"That will I," quoth Siegfried, "I wot well how to steer you on the
flood. That know, good knights, the right water ways be well known to
me."
So they parted merrily from out the Burgundian land. Siegfried quickly
grasped an oar and from the shore the stalwart man gan push. Bold
Gunther took the helm himself, and thus the worshipful and speedy
knights set forth from land. With them they took rich food and eke good
wine, the best that could be found along the Rhine. Their steeds stood
fair; they had good easement. Their ship rode well; scant harm did hap
them. Their stout sheet-rope was tightened by the breeze. Twenty leagues
they sailed, or ever came the night, with a good wind, downward toward
the sea. These hard toils later brought the high-mettled warriors pain.
Upon the twelfth-day morning, as we hear say, the winds had borne them
far away to Isenstein in Brunhild's land. To none save Siegfried was
this known; but when King Gunther spied so many castles and broad
marches, too, how soon he spake: "Pray tell me, friend Siegfried, is it
known to you whose are these castles and this lordly land?"
Siegfried answered: "I know it well. It is the land and folk of Brunhild
and the fortress Isenstein, as ye heard me say. Fair ladies ye may still
see there to-day. Methinketh good to advise you heroes that ye be of
one single mind, and that ye tell the selfsame tale. For if we go to-day
before Brunhild, in much jeopardy must we stand before the queen. When
we behold the lovely maiden with her train, then, ye far-famed heroes,
must ye tell but this single tale: that Gunther be my master and I his
man; then what he craveth will come to pass." Full ready they were for
whatever he bade them vow, nor because of pride did any one abstain.
They promised what he would; wherefrom they all fared well, when King
Gunther saw fair Brunhild. (6)
"Forsooth I vow it less for thy sake than for thy sister's, the comely
maid, who is to me as mine own soul and body. Gladly will I bring it to
pass, that she become my wife."
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Isenland" translates here M.H.G. "Islant", which has,
however, no connection with Iceland in spite of the
agreement of the names in German. "Isen lant", the reading
of the MSS. BJh, has been chosen, partly to avoid confusion,
and partly to indicate its probable derivation from
"Isenstein", the name of Brunhild's castle. Boer's
interpretation of "Isen" as 'ice' finds corroboration in
Otfrid's form "isine steina" ('ice stones', i.e. crystals)
I, 1. 70. Isenstein would then mean Ice Castle. In the
"Thidreksaga" Brunhild's castle is called "Saegarthr" ('Sea
Garden'), and in a fairy tale (No. 93 of Grimm) "Stromberg",
referring to the fact that it was surrounded by the sea.
Here, too, in our poem it stands directly on the shore.
(2) "Zazamanc", a fictitious kingdom mentioned only here and a
few times in Parzival, Wolfram probably having obtained the
name from this passage. (See Bartsch, "Germanistische
Studien", ii, 129.)
(3) "Wont to wear". In the Middle Ages costly furs and
fish-skins were used as linings and covered, as here
described, with silk or cloth. By fish such amphibious
animals as otter and beaver were often meant.
(4) "Well fit". In this passage "wert", the reading of A and D,
has been followed, instead of unwert of B and C, as it seems
more appropriate to the sense.
(5) "Dight", 'arrayed'; used by Milton.
(6) "Brunhild". The following words are evidently a late
interpolation, and weaken the ending, but have been
translated for the sake of completeness. They are spoken by
Siegfried.
ADVENTURE VII. How Gunther Won Brunhild.
Meanwhile their bark had come so near the castle that the king saw many
a comely maiden standing at the casements. Much it irked King Gunther
that he knew them not. He asked his comrade Siegfried: "Hast thou no
knowledge of these maidens, who yonder are gazing downward towards us on
the flood? Whoever be their lord, they are of lofty mood."
At this Sir Siegfried spake: "I pray you, spy secretly among the
high-born maids and tell me then whom ye would choose, and ye had the
power."
"That will I," spake Gunther, the bold and valiant knight. "In yonder
window do I see one stand in snow-white weeds. She is fashioned so fair
that mine eyes would choose her for her comeliness. Had I power, she
should become my wife."
"Right well thine eyes have chosen for thee. It is the noble Brunhild,
the comely maid, for whom thy heart doth strive and eke thy mind and
mood." All her bearing seemed to Gunther good.
When bade the queen her high-born maids go from the windows, for it
behooved them not to be the mark of strangers' eyes. Each one obeyed.
What next the ladies did, hath been told us since. They decked their
persons out to meet the unknown knights, a way fair maids have ever
had. To the narrow casements they came again, where they had seen the
knights. Through love of gazing this was done.
But four there were that were come to land. Through the windows the
stately women saw how Siegfried led a horse out on the sand, whereby
King Gunther felt himself much honored. By the bridle he held the steed,
so stately, good and fair, and large and strong, until King Gunther had
sat him in the saddle. Thus Siegfried served him, the which he later
quite forgot. Such service he had seldom done afore, that he should
stand at any here's stirrup. Then he led his own steed from the ship.
All this the comely dames of noble birth saw through the casements. The
steeds and garments, too, of the lusty knights, of snow-white hue, were
right well matched and all alike; the bucklers, fashioned well, gleamed
in the hands of the stately men. In lordly wise they rode to Brunhild's
hall, their saddles set with precious stones, with narrow martingales,
from which hung bells of bright and ruddy gold. So they came to the
land, as well befit their prowess, with newly sharpened spears, with
well-wrought swords, the which hung down to the spurs of these stately
men. The swords the bold men bore were sharp and broad. All this
Brunhild, the high-born maid, espied.
With the king came Dankwart and Hagen, too. We have heard tales told of
how the knights wore costly raiment, raven black of hue. Fair were their
bucklers, mickle, good and broad. Jewels they wore from the land of
India, the which gleamed gloriously upon their weeds. By the flood they
left their skiff without a guard. Thus the brave knights and good
rode to the castle. Six and eighty towers they saw within, three broad
palaces, (1) and one hall well wrought of costly marble, green as
grass, wherein Brunhild herself sate with her courtiers. The castle was
unlocked and the gates flung wide. Then ran Brunhild's men to meet them
and welcomed the strangers into their mistress' land. One bade relieve
them of their steeds and shields.
Then spake a chamberlain: "Pray give us now your swords and your shining
breastplates, too."
"That we may not grant you," said Hagen of Troneg; "we ourselves will
bear them."
Then gan Siegfried tell aright the tale. "The usage of the castle, let
me say, is such that no guests may here bear arms. Let them now be taken
hence, then will all be well."
Unwillingly Hagen, Gunther's man, obeyed. For the strangers men bade
pour out wine and make their lodgings ready. Many doughty knights were
seen walking everywhere at court in lordly weeds. Mickle and oft were
these heroes gazed upon.
Then the tidings were told to Lady Brunhild, that unknown warriors were
come in lordly raiment, sailing on the flood. The fair and worthy maid
gan ask concerning this. "Pray let me hear," spake the queen, "who be
these unknown knights, who stand so lordly in my castle, and for whose
sake the heroes have journeyed hither?"
Then spake one of the courtiers: "My lady, I can well say that never
have I set eyes on any of them, but one like Siegfried doth stand among
them. Him ye should give fair greetings; that is my rede, in truth. The
second of their fellowship is so worthy of praise that he were easily
a mighty king over broad and princely lands, and he had the power and
might possess them. One doth see him stand by the rest in such right
lordly wise. The third of the fellowship is so fierce and yet withal
so fair of body, most noble queen. By the fierce glances he so oft doth
east, I ween he be grim of thought and mood. The youngest among them
is worshipful indeed. I see the noble knight stand so charmingly, with
courtly bearing, in almost maiden modesty. We might all have cause
for fear, had any done him aught. However blithely he doth practice
chivalry, and howso fair of body he be, yet might he well make many a
comely woman weep, should he e'er grow angry. He is so fashioned that in
all knightly virtues he must be a bold knight and a brave."
Then spake the queen: "Now bring me my attire. If the mighty Siegfried
be come unto this land through love of mine, he doth risk his life. I
fear him not so sore, that I should become his wife."
Brunhild, the fair, was soon well clad. Then went there with her many a
comely maid, full hundred or more, decked out in gay attire. The stately
dames would gaze upon the strangers. With them there walked good knights
from Isenland, Brunhild's men-at-arms, five hundred or more, who bore
swords in hand. This the strangers rued. From their seats then the brave
and lusty heroes rose. When that the queen spied Siegfried, now hear
what the maid did speak.
"Be ye welcome, Siegfried, here in this our land! What doth your journey
mean? That I fain would know."
"Gramercy, my Lady Brunhild, that ye have deigned to greet me, most
generous queen, in the presence of this noble knight who standeth here
before me, for he is my liege lord. This honor I must needs forswear. By
birth he's from the Rhine; what more need I to say? For thy sake are we
come hither. Fain would he woo thee, however he fare. Methink thee now
betimes, my lord will not let thee go. He is hight Gunther and is a
lordly king. An' he win thy love, he doth crave naught more. Forsooth
this knight, so well beseen, did bid me journey hither. I would fain
have given it over, could I have said him nay."
She spake: "Is he thy liege and thou his man, dare he assay the games
which I mete out and gain the mastery, then I'll become his wife; but
should I win, 't will cost you all your lives."
Then up spake Hagen of Troneg: "My lady, let us see your mighty games.
It must indeed go hard, or ever Gunther, my lord, give you the palm. He
troweth well to win so fair a maid."
"He must hurl the stone and after spring and cast the spear with me. Be
ye not too hasty. Ye are like to lose here your honor and your life as
well. Bethink you therefore rightly," spake the lovely maid.
Siegfried, the bold, went to the king and bade him tell the queen
all that he had in mind, he should have no fear. "I'll guard you well
against her with my arts."
Then spake King Gunther: "Most noble queen, now mete out whatso ye list,
and were it more, that would I all endure for your sweet sake. I'll
gladly lose my head, and ye become not my wife."
When the queen heard this speech, she begged them hasten to the games,
as was but meet. She bade purvey her with good armor for the strife: a
breastplate of ruddy gold and a right good shield. A silken surcoat, (2)
too, the maid put on, which sword had never cut in any fray, of silken
cloth of Libya. Well was it wrought. Bright embroidered edging was seen
to shine thereon.
Meanwhile the knights were threatened much with battle cries. Dankwart
and Hagen stood ill at ease; their minds were troubled at the thought of
how the king would speed. Thought they: "Our journey will not bring us
warriors aught of good."
Meanwhile Siegfried, the stately man, or ever any marked it, had hied
him to the ship, where he found his magic cloak concealed. Into it he
quickly slipped and so was seen of none. He hurried back and there he
found a great press of knights, where the queen dealt out her lofty
games. Thither he went in secret wise (by his arts it happed), nor was
he seen of any that were there. The ring had been marked out, where
the games should be, afore many valiant warriors, who were to view them
there. More than seven hundred were seen bearing arms, who were to say
who won the game.
Then was come Brunhild, armed as though she would battle for all royal
lands. Above her silken coat she wore many a bar of gold; gloriously her
lovely color shone beneath the armor. Then came her courtiers, who bare
along a shield of ruddy gold with large broad strips as hard as steel,
beneath the which the lovely maid would fight. As shield-thong there
served a costly band upon which lay jewels green as grass. It shone and
gleamed against the gold. He must needs be passing bold, to whom the
maid would show her love. The shield the maid should bear was three
spans thick beneath the studs, as we are told. Rich enow it was, of
steel and eke of gold, the which four chamberlains could scarcely carry.
When the stalwart Hagen saw the shield borne forth, the knight of Troneg
spake full grim of mood: "How now, King Gunther? How we shall lose our
lives! She you would make your love is the devil's bride, in truth."
Hear now about her weeds; enow of these she had; she wore a surcoat
of silk of Azagouc, (3) noble and costly. Many a lordly stone shone in
contrast to its color on the person of the queen.
Then was brought forth for the lady a spear, sharp, heavy, and large,
the which she cast all time, stout and unwieldy, mickle and broad,
which on its edges cut most fearfully. Of the spear's great weight
hear wonders told. Three and one half weights (4) of iron were wrought
therein, the which scarce three of Brunhild's men could bear. The noble
Gunther gan be sore afraid. Within his heart he thought: "What doth this
mean? How could the devil from hell himself escape alive? Were I safe
and sound in Burgundy, long might she live here free of any love of
mine."
Then spake Hagen's brother, the valiant Dankwart: "The journey to this
court doth rue me sore. We who have ever borne the name of knights, how
must we lose our lives! Shall we now perish at the hands of women in
these lands? It doth irk me much, that ever I came unto this country.
Had but my brother Hagen his sword in hand, and I mine, too, then should
Brunhild's men go softly in their overweening pride. This know for sure,
they'd guard against it well. And had I sworn a peace with a thousand
oaths, before I'd see my dear lord die, the comely maid herself should
lose her life."
"We might leave this land unscathed," spake then his brother Hagen, "had
we the harness which we sorely need and our good swords as well; then
would the pride of this strong dame become a deal more soft."
What the warrior spake the noble maid heard well. Over her shoulders she
gazed with smiling mouth. "Now sith he thinketh himself so brave,
bring them forth their coats-of-mail; put in the warriors' hands their
sharp-edged swords."
When they received their weapons as the maiden bade, bold Dankwart
blushed for very joy. "Now let them play whatso they list," spake the
doughty man. "Gunther is unconquered, since now we have our arms."
Mightily now did Brunhild's strength appear. Into the ring men bare a
heavy stone, huge and great, mickle and round. Twelve brave and valiant
men-at-arms could scarcely bear it. This she threw at all times, when
she had shot the spear. The Burgundians' fear now grew amain.
"Woe is me," cried Hagen. "Whom hath King Gunther chosen for a love?
Certes she should be the foul fiend's bride in hell."
Upon her fair white arm the maid turned back her sleeves; with her hands
she grasped the shield and poised the spear on high. Thus the strife
began. Gunther and Siegfried feared Brunhild's hate, and had Siegfried
not come to Gunther's aid, she would have bereft the king of life.
Secretly Siegfried went and touched his hand; with great fear Gunther
marked his wiles. "Who hath touched me?" thought the valiant man. Then
he gazed around on every side, but saw none standing there.
"'Tis I, Siegfried, the dear friend of thine. Thou must not fear the
queen. Give me the shield from off thy hand and let me bear it and mark
aright what thou dost hear me say. Make thou the motions, I will do the
deeds."
When Gunther knew that it was Siegfried, he was overjoyed.
Quoth Siegfried: "Now hide thou my arts; tell them not to any man; then
can the queen win from thee little fame, albeit she doth desire it. See
how fearlessly the lady standeth now before thee."
Then with might and main the noble maiden hurled the spear at a shield,
mickle, new, and broad, which the son of Siegelind bore upon his arm.
The sparks sprang from the steel, as if the wind did blow. The edge of
the mighty spear broke fully through the shield, so that men saw the
fire flame forth from the armor rings. The stalwart men both staggered
at the blow; but for the Cloak of Darkness they had lain there dead.
From the mouth of Siegfried, the brave, gushed forth the blood. Quickly
the good knight sprang back again and snatched the spear that she had
driven through his shield. Stout Siegfried's hand now sent it back
again. He thought: "I will not pierce the comely maid." So he reversed
the point and cast it at her armor with the butt, that it rang out
loudly from his mighty hand. The sparks flew from the armor rings, as
though driven by the wind. Siegmund's son had made the throw with might.
With all her strength she could not stand before the blow. In faith King
Gunther never could have done the deed.
Brunhild, the fair, how quickly up she sprang! "Gunther, noble knight,
I cry you mercy for the shot." She weened that he had done it with
his strength. To her had crept a far more powerful man. Then went she
quickly, angry was her mood. The noble maid and good raised high the
stone and hurled it mightily far from her hand. After the cast she
sprang, that all her armor rang, in truth. The stone had fallen twelve
fathoms hence, but with her leap the comely maid out-sprang the throw.
Then went Sir Siegfried to where lay the stone. Gunther poised it, while
the hero made the throw. Siegfried was bold, strong, and tall; he threw
the stone still further and made a broader jump. Through his fair arts
he had strength enow to bear King Gunther with him as he sprang. The
leap was made, the stone lay on the ground; men saw none other save
Gunther, the knight, alone. Siegfried had banished the fear of King
Gunther's death. Brunhild, the fair, waxed red with wrath. To her
courtiers she spake a deal too loud, when she spied the hero safe and
sound at the border of the ring: "Come nearer quickly, ye kinsmen and
liegemen of mine, ye must now be subject to Gunther, the king."
Then the brave knights laid aside their arms and paid their homage at
the feet of mighty Gunther from the Burgundian land. They weened that he
had won the games by his own strength alone. He greeted them in loving
wise; in sooth he was most rich in virtues.
Then the lovely maiden took him by the hand; full power she granted him
within the land. At this Hagen, the bold and doughty knight, rejoiced
him. She bade the noble knight go with her hence to the spacious palace.
When this was done, they gave the warriors with their service better
cheer. With good grace Hagen and Dankwart now must needs submit. The
doughty Siegfried was wise enow and bare away his magic cloak. Then he
repaired to where the ladies sate. To the king he spake and shrewdly
did he this: "Why wait ye, good my lord? Why begin ye not the games, of
which the queen doth deal so great a store? Let us soon see how they be
played." The crafty man did not as though he wist not a whit thereof.
Then spake the Queen: "How hath it chanced that ye, Sir Siegfried, have
seen naught of the games which the hand of Gunther here hath won?"
To this Hagen of the Burgundian land made answer. He spake: "Ye have
made us sad of mind, my lady. Siegfried, the good knight, was by the
ship when the lord of the Rhineland won from you the games. He knoweth
naught thereof."
"Well is me of this tale," spake Siegfried, the knight, "that your pride
hath been brought thus low, and that there doth live a wight who hath
the power to be your master. Now, O noble maiden, must ye follow us
hence to the Rhine."
Then spake the fair-fashioned maid: "That may not be. First must my kith
and liegemen learn of this. Certes, I may not so lightly void my lands;
my dearest friends must first be fetched."
Then bade she messengers ride on every side. She called her friends,
her kinsmen, and her men-at-arms and begged them come without delay to
Isenstein, and bade them all be given lordly and rich apparel. Daily,
early and late, they rode in troops to Brunhild's castle.
"Welaway," cried Hagen, "what have we done! We may ill abide the coming
of fair Brunhild's men. If now they come into this land in force, then
hath the noble maid been born to our great rue. The will of the queen is
unknown to us; what if she be so wroth that we be lost?"
Then the stalwart Siegfried spake: "Of that I'll have care. I'll not let
hap that which ye fear. I'll bring you help hither to this land, from
chosen knights the which till now ye have not known. Ye must not ask
about me; I will fare hence. Meanwhile may God preserve your honor. I'll
return eftsoon and bring you a thousand men, the very best of knights
that I have ever known."
"Pray tarry not too long," spake then the king; "of your help we be
justly glad."
He answered: "In a few short days I'll come again. Tell ye to Brunhild,
that ye've sent me hence."
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Palaces". See Adventure III, note 7.
(2) "Surcoat", which here translates the M.H.G. "wafenhemde", is
a light garment of cloth or silk worn above the armor.
(3) "Azagouc". See Zazamanc, Adventure VI, note 2. This
strophe is evidently a late interpolation, as it contradicts
the description given above.
(4) Weights. The M.H.G. "messe" (Lat. "massa") is just as
indefinite as the English expression. It was a mass or lump
of any metal, probably determined by the size of the
melting-pot.
ADVENTURE VIII. How Siegfried Fared To His Men-At-Arms, the Nibelungs.
(1)
Through the gate Siegfried hied him in his Cloak of Darkness down to the
sand, where he found a skiff. Secretly the son of Siegmund embarked and
drove it quickly hence, as though the wind did blow it on. None saw the
steersman; the bark fared fast, impelled by Siegfried's mighty strength.
They weened a seldom strong wind did drive it on. Nay, it was rowed
by Siegfried, the son of Siegelind, the fair. In the time of a day and
night with might and main he reached a land full hundred rests (2) away,
or more. The people hight Nibelungs, where he owned the mighty hoard.
The hero rowed alone to a broad isle, where the lusty knight now beached
the boat and made it fast full soon. To a hill he hied him, upon which
stood a castle, and sought here lodgment, as way-worn travelers do. He
came first to a gateway that stood fast locked. In sooth they guarded
well their honor, as men still do. The stranger now gan knock upon
the door, the which was closely guarded. There within he saw a giant
standing, who kept the castle and at whose side lay at all times his
arms. He spake: "Who is it who doth knock so rudely on the gate?"
Then bold Siegfried changed his voice and spake: "I am a knight; do up
the door, else will I enrage many a one outside to-day, who would liefer
lie soft and take his ease."
When Siegfried thus spake, it irked the warder. Meanwhile the giant had
donned his armor and placed his helm upon his head. Quickly the mighty
man snatched up his shield and opened wide the gate. How fiercely he
ran at Siegfried and asked, how he durst wake so many valiant men? Huge
blows were dealt out by his hand. Then the lordly stranger gan defend
him, but with an iron bar the warder shattered his shield-plates. Then
was the hero in dire need. Siegfried gan fear a deal his death, when the
warder struck such mighty blows. Enow his master Siegfried loved him for
this cause. They strove so sore that all the castle rang and the sound
was heard in Nibelung's hall. He overcame the warder and bound him, too.
The tale was noised abroad in all the Nibelungs' land. Alberich, the
bold, a savage dwarf, heard the fierce struggle through the mountain.
He armed him quick and ran to where he found the noble stranger, as he
bound the mighty giant. Full wroth was Alberich and strong enow. On his
body he bare helmet and rings of mail and in his hand a heavy scourge of
gold. Swift and hard he ran to where Siegfried stood. Seven heavy knobs
(3) hung down in front, with which he smote so fiercely the shield upon
the bold man's arm, that it brake in parts. The stately stranger came in
danger of his life. From his hand he flung the broken shield and thrust
into the sheath a sword, the which was long. He would not strike his
servant dead, but showed his courtly breeding as his knightly virtue
bade him. He rushed at Alberich and with his powerful hands he seized
the gray-haired man by the beard. So roughly he pulled his beard, that
he screamed aloud. The tugging of the youthful knight hurt Alberich
sore.
Loud cried the valiant dwarf: "Now spare my life. And might I be the
vassal of any save one knight, to whom I swore an oath that I would own
him as my lord, I'd serve you till my death." So spake the cunning (4)
man.
He then bound Alberich as he had the giant afore. Full sore the strength
of Siegfried hurt him. The dwarf gan ask: "How are ye named?"
"My name is Siegfried," he replied; "I deemed ye knew me well."
"Well is me of these tidings," spake Alberich, the dwarf. "Now have I
noted well the knightly deeds, through which ye be by right the sovran
of the land. I'll do whatso ye bid, and ye let me live."
Then spake Sir Siegfried: "Go quickly now and bring me the best of
knights we have, a thousand Nibelungs, that they may see me here."
Why he wanted this, none heard him say. He loosed the bonds of Alberich
and the giant. Then ran Alberich swift to where he found the knights. In
fear he waked the Nibelung men. He spake: "Up now, ye heroes, ye must go
to Siegfried."
From their beds they sprang and were ready in a trice. A thousand
doughty knights soon stood well clad. They hied them to where they saw
Sir Siegfried stand. Then was done a fair greeting, in part by deeds.
Great store of tapers were now lit up; they proffered him mulled wine.
(5) He gave them thanks that they were come so soon. He spake: "Ye must
away with me across the flood."
Full ready for this he found the heroes brave and good. Well thirty
hundred men were come eftsoon, from whom he chose a thousand of the
best. Men brought them their helmets and other arms, for he would lead
them to Brunhild's land. He spake: "Ye good knights, this will I tell
you, ye must wear full costly garments there at court, for many lovely
dames shall gaze upon us. Therefore must ye deck yourselves with goodly
weeds."
Early on a morn they started on their way. What a speedy journey
Siegfried won! They took with them good steeds and lordly harness, and
thus they came in knightly wise to Brunhild's land. The fair maids stood
upon the battlements. Then spake the queen: "Knoweth any, who they be
whom I see sailing yonder far out upon the sea? They have rich sails
e'en whiter than the snow."
Quoth the king of the Rhineland: "They're men of mine, the which I left
hard by here on the way. I had them sent for, and now they be come, my
lady." All eyes were fixed upon the lordly strangers.
Then one spied Siegfried standing at his vessel's prow in lordly weeds
and many other men. The queen spake: "Sir King, pray tell me, shall I
receive the strangers or shall I deny them greetings?"
He spake: "Ye must go to meet them out before the palace, that they may
well perceive how fain we be to see them here."
Then the queen did as the king advised her. She marked out Siegfried
with her greetings from the rest. Men purveyed them lodgings and took
in charge their trappings. So many strangers were now come to the land,
that everywhere they jostled Brunhild's bands. Now would the valiant men
fare home to Burgundy.
Then spake the queen: "My favor would I bestow on him who could deal out
to the king's guests and mine my silver and gold, of which I have such
store."
To this Dankwart, King Giselher's liegeman, answered: "Most noble
queen," spake the brave knight, "let me but wield the keys. I trow to
deal it out in fitting wise; whatso of blame I gain, let be mine own."
That he was bountiful, he made appear full well.
When now Sir Hagen's brother took the keys in charge, the hero's hand
did proffer many a costly gift. He who craved a mark (6) received such
store that all the poor might lead a merry life. Full hundred pounds
he gave, nor did he stop to count. Enow walked before the hall in rich
attire, who never had worn afore such lordly dress. Full sore it rued
the queen when this she heard. She spake: "Sir King, I fain would have
your aid, lest your chamberlain leave naught of all my store of dress;
he squandereth eke my gold. If any would forfend this, I'd be his friend
for aye. He giveth such royal gifts, the knight must ween, forsooth,
that I have sent for death. I would fain use it longer and trow well
myself to waste that which my father left me." No queen as yet hath ever
had so bounteous a chamberlain.
Then spake Hagen of Troneg: "My lady, be it told you that the king of
the Rhineland hath such great store of gold and robes to give, that we
have no need to carry hence aught of Brunhild's weeds."
"Nay, and ye love me," spake the queen, "let me fill twenty traveling
chests with gold and silk as well, the which my hand shall give, when we
are come across to Gunther's land."
Men filled her chests with precious stones, the while her chamberlains
stood by. She would not trust the duty to Giselher's men. Gunther and
Hagen began to laugh thereat.
Then spake the queen: "With whom shall I leave my lands? This my hand
and yours must first decree."
Quoth the noble king: "Now bid draw near whom ye deem fit and we will
make him steward."
The lady spied near by one of her highest kin (it was her mother's
brother); to him the maiden spake: "Now let be commended to your care my
castles and my lands, till that King Gunther's hand rule here."
Then twenty hundred of her men she chose, who should fare with her hence
to Burgundy, together with those thousand warriors from the Nibelung
land. They dressed their journey; one saw them riding forth upon the
sand. Six and eighty dames they took along and thereto a hundred maids,
their bodies passing fair. No longer now they tarried, for they were
fain to get them hence. Ho, what great wail was made by those they
left at home! In courtly wise she voided thus her land. She kissed her
nearest kinsmen who were found at court. After a fair leave-taking they
journeyed to the sea. To her fatherland the lady nevermore returned.
Many kinds of games were seen upon the way; pastimes they had galore.
A real sea breeze did help them on their voyage. Thus they fared forth
from the land fully merrily. She would not let her husband court her
on the way; this pleasure was deferred until their wedding-tide in
the castle, their home, at Worms, to which in good time she came right
joyfully with all her knights.
ENDNOTES:
(1) Adventure VIII. This whole episode, in which Siegfried
fetches men to aid Gunther in case of attempted treachery on
Brunhild's part, is of late origin and has no counterpart in
the older versions. It is a further development of
Siegfried's fight in which he slew Schilbung and Nibelung
and became the ruler of the Nibelung land. The fight with
Alberich is simply a repetition of the one in the former
episode.
(2) "Rest" (M.H.G. "rast"), originally 'repose', then used as a
measure of distance, as here.
(3) "Knobs", round pieces of metal fastened to the scourge.
(4) "Cunning" is to be taken here in the Biblical sense of
'knowing'. The M.H.G. "listig" which it here translates,
denotes 'skilled' or 'learned' in various arts and is a
standing epithet of dwarfs.
(5) "Mulled wine" translates M.H.G. "lutertranc", a claret
mulled with herbs and spice and left to stand until clear.
(6) "Mark". See Adventure V, note 5.
ADVENTURE IX. How Siegfried Was Sent To Worms.
When they had thus fared on their way full nine days, Hagen of Troneg
spake: "Now mark ye what I say. We wait too long with the tidings for
Worms upon the Rhine. Our messengers should be e'en now in Burgundy."
Then spake King Gunther: "Ye have told me true, and none be more fitting
for this trip than ye, friend Hagen; now ride ye to my land. None can
acquaint them better with our journey home to court."
To this Hagen made answer: "I am no fit envoy. Let me play chamberlain,
I'll stay with the ladies upon the flood and guard their robes, until
we bring them to the Burgundian land. Bid Siegfried bear the message, he
knoweth how to do it well with his mighty strength. If he refuse you the
journey, then must ye in courtly and gentle wise pray him of the boon
for your sister's sake."
Gunther sent now for the warrior, who came to where he stood. He spake:
"Sith we be now nearing my lands at home, it behooveth me to send a
messenger to the dear sister of mine and to my mother, too, that we draw
near the Rhine. This I pray you, Siegfried; now do my will, that I may
requite it to you ever," spake the good knight.
Siegfried, the passing bold man, however said him nay, till Gunther
gan beseech him sore. He spake: "Ye must ride for my sake and for
Kriemhild's too, the comely maiden, so that the royal maid requite it,
as well as I."
When Siegfried heard these words, full ready was the knight. "Now bid me
what ye will; naught shall be withheld. I will do it gladly for the fair
maid's sake. Why should I refuse her whom I bear in heart? Whatso ye
command for love of her, shall all be done."
"Then tell my mother Uta, the queen, that we be of lofty mood upon this
voyage. Let my brothers know how we have fared. These tidings must ye
let our friends hear, too. Hide naught from my fair sister, give her
mine and Brunhild's greetings. Greet the retainers, too, and all my men.
How well I have ended that for which my heart hath ever striven! And
tell Ortwin, the dear nephew of mine, that he bid seats be built at
Worms along the Rhine. Let my other kinsmen know that I am willed to
hold with Brunhild a mighty wedding feast. And tell my sister, when she
hath heard that I be come with my guests to the land, that she give fair
greeting to my bride. For that I will ever render Kriemhild service."
The good Lord Siegfried soon took leave of Lady Brunhild, as beseemed
him well, and of all her train; then rode he to the Rhine. Never might
there be a better envoy in this world. He rode with four and twenty
men-at-arms to Worms; he came without the king. When that was noised
about, the courtiers all were grieved; they feared their master had been
slain.
Then they dismounted from their steeds, high stood their mood. Giselher,
the good young king, came soon to meet them, and Gernot his brother,
too. How quickly then he spake, when he saw not Gunther at Siegfried's
side: "Be welcome, Siegfried; pray let me know where ye have left the
king my brother? The prowess of Brunhild, I ween, hath ta'en him from
us. Great scathe had her haughty love then brought us."
"Let be this fear. My battle-comrade sendeth greetings to you and to his
kin. I left him safe and sound. He sent me on ahead, that I might be his
messenger with tidings hither to this land. Pray have a care, however
that may hap, that I may see the queen and your sister, too, for I must
let them hear what message Gunther and Brunhild have sent them. Both are
in high estate."
Then spake Giselher, the youth: "Now must ye go to her, for ye have
brought my much of joy. She is mickle fearful for my brother. I'll
answer that the maid will see you gladly."
Then spake Sir Siegfried: "Howsoever I may serve her, that shall be
gladly done, in faith. Who now will tell the ladies that I would hie me
thither?"
Giselher then became the messenger, the stately man. The doughty knight
spake to his mother and his sister too, when that he saw them both: "To
us is come Siegfried, the hero from Netherland; him my brother Gunther
hath sent hither to the Rhine. He bringeth the news of how it standeth
with the king. Pray let him therefore come to court. He'll tell you the
right tidings straight from Isenland."
As yet the noble ladies were acquaint with fear, but now for their weeds
they sprang and dressed them and bade Sir Siegfried come to court. This
he did full gladly, for he was fain to see them. Kriemhild, the noble
maid, addressed him fair: "Be welcome, Sir Siegfried, most worshipful
knight. Where is my brother Gunther, the noble and mighty king? We ween
that we have lost him through Brunhild's strength. Woe is me, poor maid,
that ever I was born."
Then spake the daring knight: "Now give me an envoy's guerdon, ye
passing fair ladies, ye do weep without a cause. I do you to wit, I left
him safe and sound. They have sent me with the tidings to you both. He
and his bride do send you kindly greetings and a kinsman's love, O noble
queen. Now leave off your weeping, they'll come full soon."
In many a day she had not heard a tale so glad. With her snow-white
hem she wiped the tears from her pretty eyes and began to thank the
messenger for the tidings, which now were come. Thus her great sorrow
and her weeping were taken away. She bade the messenger be seated; full
ready he was for this. Then spake the winsome maid: "I should not rue
it, should I give you as an envoy's meed my gold. For that ye are too
rich, but I will be your friend in other ways."
"And had I alone," spake he, "thirty lands, yet would I gladly receive
gifts from your fair hand."
Then spake the courtly maid: "It shall be done." She bade her
chamberlain go fetch the meed for tidings. Four and twenty arm-rings,
set with goodly gold, she gave him as his meed. So stood the hero's mood
that he would not retain them, but gave them straightway to her nearest
maidens, he found within the bower. Full kindly her mother offered him
her service. "I am to tell you the tale," then spake the valiant man,
"of what the king doth pray you, when he cometh to the Rhine. If ye
perform that, my lady, he'll ever hold you in his love. I heard him
crave that ye should give fair greetings to his noble guests and grant
him the boon, that ye ride to meet him out in front of Worms upon the
strand. This ye are right truly admonished by the king to do."
Then spake the winsome maid: "For this am I full ready. In whatsoever
wise I can serve the king, that will I not refuse; with a kinsman's
love it shall be done." Her color heightened for very joy. Never was the
messenger of any prince received more fair. The lady would have kissed
him, had she but dared. How lovingly he parted from the dames!
The men of Burgundy then did as Siegfried counseled. Sindolt and Hunolt
and Rumolt, the knight, must needs be busy with the work of putting up
the seats outside of Worms upon the strand. The royal stewards, too,
were found at work. Ortwin and Gere would not desist, but sent to fetch
their friends on every side, and made known to them the feasting that
was to be. The many comely maids arrayed themselves against the feast.
Everywhere the palace and the walls were decked out for the guests.
Gunther's hall was passing well purveyed for the many strangers. Thus
began full merrily this splendid feast.
From every side along the highways of the land pricked now the kinsmen
of these three kings, who had been called that they might wait upon
those who were coming home. Then from the presses great store of costly
weeds was taken. Soon tidings were brought that men saw Brunhild's
kinsmen ride along. Great jostling then arose from the press of folk in
the Burgundian land. Ho, what bold knights were found on either side!
Then spake fair Kriemhild: "Ye maids of mine, who would be with me at
the greeting, seek out from the guests the very best of robes; then will
praise and honor be given us by the guests." Then came the warriors,
too, and bade the lordly saddles of pure red gold be carried forth,
on which the ladies should ride from Worms down to the Rhine. Better
trappings might there never be. Ho, what bright gold did sparkle on
the jet-black palfreys! From their bridles there gleamed forth many a
precious stone. The golden stepping-blocks were brought and placed on
shining carpets for the ladies, who were gay of mood. As I have said,
the palfreys now stood ready in the courtyard for the noble maids. One
saw the steeds wear narrow martingales of the best of silk, of which
tale might be told. Six and eighty ladies who wore fillets (1) in their
hair were seen come forth. The fair ones came to Kriemhild wearing
glittering robes. Then followed many a comely maid in brave attire,
fifty and four from the Burgundian land. They were eke the best that
might anywhere be found. Men saw them walking with their flaxen hair and
shining ribbons. That which the king desired was done with zeal. They
wore before the stranger knights rich cloth of silk, the best that
could be found, and so many a goodly robe, which well befit their ample
beauty. One found there many clothes of sable and ermine fur. Many an
arm and hand was well adorned with bracelets over the silken sleeves,
which they should wear. None might tell the story of this tiring to the
end. Many a hand played with well-wrought girdles, rich and long, above
gay colored robes, over costly ferran (2) skirts of silken cloth of
Araby. In high spirits were these maids of noble birth. Clasps (3) were
sewed in lovely wise upon the dress of many a comely maid. She had good
cause to rue it, whose bright color did not shine in contrast to her
weeds. No kingly race hath now such fair retainers. When now the lovely
maids had donned the garments they should wear, there then drew near a
mickle band of high-mettled champions. Together with their shields they
carried many an ashen spear.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Fillets" were worn only by married women.
(2) "Ferran", a gray colored cloth of silk and wool; from O.F.
"ferrandine".
(3) "Clasps" or "brooches" were used to fasten the dresses in
front.
ADVENTURE X. How Brunhild Was Received At Worms.
Across the Rhine men saw the king with his guests in many bands pricking
to the shore. One saw the horse of many a maiden, too, led by the
bridle. All those who should give them welcome were ready now. When
those of Isenland and Siegfried's Nibelung men were come across in
boats, they hasted to the shore (not idle were their hands), where the
kindred of the king were seen upon the other bank. Now hear this tale,
too, of the queen, the noble Uta, how she herself rode hither with the
maidens from the castle. Then many a knight and maid became acquaint.
Duke Gere led Kriemhild's palfrey by the bridle till just outside
the castle gate. Siegfried, the valiant knight, must needs attend her
further. A fair maid was she! Later the noble dame requited well this
deed. Ortwin, the bold, rode by Lady Uta's side, and many knights and
maidens rode in pairs. Well may we aver that so many dames were never
seen together at such stately greeting. Many a splendid joust was
ridden by worshipful knights (not well might it be left undone) afore
Kriemhild, the fair, down to the ships. Then the fair-fashioned ladies
were lifted from the palfreys. The king was come across and many a
worthy guest. Ho, what stout lances brake before the ladies' eyes! One
heard the clash of many hurtling shields. Ho, what costly bucklers rang
loudly as they closed! The lovely fair stood by the shore as Gunther and
his guests alighted from the boats; he himself led Brunhild by the hand.
Bright gems and gleaming armor shone forth in rivalry. Lady Kriemhild
walked with courtly breeding to meet Dame Brunhild and her train.
White hands removed the chaplets, (1) as these twain kissed each other;
through deference this was done.
Then in courteous wise the maiden Kriemhild spake: "Be ye welcome in
these lands of ours, to me and to my mother and to all the loyal kin we
have."
Low bows were made and the ladies now embraced full oft. Such loving
greeting hath one never heard, as the two ladies, Dame Uta and her
daughter, gave the bride; upon her sweet mouth they kissed her oft. When
now Brunhild's ladies all were come to land, stately knights took many
a comely woman by the hand in loving wise. The fair-fashioned maids were
seen to stand before the lady Brunhild. Long time elasped or ever the
greetings all were done; many a rose-red mouth was kissed, in sooth.
Still side by side the noble princesses stood, which liked full well
the doughty warriors for to see. They who had heard men boast afore that
such beauty had ne'er been seen as these two dames possessed, spied now
with all their eyes and must confess the truth. Nor did one see upon
their persons cheats of any kind. Those who wot how to judge of women
and lovely charms, praised Gunther's bride for beauty; but the wise had
seen more clear and spake, that one must give Kriemhild the palm before
Brunhild.
Maids and ladies now drew near each other. Many a comely dame was seen
arrayed full well. Silken tents and many rich pavilions stood hard by,
the which quite filled the plain of Worms. The kinsmen of the king came
crowding around, when Brunhild and Kriemhild and with them all the dames
were bidden go to where shade was found. Thither the knights from the
Burgundian land escorted them.
Now were the strangers come to horse, and shields were pierced in many
royal jousts. From the plain the dust gan rise, as though the whole land
had burst forth into flames. There many a knight became well known as
champion. Many a maiden saw what there the warriors plied. Methinks,
Sir Siegfried and his knights rode many a turn afore the tents. He led a
thousand stately Nibelungs.
Then Hagen of Troneg came, as the king had counseled, and parted in
gentle wise the jousting, that the fair maids be not covered with the
dust, the which the strangers willingly obeyed. Then spake Sir Gernot:
"Let stand the steeds till the air grow cooler, for ye must be full
ready when that the king will ride. Meanwhile let us serve the comely
dames before the spacious hall."
When now over all the plain the jousts had ceased, the knights, on
pastime bent, hied them to the ladies under many a high pavilion in the
hope of lofty joys. There they passed the hours until they were minded
to ride away.
Just at eventide, when the sun was setting and the air grew chill, no
longer they delayed, but man and woman hasted toward the castle. Many a
comely maiden was caressed with loving glances. In jousting great store
of clothes were torn by good knights, by the high-mettled warriors,
after the custom of the land, until the king dismounted by the hall.
Valiant heroes helped the ladies, as is their wont. The noble queens
then parted; Lady Uta and her daughter went with their train to a
spacious hall, where great noise of merriment was heard on every side.
The seats were now made ready, for the king would go to table with his
guests. At his side men saw fair Brunhild stand, wearing the crown in
the king's domain. Royal enow she was in sooth. Good broad tables, with
full many benches for the men, were set with vitaille, as we are told.
Little they lacked that they should have! At the king's table many a
lordly guest was seen. The chamberlains of the host bare water forth in
basins of ruddy gold. It were but in vain, if any told you that men were
ever better served at princes' feasts: I would not believe you that.
Before the lord of the Rhineland took the water to wash his hands,
Siegfried did as was but meet, he minded him by his troth of what he had
promised, or ever he had seen Brunhild at home in Isenland. He spake:
"Ye must remember how ye swore me by your hand, that when Lady Brunhild
came to this land, ye would give me your sister to wife. Where be now
these oaths? I have suffered mickle hardship on our trip."
Then spake the king to his guest: "Rightly have ye minded me. Certes my
hand shall not be perjured. I'll bring it to pass as best I can."
Then they bade Kriemhild go to court before the king. She came with her
fair maidens to the entrance of the hall. At this Sir Giselher sprang
down the steps. "Now bid these maidens turn again. None save my sister
alone shall be here by the king."
Then they brought Kriemhild to where the king was found. There stood
noble knights from many princes' lands; throughout the broad hall one
bade them stand quite still. By this time Lady Brunhild had stepped
to the table, too. Then spake King Gunther: "Sweet sister mine, by thy
courtesie redeem my oath. I swore to give thee to a knight, and if he
become thy husband, then hast thou done my will most loyally."
Quoth the noble maid: "Dear brother mine, ye must not thus entreat me.
Certes I'll be ever so, that whatever ye command, that shall be done.
I'll gladly pledge my troth to him whom ye, my lord, do give me to
husband."
Siegfried here grew red at the glance of friendly eyes. The knight then
proffered his service to Lady Kriemhild. Men bade them take their stand
at each other's side within the ring and asked if she would take the
stately man. In maidenly modesty she was a deal abashed, yet such was
Siegfried's luck and fortune, that she would not refuse him out of hand.
The noble king of Netherland vowed to take her, too, to wife. When he
and the maid had pledged their troths, Siegfried's arm embraced eftsoon
the winsome maid. Then the fair queen was kissed before the knights. The
courtiers parted, when that had happed; on the bench over against the
king Siegfried was seen to take his scat with Kriemhild. Thither many
a man accompanied him as servitor; men saw the Nibelungs walk at
Siegfried's side.
The king had seated him with Brunhild, the maid, when she espied
Kriemhild (naught had ever irked her so) sitting at Siegfried's side.
She began to weep and hot tears coursed down fair cheeks. Quoth the lord
of the land: "What aileth you, my lady, that ye let bright eyes grow
dim? Ye may well rejoice; my castles and my land and many a stately
vassal own your sway."
"I have good cause to weep," spake the comely maid; "my heart is sore
because of thy sister, whom I see sitting so near thy vassal's side. I
must ever weep that she be so demeaned."
Then spake the King Gunther: "Ye would do well to hold your peace. At
another time I will tell you the tale of why I gave Siegfried my sister
unto wife. Certes she may well live ever happily with the knight."
She spake: "I sorrow ever for her beauty and her courtesie. I fain would
flee, and I wist whither I might; go, for never will I lie close by
your side, unless ye tell me through what cause Kriemhild be Siegfried's
bride."
Then spake the noble king: "I'll do it you to wit; he hath castles
and broad domains, as well as I. Know of a truth, he is a mighty king,
therefore did I give him the peerless maid to love."
But whatsoever the king might say, she remained full sad of mood.
Now many a good knight hastened from the board. Their hurtling waxed so
passing hard, that the whole castle rang. But the host was weary of his
guests. Him-thought that he might lie more soft at his fair lady's side.
As yet he had not lost at all the hope that much of joy might hap to him
through her. Lovingly he began to gaze on Lady Brunhild. Men bade the
guests leave off their knightly games, for the king and his wife would
go to bed. Brunhild and Kriemhild then met before the stairway of the
hall, as yet without the hate of either. Then came their retinue. Noble
chamberlains delayed not, but brought them lights. The warriors, the
liegemen of the two kings, then parted on either side and many of the
knights were seen to walk with Siegfried.
The lords were now come to the rooms where they should lie. Each of the
twain thought to conquer by love his winsome dame. This made them blithe
of mood. Siegfried's pleasure on that night was passing great. When Lord
Siegfried lay at Kriemhild's side and with his noble love caressed the
high-born maid so tenderly, she grew as dear to him as life, so that not
for a thousand other women would he have given her alone. No more I'll
tell how Siegfried wooed his wife; hear now the tale of how King Gunther
lay by Lady Brunhild's side. The stately knight had often lain more
soft by other dames. The courtiers now had left, both maid and man. The
chamber soon was locked; he thought to caress the lovely maid. Forsooth
the time was still far off, ere she became his wife. In a smock of snowy
linen she went to bed. Then thought the noble knight: "Now have I here
all that I have ever craved in all my days." By rights she must needs
please him through her comeliness. The noble king gan shroud the lights
and then the bold knight hied him to where the lady lay. He laid him at
her side, and great was his joy when in his arms he clasped the lovely
fair. Many loving caresses he might have given, had but the noble dame
allowed it. She waxed so wroth that he was sore a-troubled; he weened
that they were lovers, but he found here hostile hate. She spake: "Sir
Knight, pray give this over, which now ye hope. Forsooth this may not
hap, for I will still remain a maid, until I hear the tale; now mark ye
that."
Then Gunther grew wroth; he struggled for her love and rumpled all her
clothes. The high-born maid then seized her girdle, the which was a
stout band she wore around her waist, and with it she wrought the king
great wrong enow. She bound him hand and foot and bare him to a nail and
hung him on the wall. She forbade him love, sith he disturbed her sleep.
Of a truth he came full nigh to death through her great strength.
Then he who had weened to be the master, began to plead. "Now loose my
bands, most noble queen. I no longer trow to conquer you, fair lady, and
full seldom will I lie so near your side."
She reeked not how he felt, for she lay full soft. There he had to hang
all night till break of day, until the bright morn shone through the
casements. Had he ever had great strength, it was little seen upon him
now.
"Now tell me, Sir Gunther, would that irk you aught," the fair maid
spake, "and your servants found you bound by a woman's hand?"
Then spake the noble knight: "That would serve you ill; nor would it
gain me honor," spake the doughty man. "By your courtesie, pray let me
lie now by your side. Sith that my love mislike you so, I will not touch
your garment with my hands."
Then she loosed him soon and let him rise. To the bed again, to the lady
he went and laid him down so far away, that thereafter he full seldom
touched her comely weeds. Nor would she have allowed it.
Then their servants came and brought them new attire, of which great
store was ready for them against the morn. However merry men made, the
lord of the land was sad enow, albeit he wore a crown that day. As
was the usage which they had and which they kept by right, Gunther and
Brunhild no longer tarried, but hied them to the minster, where mass was
sung. Thither, too, Sir Siegfried came and a great press arose among the
crowd. In keeping with their royal rank, there was ready for them all
that they did need, their crowns and robes as well. Then they were
consecrated. When this was done, all four were seen to stand joyful
'neath their crowns. Many young squires, six hundred or better, were now
girt with sword in honor of the kings, as ye must know. Great joy rose
then in the Burgundian land; one heard spear-shafts clashing in the
hands of the sworded knights. There at the windows the fair maids sat;
they saw shining afore them the gleam of many a shield. But the king had
sundered him from his liegemen; whatso others plied, men saw him stand
full sad. Unlike stood his and Siegfried's mood. The noble knight and
good would fain have known what ailed the king. He hasted to him and gan
ask: "Pray let me know how ye have fared this night, Sir King."
Then spake the king to his guest: "Shame and disgrace have I won; I have
brought a fell devil to my house and home. When I weened to love her,
she bound me sore; she bare me to a nail and hung me high upon a wall.
There I hung affrighted all night until the day, or ever she unbound me.
How softly she lay bedded there! In hope of thy pity do I make plaint to
thee as friend to friend."
Then spake stout Siegfried: "That rueth me in truth. I'll do you this to
wit; and ye allow me without distrust, I'll contrive that she lie by you
so near this night, that she'll nevermore withhold from you her love."
After all his hardships Gunther liked well this speech. Sir Siegfried
spake again: "Thou mayst well be of good cheer. I ween we fared unlike
last night. Thy sister Kriemhild is dearer to me than life; the Lady
Brunhild must become thy wife to-night. I'll come to thy chamber this
night, so secretly in my Cloud Cloak, that none may note at all my arts.
Then let the chamberlains betake them to their lodgings and I'll put out
the lights in the pages' hands, whereby thou mayst know that I be within
and that I'll gladly serve thee. I'll tame for time thy wife, that thou
mayst have her love to-night, or else I'll lose my life."
"Unless be thou embrace my dear lady," spake then the king, "I shall be
glad, if thou do to her as thou dost list. I could endure it well, an'
thou didst take her life. In sooth she is a fearful wife."
"I pledge upon my troth," quoth Siegfried, "that I will not embrace her.
The fair sister of thine, she is to me above all maids that I have ever
seen."
Gunther believed full well what Siegfried spake.
From the knightly sports there came both joy and woe; but men forbade
the hurtling and the shouting, since now the ladies were to hie them to
the hall. The grooms-in-waiting bade the people stand aside; the court
was cleared of steeds and folk. A bishop led each of the ladies, as they
should go to table in the presence of the kings. Many a stately warrior
followed to the seats. In fair hope the king sate now full merrily; well
he thought on that which Siegfried had vowed to do. This one day thought
him as long as thirty days, for all his thoughts were bent upon his
lady's love. He could scarce abide the time to leave the board. Now men
let fair Brunhild and Kriemhild, too, both go to their rest. Ho, what
doughty knights were seen to walk before the queens!
The Lord Siegfried sate in loving wise by his fair wife, in bliss
without alloy. With her snow-white hands she fondled his, till that he
vanished from before her eyes, she wist not when. When now she no longer
spied him, as she toyed, the queen spake to his followers: "Much this
wondereth me, whither the king be gone. Who hath taken his hands from
mine?"
She spake no other word, but he was gone to where he found many grooms
of the chamber stand with lights. These he gan snuff out in the pages'
hands. Thus Gunther knew that it was Siegfried. Well wist he what he
would; he bade the maids and ladies now withdraw. When that was done,
the mighty king himself made fast the door and nimbly shoved in place
two sturdy bolts. Quickly then he hid the lights behind the hangings of
the bed. Stout Siegfried and the maiden now began a play (for this there
was no help) which was both lief and loth to Gunther. Siegfried laid him
close by the high-born maid. She spake: "Now, Gunther, let that be, and
it be lief to you, that ye suffer not hardship as afore."
Then the lady hurt bold Siegfried sore. He held his peace and answered
not a whit. Gunther heard well, though he could not see his friend a
bit, that they plied not secret things, for little ease they had upon
the bed. Siegfried bare him as though he were Gunther, the mighty king.
In his arms he clasped the lovely maid. She cast him from the bed upon
a bench near by, so that his head struck loudly against the stool. Up
sprang the valiant man with all his might; fain would he try again. When
he thought now to subdue her, she hurt him sore. Such defense, I ween,
might nevermore be made by any wife.
When he would not desist, up sprang the maid. "Ye shall not rumple thus
my shift so white. Ye are a clumsy churl and it shall rue you sore,
I'll have you to know fall well," spake the comely maid. In her arms she
grasped the peerless knight; she weened to bind him, as she had done the
king, that she might have her case upon the bed. The lady avenged full
sore, that he had rumpled thus her clothes. What availed his mickle
force and his giant strength? She showed the knight her masterly
strength of limb; she carried him by force (and that must needs be) and
pressed him rudely 'twixt a clothes-press and the wall.
"Alas," so thought the knight, "if now I lose my life at a maiden's
hands, then may all wives hereafter bear towards their husbands haughty
mien, who would never do it else."
The king heard it well and feared him for his liegeman's life. Siegfried
was sore ashamed; wrathful he waxed and with surpassing strength he set
himself against her and tried it again with Lady Brunhild in fearful
wise. It thought the king full long, before he conquered her. She
pressed his hands, till from her strength the blood gushed forth from
out the nails: this irked the hero. Therefore he brought the high-born
maiden to the pass that she gave over her unruly will, which she
asserted there afore. The king heard all, albeit not a word he spake.
Siegfried pressed her against the bed, so that she shrieked aloud.
Passing sore his strength did hurt her. She grasped the girdle around
her waist and would fain have bound him, but his hand prevented it in
such a wise that her limbs and all her body cracked. Thus the strife was
parted and she became King Gunther's wife.
She spake: "Most noble king, pray spare my life. I'll do thee remedy for
whatso I have done thee. I'll no longer struggle against thy noble
love, for I have learned full well that thou canst make thee master over
women."
Siegfried let the maiden be and stepped away, as though he would do off
his clothes. From her hand he drew a golden finger ring, without that
she wist it, the noble queen. Thereto he took her girdle, a good stout
band. I know not if he did that for very haughtiness. He gave it to his
wife and rued it sore in after time.
Then lay Gunther and the fair maid side by side. He played the lover,
as beseemed him, and thus she must needs give over wrath and shame. From
his embrace a little pale she grew. Ho, how her great strength failed
through love! Now was she no stronger than any other wife. He caressed
her lovely form in lover's wise. Had she tried her strength again, what
had that availed? All this had Gunther wrought in her by his love. How
right lovingly she lay beside him in bridal joy until the dawn of day!
Now was Sir Siegfried gone again to where he was given fair greetings by
a woman fashioned fair. He turned aside the question she had thought to
put and hid long time from her what he had brought, until she ruled as
queen within his land. How little he refused to give her what he should!
On the morn the host was far cheerier of mood than he had been afore.
Through this the joy of many a noble man was great in all his lands,
whom he had bidden to his court, and to whom he proffered much of
service. The wedding feast now lasted till the fourteenth day, so that
in all this while the sound never died away of the many joys which there
they plied. The cost to the king was rated high. The kinsmen of the
noble host gave gifts in his honor to the strolling folk, as the king
commanded: vesture and ruddy gold, steeds and silver, too. Those who
there craved gifts departed hence full merrily. Siegfried, the lord from
Netherland, with a thousand of his men, gave quite away the garments
they had brought with them to the Rhine and steeds and saddles, too.
Full well they wot how to live in lordly wise. Those who would home
again thought the time too long till the rich gifts had all been made.
Nevermore have guests been better eased. Thus ended the wedding feast;
Gunther, the knight, would have it so.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Chaplet" (O.F. "chaplet", dim. of "chapel", M.H.G.
"schapel" or "schapelin") or wreath was the headdress
especially of unmarried girls, the hair being worn flowing.
It was often of flowers or leaves, but not infrequently of
gold and silver. (See Weinhold, "Deutsche Frauen im
Mittelalter", i, 387.)
ADVENTURE XI. How Siegfried Journeyed Homeward With His Wife.
When now the strangers had all ridden hence, Siegmund's son spake to his
fellowship: "We must make us ready, too, to journey to my lands."
Lief was it to his wife, when the lady heard the tale aright. She spake
to her husband: "When shall we ride? I pray thee, make me not haste too
sore. First must my brothers share their lands with me."
It was loth to Siegfried, when he heard this from Kriemhild. The
lordings hied them to him and all three spake: "Now may ye know, Sir
Siegfried, that our true service be ever at your bidding till our
death."
Then he made obeisance to the knights, as it was proffered him in such
kindly wise. "We shall share with you," spake Giselher, the youth, "both
land and castles which we do own and whatever broad realms be subject to
our power. Of these ye and Kriemhild shall have a goodly share."
The son of Siegmund spake to the princes, as he heard and saw the
lordings' will: "God grant that ye be ever happy with your heritage and
the folk therein. My dear bride can well forego in truth the share which
ye would give. There where she shall wear a crown, she shall be mightier
than any one alive, and live to see the day. For whatsoever else ye do
command, I stand ready to your bidding."
Then spake the Lady Kriemhild: "Though ye forego my heritage, yet is
it not so light a matter with the Burgundian men-at-arms. A king might
gladly lead them to his land. Forsooth my brothers' hands must share
them with me."
Then spake the Lord Gernot: "Now take whomsoever thou dost wish. Thou
wilt find here really a one who'll gladly ride with thee. We will
give thee a thousand of our thirty hundred warriors; be they thy court
retainers."
Kriemhild then gan send for Hagen of Troneg and also for Ortwin, to ask
if they and their kinsfolk would be Kriemhild's men.
At this Hagen waxed wonderly wroth. He spake: "Certes, Gunther may not
give us to any in the world. Let others follow as your train. Ye know
full well the custom of the men of Troneg: we must in duty bound remain
here with the kings at court. We must serve them longer, whom we till
now have followed."
They gave that over and made them ready to ride away. Lady Kriemhild
gained for herself two and thirty maids and five hundred men, a noble
train. The Margrave Eckewart (1) followed Kriemhild hence. They all
took leave, both knights and squires and maids and ladies, as was mickle
right. Anon they parted with a kiss and voided merrily King Gunther's
land. Their kinsmen bare them company far upon the way and bade them
pitch their quarters for the night, whereso they listed, throughout the
princes' land.
Then messengers were sent eftsoon to Siegmund, that he might know,
and Siegelind, too, that his son would come with Lady Uta's child,
Kriemhild, the fair, from Worms beyond the Rhine. Liefer tidings might
they never have. "Well for me," spake then Siegmund, "that I have
lived to see fair Kriemhild here as queen. My heritage will be thereby
enhanced. My son, the noble Siegfried, shall himself be king."
Then the Lady Siegelind gave much red velvet, silver, and heavy gold;
this was the envoy's meed. The tale well liked her, which then she
heard. She clad her and her handmaids with care, as did beseem them. Men
told who was to come with Siegfried to the land. Anon they bade seats be
raised, where he should walk crowned before his friends. King Siegmund's
liegemen then rode forth to meet him. Hath any been ever better greeted
than the famous hero in Siegmund's land, I know not. Siegelind, the
fair, rode forth to meet Kriemhild with many a comely dame (lusty
knights did follow on behind), a full day's journey, till one espied the
guests. Home-folk and the strangers had little easement till they were
come to a spacious castle, hight Xanten, (2) where they later reigned.
Smilingly Siegelind and Siegmund kissed Kriemhild many times for joy and
Siegfried, too; their sorrow was taken from them. All their fellowship
received great welcome. One bade now bring the guests to Siegmund's
hall, and lifted the fair young maids down from the palfreys. Many a
knight gan serve the comely dames with zeal. However great the feasting
at the Rhine was known to be, here one gave the heroes much better robes
than they had worn in all their days. Of their splender great marvels
might be told. When now they sate in lofty honors and had enow of all,
what gold-hued clothes their courtiers wore with precious stones well
worked thereon! Thus did Siegelind, the noble queen, purvey them well.
Then to his friends Lord Siegmund spake: "I do all Siegfried's kin
to wit, that he shall wear my crown before these knights." Those of
Netherland heard full fain the tale. He gave his son the crown, the
cognizance, (3) and lands, so that he then was master of them all. When
that men went to law and Siegfried uttered judgment, that was done in
such a wise that men feared sore fair Kriemhild's husband.
In these high honors Siegfried lived, of a truth, and judged as king,
till the tenth year was come, when his fair lady bare a son. This was
come to pass after the wish of the kinsmen of the king. They hastened
to baptize and name him Gunther for his uncle; nor had he need to be
ashamed of this. Should he grow like to his kinsman, he would fare full
well. They brought him up with care, as was but due. In these same times
the Lady Siegelind died, and men enow made wail when death bereft them
of her. Then the child of the noble Uta held withal the power over the
lands, which well beseemed such high-born dames. (4)
Now also by the Rhine, as we hear tell, at mighty Gunther's court, in
the Burgundian land, Brunhild, the fair, had born a son. For the hero's
sake they named him Siegfried. With what great care they bade attend
him! The noble Gunther gave him masters who well wot how to bring him
up to be a doughty man. Alas, what great loss of kin he later suffered
through misfortune!
Many tales were told all time, of how right worshipfully the lusty
knights dwelt alway in Siegmund's land. Gunther dealt the same with his
distinguished kin. The Nibelung land and Schilbung's knights and the
goods of both served Siegfried here (none of his kinsmen ever waxed
mightier than he). So much the higher rose the mood of the valiant man.
The very greatest heard that any hero ever gained, save those who owned
it aforetime, the bold man had, the which he had won by his own hand
hard by a hill, and for which he did many a lusty knight to death. He
had honors to his heart's desire, and had this not been so, yet one must
rightly aver of the noble champion, that he was one of the best that
ever mounted horse. Men feared his might and justly, too.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Eckewart", see Adventure I, note 15.
(2) "Xanten", see Adventure II, note 3.
(3) "Cognizance", 'jurisdiction.'
(4) "Dames", i.e., Siegelind and Kriemhild.
ADVENTURE XII. How Gunther Bade Siegfried To The Feasting.
Now Gunther's wife thought alway: "How haughtily doth Lady Kriemhild
bear her! Is not her husband Siegfried our liegeman? Long time now hath
he done us little service." This she bare within her heart, but held her
peace. It irked her sore that they did make themselves such strangers
and that men from Siegfried's land so seldom served her. Fain would she
have known from whence this came. She asked the king if it might hap
that she should see Kriemhild again. Secretly she spake what she had in
mind. The speech like the king but moderately well. "How might we bring
them," quoth he, "hither to our land? That were impossible, they live
too far away; I dare not ask them this."
To this Brunhild replied in full crafty wise: "However high and mighty
a king's vassal be, yet should he not leave undone whatsoever his lord
command him."
King Gunther smiled when she spake thus. However oft he saw Siegfried,
yet did he not count it to him as service.
She spake: "Dear lord, for my sake help me to have Siegfried and thy
sister come to this land, that we may see them here. Naught liefer might
ever hap to me in truth. Whenso I think on thy sister's courtesie and
her well-bred mind, how it delighteth me! How we sate together, when I
first became thy wife! She may with honor love bold Siegfried."
She besought so long, till the king did speak: "Now know that I have
never seen more welcome guests. Ye need but beg me gently. I will send
my envoys for the twain, that they may come to see us to the Rhine."
Then spake the queen: "Pray tell me then, when ye are willed to send for
them, or in what time our dear kinsmen shall come into the land. Give me
also to know whom ye will send thither."
"That will I," said the prince. "I will let thirty of my men ride
thither."
He had these come before him and bade them carry tidings to Siegfried's
land. To their delight Brunhild did give them full lordly vesture.
Then spake the king: "Ye knights must say from me all that I bid you to
mighty Siegfried and the sister of mine; this must ye not conceal: that
no one in the world doth love them more, and beg them both to come to
us to the Rhine. For this I and my lady will be ever at your service. At
the next Midsummer's Day shall he and his men gaze upon many here, who
would fain do them great honor. Give to the king Siegmund my greetings,
and say that I and my kinsmen be still his friends, and tell my sister,
too, that she fail not to ride to see her kin. Never did feasting beseem
her better."
Brunhild and Uta and whatever ladies were found at court all commended
their service to the lovely dames and the many valiant men in
Siegfried's land. With the consent of the kinsmen of the king the
messengers set forth. They rode as wandering knights; their horses and
their trappings had now been brought them. Then they voided the land,
for they had haste of the journey, whither they would fare. The king
bade guard the messengers well with convoys. In three weeks they came
riding into the land, to Nibelung's castle, in the marches of Norway,
(1) whither they were sent. Here they found the knight. The mounts of
the messengers were weary from the lengthy way.
Both Siegfried and Kriemhild were then told that knights were come, who
wore such clothes as men were wont to wear at Burgundy. She sprang
from a couch on which she lay to rest and bade a maiden hie her to the
window. In the court she saw bold Gere standing, him and the fellowship
that had been sent thither. What joyful things she there found against
her sorrow of heart! She spake to the king: "Now behold where they
stand, who walk in the court with the sturdy Gere, whom my brother
sendeth us adown the Rhine."