National Epics Part 26

The chamberlains of Gunther in ewers of ruddy gold Brought to the guests the water; should you be ever told That at a prince's table service was better done, 'T were labor lost to say so, 't would be believ'd by none.

Then, ere the lord of Rhineland touch'd the water bright, Up to him, as befitted, went Siegfried the good knight, And brought to his remembrance the promise made him there, Ere yet afar in Issland he look'd on Brunhild fair.

Said he, "You must remember what swore to me your hand, That soon as Lady Brunhild were come into this land, To me you 'd give your sister, your oaths now where are they?

On me throughout your journey much toil and travail lay."

"Well did you to remind me," the n.o.ble king replied, "By what my hand has promis'd, I ever will abide, And in this thing to serve you will do my best, my all."

Then sent he to beg Kriemhild to come into the hall.

Straight to the hall came Kriemhild begirt with many a maid, When from the lofty staircase young Giselher thus said, "Send back your maidens, Kriemhild, this bus'ness is your own; On this the king, our brother, would speak with you alone."

Then forward led was Kriemhild, as Gunther gave command, Where stood the king, and round him from many a prince's land Were n.o.ble knights unnumber'd; at once all silence kept; At that same instant Brunhild had just to table stepp'd.

Thence came it she knew nothing of what was to be done.

Then to his gather'd kinsmen spoke Dancrat's royal son, "Help me to move my sister Siegfried for lord to take."

"Such match," they all made answer, "with honour she may make."

Then spoke the king to Kriemhild, "Sister, I ask of thee From an oath to set me by thy kindness free.

Thee to a knight I promis'd; if thou become his bride, Thou 'lt do the will of Gunther, and show thy love beside."

Then spake the n.o.ble maiden, "Dearest brother mine, It needed not to ask me; whate'er command be thine, I'll willingly perform it; so now, for thy sake, Whom thou for husband giv'st me, fain I, my lord, will take."

With love and eke with pleasure redden'd Siegfried's hue; At once to Lady Kriemhild he pledg'd his service true.

They bade them stand together in the courtly circle bright, And ask'd her if for husband she took that lofty knight.

In modest maiden fas.h.i.+on she blush'd a little s.p.a.ce, But such was Siegfried's fortune and his earnest grace.

That not altogether could she deny her hand.

Then her for wife acknowledg'd the n.o.ble king of Netherland.

He thus to her affianc'd, and to him the maid, Straight round the long-sought damsel in blus.h.i.+ng grace array'd His arms with soft emotion th' enamour'd warrior threw, And kiss'd the high-born princess before that glitt'ring crew.

_Lettsom's Translation, Tenth Adventure._

HOW MARGRAVE RuDEGER WAS SLAIN.

The Margrave Rudeger did not take part in the battle fought in Etzel's hall between the Burgundians visiting the Hunnish court and the Huns, because of his friends.h.i.+p for the Burgundians, and the betrothal of his daughter to Prince Giselher. Because of this, he was taunted by a Hun, who said to the queen that although Rudeger had accepted many favors from Etzel he did not fight for him. When the Hun fell dead under Rudeger's blow, Etzel reproached him for slaying one of his followers when he had need of so many.

Then came the fair Queen Kriemhild; she too had seen full well What from the hero's anger the luckless Hun befell; And she too mourn'd it deeply; with tears her eyes were wet.

Thus spake she to Rudeger, "How have we ever yet

"Deserv'd that you, good Rudeger, should make our anguish more?

Now sure to me and Etzel you've promised o'er and o'er, That you both life and honour would risk to do us right.

That you 're the flower of knighthood is own'd by every knight.

"Now think upon the homage that once to me you swore, When to the Rhine, good warrior, King Etzel's suit you bore, That you would serve me ever to either's dying day.

Ne'er can I need so deeply, that you that vow should pay."

"'T is true, right n.o.ble lady; in this we 're not at strife; I pledg'd, to do you service, my honour and my life, But my soul to hazard never did I vow.

I brought the princes. .h.i.ther, and must not harm them now."

With that, to beg and pray him the king began as well; King and queen together both at his feet they fell.

Then might you the good margrave have seen full ill bestead, And thus in bitterest anguish the faithful hero said:--

"Woe's me the heaven-abandon'd, that I have liv'd to this!

Farewell to all my honours! woe for my first amiss!

My truth--my G.o.d-giv'n innocence--must they be both forgot?

Woe's me, O G.o.d in heaven! that death relieves me not!"

Then thus bespake him Kriemhild, "Right n.o.ble Rudeger, Take pity on our anguish; thou see'st us kneeling here, The king and me before thee; both clasp thy honour'd knees.

Sure never host yet feasted such fatal guests as these."

With that the n.o.ble margrave thus to the queen 'gan say, "Sure must the life of Rudeger for all the kindness pay, That you to me, my lady, and my lord the king have done.

For this I'm doomed to perish, and that ere set of sun.

"Full well I know, this morning my castles and my land Both will to you fall vacant by stroke of foeman's hand, And so my wife and daughter I to your grace commend, And all at Bechelaren, each trusty homeless friend."

So to war the margrave under helmet strode; Sharpest swords his meiny brandished as they rode; Each in hand, bright-flas.h.i.+ng, held his s.h.i.+eld before.

That saw the dauntless minstrel, and seeing sorrow'd sore.

Then too was by young Giselher his lady's father seen With helm laced as for battle. "What," thought he, "can he mean?

But nought can mean the margrave but what is just and right."

At the thought full joyous wax'd the youthful knight.

"I know not what you trust in;" thus the stern minstrel spake; "Where saw you warriors ever for reconcilement's sake With helmets laced advancing, and naked swords in hand?

On us will earn Sir Rudeger his castles and his land."

Scarcely the valiant minstrel his words had utter'd all, When the n.o.ble Rudeger was close before the hall.

His s.h.i.+eld, well proved in battle, before his feet he laid, But neither proffered service, nor friendly greeting made.

To those within he shouted, "Look not for succor hence; Ye valiant Nibelungers, now stand on your defence.

I'd fain have been your comrade; your foe I now must be.

We once were friends together; now from that bond I'm free."

"Now G.o.d forbid," said Gunther, "that such a knight as you To the faith wherein we trusted, should ever prove untrue, And turn upon his comrades in such an hour as this.

Ne'er can I think that Rudeger can do so much amiss."

"I can't go back," said Rudeger, "the deadly die is cast; I must with you do battle; to that my word is pa.s.s'd.

So each of you defend him as he loves his life.

I must perform my promise; so wills King Etzel's wife."