Adventure
XXIV
How Werbel and Schwemmel Did Their Errand
When Etzel to the Rhineland
had sent his embassy,
The news thereof right swiftly
from land to land did fly:
He greeting gave and bade them,
by messengers right fleet,
To come unto his feasting:
whence many death did meet.
From out the Huns’ dominions
the envoys swiftly went
To the Burgundian country;
for thither were they sent
Three noble kings to summon,
and eke their chivalry,
To come and visit Etzel:
so rode they speedily.
First were they on their journey
to Bechelaren brought;
The folk there served them gladly.
That he might fail in naught
By them unto the Rhineland
sent greeting Rüdeger,
As also did Gotlinda
and eke their daughter dear.
Nor did they send them further
without a proper meed,
Whereby the men of Etzel
made all the better speed.
To Uté and her children
sent message Rüdeger,
To say there lived no margrave
who meant them kindlier.
Unto Brunhilda also
a kindly greeting went,
Of good faith ever steadfast,
and friendliest intent.
When they these words had taken,
forth would the envoys fare:
That God in Heaven would keep them,
was Gotelinda’s prayer.
Ere yet the envoys fully
had cross’d Bavarian ground,
The ever-ready Werbel
the worthy bishop found.
What message for his kinsmen
upon the Rhine he told
Thereof I have no knowledge;
save that in ruddy gold
He gave the twain a token
before he let them ride.
Quoth Pilgerin the bishop:
“And could I at my side
See them, so were I happy—
these sister’s sons of mine:
Scarce can I come to see them,
myself, unto the Rhine.”
The ways by which they travell’d
o’er land unto the Rhine,
I cannot say for certain.
Silver and raiment fine
By none from them was stolen:
men fear’d their lord’s despite—
That king of noble lineage—
ay, potent was his might!
In the Burgundian country,
to Worms upon the Rhine
Came, after twelve days’ riding,
Werbel and Schwemmelin.
Unto the king the tidings
were told, and to his men,
Of foreign envoys coming.
Gunther made question then.
Quoth he, the Lord of Rhineland:
“Who can to us declare
Whence come these foreign riders
that through our country fare?”
But that was known to no one:
till Hagen of Tronjé,
As soon as he had seen them,
did thus to Gunther say:
“Strange news to us is coming
that much I will aver.
The fiddle-players of Etzel
I have but now seen here.
Unto the Rhine your sister
hath sent them, verily;
For sake of both their sovereigns
right welcome must they be.”
Meanwhile before the palace
in full array they rode;
No prince’s minstrels ever
in nobler fashion show’d.
The royal court-folk hasten’d
to meet them presently:
They bade men take their mantles
and found them hostelry.
Their travelling clothes were costly,
with work so deftly done
That they might well with honour
before the king have gone.
Yet in the same apparel
to court they would not go:
Who cared for it might have it,
the envoys let men know.
Without delay they met with
folk who were well content
To take the clothing gladly;
and unto them ’twas sent.
And thereupon the strangers
put on far better gear,
As it behoves kings’ heralds
in full array to wear.
So went, when leave was given,
to where the monarch sat
Those followers of Etzel:
and all were glad thereat.
With courtesy did Hagen
towards the heralds make,
And gave them kindly greeting,
for which their thanks they spake.
To learn from them the tidings
to questioning he fell,
If Etzel and his lieges
were faring all right well?
Then answer’d him the minstrel:
“Ne’er throve the country more,
Nor were the folk so happy—
of that thou may’st be sure.”
Towards the host then went they.
Crowded the palace was;
Unto the guests was offer’d
such kindly welcome as
In foreign kings’ dominions
is ever given of right.
And there, in Gunther’s service,
found Werbel many a knight.
And graciously King Gunther
began to greet them then:
“Be both of ye right welcome,
ye Hunnish minstrelmen,
And your companions also.
Ye are, I understand,
Sent hither by great Etzel
to the Burgundian land?”
Before the king they bow’d them,
and then spake Werbelin:
“To thee his service offers
that well-loved lord of mine;
And to this land thy sister
Kriemhilda greeting saith.
They send us to you warriors
trusting in your good faith.”
The mighty prince made answer:
“Of this right glad am I.
And tell me how is Etzel,”
so did the king reply.
“And eke my sister Kriemhild,
yonder in Hunnish land?”
Then spake the fiddle-player:
“I’ll answer this demand.
“Of this ye may be certain,
that never yet there were
Two folks who lived together
more happy than this pair;
And all the knights around them,
their kinsfolk and their men.
When on this ride we started,
right joyous were they then.”
“Gramercy for the greeting
he hath sent me this day,
And thank my sister also;
since it be as ye say,
That all live in contentment,
ruler and ruled as well:
For I with some misgiving,
ask’d ye the news to tell.”
The king’s two younger brothers
had likewise come by now:
For they the news from Hunsland
but now had got to know.
And Giselher right gladly,
for his dear sister’s sake,
Set eyes upon the envoys
and kindly to them spake.
“Right welcome must ye heralds
be unto me and mine,
And if ye rode more often
hither unto the Rhine,
Friends would ye find here always
rejoicing ye to see.
That aught should here befall you
small peril can there be.”
“We trust you in all honour,”
made answer Schwemmelin.
“And never can I tell you
by any wit of mine,
How Etzel hath enjoin’d us
to greet you lovingly,
As hath your noble sister,
who there hath honour high.
“Of former faith and kindness
the queen doth you remind,
And how with heart and body
you aye to her inclined.
But to the king’s self firstly
have we been sent, to pray
That into Etzel’s country
ye deign to take your way.
“That we thereto should urge ye
hath given strict command
The rich and mighty Etzel,
who likewise doth demand
That if ye by your sister
would not again be seen,
Then would he fain have knowledge
of what his fault hath been
“That ye are strangers to him,
and to his country, too;
For if the Queen Kriemhilda
were all unknown to you,
Still he himself were worthy
for you to come to see.
And were this thing to happen,
’twould please him verily.”
Then spake the royal Gunther:
“A week from now being gone,
So will I give you tidings
of what conclusion
My friends and I have come to.
Meanwhile for you ’twere best
To go unto your hostel,
and may ye have good rest.”
But Werbelin spake further:
“If such a thing might be,
Fain would we have permission
my lady first to see—
I mean the mighty Uté—
before our rest we seek.
Then Giselher the noble
in courtly wise did speak:
“That no man shall deny you;
and if to her ye go,
Ye will my mother’s pleasure
right well accomplish so:
For gladly will she see ye;
and for my sister’s sake,
The Lady Kriemhild namely,
you welcome will she make.”
So Giselher he brought them
to where they found the dame.
With joy she saw the heralds
who from the Huns’ land came;
And heartily did greet them,
so kindly was her mood.
Then told they her the tidings
those courtly heralds good.
Spake Schwemmelin in this wise:
“My lady sends to thee
Her faithful love and duty;
and if it so might be
That she could see you often,
she bids you to believe
That in this world would nothing
more gladness to her give.”
Whereto the queen made answer:
“Alas, it may not be!
Often as I am longing
my daughter dear to see,
Too distant dwelleth from me
your noble monarch’s wife.
May she and Etzel ever
be blessèd in their life.
“But ye must give me warning,
ere from this place ye fare,
When ye will be returning;
for heralds saw I ne’er
For long days past so gladly,
as I have look’d on you.”
The squires then gave their promise
her will therein to do.
And so unto their hostel
the men from Hunsland went.
Meanwhile for friends and kinsmen
the mighty king had sent.
The noble Gunther question
put unto every man
What thought he of the matter.
And many then began
To say that he might fairly
ride unto Etzel’s land.
So counsell’d him the warriors
who did around him stand,
Excepting only Hagen—
to whom ’twas bitter woe.
He told the king in secret:
“Thou wilt thyself undo.
“Thou know’st as well as I do
what thing we wrought of yore:
Needs must we of Kriemhilda
be fearful evermore,
Seeing I slew her husband,
and that with mine own hand.
How durst we take this journey
and ride to Etzel’s land?”
Then spake the mighty Gunther:
“My sister’s wrath was spent.
Pardon to us she granted,
ere from this place she went,
With kisses of forgiveness,
for what to her was done:
Unless, it may be, Hagen,
that thee she hates alone.”
“Be not deceived,” said Hagen,
“whate’er the message be
The envoys bring from Hunsland.
Would you Kriemhilda see,
Be well prepared to forfeit
your honour and your life:
Long-waiting in her vengeance
is she, King Etzel’s wife.”
Thereon the princely Gernot
unto the council said:
“Because that thou with reason
to lose thy life dost dread
Within the Huns’ dominions,
must we then lay aside
This plan to see our sister?
right ill would that betide.”
Prince Giselher then also
spake thus unto the knight:
“Since thou, friend Hagen, knowest
thou art the guilty wight,
So stay thou here in safety
and of thyself take care,
And let, with us, the bold ones
unto my sister fare.”
With wrath began to kindle
the warrior of Tronjé:
“I will not have another
go with you on your way,
Who dares than I more boldly
on this court-ride to go.
Since ye will not be hinder’d,
that will I let you know.”
Then spake the kitchen-master,
Rumold the worthy thane:
“Here friends and strangers can ye
right easily maintain
As ye yourselves are willing:
your stores are full, I trow;
And ne’er, I ween, hath Hagen
betray’d you hitherto.
“If ye will heed not Hagen,
Rumold now counsels you—
And I have ever served you
with love and service true—
That here ye fain should tarry,
out of good will to me,
And let King Etzel yonder
along with Kriemhild be.
“How otherwise in this world
could ye e’er better live?
In spite of all your foemen
here may you right well thrive;
You may your bodies freely
with raiment rich endue,
And wine drink of the choicest,
and winsome maidens woo.
“Meats, too, are set before ye—
the best that e’er were brought
To any king in this world;
and if this all were naught,
You should, methinks, remain here
for sake of your fair wife—
Ere in such childish fashion
you seek to risk your life.
“I counsel your abiding:
rich is your heritage.
At home can vassals better
to you redeem their pledge
Than yonder ’mid the Hunfolk.
Who knows how things be there?
My lords, go ye not thither:
thus Rumold doth declare!”
Thereunto answer’d Gernot:
“Here will we tarry not,
Since we such friendly bidding
have from my sister got,
And from the mighty Etzel.
Why put the thing aside?
Who goes not gladly with us
may e’en at home abide.”
And thereto answer’d Hagen:
“See lest ye take amiss
The words that I have spoken,
howe’er ye do in this.
I give you faithful counsel:
as ye regard your life,
Go well-arm’d to the Hunfolk,
as if for battle-strife.
“Will ye not be dissuaded,
so send ye for your men,
The best that ye can muster
or any way can gain;
And from them all I’ll choose ye
a thousand warriors good:
So may ye fear no evil
from angry Kriemhild’s mood.”
“That rede I’ll gladly follow,”
the king in answer said.
Then sent he heralds riding,
who through his kingdom sped.
And so they brought the warriors,
three thousand men or more.
They dreamt not of the evil
that lay for them in store.
All through the lands of Gunther
right joyously they rode.
On every man a charger
and raiment were bestow’d—
Of those who were to journey
away from Burgundy.
A goodly number follow’d
the king right willingly.
Then Hagen, lord of Tronjé,
his brother Dankwart bade
The four score knights who served them
unto the Rhine to lead.
They came in knightly order;
with arms and wearing gear
Within King Gunther’s borders
right soon did they appear.
Now came the gallant Volker—
a high-born minstrel he—
To join with thirty liegemen
the royal company.
Such splendid raiment had they,
a king had worn it well.
That he would ride to Hunsland,
to Gunther bade he tell.
Now who was this same Volker
I fain would let you know:
He was of noble lineage;
to him did fealty owe
In the Burgundian country,
full many a noble knight.
Because he play’d the fiddle
he was the Minstrel hight.
Then Hagen chose the thousand:
they were to him well-known;
And what in hard-fought battles
their strength of hand had done,
And all they e’er had ventured,
that had he seen full well.
No man of aught save valour
in all their deeds could tell.
The envoys of Kriemhilda
were sore discomfited,
For they of both their rulers
the wrath began to dread;
And leave they daily sought for,
that they might thence begone.
But Hagen would not grant it:
through cunning that was done.
He said unto his masters:
“We must be on our guard
Lest we to go allow them,
before we are prepared
Within a week thereafter
to Etzel’s land to go.
If any ill-will bear us,
thus shall we better know.
“So shall not Dame Kriemhilda
be taking heed hereto,
That any, by her counsel,
should evil to us do.
And if it be her purpose
her own may be the pain:
With us to Hunsland take we
so many chosen men.”
Their bucklers, then, and saddles,
and all of such like gear
As they to Etzel’s country
had in their minds to bear,
By many valiant liegemen
for use were ready made.
The envoys of Kriemhilda
were unto Gunther bade.
And when the heralds enter’d,
unto them Gernot said:
“The king will take the offer
to us by Etzel made;
And we will come right gladly
unto his festival,
And see again our sister:
of that doubt not at all.”
Then spake to them King Gunther:
“Can ye not tell us, pray,
When is this merry-making?
or rather, on what day
’Twere best that we come thither?”
’Twas Schwemmelin replied:
“Ye must be there for certain
at next Midsummer-tide.”
The king unto them granted,
if haply they were will’d
(For not yet had they done it)
to see the Dame Brunhild,
That they with his approval
might to her presence go.
It was gainsaid by Volker:
for her sake did he so.
“In sooth the Lady Brunhild
is not now in the mood
For you to look upon her,”
so spake the warrior good.
“Wait ye until to-morrow,
then her they’ll let you see.”
So hoped they to behold her;
but it was not to be.
The mighty prince then order’d
(he held those envoys dear)
Out of his own great kindness,
that folk should thither bear
His gold upon broad bucklers;
great store thereof he had.
And by his kinsmen also
rich gifts to them were made.
For Giselher and Gernot,
Gere and Ortwein, too,
That they were kindly-hearted
right plainly then did shew.
They such abundant largess
unto the envoys gave,
That, fearful of their rulers,
none of it would they have.
Then Werbelin the herald
unto the king did say:
“Your gifts, Lord King, so please ye,
let in your kingdom stay;
We may not take them with us;
my lord bade us take heed,
Lest gifts by us be taken:
nor is there any need.”
Then did the Lord of Rhineland
this thing unkindly take,
That they a great king’s treasure
of small account should make;
So were they bound to take it,
his gold and habiting,
And unto Etzel’s country
were fain with them to bring.
They would see Uté also
ere they set forth again.
So Giselher the ready
brought both the minstrelmen
Unto his mother Uté.
This word the lady sent:
That if Kriemhild were honour’d
her mother was content.
Then bade the queen be given
of gold and broidery,
All for the sake of Kriemhild—
so dear to her was she—
And for the sake of Etzel,
unto the minstrels both.
They readily might take it:
’twas done in honest troth.
The messengers’ leave-taking
was done; and now they had
Parted from men and maidens;
and so with hearts right glad
They rode on into Swabia;
thus far ’twas Gernot’s will
His heroes should escort them,
that none might do them ill.
When they, who thus did guard them,
parted and homewards rode,
In Etzel’s power a safeguard
they found on ev’ry road,
Whence none essay’d to rob them
of horse or wearing gear.
And so to Etzel’s country
they speedily drew near.
Where’er they found acquaintance,
to them the news they said:
How the Burgundian people,
ere many days were sped,
Unto the Hunfolk’s country
were coming from the Rhine.
The news was carried also
to Bishop Pilgerin.
As they by Bechelaren
along the highway went,
To Rüdeger folk told it—
as naught could well prevent—
And also to Gotlinda,
the margrave’s wedded wife.
That she was soon to see them
was joy unto her life.
Folk saw how with the tidings
the minstrels swiftly rode,
Until they found King Etzel
at Gran, where he abode.
And greeting upon greeting
which unto him were sent
They to the king deliver’d;
ruddy with joy he went.
And when the queen the tidings
did fairly understand,
That verily her brothers
were coming to the land,
In mood she was right happy;
and both the minstrelmen
With costly gifts rewarded:
and honour had she then.
“Now Schwemmelin and Werbel,
each one of you,” said she,
“Tell me which of my kinsmen
will at our feasting be,
Of whom the best and dearest
unto our land we bade?
And, when the news was told him,
tell me what Hagen said?”
They said: “One morning early
he came to the debate,
And not a good word from him
we early had or late;
And when the ride to Hunsland
was praised by all the folk
Grim Hagen looked not elsewise
than if of death they spoke.
“Your brothers here are coming,
the noble kings all three,
In high and lordly humour.
But who with them may be
That news I cannot give you,
seeing I do not know;
But Volker the bold minstrel
hath vow’d with them to go.”
“Him could I spare right blithely,”
in answer spake the queen:
“Since many a time and often
here Volker have I seen.
But fain I am of Hagen,
the hero excellent;
That here we soon shall see him
doth give me much content.”
Then went the royal lady
where she the king did find;
How gently Dame Kriemhilda
unto him spake her mind!
“How do the tidings please thee,
my lord beloved,” she said,
“Now all my heart hath yearned for
shall be accomplishèd.”
“Thy will is eke my pleasure,”
thus did the king reply,
“Nor any of my kindred
so glad to see were I,
If e’er they should be coming
hither unto my land.
For sake of them that love thee
is all my trouble bann’d.”
King’s officers then straightway
commandment gave to all
That seats should be made ready
in palace and in hall,
Meet for the guests belovèd
who would be there anon.
By them, ere long, for Etzel
was pleasure all fordone.