The hero then sprang nearer and with a sharp sword smote Gelfrat such a
blow that he fell down dead. Else then would fain avenge the knight, but
he and his fellowship parted from the fray with scathe. His brother had
been slain, he himself was wounded; full eighty of his knights remained
with grim death behind upon the field. Their lord must needs turn in
flight from Gunther's men.
When those from the Bavarian land gave way and fled, one heard the
savage blows resound behind them. Those of Troneg chased their foes;
they were in passing haste, who had not weened to make amends. Then
spake Dankwart, the knight, in their pursuit: "Let us turn soon on this
road and let them ride, for they be wet with blood. Haste we to our
friends, this I advise you of a truth."
When they were come again, where the scathe had happed, Hagen of Troneg
spake: "Heroes, prove now what doth fail us here, or whom we have lost
in the strife through Gelfrat's wrath."
Four they had lost whom they must needs bewail. But they had been paid
for dearly; for them a hundred or better from the Bavarian land were
slain. From their blood the shields of the men of Troneg were dimmed
and wet. Through the clouds there partly broke the gleam of the shining
moon, as Hagen spake again: "Let none make known to my dear lords what
we have wrought here to-day. Let them rest without care until the morn."
When those who just had fought were now come again, the fellowship was
full weary from the way. "How long must we still ride?" asked many a
man.
Then spake the bold Dankwart: "We may not find lodgings here, ye must
all ride until the day be come."
The doughty Folker, who had charge of the fellowship, bade ask the
marshal: "Where may we find a place to-night, where our steeds may rest
and our dear lords as well?"
Bold Dankwart answered: "I cannot tell you that, we may not rest till
it begin to dawn. Wherever then we find a chance, we'll lay us down upon
the grass."
How loth it was to some when they heard this tale! They remained
unmarked with their stains of warm red blood, until the sun shot his
gleaming light against the morn across the hills. Then the king beheld
that they had fought. Wrathfully the hero spake: "How now, friend Hagen?
I ween, ye scorned to have me with you when your rings grew wet with
blood? Who hath done this?"
Quoth he: "This Else did, who encountered us by night. We were attacked
because of his ferryman. Then my brother's hand smote Gelfrat down. Else
soon escaped us, constrained thereto by mickle need. A hundred of them
and but four of ours lay dead in the strife."
We cannot tell you where they laid them down to rest. All of the folk
of the land learned soon that the sons of the noble Uta rode to court.
Later they were well received at Passau. The uncle of the noble king,
the Bishop Pilgrim, was blithe of mood, as his nephews came to his land
with so many knights. That he bare them good will, they learned full
soon. Well were they greeted, too, by friends along the way, sith men
could not lodge them all at Passau. They had to cross the stream to
where they found a field on which they set up pavilions and costly
tents. All one day they must needs stay there, and a full night too.
What good cheer men gave them! After that they had to ride to Rudeger's
land, to whom the tidings were brought full soon. When the way-worn
warriors had rested them and came nearer to the Hunnish land, they found
a man asleep upon the border, from whom Hagen of Troneg won a sturdy
sword. The same good knight hight Eckewart (3) in truth; sad of mood he
grew, that he lost his weapon through the journey of the knights. They
found Rudeger's marches guarded ill.
"Woe is me of this shame," spake Eckewart. "Certes this journey of the
Burgundians rueth me full sore. My joy hath fled, sith I lost Knight
Siegfried. Alas, Sir Rudeger, how I have acted toward thee!"
When Hagen heard the noble warrior's plight, he gave him back his sword
and six red arm bands. "These keep, Sir Knight, as a token that thou art
my friend. A bold knight thou art, though thou standest alone upon the
marches."
"God repay you for your arm bands," Eckewart replied. "Yet your journey
to the Huns doth rue me sore. Because ye slew Siegfried, men hate you
here. I counsel you in truth, that ye guard you well."
"Now may God protect us," answered Hagen. "These knights, the kings and
their liegemen, have forsooth no other care, save for their lodgement,
where we may find quarters in this land to-night. Our steeds be spent by
the distant way and our food run out," quoth Hagen, the knight. "We
find naught anywhere for sale, and have need of a host, who through his
courtesie would give us of his bread to-night."
Then Eckewart made answer: "I'll show you a host so good that full
seldom have ye been lodged so well in any land, as here may hap you, an'
ye will seek out Rudeger, ye doughty knights. He dwelleth by the highway
and is the best host that ever owned a house. His heart giveth birth to
courtesie, as the sweet May doth to grass and flowers. He is aye merry
of mood, when he can serve good knights."
At this King Gunther spake: "Will ye be my messenger and ask whether my
dear friend Rudeger will for my sake keep us, my kinsmen and our men? I
will repay thee this, as best I ever can."
"Gladly will I be the messenger," Eckewart replied. With a right good
will he gat him on the road and told Rudeger the message he had heard,
to whom none such pleasing news had come in many a day.
At Bechelaren men saw a knight pricking fast. Rudeger himself descried
him; he spake: "Upon the road yonder hasteth Eckewart, a liegeman of
Kriemhild."
He weened the foes had done him scathe. Before the gate he went to meet
the messenger, who ungirt his sword and laid it from his hand. The
tales he brought were not hidden from the host and his friends, but were
straightway told them. To the margrave he spake: "Gunther, the lord of
the Burgundian land, and Giselher, his brother, and Gernot, too, have
sent me hither to you. Each of the warriors tendered you his service.
Hagen and Folker, too, eagerly did the same in truth. Still more I'll
tell you, that the king's marshal sendeth you by me the message, that
the good knights have passing need of your lodgement."
Rudeger answered with a smile: "Now well is me of these tales, that
the high-born kings do reck of my service. It shall not be denied them.
Merry and blithe will I be, an' they come unto my house."
"Dankwart, the marshal, bade let you know whom ye should lodge in your
house with them: sixty doughty champions, a thousand good knights, and
nine thousand men-at-arms."
Merry of mood grew Rudeger; he spake: "Now well is me of these guests,
that these noble warriors be coming to my house, whom I have served as
yet full seldom. Now ride ye forth for to meet them, my kinsmen and my
men."
Knights and squires now hied them to their horses; it thought them
right, which their lord did bid. All the more they hasted with their
service. As yet Lady Gotelind wist it not, who sate within her bower.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Adventure XXVI". This adventure is a late interpolation,
as it is not found in the "Thidreksaga". Originally the
river must be thought of as separating them from Etzel's
kingdom.
(2) "Moering" (M.H.G. "Moeringen") lies between Pforing and
Ingolstadt. In the "Thidreksaga" we are told that the
mermaids were bathing in a body of water called "Moere",
whereas in our poem they bathe in a spring. This may be the
original form of the account and the form here contaminated.
See Boer, i, 134.
(3) "Eckewart", see Adventure I, note 15. It will be remembered
that he accompanied Kriemhild first to the Netherlands, then
stayed with her at Worms after Siegfried's death, and
finally journeyed with her to Etzel's court. Originally he
must be thought of as guarding the boundary of Etzel's land.
Without doubt he originally warned the Burgundians, as in
the early Norse versions, where Kriemhild fights on the side
of her brothers, but since this duty was given to Dietrich,
he has nothing to do but to announce their arrival to
Rudeger. His sleeping here may, however, be thought to
indicate that it was too late to warn Gunther and his men.
ADVENTURE XXVII. How They Came To Bechelaren.
Then the margrave went to where he found the ladies, his wife with his
daughter, and told them straightway the pleasing tidings he had heard,
that the brothers of their lady were coming thither to their house.
"My dearest love," quoth Rudeger, "ye must receive full well the noble
high-born kings, when they come here to court with their fellowship. Ye
must give fair greeting, too, to Hagen, Gunther's man. With them there
cometh one also, hight Dankwart; the other is named Folker, well beseen
with courtesie. Ye and my daughter must kiss these and abide by the
knights with gentle breeding." This the ladies vowed; quite ready they
were to do it. From the chests they hunted out the lordly robes in which
they would go to meet the warriors. Fair dames were passing busy on
that day. Men saw but little of false colors on the ladies' cheeks;
upon their heads they wore bright bands of gold. Rich chaplets (1) these
were, that the winds might not dishevel their comely hair, and this is
true i' faith.
Let us now leave the ladies with these tasks. Much hasting over the
plain was done by Rudeger's friends, to where one found the lordings,
whom men then received well into the margrave's land. When the margrave,
the doughty Rudeger, saw them coming toward him, how joyfully he spake:
"Be ye welcome, fair sirs, and your liegemen, too. I be fain to see you
in my land." Low obeisance the knights then made, in good faith, without
all hate. That he bare them all good will, he showed full well. Hagen
he gave a special greeting, for him had he known of yore. (2) To Folker
from Burgundy land he did the same. Dankwart he welcomed, too. The bold
knight spake: "Sith ye will purvey us knights, who shall have a care for
our men-at-arms whom we have brought?"
Quoth the margrave: "A good night shall ye have and all your fellowship.
I'll purvey such guard for whatever ye have brought with you, of steeds
and trappings, that naught shall be lost, that might bring you harm, not
even a single spur. Ye footmen pitch the tents upon the plain. What ye
lose I'll pay in full. Take off the bridles, let the horses run."
Seldom had host done this for them afore. Therefore the guests made
merry. When that was done, the lordings rode away and the footmen laid
them everywhere upon the grass. Good ease they had; I ween, they never
fared so gently on the way. The noble margravine with her fair daughter
was come out before the castle. One saw stand by her side the lovely
ladies and many a comely maid. Great store of armlets and princely
robes they wore. The precious stones gleamed afar from out their passing
costly weeds. Fair indeed were they fashioned.
Then came the guests and alighted there straightway. Ho, what great
courtesie one found among the Burgundian men! Six and thirty maids and
many other dames, whose persons were wrought as fair as heart could
wish, went forth to meet them with many a valiant man. Fair greetings
were given there by noble dames. The young margravine kissed all three
kings, as did her mother, too. Close at hand stood Hagen. Her father
bade her kiss him, but when she gazed upon him, he seemed so fearful
that she had fain left it undone. Yet she must needs perform what the
host now bade her do. Her color changed first pale then red. Dankwart,
too, she kissed, and then the minstrel. For his great prowess was this
greeting given. The young margravine took by the hand Knight Giselher
of the Burgundian land. The same her mother did to Gunther, the valiant
man. Full merrily they went hence with the heroes. The host walked at
Gernot's side into a broad hall, where the knights and ladies sate them
down. Soon they bade pour out for the guests good wine. Certes, heroes
might never be better purveyed than they. Rudeger's daughter was gazed
upon with loving glances, so fair she was. Forsooth many a good knight
caressed her in his mind. And well did she deserve this, so high she was
of mood. The knights thought what they would, but it might not come to
pass. Back and forth shot the glances at maids and dames. Of them sate
there enow. The noble fiddler bare the host good will.
Then they parted after the custom, knights and ladies going to different
sides. In the broad hall they set up the tables and served the strangers
in lordly wise. For the sake of the guests the noble margravine went
to table, but let her daughter stay with the maidens, where she sate by
right. The guests saw naught of her, which irked them sore, in truth.
When they had eaten and drunk on every side, men brought the fair again
into the hall; nor were merry speeches left unsaid. Many such spake
Folker, this brave and lusty knight. Before them all the noble minstrel
spake: "Mighty margrave, God hath dealt full graciously with you, for
he hath given you a passing comely wife and thereto a life of joy. An'
I were a prince," quoth the minstrel, "and should wear a crown, I would
fain have to wife your comely daughter. This my heart doth wish. She is
lovely for to see, thereto noble and good."
Then answered the margrave: "How might that be, that king should ever
crave the dear daughter of mine? My wife and I are exiles; what booteth
in such ease the maiden's passing comeliness?"
To this Gernot, the well-bred man, made answer: "An' I might have a love
after mine own desire, I should be ever glad of such a wife."
Hagen, too, replied in full kindly wise: "My lord Giselher must take
a wife. The margravine is of such high kin that I and all his liegemen
would gladly serve her, should she wear a crown in Burgundy land."
This speech thought Rudeger passing good, and Gotelind too, indeed
it joyed their mood. Then the heroes brought to pass that the noble
Giselher took her to wife, as did well befit a king. Who may part what
shall be joined together? Men prayed the margravine to go to court, and
swore to give him the winsome maid. He, too, vowed to wed the lovely
fair. For the maiden they set castles and land aside, and this the hand
of the noble king did pledge with an oath, and Lord Gernot, too, that
this should hap.
Then spake the margrave: "Sith I have naught of castles, I will
ever serve you with my troth. As much silver and gold will I give my
daughter, as an hundred sumpters may barely carry, that it may please
the hero's kin in honor."
After the custom men bade them stand in a ring. Over against her many a
youth stood, blithe of mood. In their minds they harbored thoughts,
as young folk still are wont to do. Men then gan ask the winsome maid
whether she would have the knight or no. Loth in part she was, and yet
she thought to take the stately man. She shamed her of the question, as
many another maid hath done. Her father Rudeger counseled her to answer
yes, and gladly take him. In a trice young Giselher was at her side, and
clasped her in his white hands, albeit but little time she might enjoy
him.
Then Spake the margrave: "Ye noble and mighty kings, when ye now ride
again (that is the custom) home to Burgundy, I will give you my child,
that ye may take her with you."
This then they vowed. Now men must needs give over all the noisy joy.
They bade the maiden hie her to her bower, and bade the guests to sleep
and rest them against the day. Meanwhile men made ready the food; the
host purveyed them well.
When now they had eaten, they would ride hence to the Hunnish lands.
"I'll guard against that well," spake the noble host. "Ye must tarry
still, for full seldom have I gained such welcome guests."
To this Dankwart replied: "Forsooth this may not be. Where would ye find
the food, the bread and wine, that ye must have for so many warriors
another night?"
When the host heard this, he spake: "Give o'er this speech. My dear
lords, ye must not say me nay. Forsooth I'd give you vittaile for a
fortnight, with all your fellowship that is come hither with you. King
Etzel hath taken from me as yet full little of my goods."
However much they demurred, still they must needs tarry there until the
fourth morning, when such deeds were done by the bounty of the host that
it was told after. He gave his guests both mounts and robes. No longer
might they stay, they must fare forth. Through his bounty bold Rudeger
wot how to save but little. Naught was denied that any craved, it could
not but please them all. Their noble meiny now brought saddled before
the gate the many steeds, and to them came forth thee stranger knights.
In their hands they bare their shields, for they would ride to Etzel's
land. Before the noble guests come forth from the hall, the host had
proffered everywhere his gifts. He wist how to live bountifully, in
mickle honors. To Giselher he had given his comely daughter; to Gunther,
the worshipful knight, who seldom took a gift, he gave a coat of mail,
which the noble and mighty king wore well with honor. Gunther bowed low
over noble Rudeger's hand. Then to Gernot he gave a weapon good enow,
the which he later bare full gloriously in strife. Little did the
margrave's wife begrudge him the gift, but through it good Rudeger was
forced to lose his life. Gotelind offered Hagen a loving gift, as well
befit her. He took it, sith the king had taken one, that he should
not fare forth from her to the feasting, without her present. Later he
gainsayed it. "Of all that I have ever seen," quoth Hagen, "I crave to
bear naught else save that shield on yonder wall; fain would I take that
with me into Etzel's land."
When the margravine heard Hagen's speech, it minded her of her
grief--tears became her well. She thought full dearly on Nudung's (3)
death, whom Wittich had slain; from this she felt the stress of sorrow.
To the knight she spake: "I'll give you the shield. Would to God in
heaven, that he still lived who bare it once in hand. He met his death
in battle; for him must I ever weep, which giveth me, poor wife, dire
woe."
The noble margravine rose from her seat and with her white hands she
seized the shield. To Hagen the lady bare it, who took it in his hand.
This gift was worthily bestowed upon the knight. A cover of shining silk
concealed its colors, for it was set with precious stones. In sooth the
daylight never shone on better shield. Had any wished to buy it at its
cost, 'twere well worth a thousand marks. (4) Hagen bade the shield be
borne away.
Then Dankwart came to court. To him the margrave's daughter gave great
store of rich apparel, the which he later wore among the Huns in passing
lordly wise. However many gifts were taken by them, naught would have
come into the hands of any, save through the kindness of the host,
who proffered them so fair. Later they became such foes that they were
forced to strike him dead.
Now the doughty Folker went courteously with his fiddle and stood before
Gotelind. He played sweet tunes and sang to her his songs. Thus he took
his leave and parted from Bechelaren. The margravine bade fetch a chest.
Now hear the tale of friendly gifts! Twelve rings she took out and
placed them on his hand. "These ye must bear hence to Etzel's land and
wear them at court for my sake, whithersoever ye turn, that men may tell
me how ye have served me yonder at the feast." What the lady craved, he
later carried out full well.
Then spake the host to his guests: "Ye shall journey all the gentlier,
for I myself will guide you and bid guard you well, that none may harm
you on the road."
Then his sumpters were laden soon. The host was well beseen with five
hundred men with steeds and vesture. These he took with him full
merrily hence to the feasting. Not one of them later ever came alive
to Bechelaren. With a loving kiss the host parted hence; the same did
Giselher, as his gentle breeding counseled him. In their arms they
clasped fair wives. This many a high-born maid must needs bewail in
later times. On every side they opened the casements, for the host with
his liegemen would now mount their steeds. I ween their hearts did tell
them of the bitter woes to come. Then wept many a dame and many a comely
maid. They pined for their dear kinsmen, whom nevermore they saw in
Bechelaren. Yet these rode merrily across the sand, down along the
Danube to the Hunnish land.
Then noble Rudeger, the full lusty knight, spake to the Burgundians:
"Certes, the tidings that we be coming to the Huns must not be left
unsaid, for king Etzel hath never heard aught that pleased him more."
So down through Austria the envoy sped, and to the folk on every side
'twas told that the heroes were coming from Worms beyond the Rhine.
Naught could have been liefer to the courtiers of the king. On before
the envoys hasted with the tidings, that the Nibelungs were already in
the Hunnish land.
"Thou must greet them well, Kriemhild, lady mine. Thy dear brothers be
coming in great state to visit thee."
Within a casement window Lady Kriemhild stood and looked out to see
her kin, as friend doth for friend. Many a man she spied from her
fatherland. The king, too, learned the tale and laughed for very
pleasure. "Now well is me of my joys," quoth Kriemhild, "my kinsmen
bring with them many a brand-new shield and white coat of mail. He who
would have gold, let him bethink him of my sorrows, and I'll ever be his
friend."
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Chaplets", see Adventure 10, note 1.
(2) "Of yore", see Adventure 23, note 2.
(3) "Nudung" was slain, according to the "Thidreksaga", chap.
335, by "Vidga" (here Wittich, M.H.G. "Witege", the son of
Wielant, the smith, in the battle of Gronsport. There,
chap. 369, he is Gotelind's brother, but in "Biterolf" and
the "Rosengarten" he is her son.
(4) "Marks", see Adventure V, note 5.
ADVENTURE XXVIII. How The Burgundians Came To Etzel's Castle.
When the Burgundians were come to the land, old Hildebrand (1) of Berne
did hear the tale, and sore it rued him. He told his lord, who bade him
welcome well the lusty knights and brave. The doughty Wolfhart (2) bade
fetch the steeds; then many a sturdy warrior rode with Dietrich, to
where he thought to meet them on the plain where they had pitched full
many a lordly tent. When Hagen of Troneg saw them riding from afar, to
his lords he spake in courteous wise: "Now must ye doughty warriors rise
from your seats and go to meet them, who would greet you here. Yonder
cometh a fellowship I know full well, they be full speedy knights from
the Amelung land, (3) whom the lord of Berne doth lead--high-mettled
warriors they. Scorn not the service that they proffer."
Then with Dietrich there alighted from the steeds, as was mickle right,
many a knight and squire. Towards the strangers they went, to where
they found the heroes; in friendly wise they greeted those from the
Burgundian land. Ye may now hear what Sir Dietrich said to the sons of
Uta, as he saw them coming toward him. Their journey rued him sore; he
weened that Rudeger wist it, and had told them the tale. "Be ye welcome,
fair sirs, Gunther and Giselher, Gernot and Hagen, likewise Folker and
the doughty Dankwart. Know ye not that Kriemhild still mourneth sorely
for the hero of the Nibelung land?"
"Let her weep long time," quoth Hagen. "He hath lain these many years,
done to death. Let her love now the Hunnish king. Siegfried cometh not
again, he hath long been buried."
"Let us not talk of Siegfried's wounds, but if Kriemhild still live,
scathe may hap again," so spake Sir Dietrich, the lord of Berne. "Hope
of the Nibelungs, guard thee well against this."
"Why should I guard me?" spake the high-born king. "Etzel sent us envoys
(why should I question more?) to say that we should ride to visit him,
hither to this land. My sister Kriemhild sent us many a message, too."
"Let me counsel you," quoth Hagen, "to beg Sir Dietrich and his good
knights to tell you the tidings further, and to let you know the Lady
Kriemhild's mood."
Then the three mighty kings, Gunther and Gernot and Sir Dietrich, too,
went and spake apart. "Pray tell us, good and noble knight of Berne,
what ye do know of the queen's mood?"
Answered the lord of Berne: "What more shall I tell you? Every morning I
hear King Etzel's wife wail and weep with piteous mind to the mighty God
of heaven over the stalwart Siegfried's death."
"That which we have heard," spake bold Folker, the fiddler, "cannot be
turned aside. We must ride to court and abide what may hap to us doughty
knights among the Huns."
The brave Burgundians now rode to court. In lordly wise they came after
the fashion of their land. Many a brave man among the Huns wondered what
manner of man Hagen of Troneg be. It was enough that men told tales,
that he had slain Kriemhild's husband the mightiest of all heroes. For
that cause alone much questioning about Hagen was heard at court. The
knight was fair of stature, that is full true; broad he was across the
breast; his hair was mixed with gray; his legs were long, and fierce his
glance; lordly gait he had.
Then one bade lodge the Burgundian men, but Gunther's fellowship was
placed apart. This the queen advised, who bare him much hate, and
therefore men later slew the footmen in their lodgings. Dankwart,
Hagen's brother, he was marshal. The king earnestly commended to him his
followers, that he purvey them well and give them enow to eat; The hero
of Burgundy bare them all good will. Kriemhild, the fair, went with her
maids-in-waiting to where, false of mood, she greeted the Nibelungs.
Giselher alone she kissed and took by the hand. That Hagen of Troneg
saw, and bound his helmet tighter. "After such a greeting," quoth Hagen,
"doughty knights may well bethink them. One giveth kings a greeting
different from their men. We have not made a good journey to this
feast." (4)
She spake: "Be welcome to him that be fain to see you; I greet you not
for your kinship. Pray tell me what ye do bring me from Worms beyond the
Rhine, that ye should be so passing welcome to me here?"
"Had I known," quoth Hagen, "that knights should bring you gifts, I had
bethought me better, for I be rich enow to bring you presents hither to
this land."
"Now let me hear the tale of where ye have put the Nibelung hoard? It
was mine own, as ye well know, and ye should have brought me that to
Etzel's land."
"I' faith, my Lady Kriemhild, it is many a day sith I have had the care
of the Nibelung hoard. My lords bade sink it in the Rhine, and there it
must verily lie till doomsday."
Then spake the queen: "I thought as much. Ye have brought full little of
it hither to this land, albeit it was mine own, and I had it whilom in
my care. Therefore have I all time so many a mournful day."
"The devil I'll bring you," answered Hagen. "I have enough to carry with
my shield and breastplate; my helm is bright, the sword is in my hand,
therefore I bring you naught."
Then the queen spake to the knights on every side: "One may not bring
weapons to the hall. Sir Knights, give them to me, I'll have them taken
in charge."
"I' faith," quoth Hagen, "never shall that be done. In sooth I crave not
the honor, O bounteous princess, that ye should bear my shield and other
arms to the lodgings; ye be a queen. This my father did not teach me, I
myself will play the chamberlain."
"Alack for my sorrows," spake Lady Kriemhild. "Why will Hagen and my
brother not let their shields be taken in charge? They be warned, and
wist I, who hath done this, I'd ever plan his death."
To this Sir Dietrich answered in wrath: "'Tis I, that hath warned the
noble and mighty princes and the bold Hagen, the Burgundian liegeman. Go
to, thou she-devil, thou durst not make me suffer for the deed."
Sore abashed was King Etzel's wife, for bitterly she feared Sir
Dietrich. At once she left him, not a word she spake, but gazed with
furious glance upon her foes. Two warriors then grasped each other
quickly by the hand, the one was Sir Dietrich, the other Hagen. With
gentle breeding the lusty hero spake: "Forsooth I rue your coming to the
Huns, because of what the queen hath said."