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

by Cyril Edwards

  1667

  a spacious hall. Knights and ladies sat down there. Then the order was quickly given for good wine to be poured for the guests. Never, indeed, can heroes have been treated better!

  1668

  Rüedeger’s daughter was looked upon with amorous glances, she being so well-favoured. Worthy knights in great numbers made love to her in their minds. She did indeed deserve it well—she was highspirited. They might think what they liked, but nothing of that kind

  1669

  could happen. Many glances were cast back and forth at the maidens and ladies who sat in ample numbers there. The noble fiddler bore the host goodwill.

  1670

  According to custom, they separated there. The knights and ladies went to different quarters. Then they set up the tables in the spacious hall, where afterwards the guests, those strangers, were served in splendid fashion. To honour the guests the noble margravine

  1671

  went to table. She left her daughter among the maidens then, in her rightful place. The guests saw nothing of her, much to their disappointment. When they had all drunk and eaten, the fair ladies

  1672

  were shown back into the hall. Ribald talk* was given free rein there. Volker, that bold and gallant knight, said much in that vein.

  1673

  Then the noble minstrel spoke openly: ‘Wealthy margrave, God has acted most graciously by you, for he has given you a wife so truly fair, and a life so full of delights. If I were a prince,’ said the minstrel,

  1674

  ‘and if I were to wear a crown, I would wish to have your fair daughter for my wife—that would be my heart’s desire. She is lovely to look at, noble and gracious.’

  1675

  The margrave replied: ‘How might it be that a king should ever desire my dear daughter? We are in exile here, both I and my wife. How can her great beauty help the good damsel?’

  1676

  Courteous Gernot answered him: ‘If I were to have a beloved to meet with my wishes, then I would forever rejoice in such a wife.’

  Hagen responded most graciously then: ‘Now my lord Giselher

  1677

  ought to take a wife. The margravine has such high-born kinsfolk that we would gladly serve her, I and his vassals, if she were to wear a crown over in Burgundy.’

  1678

  Rüedeger thought very well of these words, as did Gotelint; their hearts were overjoyed. They put it to the heroes that noble Giselher should take her as a wife, as well befitted a king. If anything is fated

  1679

  to come about, who can forestall it? They asked the damsel to come to court. Then they vowed to give Giselher the charming lady. He, for his part, swore that he would love the lovely maiden. They

  1680

  conferred castles and land upon the damsel. The noble king’s hand confirmed that with oaths there, as also did Lord Gernot, and it was done.

  Then the margrave said: ‘Since I have no castles, I shall always be

  1681

  beholden to you in good faith. I will give, along with my daughter, silver and gold—as much as a hundred packhorses can best carry—so that the hero’s kinsmen may be well contented, as honour demands.’

  1682

  Then they were both told to stand in a ring, according to custom. Great numbers of youths stood opposite her, in joyful spirits. Their minds were occupied with such matters as the young and foolish like to think of still. Then they put the question to the lovely maiden—

  1683

  did she wish to have the warrior? She was somewhat sad, yet resolved to take the gallant knight. She was embarrassed by the question, as many maidens have been. Her father Rüedeger advised her to say yes,

  1684

  and that she would gladly accept him. Noble Giselher was quick to approach her then and embrace her with his white hands (though she was to have small joy of him).

  1685

  Then the margrave said: ‘You noble, mighty kings, when you ride back home to Burgundy I’ll give you my daughter, as is the custom, so that you can take her with you.’ They then took a vow on that.

  1686

  All the clamour that was to be heard there had to cease then. The damsels were told to go to their chamber, and the guests to sleep and rest till daybreak. Then food was prepared for them; the host tended them with a good grace. When they had eaten they wanted to depart

  1689

  for Hungary. ‘I’ll have none of that!’ said the most noble host. ‘You must stay here longer, for seldom have I had such dear guests here.’

  1688

  Dancwart answered: ‘That cannot be. Where would you find the food, the bread, and also the wine, to put up so many warriors tonight?’

  When the host heard that, he said: ‘Let such words be. My most

  1689

  dear lords, you must not refuse me. Indeed, I would give you food for a fortnight, along with all the company that has come here with you. King Etzel has taken very little away from me as yet.’

  1690

  Hard though they tried to resist, they had to stay there until the fourth morning. The host’s generosity did such deeds then that it was spoken of far and wide. He gave both horses and garments to his guests.

  1691

  Now it could be delayed no longer, but they had to depart. Bold Rüedeger’s generosity was unstinting. He denied nothing to anyone who wished to accept his gifts—none could quarrel with that. Their

  1692

  noble retinue led many palfreys, saddled, up to the gate. They were then joined out there by many of the foreign warriors. They bore their shields in their hands, for they wanted to ride into Etzel’s land.

  1693

  The host then offered his gifts in all directions before the noble guests left his hall. He knew how to practise generosity and live in high honour.

  He had given his fair daughter to Giselher. Then he gave to

  1694

  Gunther, that renowned hero, a gift that the noble, mighty king was honoured to bear, seldom as he accepted gifts—a suit of mail. Gunther then bowed to noble Rüedeger’s hand in recognition. Next

  1695

  he gave to Gernot a sword of ample worth, which he was later to wield most splendily in battle. The margrave’s wife did not begrudge him that gift, although worthy Rüedeger was afterwards to lose his life by it.

  1696

  Since the king had accepted gifts,* Gotelint offered Hagen gifts in friendship, as well became her, so that he also should not depart for the festivity without being provided for by her, but he refused the offer then. ‘Of all I have ever seen,’ said Hagen then, ‘I’d desire to

  1697

  carry nothing away with me from here except that shield on that wall there. I would gladly take that with me into Etzel’s land.’

  1698

  When the margravine heard Hagen’s words, it reminded her of her sorrow. Weeping became her. She harboured deep thoughts of Nuodunc’s death.* Witege had slain him, which is why she grieved with such anguish. She said to the knight: ‘I will give you that shield.

  1699

  Would God in Heaven that he were still alive who once bore it in his hands! He lay dead in battle. I must needs weep over him forever, poor woman that I am.’ The noble margravine stood up from her

  1700

  chair. With her white hands she took hold of the shield. The lady carried it to Hagen. He took it into his hands. That gift was honourably bestowed upon the warrior. A scabbard of bright fur, with noble

  1701

  gems, lay over its sheen—no day ever shone upon a better shield! If anyone had wished to purchase it, it would have cost a good thousand marks.

  1702

  Hagen then ordered that the shield be carried away. Then Dancwart came to court. The margrave’s daughter gave him many sumptuous garments, which he later wore in great splendour among the Huns.

  1703

  None of the gifts that they had accepted wo
uld have been taken into their hands but for love of the host, who treated them so splendidly. (In time to come they grew so hostile to him that they had no choice but to slay him.)

  1704

  Bold Volker, with his fiddle, walked over and stood courteously before Gotelint. He fiddled sweet melodies and sang her his songs. Thus he took his leave when he departed from Pöchlarn. The margravine

  1705

  ordered that a chest be brought to her. You may now hear tell of gifts given in friendship. She took twelve torques out and braced them onto his arm. ‘You must take these with you into Etzel’s land,

  1706

  and, as a favour to me, wear them at court, so that when you return people may talk of what service you have rendered me at the festivity there.’ In time to come he duly carried out the lady’s wishes.

  1707

  Then the host said to his guests: ‘To make your journey easier, I myself will lead you and order that you be well protected, so that no one may harm you on the road.’ Then his packs were quickly loaded onto the horses. The host, together with five hundred men, was well

  1708

  equipped with horses and garments. All those he took with him, in the highest of spirits, to the festivity. (Not a single one of them was to come back alive to Pöchlarn.)

  1709

  With a loving kiss the host then departed, as also did Giselher, as his virtue advised him. With embraces they caressed fair women. (In time to come damsels in great numbers were to weep over that.)

  1710

  The windows were opened on all sides then. The host, along with his men, wanted to go to the horses. I believe their hearts told them of the great sorrows ahead. Many a lady and many a comely maid wept there. Plenty of them grieved over dear friends whom they never

  1711

  again beheld in Pöchlarn. Yet they rode in good spirits down along the shore, downstream alongside the Danube, over into Hungary.

  1712

  Then that most gallant knight, noble Rüedeger, said to the Burgundians: ‘We should make no secret of our tidings, that we are going to the Huns. King Etzel has never heard such happy news.’

  1713

  Swiftly the messenger rode downstream through Austria. People everywhere were told that the heroes from Worms on the Rhine were coming. The king’s retinue could not be better pleased. The messengers

  1914

  hastened ahead with the tidings that the Nibelungs had arrived in Hungary.

  ‘You must give them a good welcome, Kriemhilt, my lady. It is a high honour for you that your most dear brothers are coming here.’

  1715

  Lady Kriemhilt stood at a window. She was on the lookout for her kinsmen, as a friend still is for friends. She saw many a man from her father’s land. The king also heard the tidings. He smiled with pleasure.

  1716

  ‘Now I rejoice in my happiness!’ said Kriemhilt. ‘My kinsmen bring here new shields in great numbers, and bright hauberks. Anyone who wants to take my gold must think on my sorrows, and I will always hold him dear!’

  1717

  TWENTY-EIGHTH ADVENTURE

  HOW THE BURGUNDIANS ARRIVED AMONG THE HUNS

  WHEN the Burgundians arrived in the land, old Hildebrant of Bern* came to hear of it. He told his lord of it—it troubled him greatly. He asked him to give a warm welcome to the bold and gallant knights.

  1718

  Bold Wolf hart* ordered that the chargers be brought there. Strong knights in great numbers rode with Dietrich then, as he set out to greet them on the plain. They had pitched great numbers of splendid pavilions there.

  1719

  When Hagen of Tronege saw them riding from afar, he spoke courteously to his lords: ‘Now you bold warriors must get up from your seats and go to meet those who want to welcome you there.

  1720

  Here comes a company which is well known to me. They are knights of great boldness from the land of the Amelungs, who are led by the Lord of Bern; they are men of high spirits. Do not disdain any homage they pay you.’

  1721

  Then many knights and squires dismounted alongside Dietrich—as was only right and proper. They walked over to the strangers, to meet the heroes. They greeted the men from Burgundy in friendship.

  1722

  When Lord Dietrich saw them coming towards him—here you may gladly hear what the knight then said to Uote’s sons—he was sorry they had made this journey. He believed that Rüedeger knew the reason, that he’d told them about it. ‘Welcome, you lords,

  1723

  Gunther and Giselher, Gernot and Hagen, and you also, Sir Volker, and valiant Dancwart! Do you not know? Kriemhilt still weeps sorely for the hero of the land of the Nibelungs.’

  1724

  ‘She may well weep for a long time yet,’ replied Hagen. ‘He has lain slain for many a long year. She ought to cherish the King of the Huns now. Sivrit will not come back—he was buried long ago.’

  1725

  ‘Let us leave Sivrit’s wounds aside now—as long as Lady Kriemhilt lives, harm may yet happen!’—so spoke Lord Dietrich of Bern. ‘Be on your guard against that, hope of the Nibelungs!’

  1726

  ‘Why should I be on my guard?’ said the proud king. ‘Etzel sent messengers to us—what need have I to question further?—inviting us to ride to him, here into this land. My sister Kriemhilt has also sent us many messages.’

  1727

  ‘I can give you good counsel,’ Hagen went on to say. ‘Ask Lord Dietrich and his worthy heroes to tell you more now and inform you of Lady Kriemhilt’s state of mind.’

  1728

  Then the three mighty powerful kings, Gunther and Gernot, and also Lord Dietrich, went to hold private talks. ‘Now tell us, most noble and worthy knight of Bern, what you know of the queen’s state of mind.’

  1729

  The overlord of Bern replied: ‘What more am I to say to you? Every morning I hear Etzel’s wife weeping and lamenting grievously to Almighty God in Heaven over the death of mighty Sivrit.’

  1730

  ‘What we have heard changes nothing,’ said valiant Volker the fiddler. ‘We must ride to court and must see for ourselves what will happen to us bold knights there among the Huns.’

  1731

  The bold Burgundians rode to court. They arrived in splendour, according to the custom of their land. Great numbers of bold men among the Huns there were curious to see what Hagen of Tronege looked like, for tidings were told—he had heard such talk in plenty—

  1732

  that he had slain Sivrit of the Netherlands, strongest of all warriors, Kriemhilt’s husband. Thus many questions were put at court concerning Hagen. The hero was in all truth well-grown, broad-chested;

  1933

  his hair was mixed with grey. His legs were long and his countenance fearsome. His gait was proud.

  1734

  Then they ordered that lodgings be found for the men of Burgundy. Gunther’s retinue were given separate lodgings. That was on the advice of the queen, who bore him great enmity. (Thus it came about that they afterwards slew the squires in the lodgings.) Dancwart,

  1735

  Hagen’s brother, was the marshal. King Gunther commended his retinue to his care, telling him to tend them well and give them ample provisions. The hero of Burgundy bore them all goodwill.

  1736

  Fair Kriemhilt, with her retinue, walked over in treacherous mood to welcome the Nibelungs. She kissed Giselher and took him by the hand. Hagen of Tronege saw that—he buckled his helmet more firmly.

  1737

  ‘After such a greeting as that,’ said Hagen then, ‘bold knights may have second thoughts. The kings and their vassals are being greeted separately. It was no good journey that we have made to this festivity.’

  1738

  Kriemhilt said: ‘Now let those welcome you who are glad to see you. I do not greet you because of any friendship I feel towards you. Tell me what you bring me from Worms on the
Rhine that should make me give you such a fine welcome.’

  1739

  ‘If I had known’, replied Hagen, ‘that knights ought to bring you gifts, I am wealthy enough, I suppose, and ought to have thought of bringing my gifts here to you in this land.’

  1740

  ‘Now let me know more of this—the hoard of the Nibelungs: where have you put it? It was after all my property, as you well know. You ought to have brought that to me, into Etzel’s land.’

  1741

  ‘In truth, my lady Kriemhilt, it is many a day since I last had charge of the hoard of the Nibelungs. My lords ordered that it be sunk in the Rhine. It will have to stay there till the end of time, for certain.’

  1742

  Then the queen said: ‘I thought as much. You have brought very little of it as yet here to this land, even though it was my own property and I once had charge of it. That causes me misery many a day.’

  1743

  ‘The devil of a lot will I bring you!’ answered Hagen. ‘I have so much to carry with my shield and my breast-plate. My helmet shines bright. It is not to you that I bring this sword* in my hand.’

  1744

  Then the queen said to the warriors all around: ‘No weapons are to be taken into the hall. You heroes, you must surrender them to me. I’ll have them put in safe-keeping.’

  ‘In truth,’ replied Hagen, ‘that will never be! I do not desire such

  1745

  honour, munificent prince’s spouse, that you should carry my shield and other weapons of mine to the lodgings—you are a queen. My father taught me no such manners. I will be my own chamberlain.’

  1746

  ‘Alas for my sorrows!’ said Lady Kriemhilt then. ‘Why will my brother and Hagen not let their shields be put in safe-keeping? They have been warned. If I knew who had done that, he would meet with death.’

  1747

  Angrily, Prince Dietrich answered her: ‘It is I who have warned the noble, mighty kings, and bold Hagen, the Burgundians’ vassal. Go to, she-devil, make me pay for it!’

  1748

  Etzel’s wife was deeply ashamed at that. She was bitterly afraid of Dietrich. She walked quickly away from him then, not speaking, but casting fierce looks at her foes.

  1749

  Two knights clasped hands then—the one was Sir Dietrich, the other Hagen. The gallant warrior said courteously: ‘I truly regret your arrival among the Huns, now that the queen has spoken such words.’ Hagen of Tronege replied: ‘All may yet turn out well.’ Thus the two bold men talked among themselves.