Rudeger with all his vassals swore that he would ever serve her
faithfully and pledged his hand, that the noble knights from Etzel's
land would ne'er refuse her aught.
Then the faithful lady thought: "Sith I, wretched wife, have won so many
friends, I'll let the people say whatso they choose. What if my dear
husband's death might still be avenged?" She thought: "Sith Etzel hath
so many men-at-arms, I can do whatso I will, an' I command them. He is
likewise so rich that I shall have wherewith to give; the baleful Hagen
hath bereft me of my goods."
To Rudeger she spake: "Had I not heard that he were a paynim, gladly
would I go whithersoever he listed and would take him to my husband."
Then spake the margrave: "Lady, give over this speech. He hath so many
knights of Christian faith, that ye'll ever be joyful at his court.
What if ye bring it to pass, that he should let himself be christened?
Therefore may ye fain become King Etzel's wife."
Then her brothers spake again: "Now pledge your troth, dear sister. Ye
should now give over your sadness."
They begged her till she sadly vowed before the heroes to become King
Etzel's bride. She spake: "I will obey you, I poor queen, and fare to
the Huns as soon as ever that may be, whenever I have friends who will
take me to his land."
Of this fair Kriemhild pledged her hand before the knights.
Then spake the margrave: "If ye have two liegemen, I have still more.
'Twill be the best, that with worship we escort you across the Rhine.
No longer, lady, shall ye tarry here in Burgundy. I have five hundred
vassals and kinsmen, too; they shall serve you, lady, and do whatso ye
bid, both here and there at home. I'll do by you the same whenever ye
do mind me of the tale and never feel ashamed. Now bid the housings for
your horses be made ready (Rudeger's counsel will never irk you) and
tell it to your maids, whom ye would take along, for many a chosen
knight will meet us on the road."
She still had harness with which they rode afore in Siegfried's time, so
that she might take with her many maidens now with worship, whenever she
would hence. Ho, what good saddles they fetched for the comely dames!
Albeit they had aye worn costly robes, many more were now made ready,
for much had been told them of the king. They opened up the chests,
which stood afore well locked. For four and one half days they were
aught but idle; from the presses they brought forth the stores that lay
therein. Kriemhild now began to open up her treasure rooms, she fain
would make all Rudeger's liegemen rich. Of the gold from the Nibelung
land she still had such store that a hundred horses might not bear it;
she weened her hand should deal it out among the Huns.
This tale Hagen heard told of Kriemhild. He spake: "Sith Kriemhild will
not become my friend, so Siegfried's gold must stay behind. For why
should I give to my foes such great store of goods? Well I wot what
Kriemhild will do with this hoard. I can well believe, an' she take it
with her, that it will be doled out to call forth hate against me. Nor
have they steeds enow to bear it hence. Hagen doth intend to keep it,
pray tell Kriemhild that."
When that she heard this tale, it irked her sore. It was likewise told
to all three kings. Fain would they have changed it, but as this did not
hap, the noble Rudeger spake full blithely: "Mighty queen, why mourn ye
for the gold? King Etzel doth bear you such great love, that when his
eyes do light upon you, such store he'll give you that ye can never
spend it all; this will I swear to you, my lady."
Then spake the queen: "Most noble Rudeger, never hath king's daughter
gained such wealth as that, of which Hagen hath bereft me."
Then came her brother Gernot to the treasure chamber. By leave of the
king in the door he thrust the key. Kriemhild's gold was handed forth, a
thousand marks or more. He bade the strangers take it; much this pleased
King Gunther.
Then spake Gotelind's knight from Bechelaren: "And had my Lady Kriemhild
all the hoard that was brought from the Nibelung land, little of it
would mine or the queen's hand touch. Now bid them keep it, for I will
none of it. Forsooth I brought from home such store of mine that we can
lightly do without this on the road, for we be furnished for the journey
in full lordly wise."
Afore this her maids had filled twelve chests at leisure with the very
best of gold that anywhere might be. This they took with them and great
store of women's trinkets, which they should wear upon the road. Her
thought too great the might of Hagen. Of her gold for offerings (7) she
had still a thousand marks. For her dear husband's soul she dealt it
out. This Rudeger thought was done in faithful love. Then spake the
mournful lady: "Where be now my friends who for my sake would live in
exile? Let those who would ride with me to the Hunnish land, take now my
treasure and purchase horses and trappings."
Then spake the margrave Eckewart to the queen: "Since the day I first
became your vassal, I have served you faithfully," spake the knight,
"and aye will do the same by you until mine end. I will take with
me also five hundred of my men and place them in your service right
loyally. Naught shall ever part us, save death alone."
For this speech Kriemhild bowed her thanks; forsooth she had full need.
Men now led forth the palfreys; for they would ride away. Then many
tears were shed by kinsfolk. Royal Uta and many a comely maiden showed
that they were sad at Kriemhild's loss. A hundred high-born maids she
took with her hence, who were arrayed as well befit them. Then from
bright eyes the tears fell down, but soon at Etzel's court they lived
to see much joy. Then came Lord Giselher and Gernot, too, with their
fellowship, as their courtesie demanded. Fain would they escort their
dear sister hence; of their knights they took with them full a thousand
stately men. Then came Ortwin and the doughty Gere; Rumolt, the master
of the kitchen, must needs be with them, too. They purveyed them night
quarters as far as the Danube's shore, but Gunther rode no further than
a little from the town. Ere they fared hence from the Rhine, they had
sent their messengers swiftly on ahead to the Hunnish land, who
should tell the king that Rudeger had gained for him to wife the noble
high-born queen.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Etzel", see Adventure I, note 7.
(2) "Helca" (M.H.G. "Helche") or "Herka", Etzel's wife, is the
daughter of king "Oserich" or "Osantrix", as the
"Thidreksaga" calls him. In the latter work (chap. 73-80)
we read how Rudeger (Rodingeir) took her by force from her
father and brought her to Etzel to be the latter's bride.
On her identity with the historical "Kerka" of Priscus, see
Bleyer, PB. "Beit." xxxi, 542.
(3) "Rudeger of Bechelaren", or, as the name reads in the
"Thidreksaga", "Rodingeir of Bakalar", is probably not an
historical personage, but the hero of a separate legend.
Evidence of this is seen in the fact that he calls himself
an exile, though he is Etzel's mightiest vassal, with
castles and lands in fief. He may have been introduced, as
Wilmanns ("Anz." xviii 101) thinks, to play a role
originally assigned to Dietrich, who is also an exile.
Mullenhoff considered him to have been a mythical person.
Bechelaren, or Pechlarn, lies at the junction of the Erlach
with the Danube.
(4) "hast seen here". "Biterolf", 9471, relates that Dietrich
had carried Siegfried, when young, by force to Etzel's
court.
(5) "full soon". See Adventure III, note 4.
(6) "Paynim" (O F. "paienime", late Latin "paganismus"),
'heathen'.
(7) "gold for offerings". This was the gold to be used as
offering when masses were sung for Siegfried's soul.
ADVENTURE XXI. How Kriemhild Journeyed To The Huns.
Let now the messengers ride. We will do you to wit, how the queen
journeyed through the lands and where Giselher and Gernot parted from
her. They had served her as their fealty bade them. Down to Vergen (1)
on the Danube they rode; here they gan crave leave of the queen, for
they would ride again to the Rhine. Without tears these faithful kinsmen
might not part. Doughty Giselher spake then to his sister: "Whenever,
lady, thou shouldst need me, when aught doth trouble thee, let me but
know, and I will ride in thy service to Etzel's land."
Those who were her kin she kissed upon the mouth. Lovingly they took
their leave of Margrave Rudeger's men. The queen had with her many a
fair-fashioned maid, full a hundred and four, that wore costly robes
of rich, gay-colored silks. Many broad shields were borne close by the
ladies on the road, but many a lordly warrior turned then from her.
They journeyed soon from thence down through Bavarian land. Here the
tale was told that many unknown strangers had gathered there, where
still a cloister standeth and where the Inn floweth into the Danube. In
the town of Passau, where lived a bishop, lodgings were soon emptied and
the prince's court as well, as they hurried forth to meet the strangers
in the Bavarian land, where the Bishop Pilgrim (2) found fair Kriemhild.
The knights of the land were little loth, when in her train they saw so
many comely maids; with their eyes they courted the daughters of noble
knights. Later good lodgings were given the noble guests.
With his niece the bishop rode toward Passau. When it was told the
burghers of the town that Kriemhild was come, their prince's sister's
child, well was she greeted by the merchants. The bishop had the hope
that they would stay. Then spake Sir Eckewart: "That may not be. We must
fare further down to Rudeger's land. Many knights await us, for all wot
well the news."
Well wist fair Gotelind the tale. She tired her and her noble child with
care. Rudeger had sent her word that it thought him good that she should
cheer the mind of the queen by riding forth, with his vassals to the
Enns (3) for to meet her. When this message had been given, one saw
on every side the roads alive; on foot and horse they hastened to meet
their guests. Now was the queen come to Efferding. (4) Enow there were
from the Bavarian land who might perchance have done the guests much
harm, had they robbed upon the roads, as was their wont. That had been
forestalled by the lordly margrave: he led a thousand knights or more.
Now Gotelind, the wife of Rudeger, was come; with her there rode many a
noble knight in lordly vise. When they were come across the Traun, (5)
upon the plain by Enns, one saw erected huts and tents, where the guests
should have their lodgings for the night. Rudeger gave the vitaille to
his guests. Fair Gotelind left her lodgings far behind her; along the
road there trotted many a shapely palfrey with jingling bridle. Fair
was the welcome; right well was Rudeger pleased. Among those who rode to
meet them on the way, on either side, in praiseworthy wise, was many a
knight. They practised chivalry, the which full many a maiden saw. Nor
did the service of the knights mislike the queen. When that Rudeger's
liegemen met the guests, many truncheons (6) were seen to fly on high
from the warriors' hands in knightly custom. As though for a prize they
rode before the ladies there. This they soon gave over and many warriors
greeted each other in friendly wise. Then they escorted fair Gotelind
from thence to where she saw Kriemhild. Scant leisure had they who wot
how to serve the ladies.
The lord of Bechelaren rode now to his wife. Little it irked the noble
margravine that he was come so well and sound from the Rhine. In part
her cares had given way to joy. When she had welcomed him, he bade
her dismount with the ladies of her train upon the sward. Many a
noble knight bestirred him and served the ladies with eager zeal. Then
Kriemhild spied the margravine standing with her meiny. No nearer she
drew, but checked the palfrey with the bridle and bade them lift her
quickly from the saddle. Men saw the bishop with Eckewart lead his
sister's child to Gotelind. All stood aside at once. Then the exiled
queen kissed Gotelind upon the mouth. Full lovingly spake Rudeger's
wife: "Now well is me, dear lady, that I have ever seen with mine own
eyes your charming self in these our lands. Naught liefer might hap to
me in all these times."
"Now God requite you," quoth Kriemhild, "most noble Gotelind. Shall I
and Botelung's (7) son remain alive and well, it may be lief to you that
ye have seen me here."
Neither knew what must needs later hap. Many maidens went to meet each
other in courtly wise. The warriors, too, were full ready with their
service. After the greeting they sat them down upon the clover. With
many they became acquaint, who were full strange to them aforetime. As
it was now high noon, men bade pour out wine for the ladies. The
noble meiny no longer tarried, but rode to where they found many broad
pavilions; there ample service stood ready for the guests.
That night they had repose till early on the morn. Those from Bechelaren
made ready for to lodge the worthy guests. So well had Rudeger planned,
that little enow they lacked. The embrasures in the walls stood open,
the castle at Bechelaren was opened wide. In rode the guests whom men
were fain to see; the noble host bade purvey them proper easement. Most
lovingly Rudeger's daughter with her meiny went to welcome the queen.
There, too, stood her mother, the margrave's wife; many a high-born maid
was greeted with delight. They took each other by the hand and hied
them hence to a broad hall, fashioned full fair, under which the Danube
flowed along. Towards the breeze they sate and held great pastime. What
more they did I cannot tell, save that Kriemhild's men-at-arms were
heard to grumble that they fared so slowly on their way, for much it
irked them. Ho, what good knights rode with them hence from Bechelaren!
Rudeger offered them much loving service. The queen gave Gotelind's
daughter twelve ruddy armlets, and raiment too, as good as any that she
brought to Etzel's land. Although the Nibelung gold was taken from her,
yet she did win the hearts of all that saw her with the little she still
might have. Great gifts were given to the courtiers of the host. In
turn the Lady Gotelind offered the guests from the Rhine worship in such
friendly wise, that men found passing few of the strangers that did not
wear her jewels or her lordly robes.
When they had eaten and should depart, faithful service was proffered by
the lady of the house to Etzel's bride. The fair young margravine, too,
was much caressed. To the queen she spake: "Whenso it thinketh you
good, I know well that my dear father will gladly send me to you to
the Hunnish land." How well Kriemhild marked that the maiden loved her
truly.
The steeds were harnessed and led before the castle of Bechelaren
and the noble queen took leave of Rudeger's wife and daughter. With
a greeting many a fair maid parted too. Full seldom did they see each
other since these days. From Medelick (8) the folk bare in their hands
many a rich cup of gold, in which they offered wine to the strangers
on the highway. Thus they made them welcome. A host dwelt there, hight
Astolt, (9) who showed them the road to the Austrian land, towards
Mautern (10) down the Danube. There the noble queen was later served
full well. From his niece the bishop parted lovingly. How he counseled
her that she should bear her well and that she should purchase honor
for herself, as Helca, too, had done! Ho, what great worship she later
gained among the Huns!
To the Traisem (11) they escorted hence the guests. Rudeger's men
purveyed them zealously, until the Huns came riding across the land.
Then the queen became acquaint with mickle honor. Near the Traisem the
king of the Hunnish land did have a mighty castle, hight Zeisenmauer,
(12) known far and wide. Lady Helca dwelt there aforetime and used such
great virtues that it might not lightly ever hap again, unless it be
through Kriemhild. She wist so how to give, that after all her sorrow
she had the joy that Etzel's liegemen gave her great worship, of which
she later won great store among the heroes. Etzel's rule was known far
and wide, so that all time one found at his court the boldest warriors
of whom men ever heard, among Christian or among paynim. They were all
come with him. All time there were at his court, what may not so lightly
hap again, Christian customs and also heathen faith. In whatsoever wise
each lived, the bounty of the king bestowed on all enow.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Vergen" is the modern Pforing, below Ingolstadt. A ferry
across the river existed here from ancient times.
(2) "Pilgrim", or "Pilgerin", as he is variously called, is an
historical personage. He was bishop of Passau from 971 to
991. Without doubt he is a late introduction, according to
Boer between 1181 and 1185. See Boer, ii, 204, and E.L.
Dummler, "Pilgrim von Passau", Leipzig, 1854.
(3) "Enns" (M.H.G. "Ens") is one of the tributaries of the
Danube, flowing into it about eleven miles southeast of
Linz.
(4) "Efferding" (M.H.G. "Everdingen") is a town on the Danube,
about thirteen miles west of Linz.
(5) "Traun" (M.H.G. "Trune") is a river of Upper Austria,
forty-four miles southeast of Linz.
(6) "Truncheons", see Adventure II, note 8.
(7) "Botelung's son" is Attila, who is so called in our poem, in
the "Klage", and in "Biterolf". In the earlier Norse
version "Atli" is the son of "Budli". (On this point see
Mullenhoff, "Zur Geschichte der Nibelungensage", p. 106, and
Zsfd A., x, 161, and Bleyer, PB. Beit. xxxi, 459, where the
names are shown to be identical.)
(8) "Medelick" is the modern Mölk, or Melk, a town on the Danube
near the influx of the Bilach. It lies at the foot of a
granite cliff on which stands a famous Benedictine abbey.
(9) "Astolt" appears only in this passage; nothing else is known
of him.
(10) "Mautern" is situated at the influx of the Flanitz, opposite
Stein in Lower Austria.
(11) "Traisem", Traisen, is a tributary of the Danube in Lower
Austria, emptying near Traismauer.
(12) "Zeisenmauer" (M.H.G. "Zeizenmure"). All the MSS. but C and
D have this reading. The latter have "Treysenmoure" and
"treisem moure", which corresponds better to the modern
name, as Zeiselmauer lies between Tulln and Vienna. It is
possible, however, that the town on the Traisem was
originally called Zeiselmauer, as the road leading from
Traismauer to Tulln still bears the name of Zeiselstrasse.
See Lachmann, "Anmerkungen", 1272, 3, and Piper, ii, 289,
note to str. 1333.
ADVENTURE XXII. How Etzel Made Kriemhild His Bride.
Until the fourth day she stayed at Zeisenmauer. The while the dust upon
the highway never came to rest, but rose on every side, as if it were
burning, where King Etzel's liegemen rode through Austria. Then the
king was told aright how royally Kriemhild fared through the lands; at
thought of this his sorrows vanished. He hasted to where he found the
lovely Kriemhild. Men saw ride before King Etzel on the road many bold
knights of many tongues and many mighty troops of Christians and of
paynims. When they met the lady, they rode along in lordly wise. Of
the Russians and the Greeks there rode there many a man. The right good
steeds of the Poles and Wallachians were seen to gallop swiftly, as they
rode with might and main. Each did show the customs of his land.
From the land of Kiev (1) there rode many a warrior and the savage
Petschenegers. (2) With the bow they often shot at the birds which flew
there; to the very head they drew the arrows on the bows.
By the Danube there lieth in the Austrian land a town that men call
Tulna. (3) There she became acquaint with many a foreign custom, the
which size had never seen afore. She greeted there enow who later came
through her to grief. Before Etzel there rode a retinue, merry and
noble, courtly and lusty, full four and twenty princes, mighty and of
lofty birth. They would fain behold their lady and craved naught more.
Duke Ramung (4) of Wallachia, with seven hundred vassals, galloped up
before her; like flying birds men saw them ride. Then came Prince Gibeck
with lordly bands. The doughty Hornbog, (5) with full a thousand men,
wheeled from the king away towards the queen. Loudly they shouted after
the custom of their land. Madly too rode the kinsmen of the Huns. Then
came brave Hawart (6) of Denmark and the doughty Iring, (7) free of
guile was he, and Irnfried (8) of Thuringia, a stately man. With twelve
hundred vassals, whom they had in their band, they greeted Kriemhild,
so that she had therefrom great worship. Then came Sir Bloedel, (9)
King Etzel's brother, from the Hunnish land, with three thousand men.
In lordly wise he rode to where he found the queen. Then King Etzel
came and Sir Dietrich, too, with all his fellowship. There stood many
worshipful knights, noble, worthy, and good. At this Dame Kriemhild's
spirits rose.
Then Sir Rudeger spake to the queen: "Lady, here will I receive the
high-born king; whomso I bid you kiss, that must ye do. Forsooth ye may
not greet alike King Etzel's men."
From the palfrey they helped the royal queen alight. Etzel, the mighty,
bode no more, but dismounted from his steed with many a valiant man.
Joyfully men saw them go towards Kriemhild. Two mighty princes, as we
are told, walked by the lady and bore her train, when King Etzel went
to meet her, where she greeted the noble lording with a kiss in gracious
wise. She raised her veil and from out the gold beamed forth her rosy
hue. Many a man stood there who vowed that Lady Helca could not have
been more fair than she. Close by stood also Bloedel, the brother of the
king. Him Rudeger, the mighty margrave, bade her kiss and King Gibeck,
too. There also stood Sir Dietrich. Twelve of the warriors the king's
bride kissed. She greeted many knights in other ways.
All the while that Etzel stood at Kriemhild's side, the youthful
warriors did as people still are wont to do. One saw them riding many a
royal joust. This Christian champions did and paynim, too, according
to their custom. In what right knightly wise the men of Dietrich made
truncheons from the shafts fly through the air, high above the shields,
from the hands of doughty knights! Many a buckler's edge was pierced
through and through by the German strangers. Great crashing of breaking
shafts was heard. All the warriors from the land were come and the
king's guests, too, many a noble man.
Then the mighty king betook him hence with Lady Kriemhild. Hard by them
a royal tent was seen to stand; around about the plain was filled with
booths, where they should rest them after their toils. Many a comely
maid was shown to her place thereunder by the knights, where she then
sate with the queen on richly covered chairs. The margrave had so well
purveyed the seats for Kriemhild, that all found them passing good; at
this King Etzel grew blithe of mood. What the king there spake, I know
not. In his right lay her snow-white hand; thus they sate in lover's
wise, since Rudeger would not let the king make love to Kriemhild
secretly.
Then one bade the tourney cease on every side; in courtly wise the
great rout ended. Etzel's men betook them to the booths; men gave them
lodgings stretching far away on every side. The day had now an end; they
lay at ease, till the bright morn was seen to dawn again, then many a
man betook him to the steeds. Ho, what pastimes they gan ply in honor of
the king! Etzel bade the Huns purvey all with fitting honors. Then they
rode from Tulna to the town of Vienna, where they found many a dame
adorned. With great worship these greeted King Etzel's bride. There was
ready for them in great plenty whatever they should have. Many a lusty
hero rejoiced at prospect of the rout.
The king's wedding feast commenced in merry wise. They began to lodge
the guests, but quarters could not be found for all within the town.
Rudeger therefore begged those that were not guests to take lodgings in
the country round about. I ween men found all time by Lady Kriemhild,
Sir Dietrich and many another knight. Their rest they had given over
for toil, that they might purvey the guests good cheer. Rudeger and his
friends had pastime good. The wedding feast fell on a Whitsuntide,
when King Etzel lay by Kriemhild in the town of Vienna. With her first
husband, I trow, she did not win so many men for service. Through
presents she made her known to those who had never seen her. Full many
among them spake to the guests: "We weened that Lady Kriemhild had
naught of goods, now hath she wrought many wonders with her gifts."
The feasting lasted seventeen days. I trow men can no longer tell of any
king whose wedding feast was greater. If so be, 'tis hidden from us.
All that were present wore brand-new garments. I ween, she never dwelt
before in Netherland with such retinue of knights. Though Siegfried was
rich in goods, I trow, he never won so many noble men-at-arms, as she
saw stand 'fore Etzel. Nor hath any ever given at his own wedding feast
so many costly mantles, long and wide, nor such good clothes, of which
all had here great store, given for Kriemhild's sake. Her friends and
the strangers, too, were minded to spare no kind of goods. Whatever any
craved, this they willingly gave, so that many of the knights through
bounty stood bereft of clothes. Kriemhild thought of how she dwelt with
her noble husband by the Rhine; her eyes grew moist, but she hid it full
well, that none might see it. Great worship had been done her after
many a grief. Whatever bounty any used, 'twas but a wind to that of
Dietrich. What Botelung's son had given him, was squandered quite.
Rudeger's lavish hand did also many wonders. Prince Bloedel of Hungary
bade empty many traveling chests of their silver and their gold; all
this was given away. The king's champions were seen to live right
merrily. Werbel and Swemmel, (10) the minstrels of the king, each gained
at the wedding feast, I ween, full thousand marks, or even better, when
fair Kriemhild sate crowned at Etzel's side.
On the eighteenth morning they rode forth from Vienna. Many shields were
pierced in tilting by spears, which the warriors bare in hand. Thus King
Etzel came down to the Hunnish land. They spent the night at ancient
Heimburg. (11) No one might know the press of folk, or with what force
they rode across the land. Ho, what fair women they found in Etzel's
native land! At mighty Misenburg (12) they boarded ship. The water which
men saw flowing there was covered with steeds and men, as if it were
solid earth. The wayworn ladies had their ease and rest. Many good ships
were lashed together, that neither waves nor flood might do them harm.
Upon them many a goodly tent was spread, as if they still had both land
and plain.
From thence tidings came to Etzelburg, (13) at which both men and
wives therein were glad. Helca's meiny, that aforetime waited on their
mistress, passed many a happy day thereafter at Kriemhild's side. There
many a noble maid stood waiting, who had great grief through Helca's
death. Kriemhild found still seven royal princesses there, through whom
all Etzel's land was graced. For the meiny the high-born maiden Herrat
(14) cared, the daughter of Helca's sister, beseen with many courtly
virtues, the betrothed of Dietrich, a royal child, King Nentwin's (15)
daughter; much worship she later had. Blithe of heart she was at the
coming of the guests; for this, too, mighty treasures were prepared.
Who might tell the tale of how the king held court? Never had men lived
better among the Huns with any queen.
When that the king with his wife rode from the shore, the noble
Kriemhild was told full well who each one was; she greeted them the
better. Ho, how royally she ruled in Helca's stead! She became acquaint
with much loyal service. Then the queen dealt out gold and vesture, silk
and precious stones. Whatever she brought with her across the Rhine to
Hungary must needs be given all away. All the king's kinsmen and all
his liegemen then owned her service, so that Lady Helca never ruled so
mightily as she, whom they now must serve till Kriemhild's death. The
court and all the land lived in such high honors, that all time men
found the pastimes which each heart desired, through the favor of the
king and his good queen.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Kiev" (M.H.G. "Kiew") is now a government in the
southwestern part of Russia. Its capital of the same name,
situated on the Dnieper, is the oldest of the better known
cities of Russia, and in the latter Middle Ages was an
important station of the Hanseatic league.
(2) "Petschenegers", a Turkish tribe originally dwelling to the
north of the Caspian. By conquest they acquired a kingdom
extending from the Don to Transylvania. They were feared
for their ferociousness and because they continually invaded
the surrounding countries, especially Kiev.
(3) "Tulna" (M.H.G. "Tulne") is the modern Tulln, a walled town
of Lower Austria, seventeen miles northwest of Vienna on the
Danube.
(4) "Ramung and Gibeck" (M.H.G. "Gibeche") appear only in our
poem, nothing else is known of them.
(5) "Hornbog" is frequently mentioned in the "Thidreksaga", but
nothing otherwise is known of him.
(6) "Hawart" is perhaps identical with the Saxon duke Hadugot,
who is reputed to have played an important part in the
conquest of Thuringia. He evidently comes from the Low
German version.
(7) "Iring" is considered by Wilmanns to have been originally an
ancient deity, as the Milky Way is called "Iringe straze" or
"Iringi". He occurs in a legend of the fall of the
Thuringian kingdom, where he played such a prominent role
that the Milky Way was named after him. See W. Grimm,
"Heldensage", p. 394, who thinks, however, that the
connection of Iring with the Milky Way is the result of a
confusion.
(8) "Irnfried" is considered to be Hermanfrid of Thuringia, who
was overthrown and killed in A.D. 535 by Theuderich with the
aid of the Saxons. See Felix Dahn, "Urgeschichte", iii,
73-79. He, too, comes from the Low German tradition.
(9) "Bloedel" is Bleda, the brother of Attila, with whom he
reigned conjointly from A.D. 433 to 445. In our poem the
name appears frequently with the diminutive ending, as
"Bloedelin".
(10) "Werbel and Swemmel", who doubtless owe their introduction
to some minstrel, enjoy special favor and are intrusted with
the important mission of inviting the Burgundians to Etzel's
court, an honor that would hardly be accorded to persons of
their rank. Swemmel appears mostly in the diminutive form
"Swemmelin".
(11) "Heimburg" lies on the Danube near the Hungarian border.
(12) "Misenburg" is the modern Wieselburg on the Danube,
twenty-one miles southeast of Pressburg.
(13) "Etzelburg" was later identified with the old part of
Budapest, called in German "Ofen", through the influence of
Hungarish legends, but, as G. Heinrich has shown, had no
definite localization in the older M.H.G. epics. See
Bleyer, PB. Belt. xxxi 433 and 506. The name occurs in
documents as late as the fifteenth century.
(14) "Herrat", the daughter of King "Nentwin" is frequently
mentioned in the "Thidreksaga" as Dietrich's betrothed. She
is spoken of as the exiled maid.
(15) "Nentwin" is not found in any other saga, and nothing else
is known of him. See W. Grimm, "Heldensage", 103.
ADVENTURE XXIII. How Kriemhild Thought To Avenge Her Wrongs.
With great worship of a truth they lived together until the seventh
year. In this time the queen was delivered of a son, at which King Etzel
could not have been more joyful. She would not turn back, until she
brought it to pass that Etzel's child was christened after the Christian
rite. Men named it Ortlieb; (1) at this great joy arose over all of
Etzel's lands. Whatever courtly breeding Lady Helca had possessed, Dame
Kriemhild practiced this full many a day. Herrat, the exiled maid, who
in secret grieved full sore for Helca, taught her the customs. Well was
she known to the strangers and the home-folk. They vowed that never had
a kingdom had a better or more bounteous queen. This they held for true.
She bare this praise among the Huns until the thirteenth year. Now wot
she well, that none would thwart her, as royal men-at-arms still do to a
prince's wife, and that all time she saw twelve kings stand before
her. Over many a wrong she brooded, that had happed to her at home. She
thought likewise on the many honors in the Nibelung land, which she
had there enjoyed and of which Hagen's hand had quite bereft her at
Siegfried's death, and if perchance she might not make him suffer for
his deed. "That would hap, if I might but bring him to this land." She
dreamed that Giselher, her brother, walked often with her hand in hand.
Alway she kissed him in her gentle slumber; later suffering came to
both. I ween, the foul fiend did counsel Kriemhild this, that she
withdrew her friendship from Giselher, whom for forgiveness' sake she
had kissed in the Burgundian land. At this hot tears again gan soil her
robe. Early and late it lay within her heart, how without fault of hers
they had made her wed a heathen man. Hagen and Gunther had brought her
to this pass. This wish she seldom gave over in her heart. She thought:
"I am so mighty and have such great wealth, that I can do my foes an
injury yet. Full ready would I be for this towards Hagen of Troneg. My
heart doth often yearn for my faithful kin. Might I be with those who
did me wrong, my lover's death would be well avenged. Scarce can I abide
this," spake Etzel's wife.
All the king's men, Kriemhild's warriors, bare her love in duty bound.
Of the chamber Eckewart had charge, which won him friends. None might
gainsay Dame Kriemhild's will. All time she thought: "I will beg the
king, that he in kindly wise may grant me to bring my kinsmen to the
Hunnish land." None marked the evil purpose of the queen. One night when
she lay by the king, and he did hold her in his arms, as he was wont
to love the noble dame, who was dear to him as life, the high-born lady
thought her of her foes. To the king she spake: "Dear my lord, I would
fain beseech you, by your grace, that ye would show me that ye did love
my kinsfolk, if I have earned the favor."
Then spake the king (true was his heart): "I'll give you to know however
well the knights may fare, I may well have joy of this, for never have I
won better kin through woman's love."
Again the queen spake: "It hath been well told you, that I have
high-born kin; therefore do I grieve that they so seldom reck to see me
here. I hear the folk aver that I be banished."
Then spake king Etzel: "Dear lady mine, and it think you not too far,
I'll bid hither to my lands, from across the Rhine, whomso ye be fain to
see."
The lady joyed her when she heard his will. She spake: "Would ye show me
your faith, my lord, then send envoys to Worms across the Rhine, through
whom I may tell my kinsfolk what I have in mind. Thus there will come
hither to our land many a noble knight and a good."
He answered: "It shall hap whenso ye bid. Ye might not be more glad to
see your kin than I to see the sons of the noble Uta. It doth irk me
sore, that they have been strangers to us so long a time. If it please
you, dear lady mine, I would fain send my minstrels for your kinsmen to
the Burgundian land."
He bade the good minstrels be fetched straightway. Quickly they hasted
to where the king sate by the queen. He told the twain they should be
envoys to the Burgundian land and bade full lordly weeds be made ready
for them. Clothing was prepared for four and twenty warriors, and the
message was told them by the king, how they should bid Gunther and his
liegemen hither. Kriemhild, the queen, talked with them apart. Then
spake the mighty king: "I'll tell you what to say. I offer to my kin my
love and service, that it may please them to ride hither to my land. But
few such welcome guests have I known, and if they perchance will fulfill
my wish, tell Kriemhild's kinsmen that they must not fall to come this
summer to my feast, for much of my joy doth lie upon the kinsmen of my
wife."
Then spake the minstrel, the proud Swemmel: "When shall your feasting be
in these lands, that I may tell it yonder to your kin?"