National Epics Part 25

But Kriemhild's mind had become so warped by her desire for revenge, that she could not think of mercy. She cast her prisoners into separate dungeons, and visiting Hagan first, demanded her treasure. "But give it to me again, and thou shalt return living into Burgundy."

"Pray not to me, haughty queen," replied Hagan. "I swore that while my lords were living I would ne'er tell where it lies. Thy prayer is thrown away."

Straightway the savage Kriemhild ordered the head of Gunther to be struck off, and bearing it by the hair, she displayed it to Hagan, asking him now to tell her the secret.

"Now that all my lords are dead," said he, "no one shall know, thou least of all, she-fiend!"

Kriemhild, beside herself with grief and rage, s.n.a.t.c.hed from him the sword Balmung that he had taken from Siegfried, and ever since carried, and raising it high with both hands, struck off the head of her hated enemy.

At this the grief of Etzel broke forth, and the aged Hildebrand, enraged to see a woman do such deeds, sprang upon Kriemhild and smote her to death with his sword.

Bitterly wept King Etzel and Dietrich as they gazed on the corpses scattered round, and the disfigured body of the fair queen. Nothing remained for the Hunnish people but grief and woe.

Here on earth pain ever follows in the steps of pleasure.

SELECTIONS FROM THE NIBELUNGEN LIED.

HOW BRUNHILD WAS RECEIVED AT WORMS.

Brunhild, queen of Issland, was won by Gunther of Worms with the aid of Siegfried, whom Gunther sent forward to Worms to announce the coming of the royal pair. Queen Uta and Princess Kriemhild, with many followers from the Burgundian court, went forward to the Rhine to meet and welcome the royal bridal party.

Beyond the Rhine King Gunther, with many a well-arm'd rank And all his guests about him, rode towards the river's bank; You might see by the bridle led forward many a maid.

Those, who were to receive them, were ready all array'd.

Soon as the men of Issland came to the shallops down, And eke the Nibelungers, lieges of Siegfried's crown, To th' other sh.o.r.e they hasten'd (busy was every hand) Where them the friends of Gunther awaited on the strand.

Now hear, by wealthy Uta what a device was wrought.

Down with her from the castle a virgin train she brought, That rode where she was riding in that procession bright; So many a maid acquainted became with many a knight.

Kriemhild by the bridle the Margrave Gary led, But only from the castle; then forward Siegfried sped, And did that gentle service; fair was the blus.h.i.+ng maid; Full well for that thereafter the warrior she repaid.

Ortwine, the fearless champion, rode by Dame Uta's rein; Knights and maids together follow'd, a social train.

At such a stately meeting, all must confess, I ween, So many lovely ladies were ne'er together seen.

Full many a famous champion careering you might spy (Ill there was sloth and idlesse) beneath fair Kriemhild's eye E'en to the place of landing; by knights of fair renown There many a high-born lady from steed was lifted down.

The king was now come over, and many a worthy guest.

Ah, before the ladies what spears were laid in rest!

How many went in s.h.i.+vers at every hurtling close!

Buckler clashed with buckler; ah, what a din arose!

Now might you see the ladies fast by the haven stand.

With his guests King Gunther debark'd upon the strand, In his hand soft leading the martial maiden fair.

Then each on each flash'd radiance, rich robes and jewels rare.

With that the smiling Kriemhild forth stepp'd a little s.p.a.ce, And Brunhild and her meiny greeted with gentle grace, Each with snowy fingers back her headband drew, And either kiss'd the other lovingly and true.

Then spoke in courteous manner Kriemhild the fair and free, "In this our land, dear Brunhild, ever welcome be To me and to my mother and all by us allow'd For faithful friends and liegemen." Then each to th' other bow'd.

Next to greet Dame Brunhild approach'd Dame Uta too; Oft she and oft her daughter their arms about her threw, And on her sweet mouth lavish'd many a loving kiss.

Never was known a welcome so kind and frank as this.

Soon as Brunhild's women were all come to the strand, Many a courtly warrior took by her lily hand A lady fair, and gently her mincing steps upstay'd, Now before Dame Brunhild stood many a n.o.ble maid.

'T was long before the greeting had gone through all the list.

On either part in plenty rosy mouths were kiss'd.

Still the two fair princesses were standing side by side, A pair with love and rapture by longing warriors ey'd.

What erst had been but rumour, was now made clear to sight, That nought had yet been witness'd so beautiful and bright As those two lovely damsels; 't was plain to every eye; None the slightest blemish in either form could spy.

Whoever look'd on women with but the sight for guide, Such for her faultless beauty praised Gunther's, stately bride; But those whose thoughts went deeper, and div'd into the mind, Maintain'd that gentle Kriemhild left Brunhild far behind.

Now met the dames and damsels in friendly converse free; Fair robes and fairer beauties were there in store to see; Many a silk pavilion and many a gorgeous tent The plain before the city fill'd in its whole extent.

King Gunther's kinsmen ceas'd not to press to that fair show.

And now was begg'd each princess from the sun to go Close by, with their attendants, where shade was overhead.

By bold Burgundian warriors thither were they led.

Then clomb to horse the heroes, and scour'd the sounding field; Many a joust was practis'd with order'd spear and s.h.i.+eld; Right well were prov'd the champions, and o'er the trampled plain, As though the land were burning, the dust curl'd up amain.

So all before the ladies display'd their skill and force, Nor doubt I that Sir Siegfried rode many a knightly course Before the rich pavilions, and ever as he sped, His thousand Nibelungers, a stately squadron, led.

Then came the knight of Trony by the good king's command; In friendly wise he parted the jousters on the strand, For fear the dust, now thick'ning, the ladies might molest.

Him with ready reverence obey'd each gentle guest.

Then spake the n.o.ble Gernot, "Let each now rest his steed Till the air be cooler, 't will then be ours to lead These lovely ladies homeward e'en to the palace wide.

So keep yourselves all ready till it please the king to ride."

Thus ended was the tourney, and now the warriors went To join the dames and damsels beneath each lofty tent, And there in gentle converse their grace and favor sought; So flew the hours in pastime till of riding home they thought.

Now as drew on the twilight, when cooler grew the air And the sun was setting, they would not linger there, But up rose lords and ladies to seek the castle high; Many a fair dame was cherish'd by many a love-lit eye.

So on the fair they waited as from good knights is due.

Then hardy squires, hot spurring before the n.o.bles' view, After the country's custom rode for the prize of weed As far as to the palace, where sprung the king from steed.

There too the proud queens parted, each taking thence her way.

Dame Uta and her daughter with their handmaids gay Into a s.p.a.cious chamber both together went.

There might you see on all sides the sound of merriment.

In hall the seats were order'd; the king would instant hie With all his guests to table; beside him you might spy His lovely bride, Queen Brunhild; her royal crown she wore There in King Gunther's country; so rich was none before.

Seats were there plac'd unnumber'd with tables broad and good, As is to us reported, full heap'd with costly food.

How little there was wanted that pa.s.ses for the best!

There with the king was seated full many a n.o.ble guest.