Adventure
IV
How Siegfried Fought the Saxons
And now, behold, strange tidings
have come to Gunther’s land,
And heralds from a distance
arrive at the command
Of warriors unheard of
and yet who hatred bore.
And when the three kings heard it
their grief, in sooth, was sore.
These warriors’ names I’ll tell you:
the first was Lud’ger hight,
Out of the Saxon country,
a rich king of great might;
And Ludegast came with him,
who was of Denmark king;—
These twain brought many with them,
a princely following.
To Gunther’s land the heralds
their ready steps had bent,
Whom those kings, his opponents,
had with their message sent.
The unknown men were questioned
as to the news they brought,
And, summoned by King Gunther,
the royal presence sought.
The king did greet them fairly;
“Be welcome here,” quoth he,
“Though who hath sent you hither
is yet unknown to me:
That must I hear now of you,”
declared the monarch good.
Exceedingly they fearèd
King Gunther’s angry mood.
“If thou, O king, allowest,
the message we’ll reveal
Which we are sent to bring thee,
and nothing will conceal.
We’ll name to you the masters
who’ve sent us to this strand:
Lud’gast and Lud’ger, namely,
who would invade your land.
“Ye have incurred their anger,
nor shun we here to state
That both our masters harbour
for you the greatest hate.
They mean to come with armies
to Worms upon the Rhine:
And many warriors aid them;—
so warn we thee and thine.
“Within twelve weeks their journey
must here accomplished be,
If you’ve good friends to help you,
you’ll seek them speedily
To guard your land and castles,
and fight in battlefield.
By them will here be cloven
full many a helm and shield.
“Or, if ye will treat with them,
so make your offer: then
They will not bring upon you
their hosts of armèd men,
All bitter foes unto you,
to work you grievous woe,
Destroying your fair knighthood
with many a deadly blow.”
“Now tarry here a little,”
replied the monarch good,
“Until I have bethought me—
then shall ye learn my mood.
If I have faithful subjects
I must not hide this thing;
This grievous errand must I
unto my lieges bring.”
Rich as he was, to Gunther
it was a trouble sore;
Within his heart the matter
he pondered o’er and o’er.
He sent in quest of Hagen,
and others of his men,
And bade them from the palace
to fetch King Gernot then.
His worthiest came unto him,
all that were found to hand.
He spake: “The foeman cometh
here into this our land,
Bringing a mighty army;
to work you all much woe.”
To which the bold knight Gernot
made answer: “Nay, not so,
“Our good swords shall defend us!”
undaunted Gernot said;
“None but the doomed die, ever—
and they’re as good as dead!
For fear of death, I’ll never
forget mine honour dear.
Let the foe come, and welcome!
they’ll find us ready here!
Then Hagen spake, of Tronjé:
“The thing doth bode no good;
Lud’gast and Lud’ger both are
too arrogant of mood.
The time’s too short to gather,
and furnish all our men;
Ye must advise with Siegfried.”
Thus spake the bold Hagen.
They bade men take the heralds,
and lodge them in the town.
However hostile to them,
for sake of his renown
Gunther would have them cared for,
as was their due and right;
Until he knew what friends would
stand by him in the fight.
Yet the king’s heart was heavy
and sad with anxious care.
But one beheld him mourning—
a gallant knight and fair,
Who knew not of the sorrow
that had befall’n the king;—
Therefore besought he Gunther
to declare to him this thing.
“To me it is a marvel,”
quoth Siegfried (for ’twas he),
“How all your merry custom
hath changèd utterly,
Which was the rule among us,
and hath so long held sway?”
To which, in answer, Gunther,
the comely knight did say:
“Not unto every comer
would I the grief declare,
Which close within my bosom
in secret I must bear:
One keeps one’s deepest sorrow
for steadfast friends,” he said.
At this did Siegfried’s colour
change quick, ’twixt white and red.
“I never have denied you,”
he spake unto the king;—
“And shall not, in this trouble,
my strong arm succour bring?
If you for friends are seeking,
lo, am I not your friend?
I trust to be so ever—
with honour, till mine end.”
“Now God reward you, Siegfried,
for what you now have said.
And though your strength should never
be needed in mine aid,
Yet doth this news rejoice me,
that you my friend will be;—
And you shall ne’er regret it,
if life be granted me.
“And you shall hear the reason
wherefore I now am sad:
From enemies, by heralds,
this message I have had:
That they will, with their armies,
assail us, at our door;—
The like no warriors ever
did in these lands before.”
“Let not your heart be troubled,”
quoth Siegfried, thereunto;
“And calm your anxious spirit,
and as I pray you, do!
Leave it to me to win you
honour and vantage both,
And bid your thanes come hither
to aid you, nothing loth.
“Although your mighty foemen
should have at their command
Full thirty thousand swordsmen,
yet would I them withstand,
Though I had but a thousand:
so leave this all to me.”
“For this,” said Gunther, “ever
your debtor I shall be.”
“So let a thousand warriors
at my disposal be,
Since I of mine own following,
have only here with me
A dozen knights, all reckoned:
thus will I guard your land,
And faithfully at all times
shall serve you Siegfried’s hand.
“In this must Hagen help us,
his nephew Ortwein too,
Dankwart and Sindold also,
all knights beloved of you.
And Volker shall ride with us,
Volker the gallant man,
A better one I know not,
and he shall lead the van.
“And let the heralds ride back
home to their masters’ land;
And that they soon shall see us
give them to understand,
That peace within our castles
may undisturbèd reign.”
For followers and kinsmen
the king then sent amain.
The messengers of Lud’ger
straightway to court repair.
At news of home-returning
greatly rejoiced they were.
The good King Gunther gave them
rich gifts to take away,
And promised them safe conduct:
right glad of heart were they.
“Say now,” King Gunther bade them,
“unto my foes who come,
They’d best forego this journey,
and stay content at home.
But, if they be determined
to seek me in my land,
Unless my good friends fail me,
they’ll find their work to hand.”
Rich presents then they, straightway,
before the heralds bore,
Gunther was rich in treasure,
and had enough and more;
These men of Lud’ger’s durst not
refuse the offered fee,
And when they leave had taken,
departed joyfully.
Now when they unto Denmark
returnèd were at last,
And had declared the tidings
unto King Ludegast,
Which they had brought from Rhineland,
and all to him was said,
The proud and haughty answer
filled him with grief and dread.
They said that by the Rhine dwelt
full many a gallant wight:
“Among them, with King Gunther,
there was a certain knight,
Who bore the name of Siegfried—
a knight of Netherland.”
Sore grieved was Lud’gast when he
this news did understand.
As soon as they of Denmark
had heard the news of war,
They made all haste to gather
their friends from near and far,
Till Ludegast could reckon
on twenty-thousand men,
All warriors bold, and ready
the war-march to begin.
King Ludeger the Saxon
assembled his men, too,
Till he had forty thousand
or even more to show,
Ready to join the others,
and ride to Burgundy.
Nor was King Gunther idle
at home, for also he
Sent word to all his kinsmen,
and to his brothers’ men,
To bid their troops assemble
to go to battle then;
And likewise Hagen’s warriors—
the heroes needed all.
Whereby must many a chieftain
in death, thereafter, fall.
So made they all things ready.
When perfect was each plan,
The gallant warrior, Volker,
was bade to lead the van,
And thus they rode together
from Worms, upon the Rhine.
The chief command to Hagen
of Tronjé they assign.
With them did ride Sir Sindold,
and eke the brave Hunold,
Two knights of whom was either
well worth King Gunther’s gold;
And Dankwart, Hagen’s brother,
his nephew Ortwein too,
Who also might with honour
upon the war-march go.
“Sir king,” said Siegfried, “prithee,
in quiet bide at home,
Seeing that all thy warriors
with me to battle come,
Remain to guard the women,
and aye be of good cheer:
I trow I can take care of
your honour and your gear!
“From those who would assail you,
at Worms upon the Rhine,
I’ll see that nought of evil
befall or thee or thine.
So closely will we press them,
and compass them so near,
That all their braggart boasting
shall soon be changed to fear.”
From Rhine they rode through Hesse,
their warriors as well,
Towards the Saxon country—
where they to fighting fell.
They ravaged all the borders
and spoiled with sword and brand,
Till fear fell on those princes,
who sorrowed for their land.
So came they o’er the marches;
their followers pressed on,
And then the gallant Siegfried
began to think thereon:
“Who shall defend our camp-folk,
now we have brought them here?
More damage-wreaking raiders
to Saxons never were.”
Some counselled: “On the march let
bold Dankwart guard our youth;
He is a trusty warrior,
and swift in act, forsooth:
Let him and also Ortwein
have conduct of the rear;
So shall we have less damage
from Lud’ger’s men to fear.”
“Then I myself will ride on,”
did gallant Siegfried cry,
“And keep the foremost outlook,
till we the foe espy;
Until I find out where these
same crafty warriors lurk.”
Fair Sieglind’s son then quickly
donned helmet and hauberk.
The rank and file to Hagen
he entrusted as he went,
And also unto Gernot,
the warrior excellent.
Then all alone forth rode he
into the Saxon-land;
That very day his sword hewed
full many a helmet-band.
He saw a whole vast army
upon the plain outspread,
By which his own few helpers
were far outnumberèd:
There were full forty thousand,
or even more, maybe;—
But when Sir Siegfried saw them,
his heart was full of glee!
On the foe’s side a warrior
had to the front been sent,
Who on his guard stood ready,
watchful and diligent.
The hero Siegfried saw him,
and the bold man saw him:
And each did watch the other,
with jealous hate and grim.
I’ll tell you who it was, who
thus sentinel did stand:
(A shining shield of red gold
was hanging on his hand,)
King Ludegast it was who
his army thus did guard—
The noble guest spurred forward
to meet him on the sward.
King Ludegast had also
his enemy espied,
And each sharp spurs had driven
into his stallion’s side,
With lances on the shields bent
each charged with all his might,
And Ludegast the mighty
was soon in sorry plight.
After the crash, the chargers
bore the two princes by,
As if a mighty storm-wind
had blown them furiously,
Till each, the rein obeying,
was turned in knightly way;
Then did the two grim foemen
with swords their skill essay.
The mighty strokes of Siegfried
made all the field resound,
Until King Lud’gast’s helmet
seemed flaming all around—
The fire-red sparks shot upwards
beneath the hero’s hand,
Each knight found in his fellow
a foeman worth his brand.
King Lud’gast dealt him also
right many an ugly blow:
Their good shields caught the sword-thrusts,
that else had laid them low.
Of Lud’gast’s warriors, thirty
were witness of the fray.
But, ere they came to aid him,
Siegfried had gained the day.
From three great wounds and ghastly,
which to the king he dealt
Clean through his white, steel harness;
—though it was firmly welt—
Where the keen sword-point entered
burst from his wounds the blood.
King Ludegast might well be
thereat of doleful mood!
He begged for life; and offered
to pledge to him his land,
Telling him that ’twas Lud’gast
whose fate was in his hand.
And then uprode his warriors,
who witnessed had right well
What, ’twixt the twain before them,
upon the watch, befell.
Siegfried now thence would take him;
but he was set upon
By thirty of the foemen:
yet did he hold his own,
And kept his wealthy captive;
and struck out, brave and true,
And gave those stately chieftains
much bitter cause to rue.
In self-defence, the thirty
he thereupon did slay.
One only left he living;
who spurred his steed away
To bear the direful tidings
of all that there befell:
Which eke his bloody helmet
did but too plainly tell.
When to the men of Denmark
the dreadful news was told—
How that theirking was taken—
they scarce their grief could hold.
And when they told his brother,
he fell to rave like mad,
In uncontrollèd fury—
so great the grief he had.
So Ludegast the warrior
was captive made, and then
Led from the field by Siegfried,
and giv’n to Gunther’s men.
To Hagen’s care they gave him;
and when they heard the truth,
That ’twas the king he brought them—
they did not grieve, forsooth!
The banner of Burgundia
was fixed its staff unto.
“Come on, my men!” cried Siegfried,
“here have we more to do,
Before the day be ended.
If God preserve my life,
There’ll weep among the Saxons
full many a comely wife!
“Give ear, ye Rhine-born heroes,
unto these words I say:
To Lud’ger’s host I, truly,
can show ye straight the way.
Ye’ll see some helmet-hewing
by heroes’ hands, I trow!
And, ere we turn us homewards,
what grief is some shall know.”
To horse did Gernot hasten,
as eke did all his men.
Aloft upbore the banner
the stalwart minstrel-thane—
The high-born noble Volker;—
before the host he rode;
And eke the camp-folk, following,
proudly to battle strode.
They had no more, all counted,
than just a thousand men
And twelve, with those of Siegfried.
The dust ’gan rising then
Upon the streets and roadways,
as through the land they rode:
One saw their lances shining,
and many a good shield glowed.
Now also had the Saxons
come forth in great array.
Their swords were finely sharpened,
as I have heard men say;
And keen they were and deadly,
wielded by heroes’ hands:
Therewith they, from the strangers,
would castle guard and lands.
The marshal of the Rhine-men
led on his warriors then.
And Siegfried followed closely,
with the twelve valiant men
Whom he had brought as comrades
from out the Netherland.
That day in blood of battle
was stainèd many a hand.
For Sindold’s might, and Hunold’s,
and Gernot’s had laid
In course of that fell combat,
full many a hero dead,
Ere they had time to reckon
the valour of the foe.
And many a winsome lady
that day must weep for woe.
Sir Volker and Sir Hagen,
and also Ortewein,
Dimmed in that strife the light that
from many a helm did shine,
With damp of blood downpouring—
these battle-valiant men!
Sir Dankwart’s prowess also
wrought many a marvel then.
And also they of Denmark
did well their weapons wield,
And many a thrust resounded
on many a polish’d shield;
And the sharp sword-strokes echoed
death-dealing, blow on blow.
The warlike Saxons likewise
did harm enough, I trow!
As now the bold Burgundians,
pressed forward in the fight,
By them was many a sword-wound,
wide-cleft—a ghastly sight!
And streaming o’er the saddles,
one saw the reeking blood.
Thus fought they for dear honour,
those valiant knights and good.
One heard there, loud-resounding,
from every hero’s hand,
The clashing of keen weapons;
whilst they of Netherland
Dashed after their bold leader,
into the thickest fray.
Right valiantly they followed
where Siegfried showed the way.
For him the Rhenish heroes
could never come anigh;—
One might have seen down-flowing
red streamlets bloodily
Beneath the glitt’ring helmets,
cloven by Siegfried’s hand;—
Until he saw King Lud’ger
before his warriors stand.
Three sev’ral times he’d traversed
the host, from end to end,
And now, to help him, Hagen
his steps did thither bend.
Right well in fight assuaged they
the fierceness of their mood:
Through them that day must perish
full many a warrior good.
When Ludeger the stalwart
saw Siegfried near him stand,
And how aloft he wielded
the good sword in his hand—
The mighty weapon Balmung—
and what a host it slew:
The king waxed very wrathful,
and fierce his anger grew.
Then was a mighty thronging,
and clang of swords as well,
As on each side the warriors
on their opponents fell.
The chieftains sought each other,
mettle and strength to gauge;—
The hosts began to waver;
then waxed the hate and rage.
The leader of the Saxons
was well aware, I trow,
His brother was a captive—
and therefore grieved enow.
He knew too that the captor
was Siegelinda’s son;—
’Twas first set down to Gernot,
but soon the truth was known.
So fierce was Lud’ger’s onslaught,
and eke of such fell force,
That under Siegfried’s saddle
stagger’d his battle-horse.
But soon it did recover;
and, as the turmoil grew,
The aspect of bold Siegfried
was terrible to view.
Hagen he had to aid him,
and Gernot too was by,
And Dankwart and Sir Volker;—
the dead around did lie.
There fought the bold thane Ortwein,
and Sindold, and Hunold.
Who, on the field of battle,
left many a warrior cold.
In combat undivided
these noble princes were;
And o’er their helmets, harmless,
flew many a well-aimed spear
Between the glitt’ring targets
from each opposing knight.
And blood-stained were the bucklers
that whilom shone so bright.
And, in the stress of battle,
full many an eager knight
Dismounted from his charger.
Thus, hand to hand, did fight
Siegfried the bold, and Lud’ger,
who each did each defy.
One saw the broken splinters
of shafts and lances fly.
Fast flew the shield-clasps, severed
by mighty Siegfried’s hand.
He thought himself the victor,
this prince of Netherland,
Over the dauntless Saxons;—
so many wounded lay.
Ha, how the bright mail-armour
at Dankwart’s strokes did fray!
Just then the Saxon Lud’ger
espied upon a shield
A kingly crown emblazoned,
which Siegfried’s arm did wield.
Then knew he, of a surety,
that ’twas the mighty man.
The chieftain to his comrades
loudly to call began:
“Forego your fighting, warriors—
my lieges, all is done!
For here have I seen Siegfried,
the royal Siegmund’s son;—
Siegfried the mighty hero
mine eyes have seen, I trow—
Sent by some evil devil
to work us Saxons woe.”
Then lowered were the ensigns
at Ludeger’s command.
For peace he sued; which, erelong,
was granted to his band;
Though he as Gunther’s pris’ner
must go to Burgundy:
Bold Siegfried’s hand alone ’twas
that won this victory.
By general agreement
the combat then was stopped,
And many a battered buckler
was by the fighters dropped,
And many a helm;—whatever
was found upon the land,
Bore on it blood-red traces
of some Burgundian hand.
They captured whom they listed:
all had they in their power.
And King Gernot and Hagen—
of chivalry the flower—
Had the sick borne on litters;
and, with them, took they then,
As prisoners to the Rhineland,
five hundred goodly men.
Meanwhile the vanquished warriors
to Denmark rode away,
Nor could the Saxons boast of
much better luck than they,
That any one need praise them:
sore vexed these heroes were.
The friends, too, of the fallen
bewailed them, in despair.
They had their arms and weapons
unto the Rhine conveyed.
How well now all had ended!
With his brave warriors’ aid
Siegfried the prince had done it,
as he did all things, well:
Which even Gunther’s liegemen
were bound in truth to tell.
To Worms a message firstly
the gallant Gernot sent,
To let his friends and kinsmen
know how the matter went,
And what success had crowned them—
him and his lieges all:
For honour had they striven,
and gallantly withal.
The young esquires ran quickly,
and soon the news was told.
And they for joy exulted—
whom grief before did hold—
At these all-welcome tidings,
which to the city came.
And many were the questions
asked by each noble dame:
“How had they fared, the warriors
of the most noble king?”
One of the squires they, straightway,
before Kriemhilda bring:
But this was done in secret,
she took no open part—
Though there was one among them
to whom was pledged her heart.
And when she saw the envoy
into her chamber led,
Kriemhild, the beauteous maiden,
in voice most kindly said:
“Now tell me the dear tidings
and gold I’ll give to thee;—
And tell’st thou with no lying,
a friend thou hast in me.
“How fared my brother Gernot
amid the fight?” she said,
“And other friends and kinsmen?
have we left many dead?
And who did best of any?
fain would I hear of thee.”
Then outspake that bold herald:
“Of cravens none had we!
“Yet, in the thick of battle
rode ne’er a man so well,
Oh, Princess high and mighty—
since I the truth must tell—
As did the noble stranger,
who came from Netherland:
Full many a wondrous deed was
wrought by bold Siegfried’s hand.
“For what great feats soever
in battle may have done
Sir Dankwart and Sir Hagen
and many another one;
Howe’er they fought for honour,
it all was idle wind
Compared with Siegfried’s doings,
the son of Siegelind.
“Though in the strife of battle
full many a hero fell,
The wonders wrought by Siegfried
no man hath words to tell!
Nor all his deeds of daring
when he to battle rode:
Through him, for fallen kinsmen,
the women’s tears have flowed.
“And many a girl’s betrothed one
ne’er rose from off that ground.
Upon the brazen helmets
one heard his blows resound;
And from the death-wounds spurted
hot streams of crimson blood:
In all his acts is Siegfried
a gallant knight and good.
“What doughty deeds were wrought by
Ortwein, of Metz the lord!
How ever many foemen
he came at with his sword,
There did he leave them lying—
the better part were dead;
And yet no less of Gernot,
your brother, might be said.
“For he did work such ruin
as ne’er was seen in fight.
In truth, one must confess here
of each well-proven knight
Among the proud Burgundians,
that they all bravely bore
Themselves, and kept their honour
untarnished evermore.
“Full many an empty saddle
their handiwork did show;
And with their bright swords’ clashing
loud did the field echo.
The Rhenish heroes truly,
so fell a riding made,
’Twere better for their foemen
if they at home had stayed.
“The two bold knights of Tronjé
did work much dire distress,
What time the charging armies
did one another press.
And many a warrior perished
beneath bold Hagen’s hand;—
There’s much to tell of him yet
here in Burgundian land.
“Sindold and Hunold also,
who were King Gernot’s men,
And the bold warrior Runold,
such doughty deeds did then,
That Ludeger the Saxon
must rue, until he die,
That ever he thy kinsmen
did on the Rhine defy.
“Yet still the best achievement
that on that field hath been,
Or any, from the youngest
to the oldest man hath seen,
Was done in knightly fashion
by Siegfried’s own right hand.
Rich hostages he bringeth
here, into Gunther’s land.
“These by sheer strength he vanquished,
the brave and goodly wight!
And Ludegast of Denmark
hath suffered great despite,
And Ludeger his brother,
who from the Saxons came.
Now hearken to my tidings,
most rich and noble dame!
“They twain were taken prisoners,
and that by Siegfried’s hand.
Never so many captives
were brought into this land
As to the Rhine are coming
only for Siegfried’s part.”
No news could have been dearer
to Lady Kriemhild’s heart.
“Unwounded captives bring they—
five hundred men and more;
And then the deadly-wounded—
of bloody biers fourscore;—
Full eighty blood-stained stretchers,
my Lady, understand!
The better part of these were
slain by bold Siegfried’s hand.
“They who, thus overweening,
have flouted us on Rhine,
Must now, as battle-pris’ners,
in Gunther’s kingdom pine:
Yea, even now they bring them
with joy unto our land.”
Then sweetly flushed her fair face,
as she did understand.
Her lovely face, with pleasure,
became all rosy red;
For, by good luck, deliver’d
out of the direst need
Had been her goodly warrior—
the young man, Prince Siegfried;
For all her friends rejoiced she—
as she was bound, indeed.
Then spake the winsome maiden:
“Well hast thou said, and now
Thou shalt have costly raiment
for guerdon, that I owe;
And ten good golden marks too;
they shall be brought thee here!”
Such tidings to rich ladies
a man would gladly bear!
They gave him for his guerdon
the raiment and the gold.
Then to the windows hastened
the fair maids, to behold
The horsemen up the street come:
and, watching eagerly,
They saw the gallant riders
come home to Burgundy.
They came, the hale and hearty,
the wounded also came.
They heard the neighbours’ greetings,
and need not blush for shame.
The host rode forth rejoicing
to meet his guests again:
It was a joyful ending
to all his anxious pain.
He welcomed home his warriors,
and all the strangers too;—
To the great king ’twas fitting
not otherwise to do
Than graciously to tender
his thanks to those who came,
Who had in fight defended
the honour of his name.
Then Gunther asked for tidings,
that he to hear was fain,
Of those who had returned not—
their comrades who were slain.
But sixty men were missing,
and he had lost no more;—
For these they might cease mourning,
as for the brave of yore.
The men who were unwounded
brought many a battered shield,
And many a dinted helmet,
to Gunther from that field.
Before the royal palace
dismounted all the men,
And, with a shout of gladness,
were welcomed home again.
’Twas ordered then to billet
the warriors in the town.
The king bade that his guests be
well-treated, as his own.
The wounded must be cared for
and granted quiet rest;—
E’en for his foes his kindness
the king did manifest.
To Ludegast of Denmark he said:
“Be welcome here!
Though, through your fault, much damage
we have incurred, I fear;
But that will be repaid me,
if I have luck!” quoth he,
“May God reward my brave friends,
who fought so well for me.”
“And you do well to thank them,”
King Ludeger outspake,
“For never king before did
such high-born prisoners take!
The honourable usage
shall well rewarded be,
Which unto us, your foemen,
you’ve granted graciously.”
“I’ll let ye both,” cried Gunther,
“here, on the spot, go free,
If all the other pris’ners
swear to remain with me.
For these I will have pledges,
that they leave not my land
Without my given warrant.”
Thereon each gave his hand.
All were to rest and comfort
within the hostels brought;
They put to bed the wounded,
with kindly care and thought;
While to the hale and hearty
good wine and mead they gave.
A gayer time and gladder
the folk could never have.
The battered shields were taken
and put away in store.
Of blood-besprinkled saddles
were there enough and more;—
The men were told to hide them,
in case the women wept.
Still many a wayworn horseman
into the city crept.
For his guests the king provided
with kindness wonderful.
With strangers and indwellers
the land was very full.
Those who lay sorely wounded
he greatly cared for, too.
’Twas thus the good king humbled
his proud and haughty foe.
To all well skilled in leechcraft
no guerdon was denied.
Unstinted store of silver
and shining gold beside,
If they could heal the heroes,
who wounded were in fight:
To load his guests with presents
was eke this king’s delight.
If any there were minded
to journey home again,
They, in most friendly fashion,
were bidden to remain.
And then the king took counsel
how to reward his men,
Who had his will accomplished
with honour and with pain.
The warrior Gernot counselled:
“Let these now homeward ride!
In six weeks’ time we’ll bid them,
if nothing should betide,
Return with us to join in
a great festivity;
By then may they be healèd
who sorely wounded lie.”
For leave asked Siegfried likewise,
the lord of Netherland;
But when the royal Gunther
his wish did understand,
He lovingly entreated
his dear friend not to go;—
Though, but for Gunther’s sister,
he would have gone, I trow.
Though Siegfried was too wealthy
to care for the king’s pay,
Right well had he deserved it.
He was his friend alway,
And eke of all his kinsmen:
for had their eyes not seen
How by his strength in combat
the victory had been?
For love of the fair maiden
he thought he still would stay—
Perchance he yet might see her:
which came to pass one day,
Just as he most desirèd;—
he learnt to know the maid.
Thereafter to his country
right joyously he sped.
Each day in knightly contests
the host would prove his men:
Which willingly were practised
by many a proud young thane.
Then had he seats erected
by Worms, upon the strand,
For those whom he awaited
in his Burgundian land.
About this time, when well-nigh
the coming guests were due,
The beauteous Kriemhilda
heard what he had in view:
That he, with friends, was meaning
to keep high festival.
Then was a great commotion
among the fair dames all
As to the robes and ribands
’twere best for each to wear.
Unto the rich queen Uté
the tidings straight they bear
Of the proud stranger-warriors,
who now were on their way.
Then from her presses took she
rich clothes and raiment gay.
For love of her dear children
she had these garments made,
Wherewith were soon adornèd
full many a dame and maid,
And many a bold young hero
of the Burgundian land.
For many strangers, likewise,
rich clothes she did command.