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_LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE_
THE NIBELUNGS
LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
_Translated from the German by GEORGE P. UPTON_
12 Vols. Ready
BEETHOVEN FREDERICK THE GREAT
MOZART MARIA THERESA
BACH BARBAROSSA
MAID OF ORLEANS WILLIAM OF ORANGE
WILLIAM TELL GUDRUN
THE LITTLE DAUPHIN THE NIBELUNGS
_Illustrated, each 60 cents net_
A. C. McCLURG & CO., CHICAGO
[Illustration: _DEATH OF SIEGFRIED_]
_LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE_
THE NIBELUNGS
_Translated from the German of
Ferdinand Schmidt_
BY
GEORGE P. UPTON
_Translator of “Memories,” etc._
WITH FOUR ILLUSTRATIONS
[Illustration]
CHICAGO
A. C. McCLURG & CO.
1906
COPYRIGHT
A. C. MCCLURG & CO.
1906
Published September 22, 1906
THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.
Translator’s Preface
The Nibelungen Lied (_Nibelungen_, name of an ancient royal race
which possessed a great treasure; _lied_, song or ballad), one of
the world’s greatest epics, made its appearance in the twelfth or
thirteenth century, in South Germany. Its authorship is unknown. The
writer, however, did not produce an original work, but made use of
still earlier legends which had been handed down orally. The Nibelungen
Lied is to be regarded, therefore, as a collection of ballads skilfully
united so as to form a connected story. Its hero is Siegfried, who
possessed the Nibelung hoard, which he won in Norway. Siegfried wooed
Brunhild for Günther, King of Burgundy, and married the king’s sister,
Kriemhild. He was treacherously slain by Hagen and the hoard was sunk
in the Rhine. Kriemhild subsequently was married to Etzel (Attila),
King of the Huns, and slew Hagen after he had been overcome in combat,
but lost her own life at the hands of the “ancient,” Hildebrand. Both
historical and mythical elements are mingled in this great poem, which
should not be confounded with Wagner’s “Ring der Nibelungen,” in which
he has taken many names from the German epic. The material for his
famous music-dramas he found in the old Norse version, contained in
the Volsunga Saga and the Edda.
The Nibelungen Lied was followed by many similar epics, among them
“Gudrun,” “The Expedition of Ecken,” the tale of “King Laurin,”
“Rosengarten,” and others, but The Nibelungen Lied is the greatest of
all the German national traditions. One writer, in his description of
the poem, says:
“Feudal loyalty and martial courage were the great virtues of these
heroes. The poem contains a tale of revenge; but all the plot turns
on the principle of loyalty, in obedience to which thousands lost
their lives in a quarrel which had at first involved only two or
three leading characters. Though this singular poem contains many
traits of a warlike age, and closes with terrible scenes of carnage,
it displays hardly a trace of such a motive as personal hatred,
except in the character of the heroine.”
Considered as types, Siegfried stands for the enthusiasm, beauty,
courage, lofty purpose, and high ambition of immortal youth; Hagen, for
fierceness, boldness, savagery, and treachery; Kriemhild is the type
of a gentle, loving nature roused to the highest intensity of furious
longing for vengeance. Old as the poem is, it contains the development
of all human passions,--manly beauty, heroism, and nobility by the side
of unmanly cruelty and treachery; the blackest unfaithfulness by the
side of faithfulness until death; the foulest of deeds by the side of
the most loving; and the tenderest hearts combined with the most heroic
souls. But among them all, no character stands out more resplendently
as an exemplar for youth than Siegfried, himself the type of immortal
youth.
In the making of this translation an older form of English expression
has been employed as in better keeping, perhaps, with the older form
of German, which was used in the original poem. Some of the more
sanguinary descriptions have been toned down, some of the numerous
poetical connecting links omitted as being unnecessary, and paragraphs
here and there have also been omitted where this did not mar the
context, so as to make the volume nearly uniform in size with the
others of the series.
G. P. U.
CHICAGO, July 1, 1906.
Contents
I. WIELAND THE SMITH 13
II. DIETRICH’S FIGHT WITH ECKE 22
III. SIEGFRIED IN THE FORGE 30
IV. SIEGFRIED AND THE NIBELUNGS 35
V. SIEGFRIED GOES TO BURGUNDY 40
VI. SIEGFRIED MAKES WAR AGAINST THE SAXONS 45
VII. THE FESTIVAL 49
VIII. KING GÜNTHER’S VOYAGE TO ICELAND 53
IX. THE CONTEST 57
X. SIEGFRIED VISITS THE NIBELUNGS 62
XI. THE WELCOME 66
XII. SIEGFRIED STRIVES WITH BRUNHILD 69
XIII. THE TWO QUEENS 74
XIV. THE QUEENS’ QUARREL 78
XV. THE BETRAYAL 81
XVI. SIEGFRIED’S DEATH 84
XVII. KRIEMHILD’S GRIEF 93
XVIII. THE NIBELUNG HOARD 97
XIX. KING ETZEL WOOS KRIEMHILD 100
XX. ETZEL’S INVITATION TO GÜNTHER 103
XXI. THE SWAN-MAIDENS 106
XXII. KRIEMHILD’S WELCOME 113
XXIII. THE COMRADES 119
XXIV. THE MINSTREL KNIGHT 125
XXV. THE BURGUNDIANS GO TO MASS 129
XXVI. THE FEAST 132
XXVII. BLÖDELIN AND DANKWART 135
XXVIII. THE STRIFE IN THE HALL 139
XXIX. IRING’S FIGHT WITH HAGEN 144
XXX. THE NIGHT OF TERROR 149
XXXI. THE MARGRAVE RÜDIGER 153
XXXII. HILDEBRAND AND DIETRICH 161
XXXIII. KRIEMHILD’S REVENGE AND DEATH 169
Illustrations
The Death of Siegfried _Frontispiece_
Siegfried vanquishes Alberich 62
The Minstrel and Hagen 126
Death of Kriemhild 170
The Nibelungs
_Chapter I_
_Wieland the Smith_
In olden times there lived at Santen on the Rhine a noble pair,
Siegmund and Sieglind, King and Queen of Niderland, to whom late in
life was born a son. They named the boy Siegfried, and he throve and
grew apace, so that none could equal him for beauty or strength, and
in all knightly sports and exercises he soon left far behind him the
other lads of his age. Now, these were the days of heroes whose fame
spread far and wide throughout the world. To listen to tales of their
mighty deeds gave even more joy to the bold youth than the call of the
hunting-horn or the sound of the battle-trumpet; while to forge good
swords that, like the lions’ teeth, should pierce through bone and
sinew, seemed in truth to him a noble art.
One day his father, Siegmund the King, told to him the tale of Wieland
the Smith.
The giant Wadi had a son whose evil fortune it was to be lame,
wherefore he besought his father to let him become a smith. “For,”
said he, “since with such limbs as these it is plain I may do no
knightly deeds, what better lot can be mine than to forge arms fit for
heroes to wield?”
“Now hast thou well spoken,” replied Wadi, and forthwith took his
son to Mime. Mime was the greatest smith in all Hunland, and he kept
Wieland for three years and made him master of his art. Nor was this
all; for, when the time was spent, his father sent him to two famous
dwarfs who dwelt in the Kallova mountains. These dwarfs were possessed
of marvellous strength and skill, and would not agree to take Wieland
into their forge for a twelve-month save upon payment of a piece of
gold.
At the end of the time Wadi came to fetch his son. But Wieland already
surpassed the dwarfs in skill and cunning, and they would not let him
go. They said to Wadi:
“Let thy son bide with us for yet another twelve-month, and thou shalt
have back thy gold.” But to this they craftily added that if by any
chance he should not appear at the time appointed, Wieland’s head must
pay the forfeit. To this the giant agreed; but ere he set forth he
spoke privately with his son, saying:
“For their own sake they will keep thee yet another year, and at the
end thereof for envy they will slay thee. Nevertheless their evil
designs shall avail them not. Three days before the time will I be
here, but meanwhile that thou mayest not lack defence, take this sword.
Be brave and fearless, and in thy hand it shall prove a sword of
vengeance against the mighty dwarfs!”
Then Wadi departed; whereupon his son drove the keen blade into the
ground and hid all traces of it from the sharp eyes of the dwarfs.
Now Wieland plied his craft so lustily, that he wrought many good
swords and pieces of armor, and the time went swiftly by. Three days
before the end of the year came Wadi; but the mountain was shut fast,
and being weary he lay down before it and slept. And as he slept the
dwarfs came forth and spied him; whereat they loosened a great rock
from the side of the mountain, so that it rolled down upon the giant,
crushing and killing him. On the third day they brought Wieland forth
from the mountain and made pretence to watch for Wadi’s coming. But
Wieland saw blood spots on the ground, and, looking about more closely,
perceived one of his father’s feet protruding from a mass of rock.
Thereupon a frenzy of grief and rage seized him, and, thrusting his
hands into the earth, he drew out the great sword the giant had left
him. Meanwhile the dwarfs had fetched their own swords shouting:
“Now must thou die!” But at the sight before them they were stricken
with fear, lest he might be a sorcerer and blast them with his magic.
Wieland gave them no time to recover, but rushed upon them fiercely,
nor could all their skill avail against his fury. Although attacked
from every side and forced to spring now this way, now that, to avoid
their blows, he soon overcame and slew both his foes. Thereupon, after
binding up his wounds, he brought out from the mountain a great store
of gold, and, loading this, with all his tools, upon a horse, set out
upon his journey northward.
At last he came to the sea. Here he felled a stout tree which grew by
the shore, and artfully hollowed it so that it might hold him with his
tools and treasure, closing it after from within, all save some small
openings which he filled with glass. And when all was done he rolled
himself, with the tree, into the water, and was borne away by the wind
and waves.
Thus eighteen days went by and but little was left of his store of meat
and honey, when at last the island of Jutland loomed near at hand.
Now it chanced that some of the King’s folk were fishing in the sea
and they seized the tree-trunk and drew it to the land. When the King
came to look at the strange craft he bade them cleave it asunder, but
at this Wieland gave such a shout that all who heard were smitten
with fear of the spirit dwelling within the tree,--for so they deemed
him. Thereupon he opened the trunk himself and stepped forth, offering
his service to the King; and the King, nothing loath to have such a
follower, made him welcome. Henceforth he abode at the court.
Among Wieland’s other duties was the care of the King’s three best
table-knives; and it chanced one day, after twelve months had passed,
that the sharpest of the knives slipped from his hand and fell into
the sea. He betook himself at once to the King’s smith, Amilias, and
finding no one in the forge, fell to work and made a new knife so
like the lost one that none could tell it was not the same. Also he
wrought a curious three-edged nail, and this he left upon the anvil.
Scarcely had he gone when Amilias, the smith, returned, and great was
his surprise to find so strange a thing upon his anvil, nor could he
guess by whose hand it had been forged. Wieland laid the new knife upon
the King’s table as was his wont, nor did the King perceive the change.
But lo! as he cut his bread, the blade well-nigh pierced the board.
Then the King swore that no other than Wieland, who had so skilfully
fashioned the tree-boat, could have wrought such a knife, and Wieland
confessed that this was so. Amilias, the smith, hearing this, was
filled with envy and grew very wroth. He indignantly denied the truth
of Wieland’s words, and challenged him to a trial of skill.
“Now, forsooth, I will set ye the tasks,” out-spoke the King. “Within
the space of twelve moons thou, Amilias, shalt forge a helm and coat of
mail, and thou, Wieland, a sword. But an thy sword cleave not Amilias’s
helm and mail at one stroke, then art thou held forsworn and for that
thy head shall fall!”
Forthwith Amilias betook himself to his anvil. He labored early and
late till he had wrought a suit of armor so strong and heavy that the
champion who should wear it must needs have the strength of three men.
But when half the year was gone not a blow had Wieland dealt with his
hammer. The King warned him, and caused a forge to be built for him;
yet again the months slipped by and he paid no heed to his task.
At length when it lacked but two months of the appointed time, he fell
to work and in seven days had forged a sword. To test its keenness,
he held it in a stream wherein some handfuls of loose wool had been
thrown. As they drifted against the edge of the blade they were
instantly severed; whereat the King was amazed and acknowledged that
never yet had such a sword been seen. Nor did his wonder lessen when
Wieland began to file the blade into small bits. These he welded
together again and at the end of thirteen days a second sword was made
even sharper than the first. It cut through a bunch of the floating
wool full two feet thick when it had scarcely touched the edge; and the
King pronounced the sword a priceless treasure.
Yet once again did Wieland file it into bits, and from the pieces in
three more weeks forge a third sword. The blade, richly inlaid with
gold, flashed like the lightning and would sever a hair that fell upon
its edge, while the handle was set in curious fashion with precious
stones. The King marvelled greatly at this wondrous feat, and would
have kept the great sword, which was called Mimung, for himself; but
Wieland hid it and soon made another for the King.
Meanwhile Amilias had wrought a second suit of armor still heavier and
more massive than the first, and tried its strength with many weapons.
But the keenest swords and heaviest battle-axes could scarce dent its
surface, much less pierce or destroy it. Wherefore the smith awaited
with calmness the day of the trial, never doubting he should win the
test.
At last the time was come. Amilias strode haughtily into the great
hall, clad in his massive armor, the mighty helm upon his head, and
soon was obliged to sit upon a stool, so oppressive was their weight.
Then came Wieland, and as he drew his great sword, the whole hall
seemed filled with light. The King and all his chiefs formed a circle
about the two smiths and again the King demanded:
“Was it thou, Wieland, who did forge the knife?”
And again Wieland answered: “Of a truth, my lord, it was I.”
Again, too, Amilias denied it, whereupon Wieland strode to his side,
and flung his lying words back to him. But the smith only laughed a
scornful laugh and said:
“Fool! Soon shall thy false head roll upon the ground and thereby prove
me right!”
Hereupon the King gave the signal. Quick as thought the good sword
Mimung flashed in the air, and descended so swiftly that none could
mark its flight, cleaving Amilias in twain, through helm and head, mail
and body, and even through the stool on which he sat. Then Wieland said
to the smith:
“How feelest thou?”
And Amilias replied: “I feel as it were a stream of ice-cold water had
been poured over my body.”
“Shake thyself!” said Wieland; and Amilias shook himself, whereat,
with a great crash down fell his two halves from the stool, one to the
right, the other to the left.
“It was indeed thou that forged the knife,” cried the King;
“henceforth thou shalt be my master smith!”
And so it came to pass. Nor was there any in all the land to equal him
for skill and cunning; and from that time Wieland was renowned as the
greatest of all smiths.
_Chapter II_
_Dietrich’s Fight with Ecke_
Now, it chanced one day that a knight of Siegmund’s court returned
after long wandering in foreign lands, and the King sent for him
forthwith, that himself and his son Siegfried might hear what was
toward in the world without. Thereupon the knight told them many
stirring tales of King Günther, of Hagen the Grim, of old Hildebrand,
and yet others; and the last was the tale of Dietrich’s Fight with Ecke.
In a distant heathen country there dwelt three beautiful queens. One
day they sat together, and with them the three mightiest champions in
the land; and they fell to praising the valor of Dietrich of Bern,
of whose deeds great tales were told, and they vowed he must be the
bravest and strongest knight alive. This greatly vexed the three
heroes, and most of all the greatest of them, who was called Ecke; and
he said:
“In truth unto this day there hath been no man who could withstand me,
nor shall this mighty Dietrich of Bern!”
At these bold words the queens were glad, and one said to him:
“An thou shalt overcome Dietrich and bring him to us alive, so shalt
thou choose which one of us thou wilt for thy wife!”
Then Ecke began forthwith to prepare for his departure, and did but
laugh to scorn a certain knight who, having seen Dietrich and knowing
of his great prowess, had warned Ecke to take heed for his life. When
all was ready, one of the queens bestowed on him a coat of mail, the
golden links of which had been toughened by being dipped in dragon’s
blood, and girded him with a shining sword; the second’s gift was a
splendid shield; while the third placed upon his head a helm of gold.
And there was led forth for him their noblest steed; but this he
refused, saying:
“I will not take the steed, for not long might he bear my weight; nor
is it needful, since for fourteen days and nights I can fare, knowing
neither hunger nor fatigue.”
Thereupon Ecke set bravely forth and was soon lost in the depths of the
forest, shield and harness ringing so loudly among the trees that bird
and beast fled before him in affright. After some days’ journeying he
learned it was but a day since that Dietrich had been in Bern (Verona);
whereat he hastened forthwith to that city. When the people beheld the
gigantic hero they were stricken with terror; for the flashing of his
armor in the sunlight was like fire, and they feared lest this mighty
being should set the whole city ablaze. But old Hildebrand, who had
been Dietrich’s master-at-arms, approached him fearlessly; whereupon
Ecke asked him where Dietrich might be found, and Hildebrand said:
“It was but yestermorn that Dietrich rode hence toward the Tyrol. Seek
him there an thou wilt, bold knight; methinks he will not avoid thee!”
So Ecke hastened after on the road which Dietrich had taken. But ere he
had gone far he encountered a huge monster, half horse, half man, which
he slew after a fierce struggle.
At last one day he came upon a horse tied to a linden tree, while on
the ground near by lay a knight with wounds upon him so fearful it
seemed to Ecke naught but a lightning stroke could have dealt them. But
from the dying man he learned that the lightning had been no other than
the stout arm of Dietrich of Bern. The knight with his three brethren
had attacked Dietrich, whereby he had been wounded unto death and the
three brethren slain. Then Ecke asked which way Dietrich had taken, and
made off with all speed to overtake him; nor was it long ere he saw the
gleam of the hero’s great helm, called Hildegrimm, among the shades of
the forest. But Ecke’s armor glittered likewise, and Dietrich becoming
aware of it, he halted and waited for Ecke to draw nigh. Then Ecke
asked:
“Art thou that Dietrich of Bern, the three queens so greatly desire to
look upon?”
And Dietrich answered: “Many are there of that name in Bern, but an
thou seekest the son of Dittmar, of a truth thou hast indeed found him.”
Then Ecke challenged him to mortal combat; but it was scarce an hour
since Dietrich had fought with the four knights and vanquished them, so
that he was nowise desirous for a struggle with Ecke, who in stature,
moreover, was like a giant beside him. Then Ecke sought to tempt him,
saying:
“Seest thou this gold armor of mine? With dragon’s blood have its links
been toughened, while this helm is the work of no less cunning hands
than Wieland’s, the mightiest smith in all Jutland. It was wrought from
a dragon’s skull. Overlaid with gold is it, and lined with steel. They
shall be thine an thou overcomest me.”
But Dietrich shook his head and made answer that his own helm and
harness were good and he asked no better. None the less did Ecke still
persist, and drawing his sword, said:
“Behold this wondrous blade. It was cunningly forged by dwarfs in the
Tyrol. Twelve months was it in the tempering, and many it hath slain,
among them the giant Grimm. From a diamond was the fastening wrought,
the hilt from a griffin’s horn; inlaid with gold is the sheath, and the
tip of it is a ruby. Mighty is it for length and breadth, and Sachs is
its name!”
At last, seeing his boasting words were of no avail, he grew angry and
cried out, scornfully: “Dietrich thou mayst call thyself, forsooth, but
never art thou Dietrich of Bern, the son of Dittmar, the world-renowned
hero whom I seek. As for thee, before all men, aye and women likewise,
I will hold thee up to scorn as a laggard knight!”
Then Dietrich warned him, saying: “Fool and braggart! An I deign to
fight with thee but one of us shall leave this place alive!”
At this Ecke was overjoyed and he shouted: “Draw thy sword, Sir
Champion, and of a truth thou shalt have need of the help of thy God!”
Now by this time it had grown so dark they could distinguish each
other only by the gleam of their armor. Ecke called on God to assist
Dietrich, but for himself he invoked the aid of the devil.
This roused Dietrich to anger; quickly dismounting he tied his horse to
a tree and drew his sword. Thereupon they rushed at each other with
such fury that even the gleam of helm and shield was no longer visible,
and the air was full of flying sparks.
After they had striven for a space, Dietrich said: “Weary am I from my
encounter with the four knights. Let us rest till the morning!”
To this Ecke agreed, and laying himself down forthwith, he slept while
Dietrich watched beside him. Toward midnight he roused the sleeper
and lay down in his turn. But Ecke burned to renew the conflict, and
scarce had the east begun to redden when he awoke Dietrich with a kick,
whereat Dietrich sprang to his feet in a rage and there began such a
furious combat as would have filled a timid spirit with terror. The
earth shook beneath the feet of the warriors, while links from their
harness flew jangling into the grass and the ground was red with their
blood. Now they fall, but rise again and lean on their swords a space
to recover their breath; then, glaring at each other, they rush to the
attack with renewed fury.
As the sun rose, Ecke grasped his great sword with both hands, and with
a mighty blow clove the lion on Dietrich’s shield and shore through the
shield itself, so that Dietrich was fain to seek shelter in a thicket.
But Ecke so hotly pressed his yielding foe that Dietrich raised his
hands on high and besought the help of God. Then he smote once with
all his strength and bore Ecke to the earth. But Ecke sprang up again
forthwith and dealt Dietrich so fierce a blow that it crushed through
Hildegrimm and made a great wound on his head beneath, while his steed,
terrified by the sound, neighed piteously.
Once more Dietrich called on God, but Ecke on the devil; and now for
a space each stood firm as a rock mid thunder and lightning, while
the blows fell so fast and their blades flashed so swiftly in air, it
seemed as there were a dozen swords aloft at once. Foaming with rage,
Ecke reviled Dietrich and swore the devil must be helping him; but
Dietrich shouted:
“God alone is my aid!” and again hurled Ecke to the ground. A second
time he rose and again the fight began. At length, when the sun was
far above the mountain tops, Ecke fell for the third time; whereupon
Dietrich sprang upon him, tore off his helm and bade him yield. But
Ecke, putting forth all his strength, gripped Dietrich with such force
that the blood spurted from his wounds. Long and fiercely they strove
together upon the ground, till at last Dietrich plunged his sword
through a cleft in Ecke’s corselet and into the heart of his fierce foe.
Dietrich looked with awe and even with pity upon the dead form of the
gigantic warrior. Seizing a fallen tree, he pried a great rock from
the earth and made a grave. In this he laid the body and covered it
with earth; then kneeling down he thanked God for his victory and
prayed for the lost soul. The carbuncle from Ecke’s helm he set in his
own cloven Hildegrimm. Then he took the sword Sachs, mounted his horse,
and rode back to his own land to bide there till his wounds should be
healed. And from that day he bore no other sword than that which he had
so hardly won from Ecke in their terrible fight,--the wonderful great
Sachs.
_Chapter III_
_Siegfried in the Forge_
Many tales like these did Siegfried hear, of heroes, both of his own
and bygone times, till he could no longer restrain his longing to go
out into the world in quest of adventure. And all the more urgent was
this longing, since even now, at the age of eighteen, there was not a
champion in all his father’s kingdom that could equal him in the use
of sword and spear. So at last he took leave of his parents; nor did
they, dear as was their only son to them, deem it otherwise than meet
that he should go forth to win a hero’s renown. Therefore they invoked
God’s blessing on him and prayed that he might return to them rich in
honor and wisdom, so as to govern well the kingdom when it should fall
to him, and be a shining example to his warriors, the champion of the
oppressed, and the scourge of evil-doers.
So fared the young knight forth; to him
The world seemed bathed in light;
A hero’s glory he would win--
Or perish in the fight.
Now Siegfried had heard much of the fame of Mime, the great smith,
him who had been for three years the master of Wieland, the slayer of
Amilias. Thither accordingly he first betook himself, that he might
learn to forge weapons. But Mime had workmen, great brawny fellows,
who were evil-disposed toward Siegfried and tried to pick a quarrel
with him. Soon they came to blows, but Siegfried felled them all, and
the strongest one--called Eckenbrecht--he dragged from the forge by
his hair. When Mime saw what he had done he was amazed at the giant
strength of this youth. He set him to work forthwith and Siegfried,
still furious with rage, dealt such mighty blows on the anvil that it
burst asunder and was driven into the ground, while iron bar, hammer,
and tongs went flying all about the forge.
Here Siegfried abode for many weeks, roaming far and wide through the
depths of the forest to chase the deer or capture wild beasts for
pastime, leaving them hanging upon the trees. Now Mime, the smith, had
a brother, Regin, who, by some wicked enchantment, had been changed
into a dragon, and went about slaying and devouring both man and beast.
Him Mime sought one day, and said:
“It is in my mind, brother, to send thee the fairest and mightiest
youth in all the land that thou mayst devour him.”
Then he went home and bade Siegfried go into the forest to burn some
charcoal. This he did, and when he had reached the place whereto
Mime had directed him, he felled some trees and built a great fire.
Thereupon he slew a boar, ripped off the bristly hide, and was about
to roast it before the fire, when of a sudden out from the shadows of
the forest sprang a dragon, terrible to behold. Its jaws were so huge
that it could have swallowed a horse and rider; fiery sparks shot from
its eyes, and steam issued from its nostrils. But Siegfried did not
shrink, for he knew not fear. Having no sword, he quickly snatched from
the fire a stout sapling and thrust the blazing end between the jaws
of the dragon, at the same time smiting its scaly head with such force
that the monster’s skull was shattered, and blood and bone flew to the
tree-tops. The huge reptile rolled upon the ground lashing its tail
and striking such terrible blows therewith that the earth trembled and
great trees were shaken. Siegfried stood afar till the struggle was
over and the monster lay dead; whereupon he struck off the head with
his axe and cut out the heart, which he roasted before the fire. Now,
it chanced that as the blood dripped therefrom, he dipped his finger in
to taste it, but no sooner had he touched his lips with it, than lo!
straightway he understood the language of the birds. And this is what
they sang:
“Thou wast meant the worm to feed;
Mime is thy foe. Take heed!”
Next, Siegfried sought and found the den of the monster, deep in a
cleft of rock; and there lay a she-dragon with her young. He flung a
tree across, that they might not escape; then he felled more trees, and
casting them into the cleft, set fire to them. When the reptiles were
consumed there gushed forth from the rock a clear white stream; it was
the fat of the dragons. And Siegfried, taking off his garments, smeared
his body therewith, all save one spot between the shoulders whereon
a linden leaf had chanced to fall. Wherever the dragon’s fat touched
it the skin seemed to grow more fair and smooth, whereas in truth it
had become as impenetrable as the toughest hide. Thereupon Siegfried
clothed himself once more and set out on his homeward way, bearing the
head of the dragon upon his shoulders; but when Mime’s workmen saw him
returning, they fled in terror, for they had believed him dead.
Now it chanced that Mime saw none of this for he was at work in the
forge, and when Siegfried of a sudden stood in the doorway and cast
the dragon’s head at his feet he was alarmed and changed color; yet he
feigned to be greatly rejoiced over Siegfried’s victory and therewith
bestowed on him as reward a costly suit of armor which he had wrought
for King Hernit.
Siegfried spoke no word while Mime enveloped him in the armor and
girded on the great sword Gram, nor yet when the smith proffered him
likewise Grane, the noblest steed in all the world. When Mime had
finished, Siegfried upbraided him for his treachery and falseness.
Mime denied it fiercely, whereupon the hero drew his sword and struck
his head from his shoulders. Then he went to the pasture to seek the
horse Grane. No man had ever dared ride this wondrous steed; but when
Siegfried approached, it sprang toward him, neighing joyously, as if
to greet at last a worthy master. Whereupon Siegfried mounted and rode
away.
_Chapter IV_
_Siegfried and the Nibelungs_
Forth into the great world the young hero fared at last; and one day
he chanced to meet with Dietrich of Bern, the same who had vanquished
the mighty Ecke, and many valiant deeds thereafter wrought. Against him
Siegfried had long yearned to try his strength, wherefore he hailed the
champion joyfully and offered him combat; nor was Dietrich averse to
this. Long they strove, but no advantage could either gain; whereupon
they agreed to a truce, and Dietrich took Siegfried with him to the
court of King Etzel. There he abode three years, fighting in many
battles for the King and performing such heroic feats that his fame
soon spread throughout the land. Then came peace, and his sword being
no longer of use, he once more rode upon his way. Through many lands
he had wandered, when he came one day to a hill whereon stood a great
castle, and near by on the plain was a city.
Now at this time there was great strife within the castle, for the King
was dead, and his two sons, Nibelung and Schilbung, were left to share
their father’s treasure, and each believed the other was seeking to
overreach him.
When they learned that Siegfried the famous hero was come, they were
overjoyed, and resolved forthwith that he should divide the treasure
for them. This Siegfried agreed to, if they would swear to abide by his
judgment, and they took an oath so to do, bestowing on him besides the
sword Balmung, which was even greater and sharper than his own Gram.
Then he set to work and divided the treasure as was just and lawful.
But still the King’s sons were not content, and notwithstanding their
oath the quarrel broke out afresh. Siegfried would have made peace
between them once again, but mad with rage and hatred they turned upon
him, and at once a terrible fight began. Siegfried had but a handful
of followers, while opposed to them were many hundreds, with twelve
gigantic warriors at the head; yet soon the ground was strewn with
heaps of their slain. So swift and true fell the lightning strokes of
Balmung that men were mowed down like grass beneath the sickle. At last
the King’s two sons were slain; whereupon those who were left alive
yielded themselves and hailed Siegfried as their lord.
Thus did Siegfried become King of the land of the Nibelungs (Norway)
but another hard struggle must he undergo, for anon came Alberich, the
powerful dwarf who guarded the King’s treasure, to avenge the death
of Nibelung and Schilbung. This Alberich was but of the stature of a
child, yet was he finely formed and magnificently arrayed. For a weapon
he carried a whip of seven thongs, each tipped with a golden knob,
with which he dealt such fearful blows that no shield or helm, however
strong, might withstand them. Well might Siegfried dread to meet so
formidable a foe; yet he knew no fear, and no sooner did the dwarf
draw nigh than they sprang at each other like two eagles. But lo! of a
sudden Alberich vanished before Siegfried’s eyes and his spear smote
the rocky wall with such force that it broke, sending a great stone
crashing to the ground, while at the same instant he received a blow
that burst three of the steel rings of his armor. The dwarf had drawn
from his pocket and donned the Tarnkappe, or magic cap, that made its
wearer invisible.
Siegfried laid about him furiously with Balmung, but Alberich only
laughed mockingly; for not once did the great sword touch him, while
Siegfried received many a blow that might well have slain a giant.
Seeing that if he did not prevent this he must in the end be overcome,
he thrust Balmung into the sheath, turned quick as thought and,
seizing the dwarf with his hands, succeeded at last, in spite of his
struggles, in snatching the magic cap from him. This cap had likewise
the power of lending its wearer the strength of twelve men. Moreover,
Alberich was now once more visible, wherefore Siegfried again drew his
sword and rushed upon his foe. A mighty blow from the whip dashed his
shield to pieces, but he soon overpowered the dwarf, who now begged
for mercy, and swore allegiance to his conqueror. Thereupon Siegfried
granted him his life and bade him continue as guardian of the treasure.
Now, this treasure was a hoard of gold and jewels so vast that a
hundred wagons could not have borne it away, nor did it ever grow less,
however much might be taken therefrom. With it, moreover, was a magic
wand of gold that gave its owner power over all men.
Siegfried did not tarry in his new-found kingdom. When Alberich and all
the chief Nibelungs had sworn fealty to him as their liege lord, he
bade them farewell and rode homeward to Santen.
There reigned in Burgundy at this time a mighty prince named Günther,
who had two brothers, Gernot and Giselher, no less wise in council and
brave in battle than himself. Now, these three princes had a sister, a
noble damsel as beautiful as the day, and her name was Kriemhild.
One night it chanced that Kriemhild had a strange dream. Her favorite
falcon rose from her hand and soared aloft, whereupon two gray eagles
swooped down from the mountain top and struck their sharp talons into
its breast, so that it fell dead at her feet. Full of trouble, she
awoke and related the dream to her mother, who said: “May God have thee
in His care! The falcon, meseemeth, is the gallant knight whom one day
thou shalt wed.”
But shamed, the maiden answered: “Never shall I be wife to any man!”
Thereupon her mother reproved her, saying: “Make no rash vows, my
daughter! No greater honor can fall to the lot of any maiden than to be
true wife to a noble lord.”
_Chapter V_
_Siegfried goes to Burgundy_
Now for a whole year Siegfried abode at home with his parents, but
such were the tales that reached him of the wondrous beauty and grace
of Kriemhild that he determined to go to Burgundy and woo her for his
wife. His father warned him that the Burgundians were insolent and
haughty, and bade him be on his guard against King Günther and his
brethren, and most of all to beware of the fierce Hagen of Tronege
(Treves), a near kinsman of the King. Whereupon Siegfried boldly
declared he feared no man, neither the princes nor their kinsman, and
would gladly meet them in combat, one or all. When Siegmund saw that
his son’s resolve was not to be shaken, he wished to send a thousand
knights to accompany him, but this Siegfried refused, nor would he have
more than twelve stout warriors, and those of his own choice.
Now when ’twas told to Sieglind,
The Queen so fair and mild,
She sore distressed and troubled was
For her beloved child;
For well she knew King Günther’s court,
Likewise his stalwart men;
Wherefore she sought by tears to end
His wooing there and then.
But Siegfried’s words at length prevailed over his mother’s fears, and
she too gave her consent, yet with a heavy heart. Soon all was ready,
and Siegfried, with his trusty followers, well armed and equipped, bade
a loving farewell to all and set forth upon his journey, followed by
many tears and prayers.
The trappings of their prancing steeds
With ruddy gold did shine,
As Siegfried and his gallant knights
Behind them left the Rhine.
So gloriously attired and horsed
Was never martial band,
As they their stately progress made
Into King Günther’s land.
On the seventh day they came to Worms, where never before had such
mighty heroes been seen. The people in the streets stood and stared to
see them pass, and many ran after them; but Siegfried far surpassed
them all in beauty and stature no less than in the splendor of his
equipment. Before the King’s castle they halted, whereupon serving-men
hastened to assist the strangers to dismount, and provide for their
steeds. But Siegfried said:
Let bide the steeds belonging to
Myself and my brave men!
It may be we depart anon
From Burgundy again.
To him who knows and will reply,
In truth will I be bound,
If he will say where now perchance
King Günther may be found.
To this they replied that the King was in the great hall of the castle,
and pointed thither. Meanwhile Günther had perceived the well-armed
stranger knights from the window, and, greatly wondering thereat,
questioned his brothers concerning them; but none could say who they
might be. Then out-spoke one of his men:
“My Lord, were it not well to summon Hagen? He hath seen many lands,
and perchance will have knowledge of these strangers.”
When Hagen came he said: “Never before, forsooth, have I laid eyes on
yon bold heroes; yet much have I heard of Siegfried, and it may well be
he that towers above the rest.”
And Günther replied:
“Meseemeth thou art right.
Yon dauntless chief of princely air
Is he, that valiant knight!
That he is bold and high of mind
I long have understood,
Let us go forth to greet our guest--
Now is his coming good!”
Though there was none in all Günther’s court so haughty as Hagen, yet
he did not gainsay this. And the King went out to welcome Siegfried,
whereupon that hero challenged him forthwith to mortal combat,
whosoever should be the victor to fall heir to the crown and lands of
the vanquished. But Hagen feared for the issue of this; wherefore he
spoke soft words to Siegfried, greeting him as friend, not foe, and
conducted him to the castle hall, where he drank of the King’s wine and
was made welcome.
Thus did Siegfried become an honored guest at Günther’s court, and long
he bided there, beguiling the time with tilting, casting the javelin,
stone-throwing, and all manner of knightly sports; nor was there any
that could surpass him in feats of skill and daring. But he saw naught
of Kriemhild the fair, though her glances many a time fell upon him:
Full oft upon the tourney field,
Where met in knightly sport
The valorous knights or gallant squires
Of the Burgundian court,
Did Kriemhild from her window gaze,
To see how Siegfried bore
The honors from them all--for this
And naught else cared she more.
To know that on him thus she gazed,
Had rapture been, I ween;
And might his eyes but once behold
The face of her, his Queen,
Then could the earth no greater joy
Or happiness impart
To him who long had held so dear,
Her image in his heart.
Thus Siegfried dwelt in Günther’s court
Till full a year had flown,
Nor had these lords of Burgundy
E’er braver champion known;
And yet no sight was him vouchsafed
Of her he loved so well--
That love, wherefrom in after days
Such bliss and woe befell.
_Chapter VI_
_Siegfried makes War against the Saxons_
Now, it came to pass that one day messengers arrived from two powerful
Kings, Lendeger of the Saxon land and Lendegast of Denmark, declaring
war against Günther, whose dominions they were preparing to lay waste.
Thereupon was the King greatly troubled, for the enemy far outnumbered
his own men and, moreover, were well armed. He took counsel of Hagen,
who bade him secure the aid of Siegfried without delay. But Siegfried
had already observed Günther’s sorrowful mien, and asked him what lay
so heavy on his heart. The King disclosed the cause of his trouble,
whereupon Siegfried swore to aid him with all his power, and joyfully
hastened to summon his twelve knights to join the thousand Burgundians
Günther had assembled, while Hagen, with all his followers, made ready
to march with them.
The messengers were released and sent upon their way; but when it was
made known to the two Kings that Siegfried was with the Burgundians,
gathering together an army to meet them, they hastily doubled the
number of their forces.
Soon thereafter the two hostile armies drew near to each other, and
Siegfried rode on before to the top of a hill to learn somewhat of
the enemy’s strength. Of Danes and Saxons there were full thrice his
own number of men, but little did this dismay his bold spirit. Now,
while he gazed, there rode forth from the opposite camp King Lendeger,
who likewise thought to spy upon his foes. Swift as a whirlwind they
rushed to the attack, and casting aside their shattered spears, sprang
from their horses. Thick and fast fell the blows of their swords on
shield and helm, but soon the Saxon King was sorely hurt and knelt at
Siegfried’s feet, craving his mercy and yielding himself captive.
Then came thirty of the Saxon knights, who, having observed the combat
from afar, dashed to the rescue of their lord; but these also Siegfried
overcame after a desperate fight,--all save one, who fled, bearing the
evil tidings to his comrades. Thereupon Siegfried rode back with his
prisoners and summoned his army to the attack. Pennons waved, shield
and armor glittered in the sunlight, while clouds of dust arose, as,
shouting their battle-cries, they rushed upon the foe. Then followed
such a battle as rarely had been known before, so fiercely and bravely
was it fought. Many a shining helm was dulled, and many a lance
splintered, while far and wide the plain was strewn with broken shields
and swords. But none could stand before Siegfried. Thrice he broke
through the enemy’s ranks, hewing bloody gaps wheresoever he rode,
and at last he came upon King Lendegast. The sight of Siegfried gave
fresh courage to the Danish King, for he burned to avenge his brother.
Furiously they sprang at one another, but the first stroke of Balmung
shattered the golden shield of Lendegast, while the second clove
his armor and bore him to the ground; whereupon he yielded himself
likewise, and ordering his banners lowered, sued for peace. The greater
part of the Danes and Saxons fled, but there fell into the hands of
the victors full five hundred warriors, together with the two Kings,
wherewith they joyfully set out on their homeward way.
Now, Siegfried had despatched messengers to bear news of the victory to
King Günther; and one of these, being perchance aware that Kriemhild
looked not unkindly on the young hero, betook himself straightway to
her.
“If thou dost bring me good tidings,” cried Kriemhild, “thou shalt have
all my gold!”
“In truth, fair lady,” replied the messenger, “none hath fought so
nobly as my lord Siegfried, nor lives there a hero with fame to equal
his!”
Thereupon he told her of the battle, and how Siegfried had vanquished
the two Kings and was bringing them captives to the court of Burgundy.
At this the maiden’s eyes shone like stars, and when the messenger
departed she bestowed on him not only the promised gold, but also a
suit of rich apparel. And thereafter she stood often at her window,
gazing toward the road by which the warriors must return.
_Chapter VII_
_The Festival_
At last Siegfried drew near with his victorious band, and right royally
was he welcomed, for in truth he had saved the kingdom. They came laden
with spoils of war, and with many a shattered helm, and cloven shield,
and many a blood-stained saddle. The royal captives flung themselves on
Günther’s mercy, but he could not have received them more kindly had
they been honored guests instead of conquered foes.
Now, it was in the King’s mind to celebrate the victory by a great
festival, but his brother Gernot counselled him to delay yet awhile,
till the wounds of the prisoners should be healed, so the time was
fixed for six weeks thence. So Siegfried took his leave for that space
and rode back to Santen, for he greatly longed to see his parents.
At last the six weeks were past and the festival was held with great
splendor and rejoicing. The King, as a surprise to Siegfried, whose
attachment for Kriemhild was well known to him, had bidden the ladies
of the court to grace the festival with their presence. Accordingly,
when the lords and knights had all assembled, making a glittering array
of shining armor and gorgeous apparel, the train of damsels entered the
hall; whereupon there arose a great pushing and crowding, so desirous
were all to behold the beautiful Kriemhild. At last she came, walking
at her mother’s side and followed by richly dressed and bejewelled
damsels and a hundred chosen knights. When Siegfried’s eyes fell upon
her it was as if the light of morning had broken through the clouds.
Full many a gem on her attire
Cast dazzling rays of light,
And on her rose and lily cheek
The glow of love was bright.
Whatever minstrel’s mind might wish,
He must admit, I ween,
That on the earth there never yet
Was such pure beauty seen.
Like as the silver tinting-moon
Bedims the starry crowds,
When, with its clear and gentle light
It breaks through murky clouds,
E’en so, in truth, did she outshine
The best of womankind!
Such beauteous vision well might raise
Each hero’s heart and mind.
Then Gernot said to the King: “Never yet hath our sister Kriemhild
paid greeting to a hero. Methinks it were well she should now welcome
Siegfried, for such an honor perchance may bind him to us henceforth.”
These words pleased Günther, and he forthwith sent a message to
Siegfried, bidding him approach and receive his sister’s thanks. Now,
when Kriemhild saw the splendid young hero standing before her, her
cheeks grew red as the dawn, but with a gracious gesture she gave him
her hand and said:
“Thrice welcome, my lord Siegfried!
Thy praises wide resound,
For by thy might were victory
And peace and glory found.
Brave heroes do thee honor;
The people’s love is thine;
Far more hast thou bestowed on them
Than gold or jewels fine.
Our tottering throne hast thou upheld
And aided by thy deed;
Now may our country’s warmest thanks
And blessings be thy meed!”
They looked into each other’s eyes, and therewith a great love sprang
up in their hearts, and they knew that never henceforth could they live
apart. Then indeed Siegfried’s heart beat high with joy.
In Summer and that blithest time,
The genial month of May,
His heart had not so overflowed
As on that festal day,
With gladness and with earthly bliss;
For she stood by his side
Whom he with all the warmth of youth
Aspired to make his bride.
And now began the great tournament, wherein the conquered Kings and
their knights took part, being quite healed of their wounds; and for
twelve days the whole court was given over to feasting and rejoicing.
When all was over, Lendeger and Lendegast came before King Günther, and
besought him for their freedom, offering for ransom as much gold as
might be borne by five hundred horses. Günther declared this was the
due of Siegfried who had vanquished them. But Siegfried cared naught
for the gold, and said:
“Let them go hence in peace, so they will pledge themselves nevermore
to make war upon thee!”