The Nibelungenlied: The Lay of the Nibelungs (Oxford World's Classics)

by Cyril Edwards

1177

  Then the hero of Tronege said: ‘I haven’t seen anything of them. Once we’ve seen them, I may well be able to tell you where they’ve ridden from to this land. They must be from very far away if I’m not quick to recognize them.’

  1178

  By now the strangers had taken up their lodgings. The ambassador and his companions had donned luxurious clothing. Then they rode to court. Their garments were fine and of most elegant cut.

  1179

  Then bold Hagen said: ‘As I understand, although I have not seen the lord for a long time, their bearing suggests that it is Rüedeger, the bold and proud warrior from the lands of the Huns.’*

  1180

  ‘How am I to believe’, said the king at once, ‘that the Lord of Pöchlarn has come to this land?’

  The moment King Gunther had finished speaking, bold Hagen glimpsed worthy Rüedeger. He and his friends all ran out of the

  1181

  palace. Five hundred men were seen to alight from their horses then. Those from Hungary were then given a good welcome. Never did messengers wear such splendid garments.

  1182

  Then Hagen of Tronege said in a loud voice: ‘In God’s name, welcome to these warriors, the overlord of Pöchlarn and all his men!’ This was the welcome given in honour of the bold Huns.

  1183

  The king’s closest kinsmen came up to see them. Ortwin of Metz said to Rüedeger: ‘We have not been so glad to see guests here for a very long time, I truly aver!’

  1184

  They thanked the warriors on all sides then for their greeting. With their servitors they went into the great hall, where they found the king alongside many a bold man. The lord rose from his seat. That was an act of great courtesy. How very courteously he walked

  1185

  over to the messengers! Gunther and Gernot took great pains to welcome the guest, as well befitted him, and also his men. Gunther took worthy Rüedeger by the hand. He led him over to the seat where

  1186

  he himself was sitting. They ordered that the guests be poured excellent mead—that was done with a will—and the best wine to be found in the lands all round the Rhine.

  1187

  Giselher and Gere had both arrived. Dancwart and Volker had also heard about these guests. They were happy at heart. Before the king they welcomed the noble and worthy knights. Then Hagen of

  1188

  Tronege said to his lord: ‘These warriors ought always to be in the margrave’s debt for what he has done for our sake.* Fair Gotelint’s husband ought to receive his reward for that.’

  1189

  Then King Gunther said: ‘I cannot refrain from asking: how do they both fare, tell me, Etzel and Helche of Hungary?’

  The margrave replied: ‘I will gladly inform you.’ Then he

  1190

  stood up from the seat, as did all his men. He said to the king: ‘If it so be, prince, that you give me leave, then I will no longer be silent about the tidings that I bring and will gladly tell them to you.’

  1191

  Gunther said: ‘Without my allies’ counsel,* I give you leave to tell whatever tidings you have been sent to bear to us. Let me and my men hear them, for I grant you permission to fulfil your task in all honour here.’

  1192

  Then the deserving ambassador said: ‘My great overlord sends his loyal homage to you by the Rhine, and to all the friends you may have here. Moreover, this embassy is brought to you entirely in good faith. The noble king asked that you should grieve over his distress.

  1193

  His people are bereft of joy. My lady is dead, great Helche, my lord’s wife. Great numbers of damsels are now orphaned by her death, daughters of noble princes whom she has reared, and now the land

  1194

  is in a most wretched state. They now have no one, sadly, to care for them with kindness. For that reason I believe the king’s sorrow will also be very slow to wane.’

  1195

  ‘Now God reward him’, said Gunther, ‘for so willingly sending his homage to me and my friends. I am glad to have heard his greeting here. Both my kinsmen and my vassals shall willingly serve to merit it.’

  1196

  Then Gernot, the warrior of Burgundy, said: ‘The world may ever rue fair Helche’s death because of the very many virtues she practised.’ Hagen agreed with his words, as did great numbers of other warriors.

  1197

  Then Rüedeger, that proud and noble ambassador, spoke again: ‘Since you give me leave, king, I shall tell you more of what tidings my dear lord has sent you here, now that his affairs are in such a wretched state after Helche’s death. My lord is told that Kriemhilt

  1198

  is bereft of a husband, that Sir Sivrit has died. If this is so, if you will grant her permission, then she shall wear a crown before Etzel’s warriors—my lord bade her be told this.’

  1199

  Then the mighty king said—he was of a well-bred disposition—‘She will hear my decision, if she’s willing to accept Etzel’s offer. I will tell you of it within three days. Why should I refuse Etzel before I have found out how she feels?’

  1200

  In the meantime they ordered that the guests be given every comfort. They were served so well that Rüedeger declared he had good friends there, among Gunther’s men. Hagen served him gladly; Rüedeger had done the same for him before. Thus Rüedeger then

  1201

  stayed until the third day. The king sent for counsel, acting most wisely, and asked whether his kinsmen thought it good that Kriemhilt should take King Etzel for her husband. They all advised it as one,

  1202

  except for Hagen, who said to Sir Gunther:* ‘If you were wise, then it would be well to forestall this. Even if she were to agree to it, you should never do this.’

  1203

  ‘Why shouldn’t I agree to it?’ replied Gunther. ‘I shouldn’t begrudge the queen any happiness that befalls her—she is my sister. We ought to seek to bring this about ourselves, if it’s to her honour.’

  1204

  Then Hagen spoke again: ‘Now let the matter be. If you were as well acquainted with Etzel as I am, and if she then takes him for her beloved, as I hear you suggest, then sorrow of your own making will befall you as never before.’

  1205

  ‘Why?’ replied Gunther. ‘I shall guard well against coming so close to him that I should suffer any enmity from him, if she were to become his wife.’

  Hagen again said: ‘I will never counsel this.’

  1206

  They sent for Gernot and Giselher to ask whether those two lords thought it good that Kriemhilt should become the beloved of that mighty, proud king. Still Hagen alone advised against it, and no one else.

  1207

  Then Giselher, the warrior of Burgundy, said: ‘Now, friend Hagen, you may yet practise loyalty. Make her amends for the wrongs you have done her. You ought to have no quarrel with any good fortune that befalls her. After all, you have done so many wrongs to

  1208

  my sister.’ Giselher, that most gallant warrior, went on to say: ‘She has good reason to be bitter towards you. Never was any lady robbed of more joy.’

  1209

  [Hagen replied:]* ‘I’ll tell you what I know for certain: if she is to take Etzel for her husband, if she lives long enough she will yet cause us much sorrow, no matter how she brings it about. She will have great numbers of gallant men at her service.’

  1210

  At that bold Gernot answered Hagen: ‘It may well prove that we never ride into Etzel’s land until both he and Kriemhilt are dead. We must be loyal towards her, as befits our honour.’

  1211

  Hagen spoke in reply: ‘No one may gainsay me. If noble Kriemhilt is to wear Helche’s crown, she will do us harm, no matter how she contrives it. It would befit you warriors far better to let this be.’

  1212

  Giselher, fair Uote’s son, answered angrily:
‘It is not for all of us to act in bad faith. We ought to rejoice in any honours that befall her. No matter what you say, Hagen, I’ll serve her out of my loyalty.’

  1213

  When Hagen heard those words, he grew angry. Gernot and Giselher, those proud and worthy knights, and mighty Gunther at last agreed that if Kriemhilt assented, they would have no objection.

  1214

  Then Prince Gere said: ‘I’ll tell the lady she should let King Etzel find favour with her. So many warriors are subject to him, looking on him with awe. He can readily make amends to her for all the wrongs she has ever won.’

  1215

  Then the bold warrior went before Kriemhilt. She welcomed him graciously. How quick he was to speak then! ‘You may gladly greet me and give me my messenger’s bread! Good fortune desires to part you with all speed now from all your anguish! Lady, in pursuit of

  1216

  your love, one of the very best who ever gained a king’s land in all honour, or rightly wore a crown, has sent here for the sake of your love. Noble knights have been sent to woo you. Your brother bade that you be told this.’

  1217

  Then the lady, rich in sorrow, said: ‘God forbid that you and all my friends should mock me, wretched woman that I am. What use would I be to any man who ever gained heartfelt love* from a good woman?’

  1218

  She spoke strongly against it. Later Gernot, her brother, and young Giselher then came to her, asking her lovingly to find solace. If she were to take the king, it would truly be for her own good. Yet no one

  1219

  could persuade the lady to love any man. The knights then asked her: ‘Well, let it at least come to pass, even if you will go no further, that you deign to see the ambassador.’

  1220

  ‘I will not refuse’, said that most noble lady, ‘to see Rüedeger willingly on account of his many virtues. If he’d not been sent here, if it were any messenger other than he, he’d never make my acquaintance.’ She said: ‘You must tell him to come to my chamber

  1221

  here tomorrow. I will let him hear in full what is my will, and shall tell him in person.’ Her most grievous mourning was renewed.

  1222

  Noble Rüedeger desired nothing else at that time but to see the proud queen. He knew himself to be so wise that if the meeting were ever to take place, she might allow the warrior to persuade her. Early

  1223

  the following morning, as mass was being sung, the noble messengers came up—there was great bustling there—those who wanted to go to court with Rüedeger. Proud men in great numbers were to be seen in their raiment there.

  1224

  Proud Kriemhilt, most sad in spirits, had been expecting Rüedeger, that noble and worthy ambassador. He found her in the garments that she wore every day, although her retinue wore sumptuous clothes in plenty. She walked over to the door to welcome him

  1225

  and received Etzel’s vassal most graciously. He entered her chamber with only eleven others. They offered him great homage; never had ambassadors of higher rank come to them. They bade the lord and

  1226

  his men be seated. Before her they saw the two margraves standing, Eckewart and Gere, those noble, worthy warriors. They saw that out of respect for the lady of the house no one was in high spirits there. They saw great numbers of beautiful women sitting before her.

  1227

  At that time Kriemhilt practised nothing but sorrow. Her dress was wet with hot tears, down to her breasts. The noble margrave saw that clearly.

  1228

  Then the lordly ambassador said: ‘Most noble king’s daughter, give myself and my companions who have come with me leave to stand before you and tell you the reason why we have ridden here.’

  1229

  ‘Now be permitted’, said the queen, ‘to say all that you want. Such is my intent that I will gladly hear your tidings. You are a worthy ambassador.’

  The others could clearly hear her reluctance then.

  1230

  Prince Rüedeger of Pöchlarn then said: ‘Etzel, that proud king, sends tidings of his great love in good faith, lady, to you in this land here. He has sent many worthy warriors here in pursuit of your love.

  1231

  He offers you his fervent love, without sorrow. He is ready to give you constant friendship, as he did before to Helche, who had her place in his heart. He has had many a joyless day since the death of that virtuous queen.’

  1232

  The queen replied: ‘Margrave Rüedeger, if anyone were aware of my great grief, he would not ask me to love any man yet. Indeed, I lost one of the best husbands a lady ever won.’

  1233

  ‘What can make amends for sorrow,’ said the valiant warrior, ‘except loving affection, if a man is capable of that and then chooses one who befits him? Nothing is of such great avail against heartfelt sorrow. If you deign to love my noble lord, you will hold power over

  1234

  twelve prosperous crowns. Moreover, my lord will give you some thirty princes’ lands, all of them conquered by his most courageous hands. You will also be lady over many worthy vassals who were

  1235

  subject to my Lady Helche, and over many ladies over whom she had power, of high princely kin,’ said the bold, valiant warrior.

  1236

  ‘In addition, my lord will give you—this he bade me tell you—if you deign to wear a crown alongside the king, the greatest authority that Helche ever gained. You shall have such power over Etzel’s men.’

  1237

  Then the queen said: ‘How could I ever desire to become a hero’s wife? Death has injured me so greatly, depriving me of one hero, that I must remain joyless until the end of my days.’

  1238

  The Huns spoke again: ‘Mighty queen, your life with Etzel will be so truly renowned that it will give you constant joy if it comes to pass, for the mighty king has splendid knights in great numbers.

  1239

  If Helche’s damsels and your maidens were to form one retinue together, warriors would be in high spirits. Accept this counsel, lady—it will truly be for your own good.’

  1240

  She spoke courteously: ‘Let the matter rest now until tomorrow morning; then come here again. I will give you my answer to what you have in mind.’ The bold and worthy warriors had no choice then but to do as she said.

  1241

  When they had all gone to their lodgings, the noble lady sent for Giselher, and also for her mother. She said to both of them that weeping best became her, and nothing else. Then her brother

  1242

  Giselher said: ‘Sister, I am told and will readily believe that King Etzel will put an end to all your sorrows if you take him as a husband. No matter what anyone else advises, I think it would be well done. He can readily make you amends,’ Giselher went on. ‘From the

  1243

  Rhone to the Rhine, from the Elbe to the Mediterranean,* no king is so powerful. You will have good reason to rejoice if he proclaims you his wife.’

  1244

  She said: ‘My dear brother, why do you give me such counsel? To lament and weep forever would become me better. How could I go to court there before the warriors? If I ever possessed beauty, I am bereft of it now.’

  1245

  Then Lady Uote said to her dear daughter: ‘Do all that your brothers advise, dear child. Act on the advice of your friends, and you may well prosper. I have seen you in great grief for so long now.’

  1246

  Then Kriemhilt implored God time and again to grant her the power to give away gold, silver, and clothing, as she had done before at the side of her husband when he was still alive. Never afterwards did she live through such joyful times. She thought to herself: ‘If I,

  1247

  being a Christian woman, am to give myself to a pagan, I must be forever disgraced in this world. Even if he were to give me all his kingdoms, I will neve
r do this.’

  1248

  She let matters rest at that. Through the night until dawn came the lady lay in her bed, troubled by many thoughts. Her bright eyes were never dry until she went to matins again in the morning.

  1249

  The kings had arrived promptly for mass. Again they had taken their sister in hand. They advised her to take the King of Hungary for her beloved. They all found the lady far from happy.

  1250

  Then they sent for Etzel’s men, who would by now willingly have taken their leave, whether their wooing should have by then proved successful or not. Rüedeger then came to court. The heroes agreed amongst themselves that they should find out the noble prince’s*

  1251

  intentions, and do so speedily. That seemed to all of them a good idea. The ways back to their own land were long. Rüedeger was taken into Kriemhilt’s presence. The warrior then began to ask the noble

  1252

  queen, in all friendship, to let him hear what message she wanted to send to Etzel’s land. I believe he heard nothing but her denial that

  1253

  she would ever love any man again. Then the margrave said: ‘That would be ill done. Why would you thus waste such beauty as yours? You may yet with honour become a worthy man’s wife.’

  1254

  None of their pleading was of avail until Rüedeger spoke in private with the proud queen, saying that he would make amends to her for all that ever befell her. At that her great distress began to abate somewhat.

  1255

  Rüedeger said to the queen: ‘Let your weeping be. If you had among the Huns none but myself alone, my loyal kinsmen and also my vassals, if anyone did you any harm he would have to pay for it dearly.’

  1256

  The lady’s mind was greatly relieved at that. She said: ‘In that case, swear oaths to me that whatever wrongs anyone does to me, you will be the first to make amends for my sufferings.’

  The margrave replied: ‘I am ready and willing to do so, lady.’

  1257

  Rüedeger, together with all his men, then swore to her that they would always serve her loyally, and that the proud warriors from Etzel’s land would never deny her anything that would be to her honour. Rüedeger’s hand assured her of this.

  1258

  The loyal lady then thought: ‘Since I have won so many allies, then I shall let people say what they will, wretched woman that I am. What if my dear husband may yet be avenged?’ She thought: ‘Since Etzel