Of the high-born Daughter of Princes, as her feet came down the stair
{P. 242}
That led from the palace-portal. Soon as he saw that sight,
Unto his warrior-comrade spake Volker the dreadless knight:
"Behold now, O friend Hagen, and mark as she draweth nigh
Who as guests hath bidden us hither with purpose of treachery.
Never so many warriors saw I follow a queen
With sword in hand drawing nigh me, and with faces battle-keen.
Of this art thou ware, friend Hagen, that to thee are they foemen
fell:
Wherefore I give thee counsel, take heed that thou guard well
Thy life and thy knightly honour. I trow such rede is good;
For in very deed meseemeth they come in angry mood.
There is many a man amongst them broad-chested and stalwart of frame.
Whoso would keep life scatheless, betimes let him see to the same!
I mark how under their vesture glittering hauberks they wear:
What deed thereby they purpose I know not, neither care."
Made answer in scornful anger Hagen the aweless man:
"Well know I, for my destruction is all their plot and plan;
And for this are the gleaming weapons that yon men bear in hand.
But for all they may do, shall I yet ride back into Burgundy-land.
Now tell unto me, friend Volker, by me art thou minded to stand
If these be fain to beset me, yon men of Kriemhild's band?
Lo, by thy love I adjure thee, tell me thy mind herein,
And my love and my loyal service for ever shalt thou win."
"Yea, of a surety I help thee," the minstrel made reply;
"And though I beheld against us a king of the earth draw nigh
With all his knights about him, so long as endureth my life,
Through fear will I ne'er draw backward one foot from thy side in the
strife."
"Now God in Heaven reward thee, Volker, thou peerless of worth!
Though all these rise up against us, what need I more on earth?
If thou but stand mine helper, as now thou hast said in mine ear,
These knights have need to be wary of coming a step more near."
"Now," said the viol-minstrel, "rise we up from our seat
In presence of this King's Daughter, as before us pass her feet;
{P. 243}
So render we due honour unto a high-born queen,
And by courtesy do we honour unto ourselves, I ween."
"Nay," Hagen replied, "if thou love me, in no wise do this thing.
Yon knights will be puffed up haply with vain imagining
That I did it of failing courage, and were minded to flinch from her
face.
But I,--for no soul among them will I rise up from my place.
From such honour to her refrain we; it better beseemeth us so.
What, should I render her homage who hath set her to be my foe?
No, that will I do never so long as endureth my life!
What reck I of the malice of this King Etzel's wife?"
Across his knees did Hagen in haughty defiance lay
A flashing glaive of battle, and with restless splendour-ray
A jasper shone on the pommel--spring grass were not so green.
Full well did Kriemhild know it, for Siegfried's sword had it been.
She saw the brand, and remembered, and anguish it was to see.
Of gold were the hilts, and the scabbard all crimson broidery.
The olden grief was rewakened, and fast did the hot tears flow.
In sooth, with none other purpose had Hagen done it, I trow.
Then close to his side on the settle Volker the unafraid
Drew a viol-bow strange-fashioned, a mighty and long steel blade:
Yea, as a sword was it shapen, and keen it was and broad.
Thus sat these knights in the presence of a throng of their foes
unawed.
Of such high worth they accounted themselves, that fearless twain,
For dread of any foeman never a whit would they deign
To rise from the place of their session. Now stood before them there
That high-born Daughter of Princes, and a bitter greeting she bare;
For she spake: "Now say, Lord Hagen, who sent a bidding to thee
That thou darest hither to journey to my land thus hardily,
Albeit full well thou knewest what deeds unto me thou hast done?
Hadst thou been prudent of spirit, into peril thou hadst not run."
"Me?--no man hath bidden me hither," with careless scorn he replied.
"Hither to this thy kingdom were three knights bidden to ride,
{P. 244}
And these same knights be my liege-lords, and I am their liegeman
true.
Whensoever they wend to a high-tide, my wont is to be there too."
She said: "This also tell me--why diddest thou that deed
For the which the hatred I bear thee is but thy rightful meed?
Thou, thou didst murder Siegfried!--my lord and my love didst thou
slay
For whom I must needs mourn ever unto my latest day."
"Tush! this sufficeth," he answered. "Why idly waste thy breath?
I still am the same--that Hagen who dealt unto Siegfried death,
To the mighty-handed hero. Dearly he paid at last
For the flouts that the Lady Kriemhild upon Brunhild the fair had
cast.
Dream not, O Queen most mighty, that I will conceal or deny
That of all the scathe and the mischief done to thee guilty am I.
Let whoso dareth avenge it!--let woman or man essay!
I have heaped thee the measure of sorrow, if I be not a liar this
day."
"Ye hear him, knights! He confesseth all shamelessly," she cried,
"This crime that was cause of mine anguish! What unto him may betide
In requital for this, I care not, O vassals of Etzel the King!"
But her thanes looked each upon other with glances wavering.
Had they closed that instant in conflict, those two companions, I
trow,
Right soon had exacted homage to their prowess from the foe,
As oft in the days passed over they had proved in battle-storm.
The thing they had undertaken now feared those men to perform.
Then spake a knight to his fellows: "Why look ye so upon me?
The deed that erewhile I promised, fulfilled may it nowise be.
No mortal's gifts shall beguile me to barter away my life.
To our own destruction hither were we lured by Etzel's wife!"
Then spake and answered another: "As thou art, so am I.
If one would give to me towers with the ruddy gold heaped high,
Against yon viol-minstrel in battle I would not stand.
I have marked his eagle-glances, and I fear the might of his hand.
Yea, and I knew yon Hagen in his youth long years ago.
It needs not that any should tell me of the prowess that I know:
{P. 245}
In battles two-and-twenty have I seen him play his part.
Unto many a wife made widow hath he given sorrow of heart.
Yea, he and Walter the Spaniard upon many a foray fared;
And here under Etzel's banner full many a deed they dared
For the King's renown: they have proved them so oft in foughten
field,
That men must needs unto Hagen the palm of honour yield.
Yet a child in years was the warrior what time he won such praise,
And now are they men grey-headed which were boys in those far days;
But now hath he gained war-cunning, and grimmer than he is none,
And he beareth the great sword Balmung by a deed of darkness won."
So ended their vaunting, for no man dared battle with such stern
foes.
In the heart of the Daughter of Princes the anguish-tide high rose,
As backward recoiled her champions: ay, death seemed all too near
At the hands of the viol-minstrel--good cause had they for fear!
How oft do men's hearts fail them, that they shrink from an emprise
aghast
When faced by friend that standeth at friend's side loyal and fast!
Ay, intermeddlers in quarrels, if wisdom they have to refrain
And to take heed unto their goings, may deliver themselves from bane.
Then spake the dreadless Volker: "Now for ourselves have we found
The truth whereof we had warning, that here foes swarm all round.
Let us pass on then to the Princes, where in the palace they are,
That none may beset our masters unawares with array of war."
"Good; lead thou on, I follow," did Hagen answering say.
And thence went those two comrades; and there in the hall saw they
Those knights, and the Hunfolk greeting thronged them all about.
Then the voice of Volker the dreadless like a trumpet-blast rang out,
As he cried to his lords the Princes: "How long are ye minded to stay
To be thronged and pressed thus tamely? Ye should to the King
straightway,
And hear in his presence-chamber what is his mood unto you."
Then the good knights and valiant set forward two by two.
For the champion of Bern, Lord Dietrich, in fellowship took by the
hand
The mighty ruler Gunther, the King of Burgundia-land;
{P. 246}
And with Gernot the valiant hero was Irnfried handed there;
And with Giselher to the palace went the noble Rüdiger.
But, howsoe'er companioned were the rest, to the hall as they hied,
Never did Volker and Hagen leave one another's side,
Save only in one grim conflict, until on their death they came,
Which was cause of sorrow and weeping unto many a noble dame.
On passed to the hall of the presence with the Princes a gallant
train,
A thousand of their vassals, each man a valiant thane.
There were threescore knights moreover of that royal company,
Warriors whom Hagen the dauntless had brought from his seignory.
Hawart and Iring, chieftains of Etzel's own war-band,
Went with Burgundia's Princes to the palace hand in hand.
Dankwart withal, and Wolfhart, an earl of high degree,
Bare them amidst of the concourse with knightly courtesy.
So now when the Lord of Rhineland passed through the palace-door,
Etzel the King wide-ruling would tarry no whit more:
He leapt adown from his high-seat when he saw him standing there.
Never was welcoming given by king unto king more fair.
"Welcome be thou, Lord Gunther! Lord Gernot, welcome to thee,
And to Giselher your brother! I bade you Princes three,
With greeting and all true service, from Worms beyond the Rhine.
Welcome to me, King Gunther, be all these vassals of thine.
Be ye twain also welcome, good knights, to my festival,
Volker the valiant champion, and thou, Lord Hagen withal.
Unto me and my wife be ye welcome here in the land of the Hun:
Messages unto Rhineland hath she sent you many an one."
Made answer Hagen of Troneg: "Her words of love have I heard.
Had I not in my masters' service hither to Hunland spurred,
O King, to render thee honour had I come unto thy land."
Then the host right noble and royal took each dear guest by the
hand;
{P. 247}
And he led them unto the high-seat, and set them at his own board.
For the guests the drink of welcome the cupbearers hasted and poured,
Mead, wine, and mulberry-brewis, into golden goblets wide;
So they hailed with gladsome welcome those thanes, Burgundia's pride.
Then spake the great King Etzel: "O guests, I needs must avow
That nought on the earth more welcome to mine heart could befall me
now
Than cometh, O knights, by your presence, for to see you here am I
fain;
And thereby hath the Queen's heart gotten relief from yearning pain.
Sooth, oftentimes had I marvelled wherein I had haply transgressed,
In that, though I had won to my feast-hall many a noble guest,
Yet ye, the chiefest, have never deigned to my land to ride:
But now at the last I behold you, and mine heart is satisfied."
Answered a knight great-hearted, and Rüdiger made reply:
"Well may ye rejoice to behold them, for their knightly honour is
high;
And this can my Mistress' kinsmen in the face of the world maintain.
And they bring to thy palace-portals full many a hero-thane."
On a fair Midsummer even they came, those guests renowned,
To the court of Etzel the mighty. Full seldom hath it been found
That the guests of a king had greeting so fair as the heroes won.
And by this was the hour of feasting, and the King to the board led
on.
In the midst of his guests sat never a host more gracious-willed.
There were meats in abundant measure, and with wine were the cups aye
filled.
Whatsoever a guest might crave for, straightway it lay at his side,
For honour to heroes whose prowess had been published far and wide.
(C) Ere this had the great King Etzel on a mansion spacious and fair
Spent measureless toil and trouble, and nought for the cost did he
care.
Palace and tower rose stately, with chambers therein untold,
And a lordly-fashioned feast-hall, in the midst of a great
stronghold.
(C) He had caused his wrights to uprear it long and wide and high,
To lodge the knights unnumbered that sought to him ceaselessly,
And all the host of his liegemen: for twelve kings mighty of sway,
And warriors worship-worthy, had he in his war-band aye,
{P. 248}
(C) Yea, more than king had ever whose name to the minstrel is known.
So lived he blithely with kinsmen and vassals about his throne;
And the good King's halls with thronging and gladsome tumult were
loud
That rose from his valiant warriors, and his heart was high and
proud.
XXX.
How Hagen and Volker kept Watch while Men slept
By this was the daylight ended, and nearer the night-tide drew.
But perplexed were the way-worn heroes, for as yet they nowise knew
Where they should find them couches for the rest of the slumber-tide.
Then Hagen put it to question, and by him were they certified.
For unto their host spake Gunther: "God prosper you of his grace!
We would fain go hence to our slumber: thou have us excused for a
space.
Tomorn we return right early, if this to the King seem best."
Then the host with blithe leave-taking let all depart to their rest.
But the Queen's folk thronged and beset them, and pressed on every
side.
Then out spake Volker the dreadless, and unto the Huns he cried:
"What mean ye to bar and to cumber our feet, discourteous crew?
If ye from our path avoid not, mischief shall light upon you!
Upon some this bow of my viol so heavily shall smite,
That whoso there be that love them shall weep for their woeful
plight.
Hence from our path! Meseemeth it were best that ye block not our
way!
Knights these name them--but little enow of the knight have they!"
The while that the viol-minstrel spake thus angerly,
Around him Hagen the dauntless cast a scornful eye;
And he said: "Ye have heard good counsel from the minstrel
battle-keen.
Get you hence to your lodging, ye men of Kriemhild the Queen!
Whatsoe'er be your purpose of malice, now shall it nowise speed.
Come early to us to-morrow, if ye fain would essay some deed,
{P. 249}
And leave us way-worn warriors to rest in peace this night.
It was ever the wont of true men to do their deeds in the light."
Then brought they the guests Burgundian to a hall both great and
wide;
For all that throng of warriors was it dight for the slumber-tide
With couches exceeding splendid: long and broad they were.
--There trusted Kriemhild to tangle their feet in murder's snare.
With tapestries of Arras were the couches overspread.
Wrought all of radiant loomwork, and strown was every bed
With glistering silks Arabian, the richest that eye hath seen,
And coverlets lay thereover that gleamed with lordly sheen.
And rich rugs, some of ermine fashioned, lay in sight,
And some of the dusky sable, whereunder through the night
They should rest them lying softly till shone the light of day.
Sooth, never a king with his vassals in state more lordly lay.
"Alas for the place of our resting!" the young Prince Giselher
cried,
"And alas for our friends and our kinsmen that hither with us have
hied!
With what fair words soever my sister hath bidden us come,
We have won, I sorely fear me, through her hate to the Net of
Doom!"
"Nay then, put by misgivings," said Hagen, "and rest you well.
Myself will to-night be your watchman and slumber-sentinel,
And faithfully will I guard you till morning bringeth the day.
Fear nought till then: thereafter let him keep his head who may."
Low bowed them unto him all men, and thanked him courteously;
Then on their beds they cast them. Few moments fleeted by
Ere hero by goodly hero untroubled rest had won.
And now 'gan Hagen the dreadless his harness of battle to don.
Then answered the viol-minstrel, and the good thane Volker spake:
"If thou scorn my request not, Hagen, with thee will I undertake
This night the watching in armour, till the shadows flee away."
Then heartily thanked he Volker, and thus did the warrior say:
{P. 250}
"Now God from his Heaven reward thee, Volker, of men most dear!
In all my sorest peril would I have none other near
Than thee alone, whensoever into hard straits I were brought.
Full well will I requite thee, so death forestall me not."
Then did these twain array them in mail bright-glittering;
And over his arm his buckler did either warrior sling.
Forth of the great hall went they afront of the door to stand,
And they guarded the guests there lying with loyal heart and hand.
Then Volker the battle-eager unclasped his buckler good
From his arm, and upright set it, that propped by the wall it stood.
Then unto where was his viol he turned him back again,
And rendered his tired friends service worthy of such a thane.
For under the great hall's doorway he sat on the threshold-stone--
More valiant viol-harper never hath mortal known.
When the strings thrilled under his fingers and the soul of the viol
woke,
Low murmured their thanks unto Volker the proud, the homeless folk.
The walls and the rafters echoed as the chords pealed loud and
clear--
In might and in music-cunning was the hero without a peer:--
Then sweeter and softer they whispered like the ripple of murmuring
streams,
And so were the heavy-hearted lulled into happy dreams.
So when all slumbered, and Volker was ware that their cares were
stilled,
Then over his arm the warrior drew once more his shield;
And forth he strode from the portal, and afront of the door he stood
To ward his friends and kinsmen from Kriemhild's avengers of blood.
Now hard on the hour of midnight, or earlier perchance,
He marked, this Volker the dreadless, the gleam of a helmet glance
Far away through the darkness. The vassals of Kriemhild were there,
Full fain to have done some mischief to the sleepers unaware.
(C) Now ere these were sent of Kriemhild to take the prey in the
snare,
She said: "If ye come on them sleeping, in God's name have a care
That of all this company one man, and only he, be slain,
Hagen the faithless traitor: your hands from the rest refrain."
{P. 251}
Then spake the viol-minstrel: "Friend Hagen, see to it now
That we bear this burden of peril together, I and thou.
Lo, in front of the hall in armour I see folk gathered near.
If I may divine their purpose, they come to fall on us here."
"Hush!" answered Hagen: "suffer that they come unto us full close.
Ere they be ware of our presence, shall the helms of yonder foes
With these good swords be cloven that shall swing in the hands of
twain.
In evil plight unto Kriemhild will we send them back again!"
Then ware was one of the warriors of the Hunfolk suddenly
How that the door was guarded. In haste to the rest spake he:
"The deed that we had purposed, now doth fate forestall.
I behold the viol-minstrel stand guard afront of the hall.
He wears on his head a helmet whose splendour flames through the
dark,
As adamant hard and burnished, dintless withal and stark.
Bright glow the rings of his hauberk, as fire that flashes afar;
And beside him standeth Hagen. Well warded the strangers are!"
Then backward they faltered: when Volker marked how they turned to
flee,
Straightway unto his comrade he spake full angerly:
"Now suffer me from the hall-way to go to yon men in mail:
I will speak with the vassals of Kriemhild, and ask of the
night-tide's tale."
"Now nay, an thou lovest me," Hagen answered, "thou shalt not so!
If once thou leave this portal, yon battle-eager foe
With onset of swords may bring thee right soon into such hard strait,
That I needs must help, though our kinsmen thereby met an evil fate.
For if we twain in battle were compassed by yon false crew,
Haply some two of their comrades, or four, or ever we knew,
Into the great hall rushing, therein might work such scathe
On our slumbering friends, that we surely should rue it unto our
death."
And again made answer Volker: "At the least let us do this then,
To cause them to know of a surety that we have espied yon men.
{P. 252}
Then they, those vassals of Kriemhild, can nowise lie unto us
That they sought not to do to the King's guests a deed most
treacherous."
Then cried the viol-minstrel, and the throng of the Huns he hailed:
"How cometh it, valiant heroes, that ye come thus armour-mailed?
Be ye fain, O vassals of Kriemhild, to ride in quest of spoil?
Then take ye me and my comrade to help in your knightly toil."
But no man rendered him answer. Then wrathful waxed his mood.
"Out on you, caitiff dastards!" cried that warrior good.
"To murder us in our slumber--for this be ye prowling nigh?
Never yet to such noble heroes was done such treachery!"
Right soon thereafter the story unto the Queen was told
How the men she had sent had failed her: then waxed she heavy-souled.
New plots she devised, for her hatred was cruel as the grave.
Destined thereby to perish was many a hero brave.
XXXI.
How they bore them at Mass and Tourney
"So chill now groweth mine harness," said Volker unto his friend,
"That I trow in no long season will the night-tide draw to an end.
Yea, and I feel by the dawn-breeze that hard at hand is the day."
Then waked they many a hero that still in slumber lay.
Now on the guests in the great hall the morning light shone fair,
And Hagen fell to question the good knights gathered there
If they would go to the minster the chanting of mass to hear;
For now after Christian custom the bells of prime rang clear.
The chanting was but a discord: sooth, marvel therein was none
That Christian men and heathen sang not in unison.
Yet minded to go to the minster were they of Gunther's train;
And they rose up all from the couches whereon through the night they
had lain.
{P. 253}
Then did the warriors clothe them in such royal-rich array
That to no king's kingdom ever in any after-day
Brought heroes goodlier vesture. But wroth waxed Hagen thereat,
And he cried: "It were well ye arrayed you in other raiment than
that!
Ye know too well of a surety how doth the matter stand.
Therefore instead of roses take ye weapons in hand,
And instead of caps bejewelled your helmets gleaming bright,
Forasmuch as we have full warning of wicked Kriemhild's spite.
This day for our lives must we battle: this unto you I say.
Instead of silken tunics ye must wear steel hauberks to-day;
And instead of costly mantles must bear shields massy and broad,
That if any rage against you ye may nowise be overawed.
My well-belovèd masters, kinsmen and liegemen mine,
With hearts of sincere repentance draw nigh to the holy shrine,
And lay before God Almighty your burden of need and fear;
For know ye this of a surety, that death to us all is near.
Forget not past transgressions, the sins wherein ye had part,
And stand in your God's presence with humble and contrite heart.
Yea, hearken ye all to the warning, every valiant thane--
If God in Heaven help not, ye shall hear no mass again."
Onward then to the minster princes and liegemen passed.
In the holy outer precinct were they bidden all stand fast
By Hagen, that each from other might so be sundered by none;
For he said: "As yet none knoweth what by the Huns shall be done.
Set down, O ye my kinsmen, your shields before your feet;
And, if any in insolent fashion us stranger guests shall greet,
With deadly wounds requite it. Lo, Hagen's rede is this;
And thereby shall ye prove by trial that so for your honour it is."
Those comrades, Volker and Hagen, planted them side by side
In front of the wide-walled minster: there fixed did they abide;
For they did it of this set purpose, that the Queen might enter not
Unjostled by their shoulders--unto such stern mood were they wrought.
{P. 254}
Then came the Lord of the Hunland, and beside him his fair Queen
paced.
With royal-rich apparel was Kriemhild's beauty graced.
And valiant warriors many in the train of these drew nigh.
'Neath the tramp of the feet of the vassals of the Queen the dust
rose high.
When the great King beheld them all mail-clad as for fight,
Those princes and their liegemen, he cried unto them forthright:
"What meaneth this?--behold I my friends in battle-gear?
By my troth, it should vex me sorely if any harmed them here!
All wrong, whatsoever atonement they asked, would I requite.
If to their heart and their spirit any have done despite,
I will show unto them and to all men what indignation have I.
What redress they demand soever, nothing do I deny."
To the King made answer Hagen: "None doeth despite unto us.
It is ever the wont of my masters to go in armour thus,
Whose guests they be soever, till three full days have run.
We would make our complaint unto Etzel, if a wrong unto us had been
done."