learnt what it was to fall. The crash of shafts resounded from their fellowship. Hagen, who from the thrust afore had come to earth, down on the grass, sprang up again. I trow, he was not gentle of mood towards Gelfrat then. Who held their steeds, I know not; both Hagen and Gelfrat had alighted on the sand and rushed together. Their fellowship helped thereby and became acquaint with strife. Albeit Hagen sprang at Gelfrat fiercely, the noble margrave smote from his shield a mickle piece, so that the sparks flew wide. Full nigh did Gunther’s liegeman die therefrom. He began to call to Dankwart: “O help, dear brother! Certes, a hero of his hands hath matched me, he will not spare my life.”
At this hold Dankwart spake: “I’ll play the umpire here.”
The hero then sprang nearer and with a sharp sword smote Gelfrat such a blow that he fell down dead. Else then would fain avenge the knight, but he and his fellowship parted from the fray with scathe. His brother had been slain, he himself was wounded; full eighty of his knights remained with grim death behind upon the field. Their lord must needs turn in flight from Gunther’s men.
When those from the Bavarian land gave way and fled, one heard the savage blows resound behind them. Those of Troneg chased their foes; they were in passing haste, who had not weened to make amends. Then spake Dankwart, the knight, in their pursuit: “Let us turn soon on this road and let them ride, for they be wot with blood. Haste we to our friends, this I advise you of a truth.”
When they were come again, where the scathe had happed, Hagen of Troneg spake: “Heroes, prove now what doth fail us here, or whom we have lost in the strife through Gelfrat’s wrath.”
Four they had lost whom they must needs bewail. But they had been paid for dearly; for them a hundred or better from the Bavarian land were slain. From their blood the shields of the men of Troneg were dimmed and wet. Through the clouds there partly broke the gleam of the shining moon, as Hagen spake again: “Let none make known to my dear lords what we have wrought here to-day. Let them rest without care until the morn.”
When those who just had fought were now come again, the fellowship was full weary from the way. “How long must we still ride?” asked many a man.
Then spake the bold Dankwart: “We may not find lodgings here, ye must all ride until the day be come.”
The doughty Folker, who had charge of the fellowship, bade ask the marshal: “Where may we find a place to-night, where our steeds may rest and our dear lords as well?”
Bold Dankwart answered: “I cannot tell you that, we may not rest till it begin to dawn. Wherever then we find a chance, we’ll lay us down upon the grass.”
How loth it was to some when they heard this tale! They remained unmarked with their stains of warm red blood, until the sun shot his gleaming light against the morn across the hills. Then the king beheld that they had fought. Wrathfully the hero spake: “How now, friend Hagen? I ween, ye scorned to have me with you when your rings grew wet with blood? Who hath done this?”
Quoth he: “This Else did, who encountered us by night. We were attacked because of his ferryman. Then my brother’s hand smote Gelfrat down. Else soon escaped us, constrained thereto by mickle need. A hundred of them and but four of ours lay dead in the strife.”
We cannot tell you where they laid them down to rest. All of the folk of the land learned soon that the sons of the noble Uta rode to court. Later they were well received at Passau. The uncle of the noble king, the Bishop Pilgrim, was blithe of mood, as his nephews came to his land with so many knights. That he bare them good will, they learned full soon. Well were they greeted, too, by friends along the way, sith men could not lodge them all at Passau. They had to cross the stream to where they found a field on which they set up pavilions and costly tents. All one day they must needs stay there, and a full night too. What good cheer men gave them! After that they had to ride to Rudeger’s land, to whom the tidings were brought full soon. When the way- worn warriors had rested them and came nearer to the Hunnish land, they found a man asleep upon the border, from whom Hagen of Troneg won a sturdy sword. The same good knight hight Eckewart (3) in truth; sad of mood he grew, that he lost his weapon through the journey of the knights. They found Rudeger’s marches guarded ill.
“Woe is me of this shame,” spake Eckewart. “Certes this journey of the Burgundians rueth me full sore. My joy hath fled, sith I lost Knight Siegfried. Alas, Sir Rudeger, how I have acted toward thee!”
When Hagen heard the noble warrior’s plight, he gave him back his sword and six red arm bands. “These keep, Sir Knight, as a token that thou art my friend. A bold knight thou art, though thou standest alone upon the marches.”
“God repay you for your arm bands,” Eckewart replied. “Yet your journey to the Huns doth rue me sore. Because ye slew Siegfried, men hate you here. I counsel you in truth, that ye guard you well.”
“Now may God protect us,” answered Hagen. “These knights, the kings and their liegemen, have forsooth no other care, save for their lodgement, where we may find quarters in this land to-night. Our steeds be spent by the distant way and our food run out,” quoth Hagen, the knight. “We find naught anywhere for sale, and have need of a host, who through his courtesie would give us of his bread to-night.”
Then Eckewart made answer: “I’ll show you a host so good that full seldom have ye been lodged so well in any land, as here may hap you, an’ ye will seek out Rudeger, ye doughty knights. He dwelleth by the highway and is the best host that ever owned a house. His heart giveth birth to courtesie, as the sweet May doth to grass and flowers. He is aye merry of mood, when he can serve good knights.”
At this King Gunther spake: “Will ye be my messenger and ask whether my dear friend Rudeger will for my sake keep us, my kinsmen and our men? I will repay thee this, as best I ever can.”
“Gladly will I be the messenger,” Eckewart replied. With a right good will he gat him on the road and told Rudeger the message he had heard, to whom none such pleasing news had come in many a day.
At Bechelaren men saw a knight pricking fast. Rudeger himself descried him; he spake: “Upon the road yonder hasteth Eckewart, a liegeman of Kriemhild.”
He weened the foes had done him scathe. Before the gate he went to meet the messenger, who ungirt his sword and laid it from his hand. The tales he brought were not hidden from the host and his friends, but were straightway told them. To the margrave he spake: “Gunther, the lord of the Burgundian land, and Giselher, his brother, and Gernot, too, have sent me hither to you. Each of the warriors tendered you his service. Hagen and Folker, too, eagerly did the same in truth. Still more I’ll tell you, that the king’s marshal sendeth you by me the message, that the good knights have passing need of your lodgement.”
Rudeger answered with a smile: “Now well is me of these tales, that the high-born kings do reck of my service. It shall not be denied them. Merry and blithe will I be, an’ they come unto my house.”
“Dankwart, the marshal, bade let you know whom ye should lodge in your house with them: sixty doughty champions, a thousand good knights, and nine thousand men-at-arms.”
Merry of mood grew Rudeger; he spake: “Now well is me of these guests, that these noble warriors be coming to my house, whom I have served as yet full seldom. Now ride ye forth for to meet them, my kinsmen and my men.”
Knights and squires now hied them to their horses; it thought them right, which their lord did bid. All the more they hasted with their service. As yet Lady Gotelind wist it not, who sate within her bower.
ENDNOTES:
(1) “Adventure XXVI”. This adventure is a late interpolation, as it is not found in the “Thidreksaga”. Originally the river must be thought of as separating them from Etzel’s kingdom.
(2) “Moering” (M.H.G. “Moeringen”) lies between Pforing and Ingolstadt. In the “Thidreksaga” we are told that the mermaids were bathing in a body of water called “Moere”, whereas in our poem they bathe in a spring. This may be the original form of the account and the form here contaminated. See Boer, i, 134.
(3) “Eckewart”, see Adventure I, note 15. It will be remembered that he accompanied Kriemhild first to the Netherlands, then stayed with her at Worms after Siegfried’s death, and finally journeyed with her to Etzel’s court. Originally he must be thought of as guarding the boundary of Etzel’s land. Without doubt he originally warned the Burgundians, as in the early Norse versions, where Kriemhild fights on the side of her brothers, but since this duty was given to Dietrich, he has nothing to do but to announce their arrival to Rudeger. His sleeping here may, however, be thought to indicate that it was too late to warn Gunther and his men.
ADVENTURE XXVII
How They Came To Bechelaren.
Then the margrave went to where he found the ladies, his wife with his daughter, and told them straightway the pleasing tidings he had heard, that the brothers of their lady were coming thither to their house. “My dearest love,” quoth Rudeger, “ye must receive full well the noble high-born kings, when they come here to court with their fellowship. Ye must give fair greeting, too, to Hagen, Gunther’s man. With them there cometh one also, hight Dankwart; the other is named Folker, well beseen with courtesie. Ye and my daughter must kiss these and abide by the knights with gentle breeding.” This the ladies vowed; quite ready they were to do it. From the chests they hunted out the lordly robes in which they would go to meet the warriors. Fair dames were passing busy on that day. Men saw but little of false colors on the ladies’ cheeks; upon their heads they wore bright bands of gold. Rich chaplets (1) these were, that the winds might not dishevel their comely hair, and this is true i’ faith.
Let us now leave the ladies with these tasks. Much hasting over the plain was done by Rudeger’s friends, to where one found the lordings, whom men then received well into the margrave’s land. When the margrave, the doughty Rudeger, saw them coming toward him, how joyfully he spake: “Be ye welcome, fair sirs, and your liegemen, too. I be fain to see you in my land.” Low obeisance the knights then made, in good faith, without all hate. That he bare them all good will, he showed full well. Hagen he gave a special greeting, for him had he known of yore. (2) To Folker from Burgundy land he did the same. Dankwart he welcomed, too. The bold knight spake: “Sith ye will purvey us knights, who shall have a care for our men-at-arms whom we have brought?”
Quoth the margrave: “A good night shall ye have and all your fellowship. I’ll purvey such guard for whatever ye have brought with you, of steeds and trappings, that naught shall be lost, that might bring you harm, not even a single spur. Ye footmen pitch the tents upon the plain. What ye lose I’ll pay in full. Take off the bridles, let the horses run.”
Seldom had host done this for them afore. Therefore the guests made merry. When that was done, the lordlings rode away and the footmen laid them everywhere upon the grass. Good ease they had; I ween, they never fared so gently on the way. The noble margravine with her fair daughter was come out before the castle. One saw stand by her side the lovely ladies and many a comely maid. Great store of armlets and princely robes they wore. The precious stones gleamed afar from out their passing costly weeds. Fair indeed were they fashioned.
Then came the guests and alighted there straightway. Ho, what great courtesie one found among the Burgundian men! Six and thirty maids and many other dames, whose persons were wrought as fair as heart could wish, went forth to meet them with many a valiant man. Fair greetings were given there by noble dames. The young margravine kissed all three kings, as did her mother, too. Close at hand stood Hagen. Her father bade her kiss him, but when she gazed upon him, he seemed so fearful that she had fain left it undone. Yet she must needs perform what the host now bade her do. Her color changed first pale then red. Dankwart, too, she kissed, and then the minstrel. For his great prowess was this greeting given. The young margravine took by the hand Knight Giselher of the Burgundian land. The same her mother did to Gunther, the valiant man. Full merrily they went hence with the heroes. The host walked at Gernot’s side into a broad hall, where the knights and ladies sate them down. Soon they bade pour out for the guests good wine. Certes, heroes might never be better purveyed than they. Rudeger’s daughter was gazed upon with loving glances, so fair she was. Forsooth many a good knight caressed her in his mind. And well did she deserve this, so high she was of mood. The knights thought what they would, but it might not come to pass. Back and forth shot the glances at maids and dames. Of them sate there enow. The noble fiddler bare the host good will.
Then they parted after the custom, knights and ladies going to different sides. In the broad hall they set up the tables and served the strangers in lordly wise. For the sake of the guests the noble margravine went to table, but let her daughter stay with the maidens, where she sate by right. The guests saw naught of her, which irked them sore, in truth.
When they had eaten and drunk on every side, men brought the fair again into the hall; nor were merry speeches left unsaid. Many such spake Folker, this brave and lusty knight. Before them all the noble minstrel spake: “Mighty margrave, God hath dealt full graciously with you, for he hath given you a passing comely wife and thereto a life of joy. An’ I were a prince,” quoth the minstrel, “and should wear a crown, I would fain have to wife your comely daughter. This my heart doth wish. She is lovely for to see, thereto noble and good.”
Then answered the margrave: “How might that be, that king should ever crave the dear daughter of mine? My wife and I are exiles; what booteth in such ease the maiden’s passing comeliness?”
To this Gernot, the well-bred man, made answer: “An’ I might have a love after mine own desire, I should be ever glad of such a wife.”
Hagen, too, replied in full kindly wise: “My lord Giselher must take a wife. The margravine is of such high kin that I and all his liegemen would gladly serve her, should she wear a crown in Burgundy land.”
This speech thought Rudeger passing good, and Gotelind too, indeed it joyed their mood. Then the heroes brought to pass that the noble Giselher took her to wife, as did well befit a king. Who may part what shall be joined together? Men prayed the margravine to go to court, and swore to give him the winsome maid. He, too, vowed to wed the lovely fair. For the maiden they set castles and land aside, and this the hand of the noble king did pledge with an oath, and Lord Gernot, too, that this should hap.
Then spake the margrave: “Sith I have naught of castles, I will ever serve you with my troth. As much silver and gold will I give my daughter, as an hundred sumpters may barely carry, that it may please the hero’s kin in honor.”
After the custom men bade them stand in a ring. Over against her many a youth stood, blithe of mood. In their minds they harbored thoughts, as young folk still are wont to do. Men then gan ask the winsome maid whether she would have the knight or no. Loth in part she was, and yet she thought to take the stately man. She shamed her of the question, as many another maid hath done. Her father Rudeger counseled her to answer yes, and gladly take him. In a trice young Giselher was at her side, and clasped her in his white hands, albeit but little time she might enjoy him.
Then Spake the margrave: “Ye noble and mighty kings, when ye now ride again (that is the custom) home to Burgundy, I will give you my child, that ye may take her with you.”
This then they vowed. Now men must needs give over all the noisy joy. They bade the maiden hie her to her bower, and bade the guests to sleep and rest them against the day. Meanwhile men made ready the food; the host purveyed them well.
When now they had eaten, they would ride hence to the Hunnish lands. “I’ll guard against that well,” spake the noble host. “Ye must tarry still, for full seldom have I gained such welcome guests.”
To this Dankwart replied: “Forsooth this may not be. Where would ye find the food, the bread and wine, that ye must have for so many warriors another night?”
When the host heard this, he spake: “Give o’er this speech. My dear lords, ye must not say me nay. Forsooth I’d give you vittaile for a fortnight, with all your fellowship that is come hither with you. King Etzel hath taken from me as yet full little of my goods.”
However much they demurred, still they must needs tarry there until the fourth morning, when such deeds were done by the bounty of the host that it was told after. He gave his guests both mounts and robes. No longer might they stay, they must fare forth. Through his bounty bold Rudeger wot how to save but little. Naught was denied that any craved, it could not but please them all. Their noble meiny now brought saddled before the gate the many steeds, and to them came forth thee stranger knights. In their hands they bare their shields, for they would ride to Etzel’s land. Before the noble guests come forth from the hall, the host had proffered everywhere his gifts. He wist how to live bountifully, in mickle honors. To Giselher he had given his comely daughter; to Gunther, the worshipful knight, who seldom took a gift, he gave a coat of mail, which the noble and mighty king wore well with honor. Gunther bowed low over noble Rudeger’s hand. Then to Gernot he gave a weapon good enow, the which he later bare full gloriously in strife. Little did the margrave’s wife begrudge him the gift, but through it good Rudeger was forced to lose his life. Gotelind offered Hagen a loving gift, as well befit her. He took it, sith the king had taken one, that he should not fare forth from her to the feasting, without her present. Later he gainsayed it. “Of all that I have ever seen,” quoth Hagen, “I crave to bear naught else save that shield on yonder wall; fain would I take that with me into Etzel’s land.”
When the margravine heard Hagen’s speech, it minded her of her grief — tears became her well. She thought full dearly on Nudung’s (3) death, whom Wittich had slain; from this she felt the stress of sorrow. To the knight she spake: “I’ll give you the shield. Would to God in heaven, that he still lived who bare it once in hand. He met his death in battle; for him must I ever weep, which giveth me, poor wife, dire woe.”
The noble margravine rose from her seat and with her white hands she seized the shield. To Hagen the lady bare it, who took it in his hand. This gift was worthily bestowed upon the knight. A cover of shining silk concealed its colors, for it was set with precious stones. In sooth the daylight never shone on better shield. Had any wished to buy it at its cost, ’twere well worth a thousand marks. (4) Hagen bade the shield be borne away.
Then Dankwart came to court. To him the margrave’s daughter gave great store of rich apparel, the which he later wore among the Huns in passing lordly wise. However many gifts were taken by them, naught would have come into the hands of any, save through the kindness of the host, who proffered them so fair. Later they became such foes that they were forced to strike him dead.
Now the doughty Folker went courteously with his fiddle and stood before Gotelind. He played sweet tunes and sang to her his songs. Thus he took his leave and parted from Bechelaren. The margravine bade fetch a chest. Now hear the tale of friendly gifts! Twelve rings she took out and placed them on his hand. “These ye must bear hence to Etzel’s land and wear them at court for my sake, whithersoever ye turn, that men may tell me how ye have served me yonder at the feast.” What the lady craved, he later carried out full well.
Then spake the host to his guests: “Ye shall journey all the gentlier, for I myself will guide you and bid guard you well, that none may harm you on the road.”
Then his sumpters were laden soon. The host was well beseen with five hundred men with steeds and vesture. These he took with him full merrily hence to the feasting. Not one of them later ever came alive to Bechlaren. With a loving kiss the host parted hence; the same did Giselher, as his gentle breeding counseled him. In their arms they clasped fair wives. This many a high- born maid must needs bewail in later times. On every side they opened the casements, for the host with his liegemen would now mount their steeds. I ween their hearts did tell them of the bitter woes to come. Then wept many a dame and many a comely maid. They pined for their dear kinsmen, whom nevermore they saw in Bechelaren. Yet these rode merrily across the sand, down along the Danube to the Hunnish land.
Then noble Rudeger, the full lusty knight, spake to the Burgundians: “Certes, the tidings that we be coming to the Huns must not be left unsaid, for king Etzel hath never heard aught that pleased him more.”
So down through Austria the envoy sped, and to the folk on every side ’twas told that the heroes were coming from Worms beyond the Rhine. Naught could have been liefer to the courtiers of the king. On before the envoys hasted with the tidings, that the Nibelungs were already in the Hunnish land.
“Thou must greet them well, Kriemhild, lady mine. Thy dear brothers be coming in great state to visit thee.”
Within a casement window Lady Kriemhild stood and looked out to see her kin, as friend doth for friend. Many a man she spied from her fatherland. The king, too, learned the tale and laughed for very pleasure. “Now well is me of my joys,” quoth Kriemhild, “my kinsmen bring with them many a brand-new shield and white coat of mail. He who would have gold, let him bethink him of my sorrows, and I’ll ever be his friend.”
ENDNOTES:
(1) “Chaplets”, see Adventure 10, note 1. (2) “Of yore”, see Adventure 23, note 2. (3) “Nudung” was slain, according to the “Thidreksaga”, chap. 335, by “Vidg”a (here Wittich, M.H.G. “Witege”, the son of Wielant, the smith, in the battle of Gronsport. There, chap. 369, he is Gotelind’s brother, but in “Biterolf” and the “Rosengarten” he is her son.
(4) “Marks”, see Adventure V, note 5.
ADVENTURE XXVIII
How The Burgundians Came To Etzel’s Castle.
When the Burgundians were come to the land, old Hildebrand (1) of Berne did hear the tale, and sore it rued him. He told his lord, who bade him welcome well the lusty knights and brave. The doughty Wolfhart (2) bade fetch the steeds; then many a sturdy warrior rode with Dietrich, to where he thought to meet them on the plain where they had pitched full many a lordly tent. When Hagen of Troneg saw them riding from afar, to his lords he spake in courteous wise: “Now must ye doughty warriors rise from your seats and go to meet them, who would greet you here. Yonder cometh a fellowship I know full well, they be full speedy knights from the Amelung land, (3) whom the lord of Berne doth lead — high-mettled warriors they. Scorn not the service that they proffer.”
Then with Dietrich there alighted from the steeds, as was mickle right, many a knight and squire. Towards the strangers they went, to where they found the heroes; in friendly wise they greeted those from the Burgundian land. Ye may now hear what Sir Dietrich said to the sons of Uta, as he saw them coming toward him. Their journey rued him sore; he weened that Rudeger wist it, and had told them the tale. “Be ye welcome, fair sirs, Gunther and Giselher, Gernot and Hagen, likewise Folker and the doughty Dankwart. Know ye not that Kriemhild still mourneth sorely for the hero of the Nibelung land?”
“Let her weep long time,” quoth Hagen. “He hath lain these many years, done to death. Let her love now the Hunnish king. Siegfried cometh not again, he hath long been buried.”
“Let us not talk of Siegfried’s wounds, but if Kriemhild still live, scathe may hap again,” so spake Sir Dietrich, the lord of Berne. “Hope of the Nibelungs, guard thee well against this.”
“Why should I guard me?” spake the high-born king. “Etzel sent us envoys (why should I question more?) to say that we should ride to visit him, hither to this land. My sister Kriemhild sent us many a message, too.”
“Let me counsel you,” quoth Hagen, “to beg Sir Dietrich and his good knights to tell you the tidings further, and to let you know the Lady Kriemhild’s mood.”
Then the three mighty kings, Gunther and Gernot and Sir Dietrich, too, went and spake apart. “Pray tell us, good and noble knight of Berne, what ye do know of the queen’s mood?”
Answered the lord of Berne: “What more shall I tell you? Every morning I hear King Etzel’s wife wail and weep with piteous mind to the mighty God of heaven over the stalwart Siegfried’s death.”
“That which we have heard,” spake bold Folker, the fiddler, “cannot be turned aside. We must ride to court and abide what may hap to us doughty knights among the Huns.”
The brave Burgundians now rode to court. In lordly wise they came after the fashion of their land. Many a brave man among the Huns wondered what manner of man Hagen of Troneg be. It was enough that men told tales, that he had slain Kriemhild’s husband the mightiest of all heroes. For that cause alone much questioning about Hagen was heard at court. The knight was fair of stature, that is full true; broad he was across the breast; his hair was mixed with gray; his legs were long, and fierce his glance; lordly gait he had.
Then one bade lodge the Burgundian men, but Gunther’s fellowship was placed apart. This the queen advised, who bare him much hate, and therefore men later slew the footmen in their lodgings. Dankwart, Hagen’s brother, he was marshal. The king earnestly commended to him his followers, that he purvey them well and give them enow to eat; The hero of Burgundy bare them all good will. Kriemhild, the fair, went with her maids-in-waiting to where, false of mood, she greeted the Nibelungs. Giselher alone she kissed and took by the hand. That Hagen of Troneg saw, and bound his helmet tighter. “After such a greeting,” quoth Hagen, “doughty knights may well bethink them. One giveth kings a greeting different from their men. We have not made a good journey to this feast.” (4)
She spake: “Be welcome to him that be fain to see you; I greet you not for your kinship. Pray tell me what ye do bring me from Worms beyond the Rhine, that ye should be so passing welcome to me here?”
“Had I known,” quoth Hagen, “that knights should bring you gifts, I had bethought me better, for I be rich enow to bring you presents hither to this land.”
“Now let me hear the tale of where ye have put the Nibelung hoard? It was mine own, as ye well know, and ye should have brought me that to Etzel’s land.”
“I’ faith, my Lady Kriemhild, it is many a day sith I have had the care of the Nibelung hoard. My lords bade sink it in the Rhine, and there it must verily lie till doomsday.”
Then spake the queen: “I thought as much. Ye have brought full little of it hither to this land, albeit it was mine own, and I had it whilom in my care. Therefore have I all time so many a mournful day.”
“The devil I’ll bring you,” answered Hagen. “I have enough to carry with my shield and breastplate; my helm is bright, the sword is in my hand, therefore I bring yon naught.”
Then the queen spake to the knights on every side: “One may not bring weapons to the hall. Sir Knights, give them to me, I’ll have them taken in charge.”
“I’ faith,” quoth Hagen, “never shall that be done. In sooth I crave not the honor, O bounteous princess, that ye should bear my shield and other arms to the lodgings; ye be a queen. This my father did not teach me, I myself will play the chamberlain.”
“Alack for my sorrows,” spake Lady Kriemhild. “Why will Hagen and my brother not let their shields be taken in charge? They be warned, and wist I, who hath done this, I’d ever plan his death.”
To this Sir Dietrich answered in wrath: “‘Tis I, that hath warned the noble and mighty princes and the bold Hagen, the Burgundian liegeman. Go to, thou she-devil, thou durst not make me suffer for the deed.”
Sore abashed was King Etzel’s wife, for bitterly she feared Sir Dietrich. At once she left him, not a word she spake, but gazed with furious glance upon her foes. Two warriors then grasped each other quickly by the hand, the one was Sir Dietrich, the other Hagen. With gentle breeding the lusty hero spake: “Forsooth I rue your coming to the Huns, because of what the queen hath said.”
Quoth Hagen: “There will be help for that.”
Thus the two brave men talked together. King Etzel saw this, and therefore he began to query: “Fain would I know,” spake the mighty king, “who yonder warrior be, whom Sir Dietrich greeteth there in such friendly wise. He carrieth high his head; whoever be his father, he is sure a doughty knight.”
A liegeman of Kriemhild made answer to the king: “By birth he is from Troneg, his father hight Aldrian; however blithe he bear him here, a grim man is he. I’ll let you see full well that I have told no lie.”
“How shall I know that he be so fierce?” replied the king. As yet he wist not the many evil tricks that the queen should later play upon her kin, so that she let none escape from the Huns alive.
“Well know I Aldrian, for he was my vassal (5) and here at my court gained mickle praise and honor. I dubbed him knight and gave hint of my gold. The faithful Helca loved him inly. Therefore I have since known Hagen every whit. Two stately youths became my hostages, he and Walther of Spain. (6) Here they grew to manhood; Hagen I sent home again, Walther ran away with Hildegund.”
He bethought him of many tales that had happed of yore. He had spied aright his friend of Troneg, who in his youth had given him yeoman service. Later in his old age he did him many a dear friend to death.
ENDNOTES:
(1) “Hildebrand” is the teacher and armor bearer of Dietrich. He is the hero of the famous “Hildebrandslied”. (2) “Wolfhart” is Hildebrand’s nephew. In the “Thidreksaga” he falls in the battle of Gronsport.
(3) “Amelung land” is the name under which Dietrich’s land appears. Theodorich, the king of the East Goths, belonged to the race of the Amali.
(4) “Feast”. That Kriemhild kissed only Giselher, who was innocent of Siegfried’s death, aroused Hagen’s suspicions. (5) “Vassal”. No other account speaks of Aldrian as being at Etzel’s court. He is probably confused here with his son, for Hagen’s stay with Etzel in various legends, as also in our poem a few lines further down.
(6) “Walther of Spain” is Walther of Aquitania, a legendary personage of whom the O.E. fragment “Waldere”, the Latin epic “Waltharius”, a M.H.G. epic, and the “Thidreksaga” tell. He flees with Hildegund, the daughter of the Burgundian King Herrich, from Etzel’s court, as related here, but has to fight for his life against overpowering numbers, in the “Thidreksaga” against the pursuing Huns, in the other sources against the Burgundians. In both cases Hagen is among his foes, but takes no part in the fight at first, out of friendship for Walther.
ADVENTURE XXIX
How Hagen Would Not Rise For Kriemhild.
Then the two worshipful warriors parted, Hagen of Troneg and Sir Dietrich. Over his shoulder Gunther’s liegeman gazed for a comrade-at-arms, whom he then quickly won. Folker he saw, the cunning fiddler, stand by Giselher, and begged him to join him, for well he knew his savage mood. He was in all things a bold knight and a good. Still they let the lordings stand in the court, only these twain alone men saw walk hence far across the court before a spacious palace. These chosen warriors feared the hate of none. They sate them down upon a bench before the house over against a hall, the which belonged to Kriemhild. Upon their bodies shone their lordly weeds. Enow who gazed upon them would than have known the knights; as wild beasts the haughty heroes were stared upon by the Hunnish men. Etzel’s wife, too, gazed upon them through a window, at which fair Kriemhild waxed sad again. Of her sorrows it minded her and she began to weep. Much it wondered Etzel’s men what had so quickly saddened her mood. Quoth she: “That Hagen hath done, ye heroes brave and good.”
To the lady they spake: “How hath that happed, for but newly we did see you joyful? None there be so bold, an’ he hath done you aught, but it will cost him his life, if ye bid us venge you.”
“Ever would I requite it, if any avenged my wrongs. I would give him all he craved. Behold me at your feet,” spake he queen; “avenge me on Hagen, that he lose his life.”
Then sixty bold men made them ready eftsoon for Kriemhild’s sake. They would hence to slay the bold knight Hagen and the fiddler, too. With forethought this was done. When the queen beheld the band so small, grim of mood she spake to the knights: “What ye now would do, ye should give over. With so few durst ye never encounter Hagen. And however strong and bold Hagen of Troneg be, he who sitteth by his side, Folker, the fiddler, is stronger still by far. He is an evil man. Certes, ye may not so lightly match these knights.”
When they heard this, four hundred doughty warriors more did make them ready. The noble queen craved sore to do them harm. Thereby the heroes later fell in mickle danger. When she saw her followers well armed, the queen spake to the doughty knights: “Now bide a while, ye must stand quite still in truth. Wearing my crown, I will go to meet my foes. List ye to the wrongs that Hagen of Troneg, Gunther’s man, hath done me. I know him to be so haughty that he’ll not deny a whit. Little I reek what hap to him on this account.”
Then the fiddler, a bold minstrel, spied the noble queen walk down the flight of steps that led downward from a house. When bold Folker saw this, to his comrade-at-arms he spake: “Now behold, friend Hagen, how she walketh yonder, who hath faithlessly bidden us to this land. I have never seen with a queen so many men bearing sword in hand march in such warlike guise. Know ye, friend Hagen, whether she bear you hate? If so be, I counsel you to guard the better your life and honor. Certes, methinks this good. They be wroth of mood, as far as I can see, and some be so broad of chest that he who would guard himself should do so betimes. I ween there be those among them who wear bright breastplates. Whom they would attack, I cannot say.”
Then, angry of mood, the brave knight Hagen spake: “Well I wot that all this be done against me, that they thus bear their gleaming swords in hand. For aught of them, I still may ride to the Burgundian land. Now tell me, friend Folker, whether ye will stand by me, if perchance Kriemhild’s men would fight me? Pray let me hear that, if so be ye hold me dear. I’ll aid you evermore with faithful service.”
“I’ll help you surely,” spake the minstrel; “and should I see the king with all his warriors draw near us, not one foot will I yield from fear in aiding you, the while I live.”
“Now may God in heaven requite you, noble Folker; though they strive against me, what need I more? Sith ye will help me, as I hear you say, let these warriors come on full-armed.”
“Let us rise now from our seats,” spake the minstrel. “Let us do her honor as she passeth by, she is a high-born dame, a queen. We shall thereby honor ourselves as well.”
“For my sake, no,” quoth Hagen. “Should I go hence, these knights would think ’twas through fear. Not for one of them will I ever rise from my seat. It beseemeth us both better, forsooth, to leave this undone, for why should I honor one who doth bear me hatred? Nor will I do this, the while I live; I reck not how King Etzel’s wife doth hate me.”
Haughty Hagen laid across his knees a gleaming sword from whose pommel a sparkling jasper, greener than grass, did shine. Its hilt was golden, its sheath an edging of red. That it was Siegfried’s, Kriemhild knew full well. She must needs grow sad when that she knew the sword, for it minded her of her wrongs; she began to weep. I ween bold Hagen had done it for this cause. Folker, the bold, drew nearer to the bench a fiddle bow, strong, mickle, and long, like unto a broad, sharp sword, and there the two lusty knights sate undaunted. These two brave men did think themselves so lordly, that they would not leave their seats through fear of any man. The noble queen walked therefore to their very feet and gave them hostile greeting. She spake: “Now tell me, Hagen, who hath sent for you, that ye durst ride hither to this land, sith ye know full well what ye have done me? Had ye good wits, ye should have left it undone, by rights.”
“No one sent for me,” quoth Hagen. “Men bade to this land three knights, who hight my lords. I am their liegeman, and full seldom have I stayed behind when they journeyed to any court.”
Quoth she: “Now tell me further, why ye did this, through the which ye have earned my hate? Ye slew Siegfried, my dear husband, for which I have cause enow to weep until mine end.”
Quoth he: “What booteth more, enow is already said. It is just I, Hagen, who slew Siegfried, a hero of his hands. How sorely did he atone that Lady Kriemhild railed at comely Brunhild. ‘Tis not to be denied, O mighty queen, I alone am to blame for this scathful scathe. (1) Let him avenge it who will, be he wife or man. Unless be I should lie to you, I have dons you much of harm.”
Quoth she: “Now hear, ye knights, how he denieth no whit of my wrongs. Men of Etzel, I care not what hap to him from this cause.”
The proud warriors all gazed at one another. Had any began the fight, it would have come about that men must have given the honors to the two comrades, for they had oft wrought wonders in the fray. What the Huns had weened to do must now needs be left. undone through fear.
Then spake one of the men-at-arms: “Why gaze ye thus at me? What I afore vowed, I will now give over. I will lose my life for no man’s gift. Forsooth King Etzel’s wife would fain lead us into wrong.”
Quoth another hard by: “Of the selfsame mind am I. An’ any give me towers of good red gold, I would not match this fiddler, for his fearful glances, the which I have seen him cast. Hagen, too, I have known from his youthful days, wherefore men can tell me little of this knight. I have seen him fight in two and twenty battles, through which woe of heart hath happed to many a dame. He and the knight from Spain trod many a war path, when here at Etzel’s court they waged so many wars in honor of the king. Much this happed, wherefore one must justly honor Hagen. At that time the warrior was of his years a lad. How gray are they who then were young! Now is he come to wit and is a man full grim. Balmung, (2) too, he beareth, the which he won in evil wise.”
Therewith the strife was parted, so that no one fought, which mightily rued the queen. The warriors turned them hence; in sooth they feared their death at the fiddler’s hands, and surely they had need of this. Then spake the fiddler: “We have now well seen that we shall find foes here, as we heard tell afore. Let us go to court now to the kings, then dare none match our lords in fight. how oft a man doth leave a thing undone through fear, the which he would not do, when friend standeth by friend in friendly (3) wise, an’ he have good wits. Scathe to many a man is lightly warded off by forethought.”
Quoth Hagen: “Now will I follow you.”
They went to where they found the dapper warriors standing in the court in a great press of welcoming knights.
Bold Folker gan speak loudly to his lords: “How long will ye stand and let yourselves be jostled? Ye must go to court and hear from the king of what mind he be.”
Men then saw the brave heroes and good pair off. The prince of Berne took by the hand the mighty Gunther of Burgundian land. Irnfried (4) took the brave knight Gernot, while Rudeger was seen to go to court with Giselher. But however any paired, Folker and Hagen never parted, save in one fray, when their end was come, and this noble ladies must needs greatly bewail in after time. With the kings one saw go to court a thousand brave men of their fellowship, thereto sixty champions that were come with them, whom the bold Hagen had taken from his land. Hawart and Iring, (5) two chosen men, were seen to walk together near the kings. Men saw Dankwart and Wolfhart, a peerless knight, display their chivalry before all eyes.
When the lord of the Rhine had entered the hall, the mighty Etzel delayed no longer, but sprang from his throne when he saw him come. Never did so fair a greeting hap from any king. “Be welcome, Sir ,Gunther, and Sir Gernot, too, and your brother Giselher. I sent you truly my faithful service to Worms beyond the Rhine. All your fellowship, too, I welcome. Now be ye passing welcome, ye two knights, Folker, the brave, and Sir Hagen likewise, to me and to my lady, here in this our land. She sent you many a messenger to the Rhine.”
Then spake Hagen of Troneg: “I heard much talk of that, and were I not come to the Huns for the sake of my lords, I should have ridden in your honor to this land.”
The noble host then took his dear guests by the hand and led them to the settle where he sate himself. Busily they poured out for the guests in broad bowls of gold, mead, morat, (6) and wine and bade those far from home be welcome. Then spake King Etzel: “Let me tell you this; it might not liefer hap to me in all this world, than through you heroes, that ye be come to see me. Through this much sadness is also taken from the queen. Me-wondereth greatly what I have done you noble strangers, that ye never recked to come into my land. My sadness is turned to joy, since now I see you here.”
To this Rudeger, a high-mettled knight, made answer: “Ye may be glad to see them. Good is the fealty which the kinsmen of my lady wot how to use so well. They bring also to your house many a stately knight.”
Upon a midsummer’s eve the lords were come to the court of the mighty Etzel. Seldom hath there been heard such lofty greeting as when he welcomed the heroes. When now the time to eat was come, the king went with them to the board. Never did host sit fairer with his guests. Men gave them meat and drink to the full. All that they craved stood ready for them, for mickle wonders had been told about these knights.
ENDNOTES:
(1) “Scathful scathe” here imitates the M.H.G. “scaden scedelich”.
(2) “Balmung”, see Adventure III, note 7. (3) “friend . . . friendly”. This repetition occurs in the original.
(4) “Irnfried”, see Adventure XXII, note 8. (5) “Hawart” and “Iring”, Adventure XXII, notes 6 and 7. (6) “Morat” (M.H.G. “moraz”) from late Latin “moratum”, mulberry wine, is a beverage composed of honey flavored with mulberry-juice.
ADVENTURE XXX
How They Kept The Watch.
The day had now an end, and the night drew nigh. Care beset the wayworn travelers, as to when they should go to bed and rest them. This Hagen bespake with Etzel, and it was told them soon.
Gunther spake to the host: “God be with you, we would fain go to our sleep, pray give us leave. We will come early on the morrow, whensoever ye bid.”
Etzel parted then full merrily from his guests. Men pressed the strangers on every side, at which brave Folker spake to the Huns: “How dare ye crowd before the warriors’ feet? An’ ye will not leave this, ye will fare full ill. I’ll smite some man so heavy a fiddle blow, that if he have a faithful friend he may well bewail it. Why give ye not way before us knights? Methinks ’twere well. All pass for knights, but be not of equal mettle.”
As the fiddler spake thus in wrath, Hagen, the brave, looked behind him. He spake: “The bold gleeman doth advise you right, ye men of Kriemhild, ye should hie you to your lodgings. I ween none of you will do what ye are minded, but would ye begin aught, come early on the morrow, and let us wanderers have peace to-night. Certes, I ween that it hath never happed with such good will on the part of heroes.”
Then the guests were brought into a spacious hall, which they found purveyed on every side with costly beds, long and broad, for the warriors. Lady Kriemhild planned the very greatest wrongs against them. One saw there many a cunningly wrought quilt from Arras (1) of shining silken cloth and many a coverlet of Arabian silk, the best that might be had; upon this ran a border that shone in princely wise. Many bed covers of ermine and of black sable were seen, beneath which they should have their ease at night, until the dawn of day. Never hath king lain so lordly with his meiny.
“Alas for these night quarters,” spake Giselher, the youth, “and alas for my friends, who be come with us. However kindly my sister greeted us, yet I do fear me that through her fault we must soon lie dead.”
“Now give over your care,” quoth Hagen, the knight. “I’ll stand watch myself to-night. I trow to guard us well, until the day doth come. Therefore have no fear; after that, let him survive who may.”
All bowed low and said him gramercy. Then went they to their beds. A short while after the stately men had laid them down, bold Hagen, the hero, began to arm him. Then the fiddler, Knight Folker, spake: “If it scorn you not, Hagen, I would fain hold the watch with you to-night, until the early morn.”
The hero then thanked Folker in loving wise: “Now God of heaven requite you, dear Folker. In all my cares, I would crave none other than you alone, whenever I had need. I shall repay you well, and death hinder me not.”
Both then donned their shining armor and either took his shield in hand, walked out of the house and stood before the door. Thus they cared for the guests in faithful wise. The doughty Folker leaned his good shield against the side of the hall, then turned him back and fetched his fiddle and served his friends as well befit the hero. Beneath the door of the house he sate him down upon a stone; bolder fiddler was there never. When the tones of the strings rang forth so sweetly, the proud wanderers gave Folker thanks. At first the strings twanged so that the whole house resounded; his strength and his skill were both passing great. Then sweeter and softer he began to play, and thus many a care-worn man he lulled to sleep. When he marked that all had fallen asleep, the knight took again his shield and left the room and took his stand before the tower, and there he guarded the wanderers against Kriemhild’s men.
‘Twas about the middle of the night (I know not but what it happed a little earlier), that bold Folker spied the glint of a helmet afar in the darkness. Kriemhild’s men would fain have harmed the guests. Then the fiddler spake: “Sir Hagen, my friend, it behooveth us to bear these cares together. Before the house I see armed men stand, and err I not, I ween, they would encounter us!”
“Be silent,” quoth Hagen, “let them draw nearer before they be ware of us. Then will helmets be dislodged by the swords in the hands of us twain. They will be sent back to Kriemhild in evil plight.”
One of the Hunnish warriors (full soon that happed) marked that the door was guarded. How quickly then he spake: “That which we have in mind may not now come to pass. I see the fiddler stand on guard. On his head he weareth a glittering helmet, shining and hard, strong and whole. His armor rings flash out like fire. By him standeth Hagen; in sooth the guests be guarded well.”
Straightway they turned again. When Folker saw this, wrathfully he spake to his comrade-at-arms: “Now let me go from the house to the warriors. I would fain put some questions to Lady Kriemhild’s men.”
“For my sake, no,” quoth Hagen. “If ye leave the house, the doughty knights are like to bring you in such stress with their swords, that I must aid you even should it be the death of all my kin. As soon as we be come into the fray, twain of them, or four, would in a short time run into the house and would bring such scathe upon the sleepers, that we might never cease to mourn.”
Then Folker answered: “Let us bring it to pass that they note that I have seen them, so that Kriemhild’s men may not deny that they would fain have acted faithlessly.”
Straightway Folker then called out to them: “How go ye thus armed, ye doughty knights? Would ye ride to rob, ye men of Kriemhild? Then must ye have the help of me and my comrade-at- arms.”
To this none made reply. Angry grew his mood. “Fy! Ye evil cowards,” spake the good knight, “would ye have murdered us asleep? That hath been done full seldom to such good heroes.”
Then the queen was told that her messengers had compassed naught. Rightly it did vex her, and with wrathful mood she made another plan. Through this brave heroes and good must needs thereafter perish.
ENDNOTES:
(1) “Arras”, the capital of Artois in the French Netherlands. In older English “arras” is used also for tapestry.
ADVENTURE XXXI. (1)
How They Went To Church.
“My coat of mail groweth cold,” said Folker. “I ween the night hath run its course. By the air I mark that day is near.”
Then they waked the many knights who still lay sleeping. The light of dawn shone into the hall upon the strangers. On all sides Hagen gan wake the warriors, if perchance they would fain go to the minster for mass. Men now loudly rang the bells in Christian fashion. Heathens and Christians did not sing alike, so that it was seen full well that they were not as one. Gunther’s liegemen now would go to church, and all alike had risen from their beds. The champions laced them into such goodly garments, that never did hero bring better clothes to the land of any king. This vexed Hagen. He spake: “Heroes, ye should wear here other clothes. Certes, ye know full well the tales. Instead of roses, bear weapons in your hands; instead of jeweled chaplets, your bright helms and good, sith ye know full well the wicked Kriemhild’s mood. Let me tell you, we must fight to-day, so instead of silken shirts, wear hauberks, and instead of rich cloaks, good shields and broad, so that if any grow angry with you, ye be full armed. Dear my lords, and all my kin and liegemen, go willingly to church and make plaint to the mighty God of your fears and need, for know full sure that death draweth nigh us. Nor must ye forget to confess aught that ye have done and stand full zealously before your God. Of this I warn you, noble knights, unless God in heaven so will, ye’ll never more hear mass.”
So the princes and their liegemen went to the minster. In the holy churchyard bold Hagen bade them halt, that they might not be parted. He spake: “Of a truth none knoweth what will hap to us from the Huns. Place, my friends, your shields before your feet, and if any proffer you cold greeting, repay it with deep and mortal wounds. That is Hagen’s counsel, that ye may so be found as doth befit your honor.”
Folker and Hagen, the twain, then hied them to the spacious minster. This was done that the queen might press upon them in the crowd. Certes, she was passing grim. Then came the lord of the land and his fair wife, her body adorned with rich apparel; Doughty warriors, too, were seen to walk beside her. One saw the dust rise high from Kriemhild’s band. When mighty Etzel spied the kings and their fellowship thus armed, how quick he spake: “Why do I see my friends thus go with helmets? Upon my troth, it grieveth me, and hath any done them aught, I shall gladly make amends, as doth think them good. Hath any made heavy their hearts or mood, I’ll show them well, that it doth irk me much. I am ready for whatever they command me.”
To this Hagen answered: “None hath done us aught; it is the custom of my lordings that they go armed at all high feasts for full three days. We should tell Etzel, had aught been done us.”
Kriemhild heard full well what Hagen spake. How right hostilely she gazed into his eyes! She would not tell the custom of their land, albeit she had known it long in Burgundy. However grim and strong the hate she bare them, yet had any told Etzel the truth, he would have surely hindered what later happed. Because of their great haughtiness they scorned to tell him. When the great crowd went past with the queen, these twain, Hagen and Folker, would not step back more than two hand-breadths, the which irked the Huns. Forsooth they had to jostle with the lusty heroes. This thought King Etzel’s chamberlains not good. Certes, they would have fain angered the champions, but that they durst not before the noble king. So there was much jostling, but nothing more.
When they had worshiped God and would hence again, many a Hunnish warrior horsed him passing soon, At Kriemhild’s side stood many a comely maid, and well seven thousand knights rode with the queen. Kriemhild with her ladies sate her down at the easements by the side of the mighty Etzel, which was him lief, for they would watch the lusty heroes joust. Ho, what stranger knights rode before them in the court! Then was come the marshal with the squires. Bold Dankwart had taken to him his lord’s retainers from the Burgundian land; the steeds of the Nibelungs they found well saddled. When now the kings and their men were come to horse, stalwart Folker gan advise that they should ride a joust after the fashion of their land. At this the heroes rode in lordly wise; none it irked what the knight had counseled. The hurtling and the noise waxed loud, as the many men rode into the broad court. Etzel and Kriemhild themselves beheld the scene. To the jousts were come six hundred knights of Dietrich’s men to match the strangers, for they would have pastime with the Burgundians. Fain would they have done it, had he given them leave. Ho, what good champions rode in their train! The tale was told to Sir Dietrich and he forbade the game with Gunther’s men; he feared for his liegemen, and well he might.
When those of Berne had departed thence, there came the men of Rudeger from Bechelaren, five hundred strong, with shields, riding out before the hall. It would have been lief to the margrave, had they left it undone. Wisely he rode then to them through the press and said to his knights, that they were ware that Gunther’s men were evil-minded toward them. If they would leave off the jousting, it would please him much. When now these lusty heroes parted from them, then came those of Thuringia, as we are told, and well a thousand brave men from Denmark. From the tilting one saw many truncheons (2) flying hence. Irnfried and Hawart now rode into the tourney. Proudly those from the Rhine awaited them and offered the men of Thuringia many a joust. Many a lordly shield was riddled by the thrusts. Thither came then Sir Bloedel with three thousand men. Well was he seen of Etzel and Kriemhild, for the knightly sports happed just before the twain. The queen saw it gladly, that the Burgundians might come to grief. Schrutan (3) and Gibecke, Ramung and Hornbog, (4) rode into the tourney in Hunnish wise. To the heroes from Burgundian land they addressed them. High above the roof of the royal hall the spear-shafts whirled. Whatever any there plied, ’twas but a friendly rout. Palace and hall were heard resounding loud through the clashing of the shields of Gunther’s men. With great honor his meiny gained the meed. Their pastime was so mickle and so great, that from beneath the housings of the good steeds, which the heroes rode, there flowed the frothy sweat. In haughty wise they encountered with the Huns.
Then spake the fiddler, Folker the minstrel: “I ween these warriors dare not match us. I’ve aye heard the tale, that they bear us hate, and forsooth it might never fortune better for them than now.” Again Folker spake: “Let our steeds be now led away to their lodgings and let us joust again toward eventide, and there be time. Perchance the queen may accord to the Burgundians the prize.”
Then one was seen riding hither so proudly, that none of all the Huns could have done the like. Certes, he must have had a sweetheart on the battlements. As well attired he rode as the bride of any noble knight. At sight of him Folker spake again: “How could I give this over? This ladies’ darling must have a buffet. None shall prevent me and it shall cost him dear. In truth I reck not, if it vex King Etzel’s wife.”
“For my sake, No,” spake straightway King Gunther. “The people will blame us, if we encounter them. ‘Twill befit us better far, an’ we let the Huns begin the strife.”
King Etzel was still sitting by the queen.
“I’ll join you in the tourney,” quoth Hagen then. “Let the ladies and the knights behold how we can ride. That will be well, for they’ll give no meed to King Gunther’s men.”
The doughty Folker rode into the lists again, which soon gave many a dame great dole. His spear he thrust through the body of the dapper Hun; this both maid and wife were seen thereafter to bewail. Full hard and fast gan Hagen and his liegemen and sixty of his knights ride towards the fiddler, where the play was on. This Etzel and Kriemhild clearly saw. The three kings would not leave their minstrel without guard amidst the foe. Cunningly a thousand heroes rode; with haughty bearing they did whatso they would. When now the wealthy Hun was slain, men heard his kin cry out and wail. All the courtiers asked: “Who hath done this deed?”
“That the fiddler did, Folker, the valiant minstrel.”
The margrave’s kindred from the Hunnish land called straightway for their swords and shields, and would fain have done Folker to death. Fast the host gan hasten from the windows. Great rout arose from the folk on every side. The kings and their fellowship, the Burgundian men, alighted before the hall and drove their horses to the rear. Then King Etzel came to part the strife. From the hand of a kinsman of the Hun he wrenched a sturdy weapon and drove them all back again, for full great was his wrath. “Why should my courtesie to these knights go all for naught? Had ye slain this minstrel at my court,” spake King Etzel, “’twere evil done. I saw full well how he rode, when he thrust through the Hun, that it happed through stumbling, without any fault of his. Ye must let my guests have peace.”
Thus he became their safe-guard. To the stalls men led away the steeds; many a varlet they had, who served them well with zeal in every service. The host now hied him to his palace with his friends, nor would he let any man grow wroth again. Then men set up the tables and bare forth water for the guests. Forsooth the men from the Rhine had there enow of stalwart foes. ‘Twas long before the lords were seated.
Meanwhile Kriemhild’s fears did trouble her passing sore. She spake: “My lord of Berne, I seek thy counsel, help, and favor, for mine affairs do stand in anxious wise.”
Then Hildebrand, a worshipful knight, made answer to her: “And any slay the Nibelungs for the sake of any hoard, he will do it without my aid. It may well repent him, for they be still unconquered, these doughty and lusty knights.”
Then Spake Sir Dietrich in his courteous wise: “Let be this wish, O mighty queen. Thy kinsmen have done me naught of wrong, that I should crave to match these valiant knights in strife. Thy request honoreth thee little, most noble queen, that thou dost plot against the life of thy kinsfolk. They came in hope of friendship to this land. Siegfried will not be avenged by Dietrich’s hand.”
When she found no whit of faithlessness in the lord of Berne, quickly she promised Bloedel a broad estate, that Nudung (5) owned aforetime. Later he was slain by Hagen, so that he quite forgot the gift. She spake: “Thou must help me, Sir Bloedel, forsooth my foes be in this house, who slew Siegfried, my dear husband. Ever will I serve him, that helpeth me avenge this deed.”
To this Bloedel replied: “My lady, now may ye know that because of Etzel I dare not, in sooth, advise to hatred against them, for he is fain to see thy kinsmen at his court. The king would ne’er forget it of me, and I did them aught of wrong.”
“Not so, Sir Bloedel, for I shall ever be thy friend. Certes, I’ll give thee silver and gold as guerdon and a comely maid, the wife of Nudung, whose lovely body thou mayst fain caress. I’ll give thee his land and all his castles, too, so that thou mayst always live in joy, Sir knight, if thou dost now win the lands where Nudung dwelt. Faithfully will I keep, whatso I vow to thee to-day.”
When Sir Bloedel heard the guerdon, and that the lady through her beauty would befit him well, he weened to serve the lovely queen in strife. Because of this the champion must needs lose his life. To the queen he spake: “Betake you again to the hall, and before any be aware, I’ll begin a fray and Hagen must atone for what he hath done you. I’ll deliver to you King Gunther’s liegeman bound. Now arm you, my men,” spake Bloedel. “We must hasten to the lodgings of the foes, for King Etzel’s wife doth crave of me this service, wherefore we heroes must risk our lives.”
When the queen left Bloedel in lust of battle, she went to table with King Etzel and his men. Evil counsels had she held against the guests. Since the strife could be started in no other wise (Kriemhild’s ancient wrong still lay deep buried in her heart), she bade King Etzel’s son be brought to table. How might a woman ever do more ghastly deed for vengeance’ sake? Four of Etzel’s men went hence anon and bare Ortlieb, (6) the young prince, to the lordings’ table, where Hagen also sat. Because of this the child must needs die through Hagen’s mortal hate.
When now the mighty king beheld his son, kindly he spake to the kinsmen of his wife: “Now see, my friends, this is the only son of me and of your sister. This may be of profit to you all, for if he take after his kinsmen, he’ll become a valiant man, mighty and noble, strong and fashioned fair. Twelve lands will I give him, and I live yet a while. Thus may the hand of young Ortlieb serve you well. I do therefore beseech you, dear friends of mine, that when ye ride again to your lands upon the Rhine, ye take with you your sister’s son and act full graciously toward the child, and bring him up in honor till he become a man. Hath any done you aught in all these lands, he’ll help you to avenge it, when he groweth up.”
This speech was also heard by Kriemhild, King Etzel’s wife.
“These knights might well trust him,” quoth Hagen, “if he grew to be a man, but the young prince doth seem so fey, (7) that I shall seldom be seen to ride to Ortlieb’s court.”
The king glanced at Hagen, for much the speech did irk him; and though the gentle prince said not a word, it grieved his heart and made him heavy of his mood. Nor was Hagen’s mind now bent on pastime. But all the lordings and the king were hurt by what Hagen had spoken of the child; it vexed them sore, that they were forced to hear it. They wot not the things as yet, which should happen to them through this warrior.
ENDNOTES:
(1) “Adventure XXXI”. This adventure is of late origin, being found only in our poem. See the introduction. (2) “Truncheons”, see Adventure II, note 8. (3) “Schrutan”. This name does not occur elsewhere. Piper suggests, that perhaps a Scotchman is meant, as “Skorottan” appears in the “Thidreksaga”, chap. 28, as an ancient name of Scotland.
(4) “Gibecke”, “Ramung” and “Hornbog”, see Adventure XXII, notes 4 and 5.
(5) “Nudung”, see Adventure XXVII, note 3. (6) “Ortlieb”. In the “Thidreksaga” Etzel’s son is called Aldrian. There, however, he is killed because he strikes Hagen in the face, here in revenge for the killing of the Burgundian footmen.
(7) “Fey”, see Adventure V, note 2.
ADVENTURE XXXII (1)
How Bloedel Was Slain.
Full ready were now Bloedel’s warriors. A thousand hauberks strong, they hied them to where Dankwart sate at table with the squires. Then the very greatest hate arose among the heroes. When Sir Bloedel drew near the tables, Dankwart, the marshal, greeted him in courteous wise. “Welcome, Sir Bloedel, in our house. In truth me-wondereth at thy coming. What doth it mean?”
“Forsooth, thou needst not greet me,” so spake Bloedel; “for this coming of mine doth mean thine end. Because of Hagen, thy brother, by whom Siegfried was slain, thou and many other knights must suffer here among the Huns.”
“Not so, Sir Bloedel,” quoth Dankwart, “else this journey to your court might rue us sore. I was but a little child when Siegfried lost his life. I know not what blame King Etzel’s wife could put on me.”
“Of a truth, I wot not how to tell you of these tales; thy kinsmen, Gunther and Hagen, did the deed. Now ward you, ye wanderers, ye may not live. With your death must ye become Kriemhild’s pledge.”
“And ye will not turn you,” quoth Dankwart, “then do my entreaties rue me; they had better far been spared.”
The doughty knight and brave sprang up from the table; a sharp weapon, mickle and long, he drew and dealt Bloedel so fierce a sword-stroke that his head lay straightway at his feet. “Let that be thy marriage morning gift,” (2) spake Dankwart, the knight, “for Nudung’s bride, whom thou wouldst cherish with thy love. They call betroth her to another man upon the morn. Should he crave the dowry, ’twill be given to him eftsoon.” A faithful Hun had told him that the queen did plan against them such grievous wrongs.
When Bloedel’s men beheld their lord lie slain, no longer would they stand this from the guests. With uplifted swords they rushed, grim of mood, upon the youthful squires. Many a one did rue this later. Loudly Dankwart called to all the fellowship: “Ye see well, noble squires, how matters stand. Now ward you, wanderers! Forsooth we have great need, though Kriemhild asked us here in right friendly wise.”
Those that had no sword reached down in front of the benches and lifted many a long footstool by its legs. The Burgundian squires would now abide no longer, but with the heavy stools they dealt many bruises through the helmets. How fiercely the stranger youths did ward them! Out of the house they drove at last the men-at-arms, but five hundred of them, or better, stayed behind there dead. The fellowship was red and wot with blood.
These grievous tales were told now to Etzel’s knights; grim was their sorrow, that Bloedel and his men were slain. This Hagen’s brother and his squires had done. Before the king had learned it, full two thousand Huns or more armed them through hatred and hied them to the squires (this must needs be), and of the fellowship they left not one alive. The faithless Huns brought a mickle band before the house. Well the strangers stood their ground, but what booted their doughty prowess? Dead they all must lie. Then in a few short hours there rose a fearful dole. Now ye may hear wonders of a monstrous thing. Nine thousand yeomen lay there slain and thereto twelve good knights of Dankwart’s men. One saw him stand alone still by the foe. The noise was hushed, the din had died away, when Dankwart, the hero, gazed over his shoulders. He spake: “Woe is me, for the friends whom I have lost! Now must I stand, alas, alone among my foes.”
Upon his single person the sword-strokes fell thick and fast. The wife of many a hero must later mourn for this. Higher he raised his shield, the thong he lowered; the rings of many an armor he made to drip with blood. “Woe is me of all this sorrow,” quoth Aldrian’s son. (3) “Give way now, Hunnish warriors, and let me out into the breeze, that the air may cool me, fight-weary man.”
Then men saw the warrior walk forth in full lordly wise. As the strife-weary man sprang from the house, how many added swords rang on his helmet! Those that had not seen what wonders his hand had wrought sprang towards the hero of the Burgundian land. “Now would to God,” quoth Dankwart, “that I might find a messenger who could let my brother Hagen know I stand in such a plight before these knights. He would help me hence, or lie dead at my side.”
Then spake the Hunnish champions: “Thou must be the messenger thyself, when we bear thee hence dead before thy brother. For the first time Gunther’s vassal will then become acquaint with grief. Passing great scathe hast thou done King Etzel here.”
Quoth he: “Now give over these threats and stand further back, or I’ll wot the armor rings of some with blood. I’ll tell the tale at court myself and make plaint to my lords of my great dole.”
So sorely he dismayed King Etzel’s men that they durst not withstand him with their swords, so they shot such great store of darts into his shield that he must needs lay it from his hand for very heaviness. Then they weened to overpower him, sith he no longer bare a shield. Ho, what deep wounds he struck them through their helmets! From this many a brave man was forced to reel before him, and bold Dankwart gained thereby great praise. From either side they sprang upon him, but in truth a many of them entered the fray too soon. Before his foes he walked, as doth a boar to the woods before the dogs. How might he be more brave? His path was ever wot with recking’ blood. Certes, no single champion might ever fight better with his foes than he had done. Men now saw Hagen’s brother go to court in lordly wise. Sewers (4) and cupbearers heard the ring of swords, and full many a one cast from his hand the drink and whatever food he bare to court. Enow strong foes met Dankwart at the stairs.
“How now, ye sewers,” spake the weary knight. “Forsooth ye should serve well the guests and bear to the lords good cheer and let me bring the tidings to my dear masters.”
Those that sprang towards him on the steps to show their prowess, he dealt so heavy a sword-stroke, that for fear they must needs stand further back. His mighty strength wrought mickle wonders.
ENDNOTES:
(1) Adventure XXXII. The details of the following scenes differ materially in the various sources. A comparative study of them will be found in the works of Wilmanns and Boer. (2) “Marriage morning gift” (M.H.G. “morgengabe”) was given by the bridegroom to the bride on the morning after the wedding. See Adventure XIX, note 1.
(3) “Aldrian’s son”, i.e., Dankwart. (4) “Sewers” (O.F. “asseour”, M.L. “adsessor” ‘one who sets the table’; cf. F. “asseoir” ‘to set’, ‘place’, Lat. “ad sedere”), older English for an upper servant who brought on and removed the dishes from the table.
ADVENTURE XXXIII
How The Burgundians Fought The Huns.
When brave Dankwart was come within the door, he bade King Etzel’s meiny step aside. His garments dripped with blood and in his hand he bare unsheathed a mighty sword. Full loud he called out to the knight: “Brother Hagen, ye sit all too long, forsooth. To you and to God in heaven do I make plaint of our woe. Our knights and squires all lie dead within their lodgements.”
He called in answer: “Who hath done this deed?”
“That Sir Bloedel hath done with his liegemen, but he hath paid for it dearly, as I can tell you, for with mine own hands I struck off his head.”
“It is but little scathe,” quoth Hagen, “if one can only say of a knight that he hath lost his life at a warrior’s hands. Stately dames shall mourn him all the less. Now tell me, brother Dankwart, how comes it that ye be so red of hue? Ye suffer from wounds great dole, I ween. If there be any in the land that hath done you this, ’twill cost his life, and the foul fiend save him not.”
“Ye see me safe and sound; my weeds alone are wot with blood. This hath happed from wounds of other men, of whom I have slain so many a one to-day that, had I to swear it, I could not tell the tale.”
“Brother Dankwart,” he spake, “guard us the door and let not a single Hun go forth. I will hold speech with the warriors, as our need constraineth us, for our meiny lieth dead before them, undeserved.”
“If I must be chamberlain,” quoth the valiant man, “I well wet how to serve such mighty kings and will guard the stairway, as doth become mine honors.” Naught could have been more loth to Kriemhild’s knights.
“Much it wondereth me,” spake Hagen, “what the Hunnish knights be whispering in here. I ween, they’d gladly do without the one that standeth at the door, and who told the courtly tale to us Burgundians. Long since I have heard it said of Kriemhild, that she would not leave unavenged her dole of heart. Now let us drink to friendship (1) and pay for the royal wine. The young lord of the Huns shall be the first.”
Then the good knight Hagen smote the child Ortlieb, so that the blood spurted up the sword towards his hand and the head fell into the lap of the queen. At this there began a murdering, grim and great, among the knights. Next he dealt the master who taught the child a fierce sword-stroke with both his hands, so that his head fell quickly beneath the table to the ground. A piteous meed it was, which he meted out to the master. Hagen then spied a gleeman sitting at King Etzel’s board. In his wrath he hied him thither and struck off his right hand upon the fiddle. “Take this as message to the Burgundian land.”
“Woe is me of my hand,” spake the minstrel Werbel. “Sir Hagen of Troneg, what had I done to you? I came in good faith to your masters’ land. How can I now thrum the tunes, sith I have lost my hand?”
Little recked Hagen, played he nevermore. In the hall he dealt out fierce deadly wounds to Etzel’s warriors, passing many of whom he slew. Enow of folk in the house he did to death. The doughty Folker now sprang up from the board; loud rang in his hands his fiddle bow. Rudely did Gunther’s minstrel play. Ho, what foes he made him among the valiant Huns! The three noble kings, too, sprang up from the table. Gladly would they have parted the fray, or ever greater scathe was done. With all their wit they could not hinder it, when Folker and Hagen gan rage so sore. When that the lord of the Rhine beheld the fray unparted, the prince dealt his foes many gaping wounds himself through the shining armor rings. That he was a hero of his hands, he gave great proof. Then the sturdy Gernot joined the strife. Certes, he did many a hero of the Huns to death with a sharp sword, the which Rudeger had given him. Mighty wounds he dealt King Etzel’s warriors. Now the young son of Lady Uta rushed to the fray. Gloriously his sword rang on the helmets of Etzel’s warriors from the Hunnish land. Full mickle wonders were wrought by bold Giselher’s hand. But how so doughty they all were, the kings and their liegemen, yet Folker was seen to stand before them all against the foe; a good hero he. Many a one he made to fall in his blood through wounds. Etzel’s men did fend them, too, full well, yet one saw the strangers go hewing with their gleaming swords through the royal hall and on every side was heard great sound of wail. Those without would now fain be with their friends within, but at the entrance towers they found small gain. Those within had gladly been without the hall, but Dankwart let none go either up or down the steps. Therefore there rose before the towers a mighty press, and helmets rang loudly from the sword-blows. Bold Dankwart came into great stress thereby; this his brother feared, as his loyalty did bid him.
Loudly then Hagen called to Folker: “See ye yonder, comrade, my brother stand before the Hunnish warriors amid a rain of blows? Friend, save my brother, or ever we lose the knight.”
“That will I surely,” quoth the minstrel, and through the palace he went a-fiddling, his stout sword ringing often in his hand. Great thanks were tendered by the warriors from the Rhine. Bold Folker spake to Dankwart: “Great discomfiture have ye suffered to-day, therefore your brother bade me hasten to your aid. Will ye stand without, so will I stand within.”
Sturdy Dankwart stood without the door and guarded the staircase against whoever came, wherefore men heard the swords resound in the heroes’ hands. Folker of Burgundy land performed the same within. Across the press the bold fiddler cried: “Friend Hagen, the hall is locked; forsooth King Etzel’s door is bolted well. The hands of two heroes guard it, as with a thousand bars.” When Hagen of Troneg beheld the door so well defended, the famous hero and good slung his shield upon his back and gan avenge the wrongs that had been done him there. His foes had now no sort of hope to live.
When now the lord of Berne, the king of the Amelungs, (2) beheld aright that the mighty Hagen broke so many a helm, upon a bench he sprang and spake: “Hagen poureth out the very worst of drinks.”
The host, too, was sore adread, as behooved him now, for his life was hardly safe from these his foes. O how many dear friends were snatched away before his eyes! He sate full anxious; what booted it him that he was king? Haughty Kriemhild now cried aloud to Dietrich: “Pray help me hence alive, most noble knight, by the virtues of all the princes of the Amelung land. If Hagen reach me, I shall grasp death by the hand.”
“How shall I help you, noble queen?” spake Sir Dietrich. “I fear for myself in sooth. These men of Gunther be so passing wroth that at this hour I cannot guard a soul.”
“Nay, not so, Sir Dietrich, noble knight and good. Let thy chivalrous mood appear to-day and help me hence, or I shall die.” Passing great cause had Kriemhild for this fear.
“I’ll try to see if I may help you, for it is long since that I have soon so many good knights so bitterly enraged. Of a truth I see blood spurting through the helmets from the swords.”
Loudly the chosen knight gan call, so that his voice rang forth as from a bison’s horn, until the broad castle resounded with his force. Sir Dietrich’s strength was passing great in truth.
When Gunther heard this man cry out in the heated strife, he began to heed. He spake: “Dietrich’s voice hath reached mine ears, I ween our champions have bereft him of some friend to-day. I see him on the table, he doth beckon with his hand. Ye friends and kinsmen from Burgundian land, give over the strife. Let’s hear and see what here hath fortuned to the knight from my men-at-arms.”
When Gunther thus begged and bade in the stress of the fray, they sheathed their swords. Passing great was his power, so that none struck a blow. Soon enow he asked the tidings of the knight of Berne. He spake: “Most noble Dietrich, what hath happed to you through these my friends? I am minded to do you remedy and to make amends. If any had done you aught, ‘twould grieve me sore,”
Then spake Sir Dietrich: “Naught hath happed to me, but I pray you, let me leave this hall and this fierce strife under your safe-guard, with my men. For this favor I will serve you ever.”
“How entreat ye now so soon,” quoth Wolfhart (3) then. “Forsooth the fiddler hath not barred the door so strong, but what we may open it enow to let us pass.”
“Hold your tongue,” spake Sir Dietrich; “the devil a whit have ye ever done.”
Then: spake King Gunther: “I will grant your boon. Lead from the hall as few or as many as ye will, save my foes alone; they must remain within. Right ill have they treated me in the Hunnish land.”
When Dietrich heard these words, he placed his arm around the high-born queen, whose fear was passing great. On his other side he led King Etzel with him hence; with Dietrich there also went six hundred stately men.
Then spake the noble Margrave Rudeger: “Shall any other who would gladly serve you come from this hall, let us hear the tale, and lasting peace shall well befit good friends.”
To this Giselher of the Burgundian land replied: “Peace and friendship be granted you by us, sith ye are constant in your fealty. Ye and all your men, ye may go hence fearlessly with these your friends.”
When Sir Rudeger voided the hall, there followed him, all told, five hundred men or more, kinsmen and vassals of the lord of Bechelaren, from whom King Gunther later gained great scathe. Then a Hunnish champion spied Etzel walking close by Dietrich. He, too, would take this chance, but the fiddler dealt him such a blow that his head fell soon before King Etzel’s feet. When the lord of the land was come outside the house, he turned him about and gazed on Folker. “Woe is me of these guests. This is a direful need, that all my warriors should lie low in death before them. Alas for the feasting,” quoth the noble king. “Like a savage boar there fighteth one within, hight Folker, who is a gleeman. I thank my stars that I escaped this fiend. His glees have an evil sound, the strokes of his how draw blood; forsooth his measures fell many a hero dead. I wot not, with what this minstrel twitteth us, for I have never had such baleful guest.”
They had permitted whom they would to leave the hall. Then there arose within a mighty uproar; sorely the guests avenged what there had happed them. Ho, what helmets bold Folker broke! The noble King Gunther turned him toward the sound. “Hear ye the measures, Hagen, which Folker yonder fiddleth with the Huns, when any draweth near the towers? ‘Tis a blood-red stroke he useth with the bow.”
“It rueth me beyond all measure,” quoth Hagen, “that in this hall I sate me down to rest before the hero did. I was his comrade and he was mine; and come we ever home again, we shall still be so, in loyal wise. Now behold, most noble king, Folker is thy friend, he earneth gladly thy silver and thy gold. His fiddle bow doth cut through the hardest steel, on the helmets he breaketh the bright and shining gauds! (4) Never have I seen fiddler stand in such lordly wise as the good knight Folker hath stood to-day. His glees resound through shield and helmet. Certes he shall ride good steeds and wear lordly raiment.”
Of all the kinsmen of the Huns within the hall, not one of these remained alive. Thus the clash of arms died out, since none strove with them longer. The lusty knights and bold now laid aside their swords.
ENDNOTES:
(1) “Friendship” translates the M.H.G. “minne trinken” ‘to drink to the memory of a person’, an old custom originating with the idea of pouring out a libation to the gods. Later it assumed the form of drinking to the honor of God, of a saint, or of an absent friend. See Grimm, “Mythologie”, p. 48.
(2) “Amelungs”, see Adventure XXVIII, note 3. (3) “Wolfhart”, see Adventure XXVIII, note 2. (4) “Gauds”, ornaments.
ADVENTURE XXXIV
How They Cast Out The Dead.
The lordings sate them down for weariness. Folker and Hagen came forth from the hall; upon their shields the haughty warriors leaned. Wise words were spoken by the twain. Then Knight Giselher of Burgundy spake: “Forsooth, dear friends, ye may not ease you yet; ye must bear the dead from out the hall. I’ll tell you, of a truth, we shall be attacked again. They must no longer lie here beneath our feet. Ere the Huns vanquish us by storm, we’ll yet how wounds, which shall ease my heart. For this,” quoth Giselher, “I have a steadfast mind.”
“Well is me of such a lord,” spake then Hagen. “This rede which my young master hath given us to-day would befit no one but a knight. At this, Burgundians, ye may all stand glad.”
Then they followed the rede, and to the door they bare seven thousand dead, the which they cast outside. Down they fell before the stairway to the hall, and from their kinsmen rose a full piteous wall. Some there were with such slight wounds that, had they been more gently treated, they would have waxed well again; but from the lofty fall, they must needs lie dead. Their friends bewailed this, and forsooth they had good cause.
Then spake Folker, the fiddler, a lusty knight: “Now I mark the truth of this, as hath been told me. The Huns be cravens, like women they wail; they should rather nurse these sorely wounded men.”
A margrave weened, he spake through kindness. Seeing one of his kinsmen lying in the blood, he clasped him in his arms and would have borne him hence, when the bold minstrel shot him above the dead to death. The flight began as the others saw this deed, and all fell to cursing this selfsame minstrel. He snatched javelin, sharp and hard, the which had been hurled at him by a Hun, and cast it with might across the court, far over the folk. Thus he forced Etzel’s warriors to take lodgement further from the hall. On every side the people feared his mighty prowess.
Many thousand men now stood before the hall. Folker and Hagen gan speak to Etzel all their mind, wherefrom these heroes bold and good came thereafter into danger. Quoth Hagen: “‘Twould well beseem the people’s hope, if the lords would fight in the foremost ranks, as doth each of my lordings here. They hew through the helmets, so that the blood doth follow the sword.”
Etzel was brave; he seized his shield. “Now fare warily,” spake Lady Kriemhild, “and offer the warriors gold upon your shield. If Hagen doth but reach you there, ye’ll be hand in hand with death.”
The king was so bold he would not turn him back, the which doth now seldom hap from so mighty a lord. By his shield-thong they had to draw him hence. Once again grim Hagen began to mock him. “It is a distant kinship,” quoth Hagen, the knight, “that bindeth Etzel and Siegfried. He loved Kriemhild, or ever she laid eyes on thee. Most evil king, why dost thou plot against me?”
Kriemhild, the wife of the noble king, heard this speech; angry she grew that he durst thus revile her before King Etzel’s liegemen. Therefore she again began to plot against the strangers. She spake: “For him that slayeth me Hagen of Troneg and bringeth me his head, I will fill King Etzel’s shield with ruddy gold, thereto will I give him as guerdon many goodly lands and castles.”
“Now I know not for what they wait,” spake the minstrel. “Never have I seen heroes stand so much like cowards, when one heard proffered such goodly wage. Forsooth King Etzel should never be their friend again. Many of those who so basely eat the lording’s bread, and now desert him in the greatest need, do I see stand here as cravens, and yet would pass for brave. May shame ever be their lot!”
ADVENTURE XXXV
How Iring Was Slain.
Then cried Margrave Iring of Denmark: “I have striven for honor now long time, and in the storm of battle have been among the best. Now bring me my harness, for in sooth I will encounter me with Hagen.”
“I would not counsel that,” spake Hagen, “but bid the Hunnish knights stand further back. If twain of you or three leap into the hall, I’ll send them back sore wounded down the steps.”
“Not for that will I give it over,” quoth Iring again. “I’ve tried before such daring things; in truth with my good sword I will encounter thee alone. What availeth all thy boasting, which thou hast done in words?”
Then were soon arrayed the good Knight Iring and Irnfried of Thuringia, a daring youth, and the stalwart Hawart and full a thousand men. Whatever Iring ventured, they would all fain give him aid. Then the fiddler spied a mighty troop, that strode along well armed with Iring. Upon their heads they bare good helmets. At this bold Folker waxed a deal full wroth of mood. “See ye, friend Hagen, Iring striding yonder, who vowed to match you with his sword alone? How doth lying beseem a hero? Much that misliketh me. There walk with him full a thousand knights or more, well armed.”
“Say not that I lie,” spake Hawart’s liegeman. “Gladly will I perform what I have vowed, nor will I desist therefrom through any fear. However frightful Hagen be, I will meet him single- handed.”
On his knees Iring begged both kinsmen and vassals to let him match the knight alone. This they did unwillingly, for well they knew the haughty Hagen from the Burgundian land. But Iring begged so long that at last it happed. When the fellowship beheld his wish and that he strove for honor, they let him go. Then a fierce conflict rose between the twain. Iring of Denmark, the peerless high-born knight, bare high his spear and covered him with his shield. Swiftly he rushed on Hagen before the hall, while a great shout arose from all the knights around. With might and main they cast the spears with their hands through the sturdy shields upon their shining armor, so that the shafts whirled high in air. Then the two brave men and fierce reached for their swords. Bold Hagen’s strength was mickle and great, but Iring smote him, that the whole hall rang. Palace and towers resounded from their blows, but the knight could not achieve his wish.
Iring now left Hagen stand unharmed, and hied him to the fiddler. He weened to fell him by his mighty blows, but the stately knight wist how to guard bin, well. Then the fiddler struck a blow, that the plates of mail whirled high above the buckler’s rim. An evil man he was, for to encounter, so Iring let him stand and rushed at Gunther of the Burgundian land. Here, too, either was strong enow in strife. The blows that Gunther and Iring dealt each other drew no blood from wounds. This the harness hindered, the which was both strong and good.
He now let Gunther be, and ran at Gernot, and gan hew sparks of fire from his armor rings. Then had stalwart Gernot of Burgundy nigh done brave Iring unto death, but that he sprang away from the prince (nimble enow he was), and slew eftsoon four noble henchmen of the Burgundians from Worms across the Rhine. At this Giselher might never have waxed more wroth. “God wot, Sir Iring,” spake Giselher, the youth, “ye must pay me weregild (1) for those who have fallen dead this hour before you.”
Then at him he rushed and smote the Dane, so that he could not stir a step, but sank before his hands down in the blood, so that all did ween the good knight would never deal a blow again in strife. But Iring lay unwounded here before Sir Giselher. From the crashing of the helmet and the ringing of the sword, his wits had grown so weak that the brave knight no longer thought of life. Stalwart Giselher had done this with his might. When now the ringing gan leave his head, the which he had suffered from the mighty stroke, he thought: “I am still alive and nowhere wounded. Now first wot I of Giselher’s mighty strength.” On either side he heard his foes. Wist they the tale, still more had happed him. Giselher, too, he marked hard by; he bethought him, how he might escape his foes. How madly he sprang up from the blood! Well might he thank his nimbleness for this. Out of the house he ran to where he again found Hagen, whom he dealt a furious blow with his powerful hand.
Hagen thought him: “Thou art doomed. Unless be that the foul fiend protect thee, thou canst not escape alive.”
Yet Iring wounded Hagen through his crest. This the hero wrought with Waska, (2) a passing goodly sword. When Sir Hagen felt the wound, wildly he brandished his weapon in his hand. Soon Hawart’s liegeman was forced to yield his ground, and Hagen gan pursue him down the stairs. Brave Iring swung his shield above his head, but had the staircase been the length of three, Hagen would not have let him strike a blow the while. Ho, what red sparks did play above his helmet!
Iring returned scatheless to his liegemen. Then the tidings were brought to Kriemhild, of that which he had wrought in strife with Hagen of Troneg. For this the queen gan thank him highly. “Now God requite thee, Iring, thou peerless hero and good. Thou hast comforted well my heart and mind. I see that Hagen’s weeds be wot with blood.” For very joy Kriemhild herself relieved him of his shield.
“Be not too lavish of your thanks,” spake Hagen. “‘Twould well befit a knight to try again. A valiant man were he, if he then came back alive. Little shall the wound profit you, which I have at his bands; for that ye have seen the rings wot with blood from my wound doth urge me to the death of many a man. Now first am I enraged at Hawart’s liegeman. Small scathe hath Knight Iring done me yet.”
Meanwhile Iring of Denmark stood in the breeze; he cooled his harness and doffed his casque. All the folk then praised his prowess, at which the margrave was in passing lofty mood. Again Sir Iring spake: “My friends, this know; arm me now quickly, for I would fain try again, if perchance I may not conquer this overweening man.”
His shield was hewn to pieces, a better one he gained; full soon the champion was armed again. Through hate he seized a passing heavy spear with which he would encounter Hagen yonder. Meantime the death-grim man awaited him in hostile wise. But Knight Hagen would not abide his coming. Hurling the javelin and brandishing his sword, he ran to meet him to the very bottom of the stairs. Forsooth his rage was great. Little booted Iring then his strength; through the shields they smote, so that the flames rose high in fiery blasts. Hagen sorely wounded Hawart’s liegeman with his sword through shield and breastplate. Never waxed he well again. When now Knight Iring felt the wound, higher above his helmet bands he raised his shield. Great enow he thought the scathe he here received, but thereafter King Gunther’s liegeman did him more of harm. Hagen found a spear lying now before his feet. With this he shot Iring, the Danish hero, so that the shaft stood forth from his head. Champion Hagen had given him a bitter end. Iring must needs retreat to those of Denmark. Or ever they unbound his helmet and drew the spear-shaft from his head, death had already drawn nigh him. At this his kinsmen wept, as forsooth they had great need.
Then the queen came and bent above him. She gan bewail the stalwart Iring and bewept his wounds, indeed her grief was passing sharp. At this the bold and lusty warrior spake before his kinsmen: “Let be this wail, most royal queen. What availeth your weeping now? Certes, I must lose my life from these wounds I have received. Death will no longer let me serve you and Etzel.” To the men of Thuringia and to those of Denmark he spake: “None of you must take from the queen her shining ruddy gold as meed, for if ye encounter Hagen, ye must gaze on death.”
Pale grew his hue; brave Iring bare the mark of death. Dole enow it gave them, for no longer might Hawart’s liegeman live. Then the men of Denmark must needs renew the fray. Irnfried and Hawart with well a thousand champions leaped toward the hall. On every side one heard a monstrous uproar, mighty and strong. Ho, what sturdy javelins were cast at the Burgundian men! Bold Irnfried rushed at the minstrel, but gained great damage at his hands. Through his sturdy helmet the noble fiddler smote the landgrave. Certes, he was grim enow! Then Sir Irnfried dealt the valiant gleeman such a blow that his coat of mail burst open and his breastplate was enveloped with a bright red flame. Yet the landgrave fell dead at the minstrel’s hands. Hawart and Hagen, too, had come together. Wonders would he have seen, who beheld the fight. The swords fell thick and fast in the heroes’ hands. Through the knight from the Burgundian land Hawart needs must die. When the Thuringians and the Danes espied their lordings dead, there rose before the hall a fearful strife, before they gained the door with mighty hand. Many a helm and shield was hacked and cut thereby.
“Give way,” spake Folker, “and let them in, for else what they have in mind will not be ended. They must die in here in full short time. With death they’ll gain what the queen would give them.”
When these overweening men were come into the hall, the head of many a one sank down so low that he needs must die from their furious strokes. Well fought the valiant Gernot, and the same did Giselher, the knight . A thousand and four were come into the hall and many a whizzing stroke of the swords was seen flash forth, but soon all the warriors lay slain therein. Mickle wonders might one tell of the Burgundian men. The hall grew still, as the uproar died away. On every side the dead men’s blood poured through the openings down to the drain-pipes. This the men from the Rhine had wrought with their passing strength.
Those from the Burgundian land now sate them down to rest and laid aside their swords and shields. But still the valiant minstrel stood guard before the hall. He waited, if any would perchance draw near again in strife. Sorely the king made wail, as did the queen. Maids and ladies were distraught with grief. Death, I ween, had conspired against them, wherefore many of the warriors perished through the guests.
ENDNOTES:
(1) “Weregild” (O.E. “wer”, ‘a man’, “gild”, ‘payment of money’), legal term for compensation paid for a man killed. (2) “Waska”. In “Biterolf” it is the name of the sword of Walther of Wasgenstein and is connected with the old German name, “Wasgenwald”, for the Vosges.
ADVENTURE XXXVI
How The Queen Gave Orders To Burn the Hall.
“Now unbind your helmets,” spake the good Knight Hagen. “I and my comrade will guard you well, and should Etzel’s men be minded to try again, I’ll warn my lords as soon as I ever can.”
Then many a good knight bared his head. They sate them down upon the wounded, who had fallen in the blood, done to death at their hands. Evil looks were cast upon the noble strangers. Before the eventide the king and the queen brought it to pass that the Hunnish champions tried again. Men saw full twenty thousand warriors stand before them, who must perforce march to the fray. Straightway there rose a mighty storming towards the strangers. Dankwart, Hagen’s brother, the doughty knight, sprang from his lordings’ side to meet the foes without the door. All weened that he were dead, yet forth he stood again unscathed. The furious strife did last till nightfall brought it to a close. As befitted good knights, the strangers warded off King Etzel’s liegemen the livelong summer day. Ho, how many a bold knight fell doomed before them! This great slaughter happed upon midsummer’s day, when Lady Kriemhild avenged her sorrow of heart upon her nearest kin and upon many another man, so that King Etzel never again gained joy.
The day had passed away, but still they had good cause for fear. They thought, a short and speedy death were better for them, than to be longer racked with monstrous pain. A truce these proud and lusty knights now craved; they begged that men would bring the king to see them. Forth from the hall stepped the heroes, bloody of hue, and the three noble kings, stained from their armor. They wist not to whom they should make plaint of their mighty