Adventure
XIII
How They Journeyed to the Festival
Now in their stir and bustle
awhile we’ll let them be,
And tell how Dame Kriemhilda
and her fair company
Hence, on their journey Rhinewards,
from Niblung-land did go.
No horses of fine raiment
e’er bore so grand a show.
When many sumpter-coffers
were ready for the way,
Then with his friends Sir Siegfried
no longer did delay
To ride forth, with Kriemhilda,
wherein they look’d for joy.
For all of them soon after
it turn’d to sore annoy.
They left at home behind them
Sir Siegfried’s baby son,
The firstborn of Kriemhilda—
not elsewise could be done.
From out of their state-journey
arose much woe and pain:
His father and his mother
that babe saw ne’er again.
Thence also did Lord Siegmund
together with them ride.
Had he but known what evil
thereafter would betide
At this same courtly banquet,
he ne’er had gone at all:
To him by loss of kindred
worse ill could ne’er befall.
Heralds were sent before them
the news betimes to say.
And soon rode out to meet them,
in lordliest array,
Many of Uté’s kinsfolk
and Gunther’s gallant men.
The host began to stir him
his guests to welcome then.
He went unto Brunhilda
where seated was the dame:
“How did my sister greet you,”
quoth he, “when first you came?
Even in the self-same fashion
you Siegfried’s wife must greet.”
Said she: “That will I gladly;
I love her, as is meet.”
Then spake the great king: “Early
to-morrow are they due.
If you would fain receive them,
be quick in what you do;
Lest we have first to greet them
in this our citadel.
In all my days I have not
had guests I loved so well.”
Her maidens and her women
she therefore straightway bade
To go and seek fine raiment,
the best that could be had—
Such as her own attendants
might wear her guests before.
This did they with much pleasure,
of that you may be sure!
King Gunther’s men now hasten’d
to tender service due.
The host about his person
had all his warriors true.
The queen herself rode with him,
all gloriously array’d;
To these well-lov€d guests was
a royal welcome made.
With what unfeign’d rejoicing
the guests by all were met!
’Twas said that Dame Brunhilda
did ne’er such greeting get
In the Burgundian kingdom
on the part of Dame Kreimhild.
They who had ne’er beheld her
with happiness were fill’d.
By this time was arrivèd
Sir Siegfried with his men.
One saw the heroes riding
forwards and back again
In all parts of the meadows,
a vast and shapeless host;
None there could get away from
the thronging and the dust.
Now when the country’s ruler
did gallant Siegfried see,
Together with King Siegmund,
how courteously spake he:
“Ye are to me right welcome,
and unto every friend!
I trow your royal visit
in joy to us will end.”
“God prosper you!” quoth Siegmund,
that honour-loving man.
“Since my son Siegfried’s friendship
for you and yours began.
’Twas aye my hope and purpose
one day your face to see.”
King Gunther said: “I also
am glad that it should be.”
Then was Siegfried receivèd,
as well did him beseem,
With ev’ry fitting honour:
which none amiss did deem.
And Giselher and Gernot
did lend all courteous aid.
Methinks to no guests ever
were kindlier honours paid.
And now the two kings’ spouses
anigh each other came.
Empty was many a saddle,
as many a beauteous dame
Was by the hands of heroes
dismounted on the grass:
For those who loved fair women
no Httle work there was!
Then lovingly the ladies
unto each other went;
And many a knight who saw it
was heartily content
That of these twain the greeting
so handsomely befell.
Then many a warrior saw one
stand by each damosel.
The throng of noble people
each other’s hands did take;
Whilst men unto each other
their courtly bows did make,
The ladies fair were kissing
each other lovingly—
Which Siegfried’s men and Gunther’s
right joyous were to see.
No longer did they linger,
but rode towards the town.
The host meanwhile had bidden
that every guest be shown
How truly he was welcome
to royal Burgundy.
Then many a match was tilted
for maidens fair to see.
And Hagen, too, from Tronjé,
and Ortewein also,
That they were men of power
did all they could to show;
And whatsoe’er they order’d
that durst no man gainsay.
Unto the guests so welcome
much service offer’d they.
The clang of shields resounded
before the castle-gate
From many a thrust and parry;
and long thereby did wait
The host and guests together,
ere within doors they came;
Ay, and the hours sped quickly
with many a merry game.
Before the stately palace
all joyously they rode;
And many fine-wrought housings,
of handsome stuff and mode
Were seen upon the saddles
of many a well-dight dame,
On either side low-hanging.
Then Gunther’s chieftains came.
The guests unto their chambers
were taken presently.
One saw how Lady Brunhild
at times would cast her eye
Toward the Lady Kriemhild,
who verily was fair.
Her colour in bright beauty
might well with gold compare.
At Worms was heard the turmoil,
on all sides of the town,
Of these incoming strangers.
King Gunther made it known
Unto his marshal, Dankwart,
that he for these must care;
So did he for the people
good lodging-room prepare.
Both out of doors and indoors
they e’en might feast their fill.
Ay! ne’er before were strangers
welcomed with more goodwill.
Whatever they desirèd
was ready at their side:
So wealthy was King Gunther
to none was aught denied.
Served were they in all friendship
and banish’d was all hate;
The host himself at table
with all the guest-folk sate.
Siegfried must now his seat take
where he afore had done;
There went to table with him
full many a worthy one.
Twelve hundred gallant warriors
were round the table seen
Sitting with him and feasting.
Then thought Brunhild the queen,
That ne’er a sovran ruler
could ever have more wealth.
Still leaned she so towards him
she could but wish him health.
And verily that evening,
while the king sat there yet,
Right many a costly garment
was by the wine made wet,
As the cupbearers quickly
around the table went.
The servants there were many,
and all right diligent.
As long had been the custom
when festival was made,
Unto the maids and matrons
a fair good-night they bade.
To whomsoever came there
the host a welcome gave.
In kindliness and honour
they all enough could have.
As soon as night was ended
and the next daylight shone,
The packing-chests were open’d,
and many a precious stone
Shone bright on goodly raiment,
by lady’s hand shown forth.
Then was to sight unfolded
full many a robe of worth.
Ere yet it was broad daylight
the knights and squires came out
Before the hall in numbers;
again began the rout
Or ever early mass had
before the king been sung.
Then thanks for featly riding
he gave the heroes young.
Soon shrill and loud resounded
full many a trumpet-blast.
From drums and pipes together
there was a noise so vast,
That Worms, the great, wide city,
loud echoed to the call.
Upon their chargers mounted
the haughty heroes all.
Throughout the land began then
a mighty tournament,
Where many a good knight tilted;
and thereto many went,
Whose youthful hearts and eager
beat high in gallant mood;
Behind their shields one saw them,
gay warriors and good.
And at their windows seated
look’d down the stately dames
And beauteous, well-dight maidens,
intent to watch the games,
And see the merry jousting
of the bold knights below.
The host amongst his lieges
himself would riding go.
Thus were the hours beguilèd,
and none did deem them long,
Until the minster-belfry
did call to evensong.
Then were brought round the palfreys;
the dames to ride began;
The noble queens were follow’d
by many a gallant man.
Alighting at the minster,
they stood down on the grass.
Unto her guests Brunhilda
so far right friendly was.
Into the wide cathedral,
wearing their crowns of state,
They went: ere long love changèd
to jealousy and hate.
When they to mass had listen’d
they left the church, and so
Rode off with many honours.
One saw them later go
All gaily to the banquet.
Their pleasure knew no stay,
And all was merry-making
until the eleventh day.