, in glorious array.
And many a bold man marvell’d among the Hunfolk there
At Hagen, lord of Tronjé, what kind of man he were.

1733

For since was told the story, (that was enough alone,)
How he the Netherlander Siegfried to death had done⁠—
The stoutest of all warriors, the husband of Kriemhild⁠—
With questions about Hagen the court was well-nigh fill’d.

1734

Of goodly growth and presence the hero was, no doubt;
Broad-shouldered and deep-chested; his hair was fleck’d about
With streaks of grisly colour; long in the shank was he,
And stony was his visage; he walk’d right royally.

1735

Then quarters were appointed for the Burgundian men.
The whole of Gunther’s followers were sunder’d from him then.
This by the queen was compass’d, with hatred for him fill’d;
Hence all the yeomen, later, were in their hostel kill’d.

1736

Since Dankwart, Hagen’s brother, the marshal had been made,
The king with zeal commended the men to him; and bade
That he would seek their comfort and let them have their fill.
This chief of the Burgundians bore all of them goodwill.

1737

And now came Queen Kriemhilda with all her company
That she might greet the Niblungs with feignéd courtesy.
But Giselher, her brother, she kiss’d and took his hand.
This Hagen saw, and tighter he laced his helmet’s band.

1738

“In view of such a greeting,” thus Hagen blurted out,
“A prompt and ready warrior may well have some misdoubt!
To kings and to their vassals greetings unlike befall:
We’ve made no lucky journey to this high festival.”

1739

“To those who fain would see thee,” said she, “now welcome be:
Thou shalt not have a greeting for friendship’s sake from me.
Say what it is thou bringest from Worms beyond the Rhine,
That thou so great a welcome shouldst have from me and mine.”

1740

“If I had heard the tidings,” so Hagen spake again,
“That you for gifts were looking at hands of every thane,
Had I myself been wealthy I would have twice bethought
Or ever to this country my gifts for you I brought.”

1741

“ ’Tis rather you, who tidings to me should give: to wit,
The Nibelungen treasure, what have ye done with it?
It was mine own possession, and that right well you knew:
’Twas this ye should have brought me to Etzel’s land with you.”

1742

“I’ faith, my Lady Kriemhild, ’tis now full many a day
Since when at my disposal the Niblung treasure lay;
At bidding of my masters ’twas sunk in the Rhine-tide:
There till the Day of Judgment, in sooth, it may abide.”

1743

Then spake the queen in answer: “ ’Tis even as I thought!
Right little of it have you for me to this land brought,
Although ’twas mine, and whilom within my power it lay;
Since when I’ve spent thereover full many a dreary day.”

1744

“The devil a bit I bring you!” Sir Hagen fell to swear:
“I have my shield to carry, and that’s enough to bear,
Together with my mail-coat; my helm’s a trifling thing,
My sword I have in hand though, so naught for you I bring.”

1745

Thereon the queen spake loudly unto those warriors all:
“Let no man any weapon carry into the hall;
Give them to me, ye heroes, I’ll keep them safe for you!”
“Nay, by my troth,” cried Hagen, “that will we never do!

1746

“I covet not the