The Nibelungenlied Part 18

Now here, now there was busy the youthful Giselher; He and his brother Gernot each with his meiny there Right hospitable welcome to friend and stranger made, And every fitting honor to every warrior paid.

IV

Full many a gold-red saddle, full many a sparkling s.h.i.+eld, With store of sumptuous vesture for that high festal field, Were then convey'd to Rhineland; many an ailing wight Grew merry again and gladsome to see so fair a sight.

V

Each, who in bed lay wounded, though like to yield his breath, Could now no more remember the bitterness of death.

By the sick the healthy could now no longer stay; Comrade laugh'd with comrade against the festal day

VI

On the good entertainment prepar'd for young and old; Measureless contentment, enjoyment manifold Enliven'd all the people, and spread from band to band.

The note of pleasure echoed through all King Gunther's land

VII

'Twas on a Whitsun' morning the warriors you might see, Five thousand men or better, fair p.r.i.c.king o'er the lea, Yclad in courtly raiment, to that high festival, In jollity and pastime were vying one and all.

VIII

Right well had mark'd King Gunther, who love could understand, What heartfelt love impa.s.sion'd the knight of Netherland, E'en though he ne'er had seen her, his peerless sister bare, The maid proclaim'd by all men the fairest of the fair.

IX

Said he, "Now all advise me, kinsmen and men of mine, How best of this high tourney to perfect the design, So that our earnest efforts henceforth none may blame.

'Tis but on deeds deserving that rests enduring fame."

X

He scarce had thus address'd them, when answer'd bold Ortwine, "Would you, O King! full honor to this high feast a.s.sign, Bring forth our choicest treasures to this proud chivalry, The matrons and the maidens of our fair Burgundy.

XI

"What more the heart enraptures, or courage more inflames Than to look on lovely damsels, on high and stately dames?

Bid too come forth your sister to feast each stranger's sight."

Well was approv'd the counsel by each surrounding knight.

XII

"'Tis well advis'd," said Gunther, "I straight will do my part."

Whoever heard his answer was inly glad at heart.

Then bade he Lady Uta and her fair daughter call To grace the court and tourney, them and their maidens all.

XIII

In haste through all the presses for rich attire they sought, What lay in wrappers folded alike to light was brought, Bracelets and clasps and brooches all ready forth were laid.

Soon deck'd in all her choicest was every n.o.ble maid.

XIV

Many a young knight that morning, within his flutt'ring breast, Long'd, that on him, contented, bright beauty's glance might rest; Such glance he would not barter for all a king can own.

Each look'd on each full gladly, albeit before unknown.

XV

Then bade the wealthy monarch with royal pomp and state Of his men a hundred on his sister wait, His and the maiden's kinsmen; each carried sword in hand.

These were the chosen courtiers of Burgundy's fair land.

XVI

With her the wealthy Uta there coming too was seen; She had with her in waiting of fair and stately mien, A hundred dames or better, all gorgeously array'd.

Her daughter, too, was followed by many a n.o.ble maid.

XVII

On from bower advancing they came in fair array; Much press was there of heroes along the crowded way Through anxious glad expectance to see that beauty rare, The fairest and the n.o.blest of the n.o.ble and the fair.

XVIII

Now went she forth, the loveliest, as forth the morning goes From misty clouds out-beaming; then all his weary woes Left him, in heart who bore her, and so, long time, had done.

He saw there stately standing the fair, the peerless one.

XIX

Many a stone full precious flash'd from her vesture bright; Her rosy blushes darted a softer, milder light.

Whate'er might be his wishes, each could not but confess, He ne'er on earth had witness'd such perfect loveliness.

XX

As the moon arising outglitters every star That through the clouds so purely glimmers from afar, E'en so love-breathing Kriemhild dimm'd every beauty nigh.

Well might at such a vision many a bold heart beat high.