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Title: The Nibelungenlied

Translator: Daniel Bussier Shumway

Release date: December 1, 1997 [eBook #1151]
Most recently updated: October 29, 2024

Language: English

Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1151

Credits: Produced by Douglas B. Killings, and David Widger

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE
NIBELUNGENLIED ***

THE NIBELUNGENLIED

By An Unknown Author

Translated by Daniel B. Shumway

Originally written in Middle High German (M.H.G.), sometime around
1200 A.D., although this dating is by no means certain. Author unknown.
The text of this edition is based on that published as "The
Nibelungenlied", translated by Daniel B. Shumway (Houghton-Mifflin Co.,
New York, 1909).
PREPARER'S NOTE: In order to make this electronic edition easier to
use, the preparer has found it necessary to re-arrange the endnotes of Mr.
Shumway's edition, collating them with the chapters themselves and
substituting page references with footnote references. The preparer takes
full responsibility for these changes.—DBK.

CONTENTS

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY:
PREFACE
INTRODUCTORY SKETCH

THE NIBELUNGENLIED
ADVENTURE I.
ADVENTURE II. Of Siegfried.
ADVENTURE III. How Siegfried Came to Worms.
ADVENTURE IV. How He Fought with the Saxons.
ADVENTURE V. How Siegfried First Saw Kriemhild.
ADVENTURE VI. How Gunther Fared To Isenland (1) for
Brunhild.
ADVENTURE VII. How Gunther Won Brunhild.
ADVENTURE VIII. How Siegfried Fared To His Men-At-Arms,
the Nibelungs.
ADVENTURE IX. How Siegfried Was Sent To Worms.
ADVENTURE X. How Brunhild Was Received At Worms.
ADVENTURE XI. How Siegfried Journeyed Homeward With
His Wife.
ADVENTURE XII. How Gunther Bade Siegfried To The
Feasting.
ADVENTURE XIII. How They Journeyed To The Feasting.
ADVENTURE XIV. How The Queens Reviled Each Other.
ADVENTURE XV. How Siegfried Was Betrayed.
ADVENTURE XVI. How Siegfried Was Slain.
ADVENTURE XVII. How Kriemhild Mourned Her Husband
And How He Was Buried.
ADVENTURE XVIII. How Siegmund Journeyed Home Again.

ADVENTURE XIX. How The Nibelung Hoard Was Brought to
Worms.
ADVENTURE XX. How King Etzel (1) Sent To Burgundy For
Kriemhild.
ADVENTURE XXI. How Kriemhild Journeyed To The Huns.
ADVENTURE XXII. How Etzel Made Kriemhild His Bride.
ADVENTURE XXIII. How Kriemhild Thought To Avenge Her
Wrongs.
ADVENTURE XXIV. How Werbel And Swemmel Brought The
Message.
ADVENTURE XXV. How The Lords All Journeyed To The
Huns.
ADVENTURE XXVI. How Gelfrat Was Slain By Dankwart.
ADVENTURE XXVII. How They Came To Bechelaren.
ADVENTURE XXVIII. How The Burgundians Came To Etzel's
Castle.
ADVENTURE XXIX. How Hagen Would Not Rise For
Kriemhild.
ADVENTURE XXX. How They Kept The Watch.
ADVENTURE XXXI. How They Went To Church.
ADVENTURE XXXII How Bloedel Was Slain.
ADVENTURE XXXIII. How The Burgundians Fought The
Huns.
ADVENTURE XXXIV. How They Cast Out The Dead.
ADVENTURE XXXV. How Iring Was Slain.

ADVENTURE XXXVI. How The Queen Gave Orders To Burn
the Hall.
ADVENTURE XXXVII. How Margrave Rudeger Was Slain.
ADVENTURE XXXVIII. How All Sir Dietrich's Warriors Were
Slain.
ADVENTURE XXXIX. How Gunther And Hagen And
Kriemhild Were Slain.

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY:
OTHER TRANSLATIONS—

Hatto, A.T. (Trans.): "Nibelungenlied" (Penguin Classics, London, 1962).
Prose translation.
Ryder, Frank G. (Trans.): "The Song of the Nibelungs" (Wayne State
University Press, Detroit, 1962). Verse translation.
RECOMMENDED READING—
Anonymous: "Kudrun", Translated by Marion E. Gibbs & Sidney
Johnson (Garland Pub., New York, 1992).
Anonymous: "Volsungasaga", Translated by William Morris and Eirikr
Magnusson (Walter Scott Press, London, 1888; Reissued by the Online
Medieval and Classical Library as E-Text #29, 1997).
Saxo Grammaticus: "The First Nine Books of the Danish History",
Translated by Oliver Elton (London, 1894; Reissued by the Online
Medieval and Classical Library as E-Text OMACL #28, 1997).

PREFACE
This work has been undertaken in the belief that a literal translation of as
famous an epic as the "Nibelungenlied" would be acceptable to the general
reading public whose interest in the story of Siegfried has been stimulated
by Wagner's operas and by the reading of such poems as William Morris'
"Sigurd the Volsung". Prose has been selected as the medium of translation,
since it is hardly possible to give an accurate rendering and at the same time
to meet the demands imposed by rhyme and metre; at least, none of the
verse translations made thus far have succeeded in doing this. The prose
translations, on the other hand, mostly err in being too continuous and in
condensing too much, so that they retell the story instead of translating it.
The present translator has tried to avoid these two extremes. He has
endeavored to translate literally and accurately, and to reproduce the spirit
of the original, as far as a prose translation will permit. To this end the
language has been made as simple and as Saxon in character as possible. An
exception has been made, however, in the case of such Romance words as
were in use in England during the age of the romances of chivalry, and
which would help to land a Romance coloring; these have been frequently
employed. Very few obsolete words have been used, and these are
explained in the notes, but the language has been made to some extent
archaic, especially in dialogue, in order to give the impression of age. At the
request of the publishers the Introduction Sketch has been shorn of the
apparatus of scholarship and made as popular as a study of the poem and its
sources would allow. The advanced student who may be interested in
consulting authorities will find them given in the introduction to the parallel
edition in the Riverside Literature Series. A short list of English works on
the subject had, however, been added.
In conclusion the translator would like to thank his colleagues, C.G.
Child and Cornelius Weygandt, for their helpful suggestions in starting the
work, and also to acknowledge his indebtedness to the German edition of
Paul Piper, especially in preparing the notes.
—DANIEL BUSSIER SHUMWAY.
Philadelphia, February 15, 1909.

INTRODUCTORY SKETCH
There is probably no poem of German literature that has excited such
universal interest, or that has been so much studied and discussed, as the
"Nibelungenlied". In its present form it is a product of the age of chivalry,
but it reaches back to the earliest epochs of German antiquity, and embraces
not only the pageantry of courtly chivalry, but also traits of ancient
Germanic folklore and probably of Teutonic mythology. One of its earliest
critics fitly called it a German "Iliad", for, like this great Greek epic, it goes
back to the remotest times and unites the monumental fragments of half-
forgotten myths and historical personages into a poem that is essentially
national in character, and the embodiment of all that is great in the antiquity
of the race. Though lacking to some extent the dignity of the "Iliad", the
"Nibelungenlied" surpasses the former in the deep tragedy which pervades
it, the tragedy of fate, the inevitable retribution for crime, the never-dying
struggle between the powers of good and evil, between light and darkness.
That the poem must have been exceedingly popular during the Middle
Ages is evinced by the great number of Manuscripts that have come down
to us. We possess in all twenty-eight more or less complete MSS., preserved
in thirty-one fragments, fifteen of which date from the thirteenth and
fourteenth centuries. Of all these MSS., but nine are so well preserved that,
in spite of some minor breaks, they can be considered complete. Of this
number three, designated respectively as A, B, C, are looked upon as the
most important for purposes of textual criticism, and around them a fierce
battle has been waged, which is not even yet settled. (1) It is now generally
conceded that the longest MS., C, is a later redaction with many additional
strophes, but opinions are divided as to whether the priority should be given
to A or B, the probabilities being that B is the more original, A merely a
careless copy of B.
In spite of the great popularity of the "Nibelungenlied", the poem was
soon forgotten by the mass of the people. With the decay of courtly chivalry
and the rise of the prosperous citizen class, whose ideals and tastes lay in a
different direction, this epic shared the fate of many others of its kind, and
was relegated to the dusty shelves of monastery or ducal libraries, there to

wait till a more cultured age, curious as to the literature of its ancestors,
should bring it forth from its hiding places. However, the figures of the old
legend were not forgotten, but lived on among the people, and were finally
embodied in a popular ballad, "Das Lied vom Hürnen Seyfrid", which has
been preserved in a print of the sixteenth century, although the poem itself
is thought to go back at least to the thirteenth. The legend was also
dramatized by Hans Sachs, the shoemaker poet of Nuremberg, and related
in prose form in a chap book which still exists in prints of the eighteenth
century. The story and the characters gradually became so vague and
distorted, that only a trained eye could detect in the burlesque figures of the
popular account the heroes of the ancient Germanic Legend.
The honor of rediscovering the "Nibelungenlied" and of restoring it to the
world of literature belongs to a young physician by the name of J.H.
Obereit, who found the manuscript C at the castle of Hohenems in the Tirol
on June 29, 1755; but the scientific study of the poem begins with Karl
Lachmann, one of the keenest philological critics that Germany has ever
produced. In 1816 he read before the University of Berlin his epoch-making
essay upon the original form of the "Nibelungenlied". Believing that the
poem was made up of a number of distinct ballads or lays, he sought by
means of certain criteria to eliminate all parts which were, as he thought,
later interpolations or emendations. As a result of this sifting and discarding
process, he reduced the poem to what he considered to have been its
original form, namely, twenty separate lays, which he thought had come
down to us in practically the same form in which they had been sung by
various minstrels.
This view is no longer held in its original form. Though we have every
reason to believe that ballads of Siegfried the dragon killer, of Siegfried and
Kriemhild, and of the destruction of the Nibelungs existed in Germany, yet
these ballads are no longer to be seen in our poem. They formed merely the
basis or source for some poet who thought to revive the old heroic legends
of the German past which were familiar to his hearers and to adapt them to
the tastes of his time. In all probability we must assume two, three, or even
more steps in the genesis of the poem. There appear to have been two
different sources, one a Low German account, quite simple and brief, the
other a tradition of the Lower Rhine. The legend was perhaps developed by
minstrels along the Rhine, until it was taken and worked up into its present
form by some Austrian poet. Who this poet was we do not know, but we do

know that he was perfectly familiar with all the details of courtly etiquette.
He seems also to have been acquainted with the courtly epics of Heinrich
von Veldeke and Hartman von Ouwe, but his poem is free from the tedious
and often exaggerated descriptions of pomp, dress, and court ceremonies,
that mar the beauty of even the best of the courtly epics. Many painstaking
attempts have been made to discover the identity of the writer of our poem,
but even the most plausible of all these theories which considers Kurenberg,
one of the earliest of the "Minnesingers", to be the author, because of the
similarity of the strophic form of our poem to that used by him, is not
capable of absolute proof, and recent investigations go to show that
Kurenberg was indebted to the "Nibelungen" strophe for the form of his
lyric, and not the "Nibelungenlied" to him. The "Nibelungen" strophe is
presumably much older, and, having become popular in Austria through the
poem, was adopted by Kurenberg for his purposes. As to the date of the
poem, in its present form it cannot go back further than about 1190, because
of the exactness of the rhymes, nor could it have been written later than
1204, because of certain allusions to it in the sixth book of "Parzival",
which we know to have been written at this date. The two Low German
poems which probably form the basis of our epic may have been united
about 1150. It was revised and translated into High German and circulated
at South German courts about 1170, and then received its present courtly
form about 1190, this last version being the immediate source of our
manuscripts.
The story of Siegfried, his tragic death, and the dire vengeance visited
upon his slayers, which lies at the basis of our poem, antedates the latter by
many centuries, and was known to all nations whose languages prove by
their resemblance to the German tongue their original identity with the
German people. Not only along the banks of the Rhine and the Danube and
upon the upland plains of Southern Germany, but also along the rocky
fjords of Norway, among the Angles and Saxons in their new home across
the channel, even in the distant Shetland Islands and on the snow-covered
wastes of Iceland, this story was told around the fires at night and sung to
the harp in the banqueting halls of kings and nobles, each people and each
generation telling it in its own fashion and adding new elements of its own
invention. This great geographical distribution of the legend, and the variety
of forms in which it appears, make it difficult to know where we must seek
its origin. The northern version is in many respects older and simpler in

form than the German, but still it is probable that Norway was not the home
of the saga, but that it took its rise in Germany along the banks of the Rhine
among the ancient tribe of the Franks, as is shown by the many
geographical names that are reminiscent of the characters of the story, such
as a Siegfried "spring" in the Odenwald, a Hagen "well" at Lorsch, a
Brunhild "bed" near Frankfort, and the well-known "Drachenfels", or
Dragon's Rock, on the Rhine. It is to Norway, however, that we must go for
our knowledge of the story, for, singularly enough, with the exception of the
"Nibelungenlied" and the popular ballad, German literature has preserved
almost no trace of the legend, and such as exist are too late and too corrupt
to be of much use in determining the original features of the story.
Just when the legend emigrated to Skandinavia we do not know, but
certainly at an early date, perhaps during the opening years of the sixth
century. It may have been introduced by German traders, by slaves captured
by the Northmen on their frequent marauding expeditions, or, as Mogk
believes, may have been taken by the Heruli on their return to Norway after
their defeat by the Langobardi. By whatever channel, however, the story
reached the North, it became part and parcel of Skandinavian folklore, only
certain names still pointing to the original home of the legend. In the ninth
century, when Harald Harfagr changed the ancient free constitution of the
land, many Norwegians emigrated to Iceland, taking with them these
acquired legends, which were better preserved in this remote island because
of the peaceful introduction of Christianity, than on the Continent, where
the Church was more antagonistic to the customs and legends of the
heathen period.
The Skandinavian version of the Siegfried legend has been handed down
to us in five different forms. The first of these is the poetic or older "Edda",
also called Saemund's "Edda", as it was assigned to the celebrated Icelandic
scholar Saemundr Sigfusson. The "Codex Regius", in which it is preserved,
dates from the middle of the thirteenth century, but is probably a copy of an
older manuscript. The songs it contains were written at various times, the
oldest probably in the first half of the ninth century, the latest not much
before the date of the earliest manuscript. Most of them, however, belong to
the Viking period, when Christianity was already beginning to influence the
Norwegians, that is, between the years 800 and 1000. They are partly
heroic, partly mythological in character, and are written in alliterative
strophes interspersed with prose, and have the form of dialogues. Though

the legends on which these songs are based were brought from Norway,
most of them were probably composed in Iceland. Among these songs, now,
we find a number which deal with the adventures of Siegfried and his tragic
end.
The second source of the Siegfried story is the so-called "Volsungasaga",
a prose paraphrase of the "Edda" songs. The MS. dates from the beginning
of the thirteenth century, but the account was probably written a century
earlier. The adventures of Siegfried and his ancestors are here related in
great detail and his ancestry traced back to Wodan. Although a secondary
source, as it is based on the "Edda", the "Volsungasaga" is nevertheless of
great importance, since it supplies a portion of the "Codex Regius" which
has been lost, and thus furnishes us with the contents of the missing songs.
The third source is the prose "Edda", sometimes called the "Snorra
Edda", after the famous Icelander Snorri Sturluson (1178-1241), to whom it
was ascribed. The author was acquainted with both the poetic "Edda" and
the "Volsungasaga", and follows these accounts closely. The younger
"Edda" is not really a tale, but a book of poetics; it relates, however, the
Siegfried saga briefly. It is considered an original source, since it evidently
made use of songs that have not come down to us, especially in the account
of the origin of the treasure, which is here told more in detail and with
considerable differences. The "Nornagestsaga" or "Nornageststhattr", the
story of "Nornagest", forms the fourth source of the Siegfried story. It is
really a part of the Olaf saga, but contains the story of Sigurd and Gunnar
(the Norse forms of Siegfried and Gunther), which an old man Nornagest
relates to King Olaf Tryggvason, who converted the Norwegians to
Christianity. The story was written about 1250 to illustrate the transition
from heathendom to the Christian faith. It is based on the "Edda" and the
"Volsungasaga", and is therefore of minor importance as a source.
These four sources represent the early introduction of the Siegfried
legend into Skandinavia. A second introduction took place about the middle
of the thirteenth century, at the time of the flourishing of the Hanseatic
League, when the story was introduced together with other popular German
epics. These poems are products of the age of chivalry, and are
characterized by the romantic and courtly features of this movement. The
one which concerns us here, as the fifth source of the Siegfried story, is the
so-called "Thidreksaga", which celebrates the adventures of the famous

legendary hero, Dietrich of Berne, the historical Theodorich of Ravenna. In
as far as it contains the adventures of the Nibelungs, it is also called the
"Niflungasaga". The "Thidreksaga" was written about 1250 by a Norwegian
who, as he himself tells us, heard the story from Germans in the
neighborhood of Bremen and Munster. Since it is thus based on Saxon
traditions, it can be considered an independent source of the legend, and, in
fact, differs from the earlier Norse versions in many important details. The
author was acquainted, however, with the older versions, and sought to
compromise between them, but mostly followed his German authorities.
The story, as given in the older Norse versions, is in most respects more
original than in the "Nibelungenlied". It relates the history of the treasure of
the Nibelungs, tracing it back to a giant by the name of "Hreithmar", who
received it from the god "Loki" as a compensation for the killing of the
former's son "Otur", whom Loki had slain in the form of an otter. Loki
obtained the ransom from a dwarf named "Andwari", who in turn had stolen
it from the river gods of the Rhine. Andwari pronounces a terrible curse
upon the treasure and its possessors, and this curse passes from Loki to the
Giant Hreithmar, who is murdered when asleep by his two sons "Fafnir"
and "Regin". The latter, however, is cheated out of the coveted prize by
Fafnir, who carries it away to the "Gnita" heath, where he guards it in the
form of a dragon.
This treasure, with its accompanying curse, next passes into the hands of
a human being named Sigurd (the Norse form of Siegfried, as we have
seen), a descendant of the race of the Volsungs, who trace their history back
to Wodan and are especially favored by him. The full story of Siegfried's
ancestry is far too long to relate here, and does not especially concern us, as
it has little or no influence on the later development of the story. It is
sufficient for our purpose to know that Siegfried was the son of Siegmund,
who was slain in battle before the birth of his son. Sigurd was carefully
reared by his mother "Hjordis" and the wise dwarf Regin, who taught him
the knowledge of runes and of many languages. (2) At the suggestion of
Regin, Sigurd asks for and receives the steed "Grani" from the king, and is
then urged by his tutor to help him obtain the treasure guarded by the
latter's brother Fafnir. Sigurd promises, but first demands a sword. Two, that
are given him by Regin, prove worthless, and he forges a new one from the
pieces of his father's sword, which his mother had preserved. With this he
easily splits the anvil and cuts in two a flake of wool, floating down the

Rhine. He first avenges the death of his father, and then sets off with Regin
to attack the dragon Fafnir. At the advice of the former Sigurd digs a ditch
across the dragon's peth and pierces him from below with his sword, as the
latter comes down to drink. In dying the dragon warns Sigurd against the
treasure and its curse, and against Regin, who, he says, is planning Sigurd's
death, intending to obtain the treasure for himself.
When Regin sees the dragon safely dead, he creeps from his place of
concealment, drinks of the blood, and, cutting out the heart, begs Sigurd to
roast it for him. While doing so, Sigurd burns his fingers, and, putting them
in his mouth, understands at once the language of the birds and hears them
say that Sigurd himself should eat the heart and then he would be wiser than
all other men. They also betray Regin's evil designs, and counsel the lad to
kill his tutor. This Sigurd then does, cutting off Regin's head, drinking the
blood of both brothers, and eating Fafnir's heart. (3) On the further advice
of the birds Sigurd first fetches the treasure from the cave, and then
journeys to the mountain "Hindarfjall", where he rescues the sleeping
Valkyrie, "Sigrdrifa" ("Brynhild", "Brunhild"), who, stung by the sleep
thorn of Wodan, and clad in full armor, lies asleep within a castle that is
surrounded by a wall of flame. With the help of his steed Grani, Sigurd
succeeds in penetrating through the fire to the castle. The sleeping maiden
awakes when he cuts the armor from her with his sword, for it was as tight
as if grown fast to the flesh. She hails her deliverer with great joy, for she
had vowed never to marry a man who knew fear. At Sigurd's request she
teaches him many wise precepts, and finally pledges her troth to him. He
then departs, after promising to be faithful to her and to remember her
teachings.
On his journeyings Sigurd soon arrives at the court of "Giuki" (the Norse
form of the German "Gibicho", "Gibich"), a king whose court lay on the
lower Rhine. Giuki has three sons, "Gunnar", "Hogni", and "Gutthorm", and
a daughter "Gudrun", endowed with great beauty. The queen bears the name
of Grimhild, and is versed in magic, but possessed of an evil heart. (4)
Sigurd is received with great honor, for his coming had been announced to
Gudrun in dreams, which had in part been interpreted to her by Brynhild.
The mother, knowing of Sigurd's relations to the latter, gives him a potion
which produces forgetfulness, so that he no longer remembers his betrothed,
and accepts the hand of Gudrun, which the king offers him at the queen's
request. The marriage is celebrated with great pomp, and Sigurd remains

permanently attached to Giuki's court, performing with the others many
deeds of valor.
Meanwhile Grimhild urges her son Gunnar to sue for the hand of
Brynhild. Taking with him Sigurd and a few others, Gunnar visits first
Brynhild's father "Budli", and then her brother-in-law "Heimir", from both
of whom he learns that she is free to choose whom she will, but that she
will marry no one who has not ridden through the wall of flame. With this
answer they proceed to Brynhild's castle, where Gunnar is unable to pierce
the flames, even when seated on Sigurd's steed. Finally Sigurd and Gunnar
change forms, and Sigurd, disguised as Gunnar, rides through the wall of
fire, announces himself to Brynhild as Gunnar, the son of Giuki, and
reminds her of her promise to marry the one who penetrated the fire.
Brynhild consents with great reluctance, for she is busy carrying on a war
with a neighboring king. Sigurd then passes three nights at her side, placing,
however, his sword Gram between them, as a bar of separation. At parting
he draws from her finger the ring, with which he had originally pledged his
troth to her, and replaces it with another, taken from Fafnir's hoard. Soon
after this the marriage of Gunnar and Brynhild is celebrated with great
splendor, and all return to Giuki's court, where they live happily for some
time.
One day, however, when the ladies go down to the river to take a bath,
Brynhild will not bathe further down stream than Gudrun, that is, in the
water which flows from Gudrun to her, (5) giving as the reason, that her
father was mightier and her husband braver, since he had ridden through the
fire, while Sigurd had been a menial. Stung at this, Gudrun retorts that not
Gunnar but Sigurd had penetrated the flames and had taken from her the
fateful ring "Andvaranaut", which she then shows to her rival in proof of
her assertion. Brynhild turns deathly pale, but answers not a word. After a
second conversation on the subject had increased the hatred of the queens,
Brynhild plans vengeance. Pretending to be ill, she takes to her bed, and
when Gunnar inquires what ails her, she asks him if he remembers the
circumstances of the wooing and that not he but Sigurd had penetrated the
flames. She attempts to take Gunnar's life, as she had pledged her troth to
Sigurd, and is thereupon placed in chains by Hogni. Seven days she sleeps,
and no one dares to wake her. Finally Sigurd succeeds in making her talk,
and she tells him how cruelly she has been deceived, that the better man had
been destined for her, but that she had received the poorer one. This Sigurd

denies, for Giuki's son had killed the king of the Danes and also Budli's
brother, a great warrior. Moreover, although he, Sigurd, had ridden through
the flames, he had not become her husband. He begs her therefore not to
harbor a grudge against Gunnar.
Brynhild remains unconvinced, and plans Sigurd's death, and threatens
Gunnar with the loss of dominion and life, if he will not kill Sigurd. After
some hesitation, Gunnar consents, and, calling Hogni, informs him that he
must kill Sigurd, in order to obtain the treasure of the Rhinegold. Hogni
warns him against breaking his oath to Sigurd, when it occurs to Gunnar,
that his brother Gutthorm had sworn no oath and might do the deed. Both
now proceed to excite the latter's greed, and give him wolf's and snake meat
to eat to make him savage. Twice Gutthorm makes the attempt, as Sigurd
lies in bed, but is deterred by the latter's penetrating glance. The third time
he finds Sigurd asleep, and pierces him with his sword. Sigurd, awakening
at the pain, hurls his own sword after his murderer, fairly cutting him in
two. He then dies, protesting his innocence and designating Brynhild as the
instigator of his murder. Brynhild at first laughs aloud at Gudrun's frantic
grief, but later her joy turns into sorrow, and she determines to share
Sigurd's death. In vain they try to dissuade her; donning her gold corselet,
she pierces herself with a sword and begs to be burned on Sigurd's funeral
pyre. In dying she prophesies the future, telling of Gudrun's marriage to
"Atli" and of the death of the many men which will be caused thereby.
After Brynhild's death Gudrun in her sorrow flees to the court of King
"Half" of Denmark, where she remains seven years. Finally Grimhild learns
of the place of her daughter's concealment, and tries to bring about a
reconciliation with Gunnar and Hogni. They offer her much treasure, if she
will marry Atli. At first she refuses and thinks only of revenge, but finally
she consents and the marriage is celebrated in Atli's land. After a time Atli,
who is envious of Gunnar's riches, for the latter had taken possession of
Sigurd's hoard, invites him to his court. A man named "Vingi", who was
sent with the invitation, changes the runes of warning, which Gudrun had
given him, so that they, too, read as an invitation. The brothers determine to
accept the invitation, and, though warned by many dreams, they set out for
Atli's court, which they reach in due time. Vingi now breaks forth into
exultations, that he has lured them into a snare, and is slain by Hogni with a
battle axe.

As they ride to the king's hall, Atli and his sons arm themselves for battle,
and demand Sigurd's treasure, which belongs by right to Gudrun. Gunnar
refuses to surrender it, and the fight begins, after some exchange of taunting
words. Gudrun tries at first to reconcile the combatants, but, failing, arms
herself and fights on the side of her brothers. The battle rages furiously with
great loss on both sides, until nearly all of the Nibelungs are killed, when
Gunnar and Hogni are forced to yield to the power of numbers and are
captured and bound. Gunnar is asked, if he will purchase his life with the
treasure. He replies that he first wishes to see Hogni's bleeding heart. At
first the heart of a slave is cut out and brought to him, but Gunnar
recognizes it at once as that of a coward. Then they cut out Hogni's heart,
who laughs at the pain. This Gunnar sees is the right one, and is jubilant, for
now Atli shall never obtain the treasure, as Gunnar alone knows where it is
hid. In a rage Atli orders Gunnar to be thrown to the snakes. Though his
hands are bound, Gunnar plays so sweetly with his toes on the harp, which
Gudrun has sent him, that all the snakes are lulled to sleep, with the
exception of an adder, which stings him to the heart, so that he dies.
Atli now walks triumphantly over the dead bodies, and remarks to
Gudrun that she alone is to blame for what has happened. She refuses his
offers of peace and reconciliation, and towards evening kills her two sons
"Erp" and "Eitil", and serves them at the banquet, which the king gives for
his retainers. When Atli asks for his sons, he is told that he had drunk their
blood mixed with wine and had eaten their hearts. That night when Atli is
asleep, Gudrun takes Hogni's son "Hniflung", who desires to avenge his
father, and together they enter Atli's room and thrust a sword through his
breast. Atli awakes from the pain, only to be told by Gudrun that she is his
murderess. When he reproaches her with thus killing her husband, she
answers that she cared only for Sigurd. Atli now asks for a fitting burial,
and on receiving the promise of this, expires. Gudrun carries out her
promise, and burns the castle with Atli and all his dead retainers. Other
Edda songs relate the further adventures of Gudrun, but they do not concern
us here, as the "Nibelungenlied" stops with the death of the Nibelungs.
This in brief is the story of Siegfried, as it has been handed down to us in
the Skandinavian sources. It is universally acknowledged that this version,
though more original than the German tradition, does not represent the
simplest and most original form of the tale; but what the original form was,
has long been and still is a matter of dispute. Two distinctly opposite views

are held, the one seeing in the story the personification of the forces of
nature, the other, scouting the possibility of a mythological interpretation,
seeks a purely human origin for the tale, namely, a quarrel among relatives
for the possession of treasure. The former view is the older, and obtained
almost exclusively at one time. The latter has been gaining ground of recent
years, and is held by many of the younger students of the legend. According
to the mythological view, the maiden slumbering upon the lonely heights is
the sun, the wall of flames surrounding her the morning red ("Morgenrote").
Siegfried is the youthful day who is destined to rouse the sun from her
slumber. At the appointed time he ascends, and before his splendor the
morning red disappears. He awakens the maiden; radiantly the sun rises
from its couch and joyously greets the world of nature. But light and shade
are indissolubly connected; day changes of itself into night. When at
evening the sun sinks to rest and surrounds herself once more with a wall of
flames, the day again approaches, but no longer in the youthful form of the
morning to arouse her from her slumber, but in the sombre shape of
Gunther, to rest at her side. Day has turned into night; this is the meaning of
the change of forms. The wall of flame vanishes, day and sun descend into
the realm of darkness. Under this aspect the Siegfried story is a day myth;
but under another it is a myth of the year. The dragon is the symbol of
winter, the dwarfs of darkness. Siegfried denotes the bright summer, his
sword the sunbeams. The youthful year grows up in the dark days of
winder. When its time has come, it goes forth triumphantly and destroys the
darkness and the cold of winter. Through the symbolization the abstractions
gain form and become persons; the saga is thus not a mere allegory, but a
personification of nature's forces. The treasure may have entered the saga
through the widespread idea of the dragon as the guardian of treasure, or it
may represent the beauty of nature which unfolds when the season has
conquered. In the last act of the saga, Siegfried's death, Wilmanns, the best
exponent of this view, sees again a symbolic representation of a process of
nature. According to him it signifies the death of the god of the year in
winter. In the spring he kills the dragon, in the winter he goes weary to his
rest and is foully slain by the hostile powers of darkness. Later, when this
act was connected with the story of Gunther's wooing Brunhild, the real
meaning was forgotten, and Siegfried's death was attributed to the grief and
jealousy of the insulted queen.

Opposed now to the mythological interpretation is the other view already
spoken of, which denies the possibility of mythological features, and does
not seek to trace the legend beyond the heroic stage. The best exponent of
this view is R. C. Boer, who has made a remarkable attempt to resolve the
story into its simplest constituents. According to him the nucleus of the
legend is an old story of the murder of relatives ("Verwandienmord"), the
original form being perhaps as follows. Attila (i.e., the enemy of Hagen
under any name) is married to Hagen's sister Grimhild or Gudrun. He
invites his brother-in-law to his house, attacks him in the hope of obtaining
his treasure, and kills him. According to this view Hagen was originally the
king, but later sinks to a subordinate position through the subsequent
connection of the story with the Burgundians. It is of course useless to hunt
for the date of such an episode in history. Such a murder could have
frequently occurred, and can be localized anywhere. Very early we find this
Hagen story united with the Siegfried legend. If the latter is mythological,
then we have a heterogeneous combination, a mythical legend grafted on a
purely human one. This Boer thinks unlikely, and presents a number of
arguments to disprove the mythical character of the Siegfried story, into
which we cannot enter here. He comes, however, to the conclusion, that the
Siegfried tale is likewise purely human, and consisted originally of the
murder of relatives, that is, a repetition of the Hagen title. Siegfried is
married to Hagen's sister, and is killed by his brother-in-law because of his
treasure. The kernel of the legend is, therefore, the enmity between
relatives, which exists in two forms, the one in which the son-in-law kills
his father-in-law, as in the "Helgi" saga, the other in which Hagen kills his
son-in-law and is killed by him, too, as in the "Hilde" saga. The German
tradition tries to combine the two by introducing the new feature, that
Kriemhild causes the death of her relatives, in order to avenge her first
husband. Boer is of the opinion that both the Norse and the German
versions have forgotten the original connection between the two stories, and
that this connection was nothing more nor less than the common motive of
the treasure. The same treasure, which causes Hagen to murder Siegfried,
causes his own death in turn through the greed of Attila. There was
originally, according to Boer, no question of revenge, except the revenge of
fate, the retribution which overtakes the criminal. This feeling for the irony
of fate was lost when the motive, that Hagen kills Siegfried because of his
treasure, was replaced by the one that he does it at the request of Brunhild.

This leads Boer to the conclusion, that Brunhild did not originally belong to
the Siegfried story, but to the well-known fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty
("Erlosungsmurchen"), which occurs in a variety of forms. The type is that
of a hero who rescues a maiden from a magic charm, which may take the
form of a deep sleep, as in the case of Sleeping Beauty, or of being sewed
into a garment, as in No. 111 of Grimm's fairy tales. By the union of the two
stories, i.e., the Hagen-Siegfried saga with the Sleeping Beauty tale,
Siegfried stands in relation to two women; on the one hand his relation to
Sigrdrifa-Brynhild, the maiden whom he rescues on the rock, on the other
his marriage with Grimhild-Gudrun and his consequent death. This twofold
relation had to be disposed of, and since his connection with Grimhild was
decisive for his fate, his relation to Brunhild had to be changed. It could not
be entirely ignored, for it was too well known, therefore it was given a
different interpretation. Siegfried still rescues a maiden from the rock, not
for himself, however, but for another. The exchange of forms on the part of
Siegfried and Gunther is a reminiscence of the older form. It gives the
impression, that Siegfried, and yet not Siegfried, won the bride. This
alteration probably took place when the Burgundians were introduced into
the legend. With this introduction an unlocalized saga of unknown heroes of
ancient times became one of events of world-wide importance; the fall of a
mighty race was depicted as the result of Siegfried's death. To render this
plausible, it was necessary on the one hand to idealize the hero, so that his
death should appear as a deed of horror demanding fearful vengeance, and
on the other, to make the king of the Burgundians an active participator in
Siegfried's death, for otherwise it would not seem natural, that the whole
race should be exterminated for a crime committed by the king's brother or
vassal. As the role of Brunhild's husband had become vacant, and as
Gunther had no special role, it was natural that it should be given to him.
Boer traces very ingeniously the gradual development of this exchange of
roles through the various sources.
Another method of explaining away Siegfried's relation to two women is
to identify them, and this has been done by the Seyfrid ballad. Here the hero
rescues Kriemhild from the power of the dragon, marries her, and then is
later killed by her brothers through envy and hatred. As Brunhild and
Kriemhild are here united in one person, there is no need of a wooing for
the king, nor of vengeance on the part of Brunhild, accordingly the old
motive of greed (here envy) reappears.

As to the fight with the dragon, Boer believes that it did not originally
belong to the saga, for in none of the sources except the popular ballad is
the fight with the dragon connected with the release of Brunhild. If the
Siegfried-Hagen story is purely human, then the dragon cannot have
originally belonged to it, but was later introduced, because of the
widespread belief in the dragon as the guardian of treasure, and in order to
answer the question as to the provenience of the hoard. This is, however,
only one answer to the question. Another, widespread in German legends, is
that the treasure comes from the Nibelungs, that is, from the dwarfs. Many
identify the dwarfs and the dragon, but this finds no support in the sources,
for here the dwarfs and Fafnir are never confused. The "Nibelungenlied"
describes an adventure with each, but the treasure is only connected with
the dwarfs. The "Thidreksaga" knows only the dragon fight but not the
dwarfs, as is likewise the case with the Seyfrid ballad. Only in the Norse
sources do we find a contamination. The story of Hreithmar and his sons,
who quarrel about the treasure, resembles that of Schilbung and Nibelung in
the "Nibelungenlied", and probably has the same source. One of the sons,
because of his guarding the treasure, is identified with the dragon, and so
we read that Fafnir becomes a dragon, after gaining the treasure. Originally,
however, he was not a dragon, but a dwarf. These two independent forms
can be geographically localized. The dwarf legend is the more southern; it
is told in detail in the "Nibelungenlied". The dragon legend probably
originated in the Cimbrian peninsula, where the "Beowulf" saga, in which
the dragon fight plays such an important part, likewise arose.
There thus stand sharply opposed to each other two theories, one seeing
in the Siegfried saga a personification of natural forces, the other tracing it
back to a purely human story of murder through greed. It may be, that the
true form of the original saga lies half way between these two views. The
story of the fall of the Nibelungs, that is, their killing at Etzel's court, may
go back to the tale of the murder of relatives for money. On the other hand
it is hard to believe that the Siegfried saga is nothing but a repetition of the
Attila motive, for this is too brief a formula to which to reduce the long
legend of Siegfried, with its many deeds. Even if we discard the
mythological interpretation, it is the tale of a daring hero, who is brought up
in the woods by a cunning dwarf. He kills a dragon and takes possession of
his hoard, then rescues a maiden, imprisoned upon a mountain, as in the
older Norse version and the popular ballad, or in a tower, as in the

"Thidreksaga", and surrounded either by a wall of fire, as in the Norse, or
by a large body of water, as in the "Nibelungenlied". After betrothing
himself to the maiden, he sets forth in search of further adventures, and falls
into the power of an evil race, who by their magic arts lure him to them,
cause his destruction, and then obtain his treasure and the maiden for
themselves. By her very name Sigrdrifa belongs to Siegfried, just as
Gunther and Gudrun-Grimhild belong together, and it seems hardly possible
that she should have entered the story later, as Boer would have us believe.
After all, it is largely a matter of belief, for it is impossible to prove
positively that mythical elements did or did not exist in the original.
To the combined Siegfried-Nibelung story various historical elements
were added during the fifth century. At the beginning of this period the
Franks were located on the left bank of the Rhine from Coblenz downward.
Further up the river, that is, to the south, the Burgundians had established a
kingdom in what is now the Rhenish Palatinate, their capital being Worms
and their king "Gundahar", or "Gundicarius", as the Romans called him. For
twenty years the Burgundians lived on good terms with the surrounding
nations. Then, growing bolder, they suddenly rose against the Romans in
the year 436, but the rebellion was quietly suppressed by the Roman general
Aetius. Though defeated, the Burgundians were not subdued, and the very
next year they broke their oaths and again sought to throw off the Roman
yoke. This time the Romans called to their aid the hordes of Huns, who had
been growing rapidly in power and were already pressing hard upon the
German nations from the east. Only too glad for an excuse, the Huns poured
into the land in great numbers and practically swept the Burgundian people
from the face of the earth. According to the Roman historians, twenty
thousand Burgundians were slain in this great battle of the Catalaunian
Fields. Naturally this catastrophe, in which a whole German nation fell
before the hordes of invading barbarians, produced a profound impression
upon the Teutonic world. The King Gundahar, the Gunther of the
"Nibelungenlied", who also fell in the battle, became the central figure of a
new legend, namely, the story of the fall of the Burgundians.
Attila is not thought to have taken part in the invasion, still, after his
death in 454, his name gradually came to be associated with the slaughter of
the Burgundians, for a legend operates mainly with types, and as Attila was
a Hun and throughout the Middle Ages was looked upon as the type of a
cruel tyrant, greedy for conquest, it was but natural for him to play the rôle

assigned to him in the legend. Quite plausible is Boer's explanation of the
entrance of Attila into the legend. The "Thidreksaga" locates him in Seest in
Westphalia. Now this province once bore the name of "Hunaland", and by a
natural confusion, because of the similarity of the names, "Huna" and
"Huns", Attila, who is the chief representative of Hunnish power, was
connected with the legend and located at Seest. This would show that the
original extension of the legend was slight, as Xanten, the home of Hagen,
is but seventy miles from Seest. The original form would then be that
Hagen was slain by a king of "Hunaland", then because history relates that
the Burgundians were slain by the Huns, the similarity of the names led to
the introduction of Attila and the identification of the Nibelungs with the
Burgundians. The fact, too, that the Franks rapidly took possession of the
district depopulated by the crushing defeat of the Burgundians likewise
aided the confusion, and thus the Franks became the natural heirs of the
legend concerning the death of Gunther, and so we read of the fall of the
Nibelungs, a name that is wholly Frankish in character. This identification
led also to Attila's being considered the avenger of Siegfried's death. Poetic
justice, however, demands that the slaughter of the Burgundians at the
hands of Attila be also avenged. The rumor, that Attila's death was not
natural, but that he had been murdered by his wife Ildico ("Hildiko"), gave
the necessary features to round out the story. As Kriemhild was the sister of
the Burgundian kings, it was but natural to explain her killing of Attila, as
described in the Norse versions, by her desire to avenge her brothers.
In our "Nibelungenlied", however, it is no longer Attila, but Kriemhild,
who is the central figure of the tragedy. Etzel, as he is called here, has sunk
to the insignificant role of a stage king, a perfectly passive observer of the
fight raging around him. This change was brought about perhaps by the
introduction of Dietrich of Berne, the most imposing figure of all Germanic
heroic lore. The necessity of providing him with a role corresponding to his
importance, coupled with a growing repugnance on the part of the proud
Franks to acknowledge defeat at the hands of the Huns, caused the person
of Attila to dwindle in importance. Gradually, too, the role played by
Kriemhild was totally changed. Instead of being the avenger of her brothers,
as depicted in the Norse versions, she herself becomes the cause of their
destruction. Etzel is not only innocent of any desire to harm the Nibelungs,
but is even ignorant of the revenge planned by his wife. This change in her

role was probably due to the feeling that it was incumbent upon her to
avenge the murder of Siegfried.
Our "Nibelungenlied" knows but little of the adventures of Siegfried's
youth as depicted in the Norse versions. The theme of the poem is no longer
the love of Sigurd, the homeless wanderer, for the majestic Valkyrie
Brunhild, but the love idyll of Siegfried, the son of the king of the
Netherlands, and the dainty Burgundian princess Kriemhild. The poem has
forgotten Siegfried's connection with Brunhild; it knows nothing of his
penetrating the wall of flames to awake and rescue her, nothing of the
betrothal of the two. In our poem Siegfried is carefully reared at his father's
court in the Netherlands, and sets out with great pomp for the court of the
Burgundians. In the Norse version he naturally remains at Gunther's court
after his marriage, but in our poem he returns to the Netherlands with his
bride. This necessitates the introduction of several new scenes to depict his
arrival home, the invitation to the feast at Worms, and the reception of the
guests on the part of the Burgundians.
In the "Nibelungenlied" the athletic sports, as an obstacle to the winning
of Brunhild, take the place of the wall of flames of the older Norse versions.
Siegfried and Gunther no longer change forms, but Siegfried dons the
"Tarnkappe", which renders him invisible, so that while Gunther makes the
motions, Siegfried really does the work, a thing which is rather difficult to
imagine. The quarrel of the two queens is likewise very differently depicted
in the "Nibelungenlied" from what it is in the Norse version. In the latter it
takes place while the ladies are bathing in the river, and is brought on by the
arrogance of Brunhild, who refuses to stand lower down the stream and
bathe in the water flowing from Gudrun to her. In the "Thidreksaga" it
occurs in the seclusion of the ladies' apartments, but in our poem it
culminates in front of the cathedral before the assembled court, and requires
as its background all the pomp and splendor of medieval chivalry. With a
master hand and a wonderful knowledge of female character, the author
depicts the gradual progress of the quarrel until it terminates in a
magnificent scene of wounded pride and malignant hatred. Kriemhild, as
usual, plays the more important part, and, while standing up for her rights,
tries in every way to conciliate Brunhild and not to hurt her feelings. At last,
however, stung by the taunts of the latter, she in turn loses her patience,
bursts out with the whole story of the twofold deception to which Brunhild
has been subjected, and then triumphantly sweeps into the church, leaving

her rival stunned and humiliated by the news she has heard. In the Norse
tradition the scene serves merely to enlighten Brunhild as to the deception
played upon her. In the "Nibelungenlied" it becomes the real cause of
Siegfried's death, for Brunhild plans to kill Siegfried to avenge the public
slight done to her. She has no other reason, as Siegfried swears that there
had been no deception. Brunhild appeals to us much less in the
"Nibelungenlied" than in the Norse version. In the latter she feels herself
deeply wronged by Siegfried's faithlessness, and resolves on his death
because she will not be the wife of two men. In our poem she has no reason
for wishing his death except her wounded pride. In the "Nibelungenlied",
too, she disappears from view after Siegfried's death, whereas in the Norse
tradition she ascends his funeral pyre and dies at his side.
The circumstances of Siegfried's death are likewise totally different in the
two versions. In the Norse, as we have seen, he is murdered while asleep in
bed, by Gunnar's younger brother Gutthorm. In our poem he is killed by
Hagen, while bending over a spring to drink. This is preceded by a scene in
which Hagen treacherously induces Kriemhild to mark the one vulnerable
spot on Siegfried's body, on the plea of protecting him. This deepens the
tragedy, and renders Kriemhild's misery and self-reproaches the greater.
After Siegfried's burial his father, who had also come to Worms with his
son, vainly endeavors to persuade Kriemhild to return with him to the
Netherlands. Her refusal is unnatural in the extreme, for she had reigned
there ten years or more with Siegfried, and had left her little son behind,
and yet she relinquishes all this and remains with her brothers, whom she
knows to be the murderers of her husband. This is evidently a reminiscence
of an earlier form in which Siegfried was a homeless adventurer, as in the
"Thidreksaga".
The second half of the tale, the destruction of the Nibelungs, is treated of
very briefly in the early Norse versions, but the "Nibelungenlied", which
knows so little of Siegfried's youth, has developed and enlarged upon the
story, until it overshadows the first part in length and importance and gives
the name to the whole poem. The main difference between the two versions
is that in the older Norse tradition it is Attila who invites the Nibelungs to
his court and attacks them in order to gain possession of the treasure, while
Gudrun (Kriemhild) first tries to reconcile the warring parties, and, not
succeeding in this, snatches up a sword and fights on the side of her
brothers and later kills her husband as an act of revenge. In the

"Thidreksaga" and the "Nibelungenlied", however, she is the instigator of
the fight and the cause of her brothers' death, and finally suffers death
herself at the hands of Master Hildebrand, who is furious that such noble
heroes should fall at a woman's hand. The second part of the poem is
grewsome reading at best, with its weltering corpses and torrents of blood.
The horror is relieved only by the grim humor of Hagen and by the
charming scene at Rudeger's court, where the young prince Giselher is
betrothed to Rudeger's daughter. Rudeger is without doubt the most tragic
figure of this part. He is bound on the one hand by his oath of allegiance to
Kriemhild and on the other by ties of friendship to the Burgundians. His
agony of mind at the dilemma in which Kriemhild's command to attack the
Burgundians places him is pitiful. Divided between love and duty, the
conviction that he must fulfill his vow, cost what it may, gradually forces
itself upon him and he rushes to his death in combat with his dearest
friends.
Towering above all others in its gloomy grandeur stands the figure of
Hagen, the real hero of the second half of the poem. Fully aware that he is
going to his death, he nevertheless scorns to desert his companions-in-arms,
and awaits the fate in store for him with a stoicism that would do honor to a
Spartan. He calmly accepts the consequences of his crime, and to the last
mocks and scoffs at Kriemhild, until her fury knows no bounds. No
character shows so little the refining influences of Christianity as does his.
In all essential respects he is still the same old gigantic Teuton, who meets
us in the earliest forms of the legend.
As to the various minor characters, many of which appear only in the
"Nibelungenlied", space will not permit of their discussion here, although
they will be treated of briefly in the notes. Suffice it to say, that the
"Nibelungenlied" has introduced a number of effective scenes for the
purpose of bringing some of them, especially Folker and Dankwart, into
prominence. Among the best of these are, first, the night watch, when
Folker first plays the Burgundians to sleep with his violin, and then stands
guard with Hagen, thus preventing the surprise planned by Kriemhild;
further, the visit to the church on the following morning, when the men of
both parties clash; and lastly the tournament between the Huns and the
Burgundians, which gives the author an excellent chance to show the
prowess of the various heroes.

Let us pass now to the consideration of the strophic form of the
"Nibelungenlied". The two Danish ballads of "Grimhild's Revenge"
("Grimhild's Haevn"), which are based upon the first combination of the
Low German, i.e., Saxon, and the Rhenish traditions, prove that the strophe
is considerably older than the preserved redactions of our poem, and that it
was probably of Saxon origin. The metrical form goes back most probably
to the four-accented verse of the poet Otfrid of the ninth century, although
some have thought that Latin hymns, others that the French epic verse, may
have been of influence. The direct derivation from Otfrid seems, however,
the most plausible, as it accounts for the importance of the caesura, which
generally marks a pause in the sense, as well as in the verse, and also for its
masculine ending. The "Nibelungen" strophe consists of four long lines
separated by a caesura into two distinct halves. The first half of each line
contains four accents, the fourth falling upon the last syllable. This last
stress, however, is not, as a rule as strong as the others, the effect being
somewhat like that of a feminine ending. On this account some speak of
three accents in the first half line, with a feminine ending. The fourth stress
is, however, too strong to be thus disregarded, but because of its lighter
character is best marked with a grave accent. The second half of each line
ends in a masculine rhyme. The first three lines have each three stresses in
the second half, while the second half of the fourth line has four accents to
mark the end of the strophe. This longer fourth line is one of the most
marked characteristics of the "Nibelungen" strophe. The rhymes are
arranged in the order of "a", "a", "b", "b", though in a few isolated cases
near the end of the poem but one rhyme is used throughout the strophe.
The opening lines of the poem may serve to illustrate the strophic form
and scansion, and at the same time will give the reader an idea of the
Middle High German language in which the poem is written:

Uns ist in alten maeren wunders vil geseit
von heleden lobebaeron, von grozer arebeit,
von froude und hochgeziten, von weinen und von klagen,
von kuener recken striten muget ir nu wunder hoeren sagen.

Ez wuochs in Burgonden ein edel magedin,
daz in allen landen niht schoeners mohte sin,
Kriemhild geheizen; si wart ein scoene wip,
darambe muosen degene vil verliesen den lip.

Der minneclichen meide triuten wol gezam,
ir muotten kuene recken, niemen was ir gram,
ane ma zen schoene so was ir edel lip;

der iunevrouwen tugende zierten anderiu wip.

Ir pflagen drie künege edel unde rich,
Gunther unde Gernot, die recken lobelich,
und Giselher der iunge, ein uz erwelter degen,
diu frouwe was ir swester, die fu'rsten hetens in ir
pflegen.

Die herren waren milte, von arde hohe erborn,
mit kraft unmazen kuene, die recken uz erkorn,
dazen Burgonden so was ir lant genant,
si framden starkiu wunder sit in Etzelen lant.

Ze Wormze bidem Rine si wenden mit ir kraft,
in diende von ir landen stolziu ritterscaft
mit lobelichen eren unz an ir endes zit,
sit sturben si inemerliche von zweier edelen frouwen nit.

Some of the final rhymes with proper names, such as "Hagene": "degene"
(str. 84) or "Hagene": "tragene" (str. 300) appear to be feminine, but it is
really the final "e" that rhymes, and a scansion of the line in question shows
that the three accents are not complete without this final "e". In this respect
our poem differs from most of the Middle High German poems, as this
practice of using the final "e" in rhyme began to die out in the twelfth
century, though occasionally found throughout the period. The rhymes are,
as a rule, quite exact, the few cases of impure rhymes being mainly those in
which short and long vowels are rhymed together, e.g. "mich": "rich" or
"man": "han". Caesural rhymes are frequently met with, and were
considered by Lachmann to be the marks of interpolated strophes, a view no
longer held. A further peculiarity of the "Nibelungen" strophe is the
frequent omission of the unaccented syllable in the second half of the last
line of the strophe between the second and third stresses. Examples of this
will be found in the second, third, and fifth strophes of the passage given
above.
The language of the "Nibelungenlied" is the so-called Middle High
German, that is, the High German written and spoken in the period between
1100 and 1500, the language of the great romances of chivalry and of the
"Minnesingers". More exactly, the poem is written in the Austrian dialect of
the close of the twelfth century, but contains many archaisms, which point
to the fact of its having undergone a number of revisions.
In closing this brief study of the "Nibelungenlied", just a word or two
further with reference to the poem, its character, and its place in German
literature. Its theme is the ancient Teutonic ideal of "Treue" (faithfulness or
fidelity), which has found here its most magnificent portrayal; faithfulness

unto death, the loyalty of the vassal for his lord, as depicted in Hagen, the
fidelity of the wife for her husband, as shown by Kriemhild, carried out
with unhesitating consistency to the bitter end. This is not the gallantry of
medieval chivalry, which colors so largely the opening scenes of the poem,
but the heroic valor, the death-despising stoicism of the ancient Germans,
before which the masters of the world, the all-conquering Romans, were
compelled to bow.
In so far as the "Nibelungenlied" has forgotten most of the history of the
youthful Siegfried, and knows nothing of his love for Brunhild, it is a torso,
but so grand withal, that one hardly regrets the loss of these integral
elements of the old saga. As it is a working over of originally separate lays,
it is not entirely homogeneous, and contains not a few contradictions. In
spite of these faults, however, which a close study reveals, it is nevertheless
the grandest product of Middle High German epic poetry, and deservedly
the most popular poem of older German literature. It lacks, to be sure, the
grace of diction found in Gottfried von Strassburg's "Tristan und Isolde",
the detailed and often magnificent descriptions of armor and dress to be met
with in the epics of Hartman von Ouwe; it is wanting in the lofty
philosophy of Wolfram von Eschenbach's "Parzival", and does not, as this
latter, lead the reader into the realms of religious doubts and struggles. It is
imposing through its very simplicity, through the grandeur of the story,
which it does not seek to adorn and decorate. It nowhere pauses to analyze
motives nor to give us a picture of inner conflict as modern authors are fond
of doing. Its characters are impulsive and prompt in action, and when they
have once acted, waste no time in useless regret or remorse.
It resembles the older "Spielmannsdichtung", or minstrel poetry, in the
terseness and vigor of its language and in the lack of poetic imagery, but it
is free from the coarseness and vulgar and grotesque humor of the latter. It
approaches the courtly epic in its introduction of the pomp of courtly
ceremonial, but this veneer of chivalry is very thin, and beneath the outward
polish of form the heart beats as passionately and wildly as in the days of
Herman, the Cheruscan chief. There are perhaps greater poems in literature
than the "Nibelungenlied", but few so majestic in conception, so sublime in
their tragedy, so simple in their execution, and so national in their character,
as this great popular epic of German literature.

ENDNOTES:

(1) A is a parchment MS. of the second half of the thirteenth
century, now found in Munich. It forms the basis of
Lachmann's edition. It is a parchment MS. of the middle of
the thirteenth century, belonging to the monastery of St.
Gall. It has been edited by Bartsch, "Deutsche Klassiker
des Mittelalters", vol. 3, and by Piper, "Deutsche National-
Literatur", vol. 6. C is a parchment MS., of the thirteenth
century, now in the ducal library of Donauesehingen. It is
the best written of all the MSS., and has been edited by
Zarncke.
(2) The "Thidreksaga" differs from the other Norse versions in
having "Sigfrod", as he is called here, brought up in
ignorance of his parents, a trait which was probably
borrowed from the widespread "Genoveva" story, although
thought by some to have been an original feature of our
legend.
(3) The "Thidreksaga", which has forgotten the enmity of the
brothers, and calls Sigurd's tutor "Mimr", tells the episode
in somewhat different fashion. The brothers plan to kill
Sigurd, and the latter is attacked by the dragon, while
burning charcoal in the forest. After killing the monster
with a firebrand, Sigurd bathes himself in the blood and
thus become covered with a horny skin, which renders him
invulnerable, save in one place between the shoulder blades,
which he could not reach. This bathing in the blood is also
related in the Seyfrid ballad and in the "Nibelungenlied",
with the difference, that the vulnerable spot is caused by a
linden leaf falling upon him.
(4) The fact that all but one of these names alliterate, shows
that the Norse version is here more original. Gunnar is the
same as Gunther (Gundaharius), Hogni as Hagen; Gutthorm
(Godomar) appears in the German version as Gernot. In this
latter the father is called Dancrat, the mother Uote, and
the name Grimhild is transferred from the mother to the
daughter.
(5) In the prose "Edda", in the water which drips from Gudrun's
hair.

THE NIBELUNGENLIED (1)

ADVENTURE I (2)
Full many a wonder is told us in stories old, of heroes worthy of praise,
of hardships dire, of joy and feasting, of the fighting of bold warriors, of
weeping and of wailing; now ye may hear wonders told.
In Burgundy there grew so noble a maid that in all the lands none fairer
might there be. Kriemhild (3) was she called; a comely woman she became,
for whose sake many a knight must needs lose his life. Well worth the
loving was this winsome maid. Bold knights strove for her, none bare her
hate. Her peerless body was beautiful beyond degree; the courtly virtues of
this maid of noble birth would have adorned many another woman too.
Three kings, noble and puissant, did nurture her, Gunther (4) and Gernot,
(5) warriors worthy of praise, and Giselher, (6) the youth, a chosen knight.
This lady was their sister, the princes had her in their care. The lordings
were free in giving, of race high-born, passing bold of strength were they,
these chosen knights. Their realm hight Burgundy. Great marvels they
wrought hereafter in Etzel's (7) land. At Worms (8) upon the Rhine they
dwelt with all their power. Proud knights from out their lands served them
with honor, until their end was come. Thereafter they died grievously,
through the hate of two noble dames.
Their mother, a mighty queen, was called the Lady Uta, (9) their father,
Dankrat, (10) who left them the heritage after his life was over; a mighty
man of valor that he was, who won thereto in youth worship full great.
These kings, as I have said, were of high prowess. To them owed allegiance
the best of warriors, of whom tales were ever told, strong and brave,
fearless in the sharp strife. Hagen (11) there was of Troneg, thereto his
brother Dankwart, (12) the doughty; Ortwin of Metz (13); Gere (14) and
Eckewart, (15) the margraves twain; Folker of Alzei, (16) endued with
fullness of strength. Rumolt (17) was master of the kitchen, a chosen
knight; the lords Sindolt and Hunolt, liegemen of these three kings, had rule
of the court and of its honors. Thereto had they many a warrior whose name
I cannot tell. Dankwart was marshal; his nephew, Ortwin, seneschal unto
the king; Sindolt was cupbearer, a chosen knight; Hunolt served as
chamberlain; well they wot how to fill these lofty stations. Of the forces of

the court and its far-reaching might, of the high worship (18) and of the
chivalry these lords did ply with joy throughout their life, of this forsooth
none might relate to you the end.
In the midst of these high honors Kriemhild dreamed a dream, of how
she trained a falcon, strong, fair, and wild, which, before her very eyes, two
eagles rent to pieces. No greater sorrow might chance to her in all this
world. This dream then she told to Uta her mother, who could not unfold it
to the dutiful maid in better wise than this: "The falcon which thou trainest,
that is a noble man, but thou must needs lose him soon, unless so be that
God preserve him."
"Why speakest thou to me of men, dear brother mine? I would fain ever
be without a warrior's love. So fair will I remain until my death, that I shall
never gain woe from love of man."
"Now forswear this not too roundly," spake the mother in reply. "If ever
thou shalt wax glad of heart in this world, that will chance through the love
of man. Passing fair wilt thou become, if God grant thee a right worthy
knight."
"I pray you leave this speech," spake she, "my lady. Full oft hath it been
seen in many a wife, how joy may at last end in sorrow. I shall avoid them
both, then can it ne'er go ill with me."
Thus in her heart Kriemhild forsware all love. Many a happy day
thereafter the maiden lived without that she wist any whom she would care
to love. In after days she became with worship a valiant here's bride. He
was the selfsame falcon which she beheld in her dream that her mother
unfolded to her. How sorely did she avenge this upon her nearest kin, who
slew him after! Through his dying alone there fell full many a mother's son.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Nibelungenlied", the lay of the Nibelungs. The ordinary
etymology of this name is 'children of the mist'
("Nebelkinder", O.N. "Niflungar"), and it is thought to have
belonged originally to the dwarfs. Piper, I, 50, interprets
it as 'the sons of Nibul'; Boer, II, 198, considers
"Hniflungar" to be the correct Norse form and interprets it
as 'the descendants of Hnaef' (O.E. "Hnaef", O.H.G.
"Hnabi"), whose death is related in the "Finnsaga".
(2) "Adventure" (M.H.G. "aventiure", from O.F. "aventure", Lat.
"adventura"). The word meant originally a happening,
especially some great event, then the report of such an
event. Here it is used in the sense of the different cantos
or "fitts" of the poem, as in the "Gudrun" and other M.H.G.
epics. Among the courtly poets it also frequently denotes

the source, or is the personification of the muse of poetry.
(3) "Kriemhild" is the Upper German form of the Frankish
"Grimhild". In the MSS., the name generally appears with a
further shifting as "Chriemhilt", as if the initial
consonant were Germanic "k". On the various forms of the
name, which have never yet been satisfactorily explained,
see Mullenhoff, ZsfdA. xii, 299, 413; xv, 313; and
Bohnenberger, PB. Beit. xxiv, 221-231.
(4) "Gunther" is the historical "Gundahari", king of the
Burgundians in the fifth century.
(5) "Gernot" was probably introduced by some minstrel in place
of the historical "Godomar", who appears in the Norse
version as "Gutthormr", though the names are not
etymologically the same, as "Godomar" would be "Guthmarr" in
Old Norse.
(6) "Giselher" is the historical "Gislaharius". Although
mentioned by the "Lex Burgundionum" as one of the Burgundian
kings, he does not appear in the early Norse version, or in
other poems dealing with these persons, such as the
"Waltharius", the "Rabenschlacht", the "Rosengarten", etc.,
and was probably introduced at a late date into the saga.
Originally no role was ascribed to him, and not even his
death is told. He probably came from some independent
source.
(7) "Etzel" is the German form for the historical "Attila"
(Norse "Atli"). A discussion of his connection with the
saga will be found in the introduction.
(8) "Worms" is the ancient "Borbetomagus", which in the first
century B.C. was the chief city of the German tribe of the
"Vangioni". In the fifth century it was the capital of the
Burgundian kingdom, but was destroyed by the Huns. The
Merovingians rebuilt it, and in the seventh century it
became a bishopric where Charlemagne at times held his
court. It was later noted as the meeting-place of many
imperial diets. It remained a free city till 1801. In the
"Thidreksaga" the name is corrupted into "Wernize".
(9) "Uta" (M.H.G. "Uote"). The name means ancestress, and is
frequently used for the mother of heroes. The modern German
form is "Ute", but in order to insure its being pronounced
with two syllables, the form "Uta" was chosen.
(10) "Dankrat" (M.H.G. "Dancrat") appears as the father only in
the "Nibelungenlied" and poems dependent on it, e.g., the
"Klage" and "Biterolf", elsewhere as "Gibiche" (Norse
"Giuki").
(11) "Hagen of Troneg". Troneg is probably a corruption of the
name of the Latin colony, "colonia Trajana", on the Lower
Rhine, which as early as the fifth century was written as
"Troja", giving rise to the legend that the Franks were
descended from the ancient Trojans. "Troja" was then
further corrupted to "Tronje" and "Tronege". Hagen was
therefore originally a Frank and had no connection with the
Burgundian kings, as the lack of alliteration also goes to
show. Boer thinks that not Siegfried but Hagen originally
lived at Xanten (see note 3 to Adventure II), as this was
often called Troja Francorum. When the Hagen story was
connected with the Burgundians and Hagen became either their
brother or their vassal, his home was transferred to Worms
and Siegfried was located at Xanten, as he had no especial
localization. Thus Siegfried is never called Siegfried of
Troneg, as is Hagen. Other attempts to explain Troneg will
be found in Piper, I, 48.

(12) "Dankwart" is not an historical character nor one that
belonged to the early form of the legend. He may have come
from another saga, where he played the principal role as
Droege (ZsfdA. 48, 499) thinks. Boer considers him to be
Hagen's double, invented to play a part that would naturally
fall to Hagen's share, were he not otherwise engaged at the
moment. In our poem he is called "Dancwart der snelle", a
word that has proved a stumbling-block to translators,
because in modern German it means 'speedy', 'swift'. Its
original meaning was, however, 'brave', 'warlike', although
the later meaning is already found in M.H.G. In all such
doubtful cases the older meaning has been preferred, unless
the context forbids, and the word 'doughty' has been chosen
to translate it.
(13) "Ortwin of Metz" appears also in the "Eckenlied",
"Waltharius", and in "Biterolf". He is most likely a late
introduction (but see Piper, I, 44). Rieger thinks that he
belonged to a wealthy family "De Metis". Though the "i" is
long in the original, and Simrock uses the form "Ortewein"
in his translation, the spelling with short "i" has been
chosen, as the lack of accent tends to shorten the vowel in
such names.
(14) "Gere" is likewise a late introduction. He is perhaps the
historical Margrave Gere (965) of East Saxony, whom Otto the
Great appointed as a leader against the Slavs. See O. von
Heinemann, "Markgraf Gero", Braunschweig, 1860, and Piper, L
43.
(15) "Eckewart" is also a late accession. He is perhaps the
historical margrave of Meissen (1002), the first of the
name. He, too, won fame in battle against the Slavs.
(16) "Folker of Alzei" (M.H.G. "Volker von Alzeije"), the
knightly minstrel, is hardly an historical personage, in
spite of the fact that Alzey is a well-known town in Rhine
Hesse on the Selz, eighteen miles southwest of Mainz. The
town has, to be sure, a violin in its coat of arms, as also
the noble family of the same name. It is most likely,
however, that this fact caused Folker to be connected with
Alzei. In the "Thidreksaga" Folker did not play the role of
minstrel, and it is probable that some minstrel reviser of
our poem developed the character and made it the
personification of himself.
(17) "Rumolt", "Sindolt", and "Hunolt" have no historical basis
and merely help to swell the retinue of the Burgundians.
(18) "Worship". This word has been frequently used here in its
older meaning of 'worth', 'reverence', 'respect', to
translate the M.H.G. "eren", 'honors'.

ADVENTURE II. Of Siegfried.
In the Netherlands there grew the child of a noble king (his father had for
name Siegmund, (1) his mother Siegelind), (2) in a mighty castle, known
far and wide, in the lowlands of the Rhine: Xanten, (3) men called it. Of
this hero I sing, how fair he grew. Free he was of every blemish. Strong and
famous he later became, this valiant man. Ho! What great worship he won
in this world! Siegfried hight this good and doughty knight. Full many
kingdoms did he put to the test through his warlike mood. Through his
strength of body he rode into many lands. Ho! What bold warriors he after
found in the Burgundian land! Mickle wonders might one tell of Siegfried
in his prime, in youthful days; what honors he received and how fair of
body he. The most stately women held him in their love; with the zeal
which was his due men trained him. But of himself what virtues he
attained! Truly his father's lands were honored, that he was found in all
things of such right lordly mind. Now was he become of the age that he
might ride to court. Gladly the people saw him, many a maid wished that
his desire might ever bear him hither. Enow gazed on him with favor; of
this the prince was well aware. Full seldom was the youth allowed to ride
without a guard of knights. Siegmund and Siegelind bade deck him out in
brave attire. The older knights who were acquaint with courtly custom, had
him in their care. Well therefore might he win both folk and land.
Now he was of the strength that he bare weapons well. Whatever he
needed thereto, of this he had enow. With purpose he began to woo fair
ladies; these bold Siegfried courted well in proper wise. Then bade
Siegmund have cried to all his men, that he would hold a feasting with his
loving kindred. The tidings thereof men brought into the lands of other
kings. To the strangers and the home-folk he gave steeds and armor.
Wheresoever any was found who, because of his birth, should become a
knight, these noble youths were summoned to the land for the feasting.
Here with the youthful prince they gained the knightly sword. Wonders
might one tell of this great feast; Siegmund and Siegelind wist well how to
gain great worship with their gifts, of which their hands dealt out great
store. Wherefore one beheld many strangers riding to their realm. Four

hundred sword-thanes (4) were to put on knightly garb with Siegfried.
Many a fair maid was aught but idle with the work, for he was beloved of
them all. Many precious stones the ladies inlaid on the gold, which together
with the edging they would work upon the dress of the proud young
warriors, for this must needs be done.
The host bade make benches for the many valiant men, for the
midsummer festival, (5) at which Siegfried should gain the name of knight.
Then full many a noble knight and many a high-born squire did hie them to
the minster. Right were the elders in that they served the young, as had been
done to them afore. Pastimes they had and hope of much good cheer. To the
honor of God a mass was sung; then there rose from the people full great a
press, as the youths were made knights in courtly wise, with such great
honors as might not ever lightly be again. Then they ran to where they
found saddled many a steed. In Siegmund's court the hurtling (6) waxed so
fierce that both palace (7) and hall were heard to ring; the high-mettled
warriors clashed with mighty sound. From young and old one heard many a
shock, so that the splintering of the shafts reechoed to the clouds.
Truncheons (8) were seen flying out before the palace from the hand of
many a knight. This was done with zeal. At length the host bade cease the
tourney and the steeds were led away. Upon the turf one saw all to-shivered
(9) many a mighty buckler and great store of precious stones from the
bright spangles (10) of the shields. Through the hurtling this did hap.
Then the guests of the host betook them to where men bade them sit.
With good cheer they refreshed them and with the very best of wine, of
which one bare frill plenty. To the strangers and the home-folk was shown
worship enow. Though much pastime they had throughout the day, many of
the strolling folk forsware all rest. They served for the largess, which men
found there richly, whereby Siegmund's whole land was decked with praise.
Then bade the king enfeoff Siegfried, the youth, with land and castles, as he
himself had done. Much his hand bestowed upon the sword-companions.
The journey liked them well, that to this land they were come. The feasting
lasted until the seventh day. Siegelind, the noble queen, for the love of her
son, dealt out ruddy gold in time-honored wise. Full well she wot how to
make him beloved of the folk. Scarce could a poor man be found among the
strolling mimes. Steeds and raiment were scattered by their hand, as if they
were to live not one more day. I trow that never did serving folk use such
great bounty. With worshipful honors the company departed hence. Of the

mighty barons the tale doth tell that they desired the youth unto their lord,
but of this the stately knight, Sir Siegfried, listed naught. Forasmuch as both
Siegmund and Siegelind were still alive, the dear child of them twain
wished not to wear a crown, but fain would he become a lord against all the
deeds of force within his lands, whereof the bold and daring knight was
sore adread.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Siegmund" (M.H.G. "Sigemunt") was originally the hero of an
independent saga. See "Volsungasaga", chaps. 3-8.
(2) "Siegelind" (M.H.G. "Sigelint") is the correct name of
Siegfried's mother, as the alliteration shows. The Early
Norse version has "Hjordis", which has come from the "Helgi
saga".
(3) "Xanten" (M.H.G. "Santen" from the Latin "ad sanctos") is at
present a town in the Rhenish Prussian district of
Dusseldorf. It does not now lie on the Rhine, but did in
the Middle Ages.
(4) "Sword-thanes" (M.H.G. "swertdegene") were the young squires
who were to be made knights. It was the custom for a
youthful prince to receive the accolade with a number of
others.
(5) "Midsummer festival". The M.H.G. "sunewende" means
literally the 'sun's turning', i.e., the summer solstice.
This was one of the great Germanic festivals, which the
church later turned into St. John's Eve. The bonfires still
burnt in Germany on this day are survivals of the old
heathen custom.
(6) "Hurtling" translates here M.H.G. "buhurt", a word borrowed
from the French to denote a knightly sport in which many
knights clashed together. Hurtling was used in older
English in the same significance.
(7) "Palace" (M.H.G. "palas", Lat. "palatium") is a large
building standing alone and largely used as a reception
hall.
(8) "Truncheons" (M.H.G. "trunzûne", O.F. "tronçon)", 'lance
splinters', 'fragments of spears'.
(9) "To-shivered", 'broken to pieces', in imitation of the older
English to-beat, to-break, etc.
(10) "Spangles" (M.H.G. "spangen"), strips of metal radiating
from the raised centre of the shield and often set, as here,
with precious stones.

ADVENTURE III. How Siegfried Came to
Worms.
It was seldom that sorrow of heart perturbed the prince. He heard tales
told of how there lived in Burgundy a comely maid, fashioned wondrous
fair, from whom he thereafter gained much of joy, but suffering, too. Her
beauty out of measure was known far and wide. So many a here heard of
her noble mind, that it alone brought many a guest (1) to Gunther's land.
But however many were seen wooing for her love, Kriemhild never
confessed within her heart that she listed any for a lover. He was still a
stranger to her, whose rule she later owned. Then did the son of Siegelind
aspire to lofty love; the wooing of all others was to his but as the wind, for
well he wot how to gain a lady fair. In later days the noble Kriemhild
became bold Siegfried's bride. Kinsmen and liegemen enow advised him,
since he would have hope of constant love, that he woo one who was his
peer. At this bold Siegfried spake: "Then will I choose Kriemhild, the fair
maid of Burgundy, for her beauty beyond measure. This I know full well,
never was emperor so mighty, and he would have a wife, that it would not
beseem him to love this noble queen."
Tidings of this reached Siegmund's ear; through the talk of the courtiers
he was made ware of the wish of his son. Full loth it was to the king, that
his child would woo the glorious maid. Siegelind heard it too, the wife of
the noble king. Greatly she feared for her child, for full well she knew
Gunther and his men. Therefore they sought to turn the hero from this
venture. Up spake then the daring Siegfried: "Dear father mine, I would fain
ever be without the love of noble dames, if I may not woo her in whom my
heart hath great delight; whatsoever any may aver, it will avail but naught."
"And thou wilt not turn back," spake the king, "then am I in sooth glad of
thy will and will help thee bring it to pass, as best I may. Yet hath this King
Gunther full many a haughty man. If there were none else but Hagen, the
doughty knight, he can use such arrogance that I fear me it will repent us
sore, if we woo this high-born maid."

Then Siegfried made reply: "Wherefore need that hinder us? What I may
not obtain from them in friendly wise, that my hand and its strength can
gain. I trow that 1 can wrest from him both folk and land."
To this Prince Siegmund replied: "Thy speech liketh me not, for if this
tale were told upon the Rhine, then durst thou never ride unto that land.
Long time have Gunther and Gernot been known to me. By force may none
win the maid, of this have I been well assured; but wilt thou ride with
warriors unto this land, and we still have aught of friends, they shall be
summoned soon."
"It is not to my mind," spake again Siegfried, "that warriors should
follow me to the Rhine, as if for battle, that I constrain thereby the noble
maid. My single hand can win her well—with eleven (2) comrades I will
fare to Gunther's land; thereto shalt thou help me, Father Siegmund." Then
to his knights they gave for garments furs both gray and vair. (3)
Now his mother Siegelind also heard the tale. She began to make dole for
her loved child, whom she feared to lose through Gunther's men. Sorely the
noble queen gan weep. Lord Siegfried hied him straightway to where he
saw her; to his mother he spake in gentle wise: "Lady, ye must not weep for
me; naught have I to fear from all his fighting men. I pray you, speed me on
my journey to the Burgundian land, that I and my warriors may have array
such as proud heroes can wear with honor; for this I will say you gramercy
i' faith."
"Since naught will turn thee," spake then the Lady Siegelind, "so will I
speed thee on thy journey, mine only child, with the best of weeds that ever
knight did wear, thee and thy comrades. Ye shall have enow."
Siegfried, the youth, then made low obeisance to the queen. He spake:
"None but twelve warriors will I have upon the way. Let raiment be made
ready for them, I pray, for I would fain see how it standeth with Kriemhild."
Then sate fair ladies night and day. Few enow of them, I trow, did ease
them, till Siegfried's weeds had all been wrought. Nor would he desist from
faring forth. His father bade adorn the knightly garb in which his son should
ride forth from Siegmund's land. The shining breastplates, too, were put in
trim, also the stanch helmets and their shields both fair and broad. Now
their journey to the Burgundian land drew near; man and wife began to fear
lest they never should come home again. The heroes bade lade their
sumpters with weapons and with harness. Their steeds were fair and their

trappings red with gold. No need were there to live more proudly than
Siegfried and his men. Then he asked for leave to journey to the land of
Burgundy; this the king and queen sorrowfully vouchsafed. Lovingly he
comforted them twain. "For my sake," spake he, "must ye not weep, nor
have fear for me or for my life."
The warriors, too, were sad and many a maiden wept; I ween, their hearts
did tell them rightly that many of their kinsmen would come to death
because of this. Just cause had they for wailing; need enow they had in
sooth.
Upon the seventh morning, forth upon the river sand at Worms the brave
warriors pricked. Their armor was of ruddy gold and their trappings
fashioned fair. Smoothly trotted the steeds of bold Siegfried's men. Their
shields were new; gleaming and broad and fair their helmets, as Siegfried,
the bold, rode to court in Gunther's land. Never had such princely attire
been seen on heroes; their sword-points hung down to their spurs. Sharp
javelins were borne by these chosen knights. Siegfried wielded one full two
spans broad, which upon its edges cut most dangerously. In their hands they
held gold-colored bridles; their martingales were silken: so they came into
the land. Everywhere the folk began to gape amazed and many of Gunther's
men fared forth to meet them. High-mettled warriors, both knight and
squire, betook them to the lords (as was but right), and received into the
land of their lords these guests and took from their hands the black sumpters
which bore the shields. The steeds, too, they wished to lead away for
easement. How boldly then brave Siegfried spake: "Let stand the mounts of
me and of my men. We will soon hence again, of this have I great desire.
Whosoever knoweth rightly where I can find the king, Gunther, the mighty,
of Burgundian land, let him not keep his peace but tell me."
Then up spake one to whom it was rightly known: "Would ye find the
king, that can hap full well. In yon broad hall with his heroes did I but see
him. Ye must hither hie you; there ye may find with him many a lordly
man."
To the king now the word was brought, that full lusty knights were come,
who wore white breastplates and princely garb. None knew them in the
Burgundian land. Much it wondered the king whence came these lordly
warriors in such shining array, with such good shields, both new and broad.
Loth was it to Gunther, that none could tell him this. Then Ortwin of Metz

(a bold and mighty man was he) made answer to the king: "Since we know
them not, ye should send for mine uncle Hagen, and let him see them. To
him are known (4) all kingdoms and foreign lands. If so be he knoweth
these lords, he will tell us straightway."
Then bade the king that Hagen and his men be brought. One saw him
with his warriors striding in lordly wise unto the court.
"What would the king of me?" asked Hagen.
"There be come to my house strange warriors, whelm here none
knoweth. If ye have ever seen them, I pray you, Hagen, tell me now the
truth."
"That will I," spake then Hagen. He hied him to a window and over the
guests he let his glances roam. Well liked him their trappings and their
array, but full strange were they to him in the Burgundian land. He spake:
"From wheresoever these warriors be come unto the Rhine, they may well
be princes or envoys of kings, for their steeds are fair and their garments
passing good. Whencesoever they bear these, forsooth high-mettled
warriors be they."
"I dare well say," so spake Hagen, "though I never have seen Siegfried,
yet can I well believe, however this may be, that he is the warrior that
strideth yonder in such lordly wise. He bringeth new tidings hither to this
land. By this here's hand were slain the bold Nibelungs, Schilbung and
Nibelung, (5) sons of a mighty king. Since then he hath wrought great
marvels with his huge strength. Once as the hero rode alone without all aid,
he found before a mountain, as I have in sooth been told, by Nibelung's
hoard full many a daring man. Strangers they were to him, till he gained
knowledge of them there.
"The hoard of Nibelung was borne entire from out a hollow hill. Now
hear a wondrous tale, of how the liegemen of Nibelung wished to divide it
there. This the hero Siegfried saw and much it gan wonder him. So near was
he now come to them, that he beheld the heroes, and the knights espied him,
too. One among them spake: 'Here cometh the mighty Siegfried, the hero of
Netherland.' Passing strange were the tidings that, he found among the
Nibelungs. Schilbung and Nibelung greeted well the knight; with one
accord these young and noble lordings bade the stately man divide the
hoard. Eagerly they asked it, and the lord in turn gan vow it to them.

"He beheld such store of gems, as we have heard said, that a hundred
wains might not bear the lead; still more was there of ruddy gold from the
Nibelung land. All this the hand of the daring Siegfried should divide. As a
guerdon they gave him the sword of Nibelung, but they were served full ill
by the service which the good knight Siegfried should render them. Nor
could he end it for them; angry of mood (6) they grew. Twelve bold men of
their kith were there, mighty giants these. What might that avail them!
Siegfried's hand slew them soon in wrath, and seven hundred warriors from
the Nibelung land he vanquished with the good sword Balmung. (7)
Because of the great fear that, many a young warrior had of the sword and
of the valiant man, they made the land and its castles subject to his hand.
Likewise both the mighty kings he slew, but soon he himself was sorely
pressed by Alberich. (8) The latter weened to venge straightway his
masters, till he then discovered Siegfried's mighty strength; for no match for
him was the sturdy dwarf. Like wild lions they ran to the hill, where from
Alberich he won the Cloak of Darkness. (9) Thus did Siegfried, the terrible,
become master of the hoard; those who had dared the combat, all lay there
slain. Soon bade he cart and bear the treasure to the place from whence the
men of Nibelung had borne it forth. He made Alberich, the strong, warden
of the hoard and bade him swear an oath to serve him as his knave; and fit
he was for work of every sort."
So spake Hagen of Troneg: "This he hath done. Nevermore did warrior
win such mighty strength. I wot yet more of him: it is known to me that the
hero slew a dragon and bathed him in the blood, so that his skin became
like horn. Therefore no weapons will cut him, as hath full oft been seen. All
the better must we greet this lord, that we may not earn the youthful
warrior's hate. So bold is he that we should hold him as a friend, for he hath
wrought full many a wonder by his strength."
Then spake the mighty king: "Thou mayst well have right. Behold how
valiantly he with his knights doth stand in lust of battle, the daring man! Let
us go down to meet the warrior."
"That ye may do with honor," spake then Hagen; "he is of noble race, son
of a mighty king. God wot, methinks, he beareth him in such wise, that it
can be no little matter for which he hath ridden hither."
"Now be he welcome to us," spake then the king of the land. "He is both
noble and brave, as I have heard full well. This shall stand him in good

stead in the Burgundian land." Then went Lord Gunther to where Siegfried
stood.
The host and his warriors received the guest in such wise that full little
was there lack of worship. Low bowed the stately man, that they had
greeted him so fair. "It wondereth me," spake the king straightway, "whence
ye, noble Siegfried, be come unto this land, or what ye seek at Worms upon
the Rhine."
Then the stranger made answer to the king: "This will I not conceal from
you. Tales were told me in my father's land, that here with you were the
boldest warriors that ever king did gain. This I have often heard, and that I
might know it of a truth, therefore am I come. Likewise do I hear boasting
of your valor, that no bolder king hath ever been seen. This the folk relate
much through all these lands. Therefore will I not turn back, till it be known
to me. I also am a warrior and was to wear a crown. Fain would I bring it to
pass that it may be said of me: Rightly doth he rule both folk and land. Of
this shall my head and honor be a pledge. Now be ye so bold, as hath been
told me, I reck not be it lief or loth to any man, I will gain from you whatso
ye have—land and castles shall be subject to my hand."
The king had likewise his men had marvel at the tidings they here heard,
that he was willed to take from them their land. The knights waxed wroth,
as they heard this word. "How have I earned this," spake Gunther, the
knight, "that we should lose by the force of any man that which my father
hath rules so long with honor? We should let it ill appear that we, too, are
used in knightly ways."
"In no wise will I desist," spake again the valiant man. "Unless it be that
through thy strength thy land have peace, I will rule it all. And shouldst
thou gain, by thy strength, my ancestral lands, they shall be subject to thy
sway. Thy lands, and mine as well, shall lie alike; whether of us twain can
triumph over the other, him shall both land and people serve."
Hagen and Gernot, too, straightway gainsaid this. "We have no wish,"
spake Gernot, "that we should conquer aught of lands, or that any man lie
dead at hero's hands. We have rich lands, which serve us, as is meet, nor
hath any a better claim to them than we."
There stood his kinsmen, grim of mood; among them, too, Ortwin of
Metz. "It doth irk me much to hear these words of peace," spake he; "the
mighty Siegfried hath defied you for no just cause. Had ye and your

brothers no meet defense, and even if he led a kingly troop, I trow well so
to fight that the daring man have good cause to leave this haughty mien."
At this the hero of Netherland grew wonderly wroth. He spake: "Thy
hand shall not presume against me. I am a mighty king, a king's vassal thou.
Twelve of thy ilk durst not match me in strife."
Then Ortwin of Metz called loudly for swords. Well was he fit to be
Hagen of Troneg's sister's son. It rued the king that he had held his peace so
long. Then Gernot, the bold and lusty knight, came in between. He spake to
Ortwin: "Now give over thy anger. Lord Siegfried hath done us no such
wrong, but that we may still part the strife in courteous wise. Be advised of
me and hold him still as friend; far better will this beseem us."
Then spake the doughty Hagen: "It may well grieve us and all thy knights
that he ever rode for battle to the Rhine. He should have given it over; my
lordings never would have done such ill to him."
To this Siegfried, the mighty man, made answer: "Doth this irk you, Sir
Hagen, which I spake, then will I let you see that my hands shall have
dominion here in the Burgundian land."
"I alone will hinder this," answered Gernot, and he forbade his knights
speak aught with haughtiness that might cause rue. Siegfried, too, then
bethought him of the noble maid.
"How might it beseem us to fight with you?" spake Gernot anew.
"However really heroes should lie dead because of this, we should have
scant honor therefrom and ye but little gain."
To this Siegfried, the son of Siegmund, made reply: "Why waiteth
Hagen, and Ortwin, too, that he hasteth not to fight with his kin, of whom
he hath so many here in Burgundy?"
At this all held their peace; such was Gernot's counsel. Then spake Queen
Uta's son: "Ye shall be welcome to us with all your war-mates, who are
come with you. We shall gladly serve you, I and all my kin."
Then for the guests they bade pour out King Gunther's wine. The master
of the land then spake: "All that we have, if ye desire it in honorable wise,
shall owe fealty to you; with you shall both life and goods be shared."
At this Lord Siegfried grew of somewhat gentler mood. Then they bade
that care be taken of the armor of the guests. The best of hostels that men
might find were sought for Siegfried's squires; great easement they gave

them. Thereafter they gladly saw the guest in Burgundy. Many a day they
offered him great worship, a thousand fold more than I can tell you. This his
prowess wrought; ye may well believe, full scant a one he saw who was his
foe.
Whenever the lordings and their liegemen did play at knightly games,
Siegfried was aye the best, whatever they began. Herein could no one
match him, so mighty was his strength, whether they threw the stone or
hurled the shaft. When through courtesie the full lusty knights made merry
with the ladies, there were they glad to see the hero of Netherland, for upon
high love his heart was bent. He was aye ready for whatso they undertook,
but in his heart he bare a lovely maid, whom he had never seen. She too,
who in secret spake full well of him, cherished him alone. Whenever the
pages, squires, and knights would play their games within the court,
Kriemhild, the noble queen, watched them from the windows, for no other
pastime she needed on such days. Had he known that she gazed on him
thus, whom he bare within his heart, then had he had pastime enough, I
trow, for well I wot that no greater joy in all this world could chance to him.
Whenever he stood by the heroes in the court, as men still are wont to do,
for pastime's sake, so winsome was the posture of Siegelind's son, that
many a lady loved him for very joy of heart. But he bethought him many a
day: "How shall that hap, that I with mine own eyes may see the noble
maid, whom I do love with all my heart and so have done long time. Sadly
must I stand, sith she be still a stranger to me."
Whenever the mighty kings fared forth into their land, the warriors all
must needs accompany them at hand, and Siegfried, too. This the lady rued,
and he, too, suffered many pangs for love of her. Thus he dwelt with the
lordings, of a truth, full a year in Gunther's land, and in all this time he saw
not once the lovely maid, from whom in later days there happed to him
much joy and eke much woe.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Guest" translates here the M.H.G. "gest", a word which may
mean either 'guest' or 'stranger,' and it is often
difficult, as here, to tell to which meaning the preference
should be given.
(2) "Eleven" translates the M.H.G. "selbe zwelfte", which means
one of twelve. The accounts are, however, contradictory, as
a few lines below mention is made of twelve companions of
Siegfried.
(3) "Vair" (O.F. "vair", Lat. "varius"), 'variegated', like the
fur of the squirrel.

(4) "Known". It was a mark of the experienced warrior, that he
was acquainted with the customs and dress of various
countries and with the names and lineage of all important
personages. Thus in the "Hildebrandslied" Hildebrand asks
Hadubrand to tell him his father's name, and adds: "If thou
tellest me the one, I shall know the other."
(5) "Schilbung" and "Nibelung", here spoken of as the sons of a
mighty king, were originally dwarfs, and, according to some
authorities, the original owners of the treasure. Boer, ix,
199, thinks, however, that the name Nibelungs was
transferred from Hagen to these dwarfs at a late stage in
the formation of the saga.
(6) "Angry of mood". The reason of this anger is apparent from
the more detailed account in "Biterolf", 7801. The quarrel
arose from the fact that, according to ancient law,
Siegfried acquired with the sword the rights of the first
born, which the brothers, however, refused to accord to him.
(7) "Balmung". In the older Norse version and in the
"Thidreksaga" Siegfried's sword bore the name of Gram.
(8) "Alberich" is a dwarf king who appears in a number of
legends, e.g., in the "Ortnit saga" and in "Biterolf".
Under the Romance form of his name, "Oberon", he plays an
important role in modern literature.
(9) "Cloak of Darkness". This translates the M.H.G.
"tarnkappe", a word often retained by translators. It is
formed from O.H.G. tarni, 'secret' (cf. O.E. "dyrne"), and
"kappe" from late Latin "cappa", 'cloak'. It rendered the
wearer invisible and gave him the strength of twelve men.

ADVENTURE IV. How He Fought with the
Saxons. (1)
Now there came strange tales to Gunther's land, though messengers sent
them from afar—tales of unknown warriors, who bare them hate. When
they heard this word, in sooth it pleased them not. These warriors will I
name to you: there was Liudeger of Saxon land, a great and lordly prince,
and then from Denmark Liudegast, the king. For their journey they had
gathered many a lordly stranger.
To Gunther's land were come the messengers his foes had sent. Men
asked the strangers for their tidings and bade them hie them soon to court
unto King Gunther. The king gave them greeting fair; he spake: "Be ye
welcome. I have not heard who sent you hither, but let that now be told." So
spake the right good king. But they feared full sore King Gunther's warlike
mood.
"Will ye, O King, permit that we tell the tales we bring, then we shall not
hold our tongue, but name to you the lordings who have sent us hither:
Liudegast and Liudeger; they would march upon this land. Ye have earned
their wrath, indeed we heard that both lords bear you mortal hate. They
would harry at Worms upon the Rhine and have the aid of many a knight;
that may ye know upon our faith. Within twelve weeks the journey must
befall. And ye have aught of good friends, who will help guard your castles
and your lands, let this soon be seen. Here shall be carved by them many a
helm and shield. Or would ye parley with them, let messengers be sent.
Then the numerous bands of your mighty foes will not ride so near you, to
give you pain of heart, from which full many a lusty knight and a good
must die."
"Now bide a time," spake the good king, "till I bethink me better; then ye
shall know my mind. Have I aught of trusty men, I will not withhold from
them these startling tales, but will make complaint thereof unto my friends."
To Gunther, the mighty king, it was loth enow, but in his heart he bare the
speech in secret wise. He bade Hagen be fetched and others of his men, and
sent eftsoon to court for Gernot. Then came the very best of men that could

be found. The king spake: "Men would seek us here in this our land with
mighty armies, now make ye wail for that."
To this Gernot, a brave and lusty knight, made answer: "That will we
fend indeed with swords. Only the fey (2) will fall. So let them die; for their
sake I will not forget my honor. Let these foes of ours be welcome to us."
Then spake Hagen of Troneg: "This thinketh me not good. Liudegast and
Liudeger bear great arrogance; nor can we summon all our men in such
short time. Why tell ye not Siegfried of the thing?" So spake the valiant
knight.
To the messengers they bade give lodging in the town. Whatever hate
they bore them, yet Gunther, the mighty, bade purvey them well, as was but
right, till he discovered of his friends who there was who would lend him
aid. Yet in his fears the king was ill at ease. Just then full blithe a knight,
who wot not what had happed, saw him thus sad and prayed King Gunther
to tell him of the matter. "Much it wondereth me," spake Siegfried, for he it
was, "that ye thus have changed your merry wont, which ye have used thus
far with us."
To this Gunther, the stately knight, replied: "It liketh me not to tell all
folk the grievance which I must bear within my heart in secret wise. Only to
trusty friends should one confide his woe of heart."
At this Siegfried's color waxed both pale and red. To the king he spake: "I
have denied you naught and will gladly help you turn aside your woes. And
ye seek friends, I will be one of them and trow well to deport myself with
honor until mine end."
"Now God reward you, Sir Siegfried, your speech thinketh me good, and
though your prowess help me not, yet do I rejoice to hear that ye are friend
to me, and live I yet a while, I shall repay you well. I will let you hear why I
stand thus sad; from the messengers of my foes I have heard that they
would visit me with war, a thing which knights have never done to us in all
these lands."
"Regard this lightly," spake then Siegfried, "and calm your mood. Do as I
pray you. Let me gain for you both worship and advantage and do ye
command your knights, that they gather to your aid. Should your mighty
foes be helped by thirty thousand (3) men, yet could I withstand them, had I
but a thousand; for that rely on me."

Then spake King Gunther: "For this I'll serve you ever."
"So bid me call a thousand of your men, since of mine own I have but
twelve, and I will guard your land. Faithfully shall the hand of Siegfried
serve you. Hagen shall help us and also Ortwin, Dankwart, and Sindolt,
your trusty men. Folker, the valiant man, shall also ride along; he shall bear
the banner, for to none would I liefer grant it. Let now the envoys ride home
to their masters' lands. Give them to understand they soon shall see us, that
our castles may rest in peace."
Then the king bade summon both his kinsmen and his men. The
messengers of Liudeger betook them to the court. Fain they were that they
should journey home again. Gunther, the good king, made offrance of rich
gifts and gave them safe-convoy. At this their spirits mounted high. "Now
say unto my foes," spake then Gunther, "that they may well give over their
journey and stay at home; but if they will seek me here within my lands,
hardships shall they know, and my friends play me not false."
Rich gifts men bare then for the envoys; enow of these had Gunther to
bestow, nor durst the men of Liudeger refuse them. When at last they took
their leave, they parted hence in merry mood.
Now when the messengers were come to Denmark and King Liudegast
had heard how they parted from the Rhine, as was told him, much he rued,
in sooth, their (4) proud defiance. The envoys said that Gunther had full
many a valiant man-at-arms and among them they saw a warrior stand,
whose name was Siegfried, a hero from Netherland. Little liked it Liudegast
when he heard aright this tale. When the men of Denmark had heard these
tidings told, they hasted all the more to call their friends; till Sir Liudegast
had gathered for his journey full twenty thousand knights from among his
valiant men. Then King Liudeger, also, of Saxon land, sent forth his
summons, till they had forty thousand men and more, with whom they
thought to ride to the Burgundian land.
Likewise at home King Gunther got him men-at-arms among his kin and
the liegemen of his brothers, and among Hagen's men whom they wished to
lead thence for battle. Much need of this the heroes had, but warriors soon
must suffer death from this. Thus they made them ready for the journey.
When they would hence, Folker, the daring, must bear the flag. In such wise
they thought to ride from Worms across the Rhine. Hagen of Troneg was
master of the troop; with them rode Sindolt and Hunolt, too, who wist well

how to merit Gunther's gold. Dankwart, Hagen's brother, and Ortwin, too,
well could they serve with honor in this war.
"Sir King," spake then Siegfried, "stay ye at home; since that your
warriors are willed to follow me, remain ye with the ladies and keep your
spirits high. I trow well to guard for you both honor and estate. Well will I
bring it to pass that those who thought to seek you out at Worms upon the
Rhine, had better far have stayed at home. We shall ride so nigh unto their
land that their proud defiance shall be turned to fear."
From the Rhine they rode through Hesse with their warriors towards
Saxon land, where they later fought. With fire and pillage, too, they harried
all the countryside, so that the two kings did learn of it in dire distress. Then
came they to the border; the warriors marched along. Siegfried, the strong,
gan ask: "Who shall now guard here the troop?" Forsooth never did men
ride more scathfully to the Saxons. They spake: "Let the valiant Dankwart
guard the young upon the way, he is a doughty knight. Thus shall we lose
the less through Liudeger's men. Let him and Ortwin guard the rear."
"Then I myself will ride," spake Siegfried, the knight, "and play the
outlook toward the foe, until I discover aright where these warriors be."
Quickly the son of fair Siegelind donned his harness. The troop he gave in
charge to Hagen, when he would depart, and to Gernot, the valiant man.
Thus he rode hence into the Saxon land alone and many a helmet band he
cut to pieces on that day. Soon he spied the mighty host that lay encamped
upon the plain and far outweighed the forces of his men. Forty thousand or
better still there were. Full blithely Siegfried saw this in lofty mood.
Meantime a warrior full well arrayed had mounted to the outlook 'gainst the
foe. Him Sir Siegfried spied, and the bold man saw him, too. Each began to
watch the other in hostile wise. Who it was, who stood on guard, I'll tell you
now; a gleaming shield of gold lay by his hand. It was the good King
Liudegast, who was guarding here his band. The noble stranger pricked
along in lordly wise.
Now had Sir Liudegast espied him with hostile eye. Into the flanks of
their horses they plunged the spurs; with all their might they couched the
spears against the shields. At this great fear befell the mighty king. After the
thrust the horses carried past each other the royal knights, as though borne
upon the wind. With the bridles they wheeled in knightly wise and the two
fierce champions encountered with their swords. Then smote Sir Siegfried,

so that the whole field did ring. Through the hero's hand from out the
helmets, as from firebrands, flew the bright red sparks. Each in the other
found his match. Sir Liudegast, too, struck many a savage blow; the might
of each broke full upon the shields. Thirty of Liudegast's men stood there
on guard, but ere they could come to his aid, Siegfried had won the fight,
with three groat wounds which he dealt the king through his gleaming
breastplate, the which was passing good. The blood from the wounds
gushed forth along the edges of the sword, whereat King Liudegast stood in
sorry mood. He begged for life and made offrance of his lands and said that
his name was Liudegast. Then came his warrior's, who had witnessed what
there had happed upon the lookout. As Siegfried would lead his captive
thence, he was set upon by thirty of these men. With mighty blows the
hero's hand guarded his noble prize. The stately knight then wrought worse
scathe. In self-defense he did thirty unto death; only one he left alive, who
rode full fast to tell the tale of what here had chanced. By his reddened
helmet one might see the truth. It sorely grieved the men of Denmark, when
the tale was told them that their king was taken captive. Men told it to his
brother, who at the news began to rage with monstrous wrath, for great woe
it brought him.
Liudegast, the warrior, then was led away by Siegfried's might to
Gunther's men and given to Hagen in charge. When that they heard it was
the king, full moderate was their dole. The Burgundians now were bidden
raise their banner. "Up, men," cried Siegfried, "here shall more be done, ere
the day end, and I lose not my life. Full many a stately dame in Saxon land
shall rue this fight. Ye heroes from the Rhine, give heed to me, for I can
guide you well to Liudeger's band. So shall ye see helmets carved by the
hands of goodly knights; ere we turn again, they shall become acquaint with
fear."
To their horses Gernot and all his men now hasted, and soon the stalwart
minstrel, Sir Folker, grasped the battle-flag and rode before the band. Then
were all the comrades arrayed in lordly wise for strife; nor had they more
than a thousand men, and thereto Siegfried's twelve men-at-arms. Now
from the road gan rise the dust, as across the land they rode; many a lordly
shield was seen to gleam from out their midst. There, too, were come the
Saxons with their troops and well-sharpened swords, as I since have heard.
Sore cut these weapons in the heroes' hands, for they would fain guard both
their castles and their land against the strangers. The lordings' marshals led

on the troop. Siegfried, too, was come with his men-at-arms, whom he had
brought from Netherland. In the storm of battle many a hand this day grew
red with blood. Sindolt and Hunolt and Gernot, too, slew many a knight in
the strife, ere these rightly knew the boldness of their foes. This many a
stately dame must needs bewail. Folker and Hagen and Ortwin, too,
dimmed in the battle the gleam of many a helm with flowing blood, these
storm-bold men. By Dankwart, too, great deeds were done.
The men of Denmark proved well their hands; one heard many a shield
resounding from the hurtling and from the sharp swords as well, many of
which were wielded there. The battle-bold Saxons did scathe enow, but
when the men of Burgundy pressed to the fight, by them was really a wide
wound carved. Then down across the saddles the blood was seen to flow.
Thus they fought for honors, these knights both bold and good. Loud rang
the sharp weapons in the heroes' hands, as those of Netherland followed
their lording through the sturdy host. Valiantly they forced their way in
Siegfried's wake, but not a knight from the Rhine was seen to follow.
Through the shining helmets one could see flow the bloody stream, drawn
forth by Siegfried's hand, till at last he found Liudeger before his men-at-
arms. Thrice had he pierced the host from end to end. Now was Hagen
come, who helped him achieve in the battle all his mind. Before them many
a good knight must needs die this day.
When the mighty Liudeger espied Siegfried and saw that he bore high in
hand the good sword Balmung and did slay so many a man, then waxed the
lording wroth and fierce enow. A mighty surging and a mighty clang of
swords arose, as their comrades pressed against each other. The two
champions tried their prowess all the more. The troops began to yield;
fierce grew the hate. To the ruler of the Saxons the tale was told that his
brother had been captured; great dole this gave him. Well he knew it was
the son of Siegelind who had done the deed. Men blamed Sir Gernot, but
later he learned the truth.
So mighty were the blows of Liudeger that Siegfried's charger reeled
beneath the saddle. When the steed recovered, bold Siegfried took on a
frightful usance in the fray. In this Hagen helped him well, likewise Gernot,
Dankwart, and Folker, too. Through them lay many dead. Likewise Sindolt
and Hunolt and Ortwin, the knight, laid many low in strife; side by side in
the fray the noble princes stood. One saw above the helmets many a spear,

thrown by here's hand, hurtling through the gleaming shields. Blood-red
was colored many a lordly buckler; many a man in the fierce conflict was
unhorsed. At each other ran Siegfried, the brave, and Liudeger; shafts were
seen to fly and many a keen-edged spear. Then off flew the shield-plates,
struck by Siegfried's hand; the hero of Netherland thought to win the battle
from the valiant Saxons, wondrous many of whom one saw. Ho! How many
shining armor-rings the daring Dankwart broke!
Then Sir Liudeger espied a crown painted on the shield in Siegfried's
hand. Well he knew that it was Siegfried, the mighty man. To his friends the
hero loudly called: "Desist ye from the strife, my men, here I have seen the
son of Siegmund, Siegfried, the strong, and recognized him well. The foul
fiend himself hath sent him hither to the Saxon land." The banners bade he
lower in the fight. Peace he craved, and this was later granted him, but he
must needs go as hostage to Gunther's land. This was wrung from him by
valiant Siegfried's hand. With one accord they then gave over the strife and
laid aside the many riddled helmets and the broad, battered bucklers.
Whatever of these was found, bore the hue of blood from the Burgundians'
hand. They captured whom they would, for this lay in their power. Gernot
and Hagen, the full bold warriors, bade bear away the wounded; five
hundred stately men they led forth captive to the Rhine. The worsted
knights rode back to Denmark, nor had the Saxons fought so well that one
could give them aught of praise, and this the heroes rued full sore. The
fallen, too, were greatly mourned by friends.
Then they bade place the weapons on sumpters for the Rhine. Siegfried,
the warrior, and his heroes had wrought full well, as Gunther's men must
needs confess. Sir Gernot now sent messengers homeward to Worms in his
native land, and bade tell his kin what great success had happed to him and
to his men, and how these daring knights had striven well for honor. The
squirelings ran and told the tale. Then those who afore had sorrowed, were
blithe for joy at the pleasing tidings that were come. Much questioning was
heard from noble dames, how it had fared with the liegemen of the mighty
king. One of the messengers they bade go to Kriemhild; this happed full
secretly (openly she durst not), for she, too, had amongst them her own true
love. When she saw the messenger coming to her bower, fair Kriemhild
spake in kindly wise: "Now tell me glad news, I pray. And thou dost so
without deceit, I will give thee of my gold and will ever be thy friend. How
fared forth from the battle my brother Gernot and others of my kin? Are

many of them dead perchance? Or who wrought there the best? This thou
must tell me."
Quickly then the envoy spake: "Ne'er a coward did we have, but, to tell
the truth, O noble queen, none rode so well to the strife and fray, as did the
noble stranger from Netherland. Mickle wonders the hand of valiant
Siegfried wrought. Whate'er the knights have done in strife, Dankwart and
Hagen and other men of the king, however much they strove for honor, 'tis
but as the wind compared with Siegfried, the son of Siegmund, the king.
They slew full many a hero in the fray, but none might tell you of the
wonders which Siegfried wrought, whenever he rode into the fight. Great
woe he did the ladies through their kin; upon the field the love of many a
dame lay dead. His blows were heard to ring so loud upon the helmets, that
from the wounds they drew forth the blood in streams. In every knightly art
he is a worthy knight and a brave. Whatever Ortwin of Metz achieved (and
he whom he could reach with his good sword, fell sorely wounded, but
mostly dead), yet your brother wrought the direst woe that could ever
chance in battle. One must say of the chosen knights in truth, that these
proud Burgundians acquitted them so well that they can well preserve their
honor from every taint of shame. Through their hands we saw many a
saddle bare, while the field resounded with the flashing swords. So well
rode the warriors from the Rhine, that it were better for their foes had it
been avoided. The valiant men of Troneg, also, wrought dire woe, when in
great numbers the armies met. Bold Hagen's hand did many a one to death;
of this full many stories might be told here in the Burgundian land. Sindolt
and Hunolt, Gernot's men, Rumolt the brave, have done such deeds that it
may well ever rue Liudeger that he made war upon thy kinsmen by the
Rhine. The very best fight that happed from first to last, that one has ever
seen, was made full lustily by Siegfried's hand. Rich hostages he bringeth to
Gunther's land. He won them by his prowess, this stately man. Of this King
Liudegast must bear the loss and eke his brother Liudeger of Saxon land.
Now listen to my tale, most noble queen: by the hand of Siegfried the twain
were caught. Never have men brought so many hostages to this land, as
now are coming to the Rhine through him. Men are bringing to our land
five hundred or more unharmed captives; and of the deadly wounded, my
lady, know, not less than eighty blood-red biers. These men were mostly
wounded by bold Siegfried's hand. Those who in haughty pride sent a

challenge to the Rhine, must now needs be the captives of Gunther, the
king, and men are bringing them with joy unto this land."
Still higher rose Kriemhild's color when she heard this tale. Her fair face
blushed a rosy red, that Siegfried, the youth, the stately knight, had fared
forth so joyfully from the dangerous strife. These tidings could not have
pleased her better. For her kinsmen, too, she rejoiced in duty bound. Then
spake the lovely maid: "A fair tale thou hast told me; therefore shalt thou
have as guerdon rich attire. Likewise I'll have thee brought ten marks of
gold." (5) Small wonder that such tales are gladly told to noble dames.
They gave him then his guerdon, the garments and the gold. Then many a
fair maid hied her to the casement and gazed upon the street, where many
high-mettled warriors were seen riding into the Burgundian land. There
came the champions, the wounded and the sound. Without shame they
heard the greetings of their friends. Merrily the host rode forth to meet his
guests, for his great sorrow had been turned to joy. Well greeted he his
vassals and the strangers, too; for it was only meet that the mighty king in
courtly wise should thank those who were come back to him, because in the
storm of battle they had won the fight with honor. Gunther bade his
kinsmen tell who had been slain upon the march; but sixty had been lost,
whom one must mourn, as is the wont with heroes. Many a riven shield and
battered helm the unharmed warriors brought to Gunther's land. The men
alighted from their steeds before the palace of the king. Loud was heard the
joyous sound of the merry welcome; then order was given to lodge the
warriors in the town. The king bade minister well unto his guests, attend the
wounded and give them good easement. His courtesie was cleverly seen
upon his foes. He spake to Liudegast: "Now be ye welcome. Much damage
have I ta'en because of you; for this I shall now be repaid, if fortune favor.
God reward my kinsmen, for they have given me joy."
"Well may ye thank them," answered Liudeger; "such noble hostages
hath king never gained afore. For fair treatment we offer great store of
wealth, that ye may act with mercy towards your foes."
"I will let you both go free," spake Gunther, "but I must have surety that
my foes remain here with me, that they do not leave the land against my
will." To that Liudeger pledged his hand.
Men brought them to their lodgings and gave them easement. The
wounded were bedded well, and for the sound were poured out good mead

and wine. Never could the comrades have been more merry. Their battered
shields were borne away for keeping, and enow there was of bloody saddles
which one bade hide away, that the ladies might not weep. Many a good
knight returned aweary from the fray. The king did make his guests great
cheer. His lands were full of strangers and of home-folk. He bade ease the
sorely wounded in kindly wise; their haughty pride was now laid low. Men
offered to the leeches rich rewards, silver without weight and thereto
shining gold, if they would heal the heroes from the stress of war. To his
guests the king likewise gave great gifts. Those that were minded to set out
for home, were asked to stay, as one doth to friends. The king bethought
him how he might requite his men, for they had brought to pass his wish for
fame and honor.
Then spake Lord Gernot: "Let them ride away, but be it made known to
them that in six weeks they must come again for a mighty feast. By then
will many a one be healed who now lieth sorely wounded."
Then Siegfried of Netherland also asked for leave, but when King
Gunther learned his wish, lovingly he bade him stay erstwhile. Were it not
for the king's sister, this were never done. He was too rich to take reward,
though he well deserved it and the king liked him well, as also did the
kinsmen, who had seen what happed in battle through his strength. For the
sake of one fair lady he thought to stay, if perchance he might espy her.
Later it was done, and according to his wish he met the maid. He rode
thereafter joyfully to Siegmund's land.
At all times the host bade practice knighthood, and many a youthful
knight did this right gladly. Meanwhile he ordered seats prepared upon the
sand before the town of Worms for those who were to visit him in the
Burgundian land. At the time when they should come, fair Kriemhild heard
it said that the king would hold a feasting for the sake of his dear friends.
Then comely women hasted apace with robes and headgear which they
were to don. The noble Uta heard tales told of the proud warriors who were
to come. Then many rich dresses were taken from the press. To please her
children she bade make garments ready, that many ladies and many maids
might therewith be decked and many youthful knights of the Burgundian
land. Also for many of the strangers she bade fashion lordly robes.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Saxons". This war with the Saxons does not appear in the

poetic "Edda", but was probably introduced into the story
later to provide the heroes with a suitable activity in the
period elapsing between Siegfried's marriage and the journey
to Brunhild's land. (In our poem it is placed before the
marriage.) It reflects the ancient feuds between the Franks
on the one hand and the Saxons and Danes on the other.
Originally Siegfried probably did not take part in it, but
was later introduced and made the leader of the expedition
in place of the king, in accordance with the tendency to
idealize him and to give him everywhere the most important
role. The two opposing leaders are "Liudeger", lord of the
Saxons, and "Liudegast", king of Denmark. In "Biterolf"
Liudeger rules over both Saxons and Danes, and Liudegast is
his brother.
(2) "Fey". This Scotch and older English word has been chosen
to translate the M.H.G. "veige", 'fated', 'doomed', as it is
etymologically the same word. The ancient Germans were
fatalists and believed only those would die in battle whom
fate had so predestined.
(3) "Thirty thousand". The M.H.G. epics are fond of round
numbers and especially of thirty and its multiples. They
will be found to occur very frequently in our poem. See
Lachmann, "Anmerkungen zu den Nibelungen", 474 1.
(4) "Their". The original is obscure here; the meaning is,
'when he heard with what message they were come, he rued the
haughtiness of the Burgundians'.
(5) "Marks of gold". A mark (Lat. "mares") was half a pound of
gold or silver.

ADVENTURE V. How Siegfried First Saw
Kriemhild.
One saw daily riding to the Rhine those who would fain be at the
feasting. Full many of these who for the king's sake were come into the
land, were given steeds and lordly harness. Seats were prepared for all, for
the highest and the best, as we are told, for two and thirty princes at the
feast. For this, too, the fair ladies vied in their attire. Giselher, the youth,
was aught but idle; he and Gernot and all their men received the friends and
strangers. In truth, they gave the knights right courtly greetings. These
brought into the land many a saddle of golden red, dainty shields and lordly
armor to the feasting on the Rhine. Many a wounded man was seen full
merry since. Even those who lay abed in stress of wounds, must needs
forget the bitterness of death. Men ceased to mourn for the weak and sick
and joyed in prospect of the festal day, and how well they would fare at the
feasting of the king. Pleasure without stint and overabundance of joy
pervaded all the folk which there were seen. Therefore great rejoicing arose
throughout the whole of Gunther's land.
Upon a Whitsun morning five thousand or more brave men, clad in glad
attire, were seen going forth to the high festal tide. On all sides they vied
with each other in knightly sports. The host marked well, what he already
wet, how from his very heart the hero of Netherland did love his sister,
albeit he had never seen her, whose comeliness men praised above all
maids. Then spake the knight Ortwin to the king: "Would ye have full honor
at your feast, so should ye let be seen the charming maids, who live in such
high honors here in Burgundy. What were the joy of man, what else could
give him pleasure, but pretty maids and noble dames? Pray let your sister
go forth before the guests." To the joy of many a hero was this counsel
given.
"This will I gladly do," spake then the king, and all who heard it were
merry at the thought. Then bade he say to the Lady Uta and her comely
daughter, that with their maidens they should come to court. From the
presses they took fair raiment and whatso of rich attire was laid away. Of

rings and ribbons, too, enow they had. Thus each stately maiden decked
herself with zeal. Full many a youthful knight upon that day was of the
mind that he was so fair to look upon for ladies, that he would not exchange
this chance for the lands of any mighty king. Gladly they gazed on those
whom till now they had not known. Then bade the mighty king full a
hundred of his men, who were his kin and hers, escort his sister and serve
her thus. These were the court retainers of the Burgundian land and carried
swords in hand. Soon one saw the noble Uta coming with her child. Full
hundred or more fair ladies had she taken for her train, who wore rich
robes. Likewise there followed her daughter many a stately maid. When
from out a bower men saw them come, there rose a mighty press of knights
who had the hope, if that might be, to gaze with joy upon the noble maid.
Now came she forth, the lovely fair, as doth the red of dawn from out the
lowering clouds. He then was reft of many woes who bore her in his heart
so long a time, when he saw the lovely maid stand forth so glorious. How
shone full many a precious stone upon her robes! In lovely wise her rose-
red hue appeared. Whatever one might wish, he could not but confess that
never in the world had he beheld a fairer maid. As the radiant moon, whose
sheen is thrown so brightly on the clouds, doth stand before the stars, so
stood she now before full many a stately dame. Therefore higher rose the
spirits of the comely knights. Richly appareled chamberlains marched on in
front, while the high-mettled warriors forsooth must press where they might
see the lovely maid. At this Lord Siegfried felt both joy and dole. To
himself he thought: "How could that chance, that I should love thee? That is
a foolish dream. But if I now must lose thee, then were I better dead." At
thought of this his color came and went. There stood the son of Siegmund
in such dainty grace, as he were limned on parchment by skillful master's
art. Indeed 'twas said of him that never had so fair a knight been seen. The
escort of the ladies now bade everywhere give way and many a man
obeyed. These high-born hearts rejoiced full many a wight, as thus so many
a noble dame appeared in courtly bearing.
Then spake Lord Gernot of Burgundy: "Dear brother Gunther, him who
offered service in such kindly wise, ye should in like manner requite before
these knights; nor shall I ever rue this counsel. Bid Siegfried now approach
my sister, that the maid may greet him; this will ever be our gain. She who
never greeted warrior shall greet him fair, that by this means we now may
win the stately knight."

Then went the kinsmen of the host to fetch the hero. To the champion
from Netherland they spake: "You hath the king permitted to go to court;
his sister is to greet you. This hath he decreed to do you honor."
At this the lord grew blithe of mood, for in his heart he bare joy without
alloy, that he thus should see fair Uta's child. With lovely grace she greeted
Siegfried then, but when she saw the haughty knight stand thus before her,
her cheeks flamed bright. "Be welcome, Sir Siegfried, most good and noble
knight," the fair maid spake, and at this greeting his spirits mounted high.
Courteously he made obeisance; she took him by the hand. How gallantly
he walked by the lady's side! Upon each other this lord and lady gazed with
kindling eyes. Full secretly this happed. Was perchance a white hand there
fervently pressed by heart-felt love? That know I not; yet I cannot believe
that this was left undone, for soon had she betrayed to him her love.
Nevermore in summertide nor in the days of May bare he within his heart
such lofty joy as now he gained, when hand in hand he walked with her
whom he fain would call his love.
Then thought full many a knight: "Had that but happed to me, to walk
thus with her hand in hand, as now I see him do, or to lie beside her, I'd bear
it willingly."
Never has warrior better served to gain a queen. From whatever land the
guests were come, all gazed alike upon this pair alone. She then was bidden
kiss the stately man, to whom no such delight had ever happened in this
world.
Then spake the king of Denmark: "Because of this high greeting many a
warrior lieth wounded (this wot I well), through Siegfried's hand. God grant
that he may never come again to my kingly lands."
On all sides they bade make way for Kriemhild, as thus to church one
saw her go with many a valiant knight in courtly wise. Then soon the stately
knight was parted from her side. Thus went she to the minster, followed by
many a dame. So full of graces was this queenly maid that many a daring
wish must needs be lost. Born she was to be the eyes' delight of many a
knight. Siegfried scarce could wait till mass was sung. Well might he think
his fortune that she did favor him, whom thus he bare in heart. Cause enow
he had to love the fair.
When she came forth from out the minster, they begged the gallant knight
again to bear her company, as he had done afore. Then first the lovely maid

began to thank him that he had fought so gloriously before so many knights.
"Now God requite you, Sir Siegfried," spake the comely maid, "that ye have
brought to pass with your service, that the warriors do love you with such
fealty as I hear them say."
Then upon Dame Kriemhild he began to gaze in loving wise. "I will
serve them ever," spake then the knight, "and while life shall last, never will
I lay my head to rest till I have done their will; and this I do, my Lady
Kriemhild, to win your love."
A twelfth-night long, on each and every day, one saw the winsome maid
beside the knight, when she should go to court to meet her kin. This service
was done from sheer delight. A great rout of joy and pleasure was daily seen
in front of Gunther's hall, without and eke within, from many a daring man.
Ortwin and Hagen began to do great marvels. Whatever any wished to play,
these lusty knights were fully ready; thus they became well known to all the
guests and so the whole of Gunther's land was decked with honor. Those
who had lain wounded were now seen coming forth; they, too, would fain
have pastime with the troop and guard themselves with bucklers and hurl
the shaft. Enow there were to help them, for there was great store of men.
At the feasting the host bade purvey them with the best of cheer. He kept
him free from every form of blame that might befall a king; men saw him
move in friendly wise among his guests. He spake: "Ye worthy knights, ere
ye go hence, pray take my gifts. I am minded to deserve it of you ever. Do
not disdain my goods, the which I'll share with you, as I have great desire."
Then up spake they of Denmark: "Ere we ride homeward to our land, we
crave a lasting peace; we knights have need thereof, for many a one of our
kinsmen lieth dead at the hands of your men-at-arms."
Liudegast, the Saxon chief, was now cured of his wounds and had
recovered from the fray, though many dead they left within this land. Then
King Gunther went to find Sir Siegfried; to the knight he spake: "Now tell
me what to do. Our foes would fain ride early and beg for lasting peace of
me and of my men. Advise me now, Knight Siegfried, what thinketh thee
good to do? What the lordings offer me will I tell thee; what of gold five
hundred steeds can bear, that would they gladly give me, and I set them free
again."
Then spake the mighty Siegfried: "That were done but ill. Let them ride
hence unhindered, but make each of the lordings give surety with his hand,

that their noble knights henceforth forbear all hostile riding hither to your
land."
"This counsel will I follow." Herewith they parted, and to the king's foes
was told that no one craved the gold they proffered. For their loved friends
at home the battle-weary warriors longed. Many a shield full of treasure
was then brought forth which the king dealt out unweighed to his many
friends, to each five hundred marks of gold, and to a few, still more. Gernot,
the brave, had counseled Gunther this. Then they all took leave, sith they
would hence. One saw the guests draw nigh to Kriemhild and also to where
Dame Uta sate. Never yet were knights dismissed in better wise. Lodgings
grew empty as they rode away, but still there stayed at home the king and
all his kin and many a noble liegeman. Daily they were seen as they went to
Lady Kriemhild. The good knight Siegfried now would likewise take his
leave; he weened not to win that on which his mind was set. The king heard
said that he would hence, but Giselher, the youth, quite won him from the
journey.
"Whither would ye ride now, noble Siegfried? Pray tarry with the
knights, I beg you, with Gunther the king and with his men. Here, too, are
many comely dames whom we shall gladly let you see."
Then spake the mighty Siegfried: "Let stand the steeds. I listed to ride
hence, but now will I desist. The shields, too, bear away. To my land I
craved to go, in truth, but Giselher with his great love hath turned me from
it."
So the valiant knight stayed on to please his friends, nor could he have
fared more gentilly in any land. This happed because he daily saw
Kriemhild, the fair; for the sake of her unmeasured beauty the lording
stayed. With many a pastime they whiled the hours away, but still her love
constrained him and often gave him dole. Because of this same love in later
days the valiant knight lay pitiful in death.

ADVENTURE VI. How Gunther Fared To
Isenland (1) for Brunhild.
New tidings came across the Rhine. 'Twas said that yonder many a fair
maid dwelt. The good king Gunther thought to win him one of these; high
therefore rose the warrior's spirits. There lived a queen beyond the sea,
whose like men knew not anywhere. Peerless was her beauty and great her
strength. With doughty knights she shot the shaft for love. The stone she
hurled afar and sprang far after it. He who craved her love must win without
fail three games from this high-born dame. When the noble maid had done
this passing oft, a stately knight did hear it by the Rhine. He turned his
thoughts upon this comely dame, and so heroes must needs later lose their
lives.
One day when the king and his vassals sate and pondered to and fro in
many a wise, whom their lord might take to wife, who would be fit to be
their lady and beseem the land, up spake the lord of the Rhinelands: "I will
go down to the sea and hence to Brunhild, however it may go with me. For
her love I'll risk my life. I will gladly lose it and she become not my wife."
"Against that do I counsel you," spake then Siegfried, "if, as ye say, the
queen doth have so fierce a wont, he who wooeth for her love will pay full
dear. Therefore should ye give over the journey."
Then spake King Gunther: "Never was woman born so strong and bold
that I might not vanquish her with mine own hand."
"Be still," spake Siegfried, "ye little know her strength."
"So will I advise you," spake Hagen then, "that ye beg Siegfried to share
with you this heavy task. This is my rede, sith he doth know so well how
matters stand with Brunhild."
The king spake: "Wilt thou help me, noble Siegfried, to woo this lovely
maid? And thou doest what I pray thee and this comely dame become my
love, for thy sake will I risk both life and honor."
To this Siegfried, the son of Siegmund, answered: "I will do it, and thou
give me thy sister Kriemhild, the noble queen. For my pains I ask no other

meed."
"I'll pledge that, Siegfried, in thy hand," spake then Gunther, "and if fair
Brunhild come hither to this land, I'll give thee my sister unto wife. Then
canst thou live ever merrily with the fair."
This the noble warriors swore oaths to do, and so the greater grew their
hardships, till they brought the lady to the Rhine. On this account these
brave men must later be in passing danger. Siegfried had to take with him
hence the cloak which he, the bold hero, had won 'mid dangers from a
dwarf, Alberich he hight. These bold and mighty knights now made them
ready for the journey. When Siegfried wore the Cloak of Darkness he had
strength enow: the force of full twelve men beside his own. With cunning
arts he won the royal maid. This cloak was fashioned so, that whatsoever
any wrought within it, none saw him. Thus he won Brunhild, which brought
him dole.
"Now tell me, good Knight Siegfried, before our trip begin, shall we not
take warriors with us into Brunhild's land, that we may come with passing
honors to the sea? Thirty thousand men-at-arms can soon be called."
"However many men we take," quoth Siegfried, "the queen doth use so
fierce a wont that they must perish through her haughty pride. I'll give thee
better counsel, O brave and worthy king. Let us fare as wandering knights
adown the Rhine, and I will tell thee those that shall be of the band. In all
four knights, we'll journey to the sea and thus we'll woo the lady, whatever
be our fate thereafter. I shall be one of the four comrades, the second thou
shalt be. Let Hagen be the third (then have we hope of life), Dankwart then
the fourth, the valiant man. A thousand others durst not match us in the
fight."
"Gladly would I know," spake then the king, "ere we go hence ('t would
please me much), what garments we should wear before Brunhild, which
would beseem us there. Pray tell this now to Gunther."
"Weeds of the very best which can be found are worn all times in
Brunhild's land. We must wear rich clothes before the lady, that we feel no
shame when men shall hear the tidings told."
The good knight spake: "Then will I go myself to my dear mother, if
perchance I can bring it to pass that her fair maids purvey us garments
which we may wear with honor before the high-born maid."

Hagen of Troneg spake then in lordly wise: "Wherefore will ye pray your
mother of such service? Let your sister hear what ye have in mind, and
she'll purvey you well for your journey to Brunhild's court."
Then sent he word to his sister, that he would fain see her, and Knight
Siegfried, too, sent word. Ere this happed the fair had clad her passing well.
That these brave men were coming, gave her little grief. Now were her
attendants, too, arrayed in seemly wise. The lordings came, and when she
heard the tale, from her seat she rose and walked in courtly wise to greet the
noble stranger and her brother, too.
"Welcome be my brother and his comrade. I'd gladly know," so spake the
maid, "what ye lords desire, sith ye be thus come to court. Pray let me hear
how it standeth with you noble knights."
Then spake king Gunther: "My lady, I'll tell you now. Maugre our lofty
mood, yet have we mickle care. We would ride a-wooing far into foreign
lands, and for this journey we have need of costly robes."
"Now sit you down, dear brother," spake the royal maid, "and let me hear
aright who these ladies be whom ye fain would woo in the lands of other
kings."
By the hand the lady took the chosen knights and with the twain she
walked to where she sate afore upon a couch, worked, as well I wot, with
dainty figures embossed in gold. There might they have fair pastime with
the ladies. Friendly glances and kindly looks passed now full oft between
the twain. In his heart he bare her, she was dear to him as life. In after days
fair Kriemhild became strong Siegfried's wife.
Then spake the mighty king: "Dear sister mine, without thy help it may
not be. We would go for knightly pastime to Brunhild's land, and have need
of princely garb to wear before the dames."
Then the noble maiden answered: "Dear brother mine, I do you now to
wit, that whatever need ye have of help of mine, that stand I ready to give.
Should any deny you aught, 't would please Kriemhild but ill. Most noble
knights, beseech me not with such concern, but order me with lordly air to
do whatso ye list. I stand at your bidding and will do it with a will." So
spake the winsome maid.
"We would fain, dear sister, wear good attire, and this your noble hand
shall help to choose. Your maidens then must make it fit us, for there be no

help against this journey." Then spake the princess: "Now mark ye what I
say. Silks I have myself; see ye that men do bring us jewels upon the shields
and thus we'll work the clothes. Gunther and Siegfried, too, gave glad
assent.
"Who are the comrades," spake the queen, "who shall fare with you thus
clad to court?"
He spake: "I shall be one of four. My liegemen twain, Dankwart and
Hagen, shall go with me to court. Now mark ye well, my lady, what I say.
Each of us four must have to wear for four whole days three changes of
apparel and such goodly trappings that without shame we may quit
Brunhild's land."
In fitting wise the lords took leave and parted hence. Kriemhild, the
queen, bade thirty of her maidens who were skillful in such work, come
forth from out their bowers. Silks of Araby, white as snow, and the fair silk
of Zazamanc, (2) green as is the clover, they overlaid with precious stones;
that gave garments passing fair. Kriemhild herself, the high-born maiden,
cut them out. Whatso they had at hand of well-wrought linings from the
skin of foreign fish, but rarely seen of folk, they covered now with silk, as
was the wont to wear. (3) Now hear great marvels of these shining weeds.
From the kingdom of Morocco and from Libya, too, they had great store of
the fairest silks which the kith of any king did ever win. Kriemhild made it
well appear what love she bore the twain. Sith upon the proud journey they
had set their minds, they deemed ermine to be well fit. (4) Upon this lay
fine silk as black as coal. This would still beseem all doughty knights at
high festal tides. From out a setting of Arabian gold there shone forth many
a stone. The ladies' zeal, it was not small, forsooth; in seven weeks they
wrought the robes. Ready, too, were the weapons for the right good knights.
When now they all stood dight, (5) there was built for them in haste upon
the Rhine a sturdy little skiff, that should bear them downward to the sea.
Weary were the noble maids from all their cares. Then the warriors were
told that the brave vestures they should wear were now prepared; as they
had craved it, so it now was done. Then no longer would they tarry on the
Rhine; they sent a message to their war-companions, if perchance they
should care to view their new attire, to see if it be too long or short. All was
found in fitting measure, and for this they gave the ladies thanks. All who
saw them could not but aver that never in the world had they seen attire

more fair. Therefore they wore it gladly at the court. None wist how to tell
of better knightly weeds. Nor did they fail to give great thanks. Then the
lusty knights craved leave to go, and this the lordings did in courtly wise.
Bright eyes grew dim and moist thereat from weeping.
Kriemhild spake: "Dear brother, ye might better tarry here a while and
pay court to other dames, where ye would not so risk your life; then would I
say well done. Ye might find nearer home a wife of as high a birth."
I ween their hearts did tell them what would hap. All wept alike, no
matter what men said. The gold upon their breasts was tarnished by their
tears, which thick and fast coursed downward from their eyes.
She spake: "Sir Siegfried, let this dear brother of mine be commended to
your fealty and troth, that naught may harm him in Brunhild's land." This
the full brave knight vowed in Lady Kriemhild's hand.
The mighty warrior spake: "If I lose not my life, ye may be free from
every care, my lady. I'll bring him to you sound again hither to the Rhine;
that know of a surety." The fair maid bowed her thanks.
Men bare their gold-hued shields out to them upon the sands and brought
them all their harness. One bade lead up the steeds, for they would ride
away. Much weeping then was done by comely dames. The winsome maids
stood at the easements. A high wind stirred the ship and sails; the proud war
fellowship embarked upon the Rhine.
Then spake King Gunther: "Who shall be the captain of the ship?"
"That will I," quoth Siegfried, "I wot well how to steer you on the flood.
That know, good knights, the right water ways be well known to me."
So they parted merrily from out the Burgundian land. Siegfried quickly
grasped an oar and from the shore the stalwart man gan push. Bold Gunther
took the helm himself, and thus the worshipful and speedy knights set forth
from land. With them they took rich food and eke good wine, the best that
could be found along the Rhine. Their steeds stood fair; they had good
easement. Their ship rode well; scant harm did hap them. Their stout sheet-
rope was tightened by the breeze. Twenty leagues they sailed, or ever came
the night, with a good wind, downward toward the sea. These hard toils
later brought the high-mettled warriors pain.
Upon the twelfth-day morning, as we hear say, the winds had borne them
far away to Isenstein in Brunhild's land. To none save Siegfried was this

known; but when King Gunther spied so many castles and broad marches,
too, how soon he spake: "Pray tell me, friend Siegfried, is it known to you
whose are these castles and this lordly land?"
Siegfried answered: "I know it well. It is the land and folk of Brunhild
and the fortress Isenstein, as ye heard me say. Fair ladies ye may still see
there to-day. Methinketh good to advise you heroes that ye be of one single
mind, and that ye tell the selfsame tale. For if we go to-day before Brunhild,
in much jeopardy must we stand before the queen. When we behold the
lovely maiden with her train, then, ye far-famed heroes, must ye tell but this
single tale: that Gunther be my master and I his man; then what he craveth
will come to pass." Full ready they were for whatever he bade them vow,
nor because of pride did any one abstain. They promised what he would;
wherefrom they all fared well, when King Gunther saw fair Brunhild. (6)
"Forsooth I vow it less for thy sake than for thy sister's, the comely maid,
who is to me as mine own soul and body. Gladly will I bring it to pass, that
she become my wife."

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Isenland" translates here M.H.G. "Islant", which has,
however, no connection with Iceland in spite of the
agreement of the names in German. "Isen lant", the reading
of the MSS. BJh, has been chosen, partly to avoid confusion,
and partly to indicate its probable derivation from
"Isenstein", the name of Brunhild's castle. Boer's
interpretation of "Isen" as 'ice' finds corroboration in
Otfrid's form "isine steina" ('ice stones', i.e. crystals)
I, 1. 70. Isenstein would then mean Ice Castle. In the
"Thidreksaga" Brunhild's castle is called "Saegarthr" ('Sea
Garden'), and in a fairy tale (No. 93 of Grimm) "Stromberg",
referring to the fact that it was surrounded by the sea.
Here, too, in our poem it stands directly on the shore.
(2) "Zazamanc", a fictitious kingdom mentioned only here and a
few times in Parzival, Wolfram probably having obtained the
name from this passage. (See Bartsch, "Germanistische
Studien", ii, 129.)
(3) "Wont to wear". In the Middle Ages costly furs and
fish-skins were used as linings and covered, as here
described, with silk or cloth. By fish such amphibious
animals as otter and beaver were often meant.
(4) "Well fit". In this passage "wert", the reading of A and D,
has been followed, instead of unwert of B and C, as it seems
more appropriate to the sense.
(5) "Dight", 'arrayed'; used by Milton.
(6) "Brunhild". The following words are evidently a late
interpolation, and weaken the ending, but have been
translated for the sake of completeness. They are spoken by
Siegfried.

ADVENTURE VII. How Gunther Won Brunhild.
Meanwhile their bark had come so near the castle that the king saw many
a comely maiden standing at the casements. Much it irked King Gunther
that he knew them not. He asked his comrade Siegfried: "Hast thou no
knowledge of these maidens, who yonder are gazing downward towards us
on the flood? Whoever be their lord, they are of lofty mood."
At this Sir Siegfried spake: "I pray you, spy secretly among the high-born
maids and tell me then whom ye would choose, and ye had the power."
"That will I," spake Gunther, the bold and valiant knight. "In yonder
window do I see one stand in snow-white weeds. She is fashioned so fair
that mine eyes would choose her for her comeliness. Had I power, she
should become my wife."
"Right well thine eyes have chosen for thee. It is the noble Brunhild, the
comely maid, for whom thy heart doth strive and eke thy mind and mood."
All her bearing seemed to Gunther good.
When bade the queen her high-born maids go from the windows, for it
behooved them not to be the mark of strangers' eyes. Each one obeyed.
What next the ladies did, hath been told us since. They decked their persons
out to meet the unknown knights, a way fair maids have ever had. To the
narrow casements they came again, where they had seen the knights.
Through love of gazing this was done.
But four there were that were come to land. Through the windows the
stately women saw how Siegfried led a horse out on the sand, whereby
King Gunther felt himself much honored. By the bridle he held the steed, so
stately, good and fair, and large and strong, until King Gunther had sat him
in the saddle. Thus Siegfried served him, the which he later quite forgot.
Such service he had seldom done afore, that he should stand at any here's
stirrup. Then he led his own steed from the ship. All this the comely dames
of noble birth saw through the casements. The steeds and garments, too, of
the lusty knights, of snow-white hue, were right well matched and all alike;
the bucklers, fashioned well, gleamed in the hands of the stately men. In
lordly wise they rode to Brunhild's hall, their saddles set with precious

stones, with narrow martingales, from which hung bells of bright and ruddy
gold. So they came to the land, as well befit their prowess, with newly
sharpened spears, with well-wrought swords, the which hung down to the
spurs of these stately men. The swords the bold men bore were sharp and
broad. All this Brunhild, the high-born maid, espied.
With the king came Dankwart and Hagen, too. We have heard tales told
of how the knights wore costly raiment, raven black of hue. Fair were their
bucklers, mickle, good and broad. Jewels they wore from the land of India,
the which gleamed gloriously upon their weeds. By the flood they left their
skiff without a guard. Thus the brave knights and good rode to the castle.
Six and eighty towers they saw within, three broad palaces, (1) and one hall
well wrought of costly marble, green as grass, wherein Brunhild herself sate
with her courtiers. The castle was unlocked and the gates flung wide. Then
ran Brunhild's men to meet them and welcomed the strangers into their
mistress' land. One bade relieve them of their steeds and shields.
Then spake a chamberlain: "Pray give us now your swords and your
shining breastplates, too."
"That we may not grant you," said Hagen of Troneg; "we ourselves will
bear them."
Then gan Siegfried tell aright the tale. "The usage of the castle, let me
say, is such that no guests may here bear arms. Let them now be taken
hence, then will all be well."
Unwillingly Hagen, Gunther's man, obeyed. For the strangers men bade
pour out wine and make their lodgings ready. Many doughty knights were
seen walking everywhere at court in lordly weeds. Mickle and oft were
these heroes gazed upon.
Then the tidings were told to Lady Brunhild, that unknown warriors were
come in lordly raiment, sailing on the flood. The fair and worthy maid gan
ask concerning this. "Pray let me hear," spake the queen, "who be these
unknown knights, who stand so lordly in my castle, and for whose sake the
heroes have journeyed hither?"
Then spake one of the courtiers: "My lady, I can well say that never have
I set eyes on any of them, but one like Siegfried doth stand among them.
Him ye should give fair greetings; that is my rede, in truth. The second of
their fellowship is so worthy of praise that he were easily a mighty king
over broad and princely lands, and he had the power and might possess

them. One doth see him stand by the rest in such right lordly wise. The third
of the fellowship is so fierce and yet withal so fair of body, most noble
queen. By the fierce glances he so oft doth east, I ween he be grim of
thought and mood. The youngest among them is worshipful indeed. I see
the noble knight stand so charmingly, with courtly bearing, in almost
maiden modesty. We might all have cause for fear, had any done him aught.
However blithely he doth practice chivalry, and howso fair of body he be,
yet might he well make many a comely woman weep, should he e'er grow
angry. He is so fashioned that in all knightly virtues he must be a bold
knight and a brave."
Then spake the queen: "Now bring me my attire. If the mighty Siegfried
be come unto this land through love of mine, he doth risk his life. I fear him
not so sore, that I should become his wife."
Brunhild, the fair, was soon well clad. Then went there with her many a
comely maid, full hundred or more, decked out in gay attire. The stately
dames would gaze upon the strangers. With them there walked good knights
from Isenland, Brunhild's men-at-arms, five hundred or more, who bore
swords in hand. This the strangers rued. From their seats then the brave and
lusty heroes rose. When that the queen spied Siegfried, now hear what the
maid did speak.
"Be ye welcome, Siegfried, here in this our land! What doth your journey
mean? That I fain would know."
"Gramercy, my Lady Brunhild, that ye have deigned to greet me, most
generous queen, in the presence of this noble knight who standeth here
before me, for he is my liege lord. This honor I must needs forswear. By
birth he's from the Rhine; what more need I to say? For thy sake are we
come hither. Fain would he woo thee, however he fare. Methink thee now
betimes, my lord will not let thee go. He is hight Gunther and is a lordly
king. An' he win thy love, he doth crave naught more. Forsooth this knight,
so well beseen, did bid me journey hither. I would fain have given it over,
could I have said him nay."
She spake: "Is he thy liege and thou his man, dare he assay the games
which I mete out and gain the mastery, then I'll become his wife; but should
I win, 't will cost you all your lives."
Then up spake Hagen of Troneg: "My lady, let us see your mighty games.
It must indeed go hard, or ever Gunther, my lord, give you the palm. He

troweth well to win so fair a maid."
"He must hurl the stone and after spring and cast the spear with me. Be
ye not too hasty. Ye are like to lose here your honor and your life as well.
Bethink you therefore rightly," spake the lovely maid.
Siegfried, the bold, went to the king and bade him tell the queen all that
he had in mind, he should have no fear. "I'll guard you well against her with
my arts."
Then spake King Gunther: "Most noble queen, now mete out whatso ye
list, and were it more, that would I all endure for your sweet sake. I'll gladly
lose my head, and ye become not my wife."
When the queen heard this speech, she begged them hasten to the games,
as was but meet. She bade purvey her with good armor for the strife: a
breastplate of ruddy gold and a right good shield. A silken surcoat, (2) too,
the maid put on, which sword had never cut in any fray, of silken cloth of
Libya. Well was it wrought. Bright embroidered edging was seen to shine
thereon.
Meanwhile the knights were threatened much with battle cries. Dankwart
and Hagen stood ill at ease; their minds were troubled at the thought of how
the king would speed. Thought they: "Our journey will not bring us
warriors aught of good."
Meanwhile Siegfried, the stately man, or ever any marked it, had hied
him to the ship, where he found his magic cloak concealed. Into it he
quickly slipped and so was seen of none. He hurried back and there he
found a great press of knights, where the queen dealt out her lofty games.
Thither he went in secret wise (by his arts it happed), nor was he seen of
any that were there. The ring had been marked out, where the games should
be, afore many valiant warriors, who were to view them there. More than
seven hundred were seen bearing arms, who were to say who won the
game.
Then was come Brunhild, armed as though she would battle for all royal
lands. Above her silken coat she wore many a bar of gold; gloriously her
lovely color shone beneath the armor. Then came her courtiers, who bare
along a shield of ruddy gold with large broad strips as hard as steel, beneath
the which the lovely maid would fight. As shield-thong there served a costly
band upon which lay jewels green as grass. It shone and gleamed against
the gold. He must needs be passing bold, to whom the maid would show her

love. The shield the maid should bear was three spans thick beneath the
studs, as we are told. Rich enow it was, of steel and eke of gold, the which
four chamberlains could scarcely carry.
When the stalwart Hagen saw the shield borne forth, the knight of Troneg
spake full grim of mood: "How now, King Gunther? How we shall lose our
lives! She you would make your love is the devil's bride, in truth."
Hear now about her weeds; enow of these she had; she wore a surcoat of
silk of Azagouc, (3) noble and costly. Many a lordly stone shone in contrast
to its color on the person of the queen.
Then was brought forth for the lady a spear, sharp, heavy, and large, the
which she cast all time, stout and unwieldy, mickle and broad, which on its
edges cut most fearfully. Of the spear's great weight hear wonders told.
Three and one half weights (4) of iron were wrought therein, the which
scarce three of Brunhild's men could bear. The noble Gunther gan be sore
afraid. Within his heart he thought: "What doth this mean? How could the
devil from hell himself escape alive? Were I safe and sound in Burgundy,
long might she live here free of any love of mine."
Then spake Hagen's brother, the valiant Dankwart: "The journey to this
court doth rue me sore. We who have ever borne the name of knights, how
must we lose our lives! Shall we now perish at the hands of women in these
lands? It doth irk me much, that ever I came unto this country. Had but my
brother Hagen his sword in hand, and I mine, too, then should Brunhild's
men go softly in their overweening pride. This know for sure, they'd guard
against it well. And had I sworn a peace with a thousand oaths, before I'd
see my dear lord die, the comely maid herself should lose her life."
"We might leave this land unscathed," spake then his brother Hagen, "had
we the harness which we sorely need and our good swords as well; then
would the pride of this strong dame become a deal more soft."
What the warrior spake the noble maid heard well. Over her shoulders
she gazed with smiling mouth. "Now sith he thinketh himself so brave,
bring them forth their coats-of-mail; put in the warriors' hands their sharp-
edged swords."
When they received their weapons as the maiden bade, bold Dankwart
blushed for very joy. "Now let them play whatso they list," spake the
doughty man. "Gunther is unconquered, since now we have our arms."

Mightily now did Brunhild's strength appear. Into the ring men bare a
heavy stone, huge and great, mickle and round. Twelve brave and valiant
men-at-arms could scarcely bear it. This she threw at all times, when she
had shot the spear. The Burgundians' fear now grew amain.
"Woe is me," cried Hagen. "Whom hath King Gunther chosen for a love?
Certes she should be the foul fiend's bride in hell."
Upon her fair white arm the maid turned back her sleeves; with her hands
she grasped the shield and poised the spear on high. Thus the strife began.
Gunther and Siegfried feared Brunhild's hate, and had Siegfried not come to
Gunther's aid, she would have bereft the king of life. Secretly Siegfried
went and touched his hand; with great fear Gunther marked his wiles. "Who
hath touched me?" thought the valiant man. Then he gazed around on every
side, but saw none standing there.
"'Tis I, Siegfried, the dear friend of thine. Thou must not fear the queen.
Give me the shield from off thy hand and let me bear it and mark aright
what thou dost hear me say. Make thou the motions, I will do the deeds."
When Gunther knew that it was Siegfried, he was overjoyed.
Quoth Siegfried: "Now hide thou my arts; tell them not to any man; then
can the queen win from thee little fame, albeit she doth desire it. See how
fearlessly the lady standeth now before thee."
Then with might and main the noble maiden hurled the spear at a shield,
mickle, new, and broad, which the son of Siegelind bore upon his arm. The
sparks sprang from the steel, as if the wind did blow. The edge of the
mighty spear broke fully through the shield, so that men saw the fire flame
forth from the armor rings. The stalwart men both staggered at the blow; but
for the Cloak of Darkness they had lain there dead. From the mouth of
Siegfried, the brave, gushed forth the blood. Quickly the good knight
sprang back again and snatched the spear that she had driven through his
shield. Stout Siegfried's hand now sent it back again. He thought: "I will not
pierce the comely maid." So he reversed the point and cast it at her armor
with the butt, that it rang out loudly from his mighty hand. The sparks flew
from the armor rings, as though driven by the wind. Siegmund's son had
made the throw with might. With all her strength she could not stand before
the blow. In faith King Gunther never could have done the deed.
Brunhild, the fair, how quickly up she sprang! "Gunther, noble knight, I
cry you mercy for the shot." She weened that he had done it with his

strength. To her had crept a far more powerful man. Then went she quickly,
angry was her mood. The noble maid and good raised high the stone and
hurled it mightily far from her hand. After the cast she sprang, that all her
armor rang, in truth. The stone had fallen twelve fathoms hence, but with
her leap the comely maid out-sprang the throw. Then went Sir Siegfried to
where lay the stone. Gunther poised it, while the hero made the throw.
Siegfried was bold, strong, and tall; he threw the stone still further and
made a broader jump. Through his fair arts he had strength enow to bear
King Gunther with him as he sprang. The leap was made, the stone lay on
the ground; men saw none other save Gunther, the knight, alone. Siegfried
had banished the fear of King Gunther's death. Brunhild, the fair, waxed red
with wrath. To her courtiers she spake a deal too loud, when she spied the
hero safe and sound at the border of the ring: "Come nearer quickly, ye
kinsmen and liegemen of mine, ye must now be subject to Gunther, the
king."
Then the brave knights laid aside their arms and paid their homage at the
feet of mighty Gunther from the Burgundian land. They weened that he had
won the games by his own strength alone. He greeted them in loving wise;
in sooth he was most rich in virtues.
Then the lovely maiden took him by the hand; full power she granted him
within the land. At this Hagen, the bold and doughty knight, rejoiced him.
She bade the noble knight go with her hence to the spacious palace. When
this was done, they gave the warriors with their service better cheer. With
good grace Hagen and Dankwart now must needs submit. The doughty
Siegfried was wise enow and bare away his magic cloak. Then he repaired
to where the ladies sate. To the king he spake and shrewdly did he this:
"Why wait ye, good my lord? Why begin ye not the games, of which the
queen doth deal so great a store? Let us soon see how they be played." The
crafty man did not as though he wist not a whit thereof.
Then spake the Queen: "How hath it chanced that ye, Sir Siegfried, have
seen naught of the games which the hand of Gunther here hath won?"
To this Hagen of the Burgundian land made answer. He spake: "Ye have
made us sad of mind, my lady. Siegfried, the good knight, was by the ship
when the lord of the Rhineland won from you the games. He knoweth
naught thereof."

"Well is me of this tale," spake Siegfried, the knight, "that your pride hath
been brought thus low, and that there doth live a wight who hath the power
to be your master. Now, O noble maiden, must ye follow us hence to the
Rhine."
Then spake the fair-fashioned maid: "That may not be. First must my kith
and liegemen learn of this. Certes, I may not so lightly void my lands; my
dearest friends must first be fetched."
Then bade she messengers ride on every side. She called her friends, her
kinsmen, and her men-at-arms and begged them come without delay to
Isenstein, and bade them all be given lordly and rich apparel. Daily, early
and late, they rode in troops to Brunhild's castle.
"Welaway," cried Hagen, "what have we done! We may ill abide the
coming of fair Brunhild's men. If now they come into this land in force,
then hath the noble maid been born to our great rue. The will of the queen is
unknown to us; what if she be so wroth that we be lost?"
Then the stalwart Siegfried spake: "Of that I'll have care. I'll not let hap
that which ye fear. I'll bring you help hither to this land, from chosen
knights the which till now ye have not known. Ye must not ask about me; I
will fare hence. Meanwhile may God preserve your honor. I'll return eftsoon
and bring you a thousand men, the very best of knights that I have ever
known."
"Pray tarry not too long," spake then the king; "of your help we be justly
glad."
He answered: "In a few short days I'll come again. Tell ye to Brunhild,
that ye've sent me hence."

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Palaces". See Adventure III, note 7.
(2) "Surcoat", which here translates the M.H.G. "wafenhemde", is
a light garment of cloth or silk worn above the armor.
(3) "Azagouc". See Zazamanc, Adventure VI, note 2. This
strophe is evidently a late interpolation, as it contradicts
the description given above.
(4) Weights. The M.H.G. "messe" (Lat. "massa") is just as
indefinite as the English expression. It was a mass or lump
of any metal, probably determined by the size of the
melting-pot.

ADVENTURE VIII. How Siegfried Fared To His
Men-At-Arms, the Nibelungs.(1)
Through the gate Siegfried hied him in his Cloak of Darkness down to
the sand, where he found a skiff. Secretly the son of Siegmund embarked
and drove it quickly hence, as though the wind did blow it on. None saw the
steersman; the bark fared fast, impelled by Siegfried's mighty strength.
They weened a seldom strong wind did drive it on. Nay, it was rowed by
Siegfried, the son of Siegelind, the fair. In the time of a day and night with
might and main he reached a land full hundred rests (2) away, or more. The
people hight Nibelungs, where he owned the mighty hoard. The hero rowed
alone to a broad isle, where the lusty knight now beached the boat and made
it fast full soon. To a hill he hied him, upon which stood a castle, and sought
here lodgment, as way-worn travelers do. He came first to a gateway that
stood fast locked. In sooth they guarded well their honor, as men still do.
The stranger now gan knock upon the door, the which was closely guarded.
There within he saw a giant standing, who kept the castle and at whose side
lay at all times his arms. He spake: "Who is it who doth knock so rudely on
the gate?"
Then bold Siegfried changed his voice and spake: "I am a knight; do up
the door, else will I enrage many a one outside to-day, who would liefer lie
soft and take his ease."
When Siegfried thus spake, it irked the warder. Meanwhile the giant had
donned his armor and placed his helm upon his head. Quickly the mighty
man snatched up his shield and opened wide the gate. How fiercely he ran
at Siegfried and asked, how he durst wake so many valiant men? Huge
blows were dealt out by his hand. Then the lordly stranger gan defend him,
but with an iron bar the warder shattered his shield-plates. Then was the
hero in dire need. Siegfried gan fear a deal his death, when the warder
struck such mighty blows. Enow his master Siegfried loved him for this
cause. They strove so sore that all the castle rang and the sound was heard
in Nibelung's hall. He overcame the warder and bound him, too.

The tale was noised abroad in all the Nibelungs' land. Alberich, the bold,
a savage dwarf, heard the fierce struggle through the mountain. He armed
him quick and ran to where he found the noble stranger, as he bound the
mighty giant. Full wroth was Alberich and strong enow. On his body he
bare helmet and rings of mail and in his hand a heavy scourge of gold. Swift
and hard he ran to where Siegfried stood. Seven heavy knobs (3) hung
down in front, with which he smote so fiercely the shield upon the bold
man's arm, that it brake in parts. The stately stranger came in danger of his
life. From his hand he flung the broken shield and thrust into the sheath a
sword, the which was long. He would not strike his servant dead, but
showed his courtly breeding as his knightly virtue bade him. He rushed at
Alberich and with his powerful hands he seized the gray-haired man by the
beard. So roughly he pulled his beard, that he screamed aloud. The tugging
of the youthful knight hurt Alberich sore.
Loud cried the valiant dwarf: "Now spare my life. And might I be the
vassal of any save one knight, to whom I swore an oath that I would own
him as my lord, I'd serve you till my death." So spake the cunning (4) man.
He then bound Alberich as he had the giant afore. Full sore the strength
of Siegfried hurt him. The dwarf gan ask: "How are ye named?"
"My name is Siegfried," he replied; "I deemed ye knew me well."
"Well is me of these tidings," spake Alberich, the dwarf. "Now have I
noted well the knightly deeds, through which ye be by right the sovran of
the land. I'll do whatso ye bid, and ye let me live."
Then spake Sir Siegfried: "Go quickly now and bring me the best of
knights we have, a thousand Nibelungs, that they may see me here."
Why he wanted this, none heard him say. He loosed the bonds of
Alberich and the giant. Then ran Alberich swift to where he found the
knights. In fear he waked the Nibelung men. He spake: "Up now, ye heroes,
ye must go to Siegfried."
From their beds they sprang and were ready in a trice. A thousand
doughty knights soon stood well clad. They hied them to where they saw
Sir Siegfried stand. Then was done a fair greeting, in part by deeds. Great
store of tapers were now lit up; they proffered him mulled wine. (5) He
gave them thanks that they were come so soon. He spake: "Ye must away
with me across the flood."

Full ready for this he found the heroes brave and good. Well thirty
hundred men were come eftsoon, from whom he chose a thousand of the
best. Men brought them their helmets and other arms, for he would lead
them to Brunhild's land. He spake: "Ye good knights, this will I tell you, ye
must wear full costly garments there at court, for many lovely dames shall
gaze upon us. Therefore must ye deck yourselves with goodly weeds."
Early on a morn they started on their way. What a speedy journey
Siegfried won! They took with them good steeds and lordly harness, and
thus they came in knightly wise to Brunhild's land. The fair maids stood
upon the battlements. Then spake the queen: "Knoweth any, who they be
whom I see sailing yonder far out upon the sea? They have rich sails e'en
whiter than the snow."
Quoth the king of the Rhineland: "They're men of mine, the which I left
hard by here on the way. I had them sent for, and now they be come, my
lady." All eyes were fixed upon the lordly strangers.
Then one spied Siegfried standing at his vessel's prow in lordly weeds
and many other men. The queen spake: "Sir King, pray tell me, shall I
receive the strangers or shall I deny them greetings?"
He spake: "Ye must go to meet them out before the palace, that they may
well perceive how fain we be to see them here."
Then the queen did as the king advised her. She marked out Siegfried
with her greetings from the rest. Men purveyed them lodgings and took in
charge their trappings. So many strangers were now come to the land, that
everywhere they jostled Brunhild's bands. Now would the valiant men fare
home to Burgundy.
Then spake the queen: "My favor would I bestow on him who could deal
out to the king's guests and mine my silver and gold, of which I have such
store."
To this Dankwart, King Giselher's liegeman, answered: "Most noble
queen," spake the brave knight, "let me but wield the keys. I trow to deal it
out in fitting wise; whatso of blame I gain, let be mine own." That he was
bountiful, he made appear full well.
When now Sir Hagen's brother took the keys in charge, the hero's hand
did proffer many a costly gift. He who craved a mark (6) received such
store that all the poor might lead a merry life. Full hundred pounds he gave,

nor did he stop to count. Enow walked before the hall in rich attire, who
never had worn afore such lordly dress. Full sore it rued the queen when
this she heard. She spake: "Sir King, I fain would have your aid, lest your
chamberlain leave naught of all my store of dress; he squandereth eke my
gold. If any would forfend this, I'd be his friend for aye. He giveth such
royal gifts, the knight must ween, forsooth, that I have sent for death. I
would fain use it longer and trow well myself to waste that which my father
left me." No queen as yet hath ever had so bounteous a chamberlain.
Then spake Hagen of Troneg: "My lady, be it told you that the king of the
Rhineland hath such great store of gold and robes to give, that we have no
need to carry hence aught of Brunhild's weeds."
"Nay, and ye love me," spake the queen, "let me fill twenty traveling
chests with gold and silk as well, the which my hand shall give, when we
are come across to Gunther's land."
Men filled her chests with precious stones, the while her chamberlains
stood by. She would not trust the duty to Giselher's men. Gunther and
Hagen began to laugh thereat.
Then spake the queen: "With whom shall I leave my lands? This my hand
and yours must first decree."
Quoth the noble king: "Now bid draw near whom ye deem fit and we will
make him steward."
The lady spied near by one of her highest kin (it was her mother's
brother); to him the maiden spake: "Now let be commended to your care
my castles and my lands, till that King Gunther's hand rule here."
Then twenty hundred of her men she chose, who should fare with her
hence to Burgundy, together with those thousand warriors from the
Nibelung land. They dressed their journey; one saw them riding forth upon
the sand. Six and eighty dames they took along and thereto a hundred
maids, their bodies passing fair. No longer now they tarried, for they were
fain to get them hence. Ho, what great wail was made by those they left at
home! In courtly wise she voided thus her land. She kissed her nearest
kinsmen who were found at court. After a fair leave-taking they journeyed
to the sea. To her fatherland the lady nevermore returned. Many kinds of
games were seen upon the way; pastimes they had galore. A real sea breeze
did help them on their voyage. Thus they fared forth from the land fully
merrily. She would not let her husband court her on the way; this pleasure

was deferred until their wedding-tide in the castle, their home, at Worms, to
which in good time she came right joyfully with all her knights.

ENDNOTES:
(1) Adventure VIII. This whole episode, in which Siegfried
fetches men to aid Gunther in case of attempted treachery on
Brunhild's part, is of late origin and has no counterpart in
the older versions. It is a further development of
Siegfried's fight in which he slew Schilbung and Nibelung
and became the ruler of the Nibelung land. The fight with
Alberich is simply a repetition of the one in the former
episode.
(2) "Rest" (M.H.G. "rast"), originally 'repose', then used as a
measure of distance, as here.
(3) "Knobs", round pieces of metal fastened to the scourge.
(4) "Cunning" is to be taken here in the Biblical sense of
'knowing'. The M.H.G. "listig" which it here translates,
denotes 'skilled' or 'learned' in various arts and is a
standing epithet of dwarfs.
(5) "Mulled wine" translates M.H.G. "lutertranc", a claret
mulled with herbs and spice and left to stand until clear.
(6) "Mark". See Adventure V, note 5.

ADVENTURE IX. How Siegfried Was Sent To
Worms.
When they had thus fared on their way full nine days, Hagen of Troneg
spake: "Now mark ye what I say. We wait too long with the tidings for
Worms upon the Rhine. Our messengers should be e'en now in Burgundy."
Then spake King Gunther: "Ye have told me true, and none be more
fitting for this trip than ye, friend Hagen; now ride ye to my land. None can
acquaint them better with our journey home to court."
To this Hagen made answer: "I am no fit envoy. Let me play
chamberlain, I'll stay with the ladies upon the flood and guard their robes,
until we bring them to the Burgundian land. Bid Siegfried bear the message,
he knoweth how to do it well with his mighty strength. If he refuse you the
journey, then must ye in courtly and gentle wise pray him of the boon for
your sister's sake."
Gunther sent now for the warrior, who came to where he stood. He spake:
"Sith we be now nearing my lands at home, it behooveth me to send a
messenger to the dear sister of mine and to my mother, too, that we draw
near the Rhine. This I pray you, Siegfried; now do my will, that I may
requite it to you ever," spake the good knight.
Siegfried, the passing bold man, however said him nay, till Gunther gan
beseech him sore. He spake: "Ye must ride for my sake and for Kriemhild's
too, the comely maiden, so that the royal maid requite it, as well as I."
When Siegfried heard these words, full ready was the knight. "Now bid
me what ye will; naught shall be withheld. I will do it gladly for the fair
maid's sake. Why should I refuse her whom I bear in heart? Whatso ye
command for love of her, shall all be done."
"Then tell my mother Uta, the queen, that we be of lofty mood upon this
voyage. Let my brothers know how we have fared. These tidings must ye
let our friends hear, too. Hide naught from my fair sister, give her mine and
Brunhild's greetings. Greet the retainers, too, and all my men. How well I
have ended that for which my heart hath ever striven! And tell Ortwin, the
dear nephew of mine, that he bid seats be built at Worms along the Rhine.

Let my other kinsmen know that I am willed to hold with Brunhild a mighty
wedding feast. And tell my sister, when she hath heard that I be come with
my guests to the land, that she give fair greeting to my bride. For that I will
ever render Kriemhild service."
The good Lord Siegfried soon took leave of Lady Brunhild, as beseemed
him well, and of all her train; then rode he to the Rhine. Never might there
be a better envoy in this world. He rode with four and twenty men-at-arms
to Worms; he came without the king. When that was noised about, the
courtiers all were grieved; they feared their master had been slain.
Then they dismounted from their steeds, high stood their mood. Giselher,
the good young king, came soon to meet them, and Gernot his brother, too.
How quickly then he spake, when he saw not Gunther at Siegfried's side:
"Be welcome, Siegfried; pray let me know where ye have left the king my
brother? The prowess of Brunhild, I ween, hath ta'en him from us. Great
scathe had her haughty love then brought us."
"Let be this fear. My battle-comrade sendeth greetings to you and to his
kin. I left him safe and sound. He sent me on ahead, that I might be his
messenger with tidings hither to this land. Pray have a care, however that
may hap, that I may see the queen and your sister, too, for I must let them
hear what message Gunther and Brunhild have sent them. Both are in high
estate."
Then spake Giselher, the youth: "Now must ye go to her, for ye have
brought my much of joy. She is mickle fearful for my brother. I'll answer
that the maid will see you gladly."
Then spake Sir Siegfried: "Howsoever I may serve her, that shall be
gladly done, in faith. Who now will tell the ladies that I would hie me
thither?"
Giselher then became the messenger, the stately man. The doughty knight
spake to his mother and his sister too, when that he saw them both: "To us is
come Siegfried, the hero from Netherland; him my brother Gunther hath
sent hither to the Rhine. He bringeth the news of how it standeth with the
king. Pray let him therefore come to court. He'll tell you the right tidings
straight from Isenland."
As yet the noble ladies were acquaint with fear, but now for their weeds
they sprang and dressed them and bade Sir Siegfried come to court. This he
did full gladly, for he was fain to see them. Kriemhild, the noble maid,

addressed him fair: "Be welcome, Sir Siegfried, most worshipful knight.
Where is my brother Gunther, the noble and mighty king? We ween that we
have lost him through Brunhild's strength. Woe is me, poor maid, that ever I
was born."
Then spake the daring knight: "Now give me an envoy's guerdon, ye
passing fair ladies, ye do weep without a cause. I do you to wit, I left him
safe and sound. They have sent me with the tidings to you both. He and his
bride do send you kindly greetings and a kinsman's love, O noble queen.
Now leave off your weeping, they'll come full soon."
In many a day she had not heard a tale so glad. With her snow-white hem
she wiped the tears from her pretty eyes and began to thank the messenger
for the tidings, which now were come. Thus her great sorrow and her
weeping were taken away. She bade the messenger be seated; full ready he
was for this. Then spake the winsome maid: "I should not rue it, should I
give you as an envoy's meed my gold. For that ye are too rich, but I will be
your friend in other ways."
"And had I alone," spake he, "thirty lands, yet would I gladly receive
gifts from your fair hand."
Then spake the courtly maid: "It shall be done." She bade her
chamberlain go fetch the meed for tidings. Four and twenty arm-rings, set
with goodly gold, she gave him as his meed. So stood the hero's mood that
he would not retain them, but gave them straightway to her nearest
maidens, he found within the bower. Full kindly her mother offered him her
service. "I am to tell you the tale," then spake the valiant man, "of what the
king doth pray you, when he cometh to the Rhine. If ye perform that, my
lady, he'll ever hold you in his love. I heard him crave that ye should give
fair greetings to his noble guests and grant him the boon, that ye ride to
meet him out in front of Worms upon the strand. This ye are right truly
admonished by the king to do."
Then spake the winsome maid: "For this am I full ready. In whatsoever
wise I can serve the king, that will I not refuse; with a kinsman's love it
shall be done." Her color heightened for very joy. Never was the messenger
of any prince received more fair. The lady would have kissed him, had she
but dared. How lovingly he parted from the dames!
The men of Burgundy then did as Siegfried counseled. Sindolt and
Hunolt and Rumolt, the knight, must needs be busy with the work of putting

up the seats outside of Worms upon the strand. The royal stewards, too,
were found at work. Ortwin and Gere would not desist, but sent to fetch
their friends on every side, and made known to them the feasting that was to
be. The many comely maids arrayed themselves against the feast.
Everywhere the palace and the walls were decked out for the guests.
Gunther's hall was passing well purveyed for the many strangers. Thus
began full merrily this splendid feast.
From every side along the highways of the land pricked now the kinsmen
of these three kings, who had been called that they might wait upon those
who were coming home. Then from the presses great store of costly weeds
was taken. Soon tidings were brought that men saw Brunhild's kinsmen ride
along. Great jostling then arose from the press of folk in the Burgundian
land. Ho, what bold knights were found on either side!
Then spake fair Kriemhild: "Ye maids of mine, who would be with me at
the greeting, seek out from the guests the very best of robes; then will praise
and honor be given us by the guests." Then came the warriors, too, and bade
the lordly saddles of pure red gold be carried forth, on which the ladies
should ride from Worms down to the Rhine. Better trappings might there
never be. Ho, what bright gold did sparkle on the jet-black palfreys! From
their bridles there gleamed forth many a precious stone. The golden
stepping-blocks were brought and placed on shining carpets for the ladies,
who were gay of mood. As I have said, the palfreys now stood ready in the
courtyard for the noble maids. One saw the steeds wear narrow martingales
of the best of silk, of which tale might be told. Six and eighty ladies who
wore fillets (1) in their hair were seen come forth. The fair ones came to
Kriemhild wearing glittering robes. Then followed many a comely maid in
brave attire, fifty and four from the Burgundian land. They were eke the
best that might anywhere be found. Men saw them walking with their
flaxen hair and shining ribbons. That which the king desired was done with
zeal. They wore before the stranger knights rich cloth of silk, the best that
could be found, and so many a goodly robe, which well befit their ample
beauty. One found there many clothes of sable and ermine fur. Many an arm
and hand was well adorned with bracelets over the silken sleeves, which
they should wear. None might tell the story of this tiring to the end. Many a
hand played with well-wrought girdles, rich and long, above gay colored
robes, over costly ferran (2) skirts of silken cloth of Araby. In high spirits
were these maids of noble birth. Clasps (3) were sewed in lovely wise upon

the dress of many a comely maid. She had good cause to rue it, whose
bright color did not shine in contrast to her weeds. No kingly race hath now
such fair retainers. When now the lovely maids had donned the garments
they should wear, there then drew near a mickle band of high-mettled
champions. Together with their shields they carried many an ashen spear.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Fillets" were worn only by married women.
(2) "Ferran", a gray colored cloth of silk and wool; from O.F.
"ferrandine".
(3) "Clasps" or "brooches" were used to fasten the dresses in
front.

ADVENTURE X. How Brunhild Was Received At
Worms.
Across the Rhine men saw the king with his guests in many bands
pricking to the shore. One saw the horse of many a maiden, too, led by the
bridle. All those who should give them welcome were ready now. When
those of Isenland and Siegfried's Nibelung men were come across in boats,
they hasted to the shore (not idle were their hands), where the kindred of the
king were seen upon the other bank. Now hear this tale, too, of the queen,
the noble Uta, how she herself rode hither with the maidens from the castle.
Then many a knight and maid became acquaint. Duke Gere led Kriemhild's
palfrey by the bridle till just outside the castle gate. Siegfried, the valiant
knight, must needs attend her further. A fair maid was she! Later the noble
dame requited well this deed. Ortwin, the bold, rode by Lady Uta's side, and
many knights and maidens rode in pairs. Well may we aver that so many
dames were never seen together at such stately greeting. Many a splendid
joust was ridden by worshipful knights (not well might it be left undone)
afore Kriemhild, the fair, down to the ships. Then the fair-fashioned ladies
were lifted from the palfreys. The king was come across and many a worthy
guest. Ho, what stout lances brake before the ladies' eyes! One heard the
clash of many hurtling shields. Ho, what costly bucklers rang loudly as they
closed! The lovely fair stood by the shore as Gunther and his guests
alighted from the boats; he himself led Brunhild by the hand. Bright gems
and gleaming armor shone forth in rivalry. Lady Kriemhild walked with
courtly breeding to meet Dame Brunhild and her train. White hands
removed the chaplets, (1) as these twain kissed each other; through
deference this was done.
Then in courteous wise the maiden Kriemhild spake: "Be ye welcome in
these lands of ours, to me and to my mother and to all the loyal kin we
have."
Low bows were made and the ladies now embraced full oft. Such loving
greeting hath one never heard, as the two ladies, Dame Uta and her
daughter, gave the bride; upon her sweet mouth they kissed her oft. When

now Brunhild's ladies all were come to land, stately knights took many a
comely woman by the hand in loving wise. The fair-fashioned maids were
seen to stand before the lady Brunhild. Long time elasped or ever the
greetings all were done; many a rose-red mouth was kissed, in sooth. Still
side by side the noble princesses stood, which liked full well the doughty
warriors for to see. They who had heard men boast afore that such beauty
had ne'er been seen as these two dames possessed, spied now with all their
eyes and must confess the truth. Nor did one see upon their persons cheats
of any kind. Those who wot how to judge of women and lovely charms,
praised Gunther's bride for beauty; but the wise had seen more clear and
spake, that one must give Kriemhild the palm before Brunhild.
Maids and ladies now drew near each other. Many a comely dame was
seen arrayed full well. Silken tents and many rich pavilions stood hard by,
the which quite filled the plain of Worms. The kinsmen of the king came
crowding around, when Brunhild and Kriemhild and with them all the
dames were bidden go to where shade was found. Thither the knights from
the Burgundian land escorted them.
Now were the strangers come to horse, and shields were pierced in many
royal jousts. From the plain the dust gan rise, as though the whole land had
burst forth into flames. There many a knight became well known as
champion. Many a maiden saw what there the warriors plied. Methinks, Sir
Siegfried and his knights rode many a turn afore the tents. He led a
thousand stately Nibelungs.
Then Hagen of Troneg came, as the king had counseled, and parted in
gentle wise the jousting, that the fair maids be not covered with the dust, the
which the strangers willingly obeyed. Then spake Sir Gernot: "Let stand the
steeds till the air grow cooler, for ye must be full ready when that the king
will ride. Meanwhile let us serve the comely dames before the spacious
hall."
When now over all the plain the jousts had ceased, the knights, on
pastime bent, hied them to the ladies under many a high pavilion in the
hope of lofty joys. There they passed the hours until they were minded to
ride away.
Just at eventide, when the sun was setting and the air grew chill, no
longer they delayed, but man and woman hasted toward the castle. Many a
comely maiden was caressed with loving glances. In jousting great store of

clothes were torn by good knights, by the high-mettled warriors, after the
custom of the land, until the king dismounted by the hall. Valiant heroes
helped the ladies, as is their wont. The noble queens then parted; Lady Uta
and her daughter went with their train to a spacious hall, where great noise
of merriment was heard on every side.
The seats were now made ready, for the king would go to table with his
guests. At his side men saw fair Brunhild stand, wearing the crown in the
king's domain. Royal enow she was in sooth. Good broad tables, with full
many benches for the men, were set with vitaille, as we are told. Little they
lacked that they should have! At the king's table many a lordly guest was
seen. The chamberlains of the host bare water forth in basins of ruddy gold.
It were but in vain, if any told you that men were ever better served at
princes' feasts: I would not believe you that.
Before the lord of the Rhineland took the water to wash his hands,
Siegfried did as was but meet, he minded him by his troth of what he had
promised, or ever he had seen Brunhild at home in Isenland. He spake: "Ye
must remember how ye swore me by your hand, that when Lady Brunhild
came to this land, ye would give me your sister to wife. Where be now
these oaths? I have suffered mickle hardship on our trip."
Then spake the king to his guest: "Rightly have ye minded me. Certes my
hand shall not be perjured. I'll bring it to pass as best I can."
Then they bade Kriemhild go to court before the king. She came with her
fair maidens to the entrance of the hall. At this Sir Giselher sprang down the
steps. "Now bid these maidens turn again. None save my sister alone shall
be here by the king."
Then they brought Kriemhild to where the king was found. There stood
noble knights from many princes' lands; throughout the broad hall one bade
them stand quite still. By this time Lady Brunhild had stepped to the table,
too. Then spake King Gunther: "Sweet sister mine, by thy courtesie redeem
my oath. I swore to give thee to a knight, and if he become thy husband,
then hast thou done my will most loyally."
Quoth the noble maid: "Dear brother mine, ye must not thus entreat me.
Certes I'll be ever so, that whatever ye command, that shall be done. I'll
gladly pledge my troth to him whom ye, my lord, do give me to husband."
Siegfried here grew red at the glance of friendly eyes. The knight then
proffered his service to Lady Kriemhild. Men bade them take their stand at

each other's side within the ring and asked if she would take the stately
man. In maidenly modesty she was a deal abashed, yet such was Siegfried's
luck and fortune, that she would not refuse him out of hand. The noble king
of Netherland vowed to take her, too, to wife. When he and the maid had
pledged their troths, Siegfried's arm embraced eftsoon the winsome maid.
Then the fair queen was kissed before the knights. The courtiers parted,
when that had happed; on the bench over against the king Siegfried was
seen to take his scat with Kriemhild. Thither many a man accompanied him
as servitor; men saw the Nibelungs walk at Siegfried's side.
The king had seated him with Brunhild, the maid, when she espied
Kriemhild (naught had ever irked her so) sitting at Siegfried's side. She
began to weep and hot tears coursed down fair cheeks. Quoth the lord of the
land: "What aileth you, my lady, that ye let bright eyes grow dim? Ye may
well rejoice; my castles and my land and many a stately vassal own your
sway."
"I have good cause to weep," spake the comely maid; "my heart is sore
because of thy sister, whom I see sitting so near thy vassal's side. I must
ever weep that she be so demeaned."
Then spake the King Gunther: "Ye would do well to hold your peace. At
another time I will tell you the tale of why I gave Siegfried my sister unto
wife. Certes she may well live ever happily with the knight."
She spake: "I sorrow ever for her beauty and her courtesie. I fain would
flee, and I wist whither I might; go, for never will I lie close by your side,
unless ye tell me through what cause Kriemhild be Siegfried's bride."
Then spake the noble king: "I'll do it you to wit; he hath castles and broad
domains, as well as I. Know of a truth, he is a mighty king, therefore did I
give him the peerless maid to love."
But whatsoever the king might say, she remained full sad of mood.
Now many a good knight hastened from the board. Their hurtling waxed
so passing hard, that the whole castle rang. But the host was weary of his
guests. Him-thought that he might lie more soft at his fair lady's side. As yet
he had not lost at all the hope that much of joy might hap to him through
her. Lovingly he began to gaze on Lady Brunhild. Men bade the guests
leave off their knightly games, for the king and his wife would go to bed.
Brunhild and Kriemhild then met before the stairway of the hall, as yet
without the hate of either. Then came their retinue. Noble chamberlains

delayed not, but brought them lights. The warriors, the liegemen of the two
kings, then parted on either side and many of the knights were seen to walk
with Siegfried.
The lords were now come to the rooms where they should lie. Each of the
twain thought to conquer by love his winsome dame. This made them blithe
of mood. Siegfried's pleasure on that night was passing great. When Lord
Siegfried lay at Kriemhild's side and with his noble love caressed the high-
born maid so tenderly, she grew as dear to him as life, so that not for a
thousand other women would he have given her alone. No more I'll tell how
Siegfried wooed his wife; hear now the tale of how King Gunther lay by
Lady Brunhild's side. The stately knight had often lain more soft by other
dames. The courtiers now had left, both maid and man. The chamber soon
was locked; he thought to caress the lovely maid. Forsooth the time was
still far off, ere she became his wife. In a smock of snowy linen she went to
bed. Then thought the noble knight: "Now have I here all that I have ever
craved in all my days." By rights she must needs please him through her
comeliness. The noble king gan shroud the lights and then the bold knight
hied him to where the lady lay. He laid him at her side, and great was his
joy when in his arms he clasped the lovely fair. Many loving caresses he
might have given, had but the noble dame allowed it. She waxed so wroth
that he was sore a-troubled; he weened that they were lovers, but he found
here hostile hate. She spake: "Sir Knight, pray give this over, which now ye
hope. Forsooth this may not hap, for I will still remain a maid, until I hear
the tale; now mark ye that."
Then Gunther grew wroth; he struggled for her love and rumpled all her
clothes. The high-born maid then seized her girdle, the which was a stout
band she wore around her waist, and with it she wrought the king great
wrong enow. She bound him hand and foot and bare him to a nail and hung
him on the wall. She forbade him love, sith he disturbed her sleep. Of a
truth he came full nigh to death through her great strength.
Then he who had weened to be the master, began to plead. "Now loose
my bands, most noble queen. I no longer trow to conquer you, fair lady, and
full seldom will I lie so near your side."
She reeked not how he felt, for she lay full soft. There he had to hang all
night till break of day, until the bright morn shone through the casements.
Had he ever had great strength, it was little seen upon him now.

"Now tell me, Sir Gunther, would that irk you aught," the fair maid
spake, "and your servants found you bound by a woman's hand?"
Then spake the noble knight: "That would serve you ill; nor would it gain
me honor," spake the doughty man. "By your courtesie, pray let me lie now
by your side. Sith that my love mislike you so, I will not touch your
garment with my hands."
Then she loosed him soon and let him rise. To the bed again, to the lady
he went and laid him down so far away, that thereafter he full seldom
touched her comely weeds. Nor would she have allowed it.
Then their servants came and brought them new attire, of which great
store was ready for them against the morn. However merry men made, the
lord of the land was sad enow, albeit he wore a crown that day. As was the
usage which they had and which they kept by right, Gunther and Brunhild
no longer tarried, but hied them to the minster, where mass was sung.
Thither, too, Sir Siegfried came and a great press arose among the crowd. In
keeping with their royal rank, there was ready for them all that they did
need, their crowns and robes as well. Then they were consecrated. When
this was done, all four were seen to stand joyful 'neath their crowns. Many
young squires, six hundred or better, were now girt with sword in honor of
the kings, as ye must know. Great joy rose then in the Burgundian land; one
heard spear-shafts clashing in the hands of the sworded knights. There at
the windows the fair maids sat; they saw shining afore them the gleam of
many a shield. But the king had sundered him from his liegemen; whatso
others plied, men saw him stand full sad. Unlike stood his and Siegfried's
mood. The noble knight and good would fain have known what ailed the
king. He hasted to him and gan ask: "Pray let me know how ye have fared
this night, Sir King."
Then spake the king to his guest: "Shame and disgrace have I won; I have
brought a fell devil to my house and home. When I weened to love her, she
bound me sore; she bare me to a nail and hung me high upon a wall. There I
hung affrighted all night until the day, or ever she unbound me. How softly
she lay bedded there! In hope of thy pity do I make plaint to thee as friend
to friend."
Then spake stout Siegfried: "That rueth me in truth. I'll do you this to wit;
and ye allow me without distrust, I'll contrive that she lie by you so near
this night, that she'll nevermore withhold from you her love."

After all his hardships Gunther liked well this speech. Sir Siegfried spake
again: "Thou mayst well be of good cheer. I ween we fared unlike last
night. Thy sister Kriemhild is dearer to me than life; the Lady Brunhild
must become thy wife to-night. I'll come to thy chamber this night, so
secretly in my Cloud Cloak, that none may note at all my arts. Then let the
chamberlains betake them to their lodgings and I'll put out the lights in the
pages' hands, whereby thou mayst know that I be within and that I'll gladly
serve thee. I'll tame for time thy wife, that thou mayst have her love to-
night, or else I'll lose my life."
"Unless be thou embrace my dear lady," spake then the king, "I shall be
glad, if thou do to her as thou dost list. I could endure it well, an' thou didst
take her life. In sooth she is a fearful wife."
"I pledge upon my troth," quoth Siegfried, "that I will not embrace her.
The fair sister of thine, she is to me above all maids that I have ever seen."
Gunther believed full well what Siegfried spake.
From the knightly sports there came both joy and woe; but men forbade
the hurtling and the shouting, since now the ladies were to hie them to the
hall. The grooms-in-waiting bade the people stand aside; the court was
cleared of steeds and folk. A bishop led each of the ladies, as they should go
to table in the presence of the kings. Many a stately warrior followed to the
seats. In fair hope the king sate now full merrily; well he thought on that
which Siegfried had vowed to do. This one day thought him as long as
thirty days, for all his thoughts were bent upon his lady's love. He could
scarce abide the time to leave the board. Now men let fair Brunhild and
Kriemhild, too, both go to their rest. Ho, what doughty knights were seen to
walk before the queens!
The Lord Siegfried sate in loving wise by his fair wife, in bliss without
alloy. With her snow-white hands she fondled his, till that he vanished from
before her eyes, she wist not when. When now she no longer spied him, as
she toyed, the queen spake to his followers: "Much this wondereth me,
whither the king be gone. Who hath taken his hands from mine?"
She spake no other word, but he was gone to where he found many
grooms of the chamber stand with lights. These he gan snuff out in the
pages' hands. Thus Gunther knew that it was Siegfried. Well wist he what
he would; he bade the maids and ladies now withdraw. When that was done,
the mighty king himself made fast the door and nimbly shoved in place two

sturdy bolts. Quickly then he hid the lights behind the hangings of the bed.
Stout Siegfried and the maiden now began a play (for this there was no
help) which was both lief and loth to Gunther. Siegfried laid him close by
the high-born maid. She spake: "Now, Gunther, let that be, and it be lief to
you, that ye suffer not hardship as afore."
Then the lady hurt bold Siegfried sore. He held his peace and answered
not a whit. Gunther heard well, though he could not see his friend a bit, that
they plied not secret things, for little ease they had upon the bed. Siegfried
bare him as though he were Gunther, the mighty king. In his arms he
clasped the lovely maid. She cast him from the bed upon a bench near by,
so that his head struck loudly against the stool. Up sprang the valiant man
with all his might; fain would he try again. When he thought now to subdue
her, she hurt him sore. Such defense, I ween, might nevermore be made by
any wife.
When he would not desist, up sprang the maid. "Ye shall not rumple thus
my shift so white. Ye are a clumsy churl and it shall rue you sore, I'll have
you to know fall well," spake the comely maid. In her arms she grasped the
peerless knight; she weened to bind him, as she had done the king, that she
might have her case upon the bed. The lady avenged full sore, that he had
rumpled thus her clothes. What availed his mickle force and his giant
strength? She showed the knight her masterly strength of limb; she carried
him by force (and that must needs be) and pressed him rudely 'twixt a
clothes-press and the wall.
"Alas," so thought the knight, "if now I lose my life at a maiden's hands,
then may all wives hereafter bear towards their husbands haughty mien,
who would never do it else."
The king heard it well and feared him for his liegeman's life. Siegfried
was sore ashamed; wrathful he waxed and with surpassing strength he set
himself against her and tried it again with Lady Brunhild in fearful wise. It
thought the king full long, before he conquered her. She pressed his hands,
till from her strength the blood gushed forth from out the nails: this irked
the hero. Therefore he brought the high-born maiden to the pass that she
gave over her unruly will, which she asserted there afore. The king heard
all, albeit not a word he spake. Siegfried pressed her against the bed, so that
she shrieked aloud. Passing sore his strength did hurt her. She grasped the
girdle around her waist and would fain have bound him, but his hand

prevented it in such a wise that her limbs and all her body cracked. Thus the
strife was parted and she became King Gunther's wife.
She spake: "Most noble king, pray spare my life. I'll do thee remedy for
whatso I have done thee. I'll no longer struggle against thy noble love, for I
have learned full well that thou canst make thee master over women."
Siegfried let the maiden be and stepped away, as though he would do off
his clothes. From her hand he drew a golden finger ring, without that she
wist it, the noble queen. Thereto he took her girdle, a good stout band. I
know not if he did that for very haughtiness. He gave it to his wife and rued
it sore in after time.
Then lay Gunther and the fair maid side by side. He played the lover, as
beseemed him, and thus she must needs give over wrath and shame. From
his embrace a little pale she grew. Ho, how her great strength failed through
love! Now was she no stronger than any other wife. He caressed her lovely
form in lover's wise. Had she tried her strength again, what had that
availed? All this had Gunther wrought in her by his love. How right
lovingly she lay beside him in bridal joy until the dawn of day!
Now was Sir Siegfried gone again to where he was given fair greetings
by a woman fashioned fair. He turned aside the question she had thought to
put and hid long time from her what he had brought, until she ruled as
queen within his land. How little he refused to give her what he should!
On the morn the host was far cheerier of mood than he had been afore.
Through this the joy of many a noble man was great in all his lands, whom
he had bidden to his court, and to whom he proffered much of service. The
wedding feast now lasted till the fourteenth day, so that in all this while the
sound never died away of the many joys which there they plied. The cost to
the king was rated high. The kinsmen of the noble host gave gifts in his
honor to the strolling folk, as the king commanded: vesture and ruddy gold,
steeds and silver, too. Those who there craved gifts departed hence full
merrily. Siegfried, the lord from Netherland, with a thousand of his men,
gave quite away the garments they had brought with them to the Rhine and
steeds and saddles, too. Full well they wot how to live in lordly wise. Those
who would home again thought the time too long till the rich gifts had all
been made. Nevermore have guests been better eased. Thus ended the
wedding feast; Gunther, the knight, would have it so.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Chaplet" (O.F. "chaplet", dim. of "chapel", M.H.G.
"schapel" or "schapelin") or wreath was the headdress
especially of unmarried girls, the hair being worn flowing.
It was often of flowers or leaves, but not infrequently of
gold and silver. (See Weinhold, "Deutsche Frauen im
Mittelalter", i, 387.)

ADVENTURE XI. How Siegfried Journeyed
Homeward With His Wife.
When now the strangers had all ridden hence, Siegmund's son spake to
his fellowship: "We must make us ready, too, to journey to my lands."
Lief was it to his wife, when the lady heard the tale aright. She spake to
her husband: "When shall we ride? I pray thee, make me not haste too sore.
First must my brothers share their lands with me."
It was loth to Siegfried, when he heard this from Kriemhild. The lordings
hied them to him and all three spake: "Now may ye know, Sir Siegfried,
that our true service be ever at your bidding till our death."
Then he made obeisance to the knights, as it was proffered him in such
kindly wise. "We shall share with you," spake Giselher, the youth, "both
land and castles which we do own and whatever broad realms be subject to
our power. Of these ye and Kriemhild shall have a goodly share."
The son of Siegmund spake to the princes, as he heard and saw the
lordings' will: "God grant that ye be ever happy with your heritage and the
folk therein. My dear bride can well forego in truth the share which ye
would give. There where she shall wear a crown, she shall be mightier than
any one alive, and live to see the day. For whatsoever else ye do command,
I stand ready to your bidding."
Then spake the Lady Kriemhild: "Though ye forego my heritage, yet is it
not so light a matter with the Burgundian men-at-arms. A king might gladly
lead them to his land. Forsooth my brothers' hands must share them with
me."
Then spake the Lord Gernot: "Now take whomsoever thou dost wish.
Thou wilt find here really a one who'll gladly ride with thee. We will give
thee a thousand of our thirty hundred warriors; be they thy court retainers."
Kriemhild then gan send for Hagen of Troneg and also for Ortwin, to ask
if they and their kinsfolk would be Kriemhild's men.
At this Hagen waxed wonderly wroth. He spake: "Certes, Gunther may
not give us to any in the world. Let others follow as your train. Ye know full

well the custom of the men of Troneg: we must in duty bound remain here
with the kings at court. We must serve them longer, whom we till now have
followed."
They gave that over and made them ready to ride away. Lady Kriemhild
gained for herself two and thirty maids and five hundred men, a noble train.
The Margrave Eckewart (1) followed Kriemhild hence. They all took leave,
both knights and squires and maids and ladies, as was mickle right. Anon
they parted with a kiss and voided merrily King Gunther's land. Their
kinsmen bare them company far upon the way and bade them pitch their
quarters for the night, whereso they listed, throughout the princes' land.
Then messengers were sent eftsoon to Siegmund, that he might know,
and Siegelind, too, that his son would come with Lady Uta's child,
Kriemhild, the fair, from Worms beyond the Rhine. Liefer tidings might
they never have. "Well for me," spake then Siegmund, "that I have lived to
see fair Kriemhild here as queen. My heritage will be thereby enhanced. My
son, the noble Siegfried, shall himself be king."
Then the Lady Siegelind gave much red velvet, silver, and heavy gold;
this was the envoy's meed. The tale well liked her, which then she heard.
She clad her and her handmaids with care, as did beseem them. Men told
who was to come with Siegfried to the land. Anon they bade seats be raised,
where he should walk crowned before his friends. King Siegmund's
liegemen then rode forth to meet him. Hath any been ever better greeted
than the famous hero in Siegmund's land, I know not. Siegelind, the fair,
rode forth to meet Kriemhild with many a comely dame (lusty knights did
follow on behind), a full day's journey, till one espied the guests. Home-folk
and the strangers had little easement till they were come to a spacious
castle, hight Xanten, (2) where they later reigned.
Smilingly Siegelind and Siegmund kissed Kriemhild many times for joy
and Siegfried, too; their sorrow was taken from them. All their fellowship
received great welcome. One bade now bring the guests to Siegmund's hall,
and lifted the fair young maids down from the palfreys. Many a knight gan
serve the comely dames with zeal. However great the feasting at the Rhine
was known to be, here one gave the heroes much better robes than they had
worn in all their days. Of their splender great marvels might be told. When
now they sate in lofty honors and had enow of all, what gold-hued clothes

their courtiers wore with precious stones well worked thereon! Thus did
Siegelind, the noble queen, purvey them well.
Then to his friends Lord Siegmund spake: "I do all Siegfried's kin to wit,
that he shall wear my crown before these knights." Those of Netherland
heard full fain the tale. He gave his son the crown, the cognizance, (3) and
lands, so that he then was master of them all. When that men went to law
and Siegfried uttered judgment, that was done in such a wise that men
feared sore fair Kriemhild's husband.
In these high honors Siegfried lived, of a truth, and judged as king, till
the tenth year was come, when his fair lady bare a son. This was come to
pass after the wish of the kinsmen of the king. They hastened to baptize and
name him Gunther for his uncle; nor had he need to be ashamed of this.
Should he grow like to his kinsman, he would fare full well. They brought
him up with care, as was but due. In these same times the Lady Siegelind
died, and men enow made wail when death bereft them of her. Then the
child of the noble Uta held withal the power over the lands, which well
beseemed such high-born dames. (4)
Now also by the Rhine, as we hear tell, at mighty Gunther's court, in the
Burgundian land, Brunhild, the fair, had born a son. For the hero's sake they
named him Siegfried. With what great care they bade attend him! The noble
Gunther gave him masters who well wot how to bring him up to be a
doughty man. Alas, what great loss of kin he later suffered through
misfortune!
Many tales were told all time, of how right worshipfully the lusty knights
dwelt alway in Siegmund's land. Gunther dealt the same with his
distinguished kin. The Nibelung land and Schilbung's knights and the goods
of both served Siegfried here (none of his kinsmen ever waxed mightier
than he). So much the higher rose the mood of the valiant man. The very
greatest heard that any hero ever gained, save those who owned it
aforetime, the bold man had, the which he had won by his own hand hard
by a hill, and for which he did many a lusty knight to death. He had honors
to his heart's desire, and had this not been so, yet one must rightly aver of
the noble champion, that he was one of the best that ever mounted horse.
Men feared his might and justly, too.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Eckewart", see Adventure I, note 15.

(2) "Xanten", see Adventure II, note 3.
(3) "Cognizance", 'jurisdiction.'
(4) "Dames", i.e., Siegelind and Kriemhild.

ADVENTURE XII. How Gunther Bade Siegfried
To The Feasting.
Now Gunther's wife thought alway: "How haughtily doth Lady
Kriemhild bear her! Is not her husband Siegfried our liegeman? Long time
now hath he done us little service." This she bare within her heart, but held
her peace. It irked her sore that they did make themselves such strangers
and that men from Siegfried's land so seldom served her. Fain would she
have known from whence this came. She asked the king if it might hap that
she should see Kriemhild again. Secretly she spake what she had in mind.
The speech like the king but moderately well. "How might we bring them,"
quoth he, "hither to our land? That were impossible, they live too far away;
I dare not ask them this."
To this Brunhild replied in full crafty wise: "However high and mighty a
king's vassal be, yet should he not leave undone whatsoever his lord
command him."
King Gunther smiled when she spake thus. However oft he saw
Siegfried, yet did he not count it to him as service.
She spake: "Dear lord, for my sake help me to have Siegfried and thy
sister come to this land, that we may see them here. Naught liefer might
ever hap to me in truth. Whenso I think on thy sister's courtesie and her
well-bred mind, how it delighteth me! How we sate together, when I first
became thy wife! She may with honor love bold Siegfried."
She besought so long, till the king did speak: "Now know that I have
never seen more welcome guests. Ye need but beg me gently. I will send my
envoys for the twain, that they may come to see us to the Rhine."
Then spake the queen: "Pray tell me then, when ye are willed to send for
them, or in what time our dear kinsmen shall come into the land. Give me
also to know whom ye will send thither."
"That will I," said the prince. "I will let thirty of my men ride thither."
He had these come before him and bade them carry tidings to Siegfried's
land. To their delight Brunhild did give them full lordly vesture.

Then spake the king: "Ye knights must say from me all that I bid you to
mighty Siegfried and the sister of mine; this must ye not conceal: that no
one in the world doth love them more, and beg them both to come to us to
the Rhine. For this I and my lady will be ever at your service. At the next
Midsummer's Day shall he and his men gaze upon many here, who would
fain do them great honor. Give to the king Siegmund my greetings, and say
that I and my kinsmen be still his friends, and tell my sister, too, that she
fail not to ride to see her kin. Never did feasting beseem her better."
Brunhild and Uta and whatever ladies were found at court all
commended their service to the lovely dames and the many valiant men in
Siegfried's land. With the consent of the kinsmen of the king the messengers
set forth. They rode as wandering knights; their horses and their trappings
had now been brought them. Then they voided the land, for they had haste
of the journey, whither they would fare. The king bade guard the
messengers well with convoys. In three weeks they came riding into the
land, to Nibelung's castle, in the marches of Norway, (1) whither they were
sent. Here they found the knight. The mounts of the messengers were weary
from the lengthy way.
Both Siegfried and Kriemhild were then told that knights were come,
who wore such clothes as men were wont to wear at Burgundy. She sprang
from a couch on which she lay to rest and bade a maiden hie her to the
window. In the court she saw bold Gere standing, him and the fellowship
that had been sent thither. What joyful things she there found against her
sorrow of heart! She spake to the king: "Now behold where they stand, who
walk in the court with the sturdy Gere, whom my brother sendeth us adown
the Rhine."
Spake Then the valiant Siegfried: "They be welcome to us."
All the courtiers ran to where one saw them. Each of them in turn then
spake full kindly, as best he could to the envoys. Siegmund, the lord, was
right blithe of their coming. Then Gere and his men were lodged and men
bade take their steeds in charge. The messengers then went hence to where
Lord Siegfried sate by Kriemhild. This they did, for they had leave to go to
court. The host and his lady rose from their seats at once and greeted well
Gere of the Burgundian land with his fellowship, Gunther's liegemen. One
bade the mighty Gere go and sit him down.

"Permit us first to give our message, afore we take our seats; let us way-
worn strangers stand the while. We be come to tell you tidings which
Gunther and Brunhild, with whom all things stand well, have sent you, and
also what Lady Uta, your mother, sendeth. Giselher, the youth, and Sir
Gernot, too, and your dearest kin, they have sent us hither and commend
their service to you from out the Burgundian land."
"Now God requite them," quoth Siegfried; "I trow them much troth and
good, as one should to kinsfolk; their sister doth the same. Ye must tell us
more, whether our dear friends at home be of good cheer? Since we have
been parted from them, hath any done amiss to my lady's kinsmen? That ye
must let me know. If so, I'll ever help them bear it in duty bound, until their
foes must rue my service."
Then spake the Margrave Gere, a right good knight: "They are in every
virtue of such right high mood, that they do bid you to a feasting by the
Rhine. They would fain see you, as ye may not doubt, and they do beg my
lady that she come with you, when the winter hath taken an end. They
would see you before the next Midsummer's Day."
Quoth the stalwart Siegfried: "That might hardly hap."
Then answered Gere from the Burgundian land: "Your mother Uta,
Gernot, and Giselher have charged you, that ye refuse them not. I hear daily
wail, that ye do live so far away. My Lady Brunhild and all her maids be
fain of the tidings, if that might be that they should see you again; this
would raise their spirits high." These tidings thought fair Kriemhild good.
Gere was of their kin; the host bade him be seated and had wine poured
out for the guests; no longer did they tarry. Now Siegmund was come to
where he saw the messengers. The lord said to the Burgundians in friendly
wise: "Be welcome, Sir Knights, ye men of Gunther. Sith now Siegfried,
my son, hath won Kriemhild to wife, one should see you more often here in
this our land, if ye would show your kinship."
They answered that they would gladly come, when so he would. Of their
weariness they were cased with joyous pastime. Men bade the messengers
be seated and brought them food, of which Siegfried had them given great
store. They must needs stay there full nine days, till at last the doughty
knights made plaint, that they durst not ride again to their land.
Meantime king Siegfried had sent to fetch his friends; he asked them
what they counseled, whether or no they should to the Rhine. "My kinsman

Gunther and his kin have sent to fetch me for a feasting. Now I would go
full gladly, but that his land doth lie too far away. They beg Kriemhild, too,
that she journey with me. Now advise, dear friends, in what manner she
shall ride thither. Though I must harry for them through thirty lands, yet
would Siegfried's arm fain serve them there."
Then spake his warriors: "And ye be minded to journey to the feasting,
we will advise what ye must do. Ye should ride to the Rhine with a
thousand knights, then can ye stand with worship there in Burgundy land."
Up spake then Lord Siegmund of Netherland: "Will ye to the feasting,
why make ye it not known to me? If ye scorn it not, I will ride thither with
you and will take a hundred knights, wherewith to swell your band."
"And will ye ride with us, dear father mine," quoth brave Siegfried, "glad
shall I be of that. Within a twelfth night I will quit my lands."
All who craved it were given steeds and vesture, too.
Since now the noble king was minded for the journey, men bade the good
and speedy envoys ride again. He sent word to his wife's kindred on the
Rhine, that he would full fain be at their feasting. Siegfried and Kriemhild,
as the tale doth tell, gave the messengers such store of gifts that their horses
could not bear them to their native land. A wealthy man was he. They drove
their sturdy sumpters merrily along.
Siegfried and Siegmund arrayed their men. Eckewart, the margrave, that
very hour bade seek out ladies' robes, the best that were at hand or might be
found throughout all Siegfried's land. Men gan prepare the saddles and the
shields. To knights and ladies who should go hence with him was given
whatso they would, so that they wanted naught. He brought to his kinsfolk
many a lordly stranger.
The messengers pricked fast upon their homeward way. Now was Gere,
the knight, come to Burgundy and was greeted fair. Then they dismounted
from their steeds and from the nags in front of Gunther's hall. Young and
old did hie them, as people do, to ask the tidings. Quoth the good knight:
"When I tell them to the king, thou be at hand a hear."
With his fellowship he went to where he found King Gunther. For very
joy the king sprang from his seat. Fair Brunhild cried them mercy, that they
were come so quick. Gunther spake to the envoys: "How fareth Siegfried,
from whom so much of gladness hath happed to me?"

Brave Gere spake: "He blushed for joy, he and your sister; no truer
tidings did ever any man send to friends, than the Lord Siegfried and his
father, too, have sent to you."
Then to the margrave spake the noble queen: "Now tell me, cometh
Kriemhild to us? Hath the fair still kept the graces which she knew how to
use?"
"She cometh to you surely," quoth Gere, the knight.
Then Uta bade the messenger come quickly to her. By her question one
might note full well that she was fain to hear if Kriemhild still were well.
He told how he had found her and that she would shortly come. Nor were
the gifts concealed by them at court, which Siegfried gave them, gold and
vesture; these they brought for the vassals of the three kings to see. For their
passing great bounty men gave them thanks.
"He may lightly give great gifts," spake then Hagen; "he could not
squander all his wealth, and he should live for aye. His hand hath closed
upon the hoard of the Nibelungs. Ho, let him only come to the Burgundian
land!"
All the courtiers were glad that they should come. Early and late the men
of the three kings were busy. Many benches they gan raise for the folk. The
valiant Hunolt and the knight Sindolt had little rest. All time they had to
oversee the stewards and the butlers and raise many a bench. Ortwin helped
them, too, at this, and Gunther said them thanks. Rumolt, the master cook,
how well he ruled his underlings! Ho, how many a broad kettle, pot, and
pan they had! They made ready the vitaille for those who were coming to
the land.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Norway". The interpolated character of the Adventures XI
to XIII, which are not found in the earlier versions, is
shown by the confusion in the location of Siegfried's court.
The poet has forgotten that Xanten is his capital, and
locates it in Norway. No mention is made, however, of the
messengers crossing the sea; on the contrary, Kriemhild
speaks of their being sent down the Rhine.

ADVENTURE XIII. How They Journeyed To The
Feasting.
Let us now take leave of all their bustling, and tell how Lady Kriemhild
and her maidens journeyed from the Nibelung land down toward the Rhine.
Never did sumpters bear so much lordly raiment. They made ready for the
way full many traveling chests. Then Siegfried, the knight, and the queen as
well, rode forth with their friends to where they had hope of joys. Later it
sped them all to their great harm. They left Siegfried's little child,
Kriemhild's son, at home. That must needs be. Great grief befell him
through their journey to the court. The bairn never saw his father and his
mother more. With them, too, there rode Lord Siegmund. Had he known
aright how he would fare at the feasting, no whit of it would he have seen.
No greater woe might ever hap to him in loving friends.
Messengers were sent ahead, who told the tale. Then with a stately band
there rode to meet them many of Uta's kith and Gunther's liegemen. The
host gan bestir him for his guests. He went to where Brunhild sate and
asked: "How did my sister greet you when ye came to our land? In like
manner must ye greet Siegfried's wife."
"That will I gladly," quoth she, "for I have good cause to be her friend."
The mighty king spake further: "They come to us early on the morrow; if
ye would greet them, set quickly to work, that we abide them not within the
castle. At no time have such welcome guests ever come to see me."
At once she bade her maids and ladies hunt out goodly raiment, the best
they had, the which her train should wear before the guests. One may
lightly say, they did this gladly. Gunther's men hasted also for to serve
them, and around him the host did gather all his knights. Then the queen
rode forth in princely wise and mickle greeting of the welcome guests was
done. With what great joy did they receive them! It thought them as though
Lady Kriemhild had not greeted Lady Brunhild so fair in the Burgundian
land. Those who had never seen her became acquaint with lofty mood.
Now was Siegfried come with his liegemen. One saw the heroes wending
to and fro upon the plain in unwieldy bands. None might guard him there

against the jostling and the dust.
When that the ruler of the land spied Siegfried and Siegmund, how
lovingly he spake: "Now be ye full welcome to me and all my friends; we
shall be of good cheer because of this your journey to our court."
"Now God requite you," quoth Siegmund, the honor-seeking man; "sith
my son Siegfried won you to kinsman, my heart hath urged that I should go
to see you."
At this spake Gunther: "Now hath joy happed to me thereby."
Siegfried was received with much great worship as beseemed him; none
bare him hatred there. Giselher and Gernot helped thereby with great
courtesie. I ween, never have guests been greeted in such goodly wise.
Then the wives of the two kings drew near each other. Emptied were
many saddles, as fair ladies were lifted down by knightly hands upon the
sward. How busy were those who gladly served the dames! The lovely
women now drew near each other, and many a knight was blithe, that such
fair greeting passed between the twain. Then one saw great press of
warriors standing by the high-born maids. The lordly meiny (1) grasped
each other by the hand. Much courteous bowing was seen and loving kisses
from fair-fashioned dames. This liked well Gunther's and Siegfried's
liegemen for to see. They bided now no longer, but rode to town. The host
bade show his guests full well that all were fain to see them in the
Burgundian land. Many a royal joust took place before the high-born maids.
Hagen of Troneg and Ortwin, too, proved full well their prowess. One durst
not leave undone whatso they would command. Much service was rendered
by them to the welcome guests. Many shields were heard resound from
thrusts and blows before the castle gate. The host and his guests tarried long
time without, or ever they came within. Forsooth the hours passed quickly
for them with their sports. Merrily they rode before the royal palace. Many
cunning housings (2) of good cloth and well cut were seen hanging on
either side from the saddles of the fair-fashioned dames.
Then came Gunther's liegemen. Men bade lead the strangers quickly to
their easement. At times one saw Brunhild glance at Lady Kriemhild, who
was passing fair enow. Her color against the gold gave back the gleam in
lovely wise. On every side in Worms one heard the courtiers shout. Gunther
bade Dankwart, his marshal, have them in his care, who then gan lodge the
retinue in goodly wise. One let them eat within and eke without. Never

were stranger guests better cared for. Men gave them gladly all they craved;
so rich was the king, that not a wish was there denied. Men served them in
friendly wise without all hate. The host now took his seat at table with his
guests. One bade Siegfried be seated where he sate afore. Then many a
stately man went with him to the seats. Twelve hundred warriors in sooth
did sit at his round table. Brunhild thought her that a vassal could not be
mightier than he; yet she was still so friendly to him that she did not wish
his death.
On an evening when the king was seated at the board, many costly robes
were wet with wine, as the butlers hied them to the tables. Full service was
given there with mickle zeal. As hath long been the wont at feasts, men
bade the ladies and the maids be given fair lodgment. From wherever they
were come, the host bare them right good will. One gave them all enow
with goodly honors.
When the night had an end and the day appeared, many a precious stone
from the sumpter chests sparkled on goodly weeds, as they were touched by
woman's hand. Many a lordly robe was taken forth. Or ever the day had
fully dawned, many knights and squires came out before the hall. Then rose
a merry rout before the early mass, which was sung for the king. There
young heroes rode so well that the king did cry them mercy. Many a
trumpet rang out passing loud, and the noise of drums and flutes did grow
so great that the broad town of Worms reechoed with the sound. The high-
mettled heroes horsed them everywhere. Then there rose in the land high
knightly play from many a doughty champion; one saw a great rout of them
whose youthful hearts beat high, and many a dapper knight and a good
stood armed with shield. At the easements sate the high-born dames and
many comely maids, decked out in brave attire. They watched the pastimes
of the many valiant men. The host himself gan tilt there with his friends.
Thus they passed the time, the which seemed aught but long.
Then from the dome was heard the sound of many bells. The palfreys
came, the ladies rode away; but many a bold man followed the noble
queens. They alighted on the green before the minster; Brunhild was still
friendly to her guests. Wearing crowns, they entered the spacious church.
Later their love was parted, which caused great hate. When they had heard
the mass, they rode away again with many honors and were soon seen

going merrily to table. Their pleasure at the feasting did not flag until the
eleventh day.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Meiny" (M.E. "meiny", O.F. "mesnee"), 'courtiers', 'serving
folk'.
(2) "Housings", 'saddle cloths'.

ADVENTURE XIV. How The Queens Reviled
Each Other.
On a day before the vesper tide a great turmoil arose, which many
knights made in the court, where they plied their knightly sports for
pastime's sake, and a great throng of men and women hasted there to gaze.
The royal queens had sat them down together and talked of two worshipful
knights.
Then spake the fair Kriemhild: "I have a husband who by right should
rule over all these kingdoms."
Quoth Lady Brunhild: "How might that be? If none other lived but he
and thou, then might these kingdoms own his sway, but the while Gunther
liveth, this may never hap."
Kriemhild replied: "Now dost thou see, how he standeth, how right
royally he walketh before the knights, as the moon doth before the stars?
Therefore must I needs be merry of mood."
Said Lady Brunhild: "However stately be thy husband, howso worthy
and fair, yet must thou grant the palm to Knight Gunther, the noble brother
of thine. Know of a truth, he must be placed above all kings."
Then Kriemhild spake again: "So doughty is my husband, that I have not
lauded him without good cause. His worship is great in many things. Dost
thou believe it, Brunhild, he is easily Gunther's peer."
"Forsooth thou must not take it amiss of me, Kriemhild, for I have not
spoken thus without good reason. I heard them both aver, when I saw them
first of all, and the king was victor against me in the games, and when he
won my love in such knightly wise, that he was liegeman to the king, and
Siegfried himself declared the same. I hold him therefore as my vassal, sith
I heard him speak thus himself."
Then spake fair Kriemhild: "Ill had I then sped. How could my noble
brothers have so wrought, that I should be a mere vassal's bride? Therefore
I do beseech thee, Brunhild, in friendly wise, that for my sake thou kindly
leave off this speech."

"I'll not leave it off," quoth the king's wife. "Why should I give up so
many a knight, who with the warrior doth owe us service?"
Kriemhild, the passing fair, waxed wroth out of wit. "Thou must forego
that ho ever do you a vassal's service; he is worthier than my brother
Gunther, the full noble man. Thou must retract what I have heard thee say.
Certes, it wondereth me, sith he be thy vassal and thou hast so much power
over us twain, why he hath rendered thee no tribute so long a time. By right
I should be spared thy overweening pride."
"Thou bedrest thee too high," spake the king's wife. "I would fain see
whether men will hold thee in such high honor as they do me."
The ladies both grew wonderly wroth of mood. Then spake the Lady
Kriemhild: "This must now hap. Sith thou hast declared my husband for thy
liegeman, now must the men of the two kings perceive to-day whether I
durst walk before the queen to church. Thou must see to-day that I am noble
and free and that my husband is worthier than thine; nor will I myself be
taxed therewith. Thou shalt mark to-day how thy liegewoman goeth to court
before the knights of the Burgundian land. I myself shall be more
worshipful than any queen was known to be, who ever wore a crown."
Great hate enow rose then betwixt the ladies.
Then Brunhild answered: "Wilt thou not be a liegewoman of mine, so
must thou sunder thee with thy ladies from my train when that we go to
church."
To this Kriemhild replied: "In faith that shall be done."
"Now array you, my maids," spake Siegfried's wife. "I must be here
without reproach. Let this be seen to-day, and ye do have rich weeds.
Brunhild shall fain deny what she hath here averted."
They needed not much bidding, but sought rich robes and many a dame
and maid attired her well. Then the wife of the noble king went forth with
her train. Fair Kriemhild, too, was well arrayed and three and forty maidens
with her, whom she had brought hither to the Rhine. They wore bright
vesture wrought in Araby, and thus the fair-fashioned maids betook them to
the minster. All Siegfried's men awaited them before the house. The folk
had marvel whence it chanced that the queens were seen thus sundered, so
that they did not walk together as afore. From this did many a warrior later
suffer dire distress. Here before the minster stood Gunther's wife, while

many a good knight had pastime with the comely dames whom they there
espied.
Then came the Lady Kriemhild with a large and noble train. Whatever
kind of clothes the daughters of noble knights have ever worn, these were
but the wind against her retinue. She was so rich in goods, that what the
wives of thirty kings could not purvey, that Kriemhild did. An' one would
wish to, yet he could not aver that men had ever seen such costly dresses as
at this time her fair-fashioned maidens wore. Kriemhild had not done it,
save to anger Brunhild. They met before the spacious minster. Through her
great hate the mistress of the house in evil wise bade Kriemhild stand:
"Forsooth no vassaless should ever walk before the queen."
Then spake fair Kriemhild (angry was her mood): "Couldst thou have
held thy peace, 'twere well for thee. Thou hast disgraced thee and the fair
body of thine. How might a vassal's leman (1) ever be the wife of any
king?"
"Whom callest thou here leman?" spake the queen.
"That call I thee," quoth Kriemhild. "Thy fair person was first caressed
by Siegfried, my dear husband. Certes, it was not my brother who won thy
maidhood. Whither could thy wits have wandered? It was an evil trick.
Wherefore didst thou let him love thee, sith he be thy vassal? I hear thee
make plaint without good cause," quoth Kriemhild.
"I' faith," spake then Brunhild, "Gunther shall hear of this."
"What is that to me?" said Kriemhild. "Thy pride hath bewrayed thee.
With words thou hast claimed me for thy service. Know, by my troth, it will
ever grieve me, for I shall be no more thy faithful friend."
Then Brunhild wept. Kriemhild delayed no longer, but entered the
minster with her train before the queen. Thus there rose great hatred, from
which bright eyes grew dim and moist.
Whatso men did or sang to God's service there, the time seemed far too
long for Brunhild, for she was sad of heart and mood. Many a brave knight
and a good must later rue this day. Brunhild with her ladies now went forth
and stopped before the minster. Her-thought: "Kriemhild must tell me more
of what this word-shrewd woman hath so loudly charged me. Hath
Siegfried made boast of this, 'twill cost his life."

Now the noble Kriemhild came with many a valiant liegeman. Lady
Brunhild spake: "Stand still a while. Ye have declared me for a leman, that
must ye let be seen. Know, that through thy speech, I have fared full ill."
Then spake the Lady Kriemhild: "Ye should have let me pass. I'll prove it
by the ring of gold I have upon my hand, and which my lover brought me
when he first lay at your side."
Brunhild had never seen so ill a day. She spake: "This costly hoop of gold
was stolen from me, and hath been hid full long a time from me in evil
wise. I'll find out yet who hath ta'en it from me."
Both ladies now had fallen into grievous wrath.
Kriemhild replied: "I'll not be called a thief. Thou hadst done better to
have held thy peace, an' thou hold thine honor dear. I'll prove it by the
girdle which I wear about my waist, that I lie not. Certes, my Siegfried
became thy lord."
She wore the cord of silk of Nineveh, set with precious stones; in sooth
'twas fair enow. When Brunhild spied it, she began to weep. Gunther and all
the Burgundian men must needs now learn of this.
Then spake the queen: "Bid the prince of the Rhineland come hither. I
will let him hear how his sister hath mocked me. She saith here openly that
I be Siegfried's wife."
The king came with knights, and when he saw his love a-weeping, how
gently he spake: "Pray tell me, dear lady, who hath done you aught?"
She answered to the king: "I must stand unhappy; thy sister would fain
part me from all mine honors. I make here plaint to thee she doth aver that
Siegfried, her husband hath had me as his leman."
Quoth King Gunther: "Then hath she done ill."
"She weareth here my girdle, which I have lost, and my ring of ruddy
gold. It doth repent me sore that I was ever born, unless be thou clearest me
of this passing great shame, for that I'll serve thee ever."
King Gunther spake: "Have him come hither. He must let us hear if he
hath made boast of this, or he must make denial, the hero of Netherland."
One bade fetch at once Kriemhild's love.
When Siegfried saw the angry dames (he wist not of the tale), how
quickly then he spake: "I fain would know why these ladies weep, or for

what cause the king hath had me fetched."
Then King Gunther spake: "It doth rue me sore, forsooth. My Lady
Brunhild hath told me here a tale, that thou hast boasted thou wast the first
to clasp her lovely body in thine arms; this Lady Kriemhild, thy wife, doth
say."
Then spake Lord Siegfried: "And she hath told this tale, she shall rue it
sore, or ever I turn back, and I'll clear me with solemn oaths in front of all
thy men, that I have not told her this."
Quoth the king of the Rhineland: "Let that be seen. The oath thou dost
offer, and let it now be given, shall free thee of all false charges."
They bade the proud Burgundians form a ring. Siegfried, the bold,
stretched out his hand for the oath; then spake the mighty king: "Thy great
innocence is so well known to me, that I will free thee of that of which my
sister doth accuse thee and say, thou hast never done this thing."
Siegfried replied: "If it boot my lady aught to have thus saddened
Brunhild, that will surely cause me boundless grief."
Then the lusty knights and good gazed one upon the other. "One should
so train women," spake again Siegfried, the knight, "that they leave haughty
words unsaid. Forbid it to thy wife, and I'll do the same to mine. In truth, I
do shame me of her great discourtesie."
Many fair ladies were parted by the speech. Brunhild mourned so sore,
that it moved King Gunther's men to pity. Then came Hagen of Troneg to
his sovran lady. He found her weeping, and asked what grief she had. She
told him then the tale. On the spot he vowed that Kriemhild's lord should
rue it sore, or he would nevermore be glad. Ortwin and Gernot joined their
parley and these heroes counseled Siegfried's death. Giselher, the son of the
noble Uta, came hither too. When he heard the talk, he spake full true: "Ye
trusty knights, wherefore do ye this? Siegfried hath not merited forsooth
such hate, that he should therefore lose his life. Certes, women oft grow
angry over little things."
"Shall we then raise cuckolds?" answered Hagen; "such good knights
would gain from that but little honor. Because he hath boasted of my liege
lady, I will rather die, an' it cost him not his life."
Then spake the king himself: "He hath shown us naught but love and
honor, so let him live. What booteth it, if I now should hate the knight? He

was ever faithful to us and that right willingly."
Knight Ortwin of Metz then spake: "His great prowess shall not in sooth
avail him aught. If my lord permit, I'll do him every evil."
So without cause the heroes had declared a feud against him. In this none
followed, save that Hagen counselled all time Knight Gunther the that if
Siegfried no longer lived, then many kingly lands would own his sway. At
this the king grew sad, so they let it rest.
Jousting was seen once more. Ho, what stout shafts they splintered before
the minster in the presence of Siegfried's wife, even down to the hall! Enow
of Gunther's men were now in wrath. The king spake: "Let be this
murderous rage, he is born to our honor and to our joy. Then, too, the
wonderly bold man is so fierce of strength, that none durst match him, if he
marked it."
"No, not he," spake Hagen then, "Ye may well keep still; I trow to bring
it to pass in secret, that he rue Brunhild's tears. Certes, Hagen hath broken
with him for all time."
Then spake King Gunther: "How might that chance?"
To this Hagen made answer: "I'll let you hear. We'll bid messengers, that
be not known to any here, ride into our land, to declare war upon us openly.
Then do ye say before your guests that ye and your men will take the field.
When that is done, he will vow to serve you then and from this he shall lose
his life, an' I learn the tale from the bold knight's wife."
The king followed his liegeman Hagen in evil wise. These chosen knights
gan plan great faithlessness, or ever any one was ware. From two women's
quarreling full many a hero lost his life.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Leman" (M.E. "lemman", O.E. "leof mann", 'lief man', i.e.,
'dear one'), 'mistress' in a bad sense.

ADVENTURE XV. How Siegfried Was Betrayed.
Upon the fourth morning two and thirty men were seen to ride to court
and the tale was brought to mighty Gunther that war had been declared. The
very direst woes befell fair women from a lie. They gained leave to come
before the king and say that they were Liudeger's men, whom Siegfried's
hand had conquered afore and had brought as hostages to Gunther's land.
He greeted then the messengers and bade them go and seat them. One
among them spake: "My lord, pray let us stand till we have told the
message we do bear you. This know, ye have of a truth many a mother's son
as foe. Liudegast and Liudeger, whom ye one time gave grievous sores,
declare a feud against you and are minded to ride with an army to this
land." The king waxed wroth when he heard This tale.
Men bade lead the perjurers to their lodgings. How might Siegfried, or
any else against whom they plotted, ware himself against their wiles? This
later brought great sorrow to them all. The king walked whispering with his
friends; Hagen of Troneg never let him rest. Enow of the king's liegemen
would fain have parted the strife, but Hagen would not give up his plan. On
a day Siegfried found them whispering. The hero of Netherland gan ask:
"How go the king and his men so sadly? I'll help avenge it, hath any done
you aught."
Then spake King Gunther: "I am rightly sad. Liudegast and Liudeger
have challenged me to war; they are minded to ride openly into my land."
At this the bold knight said: "Siegfried's hand shall hinder that with zeal,
as beseemeth all your honors. I'll do yet to these knights as I did before; I'll
lay waste their lands, or ever I turn again. Be my head your pledge of this.
Ye and your warriors shall stay at home and let me ride to meet them with
those I have. I'll let you see how fain I serve you. This know, through me it
shall go evil with your foes."
"Well is me of these tidings," spake then the king, as though he were glad
in earnest of this aid. With guile the faithless man bowed low.
Quoth Lord Siegfried: "Ye shall have small care."

Then they made ready for the journey hence with the men-at-arms. This
was done for Siegfried and his men to see. He, too, bade those of
Netherland get them ready. Siegfried's warriors sought out warlike weeds.
Then the stalwart Siegfried spake: "My father Siegmund, ye must stay here.
We shall return in short space hither to the Rhine, and God give us luck. Ye
must here make merry with the king."
They tied fast their banners, as though they would away, and there were
enow of Gunther's men who wist not wherefore this was done. Great rout of
men was seen at Siegfried's side. They bound their helmets and their
breastplates upon the steeds, and many a stout knight made ready to quit the
land. Then Hagen of Troneg went to find Kriemhild and asked for leave;
sith they would void the land.
"Now well is me," spake Kriemhild, "that I have won a husband who
dare protect so well my loving kinsfolk, as my Lord Siegfried doth here.
Therefore," spake the queen, "will I be glad of heart. Dear friend Hagen,
think on that, that I do serve you gladly and never yet did bear you hate.
Requite this now to me in my dear husband. Let him not suffer, if I have
done to Brunhild aught. I since have rued it," spake the noble wife.
"Moreover, he since hath beaten me black and blue; the brave hero and a
good hath well avenged that ever I spake what grieved her heart."
"Ye'll be friends once more after some days. Kriemhild, dear lady, pray
tell me how I may serve you in your husband Siegfried. Liefer will I do this
for you than for any else."
"I should be without all fear," quoth the noble dame, "that any one would
take his life in the fray, if he would not follow his overweening mood; then
the bold knight and a good were safe."
"Lady," spake then Hagen, "an' ye do think that men might wound him,
pray let me know with what manner of arts I can prevent this. On foot, on
horse, will I ever be his guard."
She spake: "Thou art my kinsman and I am thine. I'll commend to thee
trustingly the dear lover of mine, that thou mayst guard him well, mine own
dear husband." She made him acquaint with tales which had been better left
unsaid. She spake: "My husband is brave and strong enow. When he slew
the dragon on the hill, the lusty warrior bathed him of a truth in the blood,
so that since then no weapon ever cut him in the fray. Yet am I in fear,
whenever he standeth in the fight and many javelins are cast by heroes'

hands, that I may lose this dear husband of mine. Alas, how oft I suffer sore
for Siegfried's sake! Dear kinsman, in the hope that thou wilt hold thy troth
with me, I'll tell thee where men may wound the dear lord of mine. I let thee
hear this, 'tis done in faith. When the hot blood gushed from the dragon's
wounds and the bold hero and a good bathed him therein, a broad linden
leaf did fall betwixt his shoulder blades. Therefore am I sore afraid that men
may cut him there."
Then spake Hagen of Troneg: "Sew a small mark upon his coat, whereby
I may know where I must guard him, when we stand in battle."
She weened to save her knight, but 'twas done unto his death. She spake:
"With fine silk I'll sew a secret cross upon his vesture. There, knight, thy
hand must guard my husband, when the strife is on and he standeth in the
battle before his foes."
"That will I well, dear my lady," Hagen then replied.
The lady weened that it would boot him aught, but Kriemhild's husband
was thereby betrayed. Hagen then took leave; merrily he hied him hence.
The king's liegeman was blithe of mood. I ween that nevermore will warrior
give such false counsel, as was done by him when Kriemhild trusted in his
troth.
Next morning Siegfried with a thousand of his men rode merrily forth.
He weened he should avenge the grievance of his kinsmen. Hagen rode so
near him that he could eye his clothes. When he saw the sign, he sent in
secret twain of his men, who should tell another tale: that Gunther's land
should still have peace and that Liudeger had sent them to the king. How
loth Siegfried now rode home again, or ever he had avenged his kinsmen's
wrongs! Gunther's men could hardly turn him back. He rode then to the
king; the host gan thank him. "Now God requite you of your will, friend
Siegfried, that ye do so willingly what I bid you. For this I'll ever serve you,
as I rightly should. I trust you more than all my friends. Now that we be rid
of this foray, I am minded to ride a-hunting for bears and boars to the
Vosges forest, as I have done oft-time." That Hagen, the faithless knight,
had counseled. "Let it be told to all my guests, that we ride betimes. Those
that would hunt with me must make them ready. If any choose to stay at
home to court the ladies, that liketh me as well."
Then spake Sir Siegfried in lordly wise: "And ye would a-hunting, I'd
fain go with you. Pray lend me a huntsman and some brach, (1) and I will

ride to the pines."
"Will ye have but one?" spake the king anon. "I'll lend you, an' ye will,
four men to whom both wood and paths be known where the game is wont
to go, and who will not let you miss the camp."
Then rode the full lusty warrior to his wife, whilst Hagen quickly told the
king how he thought to trap the doughty knight. A man should never use
such faithlessness.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Brach", 'hunting dog', cognate with M.H.G. "bracke", used
here.

ADVENTURE XVI. How Siegfried Was Slain.
Gunther and Hagen, the passing bold knights, faithlessly let cry a-hunting
in the woods, that with sharp spears they would hunt boars and bears and
bison. What might be braver? With them rode Siegfried in lordly guise;
many kinds of victual did they take along. At a cool spring he later lost his
life, the which Brunhild, King Gunther's wife, had counseled. The bold
knight then went to where he found Kriemhild. His costly hunting garb and
those of his fellowship were already bound upon the sumpters, for they
would cross the Rhine. Never could Kriemhild have been more sorrowful.
He kissed his love upon her mouth. "God let me see thee, lady, still in
health and grant that thine eyes may see me too. Thou shalt have pastime
with thy loving kinsmen. I may not stay at home."
Then she thought of the tale she had told to Hagen, though she durst not
say a whit. The noble queen began to rue that she was ever born. Lord
Siegfried's wife wept out of measure. She spake to the knight: "Let be your
hunting. I had an evil dream last night, how two wild boars did chase you
across the heath; then flowers grew red. I have in truth great cause to weep
so sore. I be much adread of sundry plans and whether we have not
misserved some who might bear us hostile hate. Tarry here, dear my lord,
that I counsel by my troth."
He spake: "Dear love, I'll come back in a few short days. I wot not here
of people who bear me aught of hate. Each and all of thy kinsmen be my
friends, nor have I deserved it other of the knights."
"No, no, Sir Siegfried, in truth I fear thy fall. I had last night an evil
dream, how two mountains fell upon thee. I saw thee nevermore. It doth cut
me to the heart, that thou wilt part from me."
In his arms he clasped his courteous wife and kissed her tenderly. Then in
a short space he took his leave and parted hence. Alas, she never saw him in
health again.
Then they rode from thence into a deep wood for pastime's sake. Many
bold knights did follow Gunther and his men, but Gernot and Giselher
stayed at home. Many laden sumpters were sent before them across the

Rhine, the which bare for the hunting fellowship bread and wine, meat and
fish, and great store of other things, which so mighty a king might rightly
have. They bade the proud huntsmen and bold halt before a green wood
over against the courses of the game, upon a passing broad glade where
they should hunt. The king was told that Siegfried, too, was come. The
hunting fellowship now took their stand on every side. Then the bold
knight, the sturdy Siegfried, asked: "Ye heroes bold and brave, who shall
lead us to the game within the wood?"
"Let us part," spake Hagen, "ere we begin the chase. Thereby my lords
and I may know who be the best hunter on this woodland journey. Let us
divide the folk and hounds and let each turn whithersoever he list. He who
doth hunt the best shall have our thanks." Short time the huntsmen bided by
another after that.
Then spake Lord Siegfried: "I need no dogs save one brach that hath
been trained that he can tell the track of the beasts through the pine woods."
Quoth Kriemhild's husband: "We'll find the game."
Then an old huntsman took a good sleuth-hound and in a short space
brought the lord to where many beasts were found. Whatso rose from its lair
the comrades hunted as good hunters still are wont to do. Whatever the
brach started, bold Siegfried, the hero of Netherland, slew with his hand.
His horse did run so hard that none escaped him. In the chase he gained the
prize above them all. Doughty enow he was in all things. The beast which
he slew with his hands was the first, a mighty boar; after which he found
full soon a monstrous lion. (1) When the brach started this from its lair, he
shot it with his bow, in which he had placed a full sharp arrow. After the
shot the lion ran the space of but three bounds. The hunting fellowship gave
Siegfried thanks. Thereafter he speedily slew a bison and an elk, four strong
ure-oxen, (2) and a savage shelk. (3) His horse bare him so swiftly that
naught escaped him, nor could hart or hind avoid him. Then the sleuth-
hound found a mighty boar; when he began to flee, at once there came the
master of the hunt and encountered him upon his path. Wrathfully the boar
did run against the valiant hero, but Kriemhild's husband slew him with his
sword. Another huntsman might not have done this deed so lightly. When
he had felled him, they leashed the sleuth-hound; his rich booty was soon
well known to the Burgundian men.

Then spake his huntsman: "Sir Siegfried, if might so be, let us leave a
deal of the beasts alive. Ye'll empty both our hill and woods to-day."
At this the brave knight and a bold gan smile. Then the calls of men and
the baying of hounds were heard on every side; so great was the noise that
both hill and pine woods echoed with the sound. The huntsmen had let
loose full four and twenty packs. Then passing many beasts must needs lose
their lives. Each man weened to bring it to pass that men should give him
the prize of the hunt; that might not be, for the stalwart Siegfried was
already standing by the fire. The chase was over, and yet not quite. Those
who would to the camp-fire brought with them thither hides of many beasts
and game in plenty. Ho, how much the king's meiny bare then to the
kitchen!
Then bade the king announce to the huntsman that he would dismount. A
horn was blown full loud just once, that all might know that one might find
the noble prince in camp. Spake then one of Siegfried's huntsmen: "My
lord, I heard by the blast of a horn that we must now hie us to the quarters;
I'll now give answer."
Thus by many blasts of horns they asked about the hunters. Then spake
Sir Siegfried: "Now let us leave the pine wood!" His steed bare him
smoothly and with him they hasted hence. With their rout they started up a
savage beast; a wild bear it was. Quoth then the knight to those behind: "I'll
give our fellowship a little pastime. Let loose the brach. Forsooth I spy a
bear which shall journey with us to the camp. Flee he never so fast, he shall
not escape us."
The brach was loosed, the bear sprang hence; Kriemhild's husband would
fain overtake him. He reached a thicket, where none could follow. The
mighty beast weened now to escape from the hunter with his life, but the
proud knight and a good leaped from his steed and began to chase him. The
bear was helpless and could not flee away. At once the hero caught it and
bound it quickly with not a wound, so that it might neither scratch nor bite
the men. The doughty knight then tied it to his saddle and horsed him
quickly. Through his overweening mood the bold warrior and a good
brought it to the camp-fire as a pastime. In what lordly wise he rode to the
quarters! Mickle was his boar-spear, strong and broad. A dainty sword hung
downward to his spurs. The lord bare also a fair horn of ruddy gold. Never
heard I tale of better hunting weeds. One saw him wear a coat of black and

silky cloth and a hat of sable: rich enow it was. Ho, what costly bands he
wore upon his quiver! A panther's skin was drawn over it for its sweet
fragrance' (4) sake. He bare a bow, which any but the hero must needs draw
back with a windlass, and he would bend it. His vesture was befurred with
otter skin (5) from head to toe. From the bright fur shone out on both sides
of the bold master of the hunt many a bar of gold. Balmung (6) he also bare,
a good broad sword, that was so sharp that it never failed when 'twas
wielded 'gainst a helmet; its edge was good. In high spirits was the lordly
huntsman. Sith I must tell you all the tale, his costly quiver was full of
goodly darts, the heads a full hand's breadth, on golden shafts. What he
pierced therewith must needs die soon.
Thus the noble knight rode hence in hunter's garb. Gunther's men espied
him coming and ran out to meet him and took his horse in charge. On his
saddle he carried a large bear and a strong. When he had dismounted, he
loosed the bonds from feet and snout. Those of the pack bayed loudly, that
spied the bear. The beast would to the woods; the serving folk had fear.
Dazed by the din, the bear made for the kitchen. Ho, how he drove the
scullions from the fire! Many a kettle was upset and many a firebrand
scattered. Ho, what good victual men found lying in the ashes! Then the
lordings and their liegemen sprang from their scats. The bear grew furious
and the king bade loose the pack that lay enleashed. Had all sped well, they
would have had a merry day. No longer the doughty men delayed, but ran
for the bear with bows and pikes. There was such press of dogs that none
might shoot, but from the people's shouts the whole hill rang. The bear
began to flee before the dogs; none could follow him but Kriemhild's
husband, who caught and slew him with his sword. Then they bore the bear
again to the fire. Those that saw it, averred he was a mighty man.
Men bade now the proud hunting fellowship seat them at the tables.
Upon a fair mead there sate a goodly company. Ho, what rich viands they
bare there to the noble huntsmen! The butlers who should bring the wine
delayed; else might never heroes have been better served. Had they not
been so falsely minded, then had the knights been free of every blame.
Now the Lord Siegfried spake: "Me-wondereth, since men do give us
such great store from the kitchen, why the butlers bring us not the wine.
Unless men purvey the hunters better, I'll be no more your hunting-fellow. I
have well deserved that they regard me, too."

The king addressed him from his seat with guile: "We fain would do you
remedy of what we lack. It is Hagen's fault, who is willed to let us die of
thirst."
Then spake Hagen: "Dear my lord, I weened that the hunt should be in
the Spessart (7) wood, therefore sent I thither the wine. Though we may not
drink to-day, how well will I avoid this in the future!"
At this Lord Siegfried spake: "Small thanks ye'll get for that. One should
have brought me hither seven sumpter loads of mead and mulled wine. (8)
If that might not be, then men should have placed our benches nearer to the
Rhine."
Then spake Hagen of Troneg: "Ye noble knights and bold, I wot near by a
good cold spring. Let us go thither, that ye wax not wroth."
To the danger of many a knight was this counsel given. The pangs of
thirst now plagued the warrior Siegfried. He bade the tables be borne away
the sooner, for he would go to the spring in the mountains. With false intent
the counsel was then given by the knights. They bade the game which
Siegfried's hand had slain, be carried home on wains. Whoever saw it gave
him great laud. Hagen of Troneg now foully broke his troth to Siegfried.
When they would hence to the broad linden, he spake: "It hath oft been told
me, that none can keep pace with Kriemhild's husband when he be minded
for to race. Ho, if he would only let us see it here!"
Bold Siegfried from Netherland then answered: "Ye can well test that,
and ye will run a race with me to the spring. When that is done, we call give
the prize to him who winneth."
"So let us try it then," quoth Hagen, the knight.
Spake the sturdy Siegfried: "Then will I lay me down on the green sward
at your feet." (9)
How lief it was to Gunther, when he heard these words! Then the bold
knight spake again: "I'll tell you more. I'll take with me all my trappings,
my spear and shield and all my hunting garb." Around him he quickly
girded his quiver and his sword.
Then they drew the clothes from off their limbs; men saw them stand in
two white shifts. Like two wild panthers through the clover they ran, but
men spied bold Siegfried first at the spring. In all things he bare away the
prize from many a man. Quickly he ungirt his sword and laid aside his

quiver and leaned the stout spear against a linden bough. The lordly
stranger stood now by the flowing spring. Passing great was Siegfried's
courtesie. He laid down his shield where the spring gushed forth, but the
hero drank not, albeit he thirsted sore until the king had drunk, who gave
him evil thanks. Cool, clear, and good was the spring. Gunther stooped
down then to the flowing stream, and when he had drunken straightened up
again. Bold Siegfried would fain also have done the same, but now he paid
for his courtesie. Hagen bare quite away from him both bow and sword and
bounded then to where he found the spear; then he looked for the mark on
bold Siegfried's coat. As Lord Siegfried drank above the spring, he pierced
him through the cross, so that his heart's blood spurted from the wounds
almost on Hagen's clothes. Nevermore will hero do so foul a deed. Hagen
left the spear a-sticking in his heart and fled more madly than he ever in the
world had run from any man.
When Lord Siegfried felt the mighty wound, up from the spring he
started in a rage. From betwixt his shoulder blades a long spear-shaft
towered. He weened to find his bow or his sword, and then had Hagen been
repaid as he deserved. But when the sorely wounded hero found no trace of
his sword, then had he naught else but his shield. This he snatched from the
spring and ran at Hagen; nor could King Gunther's man escape him. Albeit
he was wounded unto death, yet he smote so mightily that a plenty of
precious stones were shaken from the shield. The shield itself burst quite
apart. Fain would the lordly stranger have avenged him. Now was Hagen
fallen to the ground at his hands, and from the force of the blow the glade
rang loudly. Had he had a sword in hand, then had it been Hagen's death, so
sore enraged was the wounded man. Forsooth he had good cause thereof.
His hue grew pale, he could not stand; his strength of body melted quite
away, for in bright colors he bore the signs of death. Thereafter he was
bewailed by fair dames enow.
Kriemhild's husband fell now among the flowers. Fast from his wounds
his blood was seen to gush. He began to rail, as indeed he had great cause,
at those who had planned this treacherous death. The deadly wounded
spake: "Forsooth, ye evil cowards, what avail my services now that ye have
slain me? This is my reward that I was always faithful to you. Alas, ye have
acted ill against your kinsmen. Those of them who are born in after days
will be disgraced. Ye have avenged your wrath too sore upon me. With
shame shall ye be parted from all good warriors."

The knights all ran to where he lay slain. For enow of them it was a
hapless day. He was bewailed by those who had aught of loyalty, and this
the brave and lusty knight had well deserved. The king of the Burgundians
bemoaned his death. Quoth the deadly wounded: "There is no need that he
should weep who hath done the damage; he doth merit mickle blame. It had
been better left undone."
Then spake the fierce Hagen: "Forsooth I wot not what ye now bewail.
All our fear and all our woe have now an end. We shall find scant few who
dare withstand us now. Well is me, that to his rule I have put an end."
"Ye may lightly boast you," Siegfried then replied. "Had I wist your
murderous bent, I had well guarded my life against you. None doth rue me
so sore as Lady Kriemhild, my wife. Now may God have pity that I ever
had a son to whom the reproach will be made in after days, that his kindred
have slain a man with murderous intent. If I might," so spake Siegfried, "I
should rightly make complaint of this." Piteously the deadly wounded spake
again: "Noble king, if ye will keep your troth to any in the world, then let
my dear love be commended to your grace and let it avail her that she be
your sister. For the sake of your princely courtesie protect her faithfully. My
father and my men must wait long time for me. Never was woman sorer
wounded in a loving friend."
The flowers on every side were wet with blood. With death he struggled,
but not for long, sith the sword of death had cut him all too sorely. Then the
lusty warrior and a brave could speak no more.
When the lordings saw that the knight was dead, they laid him on a shield
of ruddy gold and took counsel how they might conceal that Hagen had
done the deed. Enow of them spake: "Ill hath it gone with us. Ye must all
hide it and aver alike that robbers slew Kriemhild's husband as he rode
alone a-hunting through the pine wood."
Then Hagen of Troneg spake: "I'll bring him home; I care not if it be
known to her, for she hath saddened Brunhild's heart. Little doth it trouble
me however much she weep."

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Lion." It is hardly necessary to state that lions did not
roam at large in the forests of Germany. They were,
however, frequently exhibited in the Middle Ages, and the
poet introduced one here to enhance Siegfried's fame as a
hunter.
(2) "Ure-oxen", the auerochs, or European bison, now practically

extinct.
(3) "Shelk" (M.H.G. "schelch"), probably a species of giant
deer.
(4) "Fragrance". It was believed that the odor of the panther
attracted the game. Compare the description of the panther
in the older "Physiologus", where the odor is said to
surpass that of all ointments.
(5) "Otter" translates here M.H.G. "ludem", whose exact
connotation is not known. Some interpret it to meau the
fish otter, others the "Waldschrat", a kind of faun.
(6) "Balmung", see Adventure III, note 7.
(7) "Spessart wood" lies forty to fifty miles east of Worms and
is therefore too distant for a day's hunt, but such trifles
did not disturb the poet.
(8) "Mulled wine", see Adventure VIII, note 5.
(9) "Feet". This was probably done as a handicap. The time
consumed in rising to his feet would give his opponent quite
a start.

ADVENTURE XVII. How Kriemhild Mourned
Her Husband And How He Was Buried.
Then they waited for the night and crossed the Rhine. Never had heroes
hunted worse. Noble maids bewept the game they slew. Forsooth many
good warriors must needs atone for this in after days. Now ye may hear a
tale of great overweening and dire revenge. Hagen bade carry Siegfried of
the Nibelung land, thus dead, before the bower where Kriemhild lodged. He
bade place him stealthily against the door, that she might find him when she
went forth before the break of day to matins, which Lady Kriemhild full
seldom missed through sleep.
Men rang the minster bells according to their custom. Lady Kriemhild,
the fair, now waked her many maids and bade them bring a light and her
vesture, too. Then came a chamberlain and found Siegfried there. He saw
him red with blood, his clothes all wet. He wist not it was his lord, but with
the light in his hand he hasted to the bower and through this Lady
Kriemhild learned the baneful tale. As she would set out with her ladies for
the minster, the chamberlain spake: "Pray stay your feet, there doth lie
before the chamber a knight, slain unto death."
Kriemhild gan make passing sore wail, or ever she heard aright that it
was her husband. She began to think of Hagen's question, of how he might
protect him. Then first she suffered dole; she renounced all pleasure at his
death. To the earth she sank, not a word she spake, and here they found
lying the hapless fair. Passing great grew Kriemhild's woe. After her faint,
she shrieked, that all the chamber rang. Then her meiny said: "Perchance it
is a stranger knight."
The blood gushed from her mouth, from dole of heart; she spake: "'Tis
Siegfried, mine own dear husband. Brunhild hath counseled this and Hagen
hath done the deed."
The lady bade them lead her to where the hero lay. With her white hand
she raised his head, and though it was red with blood, she knew him soon.
There lay the hero of the Nibelung land in piteous guise. The gracious
queen cried sadly: "Oh, woe is me of my sorrow! Thy shield is not carved

with swords, thou liest murdered here. Wist I who hath done the deed, I'd
ever plot his death."
All her maids made mourn and wailed with their dear lady, for they
grieved full sore for their noble lord whom they had lost. Hagen had cruelly
avenged the wrath of Brunhild.
Then spake the grief-stricken dame: "Go now and wake with haste all
Siegfried's men. Tell Siegmund also of my grief, mayhap he'll help me
bewail brave Siegfried."
A messenger ran quickly to where lay Siegfried's warriors from the
Nibelung land, and with his baleful tidings stole their joy. They could scarce
believe it, till they heard the weeping. Right soon the messenger came to
where the king did lie. Siegmund, the lord, was not asleep. I trow his heart
did tell him what had happed. Never again might he see his dear son alive.
"Awake, Sir Siegmund; Kriemhild, my lady, bade me go to fetch you. A
wrong hath been done her that doth cut her to the heart, more than all other
ills. Ye must help her mourn, for much it doth concern you."
Siegmund sat up; he spake: "What are fair Kriemhild's ills, of which thou
tellest me?"
Weeping the messenger spake: "I cannot hide them from you; alas, bold
Siegfried of Netherland is slain."
Quoth Siegmund: "For my sake let be this jesting and such evil tales, that
thou shouldst tell any that he be dead, for I might never bewail him fully
before my death."
"If ye will believe naught of what ye hear me say, then you may hear
yourself Kriemhild and all her maids bewailing Siegfried's death."
Siegmund then was sore affrighted, as indeed he had great need. He and a
hundred of his men sprang from their beds and grasped with their hands
their long sharp swords. In sorrow they ran toward the sound of wail. Then
came a thousand men-at-arms, bold Siegfried's men. When they heard the
ladies wail so pitifully, some first grew ware that they should dress them.
Forsooth they lost their wits for very sorrow. Great heaviness was buried in
their hearts.
Then King Siegmund came to where he found Kriemhild. He spake:
"Alas for the journey hither to this land! Who hath so foully bereft me of
my child and you of your husband among such good friends?"

"Oh, if I knew him," spake the noble wife, "neither my heart nor soul
would ever wish him well. I would plan such ill against him that his kin
must ever weep because of me."
Around the prince Lord Siegmund threw his arms. So great grew the
sorrow of his kin, that the palace, the hall, and the town of Worms
resounded from the mighty wail and weeping. None might now comfort
Siegfried's wife. They stripped off the clothes from his fair body; they
washed his wounds and laid him on the bier. Woe were his people from
their mighty grief. Then spake his warriors from the Nibelung land: "Our
hands be ever ready to avenge him; he liveth in this castle who hath done
the deed."
All of Siegfried's men hasted then to arms. These chosen knights came
with their shields, eleven hundred men-at-arms, whom Lord Siegmund had
in his troop. He would fain avenge the death of his son, as indeed he had
great need. They wist not to whom they should address their strife, unless it
be to Gunther and his men, with whom Lord Siegfried had ridden to the
hunt.
Kriemhild saw them armed, which rued her sore. However great her grief
and how dire her need, yet she did so mightily fear the death of the
Nibelungs at the hands of her brothers' liegemen, that she tried to hinder it.
In kindly wise she warned them, as kinsmen do to loving kin. The grief-
stricken woman spake: "My Lord Siegmund, what will ye do? Ye wot
naught aright; forsooth King Gunther hath so many valiant men, ye will all
be lost, and ye would encounter these knights."
With their shields uncovered, the men stood eager for the fight. The
noble queen both begged and bade that the lusty knights avoid it. When
they would not give it over, sorely it grieved her. She spake: "Lord
Siegmund, ye must let it be until more fitting time, then I'll avenge my
husband with you. An' I receive proof who hath bereft me of him, I'll do
him scathe. There be too many haughty warriors by the Rhine, wherefore I
will not counsel you to fight. They have full well thirty men to each of ours.
Now God speed them, as they deserve of us. Stay ye here and bear with me
my dole. When it beginneth to dawn, help me, ye lusty knights, to coffin the
dear husband of mine."
Quoth the knights: "That shall be done."

None might tell you all the marvel of knights and ladies, how they were
heard to wail, so that even in the town men marked the sound of weeping.
The noble burghers hasted hither. With the guests they wept, for they, too,
were sore aggrieved. None had told them of any guilt of Siegfried, or for
what cause the noble warrior lost his life. The wives of the worthy burghers
wept with the ladies of the court. Men bade smiths haste to work a coffin of
silver and of gold, mickle and strong, and make it firm with strips of good
hard steel. Sad of heart were all the folk.
The night was gone, men said the day was dawning. Then the noble lady
bade them bear Lord Siegfried, her loved husband, to the minster. Whatever
friends he had there were seen weeping as they went. Many bells were
ringing as they brought him to the church. On every side one heard the
chant of many priests. Then came King Gunther with his men and grim
Hagen also toward the sound of wail. He spake: "Alas for thy wrongs, clear
sister, that we may not be free from this great scathe. We must ever lament
for Siegfried's death."
"That ye do without cause," spake the sorrow-laden wife. "Were this loth
to you, it never would have happed. I may well aver, ye thought not on me,
when I thus was parted from my dear husband. Would to God," quoth
Kriemhild, "that it had happed to me."
Firmly they made denial. Kriemhild gan speak: "Whoso declareth him
guiltless, let him show that now. He must walk to the bier before all the
folk; thereby one may know the truth eftsoon."
This is a great marvel, which oft doth hap; whenever the blood-stained
murderer is seen to stand by the dead, the latter's wounds do bleed, (1) as
indeed happed here, whereby one saw the guilt was Hagen's. The wounds
bled sore, as they had done at first. Much greater grew the weeping of those
who wailed afore.
Then spake King Gunther: "I'd have you know that robbers slew him;
Hagen did not do the deed."
"I know these robbers well," quoth she. "Now may God yet let his friends
avenge it. Certes, Gunther and Hagen, 'twas done by you."
Siegfried's knights were now bent on strife. Then Kriemhild spake again:
"Now share with me this grief."

Gernot, her brother, and young Giselher, these twain now came to where
they found him dead. They mourned him truly with the others; Kriemhild's
men wept inly. Now should mass be sung, so on every side, men, wives,
and children did hie them to the minster. Even those who might lightly bear
his loss, wept then for Siegfried. Gernot and Giselher spake: "Sister mine,
now comfort thee after this death, as needs must be. We'll try to make it up
to thee, the while we live."
Yet none in the world might give her comfort. His coffin was ready well
towards midday. From the bier whereon he lay they raised him. The lady
would not have that he be buried, so that all the folk had mickle trouble. In
a rich cloth of silk they wound the dead. I ween, men found none there that
did not weep. Uta, the noble dame, and all her meiny mourned bitterly the
stately man. When it was noised abroad that men sang in the minster and
had encoffined him, then rose a great press of folk. What offerings they
made for his soul's sake! He had good friends enow among these foes. Poor
Kriemhild spake to her chamberlains: "Ye must now be put to trouble for
my sake, ye who wished him well and be my friends. For Siegfried's soul
shall ye deal out his gold."
No child, however small, that had its wits, but must go to service, or ever
he was buried. Better than a hundred masses were sung that day. Great
throng was there of Siegfried's friends.
When that mass was sung, the folk went hence. Then Lady Kriemhild
spake: "Pray let me not hold vigil over the chosen knight this night alone.
With him all my joys have come to fall. I will let him lie in state three days
and nights, until I sate me with my dear lord. What if God doth bid that
death should take me too. Then had ended well the grief of me, poor
Kriemhild."
The people of the town returned now to their lodgings. She begged the
priests and monks and all his retinue, that served the knight, to stay. They
spent full evil nights and toilsome days; many a man remained without all
food and drink. For those who would partake, it was made known that men
would give them to the full. This Sir Siegmund purveyed. Then were the
Nibelungs made acquaint with mickle toil. During the three days, as we
hear tell, those who knew how to sing, were made to bear a deal of work.
What offerings men brought them! Those who were very poor, grew rich
enow. Whatever of poor men there were, the which had naught, these were

bid go to mass with gold from Siegfried's treasure chamber. Since he might
not live, many thousand marks of gold were given for his soul. She dealt
out well-tilled lands, wherever cloisters and pious folk were found. Enow of
gold and silver was given to the poor. By her deeds she showed that she did
love him fondly.
Upon the third morning at time of mass, the broad churchyard by the
minster was full of weeping country folk. They served him after death, as
one should do to loving kin. In the four days, as hath been told, full thirty
thousand marks or better still were given to the poor for his soul's sake. Yet
his great beauty and his life lay low. When God had been served and the
chants were ended, much people fought 'gainst monstrous grief. Men bade
bear him from the minster to the grave. Those were seen to weep and wail
who missed him most. With loud laments the people followed hence; none
was merry, neither wife nor man. They sang and read a service before they
buried him. Ho, what good priests were present at his burial! Ere Siegfried's
wife was come to the grave, her faithful heart was rung with grief, so that
they must needs oft sprinkle her with water from the spring. Her pain was
passing great; a mickle wonder it was that she ever lived. Many a lady
helped her in her plaint.
Then spake the queen: "Ye men of Siegfried, by your loyalty must ye
prove your love to me. Let me receive this little favor after all my woe, that
I may see once more his comely head."
She begged so long, with griefs strong will, that they must needs break
open the lordly casket. Then men brought the lady to where he lay. With her
white hand she raised his fair head and kissed the noble knight and good,
thus dead. Tears of blood her bright eyes wept from grief. Then there
happed a piteous parting. Men bare her hence, she could not walk, and soon
they found the high-born lady lying senseless. Fain would the lovely fair
have died of grief.
When they had now buried the noble lord, those who were come with
him from the Nibelung land were seen to suffer from unmeasured grief.
Men found Siegmund full seldom merry then. There were those that for
three days would neither eat nor drink for passing grief. Yet might they not
so waste away their bodies, but that they recovered from their sorrows, as
still happeneth oft enow.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Bleed". This was not only a popular superstition, but also
a legal practice in case of a murder when the criminal had
not been discovered, or if any one was suspected. The
suspected person was requested to approach the bier and
touch the body, in the belief that the blood would flow
afresh if the one touching the body were guilty. Our
passage is the first instance of its mention in German
literature. A similar one occurs in "Iwein", 1355-1364.
The usage was also known in France and England. See the
instances quoted by Jacob Grimm in his "Rechtsaltertumer",
930.

ADVENTURE XVIII. How Siegmund Journeyed
Home Again.
Kriemhild's husband's father went to where he found her. Unto the queen
he spake: "We must unto our land; by the Rhine, I ween, we be unwelcome
guests. Kriemhild, dear lady, now journey with me to my lands. Albeit
treachery here in these lands hath bereft us of your noble husband, yet
should ye not requite this. I will be friendly to you for my dear son's sake,
of this shall ye have no doubt. Ye shall have, my lady, all the power which
Siegfried, the bold knight, gave you aforetime. The land and also the crown
shall be subject to you. All Siegfried's men shall serve you gladly."
Then the squires were told that they must ride away. A mickle hurrying
for steeds was seen, for they were loth to stay with their deadly foes. Men
bade dames and maidens seek their robes. When that King Siegmund would
fain have ridden forth, Kriemhild's mother gan beg her that she stay there
with her kindred.
The royal lady answered: "That might hardly hap. How could I bear the
sight of him from whom such great wrong hath happed to me, poor wife?"
Then spake young Giselher: "Dear sister mine, by thy troth thou shouldst
stay here with thy mother. Thou dost need no service of them that have
grieved thee and saddened thy mood. Live from my goods alone."
To the warrior she spake: "Certes, it may not hap, for I should die of dole
whenever I should gaze on Hagen."
"I'll give thee rede for that, dear sister mine. Thou shalt live with thy
brother Giselher, and of a truth I'll comfort thee of thy husband's death."
Then answered the hapless wife: "Of that hath Kriemhild need."
When the youth had made her such kindly offer, then gan Uta and Gernot
and her faithful kin entreat. They begged her to tarry there, for but little kith
she had among Siegfried's men.
"They be all strangers to you," spake Gernot; "none that liveth is so
strong but that he must come to die. Consider that, dear sister, and console
your mind. Stay with your kinsfolk; ye shall fare well in truth."

Then she made vow to Giselher that she would stay. The steeds were
brought for Siegfried's men, sith they would ride to the Nibelung land. Also
all the trappings of the knights were packed upon the sumpters. Then the
Lord Siegmund hied him to Kriemhild's side. To the lady he spake:
"Siegfried's men are waiting by the steeds. Now must we ride away, for I be
ill content in Burgundy."
The Lady Kriemhild then replied: "All that I have of faithful kin advise
me that I stay here with them; I have no kith in the Nibelung land."
Loth it was to Siegmund, when that he found Kriemhild of this mind. He
spake: "Let no one tell you that. Before all my kinsmen ye shall wear the
crown with such sovran power as ye did aforetime. Ye shall not suffer,
because we have lost the knight. Ride also with us home again, for the sake
of your little child. Lady, ye should not leave him orphaned. When your son
groweth up, he will comfort your heart. Meanwhile many bold heroes and
good shall serve you."
"Sir Siegmund," quoth she, "forsooth I like not for to ride. Whatever
fortune, here must I tarry with my kindred, who help me mourn."
These tales gan now displease the doughty warriors. All spake alike: "We
might well aver that now first hath ill befallen us. If ye would stay here with
our foes, then have heroes never ridden to court more sorrowfully."
"Ye shall journey free of care, commended unto God; ye shall be given
safe-conduct to Siegmund's land, I'll bid them guard you well. To the care
of you knights shall my dear child be given."
When they marked that she would not go hence, then wept all of
Siegmund's men alike. How right sorrowfully Siegmund parted then from
Lady Kriemhild! He became acquaint with grief. "Woe worth this courtly
feasting," spake the noble king. "Through pastime will nevermore hap to
king or to his kinsmen, what here hath happed to us. Men shall see us
nevermore in Burgundy."
Then Siegfried's men spake openly: "A journey to this land might still
take place, if we discovered aright him who slew our lord. Enow of his
kinsmen be their deadly foes."
He kissed Kriemhild; how sorrowfully he spake, when he perceived
aright that she would stay: "Now let us ride joyless home unto our land,
now first do I feel all my sorrow."

Down to the Rhine from Worms they rode without an escort. They were
surely of the mind that they, the bold Nibelungs, could well defend them,
should they be encountered in hostile wise. Leave they asked of none, but
Gernot and Giselher were seen to go to Siegmund in loving wise. These
brave and lusty knights convinced him that they mourned his loss.
Courteously Prince Gernot spake: "God in heaven knoweth well that I be
not to blame for Siegfried's death, nor heard I ever that any was his foe. I
mourn him justly."
Giselher, the youth, gave them then safe-conduct. Sorrowly he led them
from the land home to Netherland. How few kinsman were found joyous
then!
How they now fared at Worms I cannot tell. All time men heard
Kriemhild mourn, so that none might comfort her heart nor mind, save
Giselher alone; loyal he was and good. Brunhild, the fair, sate in
overweening pride. How Kriemhild wept, she recked not, nor did she ever
show her love or troth. Lady Kriemhild wrought her in after days the
bitterest woe of heart.

ADVENTURE XIX. How The Nibelung Hoard
Was Brought to Worms.
When the noble Kriemhild thus was widowed, the Margrave Eckewart
with his vassals stayed with her in the land, and served her alway. He also
often helped his mistress mourn his lord. At Worms, hard by the minster,
they built for her a dwelling, broad and passing large, costly and great,
where, with her maids, she since dwelt joyless. She liked for to go to church
and did this willingly. Where her love lay buried, thither she went all time
in mournful mood (how seldom she gave that over). She prayed the good
God to have mercy on her soul. With great fidelity she bewept the knight
full oft. Uta and her meiny comforted her all time, but so sorely wounded
was her heart, that it booted naught, whatever comfort men did offer her.
She had the greatest longing for her dear love, that ever wife did have for
loving husband. One might see thereby her passing virtue; until her end she
mourned, the while life lasted. In after days brave Siegfried's wife avenged
herself with might.
Thus she dwelt after her sorrow, after her husband's death, and this is
true, well three and one half years, that she spake no word to Gunther, nor
did she see her foeman Hagen in all this time.
Then spake Hagen of Troneg: "If ye could compass it to make your sister
friendly, then might come to these lands the gold of Nibelung. Of this might
ye win great store, an' the queen would be our friend."
The king made answer: "Let us try. My brothers bide with her; we will
beg them to bring it to pass that she be our friend, if perchance she might
gladly see us win the hoard."
"I trow not," spake Hagen, "that it will ever hap."
Then he bade Ortwin and the Margrave Gere go to court. When that was
done, Gernot and Giselher, the youth, were also brought. They tried it with
the Lady Kriemhild in friendly wise. Brave Gernot of Burgundy spake:
"Lady, ye mourn too long for Siegfried's death. The king will give you
proof that he hath not slain him. We hear you mourn all time so greatly."

She spake: "None chargeth him with this. 'Twas Hagen's hand that struck
him, where he could be wounded. When he learned this of me, how could I
think that he did bear him hate? Else had I guarded against this full well,"
spake the queen, "so that I had not betrayed his life; then would I, poor
wife, leave off my weeping. I'll never be a friend of him that did the deed."
Then Giselher, the full stately man, began implore.
When at last she spake: "I will greet the king," men saw him stand before
her with his nearest kin, but Hagen durst not come before her. Well he wot
his guilt; 'twas he had caused her dole. When now she would forego her
hate of Gunther, so that he might kiss her, it had befitted him better had she
not been wronged by his advice; then might he have gone boldly unto
Kriemhild. Nevermore was peace between kindred brought to pass with so
many tears; her loss still gave her woe. All, save the one man alone, she
pardoned. None had slain him, had not Hagen done the deed.
Not long thereafter they brought it to pass that Lady Kriemhild gained
the hoard from the Nibelung land and brought it to the Rhine. It was her
marriage morning gift (1) and was hers by right. Giselher and Gernot rode
to fetch it. Kriemhild ordered eighty hundred men, that they should bring it
from where it lay hid, where it was guarded by the knight Alberich (2) and
his nearest kin. When they saw those from the Rhine coming for the hoard,
Alberich, the bold, spake to his friends: "Naught of the treasure dare we
withhold from her, sith the noble queen averreth it to be her marriage
morning gift. Yet should this never be done," quoth Alberich, "but that with
Siegfried we have foully lost the good Cloud Cloak, for fair Kriemhild's
love did wear it alway. Now, alas, it hath fared ill with Siegfried, that the
hero bereft us of the Cloud Cloak and that all this land did have to serve
him."
Then went the warder to where he found the keys. Before the castle stood
Kriemhild's liegemen and a deal of her kinsfolk. Men bade carry the
treasure hence to the sea, down to the boats; one bare it then upon the
waves to the mountains on the Rhine. Now may ye hear marvels of the
hoard, the which twelve huge wains, packed full, were just able to bear
away from the hill in four days and nights and each must make the trip three
times a day. There was naught else but gems and gold, and had men paid
therewith the wage of all the world, not a mark less had it been in worth.
Forsooth Hagen did not crave it so without good cause. The greatest prize

of all was a wishing-rod (3) of gold. He who knew its nature, might well be
master over any man in all the world.
Many of Alberich's kinsmen journeyed with Gernot hence. When they
stored away the hoard in Gunther's land and the queen took charge of
everything, chambers and towers were filled therewith. Never did men hear
tales told of such wondrous store of goods. And had it been a thousand
times as much, if the Lord Siegfried were but alive again, Kriemhild would
fain have stood empty-handed at his side. No more faithful wife did hero
ever win. Now that she had the hoard, she brought many unknown warriors
to the land. In truth the lady's hand gave in such wise that men have never
seen such bounty more. She used great courtesie; men owned this of the
queen. To the rich and the poor she began to give so greatly that Hagen
said, should she live yet a while, she would gain so many a man for her
service that they would fare full ill.
Then spake King Gunther: "Her life and her goods be hers. How shall I
hinder that she do with them as she will? Forsooth I hardly compassed it,
that she became thus much my friend. Let us not reck to whom she deal out
her silver and her gold."
Spake Hagen to the king: "No doughty man should leave to any wife
aught of the heard. With her gifts she'll bring about the day when it well
may rue the brave Burgundians sore."
Then spake King Gunther: "I swore an oath, that nevermore would I do
her harm, and will keep it further, for she is my sister."
Spake then Hagen: "Let me be the guilty one."
Few of their oaths were kept. From the widow they took the mighty store
and Hagen made him master of all the keys. This vexed her brother Gernot,
when he heard the tale aright. Lord Giselher spake: "Hagen hath done my
sister much of harm; I should prevent it. It would cost him his life, were he
not my kin."
Siegfried's wife shed tears anew. Then spake the Lord Gernot: "Or ever
we be imperiled by the gold, we should have it sunk entirely in the Rhine,
that it belong to none."
Full pitifully she went before her brother Giselher. She spake: "Dear
brother, thou shouldst think of me and be the guardian of both my life and
goods."

Quoth he then to the lady: "That shall be done when we return again, for
now we think to ride."
The king and his kindred voided then the land, the very best among them
that one might find. Only Hagen alone remained at home, through the
hatred he bare to Kriemhild, and did so willingly. Before the king was come
again, Hagen had taken the treasure quite and sunk it all at Loche, (4) in the
Rhine. He weened to use it, but that might not be. The lordings came again
and with them many men. With her maids and ladies Kriemhild gan bewail
her passing loss, for sore it grieved them. Gladly would Giselher have
helped in all good faith. All spake alike: "He hath done wrong."
Hagen avoided the princes' wrath, until he gained their favor. They did
him naught, but Kriemhild might never have borne him greater hate. Before
Hagen of Troneg thus hid the treasure, they had sworn with mighty oaths
that it should lie concealed as long as any one of them might live. Later
they could not give it to themselves or any other.
Kriemhild's mind was heavy with fresh sorrow over her husband's end,
and because they had taken from her all her wealth. Her plaints ceased not
in all her life, down to her latest day. After Siegfried's death, and this is true,
she dwelt with many a grief full thirteen years, that she could not forget the
warrior's death. She was true to him, as most folk owned.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Marriage morning gift" was the gift which it was customary
for the bridegroom to give the bride on the morning after
the bridal night. On this custom see Weinhold, "Deutsche
Frauen im Mittelalter", i, p. 402.
(2) "Alberich", see Adventure III, note 8. It is characteristic
of the poem that even this dwarf is turned into a knight.
(3) "Wishing-rod", a magic device for discovering buried
treasure. Cf. Grimm, "Deutsche Mythologie," ii, 813.
(4) "Loche", according to Piper, is the modern "Locheim" in the
Rhine province.

ADVENTURE XX. How King Etzel (1) Sent To
Burgundy For Kriemhild.
That was in a time when Lady Helca (2) died and the king Etzel sought
another wife, that his friends advised his marriage to a proud widow in the
Burgundian land, hight Lady Kriemhild. Since fair Helca was dead, they
spake: "Would ye gain a noble wife, the highest and the best king ever won,
then take this same lady; the stalwart Siegfried was her husband."
Then spake the mighty king: "How might that chance, sith I am heathen
and be christened not a whit, whereas the lady is a Christian and therefore
would not plight her troth? It would be a marvel, and that ever happed."
The doughty warriors answered: "What if she do it, perchance, for the
sake of your high name and your mickle goods? One should at least make a
trial for the noble dame. Well may ye love the stately fair."
The noble king then spake: "Which of you be acquaint with the people
and the land by the Rhine?"
Up spake then the good knight Rudeger of Bechelaren: (3) "I have known
from a child the three noble and lordly kings, Gunther and Gernot, the noble
knights and good; the third hight Giselher. Each of them doth use the
highest honors and courtesie, as their forebears, too, have always done."
Then answered Etzel: "Friend, I prithee, tell me whether she should wear
the crown in this my land. An' she be so fair, as hath been told me, it shall
never rue my dearest kin."
"She compareth well in beauty with my Lady Helca, the royal queen.
Certes, there might not be in all this world a king's bride more fair. He may
well be of good cheer to whom she plight her troth."
He spake: "So bring it to pass, Rudeger, as I be dear to thee; and if ever I
do lie at Kriemhild's side, I will requite thee for it as best I may. Then hast
thou done my will in fullest wise. From my treasure chambers I will bid
thee be given such store of horses, of clothes and all thou wilt, that thou and
thy fellowship may live full merrily. I'll bid full plenty of these things be
made ready against thine errand."

To this the lordly margrave Rudeger replied: "Craved I thy goods, that
were not worthy of praise. With mine own goods, which I have from thy
hands, will I gladly be thy envoy to the Rhine."
Then spake the mighty king: "Now when wilt thou ride for the fair? May
God keep thee and my lady in all worship on the journey. May fortune help
me, that she look with favor on my suit."
Rudeger made answer: "Ere we void the land, we must first make ready
arms and trappings, that we may stand with honor before princes. I will lead
to the Rhine five hundred stately men, that wherever in Burgundy I and
mine be seen, all may say of thee: 'Never did any king send afar so many
men in better wise than thou hast done to the Rhine.' If thou, O mighty king,
wilt not turn back on this account, I'll tell thee that her noble love was
subject unto Siegfried, Siegmund's son. Him thou hast seen here. (4) Men
could in right truth ascribe to him great worship."
Then spake King Etzel: "Tho' she was the warrior's wife, yet was the
noble prince so peerless that I should not disdain the queen. She liketh me
well for her passing beauty."
The margrave answered: "Then I will tell thee that we will start hence in
four and twenty days. I'll send word to Gotelind, my dear lady, that I myself
will be the messenger to Kriemhild."
Rudeger sent word to Bechelaren, at which the margravine grew both
sorrowful and proud. He told her he should woo for the king a wife.
Lovingly she thought on Helca, the fair. When the margravine heard the
message, a deal she rued it; weeping beseemed her at the thought whether
she should gain a lady as afore. When she thought on Helca, it grieved her
heart full sore.
Rudeger should ride in seven days from Hungary; lusty and merry King
Etzel was at this. There in the town of Vienna men prepared their weeds.
Then might he no longer delay his journey. At Bechelaren Gotelind awaited
him; the young margravine, too, Rudeger's child, gladly saw her father and
his men. Many fair maids awaited them with joy. Ere the noble Rudeger
rode from the city of Vienna to Bechelaren, all their clothes were placed
upon the sumpters. They journeyed in such wise that not a whit was taken
from them.
When they were come to tho town of Bechelaren, the host full lovingly
bade lodge his fellowship and ease them well. The noble Gotelind saw the

host come gladly, as likewise his dear daughter did, the young margravine.
To her his coming could not be liefer. How fain she was to see the heroes
from the Hunnish land! With smiling mien the noble maiden spake: "Now
be my father and his men full welcome here."
Then great thanks were given to the young margravine by many a
doughty knight in courteous wise. Well wot Gotelind Sir Rudeger's mood.
When at night she lay close by his side, what kindly questions the
margravine put, whither the king of the Huns had sent him. He spake: "My
Lady Gotelind, I'll gladly make this known to thee. I must woo another lady
for my lord, sith that the fair Helca hath died. I will ride for Kriemhild to
the Rhine; she shall become a mighty queen here among the Huns."
"Would to God," spake Gotelind, "an' that might hap, sith we do hear
such speech of her many honors, that she might perchance replace our lady
for us in our old age, and that we might be fain to let her wear the crown in
Hungary."
Then spake the margrave: "My love, ye must offer to those who are to
ride with me to the Rhine, your goods in loving wise. When heroes travel
richly, then are they of lofty mood."
She spake: "There be none that taketh gladly from my hand, to whom I
would not give what well beseemeth him, or ever ye and your men part
hence."
Quoth the margrave: "That doth like me well."
Ho, what rich cloths of silk were borne from their treasure chambers!
With enow of this the clothing of the noble warriors was busily lined from
the neck down to their spurs. Rudeger had chosen only men that pleased
him well.
On the seventh morning the host and his warriors rode forth from
Bechelaren. Weapons and clothes a plenty they took with them through the
Bavarian land. Seldom did men assail them on the highways for robbery's
sake, and within twelve days they reached the Rhine. Then might the tidings
not be hid; men told it to the king and to his liegemen, that stranger guests
were come. The host gan say, if any knew them, he should tell him so. One
saw their sumpters bear right heavy loads. 'Twas seen that they were
passing rich.

Anon in the broad town men purveyed them quarters. When that the
many strangers had been lodged, these same lords were gazed upon full oft.
The people wondered from whence these warriors were come to the Rhine.
The host now sent for Hagen, if perchance they might be known to him.
Then spake the knight of Troneg: "None of them have I ever seen, but when
we now gaze upon them, I can tell you well from whence they ride hither to
this land. They must indeed be strangers, an' I know them not full soon." (5)
Lodgings were now taken for the guests. The envoy and his fellowship
were come in passing costly vesture. To the court they rode wearing good
garments, cut in full cunning wise. Then spake the doughty Hagen: "As
well as I can tell, for I have not seen the lord long time, they ride as if 'twere
Rudeger from the Hunnish land, a lordly knight and a brave."
"How can I believe," spake at once the king, "that the lord of Bechelaren
be come to this land?"
When King Gunther had ended his speech, Hagen, the brave, espied the
good knight Rudeger. He and his friends all ran to meet them. Then five
hundred knights were seen dismounting from their steeds. Fair were the
men from Hungary greeted; messengers had never worn such lordly clothes.
Then Hagen of Troneg spake full loudly: "Now be these knights, the lord of
Bechelaren and all his men, welcome in God's name."
With worship the speedy knights were greeted. The next of kin to the
king went to where they stood. Ortwin of Metz spake to Rudeger: "Never
have we seen guests so gladly here at any time. This I can truly say."
On all sides they thanked the warriors for their greeting. With all their
fellowship they hied them to the hall, where they found the king and with
him many a valiant man. The lords rose from their seats; through their great
chivalry this was done. How right courteously he met the messengers!
Gunther and Gernot greeted the stranger and his vassals warmly, as was his
due. He took the good knight Rudeger by the hand and led him to the seat
where he sat himself. Men bade pour out for the guests (full gladly this was
done) passing good mead and the best of wine that one might find in the
land along the Rhine. Giselher and Gere both were come; Dankwart and
Folker, too, had heard about the strangers. Merry they were of mood and
greeted before the king the noble knights and good.
Then spake Hagen of Troneg to his lord: "These thy knights should ever
requite what the margrave for our sake hath done; for this should the

husband of fair Gotelind receive reward."
King Gunther spake: "I cannot hold my peace; ye must tell me how fare
Etzel and Helca of the Hunnish land."
To this the margrave now made answer: "I'll gladly let you know." He
rose from his seat with all his men and spake to the king: "An' may that be
that ye permit me, O prince, so will I not conceal the tidings that I bring, but
will tell them willingly."
Quoth the king: "The tidings that have been sent us through you, these I'll
let you tell without the rede of friends. Pray let me and my vassals hear
them, for I begrudge you no honor that ye here may gain."
Then spake the worthy envoy: "My great master doth commend to you
upon the Rhine his faithful service and to all the kinsmen ye may have. This
message is sent in all good faith. The noble king bade complain to you his
need. His folk is joyless; my lady, the royal Helca, my master's wife, is
dead. Through her hath many a high-born maid been orphaned, daughters of
noble princes, whom she hath trained. Therefore it standeth full piteously in
his land; they have alas none that might befriend them faithfully. The king's
grief, I ween, will abate but slowly."
"Now God reward him," spake Gunther, "that he so willingly
commendeth his service to me and to my kin. Full gladly have I here heard
his greeting, and this both my kindred and my men shall fain requite."
Then spake the warrior Gernot of Burgundy: "The world must ever rue
fair Helca's death, for her many courtesies, which she well knew how to
use."
With this speech Hagen, the passing stately knight, agreed.
Then answered Rudeger, the noble and lordly envoy: "Sith ye permit me,
O king, I shall tell you more, the which my dear lord hath hither sent you,
sith he doth live so right sorrowfully in longing after Helca. Men told my
lord that Kriemhild be without a husband, that Sir Siegfried be dead. If this
be so, then shall she wear a crown before Etzel's knights, would ye but
permit her. This my sovran bade me say."
Then spake the mighty king, full courteous was his mood: "And she care
to do this, she shall hear my pleasure. This will I make known to you in
these three days. Why should I refuse King Etzel before I've learned her
wish?"

Meanwhile men bade purvey good easement for the guests. They were
served so well that Rudeger owned he had good friends there among
Gunther's men. Hagen served him gladly, as Rudeger had done to him of
yore. Till the third day Rudeger thus remained. The king sent for his
counsel (full wisely he acted) to see whether his kinsmen would think it
well that Kriemhild take King Etzel to husband. All together they advised it,
save Hagen alone. He spake to Gunther, the knight: "Have ye but the right
wit, ye will take good care that ye never do this, tho' she were fain to
follow."
"Why," spake then Gunther, "should I not consent? Whatever pleasure
happen to the queen, I should surely grant her this; she is my sister. We
ourselves should bring it to pass, if perchance it might bring her honor."
Then answered Hagen: "Give over this speech. Had ye knowledge of
Etzel as have I, and should she harry him, as I hear you say, then first hath
danger happed to you by right."
"Why?" quoth Gunther. "I'll take good care that I come not so near him
that I must suffer aught of hatred on his part, an' she become his wife."
Said Hagen: "Never will I give you this advice."
For Gernot and Giselher men bade send to learn whether the two lords
would think it well that Kriemhild should take the mighty and noble king.
Hagen still gainsaid, but no one other. Then spake the knight Giselher of
Burgundy: "Friend Hagen, ye may still show your fealty. Make her to forget
the wrongs that ye have done her. Whatever good fortune she may have,
this ye should not oppose. Ye have in truth done my sister so many an ill,"
continued Giselher, the full lusty knight, "that she hath good cause, if she be
angry with you. Never hath one bereft a lady of greater joys."
Quoth Hagen: "I'll do you to wit what well I know. If she take Etzel and
live long enow, she'll do us still much harm in whatever way she can.
Forsooth full many a stately vassal will own her service."
To this brave Gernot answered: "It may not happen, that we ever ride to
Etzel's land before they both be dead. Let us serve her faithfully, that
maketh for our honor."
Again Hagen spake: "None can gainsay me, an' the noble Kriemhild wear
the crown of Helca, she will do us harm as best she may. Ye should give it
over, 'twould beseem you knights far better."

Wrathfully then spake Giselher, fair Uta's son: "Let us not all act as
traitors. We should be glad of whatever honors may be done her. Whatever
ye may say, Hagen, I shall serve her by my troth."
Gloomy of mood grew Hagen when he heard these words. Gernot and
Giselher, the proud knights and good, and Gunther, the mighty, spake at
last, if Kriemhild wished it, they would let it hap without all hate.
Then spake Prince Gere: "I will tell the lady that she look with favor
upon King Etzel, to whom so many knights owe dread obedience. He can
well requite her of all the wrongs that have been done her."
Then the doughty warrior hied him to where he saw Kriemhild. Kindly
she received him. How quickly then he spake: "Ye may well greet me
gladly and give me a messenger's meed. Fortune is about to part you from
all your woes. For the sake of your love, my lady, one of the very best that
ever gained a kingdom with great honors, or should wear a crown, hath sent
envoys hither. Noble knights be wooing; this my brother bade me tell you."
Then spake the sorrow-laden dame: "God should forbid you and all my
kinsmen that ye make a mock of me, poor woman. What could I be to a
man who had ever gained heartfelt love from a faithful wife?"
Sorely she gainsaid it, but then came Gernot, her brother, and Giselher,
the youth, and lovingly bade her ease her heart. It would do her good in
truth, could she but take the king.
None might persuade the lady that she should marry any man. Then the
knights begged: "If ye do naught else, pray let it hap that ye deign to see the
messengers."
"I'll not deny," spake the noble dame, "but that I should gladly see the
Margrave Rudeger for his passing courtesie. Were he not sent hither,
whoever else might be the messenger, never should he become acquainted
with me. Pray bid him come to-morrow to my bower. I'll let him hear my
will in full and tell it him myself." At this her great laments brake forth
anew.
The noble Rudeger now craved naught else but that he might see the
high-born queen. He wist himself to be so wise that she could not but let the
knight persuade her, if it should ever be. Early on the morrow when mass
was sung, the noble envoys came. A great press arose; of those who should
go to court with Rudeger, many a lordly man was seen arrayed. Full sad of

mood, the high-born Kriemhild bided the noble envoy and good. He found
her in the weeds she wore each day, whereas her handmaids wore rich
clothes enow. She went to meet him to the door and greeted full kindly
Etzel's liegeman. Only as one of twelve he went to meet her. Men offered
him great worship, for never were come more lofty envoys. They bade the
lording and his vassals seat them. Before her were seen to stand the two
Margraves Eckewart and Gere, the noble knights and good. None they saw
merry of mood, for the sake of the lady of the house. Many fair women
were seen to sit before her, but Kriemhild only nursed her grief; her dress
upon her breast was wet with scalding tears. This the noble margrave noted
well on Kriemhild.
Then spake the high-born messenger: "Most noble princess, I pray you,
permit me and my comrades that are come with me, to stand before you and
tell you the tidings for the sake of which we have ridden hither."
"Now may ye speak whatso ye list," spake the queen. "I am minded to
hear it gladly; ye be a worthy messenger."
The others noted well her unwilling mood.
Then spake Prince Rudeger of Bechelaren: "Etzel, a high-born king, hath
in good faith sent you a friendly greeting, my lady, by messengers hither to
this land. Many good knights hath he sent hither for your love. Great joy
without grief he doth offer you most truly. He is ready to give you constant
friendship, as he did afore to Lady Helca, who lay within his heart. Certes,
through longing for her virtues he hath full often joyless days."
Then spake the queen: "Margrave Rudeger, were there any who knew my
bitter sorrow, he would not bid me marry any man. Of a truth I lost the best
of husbands that ever lady won."
"What may comfort grief," the bold knight replied, "but married joy.
When that any gan gain this and chooseth one who doth beseem him,
naught availeth so greatly for woe of heart. And ye care to love my noble
master, ye shall have power over twelve mighty crowns. Thereto my lord
will give you the lands of thirty princes, all of which his doughty hand hath
overcome. Ye shall become the mistress over many worthy liegemen, who
were subject to my Lady Helca, and over many dames of high and princely
race, who owned her sway." Thus spake the brave knight and bold. "Thereto
my lord will give you (this he bade me say), if ye would deign to wear with

him the crown, the very highest power which Helca ever won; this shall ye
rule before all Etzel's men."
Then spake the queen: "How might it ever list me to become a hero's
bride? Death hath given me in the one such dole that I must ever live
joyless unto mine end."
To this the Huns replied: "O mighty queen, your life at Etzel's court will
be so worshipful that it will ever give you joy, an' it come to pass, for the
mighty king hath many a stately knight. Helca's damosels and your maids
shall together form one retinue, at sight of which warriors may well be
blithe of mood. Be advised, my lady, ye will fare well in truth."
With courtesie she spake: "Now let be this speech until the morrow early,
when ye shall come here again. Then will I give you answer to what ye
have in mind."
The bold knights and good must needs obey.
When all were now come to their lodgings, the noble dame bade send for
Giselher and for her mother, too. To the twain she said, that weeping did
beseem her and naught else better.
Then spake her brother Giselher: "Sister, it hath been told me, and I can
well believe it, that King Etzel would make all thy sorrows vanish, and thou
takest him to be thy husband. Whatever others may advise, this thinketh me
well done. He is well able to turn thy grief to joy," spake Giselher again;
"from the Rhone to the Rhine, from the Elbe down to the sea, there be no
other king as mighty as he. Thou mayst well rejoice, an' he make thee his
wife."
She spake: "My dear brother, why dost thou advise me this? Weeping and
wailing beseem me better far. How should I go to court before his knights?
Had I ever beauty, of this I am now bereft."
To her dear daughter the Lady Uta spake: "Whatever thy brothers counsel
thee, dear child, that do. Obey thy kindred and it will go well with thee. I
have seen thee now too long in thy great grief."
Then she prayed God full oft to grant her such store of goods that she
might have gold, silver, and clothes to give, as at her husband's side of yore,
when that he was still alive and well. Else would she never have again such
happy hours. She thought within her mind: "And shall I give my body to a

paynim (6) (I am a Christian wife), forever in the world must I bear shame.
An' he gave me all the kingdoms in the world still 1 would not do it."
Thus she let the matter rest. All night until the break of day the lady lay
upon her bed in thought. Her bright eyes never grew dry, till on the morn
she went to matins. Just at the time for mass the kings were come and took
their sister again in hand. In truth they urged her to wed the king of the
Hunnish land; little did any of them find the lady merry. Then they bade
fetch hither Etzel's men, who now would fain have taken their leave,
whatever the end might be, whether they gained or lost their suit. Rudeger
came now to court; his heroes urged him to learn aright the noble prince's
mind. To all it seemed well that this be done betimes, for long was the way
back into their land. Men brought Rudeger to where Kriemhild was found.
Winningly the knight gan beg the noble queen to let him hear what message
she would send to Etzel's land. I ween, he heard from her naught else than
no, that she nevermore would wed a man. The margrave spake: "That were
ill done. Why would ye let such beauty wither? Still with honor may ye
become the bride of a worthy man."
Naught booted that they urged, till Rudeger told the noble queen in secret
that he would make amends for all that ever happed to her. At this her great
sorrow grew a deal more mild. To the queen he spake: "Let be your
weeping. If ye had none among the Huns but me and my faithful kin and
liegemen, sore must he repent it who had ever done you aught."
At this the lady's mood grew gentler. She spake: "Then swear me an oath,
that whatever any do to me that ye will be the first to amend my wrongs."
Quoth the margrave: "For this, my lady, I am ready."
Rudeger with all his vassals swore that he would ever serve her faithfully
and pledged his hand, that the noble knights from Etzel's land would ne'er
refuse her aught.
Then the faithful lady thought: "Sith I, wretched wife, have won so many
friends, I'll let the people say whatso they choose. What if my dear
husband's death might still be avenged?" She thought: "Sith Etzel hath so
many men-at-arms, I can do whatso I will, an' I command them. He is
likewise so rich that I shall have wherewith to give; the baleful Hagen hath
bereft me of my goods."
To Rudeger she spake: "Had I not heard that he were a paynim, gladly
would I go whithersoever he listed and would take him to my husband."

Then spake the margrave: "Lady, give over this speech. He hath so many
knights of Christian faith, that ye'll ever be joyful at his court. What if ye
bring it to pass, that he should let himself be christened? Therefore may ye
fain become King Etzel's wife."
Then her brothers spake again: "Now pledge your troth, dear sister. Ye
should now give over your sadness."
They begged her till she sadly vowed before the heroes to become King
Etzel's bride. She spake: "I will obey you, I poor queen, and fare to the
Huns as soon as ever that may be, whenever I have friends who will take
me to his land."
Of this fair Kriemhild pledged her hand before the knights.
Then spake the margrave: "If ye have two liegemen, I have still more.
'Twill be the best, that with worship we escort you across the Rhine. No
longer, lady, shall ye tarry here in Burgundy. I have five hundred vassals
and kinsmen, too; they shall serve you, lady, and do whatso ye bid, both
here and there at home. I'll do by you the same whenever ye do mind me of
the tale and never feel ashamed. Now bid the housings for your horses be
made ready (Rudeger's counsel will never irk you) and tell it to your maids,
whom ye would take along, for many a chosen knight will meet us on the
road."
She still had harness with which they rode afore in Siegfried's time, so
that she might take with her many maidens now with worship, whenever
she would hence. Ho, what good saddles they fetched for the comely
dames! Albeit they had aye worn costly robes, many more were now made
ready, for much had been told them of the king. They opened up the chests,
which stood afore well locked. For four and one half days they were aught
but idle; from the presses they brought forth the stores that lay therein.
Kriemhild now began to open up her treasure rooms, she fain would make
all Rudeger's liegemen rich. Of the gold from the Nibelung land she still
had such store that a hundred horses might not bear it; she weened her hand
should deal it out among the Huns.
This tale Hagen heard told of Kriemhild. He spake: "Sith Kriemhild will
not become my friend, so Siegfried's gold must stay behind. For why should
I give to my foes such great store of goods? Well I wot what Kriemhild will
do with this hoard. I can well believe, an' she take it with her, that it will be

doled out to call forth hate against me. Nor have they steeds enow to bear it
hence. Hagen doth intend to keep it, pray tell Kriemhild that."
When that she heard this tale, it irked her sore. It was likewise told to all
three kings. Fain would they have changed it, but as this did not hap, the
noble Rudeger spake full blithely: "Mighty queen, why mourn ye for the
gold? King Etzel doth bear you such great love, that when his eyes do light
upon you, such store he'll give you that ye can never spend it all; this will I
swear to you, my lady."
Then spake the queen: "Most noble Rudeger, never hath king's daughter
gained such wealth as that, of which Hagen hath bereft me."
Then came her brother Gernot to the treasure chamber. By leave of the
king in the door he thrust the key. Kriemhild's gold was handed forth, a
thousand marks or more. He bade the strangers take it; much this pleased
King Gunther.
Then spake Gotelind's knight from Bechelaren: "And had my Lady
Kriemhild all the hoard that was brought from the Nibelung land, little of it
would mine or the queen's hand touch. Now bid them keep it, for I will
none of it. Forsooth I brought from home such store of mine that we can
lightly do without this on the road, for we be furnished for the journey in
full lordly wise."
Afore this her maids had filled twelve chests at leisure with the very best
of gold that anywhere might be. This they took with them and great store of
women's trinkets, which they should wear upon the road. Her thought too
great the might of Hagen. Of her gold for offerings (7) she had still a
thousand marks. For her dear husband's soul she dealt it out. This Rudeger
thought was done in faithful love. Then spake the mournful lady: "Where be
now my friends who for my sake would live in exile? Let those who would
ride with me to the Hunnish land, take now my treasure and purchase
horses and trappings."
Then spake the margrave Eckewart to the queen: "Since the day I first
became your vassal, I have served you faithfully," spake the knight, "and
aye will do the same by you until mine end. I will take with me also five
hundred of my men and place them in your service right loyally. Naught
shall ever part us, save death alone."
For this speech Kriemhild bowed her thanks; forsooth she had full need.

Men now led forth the palfreys; for they would ride away. Then many
tears were shed by kinsfolk. Royal Uta and many a comely maiden showed
that they were sad at Kriemhild's loss. A hundred high-born maids she took
with her hence, who were arrayed as well befit them. Then from bright eyes
the tears fell down, but soon at Etzel's court they lived to see much joy.
Then came Lord Giselher and Gernot, too, with their fellowship, as their
courtesie demanded. Fain would they escort their dear sister hence; of their
knights they took with them full a thousand stately men. Then came Ortwin
and the doughty Gere; Rumolt, the master of the kitchen, must needs be
with them, too. They purveyed them night quarters as far as the Danube's
shore, but Gunther rode no further than a little from the town. Ere they
fared hence from the Rhine, they had sent their messengers swiftly on ahead
to the Hunnish land, who should tell the king that Rudeger had gained for
him to wife the noble high-born queen.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Etzel", see Adventure I, note 7.
(2) "Helca" (M.H.G. "Helche") or "Herka", Etzel's wife, is the
daughter of king "Oserich" or "Osantrix", as the
"Thidreksaga" calls him. In the latter work (chap. 73-80)
we read how Rudeger (Rodingeir) took her by force from her
father and brought her to Etzel to be the latter's bride.
On her identity with the historical "Kerka" of Priscus, see
Bleyer, PB. "Beit." xxxi, 542.
(3) "Rudeger of Bechelaren", or, as the name reads in the
"Thidreksaga", "Rodingeir of Bakalar", is probably not an
historical personage, but the hero of a separate legend.
Evidence of this is seen in the fact that he calls himself
an exile, though he is Etzel's mightiest vassal, with
castles and lands in fief. He may have been introduced, as
Wilmanns ("Anz." xviii 101) thinks, to play a role
originally assigned to Dietrich, who is also an exile.
Mullenhoff considered him to have been a mythical person.
Bechelaren, or Pechlarn, lies at the junction of the Erlach
with the Danube.
(4) "hast seen here". "Biterolf", 9471, relates that Dietrich
had carried Siegfried, when young, by force to Etzel's
court.
(5) "full soon". See Adventure III, note 4.
(6) "Paynim" (O F. "paienime", late Latin "paganismus"),
'heathen'.
(7) "gold for offerings". This was the gold to be used as
offering when masses were sung for Siegfried's soul.

ADVENTURE XXI. How Kriemhild Journeyed
To The Huns.
Let now the messengers ride. We will do you to wit, how the queen
journeyed through the lands and where Giselher and Gernot parted from
her. They had served her as their fealty bade them. Down to Vergen (1) on
the Danube they rode; here they gan crave leave of the queen, for they
would ride again to the Rhine. Without tears these faithful kinsmen might
not part. Doughty Giselher spake then to his sister: "Whenever, lady, thou
shouldst need me, when aught doth trouble thee, let me but know, and I will
ride in thy service to Etzel's land."
Those who were her kin she kissed upon the mouth. Lovingly they took
their leave of Margrave Rudeger's men. The queen had with her many a
fair-fashioned maid, full a hundred and four, that wore costly robes of rich,
gay-colored silks. Many broad shields were borne close by the ladies on the
road, but many a lordly warrior turned then from her.
They journeyed soon from thence down through Bavarian land. Here the
tale was told that many unknown strangers had gathered there, where still a
cloister standeth and where the Inn floweth into the Danube. In the town of
Passau, where lived a bishop, lodgings were soon emptied and the prince's
court as well, as they hurried forth to meet the strangers in the Bavarian
land, where the Bishop Pilgrim (2) found fair Kriemhild. The knights of the
land were little loth, when in her train they saw so many comely maids;
with their eyes they courted the daughters of noble knights. Later good
lodgings were given the noble guests.
With his niece the bishop rode toward Passau. When it was told the
burghers of the town that Kriemhild was come, their prince's sister's child,
well was she greeted by the merchants. The bishop had the hope that they
would stay. Then spake Sir Eckewart: "That may not be. We must fare
further down to Rudeger's land. Many knights await us, for all wot well the
news."
Well wist fair Gotelind the tale. She tired her and her noble child with
care. Rudeger had sent her word that it thought him good that she should

cheer the mind of the queen by riding forth, with his vassals to the Enns (3)
for to meet her. When this message had been given, one saw on every side
the roads alive; on foot and horse they hastened to meet their guests. Now
was the queen come to Efferding. (4) Enow there were from the Bavarian
land who might perchance have done the guests much harm, had they
robbed upon the roads, as was their wont. That had been forestalled by the
lordly margrave: he led a thousand knights or more.
Now Gotelind, the wife of Rudeger, was come; with her there rode many
a noble knight in lordly vise. When they were come across the Traun, (5)
upon the plain by Enns, one saw erected huts and tents, where the guests
should have their lodgings for the night. Rudeger gave the vitaille to his
guests. Fair Gotelind left her lodgings far behind her; along the road there
trotted many a shapely palfrey with jingling bridle. Fair was the welcome;
right well was Rudeger pleased. Among those who rode to meet them on
the way, on either side, in praiseworthy wise, was many a knight. They
practised chivalry, the which full many a maiden saw. Nor did the service of
the knights mislike the queen. When that Rudeger's liegemen met the
guests, many truncheons (6) were seen to fly on high from the warriors'
hands in knightly custom. As though for a prize they rode before the ladies
there. This they soon gave over and many warriors greeted each other in
friendly wise. Then they escorted fair Gotelind from thence to where she
saw Kriemhild. Scant leisure had they who wot how to serve the ladies.
The lord of Bechelaren rode now to his wife. Little it irked the noble
margravine that he was come so well and sound from the Rhine. In part her
cares had given way to joy. When she had welcomed him, he bade her
dismount with the ladies of her train upon the sward. Many a noble knight
bestirred him and served the ladies with eager zeal. Then Kriemhild spied
the margravine standing with her meiny. No nearer she drew, but checked
the palfrey with the bridle and bade them lift her quickly from the saddle.
Men saw the bishop with Eckewart lead his sister's child to Gotelind. All
stood aside at once. Then the exiled queen kissed Gotelind upon the mouth.
Full lovingly spake Rudeger's wife: "Now well is me, dear lady, that I have
ever seen with mine own eyes your charming self in these our lands.
Naught liefer might hap to me in all these times."
"Now God requite you," quoth Kriemhild, "most noble Gotelind. Shall I
and Botelung's (7) son remain alive and well, it may be lief to you that ye

have seen me here."
Neither knew what must needs later hap. Many maidens went to meet
each other in courtly wise. The warriors, too, were full ready with their
service. After the greeting they sat them down upon the clover. With many
they became acquaint, who were full strange to them aforetime. As it was
now high noon, men bade pour out wine for the ladies. The noble meiny no
longer tarried, but rode to where they found many broad pavilions; there
ample service stood ready for the guests.
That night they had repose till early on the morn. Those from Bechelaren
made ready for to lodge the worthy guests. So well had Rudeger planned,
that little enow they lacked. The embrasures in the walls stood open, the
castle at Bechelaren was opened wide. In rode the guests whom men were
fain to see; the noble host bade purvey them proper easement. Most
lovingly Rudeger's daughter with her meiny went to welcome the queen.
There, too, stood her mother, the margrave's wife; many a high-born maid
was greeted with delight. They took each other by the hand and hied them
hence to a broad hall, fashioned full fair, under which the Danube flowed
along. Towards the breeze they sate and held great pastime. What more they
did I cannot tell, save that Kriemhild's men-at-arms were heard to grumble
that they fared so slowly on their way, for much it irked them. Ho, what
good knights rode with them hence from Bechelaren!
Rudeger offered them much loving service. The queen gave Gotelind's
daughter twelve ruddy armlets, and raiment too, as good as any that she
brought to Etzel's land. Although the Nibelung gold was taken from her, yet
she did win the hearts of all that saw her with the little she still might have.
Great gifts were given to the courtiers of the host. In turn the Lady Gotelind
offered the guests from the Rhine worship in such friendly wise, that men
found passing few of the strangers that did not wear her jewels or her lordly
robes.
When they had eaten and should depart, faithful service was proffered by
the lady of the house to Etzel's bride. The fair young margravine, too, was
much caressed. To the queen she spake: "Whenso it thinketh you good, I
know well that my dear father will gladly send me to you to the Hunnish
land." How well Kriemhild marked that the maiden loved her truly.
The steeds were harnessed and led before the castle of Bechelaren and
the noble queen took leave of Rudeger's wife and daughter. With a greeting

many a fair maid parted too. Full seldom did they see each other since these
days. From Medelick (8) the folk bare in their hands many a rich cup of
gold, in which they offered wine to the strangers on the highway. Thus they
made them welcome. A host dwelt there, hight Astolt, (9) who showed them
the road to the Austrian land, towards Mautern (10) down the Danube.
There the noble queen was later served full well. From his niece the bishop
parted lovingly. How he counseled her that she should bear her well and
that she should purchase honor for herself, as Helca, too, had done! Ho,
what great worship she later gained among the Huns!
To the Traisem (11) they escorted hence the guests. Rudeger's men
purveyed them zealously, until the Huns came riding across the land. Then
the queen became acquaint with mickle honor. Near the Traisem the king of
the Hunnish land did have a mighty castle, hight Zeisenmauer, (12) known
far and wide. Lady Helca dwelt there aforetime and used such great virtues
that it might not lightly ever hap again, unless it be through Kriemhild. She
wist so how to give, that after all her sorrow she had the joy that Etzel's
liegemen gave her great worship, of which she later won great store among
the heroes. Etzel's rule was known far and wide, so that all time one found
at his court the boldest warriors of whom men ever heard, among Christian
or among paynim. They were all come with him. All time there were at his
court, what may not so lightly hap again, Christian customs and also
heathen faith. In whatsoever wise each lived, the bounty of the king
bestowed on all enow.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Vergen" is the modern Pforing, below Ingolstadt. A ferry
across the river existed here from ancient times.
(2) "Pilgrim", or "Pilgerin", as he is variously called, is an
historical personage. He was bishop of Passau from 971 to
991. Without doubt he is a late introduction, according to
Boer between 1181 and 1185. See Boer, ii, 204, and E.L.
Dummler, "Pilgrim von Passau", Leipzig, 1854.
(3) "Enns" (M.H.G. "Ens") is one of the tributaries of the
Danube, flowing into it about eleven miles southeast of
Linz.
(4) "Efferding" (M.H.G. "Everdingen") is a town on the Danube,
about thirteen miles west of Linz.
(5) "Traun" (M.H.G. "Trune") is a river of Upper Austria,
forty-four miles southeast of Linz.
(6) "Truncheons", see Adventure II, note 8.
(7) "Botelung's son" is Attila, who is so called in our poem, in
the "Klage", and in "Biterolf". In the earlier Norse
version "Atli" is the son of "Budli". (On this point see
Mullenhoff, "Zur Geschichte der Nibelungensage", p. 106, and
Zsfd A., x, 161, and Bleyer, PB. Beit. xxxi, 459, where the

names are shown to be identical.)
(8) "Medelick" is the modern Mölk, or Melk, a town on the Danube
near the influx of the Bilach. It lies at the foot of a
granite cliff on which stands a famous Benedictine abbey.
(9) "Astolt" appears only in this passage; nothing else is known
of him.
(10) "Mautern" is situated at the influx of the Flanitz, opposite
Stein in Lower Austria.
(11) "Traisem", Traisen, is a tributary of the Danube in Lower
Austria, emptying near Traismauer.
(12) "Zeisenmauer" (M.H.G. "Zeizenmure"). All the MSS. but C and
D have this reading. The latter have "Treysenmoure" and
"treisem moure", which corresponds better to the modern
name, as Zeiselmauer lies between Tulln and Vienna. It is
possible, however, that the town on the Traisem was
originally called Zeiselmauer, as the road leading from
Traismauer to Tulln still bears the name of Zeiselstrasse.
See Lachmann, "Anmerkungen", 1272, 3, and Piper, ii, 289,
note to str. 1333.

ADVENTURE XXII. How Etzel Made Kriemhild
His Bride.
Until the fourth day she stayed at Zeisenmauer. The while the dust upon
the highway never came to rest, but rose on every side, as if it were
burning, where King Etzel's liegemen rode through Austria. Then the king
was told aright how royally Kriemhild fared through the lands; at thought of
this his sorrows vanished. He hasted to where he found the lovely
Kriemhild. Men saw ride before King Etzel on the road many bold knights
of many tongues and many mighty troops of Christians and of paynims.
When they met the lady, they rode along in lordly wise. Of the Russians and
the Greeks there rode there many a man. The right good steeds of the Poles
and Wallachians were seen to gallop swiftly, as they rode with might and
main. Each did show the customs of his land. From the land of Kiev (1)
there rode many a warrior and the savage Petschenegers. (2) With the bow
they often shot at the birds which flew there; to the very head they drew the
arrows on the bows.
By the Danube there lieth in the Austrian land a town that men call Tulna.
(3) There she became acquaint with many a foreign custom, the which size
had never seen afore. She greeted there enow who later came through her to
grief. Before Etzel there rode a retinue, merry and noble, courtly and lusty,
full four and twenty princes, mighty and of lofty birth. They would fain
behold their lady and craved naught more. Duke Ramung (4) of Wallachia,
with seven hundred vassals, galloped up before her; like flying birds men
saw them ride. Then came Prince Gibeck with lordly bands. The doughty
Hornbog, (5) with full a thousand men, wheeled from the king away
towards the queen. Loudly they shouted after the custom of their land.
Madly too rode the kinsmen of the Huns. Then came brave Hawart (6) of
Denmark and the doughty Iring, (7) free of guile was he, and Irnfried (8) of
Thuringia, a stately man. With twelve hundred vassals, whom they had in
their band, they greeted Kriemhild, so that she had therefrom great worship.
Then came Sir Bloedel, (9) King Etzel's brother, from the Hunnish land,
with three thousand men. In lordly wise he rode to where he found the
queen. Then King Etzel came and Sir Dietrich, too, with all his fellowship.

There stood many worshipful knights, noble, worthy, and good. At this
Dame Kriemhild's spirits rose.
Then Sir Rudeger spake to the queen: "Lady, here will I receive the high-
born king; whomso I bid you kiss, that must ye do. Forsooth ye may not
greet alike King Etzel's men."
From the palfrey they helped the royal queen alight. Etzel, the mighty,
bode no more, but dismounted from his steed with many a valiant man.
Joyfully men saw them go towards Kriemhild. Two mighty princes, as we
are told, walked by the lady and bore her train, when King Etzel went to
meet her, where she greeted the noble lording with a kiss in gracious wise.
She raised her veil and from out the gold beamed forth her rosy hue. Many
a man stood there who vowed that Lady Helca could not have been more
fair than she. Close by stood also Bloedel, the brother of the king. Him
Rudeger, the mighty margrave, bade her kiss and King Gibeck, too. There
also stood Sir Dietrich. Twelve of the warriors the king's bride kissed. She
greeted many knights in other ways.
All the while that Etzel stood at Kriemhild's side, the youthful warriors
did as people still are wont to do. One saw them riding many a royal joust.
This Christian champions did and paynim, too, according to their custom.
In what right knightly wise the men of Dietrich made truncheons from the
shafts fly through the air, high above the shields, from the hands of doughty
knights! Many a buckler's edge was pierced through and through by the
German strangers. Great crashing of breaking shafts was heard. All the
warriors from the land were come and the king's guests, too, many a noble
man.
Then the mighty king betook him hence with Lady Kriemhild. Hard by
them a royal tent was seen to stand; around about the plain was filled with
booths, where they should rest them after their toils. Many a comely maid
was shown to her place thereunder by the knights, where she then sate with
the queen on richly covered chairs. The margrave had so well purveyed the
seats for Kriemhild, that all found them passing good; at this King Etzel
grew blithe of mood. What the king there spake, I know not. In his right lay
her snow-white hand; thus they sate in lover's wise, since Rudeger would
not let the king make love to Kriemhild secretly.
Then one bade the tourney cease on every side; in courtly wise the great
rout ended. Etzel's men betook them to the booths; men gave them lodgings

stretching far away on every side. The day had now an end; they lay at ease,
till the bright morn was seen to dawn again, then many a man betook him to
the steeds. Ho, what pastimes they gan ply in honor of the king! Etzel bade
the Huns purvey all with fitting honors. Then they rode from Tulna to the
town of Vienna, where they found many a dame adorned. With great
worship these greeted King Etzel's bride. There was ready for them in great
plenty whatever they should have. Many a lusty hero rejoiced at prospect of
the rout.
The king's wedding feast commenced in merry wise. They began to lodge
the guests, but quarters could not be found for all within the town. Rudeger
therefore begged those that were not guests to take lodgings in the country
round about. I ween men found all time by Lady Kriemhild, Sir Dietrich
and many another knight. Their rest they had given over for toil, that they
might purvey the guests good cheer. Rudeger and his friends had pastime
good. The wedding feast fell on a Whitsuntide, when King Etzel lay by
Kriemhild in the town of Vienna. With her first husband, I trow, she did not
win so many men for service. Through presents she made her known to
those who had never seen her. Full many among them spake to the guests:
"We weened that Lady Kriemhild had naught of goods, now hath she
wrought many wonders with her gifts."
The feasting lasted seventeen days. I trow men can no longer tell of any
king whose wedding feast was greater. If so be, 'tis hidden from us. All that
were present wore brand-new garments. I ween, she never dwelt before in
Netherland with such retinue of knights. Though Siegfried was rich in
goods, I trow, he never won so many noble men-at-arms, as she saw stand
'fore Etzel. Nor hath any ever given at his own wedding feast so many
costly mantles, long and wide, nor such good clothes, of which all had here
great store, given for Kriemhild's sake. Her friends and the strangers, too,
were minded to spare no kind of goods. Whatever any craved, this they
willingly gave, so that many of the knights through bounty stood bereft of
clothes. Kriemhild thought of how she dwelt with her noble husband by the
Rhine; her eyes grew moist, but she hid it full well, that none might see it.
Great worship had been done her after many a grief. Whatever bounty any
used, 'twas but a wind to that of Dietrich. What Botelung's son had given
him, was squandered quite. Rudeger's lavish hand did also many wonders.
Prince Bloedel of Hungary bade empty many traveling chests of their silver
and their gold; all this was given away. The king's champions were seen to

live right merrily. Werbel and Swemmel, (10) the minstrels of the king, each
gained at the wedding feast, I ween, full thousand marks, or even better,
when fair Kriemhild sate crowned at Etzel's side.
On the eighteenth morning they rode forth from Vienna. Many shields
were pierced in tilting by spears, which the warriors bare in hand. Thus
King Etzel came down to the Hunnish land. They spent the night at ancient
Heimburg. (11) No one might know the press of folk, or with what force
they rode across the land. Ho, what fair women they found in Etzel's native
land! At mighty Misenburg (12) they boarded ship. The water which men
saw flowing there was covered with steeds and men, as if it were solid
earth. The wayworn ladies had their ease and rest. Many good ships were
lashed together, that neither waves nor flood might do them harm. Upon
them many a goodly tent was spread, as if they still had both land and plain.
From thence tidings came to Etzelburg, (13) at which both men and
wives therein were glad. Helca's meiny, that aforetime waited on their
mistress, passed many a happy day thereafter at Kriemhild's side. There
many a noble maid stood waiting, who had great grief through Helca's
death. Kriemhild found still seven royal princesses there, through whom all
Etzel's land was graced. For the meiny the high-born maiden Herrat (14)
cared, the daughter of Helca's sister, beseen with many courtly virtues, the
betrothed of Dietrich, a royal child, King Nentwin's (15) daughter; much
worship she later had. Blithe of heart she was at the coming of the guests;
for this, too, mighty treasures were prepared. Who might tell the tale of how
the king held court? Never had men lived better among the Huns with any
queen.
When that the king with his wife rode from the shore, the noble
Kriemhild was told full well who each one was; she greeted them the better.
Ho, how royally she ruled in Helca's stead! She became acquaint with much
loyal service. Then the queen dealt out gold and vesture, silk and precious
stones. Whatever she brought with her across the Rhine to Hungary must
needs be given all away. All the king's kinsmen and all his liegemen then
owned her service, so that Lady Helca never ruled so mightily as she, whom
they now must serve till Kriemhild's death. The court and all the land lived
in such high honors, that all time men found the pastimes which each heart
desired, through the favor of the king and his good queen.

ENDNOTES:

(1) "Kiev" (M.H.G. "Kiew") is now a government in the
southwestern part of Russia. Its capital of the same name,
situated on the Dnieper, is the oldest of the better known
cities of Russia, and in the latter Middle Ages was an
important station of the Hanseatic league.
(2) "Petschenegers", a Turkish tribe originally dwelling to the
north of the Caspian. By conquest they acquired a kingdom
extending from the Don to Transylvania. They were feared
for their ferociousness and because they continually invaded
the surrounding countries, especially Kiev.
(3) "Tulna" (M.H.G. "Tulne") is the modern Tulln, a walled town
of Lower Austria, seventeen miles northwest of Vienna on the
Danube.
(4) "Ramung and Gibeck" (M.H.G. "Gibeche") appear only in our
poem, nothing else is known of them.
(5) "Hornbog" is frequently mentioned in the "Thidreksaga", but
nothing otherwise is known of him.
(6) "Hawart" is perhaps identical with the Saxon duke Hadugot,
who is reputed to have played an important part in the
conquest of Thuringia. He evidently comes from the Low
German version.
(7) "Iring" is considered by Wilmanns to have been originally an
ancient deity, as the Milky Way is called "Iringe straze" or
"Iringi". He occurs in a legend of the fall of the
Thuringian kingdom, where he played such a prominent role
that the Milky Way was named after him. See W. Grimm,
"Heldensage", p. 394, who thinks, however, that the
connection of Iring with the Milky Way is the result of a
confusion.
(8) "Irnfried" is considered to be Hermanfrid of Thuringia, who
was overthrown and killed in A.D. 535 by Theuderich with the
aid of the Saxons. See Felix Dahn, "Urgeschichte", iii,
73-79. He, too, comes from the Low German tradition.
(9) "Bloedel" is Bleda, the brother of Attila, with whom he
reigned conjointly from A.D. 433 to 445. In our poem the
name appears frequently with the diminutive ending, as
"Bloedelin".
(10) "Werbel and Swemmel", who doubtless owe their introduction
to some minstrel, enjoy special favor and are intrusted with
the important mission of inviting the Burgundians to Etzel's
court, an honor that would hardly be accorded to persons of
their rank. Swemmel appears mostly in the diminutive form
"Swemmelin".
(11) "Heimburg" lies on the Danube near the Hungarian border.
(12) "Misenburg" is the modern Wieselburg on the Danube,
twenty-one miles southeast of Pressburg.
(13) "Etzelburg" was later identified with the old part of
Budapest, called in German "Ofen", through the influence of
Hungarish legends, but, as G. Heinrich has shown, had no
definite localization in the older M.H.G. epics. See
Bleyer, PB. Belt. xxxi 433 and 506. The name occurs in
documents as late as the fifteenth century.
(14) "Herrat", the daughter of King "Nentwin" is frequently
mentioned in the "Thidreksaga" as Dietrich's betrothed. She
is spoken of as the exiled maid.
(15) "Nentwin" is not found in any other saga, and nothing else
is known of him. See W. Grimm, "Heldensage", 103.

ADVENTURE XXIII. How Kriemhild Thought
To Avenge Her Wrongs.
With great worship of a truth they lived together until the seventh year. In
this time the queen was delivered of a son, at which King Etzel could not
have been more joyful. She would not turn back, until she brought it to pass
that Etzel's child was christened after the Christian rite. Men named it
Ortlieb; (1) at this great joy arose over all of Etzel's lands. Whatever courtly
breeding Lady Helca had possessed, Dame Kriemhild practiced this full
many a day. Herrat, the exiled maid, who in secret grieved full sore for
Helca, taught her the customs. Well was she known to the strangers and the
home-folk. They vowed that never had a kingdom had a better or more
bounteous queen. This they held for true. She bare this praise among the
Huns until the thirteenth year. Now wot she well, that none would thwart
her, as royal men-at-arms still do to a prince's wife, and that all time she
saw twelve kings stand before her. Over many a wrong she brooded, that
had happed to her at home. She thought likewise on the many honors in the
Nibelung land, which she had there enjoyed and of which Hagen's hand had
quite bereft her at Siegfried's death, and if perchance she might not make
him suffer for his deed. "That would hap, if I might but bring him to this
land." She dreamed that Giselher, her brother, walked often with her hand in
hand. Alway she kissed him in her gentle slumber; later suffering came to
both. I ween, the foul fiend did counsel Kriemhild this, that she withdrew
her friendship from Giselher, whom for forgiveness' sake she had kissed in
the Burgundian land. At this hot tears again gan soil her robe. Early and late
it lay within her heart, how without fault of hers they had made her wed a
heathen man. Hagen and Gunther had brought her to this pass. This wish
she seldom gave over in her heart. She thought: "I am so mighty and have
such great wealth, that I can do my foes an injury yet. Full ready would I be
for this towards Hagen of Troneg. My heart doth often yearn for my faithful
kin. Might I be with those who did me wrong, my lover's death would be
well avenged. Scarce can I abide this," spake Etzel's wife.
All the king's men, Kriemhild's warriors, bare her love in duty bound. Of
the chamber Eckewart had charge, which won him friends. None might

gainsay Dame Kriemhild's will. All time she thought: "I will beg the king,
that he in kindly wise may grant me to bring my kinsmen to the Hunnish
land." None marked the evil purpose of the queen. One night when she lay
by the king, and he did hold her in his arms, as he was wont to love the
noble dame, who was dear to him as life, the high-born lady thought her of
her foes. To the king she spake: "Dear my lord, I would fain beseech you,
by your grace, that ye would show me that ye did love my kinsfolk, if I
have earned the favor."
Then spake the king (true was his heart): "I'll give you to know however
well the knights may fare, I may well have joy of this, for never have I won
better kin through woman's love."
Again the queen spake: "It hath been well told you, that I have high-born
kin; therefore do I grieve that they so seldom reck to see me here. I hear the
folk aver that I be banished."
Then spake king Etzel: "Dear lady mine, and it think you not too far, I'll
bid hither to my lands, from across the Rhine, whomso ye be fain to see."
The lady joyed her when she heard his will. She spake: "Would ye show
me your faith, my lord, then send envoys to Worms across the Rhine,
through whom I may tell my kinsfolk what I have in mind. Thus there will
come hither to our land many a noble knight and a good."
He answered: "It shall hap whenso ye bid. Ye might not be more glad to
see your kin than I to see the sons of the noble Uta. It doth irk me sore, that
they have been strangers to us so long a time. If it please you, dear lady
mine, I would fain send my minstrels for your kinsmen to the Burgundian
land."
He bade the good minstrels be fetched straightway. Quickly they hasted
to where the king sate by the queen. He told the twain they should be
envoys to the Burgundian land and bade full lordly weeds be made ready
for them. Clothing was prepared for four and twenty warriors, and the
message was told them by the king, how they should bid Gunther and his
liegemen hither. Kriemhild, the queen, talked with them apart. Then spake
the mighty king: "I'll tell you what to say. I offer to my kin my love and
service, that it may please them to ride hither to my land. But few such
welcome guests have I known, and if they perchance will fulfill my wish,
tell Kriemhild's kinsmen that they must not fall to come this summer to my
feast, for much of my joy doth lie upon the kinsmen of my wife."

Then spake the minstrel, the proud Swemmel: "When shall your feasting
be in these lands, that I may tell it yonder to your kin?"
King Etzel answered: "On next midsummer's day."
"We'll do as ye command," spake then Werbel.
The queen bade them be brought secretly unto her bower, where she then
talked with the envoys. From this but little joy happed to many a knight. To
the two messengers she spake: "Now earn ye mickle goods, in that ye do
my pleasure full willingly and give the message which I send to my native
land. I'll make you rich in goods and give you the lordly robes. And if ye
see any of my kin at Worms upon the Rhine, ye must not tell them that ye
ever saw me sad of heart. Tender my service to the heroes brave and good.
Beg that they do as the king doth bid and thus part me from all my grief.
The Huns ween, I be without kith and kin. Were I a knight, I'd visit them
myself at times. And say to Gernot, too, the noble brother of mine, that
none in the world doth love him more. Beg him to bring with him to this
land our best of friends, that it may be to our honor. Say also to Giselher,
that he remember well, I never gained grief through fault of his. Therefore
would mine eyes fain sue him. For his great loyalty I would gladly have
him here. Tell my mother also of the honors which I have, and if Hagen of
Troneg be minded to stay at home, who then should lead them through the
lands? From a child he knoweth the roads to Hungary." (2)
The envoys wist not, why it was done, that they should not let Hagen of
Troneg stay upon the Rhine. Later it repented them full sore. With him
many a knight was doomed to a savage death. Letters and messages had
now been given them. They rode forth rich in goods, and well could lead a
sumptuous life. Of Etzel and his fair wife they took their leave, their
persons adorned full well with goodly weeds.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Ortlieb" is not historical, and in the "Thidreksaga"
Etzel's son is called Aldrian. Bleyer, "Die germanischen
Elemente der ungarischen, Hunnensage", PB. Beit. xxxi, 570,
attempt to prove the identity of the names by means of a
form "Arda", giving on the one hand Hungarian "Aladar",
"Aldrian", on the other German "Arte", "Orte".
(2) "Hungary". According to the account in "Waltharius", Hagen
spent his youth as a hostage at Etzel's court.

ADVENTURE XXIV. How Werbel And Swemmel
Brought The Message.
When that Etzel had sent his envoys to the Rhine, these tidings flew from
land to land. Through full speedy messengers he begged and bade to his
high feasting. From this many a one met there his death. The envoys rode
away from the Hunnish land to Burgundy. They were sent thither for three
noble kings and for their men, that these should come to Etzel; therefore all
gan haste. To Bechelaren they came a-riding, where served them gladly.
Rudeger and Gotelind and the child of them twain delayed not to send their
service through the envoys to the Rhine. Nor did they let them part hence
without gifts, that Etzel's men might fare the better. To Uta and her sons
Rudeger sent word that they had no more loyal margrave than he. To
Brunhild, also, they tendered service and good wishes, constant fealty and a
loving mind. When they heard the speech that the envoys would ride, the
margravine begged God in heaven to keep them well.
Before the messengers were quite come through Bavarian land, the
doughty Werbel sought out the good Bishop Pilgrim. What word he sent to
his kin upon the Rhine, that I know not, but naught but ruddy gold he gave
the messengers for love and let them ride.
Then spake the bishop: "And might I see them here, my sister's sons, I
should be blithe of mood, for full seldom can I come to them upon the
Rhine."
What roads they traveled to the Rhine, I cannot tell. None robbed them of
their silver and their weeds; men feared their master's wrath. Certes the
noble high-born king was a mighty lord.
Within a twelfth night Werbel and Swemmel came to the Rhine, to the
land of Worms. To the kings and their liegemen tidings were told that there
came strange messengers. Gunther, the lord of the Rhineland, gan ask:
"Who will do us to wit, from whence these strangers ride into our land?"
This none wist, till Hagen of Troneg saw them, who then spake to
Gunther: "New tidings be come to us, as I will vouch, for I have seen King

Etzel's minstrels here. Them your sister hath sent to the Rhine; for their
master's sake we must give them a kindly welcome."
Already they were riding up before the palace; never did a prince's
minstrels journey in more lordly wise. Straightway the king's meiny bade
them welcome. Men gave them lodgings and bade take in charge their
trappings. Their traveling clothes were rich and so well fashioned that with
honor they might come before the king, but they would not wear them
longer there at court, and asked if there were any that desired them. At the
selfsame moment folk were found who fain would take them, and to these
they were sent. Then the strangers donned far better weeds, such as well
befitted king's messengers for to wear.
Then Etzel's retainers went by leave to where the king was sitting; men
saw this gladly. Hagen sprang courteously towards the messengers and
greeted them in loving wise. For this the squires did say him thanks. That he
might know their tidings, he gan ask how Etzel fared and all his men. Then
spake the minstrel: "Never did the land stand better, nor were the folk more
merry; now know that of a truth."
To the host they went; the hall was full. There men received the guests, as
one must do by right, when kindly greetings be sent to the lands of other
kings. Werbel found full many warriors there at Gunther's side. In courteous
wise the king gan greet them: "Ye minstrels of the Huns and all your
fellowship, be ye welcome. Hath the mighty Etzel sent you hither to the
Burgundian land?"
To the king they bowed; then spake Werbel: "My dear lord, and also
Kriemhild, your sister, do send you loyal service to this land. They have
sent us to you knights in all good faith."
Spake the mighty prince: "Merry am I at this tale. How fareth Etzel," so
asked the knight, "and Kriemhild, my sister, of the Hunnish land?"
Quoth the minstrel: "This tale I'll tell you; ye should know that never
have folk fared better than the twain and all their followers, their kinsmen
and their vassals. They joyed them of the journey, as we departed hence."
"Gramercy for his greetings which he hath sent me, and for those of my
sister, sith it standeth so that the king and his men live thus in happiness, for
I did ask the news in fear and trembling."

The two young princes were now also come, for they had but just heard
the tale. For the sake of his sister Giselher, the youth, was fain to see the
envoys. He spake to them in loving wise: "Ye messengers, be very welcome
to us. An' ye would ride more often hither to the Rhine, ye would find
friends here whom ye would be glad to see. Little of harm shall hap you in
this land."
"We trust you in all honor," spake then Swemmel. "I could not convey to
you with all my wits, how lovingly king Etzel and your noble sister, who
live in such great worship, have sent their greetings. The queen doth mind
you of your love and fealty, and that your heart and mind did ever hold her
dear. But first and foremost we be sent to the king, that ye may deign to ride
to Etzel's land. The mighty Etzel enjoined us strictly to beg you this and
sent the message to you all, that if ye would not let your sister see you, he
fain would know what he had done you that ye be so strange to him and to
his lands. An' ye had never known the queen, yet would he fain bring it to
pass that consent to come and see him. It would please him well if that
might hap."
Then spake King Gunther: "In a sennight I will tell you the tale of what I
have bethought me with my friends. Meanwhile hie you to your lodgings
and rest you well."
Quoth Werbel again: "And could that be that we might see my lady, the
royal Uta, afore we take our easement?"
The noble Giselher spake then full courteously: "None shall hinder that.
An' ye would go before her, ye will do in full my mother's wish, for she will
gladly see you for my sister's sake, the Lady Kriemhild; she will make you
welcome."
Giselher led them to where they found the queen. Gladly she gazed upon
the envoys from the Hunnish land. Through her courtesie she gave them
gentle greeting. The good and courtly messengers then told their tale. "My
lady offereth you of a truth," so spake Swemmel, "her love and duty. Might
that be that she could see you oft, ye may well believe she had no better joy
in all the world."
Then spake the queen: "That may not be. However gladly I would often
see the dear daughter of mine, yet doth the wife of the noble king live, alas,
too far from me. May she and Etzel be ever blessed. Pray let me know
before ye leave, when ye would hence again; not in a long time have I seen

messengers so gladly as I have you." The squires vowed that this should
hap.
Those from the Hunnish land now rode to their lodgings. Meanwhile the
mighty king had sent to fetch his friends. The noble Gunther asked his
liegemen how they liked the speech. Many a one gan say that the king well
might ride to Etzel's land. The very best among them advised him this, save
Hagen alone; him misliked it sore. Privily he spake to the king: "Ye fight
against yourself; ye know full well what we have done. We may well be
ever on our guard with Kriemhild, for with mine own hand I slew her
husband to death. How durst we ride to Etzel's land?"
Then spake the mighty king: "My sister gave over her wrath; with a kiss
she lovingly forgave what we had done her, or ever she rode away. Unless
be that the feud doth stand against you alone."
Quoth Hagen: "Now let the messengers from the Huns beguile you not,
whatsoever they say. Would ye visit Kriemhild, easily may ye lose there
both life and honor. Full long of vengeance is King Etzel's wife."
Then spake Prince Gernot to the council: "Why should we give it over,
because ye rightly fear death in the Hunnish lands? It were an ill deed not to
go to see our sister."
Then spake Prince Giselher to the knight: "Sith ye know you to be guilty,
friend Hagen, ye should stay at home and guard you well, and let those who
dare ride with us to my sister."
At this the knight of Troneg grew wroth of mood. "I will not that ye take
any with you on the way, who durst better ride to court than I. Sith ye will
not turn you, I will well show you that."
Then spake the master of the kitchen, Rumolt, the knight: "Ye can well
have the strangers and the home-folk cared for here, after your own desire,
for ye have full store of goods. I ween, Hagen hath never given you for a
hostage; (1) but if ye will not follow him, Rumolt adviseth you, for I be
bound to you in fealty and duty, that for my sake ye abide here and leave
King Etzel there with Kriemhild. How might it fare more gently with you in
all the world? Ye be well able to stand before your foes; so deck your body
out with brave attire, drink the best of wine, and pay court to stately ladies.
Thereto ye be served with the best of food that ever king did gain in the
world. And were this not so, yet should ye tarry here for your fair wife's
sake, before ye risk your life so childishly. Wherefore I do counsel you to

stay at home. Your lands be rich, and one can redeem his pledges better at
home than among the Huns. Who knoweth how it standeth there? Ye should
stay at home, Sire, that is Rumolt's counsel."
"We will not stay," quoth Gernot. "Sith my sister and the mighty Etzel
have bidden us in such friendly wise, why should we not accept? He that
liketh not to go may stay at home."
To This Hagen answered: "Take not my speech amiss, however ye may
fare. In all truth I counsel you, would ye guard your lives, then ride to the
Huns well armed. Sith ye will not turn you, send for your men-at-arms, the
best ye have or can find in any part; from among them all I'll choose a
thousand doughty knights. Then Kriemhild's evil mood can bring you
naught of harm."
"This rede I'll gladly follow," spake straightway the king. He then bade
messengers ride far and wide throughout his lands. Three thousand
champions or more they fetched. Little they weened to gain such grievous
woe. Full merrily they rode to Gunther's court. Men bade give all that were
to ride forth from Burgundy both steeds and trappings. The king gained full
many a one with willing mood. Then Hagen of Troneg bade his brother
Dankwart lead eighty of their warriors to the Rhine. In knightly guise they
came; these doughty men took with them harness and trappings into
Gunther's land. Then came bold Folker, a noble minstrel he, with thirty of
his men for the journey to Kriemhild's court. They had clothing such as a
king might wear. Gunther bade make known, he would to the Hunnish land.
I'll do you now to wit who Folker was. He was a noble lord, the liege of
many doughty knights in Burgundy. A minstrel he was called, for that he
wist how to fiddle. Hagen chose a thousand whom he well knew; oft had he
seen what their hands had wrought in press of battle, or in whatever else
they did. None might aver aught else of them than doughtiness.
The tarrying irked Kriemhild's envoys sore, for great was their fear of
their lord. Daily they craved leave to go; this Hagen would not grant
through craftiness. To his master he spake: "We should well guard against
letting them ride away, until we ourselves fare forth a sennight later to
Etzel's land. If any beareth us ill will, the better shall we wot it. Nor may
Lady Kriemhild then make ready that through any plan of hers, men do us
harm. An' this be her will, she'll fare full ill, for many a chosen liegeman
had we hence."

Shields and saddles, and all the garments that they would take with them
to Etzel's land, were now full ready for many a brave man-at-arms. Now
men bade Kriemhild's messengers go before King Gunther. When they were
come, Gernot spake: "The king will do as Etzel asked us, we will gladly
come to his high feast to see our sister; be no more in doubt of that."
Then King Gunther spake: "Wist ye how to tell us, when this feast shall
be, or in what time we should go thither?"
Swemmel replied: "Of a truth it shall be on next midsummer's day."
The king gave them leave (this had not happed as yet), if they would fain
see Lady Brunhild, to go before her with his free will. This Folker hindered,
which pleased her much. "Forsooth, my Lady Brunhild is not so well of
mood, that ye may see her," spake the good knight. "Bide the morrow, and
men will let you see her." When they weened to gaze upon her, it might not
hap.
Then the mighty prince, who liked the envoys well, through his own
courtesie, bade his gold be carried forth on the broad shields of which he
had great store. Rich gifts were also given them by his kinsmen Giselher
and Gernot, Gere and Ortwin. Well they showed, that they were generous,
too. They offered the messengers such rich gifts, that for fear of their lord
they durst not take them.
Now spake the envoy Werbel to the king: "Sir King, let your gifts stay
here at home. We may carry none away; our lord forbade that we take aught
of gifts. Then too, there is but little need."
Then the ruler of the Rhine waxed wroth, that they should thus refuse the
gifts of so mighty a king. At last they were forced to take his gold and
weeds, the which they later bare to Etzel's land. They would fain see the
Lady Uta, or ever they departed hence, so the doughty Giselher brought the
minstrels before his mother Uta. The lady sent the message, that whatever
honors her daughter had, this gave her joy. Then the queen bade give the
minstrels of her edgings and her gold, for the sake of King Etzel and
Kriemhild whom she loved. Gladly they took the gifts; in good faith 'twas
done.
The messengers had now taken their leave from thence, from wives and
men. Merrily they rode away to Swabia. Thither Gernot bade his knights
escort them, that none might do them harm. When they parted from those
who should have them in their care, Etzel's power did guard them on all

their ways, so that none bereft them of either horse or trappings. With great
speed they hasted towards Etzel's land. To all the friends they wot of, they
made known that in a short time the Burgundians would come hither from
the Rhine to the Hunnish land. To the Bishop Pilgrim too, the tale was told.
As they rode adown the highway before Bechelaren, men delayed not to tell
Rudeger and Gotelind, the margrave's wife. Merry she grew that she should
see them. Men saw the minstrels hasting with the tidings. They found King
Etzel in the town of Gran. (2) Greeting after greeting they gave the king, of
which full many had been sent him. He blushed for very joy.
Happy of mood was the queen, when she heard the tale aright that her
brothers should come into the land. She gave the minstrels great gifts as
meed. This was done for honor's sake. She spake: "Now tell me, both of
you, Werbel and Swemmel, which of my kin are minded to be at the feast?
Will the best of those we bade come hither to this land? Pray tell me what
Hagen said when he heard the tale."
The minstrel answered: "He came on a morning early to the council, and
but little of fair speech he spake thereby. When they pledged the journey
hither to the Hunnish lands, that was as words of death to the wrathful
Hagen. Your brothers, the three kings, will come in lordly mood. Whoever
else may come, this tale I know not of a surety. The brave minstrel Folker
vowed to ride along."
"Little do I reck," spake the queen, "whether I ever see Folker here. Of
Hagen I be fond, he is a doughty hero. My spirits stand high that we may
see him here."
Then the queen went to where she saw the king. How lovingly Dame
Kriemhild spake: "How like you these tales, dear my lord? What I have
ever craved, shall now be brought to pass."
"Thy wish is my joy," spake then the king. "Never have I been so blithe
of mine own kin, when they should come hither to my lands. Through the
kindness of thy kinsmen my care hath fled away."
King Etzel's officers bade everywhere palace and hall be purveyed with
benches for the guests which were to come. Thereafter the king heard from
them mickle weeping.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "Hostage", i.e., he has never betrayed you to your enemies.
(2) "Gran", royal free city of Hungary, on the right bank of the

Danube opposite the influx of the Gran, twenty-four miles
northwest of Budapest.

ADVENTURE XXV. How The Lords All
Journeyed To The Huns.
Now let us leave the tale of how they lived at Etzel's court. More high-
mettled warriors never rode in such lordly wise to the land of any king; they
had whatever they listed, both of weapons and of weeds. The ruler of the
Rhineland clad his men, a thousand and sixty knights, (1) as I have heard,
and nine thousand footmen, for the courtly feast. Those they left at home
bewailed it in after time. The trappings were now borne across the court at
Worms; then spake an aged bishop from Speyer to fair Uta: "Our friends
would journey to the feasting. May God preserve their honor there."
The noble Lady Uta then spake to her sons: "Pray tarry here, good
knights. Me-dreamed last night of direst woe, how all the fowls in this land
lay dead."
"Who recketh aught of dreams," quoth Hagen, "he wotteth not how to say
the proper words, when 'twould bring him great store of honors. I wish that
my lord go to court to take his leave. We must gladly ride to Etzel's land.
The arms of doughty heroes may serve kings there full well, where we shall
behold Kriemhild's feast."
Hagen counseled the journey, but later it rued him sore. He would have
advised against it, but that Gernot encountered him with such rude words.
Of Siegfried, Lady Kriemhild's husband, he minded him; he spake:
"Because of him Hagen will not make the journey to the court."
At this Hagen of Troneg spake: "I do it not from fear. Heroes, when it
please you, begin the work. Certes I will gladly ride with you to Etzel's
land." Later he carved to pieces many a helm and shield.
The skiffs were now made ready; many a knight stood there. Thither men
bare whatever clothes they had. Busy they were until the even tide, then full
merrily they set forth from home. Tents and pavilions were raised upon the
green beyond the Rhine. When this had happed, the king bade his fair wife
tarry with him. That night she still embraced her stately knight. Trumpeting
and fluting rose early on the morn, as sign that they should ride. Then to the

work they went. Whoso held in his arms his love caressed the fair. Later
King Etzel's wife parted them with woe.
Fair Uta's sons, they had a liegeman, brave and true. When they would
hence, he spake to the king in secret wise his mind. Quoth he: "I must
bewail that ye make this journey to the court." He was hight Rumolt and
was a hero of his hands. He spake: "To whom will ye leave your folk and
lands? O that none can turn you warriors from your mind! These tidings
from Kriemhild have never thought me good."
"Be the land and my little child, too, commended to thy care; serve well
the ladies, that is my wish. Comfort any thou dost see in tears. Certes King
Etzel's bride will never do us harm."
The steeds were now ready for the kings and their men. Many a one who
lived there high of spirit, parted thence with loving kisses. This many a
stately dame must later needs bewail. When the doughty knights were seen
go toward the steeds, men spied full many ladies standing sadly there. Their
hearts did tell them that this long parting boded them great harm. This doth
never ease the heart.
The doughty Burgundians started on their way. Then in the land a mighty
turmoil rose; on either side of the mountains there wept both men and
wives. But however the folk might bear them, the knights jogged merrily
along. With them rode the men of Nibelung, a thousand hauberks strong,
who had left many comely dames at home whom they never saw again.
Siegfried's wounds gave Kriemhild pain.
Gunther's liegemen now wended their way towards the river Main, up
through Eastern Frankland. (2) Thither Hagen led them, for well he wot the
way. Dankwart was their marshal, the hero from Burgundian land. As they
rode away from the Eastern Frankland towards Swanfield, (3) men could
tell the princes and their kin, the worshipful knights, by their lordly bearing.
On the twelfth morning the king came to the Danube. Hagen of Troneg rode
foremost of them all, giving to the Nibelungs helpful cheer. On the sandy
shore the bold knight dismounted and bound his steed full soon to a tree.
The river was swollen, the skiffs hidden away. Great fear the Nibelungs
had, as to how they might come across, for the stream was much too broad.
Full many a lusty knight alighted on the ground.
"Ill may it lightly hap with thee here," quoth Hagen, "O ruler of the
Rhine. Now mayst thou thyself see the river is swollen, its flood is mighty.

Certes, I ween, we shall lose here many a worthy knight to-day."
"Why dost thou rebuke me, Hagen?" spake the lordly king. "For thine
own prowess' sake discomfit me no more, but seek us the ford across to the
other bank, that we may take hence both steeds and trappings."
"Forsooth," quoth Hagen, "I be not so weary of life, that I would drown
me in these broad waves. Sooner shall men die by my hands in Etzel's
lands. That will I well. Stay by the water's side, ye proud knights and good,
and I will seek the ferryman myself along the stream, who shall ferry us
across to Gelfrat's (4) land."
Then the stalwart Hagen seized his good shield. Well was he armed. The
shield he bare along, his helmet bound upon his head, bright enow it was.
Above his breastplate he bare a sword so broad that most fiercely it cut on
either edge. To and fro he sought the ferryman. He heard the splash of water
and began to listen. In a fair spring wise women (5) were bathing for to cool
them off. Now Hagen spied them and crept toward them stealthily. When
they grew ware of this, they hurried fast to escape him; glad enow they
were of this. The hero took their clothes, but did them naught else of harm.
Then spake one of the mermaids (Hadburg she was called): "Sir Knight
Hagen, we'll do you here to wit, an' ye give us our weeds again, bold
knight, how ye will fare upon this journey to the Hunnish court."
Like birds they floated before him on the flood. Therefore him-thought
their senses strong and good; he believed the more what they would tell
him. Well they answered what he craved of them. Hadburg spake again: "Ye
may safely ride to Etzel's land. I'll stake my troth at once as pledge, that
heroes never rode better to any realm for such great honors. Now believe
that in truth."
In his heart Hagen was joyous at this rede. He gave them back their
clothes and no longer tarried. As they donned their strange attire, they told
him rightly of the journey to Etzel's land. The other mermaid spake
(Siegelind she hight): "I will warn thee, Hagen, son of Aldrian. (6) For the
sake of her weeds mine aunt hath lied to thee. An' thou comest to the Huns,
thou wilt be sore deceived. Time is, that thou shouldst turn again, for ye
heroes be bidden, that ye may die in Etzel's land. Whose rideth hither, hath
taken death by the hand."
Answered Hagen: "Ye deceive us needlessly. How might it come to pass
that we should all die there, through anybody's hate?"

Then gan they tell him the tale still more knowingly. The same one spake
again: "It must needs be that none of you shall live, save the king's
chaplain; this we know full well. He will come again safe and sound to
Gunther's land."
Then spake bold Hagen, fierce of mood: "It were not well to tell my lords
that we should all lose our lives among the Huns. Now show us over the
stream, thou wisest of all wives."
She answered: "Sith ye will not turn you from the journey, up yonder
where an inn doth stand, by the waterside, there is a ferryman and
elsewhere none."
At once he ceased to ask for further tidings. After the angry warrior she
called: "Pray bide a time, Sir Hagen! Forsooth ye are too much in haste.
List further to the tale of how ye may cross to the other bank. The lord of
these marches beareth the name of Else. (7) His brother is hight Knight
Gelfrat, a lord in the Bavarian land. 'Twill go hard with you, an' ye will
cross his land. Ye must guard you well and deal full wisely with the
ferryman. So grim of mood is he that he'll not let you live, unless be that ye
have your wits about you with the knight. An' ye will that he guide you,
then give him his meed. He guardeth this land and is liegeman unto Gelfrat.
And cometh he not betimes, so call across the flood and say, ye hight
Amelrich. (8) He was a doughty here that; because of a feud did void this
land. The ferryman will come when he heareth this name."
Haughty Hagen bowed then to the dames; he spake no more, but held his
peace. Then by the river he hied him higher up upon the sandy shore, to
where he found an inn upon the other bank. Loudly he began to call across
the flood: "Now come and fetch me, ferryman," quoth the good knight, "and
I will give thee as meed an arm ring of ruddy gold. Know, that of this
passage I have great need in truth."
So noble was the ferryman that it behooved him not to serve, therefore he
full seldom took wage of any wight. His squires, too, were full lofty of
mood. All this time Hagen still stood alone, this side of the flood. He called
with might and main, that all the water rang, for mickle and great was the
hero's strength. "Now fetch me. I am Amelrich, Else's liegeman, that
because of a great feud did void these lands."
High upon his spear (9) he offered him an arm band, bright and fair it
was, of ruddy gold, that one should ferry him over to Gelfrat's land. The

haughty ferryman, the which was newly wed himself, did take the oar in
hand. As he would earn Hagen's gold so red, therefore he died the sword-
grim death at the hands of the knight. The greed for great goods (10) doth
give an evil end. Speedily the boatman rowed across to the sandy bank.
When he found no trace of him whose name he heard, wroth he grew in
earnest. When he spied Hagen, with fierce rage he spake to the hero: "Ye
may perchance hight Amelrich, but ye are not like him whom I weened
here. By father and by mother he was my brother. Sith ye have bewrayed
me, ye may stay on this hither shore."
"No, by the mighty God," spake then Hagen, "I am a stranger knight and
have warriors in my care. Now take ye kindly my meed to-day and ferry me
over. I am in truth your friend."
The ferryman replied: "This may not be. My dear lords have foes,
wherefore I never ferry strangers to this land. If ye love your life, step out
quickly on the sand."
"Now do it not," spake Hagen; "sad is my mind. Take this good gold
from me as a token of my love and ferry us across: a thousand horse and
just as many men."
The grim boatman answered: "'Twill ne'er be done." He raised a mighty
rudder oar, mickle and broad, and struck at Hagen (full wroth he grew at
this), so that he fell upon his knees in the boat. The lord of Troneg had
never met so fierce a ferryman. Still more the boatman would vex the
haughty stranger. He smote with an oar, so that it quite to-broke (11) over
Hagen's head (a man of might was he); from this the ferryman of Else took
great harm. Hagen, fierce of mood, seized straightway his sheath, wherein
he found his sword. His head he struck off and cast it on the ground.
Eftsoon these tidings were made known to the proud Burgundians. At the
very moment that he slew the boatman, the skiff gan drifting down the
stream. Enow that irked him. Weary he grew before he brought it back.
King Gunther's liegeman pulled with might and main. With passing swift
strokes the stranger turned it, until the sturdy oar snapped in his hand. He
would hence to the knights out upon the shore. None other oar he had. Ho,
how quickly he bound it with a shield strap, a narrow band! Towards a
wood he floated down the stream, where he found his sovran standing by
the shore.

Many a stately man went down to meet him. The doughty knights and
good received him with a kindly greeting. When they beheld in the skiff the
blood reeking from a gaping wound which he had dealt the ferryman,
Hagen was plied enow with questions by the knights. When that King
Gunther spied the hot blood swirling in the skiff, how quickly he spake:
"Wherefore tell ye me not, Hagen, whither the ferryman be come? I ween
your prowess hath bereft him of his life."
At this he answered craftily: "When I found the skiff hard by a willow
tree, I loosed it with my hand. I have seen no ferryman here to-day, nor hath
harm happed to any one through fault of mine."
Then spake Sir Gernot of Burgundy: "I must needs fear the death of dear
friends to-day. Sith we have no boatmen here at hand, how shall we come
over? Therefore I must perforce stand sad."
Loudly then called Hagen: "Ye footmen, lay the trappings down upon the
grass. I bethink me that once I was the very best of boatmen that one might
find along the Rhine. I trow to bring you all safe across to Gelfrat's land."
They struck the horses, that these might the sooner come across the
flood; passing well they swam, for the mighty waves bereft them of not a
one. Some few drifted far adown the stream, as did befit their weariness.
Then the knights bare to the skiff their gold and weeds, sith there was no
help for the crossing. Hagen played the steersman, and so he ferried full
many mighty warriors over to the sandy shore, into the unknown land. First
he took across a thousand noble knights, then his own men-at-arms. Still
there were more to come. Nine thousand footmen he ferried over to the
land. Aught but idle was Hagen's hand that day. When he had carried them
all safe across the flood, the doughty knight and good bethought him of the
strange tales which the wild mermaids had told him afore. For this cause the
king's chaplain near lost his life. He found the priest close by the chapel
luggage, leaning with his hand upon the relics. Little might that boot him.
When Hagen spied him, ill fared it with the hapless priest; he threw him
from the skiff in haste. Enow of them called out: "Hold on, Sir Hagen,
hold!"
Giselher, the youth, gan rage, but Hagen let none come between. Then
spake Sir Gernot of Burgundy: "What availeth you now, Hagen, the
chaplain's death? Had another done the deed, 'twould have irked you sore.
For what cause have ye sworn enmity to the priest?"

The clerk (12) now tried to swim with might and main, for he would fain
save his life, if perchance any there would help him. That might not be, for
the stalwart Hagen was wroth of mood. He thrust him to the bottom, the
which thought no one good. When the poor priest saw naught of help, he
turned him back again. Sore was he discomfited, but though he could not
swim, yet did God's hand help him, so that he came safe and sound to the
land again. There the poor clerk stood and shook his robe. Hagen marked
thereby that naught might avail against the tidings which the wild mermaids
told him. Him-thought: "These knights must lose their lives."
When the liegemen of the three kings unloaded the skiff and had borne
all away which they had upon it, Hagen brake it to pieces and threw it in the
flood, at which the bold knights and good did marvel much.
"Wherefore do ye that, brother," quoth Dankwart, "how shall we come
over, when we ride homeward from the Huns, back to the Rhine?"
Later Hagen told him that might not be. The hero of Troneg spake: "I do
it in the hope that if we have a coward on this journey, who through faint-
heartedness would run away, that in this stream he may die a shameful
death."
They had with them from Burgundy land a hero of his hands, the which
was named Folker. Wisely he spake all his mind. Whatever Hagen did, it
thought the fiddler good. Their steeds were now ready, the sumpters laden
well. On the journey they had taken no harm that irked them, save the king's
chaplain alone. He must needs wander back on foot to the Rhine again.

ENDNOTES:
(1) "a thousand and sixty". This does not agree with the
account in Adventure XXIV, where we read of a thousand of
Hagen's men, eighty of Dankwart's, and thirty of Folker's.
The nine thousand foot soldiers mentioned here are a later
interpolation, as the "Thidreksaga" speaks of only a
thousand all told.
(2) "Eastern Frankland", or East Franconia, is the ancient
province of "Franconia Orientalis", the region to the east
of the Spessart forest, including the towns of Fulda,
Würzburg and Barnberg. In Biterolf Dietlieb journeys
through Eastern Frankland to the Danube.
(3) "Swanfield" (M.H.G. "Swanevelde") is the ancient province of
"Sualafeld" between the Rezat and the Danube.
(4) "Gelfrat" is a Bavarian lord and the brother of "Else",
mentioned below. Their father's name was also Else.
(5) "Wise women", a generic name for all supernatural women of
German mythology. While it is not specifically mentioned,
it is probable that the wise women, or mermaids, as they are
also called here, were 'swan maidens', which play an

important role in many legends and are endowed with the gift
of prophecy. They appear in the form of swans, and the
strange attire of the wise women mentioned here refers to
the so-called swan clothes which they wore and which enabled
Hagen to recognize them as supernatural beings. On bathing
they lay aside this garment, and he who obtains possession
of it has them in his power. This explains their eagerness
to give Hagen information, if he will return their garments
to them. For an account of them see Grimm's "Mythologie",
355.
(6) "Aldrian" is not an historical personage; the name is merely
a derivative of "aldiro", 'the elder', and signifies
'ancestor', just as Uta means 'ancestress'. In the
"Thidreksaga" Aldrian is the king of the Nibelung land and
the father of Gunther, Giselher, and Gernot, whereas Hagen
is the son of an elf by the same mother.
(7) Else appears also in "Biterolf"; in the "Thidreksaga" he is
called "Elsung", the younger, as his father bore the same
name. See Adventure XXV, note 4.
(8) "Amelrich" is the ferryman's brother.
(9) "Spear". It was the custom to offer presents on a spear
point, perhaps to prevent the recipient from treacherously
using his sword. Compare the similar description in the
"Hildebrandslied", 37, where we are told that gifts should
be received with the spear.
(10) "Goods". In the "Thidreksaga" the ferryman desires the ring
for his young wife, which explains better the allusion to
marriage and the desire for wealth.
(11) "To-broke", see Adventure II, note 9.
(12) "Clerk", 'priest'.

ADVENTURE XXVI (1) How Gelfrat Was Slain
By Dankwart.
Now when all were come upon the shore, the king gan ask: "Who will
show us the right roads through this land, that we go not astray?"
Then the sturdy Folker spake: "For this I alone will have a care."
"Now hold," quoth Hagen, "both knight and squire. Certes, me-thinketh
right that we should heed our friends. With full monstrous tales I'll make
you acquaint: we shall never come again to the Burgundian land. Two
mermaids told me early in the morning that we should not come back again.
I will now counsel you what ye do: ye must arm you, ye heroes, for we
have mighty foes. Ye must guard you well and ride in warlike guise. I
thought to catch these mermaids in a lie. They swore that none of us would
come home safe and sound, save the chaplain alone. Therefore would I fain
have drowned him to-day."
These tidings flew from band to band and valiant heroes grew pale from
woe, as they began to fear a grewsome death on this journey to Etzel's
court. Forsooth they had great need. When they had crossed at Moering, (2)
where Else's ferryman had lost his life, Hagen spake again: "Sith I have
gained me foes upon the way, we shall surely be encountered. I slew this
same ferryman early on the morn to-day. Well they wot the tale. Now lay on
boldly, so that it may go hard with Gelfrat and Else, should they match our
fellowship here to-day. I know them to be so bold that 'twill not be left
undone. Let the steeds jog on more gently, that none ween we be a-fleeing
on the road."
"This counsel I will gladly follow," quoth Giselher, the knight; "but who
shall guide the fellowship across the land?"
They answered: "This let Folker do; the valiant minstrel knoweth both
road and path."
Ere the wish was fully spoken, men saw the doughty fiddler standing
there well armed. On his head he bound his helmet, of lordly color was his
fighting gear. On his spear shaft he tied a token, the which was red. Later
with the kings he fell into direst need.

Trustworthy tidings of the ferryman's death were now come to Gelfrat's
ears. The mighty Else had also heard the tale. Loth it was to both; they sent
to fetch their heroes, who soon stood ready. In a passing short time, as I'll
let you hear, one saw riding towards them those who had wrought scathe
and monstrous wounds in mighty battles. Full seven hundred or more were
come to Gelfrat. When they began to ride after their savage foes, their lords
did lead them, of a truth. A deal too strong they hasted after the valiant
strangers; they would avenge their wrath. Therefore many of the lordings'
friends were later lost.
Hagen of Troneg had well planned it (how might a hero ever guard his
kinsmen better), that he had in charge the rear guard, with his liegemen and
his brother Dankwart. This was wisely done.
The day had passed away; the night was come. For his friends he feared
both harm and woe, as beneath their shields they rode through the Bavarian
land. A short time thereafter the heroes were assailed. On either side of the
highway and in the rear hard by they heard the beat of hoofs. Their foes
pressed on too hard. Then spake hold Dankwart: "They purpose to attack us
here, so hind on your helmets, for that be well to do."
They stayed their journey, as though it must needs he; in the gloom they
spied the gleam of shining shields. Hagen would no longer keep his peace;
he called: "Who chaseth us upon the highway?"
To this Gelfrat must needs give answer. Quoth the margrave of Bavaria:
"We seek our foes and have galloped on behind you. I know not who slew
my ferryman to-day, but it doth rue me enow, for he was a hero of his
hands."
Then spake Hagen of Troneg: "And was then the ferryman thine? The
fault was mine, he would not ferry us over, so I slew the knight. Forsooth I
had great need, for I had sheer gained at his hands my death. As meed I
offered him gold and trappings, that he ferry me across to thy land, Sir
Knight. This angered him so greatly that he smote me with a mighty oar. At
this I waxed grim enow. I seized my sword and fended him his anger with a
grievous wound. Thus the hero met his death. I'll make amends, as doth
think thee best."
"Well I wist," spake Gelfrat, "when Gunther and his fellowship rode
hither, that Hagen of Troneg would do us harm. Now he shall not live; the
knight must stand for the ferryman's life."

Over the bucklers Gelfrat and Hagen couched their spears for the thrust;
each would charge the other. Else and Dankwart rode full gloriously; they
tested who they were, fierce was the fight. How might heroes ever prove
each other better? From a mighty thrust Hagen was unhorsed by Gelfrat's
hand. His martingale snapped, he 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 wet 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 lordings 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 Bechelaren.
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 "Vidga" (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 you 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 wet 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
wet with reeking 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 wet 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.