They went to where they found the dapper warriors standing in the court
in a great press of welcoming knights.
Bold Folker gan speak loudly to his lords: "How long will ye stand and
let yourselves be jostled? Ye must go to court and hear from the king of
what mind he be."
Men then saw the brave heroes and good pair off. The prince of Berne
took by the hand the mighty Gunther of Burgundian land. Irnfried (4)
took the brave knight Gernot, while Rudeger was seen to go to court with
Giselher. But however any paired, Folker and Hagen never parted, save
in one fray, when their end was come, and this noble ladies must needs
greatly bewail in after time. With the kings one saw go to court a
thousand brave men of their fellowship, thereto sixty champions that
were come with them, whom the bold Hagen had taken from his land. Hawart
and Iring, (5) two chosen men, were seen to walk together near the
kings. Men saw Dankwart and Wolfhart, a peerless knight, display their
chivalry before all eyes.
When the lord of the Rhine had entered the hall, the mighty Etzel
delayed no longer, but sprang from his throne when he saw him
come. Never did so fair a greeting hap from any king. "Be welcome,
Sir Gunther, and Sir Gernot, too, and your brother Giselher. I sent
you truly my faithful service to Worms beyond the Rhine. All your
fellowship, too, I welcome. Now be ye passing welcome, ye two knights,
Folker, the brave, and Sir Hagen likewise, to me and to my lady, here in
this our land. She sent you many a messenger to the Rhine."
Then spake Hagen of Troneg: "I heard much talk of that, and were I not
come to the Huns for the sake of my lords, I should have ridden in your
honor to this land."
The noble host then took his dear guests by the hand and led them to the
settle where he sate himself. Busily they poured out for the guests in
broad bowls of gold, mead, morat, (6) and wine and bade those far from
home be welcome. Then spake King Etzel: "Let me tell you this; it might
not liefer hap to me in all this world, than through you heroes, that
ye be come to see me. Through this much sadness is also taken from the
queen. Me-wondereth greatly what I have done you noble strangers, that
ye never recked to come into my land. My sadness is turned to joy, since
now I see you here."
To this Rudeger, a high-mettled knight, made answer: "Ye may be glad to
see them. Good is the fealty which the kinsmen of my lady wot how to use
so well. They bring also to your house many a stately knight."
Upon a midsummer's eve the lords were come to the court of the mighty
Etzel. Seldom hath there been heard such lofty greeting as when he
welcomed the heroes. When now the time to eat was come, the king went
with them to the board. Never did host sit fairer with his guests. Men
gave them meat and drink to the full. All that they craved stood ready
for them, for mickle wonders had been told about these knights.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Scathful scathe" here imitates the M.H.G. "scaden
scedelich".
(2) "Balmung", see Adventure III, note 7.
(3) "friend... friendly". This repetition occurs in the
original.
(4) "Irnfried", see Adventure XXII, note 8.
(5) "Hawart" and "Iring", Adventure XXII, notes 6 and 7.
(6) "Morat" (M.H.G. "moraz") from late Latin "moratum", mulberry
wine, is a beverage composed of honey flavored with
mulberry-juice.
ADVENTURE XXX. How They Kept The Watch.
The day had now an end, and the night drew nigh. Care beset the wayworn
travelers, as to when they should go to bed and rest them. This Hagen
bespake with Etzel, and it was told them soon.
Gunther spake to the host: "God be with you, we would fain go to our
sleep, pray give us leave. We will come early on the morrow, whensoever
ye bid."
Etzel parted then full merrily from his guests. Men pressed the
strangers on every side, at which brave Folker spake to the Huns: "How
dare ye crowd before the warriors' feet? An' ye will not leave this, ye
will fare full ill. I'll smite some man so heavy a fiddle blow, that
if he have a faithful friend he may well bewail it. Why give ye not way
before us knights? Methinks 'twere well. All pass for knights, but be
not of equal mettle."
As the fiddler spake thus in wrath, Hagen, the brave, looked behind him.
He spake: "The bold gleeman doth advise you right, ye men of Kriemhild,
ye should hie you to your lodgings. I ween none of you will do what ye
are minded, but would ye begin aught, come early on the morrow, and
let us wanderers have peace to-night. Certes, I ween that it hath never
happed with such good will on the part of heroes."
Then the guests were brought into a spacious hall, which they found
purveyed on every side with costly beds, long and broad, for the
warriors. Lady Kriemhild planned the very greatest wrongs against them.
One saw there many a cunningly wrought quilt from Arras (1) of shining
silken cloth and many a coverlet of Arabian silk, the best that might be
had; upon this ran a border that shone in princely wise. Many bed covers
of ermine and of black sable were seen, beneath which they should have
their ease at night, until the dawn of day. Never hath king lain so
lordly with his meiny.
"Alas for these night quarters," spake Giselher, the youth, "and alas
for my friends, who be come with us. However kindly my sister greeted
us, yet I do fear me that through her fault we must soon lie dead."
"Now give over your care," quoth Hagen, the knight. "I'll stand watch
myself to-night. I trow to guard us well, until the day doth come.
Therefore have no fear; after that, let him survive who may."
All bowed low and said him gramercy. Then went they to their beds. A
short while after the stately men had laid them down, bold Hagen, the
hero, began to arm him. Then the fiddler, Knight Folker, spake: "If it
scorn you not, Hagen, I would fain hold the watch with you to-night,
until the early morn."
The hero then thanked Folker in loving wise: "Now God of heaven requite
you, dear Folker. In all my cares, I would crave none other than you
alone, whenever I had need. I shall repay you well, and death hinder me
not."
Both then donned their shining armor and either took his shield in hand,
walked out of the house and stood before the door. Thus they cared for
the guests in faithful wise. The doughty Folker leaned his good shield
against the side of the hall, then turned him back and fetched his
fiddle and served his friends as well befit the hero. Beneath the door
of the house he sate him down upon a stone; bolder fiddler was there
never. When the tones of the strings rang forth so sweetly, the proud
wanderers gave Folker thanks. At first the strings twanged so that the
whole house resounded; his strength and his skill were both passing
great. Then sweeter and softer he began to play, and thus many a
care-worn man he lulled to sleep. When he marked that all had fallen
asleep, the knight took again his shield and left the room and took
his stand before the tower, and there he guarded the wanderers against
Kriemhild's men.
'Twas about the middle of the night (I know not but what it happed a
little earlier), that bold Folker spied the glint of a helmet afar in
the darkness. Kriemhild's men would fain have harmed the guests. Then
the fiddler spake: "Sir Hagen, my friend, it behooveth us to bear these
cares together. Before the house I see armed men stand, and err I not, I
ween, they would encounter us!"
"Be silent," quoth Hagen, "let them draw nearer before they be ware
of us. Then will helmets be dislodged by the swords in the hands of us
twain. They will be sent back to Kriemhild in evil plight."
One of the Hunnish warriors (full soon that happed) marked that the door
was guarded. How quickly then he spake: "That which we have in mind may
not now come to pass. I see the fiddler stand on guard. On his head he
weareth a glittering helmet, shining and hard, strong and whole. His
armor rings flash out like fire. By him standeth Hagen; in sooth the
guests be guarded well."
Straightway they turned again. When Folker saw this, wrathfully he spake
to his comrade-at-arms: "Now let me go from the house to the warriors. I
would fain put some questions to Lady Kriemhild's men."
"For my sake, no," quoth Hagen. "If ye leave the house, the doughty
knights are like to bring you in such stress with their swords, that I
must aid you even should it be the death of all my kin. As soon as we
be come into the fray, twain of them, or four, would in a short time run
into the house and would bring such scathe upon the sleepers, that we
might never cease to mourn."
Then Folker answered: "Let us bring it to pass that they note that I
have seen them, so that Kriemhild's men may not deny that they would
fain have acted faithlessly."
Straightway Folker then called out to them: "How go ye thus armed, ye
doughty knights? Would ye ride to rob, ye men of Kriemhild? Then must ye
have the help of me and my comrade-at-arms."
To this none made reply. Angry grew his mood. "Fy! Ye evil cowards,"
spake the good knight, "would ye have murdered us asleep? That hath been
done full seldom to such good heroes."
Then the queen was told that her messengers had compassed naught.
Rightly it did vex her, and with wrathful mood she made another plan.
Through this brave heroes and good must needs thereafter perish.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Arras", the capital of Artois in the French Netherlands.
In older English "arras" is used also for tapestry.
ADVENTURE XXXI. (1) How They Went To Church.
"My coat of mail groweth cold," said Folker. "I ween the night hath run
its course. By the air I mark that day is near."
Then they waked the many knights who still lay sleeping. The light of
dawn shone into the hall upon the strangers. On all sides Hagen gan wake
the warriors, if perchance they would fain go to the minster for
mass. Men now loudly rang the bells in Christian fashion. Heathens and
Christians did not sing alike, so that it was seen full well that they
were not as one. Gunther's liegemen now would go to church, and all
alike had risen from their beds. The champions laced them into such
goodly garments, that never did hero bring better clothes to the land of
any king. This vexed Hagen. He spake: "Heroes, ye should wear here other
clothes. Certes, ye know full well the tales. Instead of roses, bear
weapons in your hands; instead of jeweled chaplets, your bright helms
and good, sith ye know full well the wicked Kriemhild's mood. Let
me tell you, we must fight to-day, so instead of silken shirts, wear
hauberks, and instead of rich cloaks, good shields and broad, so that if
any grow angry with you, ye be full armed. Dear my lords, and all my kin
and liegemen, go willingly to church and make plaint to the mighty God
of your fears and need, for know full sure that death draweth nigh us.
Nor must ye forget to confess aught that ye have done and stand full
zealously before your God. Of this I warn you, noble knights, unless God
in heaven so will, ye'll never more hear mass."
So the princes and their liegemen went to the minster. In the holy
churchyard bold Hagen bade them halt, that they might not be parted.
He spake: "Of a truth none knoweth what will hap to us from the Huns.
Place, my friends, your shields before your feet, and if any proffer
you cold greeting, repay it with deep and mortal wounds. That is Hagen's
counsel, that ye may so be found as doth befit your honor."
Folker and Hagen, the twain, then hied them to the spacious minster.
This was done that the queen might press upon them in the crowd. Certes,
she was passing grim. Then came the lord of the land and his fair wife,
her body adorned with rich apparel; Doughty warriors, too, were seen to
walk beside her. One saw the dust rise high from Kriemhild's band. When
mighty Etzel spied the kings and their fellowship thus armed, how quick
he spake: "Why do I see my friends thus go with helmets? Upon my troth,
it grieveth me, and hath any done them aught, I shall gladly make
amends, as doth think them good. Hath any made heavy their hearts or
mood, I'll show them well, that it doth irk me much. I am ready for
whatever they command me."
To this Hagen answered: "None hath done us aught; it is the custom of my
lordings that they go armed at all high feasts for full three days. We
should tell Etzel, had aught been done us."
Kriemhild heard full well what Hagen spake. How right hostilely she
gazed into his eyes! She would not tell the custom of their land, albeit
she had known it long in Burgundy. However grim and strong the hate
she bare them, yet had any told Etzel the truth, he would have surely
hindered what later happed. Because of their great haughtiness they
scorned to tell him. When the great crowd went past with the queen,
these twain, Hagen and Folker, would not step back more than two
hand-breadths, the which irked the Huns. Forsooth they had to jostle
with the lusty heroes. This thought King Etzel's chamberlains not good.
Certes, they would have fain angered the champions, but that they durst
not before the noble king. So there was much jostling, but nothing more.
When they had worshiped God and would hence again, many a Hunnish
warrior horsed him passing soon. At Kriemhild's side stood many a comely
maid, and well seven thousand knights rode with the queen. Kriemhild
with her ladies sate her down at the easements by the side of the mighty
Etzel, which was him lief, for they would watch the lusty heroes joust.
Ho, what stranger knights rode before them in the court! Then was come
the marshal with the squires. Bold Dankwart had taken to him his lord's
retainers from the Burgundian land; the steeds of the Nibelungs they
found well saddled. When now the kings and their men were come to horse,
stalwart Folker gan advise that they should ride a joust after the
fashion of their land. At this the heroes rode in lordly wise; none it
irked what the knight had counseled. The hurtling and the noise waxed
loud, as the many men rode into the broad court. Etzel and Kriemhild
themselves beheld the scene. To the jousts were come six hundred knights
of Dietrich's men to match the strangers, for they would have pastime
with the Burgundians. Fain would they have done it, had he given them
leave. Ho, what good champions rode in their train! The tale was told to
Sir Dietrich and he forbade the game with Gunther's men; he feared for
his liegemen, and well he might.
When those of Berne had departed thence, there came the men of Rudeger
from Bechelaren, five hundred strong, with shields, riding out before
the hall. It would have been lief to the margrave, had they left it
undone. Wisely he rode then to them through the press and said to his
knights, that they were ware that Gunther's men were evil-minded toward
them. If they would leave off the jousting, it would please him much.
When now these lusty heroes parted from them, then came those of
Thuringia, as we are told, and well a thousand brave men from Denmark.
From the tilting one saw many truncheons (2) flying hence. Irnfried and
Hawart now rode into the tourney. Proudly those from the Rhine awaited
them and offered the men of Thuringia many a joust. Many a lordly shield
was riddled by the thrusts. Thither came then Sir Bloedel with three
thousand men. Well was he seen of Etzel and Kriemhild, for the knightly
sports happed just before the twain. The queen saw it gladly, that the
Burgundians might come to grief. Schrutan (3) and Gibecke, Ramung and
Hornbog, (4) rode into the tourney in Hunnish wise. To the heroes from
Burgundian land they addressed them. High above the roof of the royal
hall the spear-shafts whirled. Whatever any there plied, 'twas but a
friendly rout. Palace and hall were heard resounding loud through the
clashing of the shields of Gunther's men. With great honor his meiny
gained the meed. Their pastime was so mickle and so great, that from
beneath the housings of the good steeds, which the heroes rode, there
flowed the frothy sweat. In haughty wise they encountered with the Huns.
Then spake the fiddler, Folker the minstrel: "I ween these warriors
dare not match us. I've aye heard the tale, that they bear us hate, and
forsooth it might never fortune better for them than now." Again Folker
spake: "Let our steeds be now led away to their lodgings and let us
joust again toward eventide, and there be time. Perchance the queen may
accord to the Burgundians the prize."
Then one was seen riding hither so proudly, that none of all the Huns
could have done the like. Certes, he must have had a sweetheart on the
battlements. As well attired he rode as the bride of any noble knight.
At sight of him Folker spake again: "How could I give this over? This
ladies' darling must have a buffet. None shall prevent me and it shall
cost him dear. In truth I reck not, if it vex King Etzel's wife."
"For my sake, No," spake straightway King Gunther. "The people will
blame us, if we encounter them. 'Twill befit us better far, an' we let
the Huns begin the strife."
King Etzel was still sitting by the queen.
"I'll join you in the tourney," quoth Hagen then. "Let the ladies and
the knights behold how we can ride. That will be well, for they'll give
no meed to King Gunther's men."
The doughty Folker rode into the lists again, which soon gave many a
dame great dole. His spear he thrust through the body of the dapper Hun;
this both maid and wife were seen thereafter to bewail. Full hard and
fast gan Hagen and his liegemen and sixty of his knights ride towards
the fiddler, where the play was on. This Etzel and Kriemhild clearly
saw. The three kings would not leave their minstrel without guard amidst
the foe. Cunningly a thousand heroes rode; with haughty bearing they did
whatso they would. When now the wealthy Hun was slain, men heard his kin
cry out and wail. All the courtiers asked: "Who hath done this deed?"
"That the fiddler did, Folker, the valiant minstrel."
The margrave's kindred from the Hunnish land called straightway for
their swords and shields, and would fain have done Folker to death. Fast
the host gan hasten from the windows. Great rout arose from the folk on
every side. The kings and their fellowship, the Burgundian men, alighted
before the hall and drove their horses to the rear. Then King Etzel came
to part the strife. From the hand of a kinsman of the Hun he wrenched
a sturdy weapon and drove them all back again, for full great was his
wrath. "Why should my courtesie to these knights go all for naught?
Had ye slain this minstrel at my court," spake King Etzel, "'twere evil
done. I saw full well how he rode, when he thrust through the Hun, that
it happed through stumbling, without any fault of his. Ye must let my
guests have peace."
Thus he became their safe-guard. To the stalls men led away the steeds;
many a varlet they had, who served them well with zeal in every service.
The host now hied him to his palace with his friends, nor would he let
any man grow wroth again. Then men set up the tables and bare forth
water for the guests. Forsooth the men from the Rhine had there enow of
stalwart foes. 'Twas long before the lords were seated.
Meanwhile Kriemhild's fears did trouble her passing sore. She spake: "My
lord of Berne, I seek thy counsel, help, and favor, for mine affairs do
stand in anxious wise."
Then Hildebrand, a worshipful knight, made answer to her: "And any slay
the Nibelungs for the sake of any hoard, he will do it without my aid.
It may well repent him, for they be still unconquered, these doughty and
lusty knights."
Then Spake Sir Dietrich in his courteous wise: "Let be this wish, O
mighty queen. Thy kinsmen have done me naught of wrong, that I should
crave to match these valiant knights in strife. Thy request honoreth
thee little, most noble queen, that thou dost plot against the life of
thy kinsfolk. They came in hope of friendship to this land. Siegfried
will not be avenged by Dietrich's hand."
When she found no whit of faithlessness in the lord of Berne, quickly
she promised Bloedel a broad estate, that Nudung (5) owned aforetime.
Later he was slain by Hagen, so that he quite forgot the gift. She
spake: "Thou must help me, Sir Bloedel, forsooth my foes be in this
house, who slew Siegfried, my dear husband. Ever will I serve him, that
helpeth me avenge this deed."
To this Bloedel replied: "My lady, now may ye know that because of Etzel
I dare not, in sooth, advise to hatred against them, for he is fain to
see thy kinsmen at his court. The king would ne'er forget it of me, and
I did them aught of wrong."
"Not so, Sir Bloedel, for I shall ever be thy friend. Certes, I'll give
thee silver and gold as guerdon and a comely maid, the wife of Nudung,
whose lovely body thou mayst fain caress. I'll give thee his land and
all his castles, too, so that thou mayst always live in joy, Sir knight,
if thou dost now win the lands where Nudung dwelt. Faithfully will I
keep, whatso I vow to thee to-day."
When Sir Bloedel heard the guerdon, and that the lady through her beauty
would befit him well, he weened to serve the lovely queen in strife.
Because of this the champion must needs lose his life. To the queen
he spake: "Betake you again to the hall, and before any be aware,
I'll begin a fray and Hagen must atone for what he hath done you. I'll
deliver to you King Gunther's liegeman bound. Now arm you, my men,"
spake Bloedel. "We must hasten to the lodgings of the foes, for King
Etzel's wife doth crave of me this service, wherefore we heroes must
risk our lives."
When the queen left Bloedel in lust of battle, she went to table with
King Etzel and his men. Evil counsels had she held against the guests.
Since the strife could be started in no other wise (Kriemhild's ancient
wrong still lay deep buried in her heart), she bade King Etzel's son
be brought to table. How might a woman ever do more ghastly deed for
vengeance' sake? Four of Etzel's men went hence anon and bare Ortlieb,
(6) the young prince, to the lordings' table, where Hagen also sat.
Because of this the child must needs die through Hagen's mortal hate.
When now the mighty king beheld his son, kindly he spake to the kinsmen
of his wife: "Now see, my friends, this is the only son of me and of
your sister. This may be of profit to you all, for if he take after
his kinsmen, he'll become a valiant man, mighty and noble, strong and
fashioned fair. Twelve lands will I give him, and I live yet a while.
Thus may the hand of young Ortlieb serve you well. I do therefore
beseech you, dear friends of mine, that when ye ride again to your
lands upon the Rhine, ye take with you your sister's son and act full
graciously toward the child, and bring him up in honor till he become
a man. Hath any done you aught in all these lands, he'll help you to
avenge it, when he groweth up."
This speech was also heard by Kriemhild, King Etzel's wife.
"These knights might well trust him," quoth Hagen, "if he grew to be a
man, but the young prince doth seem so fey, (7) that I shall seldom be
seen to ride to Ortlieb's court."
The king glanced at Hagen, for much the speech did irk him; and though
the gentle prince said not a word, it grieved his heart and made him
heavy of his mood. Nor was Hagen's mind now bent on pastime. But all the
lordings and the king were hurt by what Hagen had spoken of the child;
it vexed them sore, that they were forced to hear it. They wot not the
things as yet, which should happen to them through this warrior.
ENDNOTES:
(1) "Adventure XXXI". This adventure is of late origin, being
found only in our poem. See the introduction.
(2) "Truncheons", see Adventure II, note 8.
(3) "Schrutan". This name does not occur elsewhere. Piper
suggests, that perhaps a Scotchman is meant, as "Skorottan"
appears in the "Thidreksaga", chap. 28, as an ancient name
of Scotland.
(4) "Gibecke", "Ramung" and "Hornbog", see Adventure XXII, notes
4 and 5.
(5) "Nudung", see Adventure XXVII, note 3.
(6) "Ortlieb". In the "Thidreksaga" Etzel's son is called
Aldrian. There, however, he is killed because he strikes
Hagen in the face, here in revenge for the killing of the
Burgundian footmen.
(7) "Fey", see Adventure V, note 2.
ADVENTURE XXXII (1) How Bloedel Was Slain.
Full ready were now Bloedel's warriors. A thousand hauberks strong, they
hied them to where Dankwart sate at table with the squires. Then the
very greatest hate arose among the heroes. When Sir Bloedel drew near
the tables, Dankwart, the marshal, greeted him in courteous wise.
"Welcome, Sir Bloedel, in our house. In truth me-wondereth at thy
coming. What doth it mean?"
"Forsooth, thou needst not greet me," so spake Bloedel; "for this coming
of mine doth mean thine end. Because of Hagen, thy brother, by whom
Siegfried was slain, thou and many other knights must suffer here among
the Huns."
"Not so, Sir Bloedel," quoth Dankwart, "else this journey to your court
might rue us sore. I was but a little child when Siegfried lost his
life. I know not what blame King Etzel's wife could put on me."
"Of a truth, I wot not how to tell you of these tales; thy kinsmen,
Gunther and Hagen, did the deed. Now ward you, ye wanderers, ye may not
live. With your death must ye become Kriemhild's pledge."
"And ye will not turn you," quoth Dankwart, "then do my entreaties rue
me; they had better far been spared."
The doughty knight and brave sprang up from the table; a sharp weapon,
mickle and long, he drew and dealt Bloedel so fierce a sword-stroke that
his head lay straightway at his feet. "Let that be thy marriage morning
gift," (2) spake Dankwart, the knight, "for Nudung's bride, whom thou
wouldst cherish with thy love. They call betroth her to another man upon
the morn. Should he crave the dowry, 'twill be given to him eftsoon."
A faithful Hun had told him that the queen did plan against them such
grievous wrongs.
When Bloedel's men beheld their lord lie slain, no longer would they
stand this from the guests. With uplifted swords they rushed, grim of
mood, upon the youthful squires. Many a one did rue this later. Loudly
Dankwart called to all the fellowship: "Ye see well, noble squires, how
matters stand. Now ward you, wanderers! Forsooth we have great need,
though Kriemhild asked us here in right friendly wise."
Those that had no sword reached down in front of the benches and lifted
many a long footstool by its legs. The Burgundian squires would now
abide no longer, but with the heavy stools they dealt many bruises
through the helmets. How fiercely the stranger youths did ward them!
Out of the house they drove at last the men-at-arms, but five hundred
of them, or better, stayed behind there dead. The fellowship was red and
wet with blood.
These grievous tales were told now to Etzel's knights; grim was their
sorrow, that Bloedel and his men were slain. This Hagen's brother and
his squires had done. Before the king had learned it, full two thousand
Huns or more armed them through hatred and hied them to the squires
(this must needs be), and of the fellowship they left not one alive.
The faithless Huns brought a mickle band before the house. Well the
strangers stood their ground, but what booted their doughty prowess?
Dead they all must lie. Then in a few short hours there rose a fearful
dole. Now ye may hear wonders of a monstrous thing. Nine thousand yeomen
lay there slain and thereto twelve good knights of Dankwart's men. One
saw him stand alone still by the foe. The noise was hushed, the din had
died away, when Dankwart, the hero, gazed over his shoulders. He spake:
"Woe is me, for the friends whom I have lost! Now must I stand, alas,
alone among my foes."
Upon his single person the sword-strokes fell thick and fast. The wife
of many a hero must later mourn for this. Higher he raised his shield,
the thong he lowered; the rings of many an armor he made to drip with
blood. "Woe is me of all this sorrow," quoth Aldrian's son. (3) "Give
way now, Hunnish warriors, and let me out into the breeze, that the air
may cool me, fight-weary man."
Then men saw the warrior walk forth in full lordly wise. As the
strife-weary man sprang from the house, how many added swords rang on
his helmet! Those that had not seen what wonders his hand had wrought
sprang towards the hero of the Burgundian land. "Now would to God,"
quoth Dankwart, "that I might find a messenger who could let my brother
Hagen know I stand in such a plight before these knights. He would help
me hence, or lie dead at my side."
Then spake the Hunnish champions: "Thou must be the messenger thyself,
when we bear thee hence dead before thy brother. For the first time
Gunther's vassal will then become acquaint with grief. Passing great
scathe hast thou done King Etzel here."
Quoth he: "Now give over these threats and stand further back, or I'll
wot the armor rings of some with blood. I'll tell the tale at court
myself and make plaint to my lords of my great dole."
So sorely he dismayed King Etzel's men that they durst not withstand
him with their swords, so they shot such great store of darts into his
shield that he must needs lay it from his hand for very heaviness. Then
they weened to overpower him, sith he no longer bare a shield. Ho, what
deep wounds he struck them through their helmets! From this many a brave
man was forced to reel before him, and bold Dankwart gained thereby
great praise. From either side they sprang upon him, but in truth a many
of them entered the fray too soon. Before his foes he walked, as doth a
boar to the woods before the dogs. How might he be more brave? His path
was ever wet with reeking blood. Certes, no single champion might ever
fight better with his foes than he had done. Men now saw Hagen's brother
go to court in lordly wise. Sewers (4) and cupbearers heard the ring of
swords, and full many a one cast from his hand the drink and whatever
food he bare to court. Enow strong foes met Dankwart at the stairs.
"How now, ye sewers," spake the weary knight. "Forsooth ye should serve
well the guests and bear to the lords good cheer and let me bring the
tidings to my dear masters."
Those that sprang towards him on the steps to show their prowess, he
dealt so heavy a sword-stroke, that for fear they must needs stand
further back. His mighty strength wrought mickle wonders.
ENDNOTES:
(1) Adventure XXXII. The details of the following scenes differ
materially in the various sources. A comparative study of
them will be found in the works of Wilmanns and Boer.
(2) "Marriage morning gift" (M.H.G. "morgengabe") was given by
the bridegroom to the bride on the morning after the
wedding. See Adventure XIX, note 1.
(3) "Aldrian's son", i.e., Dankwart.
(4) "Sewers" (O.F. "asseour", M.L. "adsessor" 'one who sets the
table'; cf. F. "asseoir" 'to set', 'place', Lat. "ad
sedere"), older English for an upper servant who brought on
and removed the dishes from the table.
ADVENTURE XXXIII. How The Burgundians Fought The Huns.
When brave Dankwart was come within the door, he bade King Etzel's meiny
step aside. His garments dripped with blood and in his hand he bare
unsheathed a mighty sword. Full loud he called out to the knight:
"Brother Hagen, ye sit all too long, forsooth. To you and to God in
heaven do I make plaint of our woe. Our knights and squires all lie dead
within their lodgements."