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

by Cyril Edwards

  1421

  TWENTY-FOURTH ADVENTURE

  HOW WÄRBEL AND SWEMMEL CARRIED OUT

  THEIR LORD’S EMBASSY

  WHEN Etzel sent his messengers to the Rhine, those tidings then flew from land to land. Employing speedy messengers, he both asked and summoned guests to his festivity. (Many a man fetched his death there in consequence.)

  1422

  The messengers made their way out of Hungary to the Burgundians. They had been sent there to three noble kings, and also to their vassals. They were to come to Etzel. Hasty progress was then made.

  1423

  They came riding to Pöchlarn. There people served them willingly, omitting nothing there. Rüedeger and Gotelint, and also their dear daughter, sent their homage to the Rhine by the messengers. They

  1424

  didn’t permit them to part from them without gifts, so Etzel’s men travelled in even better style. Rüedeger’s message then to Uote and her children was that no other margrave held them so dear as he.

  1425

  They also sent a message to Prünhilt, offering her homage and wealth, constant loyalty and goodwill. Once they had heard these words the messengers were intent on departing. The margravine asked God in Heaven to protect them.

  1426

  Before the messengers had passed through Bavaria, speedy Wärbel sought out the good bishop. What message Bishop Pilgrim then sent to his friends by the Rhine is not known to me—only that he gave his gold, so red, to the messengers in token of his affection.

  1427

  He let them ride. Bishop Pilgrim said: ‘If I were to see them here, my sister’s sons, I would rejoice, for I can seldom go to the Rhine to them.’

  1428

  What ways they took through the lands to the Rhine I cannot tell. No one took their silver and garments from them*—they feared their lord’s wrath. The noble, well-born king did indeed wield great power.

  1429

  Within twelve days Wärbel and Swemmelin had come to the Rhine, to the country near Worms. Tidings were then told to the kings and their vassals that foreign messengers had arrived. Gunther then put questions. The overlord of the Rhineland then said: ‘Who will tell us from where these strangers have ridden into the land?’

  1430

  No one knew until Hagen of Tronege saw them. He then said to Gunther: ‘Fresh tidings have come to us, I assure you. I have seen

  1431

  Etzel’s fiddlers here. Your sister has sent them to the Rhine. For their lord’s sake they must be warmly welcomed.’

  1432

  Already they were riding past the palace. Never did a prince’s minstrels ride in greater splendour. The king’s retinue welcomed them at once. They gave them lodgings and had their garments put in store.

  1433

  Their travelling clothes were costly and so fair that they might have honourably gone before the king, dressed as they were. They no longer wanted to wear those clothes at court there. The messengers had it be asked if anyone wanted to have them. People were indeed

  1434

  found of such a degree that they were most willing to accept the clothes*—they were sent to them. Then the strangers donned far better garments, as befits a king’s messengers to wear in splendour.

  1435

  Etzel’s retinue then went, having been given leave, to where the king sat. People were glad to see this.

  Hagen leapt up courteously to meet the messengers and welcomed them with affection. The squires thanked him for that. He asked for tidings as to how Etzel and his men fared.

  1436

  The fiddler replied: ‘The land was never in a better state, nor the people so happy. Rest assured of that.’

  1437

  They walked over to the lord of the land. The palace was packed full. Then the guests were welcomed as strangers to other kings’ lands ought to be, with gracious greetings. Wärbel found many warriors in Gunther’s presence there.

  1438

  The king greeted them with courtesy: ‘Welcome, both you minstrels of the Huns, and your companions. Has mighty Etzel sent you here to Burgundy?’

  1439

  They bowed to the king. Then Wärbelin said: ‘My dear lord sends you his cordial homage, as does Kriemhilt, your sister, here into this land. They have sent us in good faith to you warriors here.’

  1440

  Then the mighty king said: ‘I rejoice in these tidings. How fares Etzel,’ asked the knight then, ‘and Kriemhilt, my sister, in Hungary?’

  1441

  The fiddler replied: ‘I shall tell you tidings of them—never did any folk fare better than those two, you may rest assured, and all their servitors, their kinsmen, and also their vassals. They took pleasure in this journey of ours when we departed.’

  1442

  ‘Gracious thanks for the homage that he and my sister have sent me, since things so stand that the king and his men live in happiness, for I asked with some anxiety about those tidings.’

  1443

  By now the two young kings had also arrived. They had then only just heard about these tidings. For love of his sister, young Giselher was glad to see the messengers. He then spoke with affection to them:

  1444

  ‘You messengers would be heartily welcome here if you wanted to ride more often to the Rhine. You would find friends here whom you might be glad to see. Little harm will befall you here in this land.’

  1445

  ‘We trust you will treat us with all honour,’ said Swemmelin then. ‘I couldn’t tell you, so poor are my wits, what truly loving greetings Etzel has sent you, as has your noble sister, whose affairs stand in high honour. The king’s wife would remind you of your

  1446

  favour and loyalty, and that your heart and mind were ever fond of her. First and foremost, we have been sent to the king here to ask if you will deign to ride into Etzel’s land. Mighty Etzel commanded

  1447

  us most earnestly that we should ask you all whether you do not want to see your sister—otherwise he would gladly like to know what wrong he does you, in that you thus avoid him and also his lands.

  1448

  Even if you had never made the queen’s acquaintance, he might still have merited that you should deign to see him. Whenever that were to come about, it would give him pleasure.’

  1449

  Then King Gunther said: ‘In seven nights’ time I will let you know what I have determined upon with my allies. Meanwhile you must go to your lodgings and rest well.’

  1450

  Wärbelin spoke again: ‘Might it be possible that we first see my lady, Uote the most powerful, before we seek our rest?’

  Noble Giselher replied most courteously: ‘No one shall stand in your

  1451

  way if you want to go before her. You will have granted my mother’s wish entirely, for she will be glad to see you for the sake of my sister, Lady Kriemhilt. You will be welcome visitors to her.’

  1452

  Giselher took them into the lady’s presence. She was glad to see the messengers from Hungary. She greeted them with affection, courteous as she was. Then the courtly and worthy messengers told her their tidings.

  1453

  ‘My lady sends you her loyal homage,’ so said Swemmelin. ‘If it might be, she would gladly see you often. You must believe that never in this world would she enjoy greater happiness.’

  1454

  The queen replied: ‘That cannot be. Gladly though I would see my dear daughter often, I fear the noble king’s wife lives too far away. I wish eternal blessings upon her and Etzel. You must let me know,

  1455

  before you depart from here, when you want to go back. Never was I so glad to see such messengers as you, not for a long time.’

  The squires promised her then that they would have that happen.

  1456

  The men from Hungary went to their lodgings. By then the mighty king had sent for his allies. Noble Gunther asked hi
s men how the matter pleased them. Great numbers of them then spoke up. The

  1457

  best amongst them advised that he would do well to ride to Etzel’s land—except for Hagen alone. He was fiercely opposed to the journey. He said to the king in secret: ‘You have declared war upon your own self. You are only too well aware of what wrong we have

  1458

  done Kriemhilt. We must always be wary of her, for I slew her husband with my own hands. How might we dare ride into Etzel’s lands?’

  1459

  The mighty king replied: ‘My sister has renounced her anger. With a loving kiss she forgave us for all the wrongs we ever did her, before she rode away from here—were it not that you alone, Hagen, are her declared foe.’

  1460

  ‘Now do not let yourself be deceived,’ said Hagen. ‘No matter what the messengers from the Huns say, if you want to see Kriemhilt, you may well lose your honour and even your life there. King Etzel’s wife is very long-toothed in vengeance.’*

  1461

  Then Prince Gernot addressed the counsel: ‘Although you rightly fear death there in the Hunnish realms, if we for that reason were to desist from seeing our sister, that would be a very ill deed.’

  1462

  Then Prince Giselher said to the warrior: ‘Since you know you are guilty, friend Hagen, you ought to remain here and be on your guard, and let those who dare travel with us to my sister.’

  1463

  The warrior of Tronege grew angry at that: ‘I don’t want you to take anyone on the ways who would more willingly dare ride to court with you than I. Since you will not desist, I shall give you good proof of that.’

  1464

  Then the master of the kitchen, Sir Rumolt, said: ‘You could order both strangers and acquaintances to be as well cared for here as you would wish, for you have all the supplies you need. I don’t believe that Hagen has ever yet made hostages of you. If you will not take

  1465

  Hagen’s advice, then Rumolt counsels you—for I am your most loyal servant—that you should stay here as I wish, and leave King Etzel alone there with Kriemhilt. How might you ever fare better in this world? You are quite safe from your foes’ attacks. You ought to attire yourselves in good garments, drink the best of wine, and make love to comely women. Moreover, you will be given the best food any king

  1467

  in the world ever had. Even if this were not so, you ought to remain for the sake of your fair wife, rather than risk your life so childishly. Therefore I counsel you to remain here. Your lands are wealthy. If you were taken hostage, you could be ransomed more easily here at home than there among the Huns. Who knows how things stand there? Remain here, lords—that is Rumolt’s counsel.’*

  1469

  ‘We do not want to remain here,’ said Gernot then, ‘since my sister and mighty Etzel have invited us so amicably. Why should we not go? Anyone who does not want to go there can stay at home here.’

  1470

  Hagen answered: ‘Do not think ill of my words, no matter what befalls you. I advise you in good faith: if you want to protect yourself, then you must travel well-guarded to the Huns. Since you will not

  1471

  desist, then send for your men—the best you can find, no matter where they be. Then I will choose a thousand worthy knights from amongst them all. That way Kriemhilt’s evil intent may not harm you.’

  1472

  ‘I will gladly give my consent to that,’ said the king at once. Then he ordered messengers to ride far and wide into his lands. They fetched three thousand heroes or more then. (They didn’t believe they would gain such grievous suffering by this.) Merrily they rode

  1473

  into Gunther’s land. Orders were issued that they all be given chargers, and also garments, those who were to depart from Burgundy. The king’s goodwill won the favour of great numbers of men.

  1474

  Then Hagen of Tronege told Dancwart, his brother, to lead eighty of their warriors to the Rhine. They arrived with knightly bearing. Those courageous warriors brought armour and garments into Gunther’s land. Then bold Volker joined the company, a noble

  1475

  minstrel, with thirty of his men, who had such garments as it might befit a king to wear. He had Gunther be told that he wanted to go to the Huns.

  1476

  Who Volker was I will make known to you: he was a noble lord, to whom many worthy warriors were subject in Burgundy. Because he could play the fiddle he was called the minstrel.

  1477

  Hagen chose a thousand men. He was well acquainted with them and with what work their hands had wrought in fierce battles, and all that they had ever done—he had seen much of it for himself. No one could deny their valour.

  1478

  Kriemhilt’s messengers grew very weary of waiting there, for they were in great awe of their lord. Daily they desired leave to depart. Hagen would not grant it to them—that was a cunning ploy. He said

  1479

  to his lord: ‘We must beware of letting them ride off much before we ourselves leave, seven days after them, for Etzel’s land. If anyone bears us ill-will, we will find it out all the more easily. Then Lady

  1480

  Kriemhilt will not be able to prepare herself to have anyone harm us by her plotting. If such is her purpose it may turn out ill for her. We are taking so many excellent men there with us.’

  1481

  Their shields and saddles, and all the garments that they wanted to take into Etzel’s land had now been prepared for those great numbers of bold men. Kriemhilt’s messengers were summoned to go before Gunther. When the messengers arrived, Gernot said: ‘The king has

  1482

  given his assent to Etzel’s invitation. We will gladly go to his festivity and see our sister—have no doubts on that count.’

  1483

  Then King Gunther said: ‘Can you tell us when the festivity is to be or on what days we are to arrive?’

  Swemmelin replied: ‘The festivity is to be held at the next solstice, for certain.’

  1484

  The king permitted them—that had not yet come to pass—to see Lady Prünhilt if they wished, saying that they had his leave to go before her. Volker forestalled that then—that was done to please her:

  1485

  ‘My lady Prünhilt is not at present so well disposed that you may see her,’ said the worthy knight. ‘Wait until tomorrow, and then they’ll let her see you.’ Yet when they thought to see her it could not then come to be.

  1486

  Then the mighty prince—he held the messengers dear—ordered out of courtesy that his gold be carried there on broad shields, for he had much at his disposal. Costly gifts were also given them by his friends. Giselher and Gernot, Gere and Ortwin, made it clear that

  1487

  they too were generous. They offered such costly gifts to the messengers that they dared not accept them for fear of their lord.

  1488

  Then the messenger Wärbelin said to the king: ‘Sir King, let your gifts remain here in this land. We cannot take them with us. My lord forbade us to accept any gifts, and besides we have very little need of them.’

  1489

  Then the overlord of the Rhine grew very angry at them wanting to refuse such wealthy king’s gifts. In the end they had to accept his gold and his garments, taking them with them afterwards into Etzel’s land.

  1490

  They wanted to see Uote before they departed. Bold Giselher brought the minstrels before his mother Uote. The lady then sent a message that she rejoiced in all the honour in which Kriemhilt was held. Then the queen ordered that her braids and her gold be given

  1491

  to the minstrels for Kriemhilt’s sake, for she was dear to her, and for the sake of King Etzel. They could accept that willingly, for it was given in good faith.

  1492

  Now the messengers had taken leave of both women and men there. Merrily they then t
ravelled as far as Swabia. Gernot ordered his heroes to escort them there, so that no one should maltreat them. When those who were to attend them parted from them,

  1493

  Etzel’s authority protected them on all the roads, no one taking their horses nor their garments from them. They made great haste into Etzel’s land. Wherever they knew they had friends they made known

  1494

  to them that the Burgundians would, in no time at all, be making their way from the Rhine to Hungary. These tidings were also told to Bishop Pilgrim.

  1495

  When they rode down the road past Pöchlarn, people told Rüedeger of this—that was not omitted—and also Gotelint, the margrave’s wife. She rejoiced that they should see them.

  1496

  The minstrels were seen to make good speed on their palfreys. They found Etzel in his town of Gran. They told the king of homage upon homage that had been sent him. He blushed for joy.

  1497

  When the queen found out for certain that her brothers were to come into that land, she was delighted. She rewarded the minstrels with great gifts—that did her honour. She said: ‘Now tell me, both

  1498

  of you, Wärbel and Swemmel, which of my kinsmen want to be at the festivity? We have invited the best of them here to this land. Tell me now, what did Hagen say when he heard the tidings?’

  1499

  Wärbel said: ‘He came to the counsel early one morning. He had little good to say on the matter. When they vowed to go on the journey here to Hungary, grim Hagen thought they had consigned themselves all to death. Your brothers are coming, all three kings,

  1500

  in splendid spirits. Who is to be with them besides I cannot know for certain. Volker, the bold minstrel, vowed to ride with them.’

  1501

  ‘I’d gladly dispense’, said the king’s wife, ‘with ever seeing Volker here. I hold Hagen dear—he is a worthy hero. My spirits rise at the thought that we may see him!’

  1502

  Then the queen went into the king’s presence. How very affectionately Lady Kriemhilt then addressed him: ‘How do these tidings please you, my dear lord? All that I ever desired is now to be fulfilled!’

  1503

  ‘What you wish for makes me content,’ replied the king. ‘I never rejoiced so greatly at the prospect of my own kinsfolk ever coming here into my lands. For love of your friends, all my troubles have been banished.’