1585
TWENTY-SIXTH ADVENTURE
HOW GELPFRAT WAS SLAIN BY DANCWART
WHEN they had now all landed on the shore, the king asked: ‘Who is going to lead us on the right roads through the land, so that we do not go astray?’
Stout Volker replied: ‘I myself will see to that.’
1586
‘Halt now, knights and squires,’ said Hagen. ‘A man ought to heed his friends’ counsel—that seems only right to me. I have dread tidings to tell you: we shall never return to Burgundy. Two watersprites
1587
told me early this morning that we shall not return. Now I’ll advise you as to what we’re to do—arm yourselves, heroes! You must be on your guard! We have mighty foes here—let us make our way warily. I thought I might find that the wise water-sprites were lying.
1588
They said that none of us would return to our land safe and sound save the chaplain. That’s why I’d so willingly have drowned him today.’
1589
Then those tidings flew from company to company, so that bold heroes grew pale with dread, as they feared meeting with grim death on that journey to a foreign court—they had good reason to be troubled.
1590
They had crossed over by Möhringen,* where Else’s ferryman had been slain. Then Hagen spoke again: ‘Since I have earned enemies on the road, we will surely be attacked. I slew that ferryman early
1591
this morning. They must know these tidings. Be at the ready now! If Gelpfrat and Else attack our company here today, let them pay dearly for it. I know they are so bold that they won’t forgo the
1592
opportunity. Let your horses walk at a slower pace, lest anyone should think that we are fleeing along the roads.’
‘I will follow that advice,’ said Sir Giselher. ‘Who is to guide the company across the land?’
1593
They said: ‘Let Volker do so. The ways and roads here are well known to the bold minstrel.’ Even before the request had been put, they saw the bold fiddler standing there well-armed. He buckled on
1594
his helmet. His battle-gear was splendidly coloured. He also tied an emblem to a shaft, red in colour. (In time to come he, together with the kings, was to meet with grievous peril.)
1595
By then sure tidings of the ferryman’s death had reached Gelpfrat. Mighty Else had also heard of it. Both of them grieved over it. They sent for their heroes, who were quickly in readiness.
1596
Not long afterwards, let me tell you, the Burgundians saw men riding towards them who had inflicted injuries in hard-fought feuds and suffering beyond measure. Seven hundred or more of them came to Gelpfrat’s aid. When they rode off in pursuit of their fierce foes,
1597
they were led by their lords. They were somewhat overhasty in their pursuit of the bold strangers, being angry and bent on vengeance. In consequence more of the lords’ allies were lost.
1598
Hagen of Tronege had made good arrangements then—how might a hero better guard his kinsmen? He took charge of the rearguard with his men and his brother Dancwart. That was very wisely done.
1599
The day was at an end for them, they would see no more of it. Hagen feared harm and injury to his friends. They rode through Bavaria under cover of their shields. Not long afterwards the heroes were attacked. On both sides of the road and close behind them
1600
they heard hooves pounding. Someone was over-hasty! Then bold Dancwart said: ‘They want to attack us here. Buckle your helmets on now—this is sound counsel I give!’
1601
They halted, having no choice but to break their journey. They saw the gleam of bright shields in the darkness. Then Hagen no longer wanted to hold his peace: ‘Who is pursuing us on the road?’
Gelpfrat had no choice but to give him his answer then. The margrave
1602
from Bavaria replied: ‘We are seeking our enemies and have pursued them as far as here. I don’t know who slew my ferryman today. He was a man of mettle, and so I am much grieved.’
1603
Then Hagen of Tronege said: ‘Was that ferryman yours? He wouldn’t ferry us across. The guilt lies with me, then. I slew the warrior, for truly I had no choice. I had very nearly gained death at his hands. I offered him gold and garments as a reward for ferrying
1604
us over into your land, hero, but he grew so angry then that he struck at me with a stout pole—that made me angry enough! I reached for
1605
my sword then, and paid him back for his anger with a wound so deep that the hero was lost. I shall make you amends for that as you think fit.’
Then it came to blows—they were stout-hearted warriors.
1606
‘I well knew,’ said Gelpfrat, ‘when Gunther and his company rode by here, that Hagen of Tronege would do us harm. He shall not survive now! The hero must pay the price here for the ferryman’s end.’
1607
They lowered their lances over their shields now for the thrust, Gelpfrat and Hagen, eager to get at one another. Else and Dancwart rode splendidly, trying each other’s mettle. There was fierce fighting then. How could heroes ever test one another better? Bold Hagen, by
1608
the force of Gelpfrat’s joust, sat on the ground behind his charger. The breast-straps had broken. Now battle had made his acquaintance.
1609
From their company sounded out the loud crack of shafts. Then Hagen, who had fallen down into the grass at Gelpfrat’s thrust, recovered himself there. I believe he had little love for Gelpfrat.
1610
Who held their chargers for them* is unknown to me. They had both ended up on the sand. Hagen and Gelpfrat ran at one another.* Their comrades helped them learn the meaning of battle.
1611
Grimly as Hagen leapt at Gelpfrat, the noble margrave hacked a huge piece out of his shield, so that fiery sparks flew up into the air. Bold Gunther’s vassal came very close to death. He called out to Dancwart then: ‘Help me, dear brother! A man of mettle has attacked me—he’ll not let me live!’
1612
Bold Dancwart answered: ‘I’ll be the judge of that!’* The hero
1613
then leapt over and struck Gelpfrat such a blow with his sharp sword that he lay slain. Else would gladly have avenged him then. He and his company left with great losses. His brother was slain; he himself
1614
was wounded. Some eighty of his knights were left slain there and then by grim death. Their lord had no choice but to turn back in flight from Gunther’s men.
1615
When the Bavarians took to flight, fearsome blows were heard to be struck, as the men of Tronege pursued their foes. Those who had hoped not to pay such a price were all in great haste. When they had
1616
fled, Sir Dancwart said: ‘We must turn back, quickly, on these roads and let them ride—they are wet with blood. Let us hasten to our allies. That is what I advise, in all truth!’
1617
When they had returned to where the harm had happened, Hagen of Tronege said: ‘Heroes, you must look now to see whom we are missing here, or whom we have lost here in this battle by Gelpfrat’s wrath.’
1618
They had lost four—they had to resign themselves to that. They had been well paid for. In return a hundred or more of the Bavarians had been slain. Hence the shields of the men of Tronege were dulled and wet with blood.
1619
Part of the bright moon broke out of the clouds. Then Hagen spoke again: ‘Let no one tell my dear lords what we have done here. Let them remain untroubled until tomorrow.’
1620
When those who had done battle before had caught up with the others, weariness hurt the retinue hard. ‘How long are we to ride?’ asked many a man.
Bold Da
ncwart replied: ‘We cannot look for lodgings. You must all ride until daybreak.’
1621
Brave Volker, who had charge of the household, sent to ask the marshal: ‘Where shall we be tonight, so that our palfreys can rest, and also my dear lords?’
1622
Bold Dancwart replied: ‘I can’t tell you. We can’t rest until dawn breaks. Wherever we then find a meadow, let’s lie down.’
When they heard those tidings, how sorry some of them were! The
1623
hot red blood remained unremarked until the sun offered its bright beams to the morning over the hills, when the king saw that they had been fighting. In great anger the hero said: ‘How now, friend Hagen?
1624
I believe you disdained to have me with you when your chainmail was thus wetted by blood. Who has done this?’
Hagen said: ‘It was Else who did this—he attacked us at night. We
1625
were charged at because of his ferryman. Then my brother’s hand slew Gelpfrat. Afterwards Else escaped from us, hard pressed though he was. A hundred of them and four of us were left dead in the battle.’
1626
We can give no account of where they lay down to rest. All the countryfolk later came to hear that noble Uote’s sons were making their way to court. They were afterwards well received at Passau.
1627
The noble kings’ uncle, Bishop Pilgrim, was delighted when his nephews arrived in the land with so many warriors. It was soon made clear to them that he bore them goodwill. They were given a warm
1628
welcome by friends on the ways. In Passau itself they could not all be accommodated. They had to cross the river to where they found meadows. There huts and pavilions were pitched. They had to stay
1629
there for a whole day and all the following night. How splendidly they were tended! Thereafter they were to ride into Rüedeger’s land. He was taken tidings of that in all haste.
1630
When the way-weary men had rested and they came closer to Rüedeger’s land, they found a man asleep on the boundary, from whom Hagen of Tronege took a sturdy sword. That same worthy
1631
knight was called Eckewart. He was sad at heart to have lost his sword at the hand of the journeying heroes. They had found Rüedeger’s march ill guarded.
1632
‘Alas for this disgrace of mine!’ said Eckewart then. ‘I am greatly grieved by this journey of the Burgundians. Ever since I lost Sivrit my happiness has deserted me. Alas, Lord Rüedeger, how have I behaved towards you!’
1633
Hagen then heard clearly what anguish the noble warrior felt. He gave him back his sword, together with six torques of red gold. ‘Keep these, hero, in token of my friendship. You are a bold knight, lying alone at the march.’
1634
‘God reward you for your torques,’ replied Eckewart. ‘Yet I very much regret this journey of yours to the Huns. You slew Sivrit—they hate you here. I advise you in good faith to be on your guard.’
1635
‘Now may God protect us!’ said Hagen then. ‘These knights’ only concern—that of the kings and also of their vassals—is to seek lodgings, somewhere where we can find quarters before nightfall.
1636
Our horses are spent, the roads being so long, and our food has run out,’ said Sir Hagen. ‘We won’t find anything for money here. We stand in need of a host who, out of his courtesy, might yet give us his bread this night.’
1637
Then Eckewart replied: ‘I’ll show you such a host that you will seldom have come to a castle in any land and fared better than you may do here, if you bold warriors want to see Rüedeger. He
1638
resides close by the road here and is the best host who ever had a castle. His heart blossoms with courtesy, as the sweet May brings flowers to the meadow. Whenever he has to serve heroes, he is happy at heart.’
1639
Then King Gunther said: ‘If you will be my messenger, will you ask my dear friend Rüedeger if for my sake he will harbour us, my kinsmen and our vassals? I will always seek to repay that as best I can.’
1640
‘I will gladly be that messenger,’ replied Eckewart. With a good will, he made his way there to tell Rüedeger what he had heard. Not for many a day had such dear tidings come to him.
1641
They saw a knight hastening towards Pöchlarn. Rüedeger himself recognized him. He said: ‘Eckewart, one of Kriemhilt’s men, is hurrying here along these roads.’ He thought that enemies might have done him harm. Then he went out of the gate to meet the
1642
messenger.* Eckewart unbuckled his sword and laid it aside. The tidings he brought were not concealed from the host and his friends—they were soon told.
1643
He said to the margrave: ‘Lord Gunther of Burgundy has sent me to you, as has Giselher, his brother, and also Gernot. Each of the warriors offers you his homage, as do also Hagen and Volker, in fervent good
1644
faith. I have more to tell you still, a message that the king’s marshal sent by me: the knights are in need of your hospitality.’
1645
With a smile Rüedeger replied: ‘Happy am I at these tidings, that the proud kings desire my services! They will not be denied them. If they enter my castle, I shall be well pleased.’
1646
‘Dancwart the marshal bid it be made known to you whom you are to have in your house along with them: sixty bold warriors and a thousand worthy knights, and nine thousand squires.’
Rüedeger was happy at heart then. ‘Happy am I to have these
1647
guests,’ he replied, ‘and that these proud warriors, whom I have as yet seldom served, are coming to my castle! Ride now to meet them, both my kinsmen and vassals!’
1648
Then knights and squires hastened to their horses. Whatever their lord ordered them to do seemed just to all of them. They hastened all the more readily to serve him then. As yet Lady Gotelint, sitting in her chamber, knew nothing of this.
1649
TWENTY-SEVENTH ADVENTURE
HOW THEY ARRIVED IN PÖCHLARN
THEN the margrave went in search of his lady; he found his wife with his daughter and told them at once of the most welcome tidings he had heard—that their lady’s brothers were to come to their castle there.
1650
‘My most dearly beloved,’ said Rüedeger then, ‘you must give the warmest of welcomes to these noble, proud kings, when they come to court here with their company. You must also give a good greeting to Hagen, Gunther’s vassal. Together with them there also comes one
1651
who is called Dancwart—another is called Volker, his courtesy well guarded. These six you and my daughter must kiss, and be courteous and gracious to the other warriors also.’
1652
The ladies then promised that they would and were willing to do so. They sought sumptuous clothes out from the chests, which they wanted to wear when they went to meet the warriors. Fair women were hard at work there. There were very few counterfeit ladies’
1653
complexions* to be found there. On their heads they wore bright bands of gold—costly garlands those were!—so that the winds should not disarray their beautiful hair. I swear this by my loyalty.
1654
Let us leave the ladies to such tasks. In great haste Rüedeger’s friends rode across the fields to where they found the princes. They were given a warm welcome into the margrave’s land. When bold
1655
Rüedeger the margrave saw them approaching him, he joyfully said: ‘Be welcome, you lords, and your men also, here in my land! I am very glad to see you!’
1656
Then the warriors bowed to him in good faith, without rancour. He showed clearly that he bore them goodwill. He greeted Hagen separately—he knew him
from former times. He gave the same greeting to Volker of Burgundy. He also welcomed Dancwart. Then that
1657
bold knight said: ‘Since you want to look after us, who then is to take care of the company we have brought with us?’
The margrave replied: ‘You shall pass a good night, as will all your
1658
company. All that you have brought into the land with you, horses and garments, I shall put under such guard that nothing of it will be lost; not a single spur of yours will be harmed. Squires, put up the
1659
huts in the meadow. I stand surety for anything that you lose here. Take the reins off, let the horses walk free.’
Seldom had any host treated them like that before. The guests
1660
were well pleased. When that had been seen to, the lords rode away. The squires lay down in the grass everywhere; they were very much at their ease. I believe they had never met with such kind treatment in the course of their journey.
1661
The noble margravine had come out of the castle, with her most beautiful daughter. Then, standing by her, lovely ladies and many fair maidens could be seen, wearing many torques and splendid dresses.
1662
The precious stones in their sumptuous garments shone from afar. They were well-favoured women.
Then the guests also arrived and dismounted at once. Oh, what great good-breeding they found in the Burgundians! Thirty-six
1663
maidens and many more women, all of them perfectly formed, walked towards them, along with many a bold vassal. Pretty greetings were given by noble ladies there. The young margravine kissed
1664
all three kings, as did her mother. Hagen was also standing close by. Her father bade her kiss him. Then she glanced at him. He seemed so fearsome to her that she’d gladly have omitted to kiss him.* Yet
1665
she had to do what the host commanded her. Her complexion turned mixed, both pale and red. She kissed Dancwart also, and after that the minstrel. That greeting was given him because of the courage he possessed.
1666
The young margravine took Giselher, the warrior of Burgundy, by the hand. Her mother did the same by bold Gunther. Joyfully they walked away with the heroes. The host walked with Gernot into
The Nibelungenlied: The Lay of the Nibelungs (Oxford World's Classics) Page 24
