"We'll do as ye command," spake then Werbel.
The queen bade them be brought secretly unto her bower, where she
then talked with the envoys. From this but little joy happed to many a
knight. To the two messengers she spake: "Now earn ye mickle goods, in
that ye do my pleasure full willingly and give the message which I send
to my native land. I'll make you rich in goods and give you the lordly
robes. And if ye see any of my kin at Worms upon the Rhine, ye must not
tell them that ye ever saw me sad of heart. Tender my service to the
heroes brave and good. Beg that they do as the king doth bid and thus
part me from all my grief. The Huns ween, I be without kith and kin.
Were I a knight, I'd visit them myself at times. And say to Gernot, too,
the noble brother of mine, that none in the world doth love him more.
Beg him to bring with him to this land our best of friends, that it may
be to our honor. Say also to Giselher, that he remember well, I never
gained grief through fault of his. Therefore would mine eyes fain sue
him. For his great loyalty I would gladly have him here. Tell my mother
also of the honors which I have, and if Hagen of Troneg be minded to
stay at home, who then should lead them through the lands? From a child
he knoweth the roads to Hungary." (2)
The envoys wist not, why it was done, that they should not let Hagen of
Troneg stay upon the Rhine. Later it repented them full sore. With him
many a knight was doomed to a savage death. Letters and messages had now
been given them. They rode forth rich in goods, and well could lead a
sumptuous life. Of Etzel and his fair wife they took their leave, their
persons adorned full well with goodly weeds.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Ortlieb" is not historical, and in the "Thidreksaga"
Etzel's son is called Aldrian. Bleyer, "Die germanischen
Elemente der ungarischen, Hunnensage", PB. Beit. xxxi, 570,
attempt to prove the identity of the names by means of a
form "Arda", giving on the one hand Hungarian "Aladar",
"Aldrian", on the other German "Arte", "Orte".
(2) "Hungary". According to the account in "Waltharius", Hagen
spent his youth as a hostage at Etzel's court.
ADVENTURE XXIV. How Werbel And Swemmel Brought The Message.
When that Etzel had sent his envoys to the Rhine, these tidings flew
from land to land. Through full speedy messengers he begged and bade to
his high feasting. From this many a one met there his death. The envoys
rode away from the Hunnish land to Burgundy. They were sent thither for
three noble kings and for their men, that these should come to Etzel;
therefore all gan haste. To Bechelaren they came a-riding, where served
them gladly. Rudeger and Gotelind and the child of them twain delayed
not to send their service through the envoys to the Rhine. Nor did
they let them part hence without gifts, that Etzel's men might fare
the better. To Uta and her sons Rudeger sent word that they had no more
loyal margrave than he. To Brunhild, also, they tendered service and
good wishes, constant fealty and a loving mind. When they heard the
speech that the envoys would ride, the margravine begged God in heaven
to keep them well.
Before the messengers were quite come through Bavarian land, the doughty
Werbel sought out the good Bishop Pilgrim. What word he sent to his kin
upon the Rhine, that I know not, but naught but ruddy gold he gave the
messengers for love and let them ride.
Then spake the bishop: "And might I see them here, my sister's sons, I
should be blithe of mood, for full seldom can I come to them upon the
Rhine."
What roads they traveled to the Rhine, I cannot tell. None robbed them
of their silver and their weeds; men feared their master's wrath. Certes
the noble high-born king was a mighty lord.
Within a twelfth night Werbel and Swemmel came to the Rhine, to the land
of Worms. To the kings and their liegemen tidings were told that there
came strange messengers. Gunther, the lord of the Rhineland, gan ask:
"Who will do us to wit, from whence these strangers ride into our land?"
This none wist, till Hagen of Troneg saw them, who then spake to
Gunther: "New tidings be come to us, as I will vouch, for I have seen
King Etzel's minstrels here. Them your sister hath sent to the Rhine;
for their master's sake we must give them a kindly welcome."
Already they were riding up before the palace; never did a prince's
minstrels journey in more lordly wise. Straightway the king's meiny
bade them welcome. Men gave them lodgings and bade take in charge their
trappings. Their traveling clothes were rich and so well fashioned that
with honor they might come before the king, but they would not wear them
longer there at court, and asked if there were any that desired them.
At the selfsame moment folk were found who fain would take them, and to
these they were sent. Then the strangers donned far better weeds, such
as well befitted king's messengers for to wear.
Then Etzel's retainers went by leave to where the king was sitting; men
saw this gladly. Hagen sprang courteously towards the messengers and
greeted them in loving wise. For this the squires did say him thanks.
That he might know their tidings, he gan ask how Etzel fared and all his
men. Then spake the minstrel: "Never did the land stand better, nor were
the folk more merry; now know that of a truth."
To the host they went; the hall was full. There men received the guests,
as one must do by right, when kindly greetings be sent to the lands of
other kings. Werbel found full many warriors there at Gunther's side.
In courteous wise the king gan greet them: "Ye minstrels of the Huns
and all your fellowship, be ye welcome. Hath the mighty Etzel sent you
hither to the Burgundian land?"
To the king they bowed; then spake Werbel: "My dear lord, and also
Kriemhild, your sister, do send you loyal service to this land. They
have sent us to you knights in all good faith."
Spake the mighty prince: "Merry am I at this tale. How fareth Etzel," so
asked the knight, "and Kriemhild, my sister, of the Hunnish land?"
Quoth the minstrel: "This tale I'll tell you; ye should know that never
have folk fared better than the twain and all their followers, their
kinsmen and their vassals. They joyed them of the journey, as we
departed hence."
"Gramercy for his greetings which he hath sent me, and for those of
my sister, sith it standeth so that the king and his men live thus in
happiness, for I did ask the news in fear and trembling."
The two young princes were now also come, for they had but just heard
the tale. For the sake of his sister Giselher, the youth, was fain to
see the envoys. He spake to them in loving wise: "Ye messengers, be
very welcome to us. An' ye would ride more often hither to the Rhine,
ye would find friends here whom ye would be glad to see. Little of harm
shall hap you in this land."
"We trust you in all honor," spake then Swemmel. "I could not convey to
you with all my wits, how lovingly king Etzel and your noble sister, who
live in such great worship, have sent their greetings. The queen doth
mind you of your love and fealty, and that your heart and mind did ever
hold her dear. But first and foremost we be sent to the king, that ye
may deign to ride to Etzel's land. The mighty Etzel enjoined us strictly
to beg you this and sent the message to you all, that if ye would not
let your sister see you, he fain would know what he had done you that
ye be so strange to him and to his lands. An' ye had never known the
queen, yet would he fain bring it to pass that consent to come and see
him. It would please him well if that might hap."
Then spake King Gunther: "In a sennight I will tell you the tale of what
I have bethought me with my friends. Meanwhile hie you to your lodgings
and rest you well."
Quoth Werbel again: "And could that be that we might see my lady, the
royal Uta, afore we take our easement?"
The noble Giselher spake then full courteously: "None shall hinder that.
An' ye would go before her, ye will do in full my mother's wish, for she
will gladly see you for my sister's sake, the Lady Kriemhild; she will
make you welcome."
Giselher led them to where they found the queen. Gladly she gazed upon
the envoys from the Hunnish land. Through her courtesie she gave them
gentle greeting. The good and courtly messengers then told their tale.
"My lady offereth you of a truth," so spake Swemmel, "her love and duty.
Might that be that she could see you oft, ye may well believe she had no
better joy in all the world."
Then spake the queen: "That may not be. However gladly I would often
see the dear daughter of mine, yet doth the wife of the noble king live,
alas, too far from me. May she and Etzel be ever blessed. Pray let me
know before ye leave, when ye would hence again; not in a long time have
I seen messengers so gladly as I have you." The squires vowed that this
should hap.
Those from the Hunnish land now rode to their lodgings. Meanwhile the
mighty king had sent to fetch his friends. The noble Gunther asked his
liegemen how they liked the speech. Many a one gan say that the king
well might ride to Etzel's land. The very best among them advised him
this, save Hagen alone; him misliked it sore. Privily he spake to the
king: "Ye fight against yourself; ye know full well what we have done.
We may well be ever on our guard with Kriemhild, for with mine own hand
I slew her husband to death. How durst we ride to Etzel's land?"
Then spake the mighty king: "My sister gave over her wrath; with a kiss
she lovingly forgave what we had done her, or ever she rode away. Unless
be that the feud doth stand against you alone."
Quoth Hagen: "Now let the messengers from the Huns beguile you not,
whatsoever they say. Would ye visit Kriemhild, easily may ye lose there
both life and honor. Full long of vengeance is King Etzel's wife."
Then spake Prince Gernot to the council: "Why should we give it over,
because ye rightly fear death in the Hunnish lands? It were an ill deed
not to go to see our sister."
Then spake Prince Giselher to the knight: "Sith ye know you to be
guilty, friend Hagen, ye should stay at home and guard you well, and let
those who dare ride with us to my sister."
At this the knight of Troneg grew wroth of mood. "I will not that ye
take any with you on the way, who durst better ride to court than I.
Sith ye will not turn you, I will well show you that."
Then spake the master of the kitchen, Rumolt, the knight: "Ye can well
have the strangers and the home-folk cared for here, after your own
desire, for ye have full store of goods. I ween, Hagen hath never given
you for a hostage; (1) but if ye will not follow him, Rumolt adviseth
you, for I be bound to you in fealty and duty, that for my sake ye abide
here and leave King Etzel there with Kriemhild. How might it fare more
gently with you in all the world? Ye be well able to stand before your
foes; so deck your body out with brave attire, drink the best of wine,
and pay court to stately ladies. Thereto ye be served with the best of
food that ever king did gain in the world. And were this not so, yet
should ye tarry here for your fair wife's sake, before ye risk your life
so childishly. Wherefore I do counsel you to stay at home. Your lands be
rich, and one can redeem his pledges better at home than among the Huns.
Who knoweth how it standeth there? Ye should stay at home, Sire, that is
Rumolt's counsel."
"We will not stay," quoth Gernot. "Sith my sister and the mighty Etzel
have bidden us in such friendly wise, why should we not accept? He that
liketh not to go may stay at home."
To This Hagen answered: "Take not my speech amiss, however ye may fare.
In all truth I counsel you, would ye guard your lives, then ride to the
Huns well armed. Sith ye will not turn you, send for your men-at-arms,
the best ye have or can find in any part; from among them all I'll
choose a thousand doughty knights. Then Kriemhild's evil mood can bring
you naught of harm."
"This rede I'll gladly follow," spake straightway the king. He then
bade messengers ride far and wide throughout his lands. Three thousand
champions or more they fetched. Little they weened to gain such grievous
woe. Full merrily they rode to Gunther's court. Men bade give all that
were to ride forth from Burgundy both steeds and trappings. The king
gained full many a one with willing mood. Then Hagen of Troneg bade his
brother Dankwart lead eighty of their warriors to the Rhine. In knightly
guise they came; these doughty men took with them harness and trappings
into Gunther's land. Then came bold Folker, a noble minstrel he,
with thirty of his men for the journey to Kriemhild's court. They had
clothing such as a king might wear. Gunther bade make known, he would to
the Hunnish land. I'll do you now to wit who Folker was. He was a noble
lord, the liege of many doughty knights in Burgundy. A minstrel he was
called, for that he wist how to fiddle. Hagen chose a thousand whom
he well knew; oft had he seen what their hands had wrought in press of
battle, or in whatever else they did. None might aver aught else of them
than doughtiness.
The tarrying irked Kriemhild's envoys sore, for great was their fear of
their lord. Daily they craved leave to go; this Hagen would not grant
through craftiness. To his master he spake: "We should well guard
against letting them ride away, until we ourselves fare forth a sennight
later to Etzel's land. If any beareth us ill will, the better shall we
wot it. Nor may Lady Kriemhild then make ready that through any plan of
hers, men do us harm. An' this be her will, she'll fare full ill, for
many a chosen liegeman had we hence."
Shields and saddles, and all the garments that they would take with them
to Etzel's land, were now full ready for many a brave man-at-arms. Now
men bade Kriemhild's messengers go before King Gunther. When they were
come, Gernot spake: "The king will do as Etzel asked us, we will gladly
come to his high feast to see our sister; be no more in doubt of that."
Then King Gunther spake: "Wist ye how to tell us, when this feast shall
be, or in what time we should go thither?"