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

by Cyril Edwards

  1750

  King Etzel saw this and asked questions about it. ‘I would gladly

  1751

  know’, said the mighty king, ‘who that warrior might be whom Sir Dietrich is welcoming there in such friendly fashion. He is a man of high spirits. No matter who his father might be, he may well be a worthy hero.’

  1752

  One of Kriemhilt’s men answered the king: ‘He is born of Tronege; his father was called Aldrian. No matter how blithely he bears himself here, he is a grim man. I will give you good proof that I have told no lie.’

  1753

  ‘How am I to tell that he is so fearsome?’ As yet Etzel knew nothing of the great numbers of evil plots that the queen was afterwards to hatch against her kinsmen, letting none of them depart from the Huns alive. ‘I knew Aldrian well—he was my vassal. He won praise

  1754

  and much honour alongside me here. I made him a knight and gave him my gold. Loyal Helche held him very dear. Hence I know all

  1755

  about Hagen. Two gallant boys became my hostages, he and Walther of Spain. They grew to manhood here. I sent Hagen back to his homeland. Walther eloped with Hiltegunt.’*

  1756

  He pondered over things that had happened long ago. He had recognized now his friend from Tronege, who, in his youth, had offered him great service. Now, in Etzel’s old age, Hagen was to bring about the death of great numbers of his dear friends.

  1757

  TWENTY-NINTH ADVENTURE

  HOW KRIEMHILT REBUKED HAGEN AND HOW HE DID NOT

  STAND UP TO GREET HER

  THEN the two renowned warriors, Hagen of Tronege and Sir Dietrich, parted. Next Gunther’s vassal looked over his shoulder for a companion-in-arms—he swiftly gained one. He saw Volker standing

  1758

  alongside Giselher then. He asked the cunning fiddler to walk with him, for he was well acquainted with his grim cast of mind—he was in every respect a bold and worthy knight. They left their lords still

  1759

  standing in the courtyard. Those two were seen to walk off alone, far across the courtyard towards a spacious palace. Those excellent knights feared no one’s wrath. They sat down on a bench outside the

  1760

  castle, facing a hall—it belonged to Kriemhilt. The noble garments that they wore shone from them then. Plenty who saw them would gladly have made their acquaintance.

  1761

  The Huns gaped at the haughty heroes as if they were wild beasts. Etzel’s wife also observed them through a window. Fair Kriemhilt was troubled again by this. It reminded her of her sorrows—she

  1762

  began to weep. Etzel’s men wondered greatly as to what had so suddenly troubled her mind. She said: ‘It is Hagen, you bold and worthy heroes.’

  1763

  They said to the lady: ‘How has this happened? For we saw you happy just now. No one was ever so bold that if he’s done you wrong, if you tell us to avenge it, it’ll cost him his life.’

  1764

  ‘I would always seek to reward anyone who would avenge my wrongs. All that he desired, I would be willing to give him. I kneel at your feet,’ said the king’s wife. ‘Avenge me on Hagen, and let his life be lost!’

  1765

  Sixty bold men swiftly armed themselves then. To carry out Kriemhilt’s wishes they wanted to go over and slay Hagen, that valiant man, and also the fiddler—that was the plot they laid. When

  1766

  the queen saw that their company was so small, she spoke grimly to the heroes: ‘You must abandon what you have in mind. You can never take on Hagen with such small numbers. No matter how strong

  1767

  and how bold Hagen of Tronege is, he who sits alongside him there is far stronger, Volker the fiddler—he is an evil foe. You must not take on those heroes so lightly.’

  1768

  When they heard those words they armed themselves in greater numbers, four hundred bold warriors. The proud queen was fully bent on doing her foes harm. (That caused great anguish to the knights thereafter.) When she saw that her company was well armed,

  1769

  the queen addressed the bold warriors: ‘Wait a while now—halt here. I want to walk over to my foes, wearing my crown. And hear my

  1770

  rebuke, hear what wrongs Hagen of Tronege, Gunther’s vassal, has done me. I know that he is so haughty that he will not deny anything of it before me. That is why I, for my part, do not care what befalls him in consequence.’

  1771

  Then the fiddler, that bold minstrel, saw the noble queen go down a staircase from a hall. When valiant Volker beheld that, he said to his companion-in-arms: ‘See now, friend Hagen, where she approaches,

  1772

  she who has treacherously invited us into this land. I’ve never beheld so many men alongside a king’s wife, bearing swords in their hands, walking so warlike. Do you know, friend Hagen, if she bears you enmity?

  1773

  In that case I would counsel you to be all the more on your guard, to preserve your life and honour. It seems a good idea to me, the way I see it, for they are in an angry mood. Some of them, too, are

  1774

  so broad-chested, that anyone who is on his guard should brook no delay. I believe that beneath their silk* they wear bright breastplates. Whom they have in mind to attack I cannot tell.’

  1775

  Angrily, bold Hagen replied: ‘I well know that all this is aimed at me, that that is why they bear bright swords in their hands. Fighting against those, I might yet ride back to Burgundy. Now tell me, friend

  1776

  Volker, will you stand by me if Kriemhilt’s men want to do battle with me? Let me hear your answer, dear as I am to you. I’ll repay you loyally by my constant service.’

  1777

  ‘Rest assured, I’ll help you,’ said the minstrel. ‘Even if I saw King Etzel himself advance upon us with all his warriors, for as long as I live I’ll help you and not budge a foot from your side out of fear.’

  1778

  ‘Now God in Heaven reward you, most noble Volker! If they do battle against me, whom else do I need? Since you will help me, as I have heard, those warriors must watch their step!’

  1779

  ‘Now let us stand up from the seat,’ said the minstrel. ‘She is a queen, and let her walk past. Let us offer her that honour—she is of noble birth. Each of us will also be honoured by that.’

  1780

  ‘No, by the love you bear me!’ replied Hagen. ‘Then these knights would think that I did it out of fear, if I were to walk away from here. I will never stand up from the seat for any of them! It befits us both

  1781

  better, indeed, to omit any such greeting. Why should I honour one who is my foe? I shall never do so, as long as I live. Nor do I care about what wrath Etzel’s wife bears me.’

  1782

  Haughty Hagen laid a shining sword across his legs, from whose pommel shone a brilliant jasper, greener than grass. Kriemhilt could clearly see that it was Sivrit’s sword. When she recognized it, sadness

  1783

  overcame her. Its hilt was golden, the scabbard a red braid. It reminded her of her sorrows—she began to weep. I believe that was why bold Hagen had done this. Brave Volker pulled closer to him on

  1784

  the bench a mighty fiddler’s bow, huge and long, like a sword, very sharp and broad. The two gallant knights sat there then, unafraid.

  1785

  The two bold men thought so highly of themselves that they did not want to stand up from the seat for fear of anyone. The noble queen therefore walked down to them and offered them a hostile greeting.

  1786

  She said: ‘Now tell me, Sir Hagen, who has sent for you, that you dare ride here into this land, knowing full well what wrong you have done me? If you were wise, you should rightly have remained at home.’

  1787

  ‘No one sent f
or me,’ Hagen replied. ‘Three knights were invited here to this land. They are my lords and I am their vassal. Seldom have I stayed behind when they have made a journey to a foreign court.’

  1788

  She said: ‘Tell me more now: why did you go about earning my enmity? You slew Sivrit, my dear husband. That has given me ample reason to weep until the end of my days.’

  1789

  Hagen said: ‘What of that now? Enough has been said of that. I’m that Hagen who slew Sivrit, that man of mettle. How dearly he paid for Lady Kriemhilt having insulted fair Prünhilt! There is no denying

  1790

  it, mighty queen. I bear the guilt for it all, for the harm and the loss.* Avenge it now, whoever wants to do so, be it woman or man. I would be lying to you if I did not admit that I have done you great harm.’

  1791

  She said: ‘Only hear now, you warriors, how he does not deny all the wrongs he has done me! I care nothing about whatever befalls him in consequence, you men of Etzel!’

  The haughty knights looked one another in the face. If anyone

  1792

  were to commence battle there, it would have ensued that those two companions would be granted honour, for they had done great deeds in battle time and again. Those who had presumed to take them on had no choice but to desist out of fear.

  1793

  Then one of the warriors said: ‘Why do you look at me? What I vowed before I will abandon now, not wanting to lose my life for the sake of anyone’s gifts. King Etzel’s wife wants to lead us to our doom!’

  1794

  Then another added: ‘I am of the same mind. Even if someone gave me towers of good red gold, I would not take on that fiddler, so fierce are the looks I have seen him cast. Moreover, I have known

  1795

  Hagen since the days of his youth. There is no need to tell me much about that warrior. I have seen him in twenty-two battles, which brought heart’s grief to great numbers of ladies. He and the man of

  1796

  Spain* trod many a path together when they fought many battles with Etzel here, to the honour of the king—much of that happened here. Hagen must justly be granted honour on that account. In those days

  1797

  the warrior was only a child in years. Those who were young then, how grey they are now! Now he has his wits about him and is a grim man. Moreover, he carries Balmunc, which he won most evilly.’

  1798

  They parted there without anyone doing battle. The queen was heartily sorry for that. The heroes turned away—they feared death at the fiddler’s hands. To be sure, they had good reason to do so.

  1799

  Then the fiddler said: ‘We have clearly seen that we have found enemies here, as we heard tell before. We must go to court, to the kings—then no one will dare attack our lord in battle.’

  1800

  How often does a man fail to do many things out of fear, when a friend stands in friendship alongside a friend,* and if a man’s wise, he won’t go ahead. Good sense will guard well against harm befalling many a man.

  1801

  ‘I’ll take your advice now,’ said Hagen then. They walked over to where they found the gallant knights standing in the courtyard, being given a great welcome.

  Valiant Volker spoke loudly to his lords: ‘How long do you want

  1802

  to stand here, letting men jostle you?* You must go to court and hear what the king intends.’

  Then those bold and worthy heroes were seen to pair off with companions. The Prince of Bern took most mighty Gunther of

  1803

  Burgundy by the hand. Irnfrit took valiant Gernot. Rüedeger was seen to walk to court with Giselher. No matter how they paired themselves

  1804

  off and walked to court, Volker and Hagen never parted, not until they met their end in battle. (Noble ladies were to weep grievously over that thereafter.) They then saw a thousand bold men of their noble company

  1805

  walk to court with the kings, as well as sixty warriors who had gone there with them. Bold Hagen had brought those from his land.

  1806

  Hawart, and also Irinc, two excellent warriors, were seen to walk in company with the kings. Dancwart and Wolf hart, a knight of high worth, were seen to excel in courtesy above all others.

  1807

  When the overlord of the Rhine went into the palace, mighty Etzel waited no longer, but leapt from his seat when he saw him coming. No king ever gave such a splendid greeting. ‘Welcome, Sir Gunther,

  1808

  and also Sir Gernot, and your brother Giselher. I was at pains to send you my loyal homage to Worms on the Rhine, and I welcome all your company. My lady and I now bid a warm welcome to this land to you

  1809

  two knights also, valiant Volker and Hagen. She sent many messengers to you by the Rhine.’

  1810

  Hagen of Tronege replied: ‘I have heard much of that. If I had not come here to the Huns for my lords’ sake, I would have ridden into the land in order to do you honour.’

  Then that most noble host took his dear guests by the hand.

  1811

  He took them to the seat where he himself sat. They then poured out mead, mulberry juice, and wine in great golden goblets for the guests, taking great pains over this, and bade the foreigners be most welcome.

  1812

  Then King Etzel said: ‘I tell you willingly, no greater joy could befall me in this world than to welcome you heroes who have come to me here. The queen will be robbed of much sadness by this. I wonder

  1813

  greatly what wrong I have done you, now that I have gained so many most noble guests, that you never deigned to come to my lands before. Now that I have seen you, it gives me joy.’

  1814

  Rüedeger, that high-spirited knight, answered: ‘You may well be glad to see them. My lady’s kinsmen know how to practise loyalty so splendidly. They bring gallant knights in great numbers to your home.’

  1815

  It was on Midsummer’s Eve that those lords had arrived at mighty Etzel’s court. Seldom has such a noble greeting been heard of as that with which he welcomed the heroes. Now it was time to eat. The king went to table with them. No host ever sat in greater splendour

  1816

  alongside his guests. They gave them drink and food in plenty. All that they desired was at their disposal. They had heard great numbers of marvels told of those heroes.

  1817

  THIRTIETH ADVENTURE

  HOW HAGEN AND VOLKER KEPT WATCH

  THE day was at an end now, and night was nearing them. The way-weary warriors were wracked with anxiety, for they ought to rest and go to their beds. Hagen spoke up about this; the rest were quickly told.

  1818

  Gunther said to the host: ‘God give you good-night. We want to go and sleep now, by your leave. If you command it we will come to you tomorrow morning.’ Etzel parted most joyfully from his guests then.

  1819

  The guests were seen to be jostled on all sides. Bold Volker said to the Huns: ‘How dare you tread on these warriors’ toes? If you don’t stop this, it’ll cost you dear. I’ll give one or two of you such a heavy

  1820

  blow with my fiddle that if they have any loyal friends, they may well weep over it. Why won’t you give way to us warriors? It would be as well, I believe. All those present here are called knights, yet they are not all alike in mind.’

  1821

  When the fiddler spoke so wrathfully, bold Hagen took a look behind him. He said: ‘The bold minstrel is giving you good counsel. You heroes of Kriemhilt, you must go to your lodgings. I don’t

  1822

  believe any of you will carry out what you have in mind. If you want to start anything, come to us tomorrow morning, and let us strangers have our rest tonight. That is the way I believe heroes with such warlike intentions have always acted.’

  1823
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br />   Then the guests were taken into a spacious hall. They found it equipped on all sides with sumptuous beds,* long and broad, for the warriors. (Lady Kriemhilt was plotting to cause them the greatest suffering that ever was.) They saw great numbers of finely worked

  1824

  cushions from Arras there, made of lustrous phellel-silk, and many sheets of Arabian silk, the best that might be. Braids lay over them which yielded a splendid sheen. They saw great numbers of bedcovers,

  1825

  of ermine and black sable there, beneath which they were to find their rest that night, until bright day came. No king with his company ever lay down in such splendour.

  1826

  ‘Alas for our night’s lodgings here!’ said young Giselher. ‘And alas for my friends who have come with us! No matter how graciously my sister has treated us, I fear we must lie dead by her doing.’

  1827

  ‘Now leave off your troubles,’ said Hagen the warrior. ‘I myself will take the watch tonight. I trust I can guard us well until day comes upon us. Have no fear whatever on that count. Then every man for himself !’

  1828

  At that they all bowed to him and said their thanks. They went to the beds. It did not take long till the gallant men had lain down. Bold Hagen the hero began to don his armour.

  1829

  Then the fiddler, Volker the warrior, said: ‘If you will not spurn my offer, Hagen, I would gladly stand guard with you tonight, until tomorrow morning.’

  The hero thanked Volker with great affection then: ‘Now may God

  1830

  in Heaven reward you, dearest Volker! In all my troubles, I’d want no one other than you alone, no matter where I might be hard pressed. I shall repay it well unless death forestalls me.’

  1831

  Then they both donned their bright armour. Each of them took his shield in his hands, and they walked out of the house to stand before the door. They stood guard then over the guests—that was loyally done. Bold Volker leant his good shield against the wall of the