Adventure
XX
How King Etzel Sent to Burgundy After Kriemhilda
Now on a time it happen’d
that lady Helka died;
Then was King Etzel minded
to woo another bride:
His friends all bade him look to
the land of Burgundy,
Towards a high-born widow;
Kriemhilda named was she.
Soon after the fair Helka
departed had this life,
Quoth they: “If thou would’st ever
possess a noble wife—
The highest and most worthy
that king did ever have,
Then take this self-same lady,
widow of Siegfried brave.”
“How might that be accomplish’d,”
then said the mighty king,
“Seeing I am a heathen
and ne’er had christening?
The lady is a Christian;
she never would agree.
A miracle must happen,
if this should ever be.”
The ready ones made answer:
“What if perchance she should?
With thy high name to help thee
and all thy substance good,
To win the noble lady
one very well might try.
To woo so fair a person
would please you verily.”
Then said the noble sovereign:
“Doth any one of you
The people of the Rhineland
and eke the country know?”
Good Rüdeger made answer,
who from Bechlaren came:
“I’ve known her from her childhood,
this queen of noble name.
“King Gunther and King Gernot,
the noble knights and brave,
And Giselher, the third one—
each ever doth behave
In such wise as high honour
and virtue too have taught;
Nor elsewise from aforetime
have their forefathers wrought.”
But furthermore said Etzel:
“Friend, I would learn of thee
If in my land she’s worthy
to wear the crown with me?
And if she’s fair of body
as has to me been said?—
Then those to me most friendly,
need never be dismay’d.”
“Indeed unto my lady
in beauty likeneth she,
To Helka, the most mighty;
ay! in this world could be
For any king whatever
never a wife more fair.
To whom her love she plighteth
he may be of good cheer.”
He spake: “Then win her, Rüdeger,
if dear to thee am I.
And if beside Kriemhilda
it e’er be mine to lie,
I will reward thee for it
as fully as may be;—
Seeing thou wilt my wishes
have compass’d thoroughly.
“So much out of my treasure
I’ll have bestow’d on thee
That thou and thy companions
may live right merrily;
Of horses and of raiment
whatever you may need,
I will have for your journey
made ready with all speed.”
Sir Rüdeger made answer:
—a mighty margrave he—
“Did I thy riches covet,
that were unpraiseworthy.
Unto the Rhine thy message
to bear I shall be glad
At charge of mine own fortune,
which from thy hands I had.”
Then spake the mighty sovereign:
“Now when wilt thou fare hence
To seek this lovely lady?
May God give thee defence
And honour in the journey,
and eke this lady mine,
May she to us, luck helping,
a gracious ear incline.”
Then Rüdeger spake further:
“Ere yet we leave the land,
We must prepare both raiment
and weapons to our hand,
That so before the princes
due honour we may have.
I’ll lead unto the Rhineland
five hundred warriors brave.
“So, me and mine beholding,
the men of Burgundy
Shall every man among them
be fain to testify
That ne’er from king in those parts
on such a journey went
So many men or better
than thou to the Rhine hast sent.
“And be it not displeasing
by thee, great ruler, found
That, noble love obeying,
she was in wedlock bound
To Siegfried, son of Siegmund;
him hast thou here beheld.
In honour great he must be
in truth for ever held.”
Then said King Etzel: “Though she
was wife unto that knight,
Yet was his noble body
so precious in my sight,
That on the queen I cannot
e’er look disdainfully;
By her exceeding beauty
right well she pleaseth me.”
Then spake to him the margrave:
“The four and twentieth day
From now, I dare to promise,
shall see us on our way.
I’ll send and tell Gotlinda,
my dear wife, presently,
That I myself will envoy
unto Kriemhilda be.”
So thence unto Bechlaren
sent Rüdeger straightway.
Both sorrowful and proud was
the margravine that day.
A wife by him, he told her,
must for the king be woo’d;
Still tenderly, as living,
she thought of Helka good.
For when her husband’s letter
the margravine did spell
Some little was she troubled
and straight to weeping fell.
Would she another mistress
like her have e’er again?
And when she thought of Helka
it gave her heartfelt pain.
In seven days’ space had Rüdeger
set forth from Hungary.
A glad man was King Etzel,
and gay at heart was he.
Already in Vienna
the travelling gear was made,
Nor would he that the journey
should longer be delayed.
Gotlinda at Bechlaren
awaited Rüdeger;
The margravine his daughter
was also waiting there,
And glad she was on seeing
her father and his men.
And many fair young maidens
watch’d kindly for them then.
Ere Rüdeger the noble
forth for Bechlaren went
From out Vienna’s city,
all his accoutrement
Was perfectly made ready
and on the sumpters laid.
They travell’d in such fashion
that nothing was waylaid.
When they to Bechelaren
within the town did fare,
The host his fellow travellers
bade kindly welcome there,
And offer’d board and lodging.
Good quarters each one had.
The noble Gotelinda
to see him come was glad.
Likewise his well-loved daughter,
the little margravine,
At her dear father’s coming
could ne’er have gladder been.
The heroes out of Huns’ land
how glad she was to see!
And them the noble maiden
accosted merrily:
“Right heartily be welcome
my father and his men!”
And readily, to thank her,
fair words were spoken then
Unto the margrave’s daughter,
by many a worthy knight.
Sir Rüdeger’s demeanour
Gotlinda read aright.
For when alone at night-time
by Rüdeger she lay,
How lovingly besought him
the margravine to say
Whither the king from Huns’ land
had bidden him to go.
Said he: “My wife Got’linda,
I’ll gladly let thee know.
“I for the king my master
must seek another wife,
Now that the beauteous Helka
departed hath this life.
Therefore to fetch Kriemhilda
unto the Rhine ride we;
To Huns’ land she is coming
a mighty queen to be.”
“God grant,” said Gotelinda,
“that that may come to pass
Since we have heard, in honour,
how much she doth surpass.
She may replace my lady
belike, in days to be,
We’ll let her wear in Huns’ land
the queen’s crown willingly.”
Then said the margrave to her:
“Beloved wife of mine,
The men who hence are riding
with me unto the Rhine,
All kindly must thou offer
with them thy stores to share:
When heroes fare right nobly
more stout of heart they are.”
She answered: “There is no man
who cares to take of me,
To whom whate’er beseemeth
I give not willingly,
Or ever hence depart ye,
thou and thy fighting men.”
Then said to her the margrave:
“So doth it please me then.”
Ay, and what noble garments
they from the storerooms bare!
For every noble warrior
there was a plenteous share.
All lined they were with peltry
downwards from throat to spur;
What best his purpose suited
was chosen of Rüdeger.
Upon the seventh morning
from Bechelaren rode
The host with all his warriors.
Weapons and raiment good
They bore with them in plenty
through the Bavarian land;
Nor on the road were harass’d
by any robber band.
Within a twelve days’ journey
they to the Rhine did ride;
The tidings of their coming
small chance there was to hide.
Some to the king gave warning,
and eke his men did tell,
That stranger-guests were coming.
The host to asking fell
If they were known to any?
that was he fain to know.
One saw their sumpter-horses
so heavy-laden go:
That they were very wealthy
was plain enough to see.
In the great town was found them
a hostel presently.
Now when the all-unknown ones
were given an abode,
Upon these self-same nobles
vast was the heed bestow’d:
Men wondered whence the warriors
to the Rhine had found their way.
The host sent after Hagen,
if haply he could say.
Then spake the knight of Tronjé:
“I have not seen them yet,
I doubtless may declare you
when sight of them I get,
From whence they’ve come a-riding
into this land. I trow
They must indeed be strangers
if naught of them I know.”
By this time every stranger
a place of lodging had.
Then forward came the envoy,
in rich apparel clad,
With all his noble comrades;
and so to court they rode.
Fine raiment were they wearing
right well-devised in mode.
Then quoth the ready Hagen:
“For all that I can tell—
Not having seen these nobles
for somewhat of a spell—
Such like is their demeanour
as Rüdeger might have,
Out of the Hunnish country—
a noble knight and brave.”
“How am I to believe it,”
the king replied straightway,
“That he of Bechelaren
is hither come this day?”
But as the royal Gunther
from speaking did forbear,
Bold Hagen saw for certain
that it was Rüdeger.
He and his friends to meet them,
did hasten everyone.
One saw from off their horses
five hundred knights stand down.
These messengers from Hunsland
right welcome were they made,
And never yet were envoys
so gallantly array’d.
Then Hagen spake of Tronjé,
and in a loud voice cried:
“Now in God’s name be welcome
ye thanes who hither ride,
The Warden of Bechlaren,
and each one of his men.”
An honourable greeting
the doughty Huns had then.
King Gunther’s nearest kinsmen,
came forth to where they were,
The lord of Metz, Sir Ortwein,
then said to Rüdeger:
“Ne’er yet in all our lifetime
have we until this day
Set eyes on guests so gladly:
that may I truly say.”
Thanks gave they for the greeting
unto the warriors all;
So with their noble escort,
they went unto the hall.
And there they found King Gunther
with a gallant company,
And from his throne upstood he,
such was his courtesy.
With what right courtly breeding
did he the envoys meet!
Gernot, as well as Gunther,
was full of zeal to greet
The guest and eke his liegemen,
as did his rank demand.
Good Rüdeger King Gunther
himself took by the hand.
Unto the seat he led him,
on which himself he sat:
Then to the strangers served they—
all gladly did they that—
Of right good mead full beakers,
and of the best of wine
That ever one could meet with
in all the land of Rhine.
Now Giselher and Gere
had both of them appear’d;
And Dankwart, too, and Volker,
who all of them had heard
About the guests arriving;
they were in gladsome mood:
Before the king they greeted
the noble knights and good.
Then Hagen, knight of Tronjé,
unto his lord did say:
“These warriors of ours
should be beholden aye
For kindness that the margrave
hath shown to us before:
Fair Gotelinda’s husband
must have reward therefore.”
Then spake the royal Gunther:
“I can no more delay;
In health how are they faring,
that tell to me, I pray;—
Etzel, I mean, and Helka,
who over Hunsland reign?”
“All will I,” said the margrave,
“gladly to you make plain.”
Straight from the seat uprose he,
as eke did all his men,
And to the king thus spake he:
“If thus it may be then,
And you, O prince, allow it,
I will no more delay
The tidings that I bring you,
but willingly will say.”
He said: “Whate’er the tidings
that unto us you bear,
I wait not friendly counsel,
but bid you to declare.
Let me and my men hear them,
whatever they may be;
I bid you, in all honour,
discharge your embassy.”
Then spake the trusty envoy:
“To you upon the Rhine
His faithful service tenders
that mightful lord of mine;
To every friend moreover
that unto you may be,
This message I deliver,
in faith and honesty:
“The noble king doth ask for
your pity in his need.
All joyless are his people:
my lady she is dead,
The rich and mighty Helka,
of my good lord the wife;
And now full many a maiden
doth lead an orphan’d life—
“Children of noble princes,
whom she did rear of late—
And therefore is the country
in lamentable state:
These now, alas, have no one
to rear them faithfully.
I doubt there is no ending
to the king’s misery.”
“Requite him God,” said Gunther,
“for that to me he sends
So willingly his service,
as eke unto my friends!
The greeting thou hast brought me
right gladly have I heard:
My kinsmen and my lieges
shall merit his good word.”
Then spake, from the Burgundians,
Gernot the warrior:
“The world fair Helka’s dying
may rue for evermore,
For all her many virtues,
which she to cherish knew.”
The doughty knight, Sir Hagen,
agreed that this was true.
But Rüdeger said further,
the high ambassador:
“Since you, O king, allow me,
I have to tell you more
Of that which my dear master
hath bidden me fulfil;
Since from the death of Helka
things have with him gone ill.
“It hath been told my master
that, Siegfried being dead,
Kriemhilda is a widow.
If this be so, indeed,
And you to her will grant it,
then she a crown shall wear
Before King Etzel’s warriors:
this have I to declare.”
The mighty monarch answer’d
(in courteous mood was he):
“I’ll tell her my opinion,
if she perchance agree.
I’ll see that you our answer
in three days’ time shall know,
How should I, ere I’ve asked her,
say unto Etzel, no?
Meanwhile they had good lodgings
made ready for each guest.
So well provided were they,
that Rüdeger confess’d
That he had friends in plenty
amongst King Gunther’s men;
As he had once served Hagen,
so Hagen served him then.
So Rüdeger abode there
till the third day was come.
The king a council summon’d,
(as was his wise custom)
Inquiring of his kinsmen
if they would deem it right
That Kriemhild should to Etzel
her faith in wedlock plight.
They all, save only Hagen,
agreed with one accord;
But he unto the warrior,
to Gunther spake this word:
“If you are rightly minded,
so will you take good heed,
That, even though she wish it,
you will not do this deed.”
“And wherefore,” answer’d Gunther,
“should I not do this thing?
Whate’er of love the future
unto the queen may bring,
I surely shall not grudge her:
sister she is to me.
We ought ourselves to seek it,
if for her good it be.”
But once again spake Hagen:
“With further talk be done!
Knew you as much of Etzel
as I of him have known—
And were she him to marry,
as I have heard you say—
Then would yon see good reason,
at length to rue the day.”
“And wherefore?” answered Gunther,
“since I should take good care
“Never to come so nigh him,
e’en though my sister were
His wife, that I need suffer
from any hate of his.”
But once again said Hagen:
“I’ll ne’er agree to this.”
Then messengers to Gernot
and Giselher they sent,
To ask of these two princes
if they were well content
To have Kriemhilda marry
the rich and noble king.
Sir Hagen still gainsayed it,
but had no following.
Then spake of the Burgundians
the warrior Giselher:
“Now may you show, friend Hagen,
that loyal still you are:
Make good to her the evil
that you to her have done:
If aught may bring her fortune,
that should you leave alone.
“You’ve wrought unto my sister
such evil manifold,”—
So Giselher spake further—
the knight of spirit bold:
“That she hath had good reason
to hold you in despite.
Ne’er yet was any woman
bereft of more delight.”
“That am I well aware of
and willing to allow.
And should she marry Etzel
and live for long enow,
She’ll do us yet much evil,
howe’er she it contrive;
For many a goodly warrior
to serve her there doth live.”
Thereon the valiant Gernot
to Hagen answerèd:
“In that case it behoves us,
until they both be dead,
To study that we ride not
into King Etzel’s land.
We must be loyal to her:
thus honour doth demand.”
Whereto again spake Hagen:
“No man can me gainsay!
And should the noble Kriemhild
wear Helka’s crown one day,
She’ll do to us a mischief,
howe’er it may be done:
It better would beseem you
to leave the thing alone.”
Then wrathfully cried Giselher,
of Uté fair the son:
“We need not all be traitors,
though thou perchance be one!
If honour doth befall her,
right joyful should we be,
Whate’er thou sayest, Hagen,
I’ll serve her faithfully.”
When Hagen heard that saying,
anger’d was he in mood:
For Giselher and Gernot,
proud warriors both and good,
And mighty Gunther likewise,
did all of them agree
That if it pleased Kriemhilda
they would no hindrance be.
Then spoke the princely Gere:
“The lady I’ll advise
That she do let King Etzel
find favour in her eyes:
So many knights obey him,
and suit and service owe—
He yet may make her happy
in spite of all her woe.”
Then went the ready warrior
where Kriemhild he did see;
She graciously received him:
how quickly then spake he!
“Well may you greet me, lady,
and give me herald’s bread,
For good luck comes to save you
now out of all your need.
“For love of you, dear lady,
lo! there hath hither sent
One of the best and greatest
that e’er had government
O’er realm with highest honour,
or ever crown shall wear;
And noble knights sue for him:
your brother bids declare.”
Then spake the sorrow-laden:
“Now God prohibit thee
And all my friends from making
a mockery of me!
Of me, the poor forlorn one!
what could I be to one
Who heartfelt love hath ever
from a good woman won?”
She sorely strove against it;
but presently to her
There came her brother Gernot
and the lad Giselher.
These tenderly besought her
to be of cheerful mood:
If she the king would marry,
’twould be for her true good.
Not one of them was able
the lady to persuade,
That she should e’er be willing
another man to wed;
Then did the thanes beseech her:
“At least we beg of thee—
If thou naught else wilt grant us—
the messengers to see.”
“That will I not refuse ye,”
replied the noble wife,
“For gladly would I look on
Sir Rüdeger in life,
For all his many virtues.
If he it had not been,
Whoever were the envoy,
I would have stay’d unseen.”
She spake: “To-morrow morning,
I pray ye, bid him go
To see me in my chamber;
then will I let him know
What is my will, right surely:
to tell him am I fain.”
Then did her grievous sorrow
break forth in tears again.
To Rüdeger the noble
naught better could have been
Than that he should be granted
to see the mighty queen:
He knew that, could this happen,
so wise in words was he,
She, by the warrior’s talking,
must needs persuaded be.
So, early on the morrow,
after the mass was sung,
Arrived the noble envoys;
then mighty was the throng.
Of those who to the palace
with Rüdeger should go,
All gallantly accoutred;
one saw a goodly show.
The high-born dame Kriemhilda
her heart with trouble sore,
For Rüdeger was waiting—
the goodly warrior.
He found her in the raiment
she wore for ev’ry day:
But none the less her women
had donn’d their best array.
She rose and went to meet him,
and by the door she stood,
And unto Etzel’s liegeman
she gave a welcome good.
With but eleven comrades
he came therein to her.
Worship had he, for never
came nobler messenger.
One bade them all be seated—
the leader and his men.
The while before her standing
they saw her margraves twain,
Counts Eckewart and Gere—
both noble knights and good.
For sake of her, their mistress,
none seem’d of joyful mood.
They saw beside her sitting
full many a lady fair.
For nothing save her sorrow
had Kriemhild any care.
The raiment on her bosom
was wet with tear-drops hot,
Nor fail’d the noble margrave
Kriemhilda’s grief to note.
Then spake the lordly envoy:
“Daughter of kingly race,
To me and to my comrades
who here with me have place,
I pray you leave to grant us
that we before you stand
And tell to you the errand
that brings us to this land.”
“Now be it to you granted,”
the queen in answer said,
“To speak as ye are minded;
for I am purposèd
Right willingly to listen:
thou art a herald good.”
Yet to the others’ hearing
unwilling was her mood.
Then he of Bechelaren,
Prince Rüdeger, began:
“With plenteous love, and faithful,
Etzel, a great sovran,
To this thy land, fair lady,
hath sent an embassy
Of knights to seek thy favour—
a goodly company.
“He offers thee right frankly
love free from all alloy:
And eke such steadfast friendship
thou shalt with him enjoy,
As erewhile did dame Helka,
so near his heart who lay.
Ay, he hath mourn’d her virtues
for many a joyless day.”
“Sir Rüdeger the margrave,”
in answer spake the queen,
“No one who hath already
my bitter sorrow seen,
To any man would bid me
myself in wedlock bind.
Ay! I have lost the best one
that ever wife did find.”
“What else,” the bold man answer’d,
“for sorrow may atone
So well as loving friendship,
if such may be, from one
Who for himself is choosing
what seems to him the best?
Naught, after heartfelt sorrow,
can give such happy rest.
“If to my noble master
to give thy love thou’lt deign,
Of twelve right wealthy kingdoms
thou shalt be sovereign.
My lord will also give you
full thirty princes’ lands,
Each one of which was conquer’d
by his all-potent hands.
“Thereto shalt thou be mistress
of many a worthy wight
Who to my lady Helka
did service owe of right;
And over many a lady
who dwelt beneath her sway,
Of high and princely lineage.”
Thus did the bold knight say.
“My lord will likewise give thee,
as he doth bid me say—
If with the king thou deignest
to wear the crown one day—
The highest power that ever
he unto Helka gave:
Thou over Etzel’s vassals
authority shalt have.”
Then spake the queen: “What pleasure
remains for me in life,
That ever I should covet
to be a hero’s wife?
Such sorrow have I suffer’d
all through the death of one,
That I must aye be joyless,
until my life be done.”
But once more spake the Hunsman:
“Most high and noble queen,
Your life along with Etzel
so glorious would be seen,
Naught would it be but gladness,
if this should come to pass:
And many a handsome warrior
the mighty monarch has.”
“The damsels of Queen Helka,
the maids that follow thee,
Shall make with one another
a single company;
A sight at which the warriors
shall merry be of mood.
Be counsell’d therefore, lady;
in sooth ’tis for thy good!”
With courtesy she answer’d:
“Now let this parley be
Until to-morrow early;
then come again to me
And you shall have my answer
to what you have at heart.”
Needs must the valiant warrior
agree, and so depart.
When they unto their hostel
had all returnèd home,
Then sent the noble lady
for Giselher to come,
And likewise for her mother:
and unto both did vow,
That nothing else save weeping
was fitting for her now.
Said Giselher, her brother:
“Sister, ’tis my belief—
And some to me have said it—
that all thy bitter grief
King Etzel will make vanish:
and shouldst thou marry him—
Whatever others counsel—
well done I will it deem.
“He surely may console thee,”
said Giselher again:
“From Rhone unto the Rhine-stream,
from Elbe unto the main,
There’s not another sovran
so powerful as he.
Right soon may’st thou be happy,
if wife he makes of thee.”
“My brother well belovèd,
how canst thou thus advise?
To weep and mourn seems ever
more fitting in mine eyes.
How, at the court there, should I
before the warriors go?
If ever I were comely,
no longer am I so.”
Then spake the lady Uté
her daughter dear unto:
“Whate’er thy brothers counsel,
fail not, dear child, to do;
Follow thy friends’ advising,
so will it prosper thee.
Too long have I beheld thee
in thy great misery.”
Then God she pray’d right sorely
that store of worldly gear,
Of silver, gold and raiment
be granted unto her,
To give; as when her husband
in life and health she had;
Though never as aforetime
could life again be glad.
Within her heart she ponder’d:
“Shall I my body give—
Who am a Christian woman—
and with a heathen wive?
Fore all the world and ever
disgrace on me ’twould bring—
Though all his wealth he gave me,
I would not do this thing!”
And so she left the matter:
but all night long, till day,
The lady on her pillow
with endless brooding lay.
Her eyes that shone so brightly,
from tears were never dried,
Until at dawn of morning
unto the mass she hied.
The kings came thither also
close on the hour of mass;
They had been taking counsel
upon their sister’s case:
To marry they advised her
the king of Hungary.
But neither found the lady
disposed more cheerfully.
Forthwith were orders given
King Etzel’s men to bring,
Who now would leave have taken
and home been travelling—
Accepted or rejected,
whichever of the twain.
Then to the court came Rüdeger.
The heroes urged again
That he should rightly fathom
the noble Gunther’s mood,
And do it very quickly:
to all did this seem good:
To get back to their country,
they needs must journey far.
And so unto Kriemhilda
they usher’d Rüdeger.
With kindly words of pleading
began the warrior;
The noble queen beseeching
that she would let him hear
What message for his master,
to Etzel’s land she sent.
I ween he found her answer
naught save discouragement:
That she forsooth would never
again wed anyone.
Whereon the margrave answer’d:
“That surely were ill-done!
Why shouldst thou thy fair body
so wastefully disdain?
Thou mightst become with honour
a good man’s wife again.”
But naught avail’d their praying,
until that Rüdeger
All privately did whisper
into the great queen’s ear,
That all she ever suffer’d
he would make good again.
Whereat her great misliking
somewhat began to wane.
Unto the queen thus spake he:
“Let now your weeping be.
If you among the Hunsfolk
had ne’er a friend save me,
And all my trusty kinsmen,
and eke my liegemen true,
Hath any done you evil
right dearly should he rue.”
Thenceforth the lady’s humour
somewhat more gentle grew.
She said: “An oath now give me:
whatever men may do
That you will be the first one
to right mine injury.”
Whereto the margrave answer’d:
“That will I readily.”
With all his men did Rüdeger
swear by an oath to her
That he would serve her truly;
and that no warrior
Should ever aught deny her,
throughout King Etzel’s land,
In what concern’d her honour.
So pledged her Rüdeger’s hand.
Then, faithful-hearted, thought she:
“Since on my will to wait
I’ve met with friends so many,
I’ll let the people prate
Howe’er they have a mind to,
of me, poor wretched wife!
What if I yet have vengeance
for my dear husband’s life?”
She thought: “Since Etzel holdeth
so many knights in fee,
I also may command them,
and do what pleaseth me.
So wealthy is he also,
I shall have much to give:
Me did that hateful Hagen
of all my goods deprive.”
To Rüdeger thus spake she:
“If it were known to me
That he were not an heathen,
I would come willingly,
Whithersoe’er he listeth,
and take him for my lord.”
The margrave answer’d: “Lady,
heed not a single word.
“He hath so many warriors,
who in Christ’s faith believe
That with the king at no time
shall you have cause to grieve.
What if your faith should win him
to take the Christian life?
Then might you well be happy
to be King Etzel’s wife.”
Then said her brothers also:
“Now, sister mine, say ‘Yes,’
And so be quit for ever
of your unhappiness.”
Thus long did they beseech her,
till, full of sorrow, she
Before the heroes promised
King Etzel’s wife to be.
She said: “You will I follow,
a queen right sad of heart,
And fare with you to Huns’ land;
so may we now depart,
When I the friends have found me
to bring me to his land.”
To that, before the heroes,
fair Kriemhild gave her hand.
Then to her said the margrave:
“Hast thou a pair of men,
To them I can add many:
it will be easy then
To bring you with due honour
unto Rhine’s further side:
No longer, mid Burgundians,
lady, must thou abide.
“I have five hundred liegemen,
and kinsmen too, of whom
Thou mayst command the service—
or here, or there at home
To do thy bidding, lady;
and I will do the same,
Whene’er thou claim’st my promise—
that so I have no shame.
“Now see that you have ready
your horse accoutrement;
What Rüdeger doth counsel
you never shall repent;
And say this to your maidens
whom you will thither bring:
‘Ay, many a chosen hero
shall we meet travelling.’ ”
Still much of wrought equipment
from Siegfried’s time they had,
That had been used in riding;
wherewith full many a maid
Might take the road with honour
whene’er they thence should fare.
Ay! goodly were the saddles
they gave the ladies fair.
If suchlike costly raiment
they ere had worn before,
Now ready for the journey
they had a goodly store;
For of the King such marvels
had unto them been said.
Chests that had long been standing
close-lock’d were open laid.
Unwearyingly work’d they
till unto the fifth day;
They sought from out the presses
the stores that in them lay.
Her treasure-chests to open
Kriemhild herself did go.
On Rüdeger’s good liegemen
she fain would wealth bestow.
Still had she somewhat over
of gold from Niblung-land;
(Among the Huns she thought to
divide it with her hand),
A hundred sumpter horses
the load could nowise bear.
This tale about Kriemhilda
was brought to Hagen’s ear.
Quoth he: “Because Kriemhilda
will ne’er to me be kind,
The gold that once was Siegfried’s,
she needs must leave behind.
Why should I such a treasure
unto my foes let go?
Right well I know what Kriemhild
with all this gold will do.
“For if she hence should bring it,
I’ll wager verily
’Twould be in largesse given
to stir up hate for me.
They have not e’en the horses
to carry it away.
’Tis Hagen’s will to keep it,
thus unto Kriemhild’ say.”
Now when she heard this message,
smit to the heart was she.
The word was likewise carried
unto the kings all three.
Fain would they have gainsaid it,
but as this did no good,
Sir Rüdeger the noble
outspake in joyous mood:
“O, mighty Queen, and noble,
why grieve ye for this gold?
When unto you king Etzel
such kindliness doth hold,
That when his eyes behold you,
he’ll give such riches rare
That you can never spend it:
that, lady, will I swear.”
To him the queen made answer:
“Most noble Rüdeger,
Never had a king’s daughter
more wealth bequeath’d to her
Than that of which Sir Hagen
hath now despoilèd me.”
Then went her brother Gernot
unto the treasury.
By right the king’s key took he
and put it in the door:
And gold therefrom withdrew they,
that was of Kriemhild’s store;
Of marks full thirty thousand
or something more they had:
He bade the guests to take it:
and Gunther was right glad.
Then he from Bechelaren,
dame Gotelinda’s lord,
Said: “If my lady Kriemhild
yet ownèd all the hoard
Such as it was aforetime
when brought from Niblung-land,
Nor I, nor the queen either,
would touch it with our hand.
“Now back let it be taken,
for of it will I naught;
Sufficient from my country,
ay, of mine own, I brought,
That we can do without it
right well upon the way,
And all our homeward charges
right royally can pay.”
Unto that end her maidens
had meanwhile pieces told
Into a dozen coffers,
all of the finest gold
That ever one might meet with:
these with them they would bear,
And ornaments for ladies
upon the road to wear.
The mastery of grim Hagen
seem’d overpowering.
Some thousand marks still had she
left from the almsgiving.
For her dear husband’s welfare
the whole did she dispart;
And Rüdeger but deem’d it
done with a right true heart.
Then said the weeping lady:
“Where are those friends of mine
Who for my sake are willing
in banishment to pine?
They who unto the Huns’ land
will bear me company?
Let them take of my treasure
and horse and raiment buy.”
Then Eckewart the margrave,
made answer to the queen:
“So long as in your household
a servant I have been
Right truly have I served you,”
thus did the warrior say,
“Nor will I cease to do so
until my dying day.
“And of my men five hundred
eke will I bring with me,
Whom I unto your service
do pledge right faithfully.
For nothing shall divide us,
till Death our lives do part.”
She bent her head to thank him:
too full was her sad heart.
Then led they forth the palfreys,
for it was time to go.
Her friends all fell a-weeping,
and many tears did flow.
The noble lady Uté
and many a maiden fair
Show’d that for dame Kriemhilda
their hearts were full of care.
A hundred high-born maidens
along with her she led,
Who as their rank befitted
were all apparellèd.
Then from their eyes bright-shining
did many a tear-drop well.
And yet with Etzel later
much pleasure them befell.
Lord Giselher came also
and Gernot none the less,
With many of their household,
as bade their courtliness.
They would their well-loved sister
upon her journey bring.
They led a thousand warriors,
a goodly following.
The ever-ready Gere,
and Ortwein also came;
Rumold the kitchen-master
he too must come with them.
Night-quarters made they ready
hard by the Danube side.
But Gunther from the city
did but a small space ride.
Ere from the Rhine they journey’d
they had before them sent
Their messengers, who swiftly
unto the Huns’ land went,
And told the king beforehand
how Rüdeger had done,
And as a wife for Etzel
the noble queen had won.