Adventure
XXXI
How They Went to Church
“So cold I feel my armour:”
quoth Volker presently,
“Methinks the night is wearing
and soon will ended be;
I mark that by the breezes;
’twill very soon be day.”
Then many a man awoke they
who still in slumber lay.
The morning light broke over
the guests within the hall.
Hagen began on all sides
the warriors to call,
To know if to the Minster
to matins they would fare.
Meanwhile, in Christian fashion,
the bells were chiming clear.
So diverse was the chanting,
thereby ’twas plain to see
That Christians and heathens
were not in unity.
And yet the men of Gunther
to church would go withal;
They from their beds together
had risen one and all.
The warriors then array’d them
in clothes so finely wrought,
That better raiment never
by heroes had been brought
To any king’s dominions.
Ill did it Hagen please.
Said he: “Now should ye, heroes,
don other suits than these.
“Enough about the matter
ye surely understand;
Ye should, instead of roses,
bear weapons in the hand.
For caps beset with jewels
take shining helms and good;
Since we are well-advisèd
of wicked Kriemhild’s mood.
“This day must we do battle,
I will to you declare;
Instead of silken doublets,
ye should your hauberks wear,
And in the place of mantles
take bucklers good and wide—
That if they seek a quarrel,
the brunt ye may abide.
“My well-belovèd masters,
your friends and kinsmen too,
Go now unto the Minster—
that should ye gladly do—
And pray to God Almighty
in your distress and need:
For know now, of a surety,
that Death is nigh indeed.
“See, too, that ye forget not
aught ill that ye have done,
And with true zeal and duty
stand ye before God’s throne.
Of this, right noble warriors,
I warn ye well afore,
Save God in Heaven may grant it,
ye’ll hear no masses more.”
They went unto the Minster,
the princes with their men.
But in the hallow’d precincts
bold Hagen spake again
And bade them halt, lest any
should leave the company:
“None knoweth what the Hunfolk
to us may do,” said he;
“My friends, set down your bucklers
upright before your feet,
And answer ye to any
who may unkindly greet
With deep and deadly sword-stroke.
Hark ye, to Hagen’s rede,
So will ye find it worthy
to serve you in your need.”
With that Hagen and Volker,
the twain together, went
In front of the great Minster.
’Twas done with this intent,
That they might make it certain
that the king’s wife would need
To crowd them as she enter’d:
their mien was grim indeed.
Then came the land’s Upholder,
and eke his lady fair.
And deck’d about the body
with raiment rich and rare
One saw the doughty warriors
along with them go by;
The dust aloft was whirling
from Kriemhild’s chivalry.
Now when the mighty ruler
in armour saw array’d
The kings and their companions,
how quickly then he said:
“Why thus my friends behold I
marching with helmets on?
’Twould grieve me, on my honour,
had aught to them been done.
“I’ll gladly make atonement,
however they think good;
If any here have vext them
in either heart or mood,
I give them full assurance
that sorely vext am I;
And whatsoe’er they bid me
I’ll do it readily.”
To this made answer Hagen:
“By none have we been harm’d.
It is my masters’ custom
to go thus fully arm’d
To every courtly meeting—
until three days have run;
To Etzel we will tell it
if aught to us be done.”
This answer made by Hagen
Kriemhilda heard right well.
How hatefully upon him
her sidelong glances fell!
Yet would she not more frankly
her country’s customs own,
Though they to her a long time
in Burgundy were known.
Yet though her hate towards him
so cruel was and fell,
If anyone to Etzel
the truth had dared to tell,
He doubtless had prevented
what came to pass ere long:
But none of them would tell it,
her mastery was so strong.
Then with the queen advancing
there came a mighty band;
But this same pair of warriors
deign’d not to take their stand
Two hand-breadths further backward,
which made the Hunfolk wroth.
Ay, they must press and jostle
with those bold heroes both.
The chamberlains of Etzel
were ill-content at this,
And would upon the warriors
have somewhat wrought amiss,
If they had dared to do it
the king’s High Grace before.
There was a mighty jostling,
but so far nothing more.
When service now was ended
and they would thence be gone,
All suddenly on horseback
appear’d full many a Hun;
And many a beauteous lady
was with Kriemhilda seen;
Full seven thousand warriors
came riding with the queen.
Kriemhilda with her ladies
within the window sat
Along with royal Etzel:
well pleased was he thereat.
Fain would they see the jousting
those doughty heroes show’d:
Ay! in the lists before them
what warriors strange there rode!
And thither had the marshal,
the right brave Dankwart, too,
Come with his squires attending:
his lords’ own retinue
With him, too, he had taken
from the Burgundian land.
The steeds for the bold Niblungs
well saddled were at hand.
When they their steeds had mounted—
the kings and every man—
Forthwith the stalwart Volker
to counsel them began,
That all should tilt together
after their country’s mode;
In course of which, thereafter,
the chiefs right nobly rode.
For what the hero counsell’d
they did not underrate.
The crowding and the shouting
were both exceeding great.
Within the wide enclosure
was gather’d many a man;
Then Etzel and Kriemhilda
to gaze thereon began.
Six hundred knights together
upon the field appear’d,
The warriors of Dietrich,
coming the guests toward.
They thought with the Burgundians
some knightly sport to try,
And would, had he allow’d it,
have done it readily.
Ay me! what goodly warriors
forthwith towards them made!
But when to the lord Dietrich
the news thereof was said,
With Gunther’s men forbade he
that any sport should be.
He fear’d for his retainers:
and surely need had he.
When they of Bern pass’d onward,
and from the place had gone,
The men from Bechelaren,
of Rüdeger’s, came on.
Before the hall five hundred
with shield on arm rode they:
Well pleased had been the margrave
could they have kept away.
Then wisely, as behoved him,
he rode the host throughout,
And said unto his warriors,
they could no longer doubt
But that the men of Gunther
ill will towards them had:
If they would leave the combat
he would in truth be glad.
When these now had pass’d onward—
high-mettled heroes bold—
Came horsemen from Thuringia,
as hath to us been told;
And then the knights of Denmark,
a thousand gallant men;
One saw right many a lance-shaft
fly in the onset then.
Then Haward came and Irnfried
unto the tournament.
The Rhinelanders a challenge
to them had proudly sent.
The warriors of Thuringia
were offer’d many a joust;
In many a noble buckler
were lances deeply thrust.
There, too, the lordly Bloedlin
came with his thousands three.
By Etzel and Kriemhilda
right closely watch’d was he;
For all the knightly jousting
was held within their sight.
The queen rejoiced to see it
for Burgundy’s despite.
And Gibecke and Scrutan
unto the melee rode,
With Hornboge and Ramung,
all in the Hunnish mode.
They held the lists, withstanding
the chiefs of Burgundy;
And over the king’s palace
the shafts went whirling high.
Whate’er was done by any
was nothing else but sound.
Loud was the din that echo’d
palace and hall around,
From clash of shields and bucklers,
by Gunther’s liegemen made;
Whence praises and great honour
unto his folk were paid.
The ardour of their pastime
so mighty was and great,
That from the goodly horses
whereon the heroes sate
The snow-white foam was soaking
through the caparisons.
In every courtly fashion
they sought to meet the Huns.
Then up and spake the minstrel,
Volker the fiddle-player:
“I trow that to withstand us
these warriors will not dare.
I’ve ever heard it said that
they hate us verily;
Now is the time to show it;
a better ne’er will be.
“Straightway unto the stables,”
so Volker loudly cried,
“We’ll have the horses taken;
till towards the eventide
We’ll ride some further courses,
if there be time enow.
What if to us Burgundians
the queen some praise allow!”
Then saw they some one coming;
with stately mien rode he,
Such that no other Hunsman
with him compared could be.
Belike in some high lattice
a sweetheart there he had;
No knightly bride was ever
than he more fairly clad.
Then Volker said: “How can I
pass over such a chance?
Yon darling of the ladies
must feel a thrust of lance—
There’s not a man could help it!
’twill stand him in his life:
I care not though I anger
thereby King Etzel’s wife.”
“For love of me, forbear ye!”
King Gunther quickly spake;
“These people will upbraid us
if we the onset make;
Let ye the Huns begin it,
more seemly ’twere, I ween.”
Now all this time King Etzel
was sitting by the queen.
“I’ll make the hubbub greater,”
quoth Hagen, in his turn;
“We needs must let the ladies
and these same champions learn
How we can sit our horses:
’twill be good sport withal,
Though little praise to any
of Gunther’s men befall.”
Then rode the ready Volker
into the fray again:
Whereby had many a woman,
ere long, right grievous pain.
The noble Hunsman’s body
transfix’d he with his spear;
Which soon both wife and maiden
bewail’d with many a tear.
With hurtling speed did Hagen
rush forward with his men,
His sixty chosen warriors;
and quickly rode he then
Upon the fiddler’s footsteps,
to where the joust was held.
Both Etzel and Kriemhilda
plainly the whole beheld.
The kings were all unwilling
their minstrel brave to leave
Amid the foemen fighting,
and succour none to give;
A thousand heroes therefore
towards him deftly rode—
In high-accomplish’d fashion
they did whate’er they would.
When that the noble Hunsman
in death was stricken low,
One heard among his kinsmen
complaints and cries of woe.
And all the folk were asking:
“Who can this deed have done?”
“Volker, the fearless minstrel,
yon fiddler is the one!”
For swords and bucklers called they,
and held them soon in hand,
The kinsmen of this margrave
of the Hungarian land.
They would have set on Volker,
and slain him where he stood;
The host ran from his window
with all the haste he could.
Then rose a mighty tumult
among the people all.
The kings and their attendants
dismounted at the hall;
Behind the throng his charger
sent each Burgundian;
King Etzel came: to sever
the nobles he began.
From one of the Hun’s kinsmen,
who chanced by him to stand,
He seiz’d a deadly weapon,
and wrench’d it from his hand;
Then drave the people backwards,
for very wroth was he:
“How vain unto these warriors
had been my courtesy
“If ye had slain the minstrel
before my very face;”
So spake to them King Etzel:
“that were a foul disgrace!
For well I marked him riding,
what time he pierced the Hun,
And through no fault on his part,
but by a slip, ’twas done.
“To leave my guests in freedom,
I charge ye to take heed.”
So gave he them safe-conduct;
then led they every steed
Unto the hostel stables;
and many squires they had
Right diligent in service,
who did whate’er they bade.
The host into the palace
took with his friends his way.
No wrath in any of them
would he allow to stay.
The tables were made ready,
the water was brought in:
Yet bitter foes in plenty
had they from o’er the Rhine.
Ere all the lords were seated
a good long time was spent;
Whilst tortured was Kriemhilda
by cares within her pent.
She said: “I seek thy counsel,
O prince of Bern, thy grace
And aid: in sooth my business
is now in evil case.”
Then Hildebrand made answer,
a worthy warrior he:
“Whoever slays the Niblungs
shall have no help from me,
Nay, not for any treasure!
thereby he grief may get:
These knights of ready courage
have ne’er been conquer’d yet.”
And, in his courtly fashion,
thereto Sir Dietrich spake:
“O mighty queen, I pray thee,
thy purpose to forsake.
To me thy kinsmen never
have done such injury,
That I the gallant warriors
in combat would defy.
“The wish doth ill beseem thee,
most noble prince’s wife,
That thou anent thy kinsfolk
wouldst plot against their life.
Trusting unto thy favour
they came unto this land:
Siegfried is not avengèd
by aid of Dietrich’s hand.”
When she could find no falseness
the knight of Bern within,
Then on the spot she promised
to give to Bloedelin
A far-extending marchland,
which Nudung own’d of yore.
As Dankwart shortly slew him,
he thought of it no more.
Quoth she: “Thou ought’st to aid me,
my good Sir Bloedelin,
For in this very palace
are now these foes of mine
Who slew my husband Siegfried,
so well-beloved of me.
To him who helps avenge him,
I ever bound shall be.”
To her then answer’d Bloedel:
“Lady, be sure of this,
To them, for fear of Etzel,
I dare do naught amiss,
Since he thy kinsmen happy
is ever fain to see.
And did I aught to hurt them,
he ne’er would pardon me.”
“Nay, rather, my lord Bloedel,
your friend I’ll ever be.
Guerdon of gold and silver
I will bestow on thee;
And eke a lovely damsel—
Nudung’s betrothèd bride—
Whom thou mayst love and cherish
right gladly at thy side.
“The land, too, and the castles,
all unto thee I give;
So, noble knight, thou mayest
in gladness ever live,
If thou but winn’st the earldom
which Nudung held in fee.
Whate’er to-day I promise,
in truth I’ll give to thee.”
When now the noble Bloedel
the guerdon heard her tell,
And seeing that the damsel
in beauty pleased him well,
By means of strife he purposed
to earn this lovely wife:
But for that cause the warrior
was doom’d to lose his life.
Unto the queen then spake he:
“Within the hall go back:
Ere any guess my purpose,
an uproar I will make.
Hagen will have to answer
for what to you he wrought;
King Gunther’s man, I warrant,
shall bound to you be brought.”
“Now arm yourselves,” cried Bloedel,
“my gallant liegemen all!
We will upon the foemen
within the hostel fall;
I may not be acquitted
of this by Etzel’s wife.
On this must every hero
among us stake his life.”
When the queen found that Bloedel
was on the fray intent,
She tarried there no longer,
but back to table went
And sat beside King Etzel
and with his men as well:
She for the guests’ undoing
had taken counsel fell.
Since means there were not elsewise
to cause the strife to start,
(Kriemhilda’s olden sorrow
lay graven in her heart)
She bade them bring to table
King Etzel’s little son:
How could a vengeful woman
more cruelly have done?
Then went that self-same minute
of Etzel’s liegemen four,
And thither from his chamber
the young king Ortlieb bore
Unto the prince’s table,
where Hagen also sate.
(The boy was doom’d to perish
through Hagen’s deadly hate.)
As soon as mighty Etzel
espied his little son,
He turned to his wife’s kinsmen
and spake in kindly tone:
“Now, my good friends, behold ye,
my only son is he,
And eke your sister’s offspring:
which well for you may be.
“If he his kindred likens,
he’ll be a gallant wight,
Right powerful and noble,
a well-grown man of might.
Should I live some while longer
he’ll own a dozen lands;
So look ye for good service
at my young Ortlieb’s hands.
“I therefore fain would pray you,
O well-loved friends of mine,
When ye are homeward riding
unto the river Rhine,
That ye upon the journey
would take your sister’s son,
And let your loving kindness
unto the child be shown.
“And rear him up in honour
till he to manhood grow.
If any in your borders
hath wrought you any woe,
When he is of full stature
he will your vengeance aid.”
King Etzel’s wife Kriemhilda
heard also what he said.
“If unto days of manhood
the child should grow and thrive,
These thanes, I trow,” said Hagen,
“their trust to him will give.
Yet the young king, meseemeth,
is of a weakly sort:
Folk will not often see me
attending Ortlieb’s court.”
The king look’d round at Hagen—
this speech had vext him sore;
And though, with princely breeding,
he spake thereof no more,
His heart was very heavy
and troubled was his mind.
Nor was the mood of Hagen
a whit to joy inclined.
The princes all were sorry,
together with the king,
That of his child had Hagen
e’er spoken such a thing.
With ill content they bore it:
nor knew they aught at all
Of what through this same warrior
was shortly to befall.