The Nibelungenlied: The Lay of the Nibelungs (Oxford World's Classics)
Page 4
Eldo Frederick Bunge, ‘Siegfried in German Literature’, Philological Quarterly, 19 (1940), 29–65.
Cyril Edwards, ‘Censoring Siegfried’s Love-Life: the Nibelungenlied in the Third Reich’, in Mythos-Sage-Erzählung, Gedenkschrift für Alfred Ebenbauer, ed. Johannes Keller and Florian Kragl (Vienna UP, 2009), 87–103.
Francis G. Gentry, Tnuwe and Vriunt in the ‘Nibelungenlied’ (Amsterdam: Rodopi, 1975).
—— Winder McConnell, Ulrich Müller, and Werner Wunderlich (eds.), The Nibelungenlied Tradition: An Encyclopedia (New York: Routledge, 2002).
Edward R. Haymes, The ‘Nibelungenlied’: History and Interpretation, Illinois Medieval Monographs, 2 (Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, 1986).
Winder McConnell, The Nibelungenlied, Twayne’s World Authors Series (Boston: Twayne, 1984).
—— (ed.), A Companion to the ‘Nibelungenlied’ (Columbia, SC: Camden House, 1998).
D. G. Mowatt and Hugh Sacker, The ‘Nibelungenlied’: An Interpretative Commentary (Aylesbury: University of Toronto Press, 1967).
Mary Thorp, The Study of the ‘Nibelungenlied’: Being the History of the Study of the Epic and Legend from 1755 to 1937 (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1941).
Werner Wunderlich and Ulrich Müller (eds.), ‘Was sider da geschach’: American-German Studies on the ‘Nibelungenlied’, Text and Reception, with Bibliography, 1980–1990/91 (Göppingen: Kümmerle, 1992).
CHRONOLOGY
[NL = the Nibelungenlied]
437
Death of Gundaharius, Burgundian king, together with his family and 20,000 of his men, in battle against Huns, perhaps in the employ of Aetius, Roman governor of Gaul.
c. 445
Bleda (Blœdelin in NL), leader of the Huns, is murdered by his younger brother Attila.
453
Death of Attila the Hun (Etzel in NL).
454–526
Theodoric the Great (Dietrich of Bern in NL).
523
Death of King Sigismund of Burgundy.
567
Brunihildis, Brunhild (=? Prünhilt in NL), Visigothic princess, marries Sigebert of Metz (=? Sivrit in NL). Ruled Burgundy from 599 to 613.
575
Murder of Sigebert of Metz by emissaries of Queen Fredegund.
613
Queen Brunhild tortured to death.
c.1200
The NL is written down, probably by an Austrian poet.
c. 1225–50
The oldest surviving NL manuscripts: St Gall, Cod. 857 (MS B); Donaueschingen codex, Cod. 63 (MS C), now in the Badische Landesbibliothek, Karlsruhe; fragment Z, Klagenfurt UB Perg. Hs. 46; fragment E, Berlin, Staatsbibliothek, Fragm. 44.
c. 1275–1300
MS A, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Munich, Cgm 34.
1551, 1557
Publication by Wolfgang Lazius of some strophes from MS C (now lost).
1755
Jakob Hermann Obereit rediscovers MS C of the Nibelungenlied in the library of the Count of Hohenems.
1756
Johann Jakob Bodmer publishes the last third of MS C.
1768
Rediscovery of MS B in St Gall Stiftsbibliothek.
1779
Rediscovery of MS A in the Hohenems library.
1782
First complete edition of NL by Christoph Heinrich Müller (or Myller), based on MSS A and C.
1807–16
Three editions of NL by Friedrich Heinrich von der Hagen.
1826
Der Nibelunge Not und die Klage, edited by Karl Lachmann, based on MS A.
1848–74
Richard Wagner’s composition of Der Ring des Nibelungen.
1855–62
Friedrich Hebbel’s trilogy, Die Nibelungen.
1866
Karl Bartsch’s first edition of the NL in the Deutsche Classiker series, based on MS B.
1923–4
Fritz Lang’s two-part film Die Nibelungen.
THE NIBELUNGENLIED
CONTENTS
1st Adventure. Of Kriemhilt
2nd Adventure. Of Sivrit
3rd Adventure. How Sivrit came to Worms
4th Adventure. How Sivrit fought against the Saxons
5th Adventure. How Sivrit beheld Kriemhilt for the very first time
6th Adventure. How Gunther went to Iceland to woo Prünhilt
7th Adventure. How Gunther won Prünhilt
8th Adventure. How Sivrit fetched his men
9th Adventure. How Sivrit was sent to Worms
10th Adventure. How Prünhilt was welcomed in Worms
11th Adventure. How Sivrit returned to his homeland with his wife
12th Adventure. How Gunther invited Sivrit to the festivity
13th Adventure. How Sivrit went with his wife to the festivity
14th Adventure. How the queens scolded one another
15th Adventure. How Sivrit was betrayed
16th Adventure. How Sivrit was slain
17th Adventure. How Sivrit was mourned over and buried
18th Adventure. How Sigmunt returned to his homeland
19th Adventure. How the hoard of the Nibelungs was brought to Worms
20th Adventure. How King Etzel sent to Burgundy for Kriemhilt
21st Adventure. How Kriemhilt travelled to the Huns
22nd Adventure. How Kriemhilt was welcomed by Etzel
23rd Adventure. How Kriemhilt saw to it that her brothers came to the festivity
24th Adventure. How Wärbel and Swemmel carried out their lord’s embassy
25th Adventure. How the Nibelungs travelled to the Huns
26th Adventure. How Gelpfrat was slain by Dancwart
27th Adventure. How they arrived in Pöchlarn
28th Adventure. How the Burgundians arrived among the Huns
29th Adventure. How Kriemhilt rebuked Hagen and how he did not stand up to greet her
30th Adventure. How Hagen and Volker kept watch
31st Adventure. How they went to church
32nd Adventure. How Dancwart slew Blœdelin
33rd Adventure. How the Burgundians fought against the Huns
34th Adventure. How they threw the dead out of the hall
35th Adventure. How Irinc was slain
36th Adventure. How the queen ordered that the hall be burned down
37th Adventure. How Rüedeger was slain
38th Adventure. How Lord Dietrich’s warriors were all slain
39th Adventure. How Sir Dietrich fought with Gunther and with Hagen
FIRST ADVENTURE*
OF KRIEMHILT*
IN ancient tales many marvels are told us: of renowned heroes, of great hardship, of joys, festivities, of weeping and lamenting, of bold
warriors’ battles—now you may hear such marvels told!*
1
There grew up in Burgundy a most noble maiden.* No one in all the lands* could be fairer. She was called Kriemhilt—she grew to be a beautiful woman. For her sake many knights were to lose their lives.
2
Wooing became that lovely maiden well. Bold warriors sought her love—no one wished her ill. Her noble form was beautiful beyond measure. The damsel’s virtues were an ornament to all other women.
3
Three kings, noble and powerful, were her guardians: Gunther and Gernot, those renowned warriors, and young Giselher, an outstanding knight. The lady was their sister—the princes had her in their care.
4
Those lords were munificent, of high-born lineage, outstanding warriors possessing armies of boldness beyond measure. Burgundy was the name of their land. In time to come they wrought great marvels in Etzel’s land. They resided with their armies in Worms by the
5
Rhine. Many proud knights from their lands served them with honour and renown until their end came. They afterwards died wretchedly because of two noble ladies’ enmity.
6
Their mother, a powerful queen, was called Lady Uote. Their father
was called Dancrat, a man rich in courage, who bequeathed them their inheritance on his death—in his youth he had also won great repute.
7
The three kings were, as I have said, of very great courage. Subject to them were also the best warriors of whom tale has ever been told, strong and valiant, undaunted in fierce battles. These were Hagen of
8
Tronege, and also his brother, valiant Dancwart; Ortwin of Metz; the two margraves* Gere and Ekkewart; Volker of Alzey, never lacking in courage; Rumolt, the master of the kitchen, an outstanding knight;
9
Sindolt and Hunolt, those lords who had charge of the court and its repute—they were vassals of the three kings. They had many other warriors whose names I cannot tell.
10
Dancwart was marshal, and his kinsman, Ortwin of Metz, was the king’s steward. Sindolt, an outstanding knight, was cup-bearer. Hunolt was chamberlain.* They knew how to act with high honour.
11
No one, indeed, could ever give you a full and true account of that court’s might and far-reaching power, of its most high dignity and of its chivalry, joyfully practised by those lords all their lives.
12
Living in such high honour, Kriemhilt dreamt how she reared a falcon, strong, handsome, and wild, which two eagles tore asunder before her eyes. No greater sorrow could ever befall her in this world.
13
She told her dream then to her mother Uote. She could offer the good maiden no better interpretation than this: ‘The falcon you are rearing is a noble man. Unless God deigns to preserve him, you will soon have lost him.’
14
‘What are you saying to me about a man, my dearest mother? I wish to be forever free of a warrior’s love. I desire to remain as fair as this until my death, never earning anguish for love of a man.’
15
‘Now, do not protest too much,’ replied her mother. ‘If you’re ever to feel heartfelt happiness in this world, it will happen because of a man’s love. You will become a beautiful wife, if God grants you some day a truly worthy knight as a husband.’
16
‘Let such words be,’ she said. ‘My lady, so often it has been shown, with regard to many women, how joy in the end may be rewarded by sorrow. I must avoid them both, and then no ill fate can ever befall me.’
17
Kriemhilt, in her own mind, renounced love entirely. After that the most virtuous maiden lived for many a happy day, not knowing anyone who wished to woo her. Yet there came a time when she became, in all honour, wife to a most valiant warrior.
18
It was he who was the very falcon that she saw in her dream, which her mother interpreted to her. How harshly she avenged him upon her closest kinsmen, who were to slay him! Because of that one man’s death, many a mother’s child died.
19
SECOND ADVENTURE
OF SIVRIT
THERE grew up in the Netherlands at that time a noble king’s son, whose father was called Sigmunt, his mother Siglint. This was in a prosperous citadel, well known far and wide, low down by the Rhine—it was called Xanten. Sivrit was the name of that bold,
20
worthy knight. He put many realms to the test, so great was his courage. Rejoicing in his strength, he rode into many lands. Ah, what bold knights he afterwards found in Burgundy!
21
In his best times, in his young days, many marvels might be told of Sivrit: how his reputation grew, and how handsome he was. Afterwards women of great beauty came to love him. He was brought
22
up with such care as well befitted him. What knightly qualities he acquired, being naturally disposed towards them! His father’s lands came to be adorned by this, everyone finding him so truly noble in all respects.
23
Now he had reached the right age for riding to court. The people were glad to see him. Many a lady and maiden wished that he would always feel disposed to go there. A good many grew fond of him, as the lord well observed.
24
They very rarely let the boy ride without a guard.* Sigmunt and Siglint ordered that he be elegantly dressed. The wise men of the court, knowledgeable in matters of reputation, also took care of him. Thus he proved well capable of winning for himself both the people and the land. By now his strength was such that he was well capable
25
of bearing arms. He had ample supply of all he needed for that. He began to woo, astutely, beautiful women. It was a high honour for them to make love to bold Sivrit.
26
Then his father, Sigmunt, proclaimed to his vassals that he wanted to hold a festivity among his dear friends. Those tidings were then taken into other kings’ lands. He gave chargers and good garments to strangers and acquaintances alike. Wherever any were found who
27
might be made knights by virtue of their lineage, those noble children were invited to the land for the festivity. They afterwards took sword* together with the young king.
28
Marvels might be told of that festivity. Sigmunt and Siglint were well capable of acquiring much honour by their lavish hospitality; their hands dealt out many gifts. In consequence many strangers were seen to ride into their land.
29
Four hundred squires were to take sword and wear knights’ clothing together with Sivrit. Great numbers of fair maidens were busy at their work, for they held him dear. The ladies laid many precious stones into the gold, which they wanted to work with braids into the
30
garments of the proud young knights—that could not be omitted. The host then bade seats be set up for bold men in great numbers at the summer solstice, when his son gained a knight’s name in splendour.
31
Then wealthy squires in great numbers and many noble knights went into a minster. The old and wise men did right to serve the young and foolish, as had been done for them before. They took pleasure in this, and also had hopes of great joy to come.
32
Then, to honour God, they sang a mass. A great press of people arose where they became knights, according to knightly law, with such a display of high honour as may in all likelihood never happen again.
33
They ran to where they found many warhorses saddled. At Sigmunt’s court the bohort* grew so great that the palace and great hall were heard to echo with the sound. Those high-spirited knights created a mighty clamour. Many a charge was to be heard,
34
undertaken by old and young alike, the splitting of shafts resounding in the air. Splinters were seen to fly far beyond the great hall, the work of many a warrior’s hands—skill was at work there!
35
The host asked that the fighting should cease. Then the warhorses were reared in. A great many sturdy shield-buckles were seen to be shattered there, many precious stones felled onto the grass from the bright shields’ bosses—the charges had brought all that about.
36
Then the host’s guests went to where they had been assigned their seats. Noble food in plenty parted them from their weariness, together with the very best of wine, brought in for them in great quantities. Ample hospitality was offered there to strangers and acquaintances alike. Though the nobles enjoyed their pastimes all the day long,
37
many travelling people* took no rest. They served to earn gifts, which were to be found in plenty there. Therefore all Sigmunt’s land was adorned with praise.
38
Lord Sigmunt bade young Sivrit confer lands and castles in fief, as he himself had done before. Sivrit’s hands then gave many gifts to his fellow sword-bearers. They were happy then that they had made their journey into that land. The festivity lasted until the
39
seventh day. Wealthy Siglint, following old custom, gave away red gold for love of her son. She well knew how to earn the people’s favour for him.
40
Very few travelling peopl
e were found in poverty there. Chargers and clothing flew from the nobles’ hands, as if it were the last day of their lives! No household, I believe, ever practised such great generosity. Amid great renown the festivity ended. Afterwards the
41
powerful nobles were heard to say that they wanted to have the young prince for their lord. Sivrit, that most handsome man, wanted nothing of that. Since both Sigmunt and Siglint were still alive, their dear
42
son had no wish to wear a crown. Yet he desired to be lord there and prevail against any attacks that the bold and courageous knight feared might be made in the lands.
43
THIRD ADVENTURE
HOW SIVRIT CAME TO WORMS
SELDOM did any heart’s grief trouble that lord. He heard tidings of how there was in Burgundy a beautiful maiden, of perfect loveliness, from whom he was in time to come to gain great joy, but also suffering. Her incomparable beauty was known far and wide, and
44
many a hero discerned the damsel’s high spirits at that time. This attracted many strangers to Gunther’s land. No matter how many
45
wooers were seen to seek her love, Kriemhilt never, in her own mind, admitted to herself that she wanted any of them for a lover. He to whom she afterwards became subject was still very much a stranger to her.
46
Then Siglint’s son’s thoughts turned to noble love.* All the others’ wooing was as nothing compared with his. He was well capable of earning a beautiful lady. In time to come noble Kriemhilt became bold Sivrit’s wife.
47
His kinsmen and plenty of his vassals advised him, since his thoughts were bent upon constant love, that he should woo one who might befit him. Then bold Sivrit said: ‘In that case I will take Kriemhilt, the beautiful damsel of Burgundy, because of her
48
incomparable beauty. I know full well that no emperor who wanted a wife ever grew so powerful that it would not become him to love that wealthy queen.’