Siegfried was received with much great worship as beseemed him; none
bare him hatred there. Giselher and Gernot helped thereby with great
courtesie. I ween, never have guests been greeted in such goodly wise.
Then the wives of the two kings drew near each other. Emptied were many
saddles, as fair ladies were lifted down by knightly hands upon the
sward. How busy were those who gladly served the dames! The lovely women
now drew near each other, and many a knight was blithe, that such fair
greeting passed between the twain. Then one saw great press of warriors
standing by the high-born maids. The lordly meiny (1) grasped each
other by the hand. Much courteous bowing was seen and loving kisses from
fair-fashioned dames. This liked well Gunther's and Siegfried's liegemen
for to see. They bided now no longer, but rode to town. The host
bade show his guests full well that all were fain to see them in the
Burgundian land. Many a royal joust took place before the high-born
maids. Hagen of Troneg and Ortwin, too, proved full well their prowess.
One durst not leave undone whatso they would command. Much service was
rendered by them to the welcome guests. Many shields were heard resound
from thrusts and blows before the castle gate. The host and his guests
tarried long time without, or ever they came within. Forsooth the hours
passed quickly for them with their sports. Merrily they rode before the
royal palace. Many cunning housings (2) of good cloth and well cut
were seen hanging on either side from the saddles of the fair-fashioned
dames.
Then came Gunther's liegemen. Men bade lead the strangers quickly to
their easement. At times one saw Brunhild glance at Lady Kriemhild, who
was passing fair enow. Her color against the gold gave back the gleam
in lovely wise. On every side in Worms one heard the courtiers shout.
Gunther bade Dankwart, his marshal, have them in his care, who then
gan lodge the retinue in goodly wise. One let them eat within and eke
without. Never were stranger guests better cared for. Men gave them
gladly all they craved; so rich was the king, that not a wish was there
denied. Men served them in friendly wise without all hate. The host now
took his seat at table with his guests. One bade Siegfried be seated
where he sate afore. Then many a stately man went with him to the seats.
Twelve hundred warriors in sooth did sit at his round table. Brunhild
thought her that a vassal could not be mightier than he; yet she was
still so friendly to him that she did not wish his death.
On an evening when the king was seated at the board, many costly robes
were wet with wine, as the butlers hied them to the tables. Full service
was given there with mickle zeal. As hath long been the wont at feasts,
men bade the ladies and the maids be given fair lodgment. From wherever
they were come, the host bare them right good will. One gave them all
enow with goodly honors.
When the night had an end and the day appeared, many a precious stone
from the sumpter chests sparkled on goodly weeds, as they were touched
by woman's hand. Many a lordly robe was taken forth. Or ever the day had
fully dawned, many knights and squires came out before the hall. Then
rose a merry rout before the early mass, which was sung for the king.
There young heroes rode so well that the king did cry them mercy. Many
a trumpet rang out passing loud, and the noise of drums and flutes did
grow so great that the broad town of Worms reechoed with the sound. The
high-mettled heroes horsed them everywhere. Then there rose in the land
high knightly play from many a doughty champion; one saw a great rout
of them whose youthful hearts beat high, and many a dapper knight and a
good stood armed with shield. At the easements sate the high-born dames
and many comely maids, decked out in brave attire. They watched the
pastimes of the many valiant men. The host himself gan tilt there with
his friends. Thus they passed the time, the which seemed aught but long.
Then from the dome was heard the sound of many bells. The palfreys came,
the ladies rode away; but many a bold man followed the noble queens.
They alighted on the green before the minster; Brunhild was still
friendly to her guests. Wearing crowns, they entered the spacious
church. Later their love was parted, which caused great hate. When they
had heard the mass, they rode away again with many honors and were soon
seen going merrily to table. Their pleasure at the feasting did not flag
until the eleventh day.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Meiny" (M.E. "meiny", O.F. "mesnee"), 'courtiers', 'serving
folk'.
(2) "Housings", 'saddle cloths'.
ADVENTURE XIV. How The Queens Reviled Each Other.
On a day before the vesper tide a great turmoil arose, which many
knights made in the court, where they plied their knightly sports for
pastime's sake, and a great throng of men and women hasted there to
gaze. The royal queens had sat them down together and talked of two
worshipful knights.
Then spake the fair Kriemhild: "I have a husband who by right should
rule over all these kingdoms."
Quoth Lady Brunhild: "How might that be? If none other lived but he
and thou, then might these kingdoms own his sway, but the while Gunther
liveth, this may never hap."
Kriemhild replied: "Now dost thou see, how he standeth, how right
royally he walketh before the knights, as the moon doth before the
stars? Therefore must I needs be merry of mood."
Said Lady Brunhild: "However stately be thy husband, howso worthy and
fair, yet must thou grant the palm to Knight Gunther, the noble brother
of thine. Know of a truth, he must be placed above all kings."
Then Kriemhild spake again: "So doughty is my husband, that I have not
lauded him without good cause. His worship is great in many things. Dost
thou believe it, Brunhild, he is easily Gunther's peer."
"Forsooth thou must not take it amiss of me, Kriemhild, for I have not
spoken thus without good reason. I heard them both aver, when I saw them
first of all, and the king was victor against me in the games, and when
he won my love in such knightly wise, that he was liegeman to the king,
and Siegfried himself declared the same. I hold him therefore as my
vassal, sith I heard him speak thus himself."
Then spake fair Kriemhild: "Ill had I then sped. How could my noble
brothers have so wrought, that I should be a mere vassal's bride?
Therefore I do beseech thee, Brunhild, in friendly wise, that for my
sake thou kindly leave off this speech."
"I'll not leave it off," quoth the king's wife. "Why should I give up so
many a knight, who with the warrior doth owe us service?"
Kriemhild, the passing fair, waxed wroth out of wit. "Thou must forego
that ho ever do you a vassal's service; he is worthier than my brother
Gunther, the full noble man. Thou must retract what I have heard thee
say. Certes, it wondereth me, sith he be thy vassal and thou hast so
much power over us twain, why he hath rendered thee no tribute so long a
time. By right I should be spared thy overweening pride."
"Thou bedrest thee too high," spake the king's wife. "I would fain see
whether men will hold thee in such high honor as they do me."
The ladies both grew wonderly wroth of mood. Then spake the Lady
Kriemhild: "This must now hap. Sith thou hast declared my husband for
thy liegeman, now must the men of the two kings perceive to-day whether
I durst walk before the queen to church. Thou must see to-day that I am
noble and free and that my husband is worthier than thine; nor will I
myself be taxed therewith. Thou shalt mark to-day how thy liegewoman
goeth to court before the knights of the Burgundian land. I myself
shall be more worshipful than any queen was known to be, who ever wore a
crown." Great hate enow rose then betwixt the ladies.
Then Brunhild answered: "Wilt thou not be a liegewoman of mine, so
must thou sunder thee with thy ladies from my train when that we go to
church."