Part 19

Now the majesty of King Etzel was grown so world-renowned, That at every time and season about his court were found All knights on earth most valiant that ever man had known Mid Christian nations and heathen: all gathered round his throne. {P. 182} Year in, year out, around him--such sight none now may see-- Were Christian knights and heathen dwelling in amity, Each after his own land's custom, even as such might fall. So full and so free was his bounty, that aye it sufficed for all.

XXII. How King Etzel wedded Kriemhild

At Traisenmauer she tarried till four days were fulfilled; And all that time on the highways for never an hour was stilled The uprolling of dust on all sides like smoke from a forest aflame As the riders of Etzel thither through the land of the Easterlings came. For by this had the joyful tidings been told unto Etzel the King How royally Lady Kriemhild through the land was journeying. By that sweet expectation slain, was the old pain gone, And arose the King, and hastened to meet that loveliest one.

Streamed far along the highways warriors of many a tongue. To herald the coming of Etzel came knights in a valiant throng; Christian knights and heathen, in one vast host came they, And they saw their Queen, and forward they swept in a stately array. Warriors many of Russia and many of Greece were there; On flew they, Poles and Wallachs, swiftly as birds of the air; Horsemen on goodly horses, kings of the saddle they rode; Each after his own land's fashion their knightly prowess they showed. From the land of Kiev came riding thitherward many a thane: On came the wild Petschnegers; the great bow did they strain Against the fowl of the heaven as flickered their wings in the blue. Up to the head the arrow with marvellous might they drew.

Hard by the Danube river in the land of the Easterlings lies A burg that men name Tulna: there seen of Kriemhild's eyes {P. 183} Was many an alien custom uncouth and marvel-fraught. There was she welcomed of many whose doom at the last she wrought.

Forerunners of King Etzel rode a vassal-company Blithe-hearted, splendour-vestured, courtly and goodly to see, Four and twenty princes, mighty and men of renown, To look on their Queen: her presence of their heart's desire was the crown. Ramung, the great war-captain from far Wallachia-land, To meet her rode; seven hundred were the warriors of his band. On sped they all together swiftly as birds on the wing. Then Prince Gibèk dashed forward with a gallant following. Forth did the swift knight Hornbog with a thousand vassals ride From his place beside King Etzel, to greet that glorious bride. As they rode, they upraised the war-cry of their land, that it rang afar. On swept the princes of Hunland in magnifical pomp of war. Forward spurring to meet her came Hawart the dauntless Dane, And Iring the swift war-helper, of the honour without a stain. Came Irnfried the lord of Thuringia, a goodly champion he. Thus welcomed they Queen Kriemhild for her honour and majesty, With warriors wight twelve hundred, a splendid chivalry. Then came the war-lord Blödel followed by thousands three, The brother of King Etzel, and a mighty Hunland thane. On rode he in pomp of procession, and before the Queen drew rein. Last came the great King Etzel, with Lord Dietrich at his side, With all his heroes behind him: it was good to see them ride, Rank upon rank of warriors noble and faithful and bold: To behold them heart-uplifted was Kriemhild, and joyful-souled.

Then spake unto Queen Kriemhild the noble Rüdiger: "Now to the King's self welcome I give, O Lady, here. Of whomso I say, 'Him kiss thou,' such an one with a kiss do thou greet. For all the knights of Etzel like welcoming were not meet." Then lifted they from her palfrey that stately Queen and fair; And Etzel the King, the mighty, no longer tarried there, {P. 184} But begirt with many a baron down from the selle he leapt, And with eyes for gladness shining unto Lady Kriemhild stept.

As singeth the old-time minstrel, high-born princes twain Followed the Lady Kriemhild, upbearing her garment's train, As strode the great King Etzel his Lady and Queen to meet, And with gracious kiss of welcome that noble Prince did she greet. She put back veil and headband; the roses and lilies shone Forth from the gold that enclosed them: then murmured many an one That fairer than she not even the Lady Helka had been. Then the brother of King Etzel, Blödel, drew nigh to the Queen. With the kiss of salutation, as the Margrave Rüdiger bade, Blödel and King Gibeke, and Dietrich welcome were made. Twelve kissed she, kinsmen of Etzel, and chiefs of kingly pride; And she bowed her in gracious greeting unto many a baron beside.

Through all that time of the meeting of Kriemhild with Etzel the King, All in the ancient fashion young knights were tourneying: With gentle and joyous jousting right gallantly they rode, As the Christian knights and heathen their countries' customs showed. With what knightly prowess the champions of Dietrich's warrior-band Were hurling the whizzing javelin from the strong unerring hand! Forth through the air far-leaping over the shields did they skim. By the guests from Germany shivered was many a broad shield-rim. With the ceaseless clashing of spear-shafts splintered loud was the air; For the mighty men of the Hunland all were gathered there; And there were the guests of Etzel, an exceeding noble array.

Now passeth the King with Kriemhild from the place of their meeting away, And they come where hard beside them doth a stately pavilion stand: All round was the whole plain covered with tents on every hand; There guests after toil of their travel unto sweet rest now might win; And many a winsome maiden the heroes led therein {P. 185} Unto their Queen, where Kriemhild sat in splendour there On a couch all costly-broidered; for the Margrave's diligent care Had ordered so its arraying that the tent was splendour-dight: And the heart of the Hun-king Etzel was filled with deep delight. What of their princely converse may a simple minstrel know Save this?--in his right hand rested a hand like a flake of snow. So sat they on love's threshold; for the wise thane Rüdiger, For the honour of Kriemhild, left not King Etzel alone with her.

Then stayed was the clash of tourney o'er all the echoing field. Hushed as beseemed was the crashing of lance and the clang of shield. Back to the tents went trooping King Etzel's vassalage: And to all was there given lodging and spacious harbourage. So drew the day to an ending and the sleep of the summer night, Till fled away the shadows and they saw the breaking of light. Then many a gallant hero gat him again to horse, And ho for the honour of Etzel and the gallant tourney-course! For the King said: "See ye acquit you for yours and for my renown." Then rode they on from Tulna to Vienna the royal town: There splendour-attired did ladies unnumbered their coming abide To welcome with duteous worship King Etzel's royal bride.

In plenty to overflowing were all things ready dight, What things soever they needed; and many an eager knight With joy looked on to the feast-tide. Fair lodging was given to them all. Amid joyance began King Etzel's bridal-festival. So vast was the throng, in the city harboured they could not be; And Rüdiger gave commandment--"Whosoever be not guests, ye Without the walls find lodging in hamlet and homestead around." Well wot I that daily and hourly waiting on Kriemhild were found The noble baron Dietrich and many a knight of his host; In labour of love aye toiling they wrought to the uttermost That the hearts of their guests should be gladdened in stintless plenty and peace, So that Rüdiger and his kinsmen took now their disport and their ease.

{P. 186}

Then came that royal bridal on the Feast of Whitsuntide, Whereon the Hun-king Etzel won Kriemhild to be his bride In Vienna the royal city: such hosts of men, I wot, In the days of her first lord Siegfried on her pleasure had waited not. By her gifts unto many which never had seen her she made her known, For which cause spake in his wonder to the guests full many an one: "We weened that of all wealth Kriemhild was stripped bare--so had we heard: And behold, she doth with her bounty marvels great beyond word!"

Seven days and ten it lasted, that marriage festival-tide. Ne'er was it told to the minstrel that any king beside A marriage-feast so glorious hath held--we have heard not his name. In new bright raiment vestured were all to the feast that came. Ne'er had she sat in the Low Land in the days of long ago In the presence of knights so many: yea, this of a truth do I know. How rich soever in treasure was Siegfried, never had he So many knights as were bounden to Etzel in fealty. Never have Kings, of a surety, at their marriage-festivals Unto guests given mantles so ample, such splendour-woven palls, Never such costly vesture as was freely lavished here. It was all for the sake of Kriemhild, for the honour of one most dear. In all--were they guests, were they home-folk--one mind in them all abode, Nought to begrudge in their giving, not the dearest thing they owed: Whatsoe'er was desired of any, given it was forthright, So that stripped bare even of vesture stood many a generous knight.

When she thought on the days passed over, how she dwelt on the green Rhine-shore With her noble murdered husband, her eyes with tears brimmed o'er. Yet the ghost of the past aye banned she, that her sorrow none might know, That she might not shadow the honour which had come after all her woe.

Whatsoe'er was the bounty of others, as an idle wind would it seem By the lavish giving of Dietrich: all wealth bestowed upon him {P. 187} By the King, the son of Botlung, was as water spilt on the sand. Withal were there marvels of bounty from Rüdiger's open hand. Yea, also the good knight Blödel, the Lord of Hungary, Bade open his treasure-coffers, and empty them utterly Of the gold therein and the silver--all, all was given away. The heroes of King Etzel in joy lived day by day. Yea, also Werbel and Schwemmel--King Etzel's minstrels they-- Each of them with marks a thousand was guerdoned for harp and lay, Yea, even with more peradventure, at the marriage-festival When by Etzel Kriemhild the lovely sat crowned in the sight of all.

Forth on the eighteenth morning from Vienna rode their array. Once more were the bucklers rifted in the gentle and joyous play By the spears that were couched for the onset in many a good knight's hand. So came at the last King Etzel with joy to the Hunfolk's land. At Heimburg the ancient city did the wayfarers rest that night. How vast was the tale of their army none could number aright, Nor say with what countless legions on through the land they rode. Ha, what fair dames in the home-land the coming of these abode!

At Misenburg the wealthy aboard of ships did they go. 'Neath the host of the men and the horses did the waters hidden flow; It seemed as the dry land fleeted away in one long stream! Now journeyed the way-worn women lulled in a restful dream. Galley to goodly galley was lashed with hawsers taut To the end that by wave and current might no disarray be wrought; And awnings of costly loomwork were wide outstretched overhead, That it seemed as if plain and meadow around them still were spread.

Now also in Etzel's castle was the tale of their coming told, And all therein, both women and men, were joyful-souled, The household of Queen Helka, whom she graciously ruled of yore, And for whom with Kriemhild were many happy days in store. {P. 188} In its hall did high-born maidens in hope her coming abide Whose hearts had carried a burden of grief since Helka died. Yea, seven kings' daughters Kriemhild in the castle fostered found; And all the land of Etzel through these was far-renowned. Of all these Herrat the princess had overcharge and control, Daughter of Helka's sister, a maiden pure of soul, Betrothed unto Dietrich: daughter of a noble prince was she, The child of the great king Nantwein, high-honoured in days to be. Expectant of their coming her heart was filled with delight, And with goodly preparation was the palace richly dight. How blissfully there King Etzel abode what tongue may tell? Under no queen ever the Hunfolk thereafter fared so well.

When the King with his wife came riding up from the river-bank, As maid after maid was presented, named was each, and her rank, By Herrat, and Kriemhild greeted each as a friend long known. In what might she sat and what honour soon upon Helka's throne! Duteous service and loyal waited upon her aye; And ever the Queen was giving: gold, lovely-woven array, Silver and costly gemstones--all goodly things soe'er That she brought over Rhine into Hunland; for her bounty was free as air. Vowed evermore to serve her, and proud withal to obey Were the kinsmen of King Etzel and all that owned his sway, So that never the Lady Helka ruled with such power and might; For unto the death of Kriemhild were they bound by that troth-plight. So exceeding great was the glory of the King, so famed his land, That wherever knights were yearning with gallant heart and hand In knightly sport to prove them, thither they flocked from far; For the love of the King and the kindness of the Queen were their guiding star.

XXIII. How Kriemhild thought on Vengeance for her Wrongs

{P. 189}

Amid all this honour and glory--herein doth the bard sing true-- Dwelt they in love together till the seventh year onward drew. In the midst of the years unto Kriemhild was born a noble son. In the life of Etzel never had a brighter dayspring shone. Never she ceased from pleading till she won her love's reward That unto the font baptismal of the faith of Christ the Lord Brought was the child of Etzel, and Ortlieb they named the boy. Then all King Etzel's kingdom rejoiced with exceeding joy.

In the selfsame paths of virtue that Helka had trodden erst The feet of the Lady Kriemhild paced day by day from the first; By Herrat, the stranger princess, in the ways of the land were they set, While her secret heart for Helka bore a burden of long regret. The son of the land and the stranger with one accord confessed That never had any kingdom of any king possessed More bounteous queen and gracious: true witness they held it of her. Such was her praise mid the Hunfolk still till the thirteenth year.

Now when she marked how no man opposed him to her will-- Even so unto wives of princes knights wont to bear them still-- And that twelve kings stood in her presence aye as the years passed on, On the pain and the wrong she brooded that was dealt to her years agone. She thought withal on the honour that of yore in the Niblung land Of right unto her was rendered, whereof had Hagen's hand Utterly despoiled her when Siegfried by him had been slain: And she pondered how she might compass that his wrong should become his bane:-- {P. 190} "Into this land could I but bring him, then might my vengeance betide!" She dreamed a dream, how that walking anear her, close at her side, Was Giselher her brother, and she kissed him again and again In slumber--what meant that vision was thereafter all too plain!

The Foul Fiend was it surely that whispered Kriemhild's heart In outward-seeming friendship from Gunther the King to part, And with kiss of feigned forgiveness, in Burgundia years ago. Now the old pain woke, and her vesture was drenched with the hot tears' flow. On her heart lay morning by morning, and evening by evening lay The thought, how they had constrained her the faith of her youth to betray By taking to husband a heathen, when will thereto she had none. This wrong unto her had Hagen and her brother Gunther done. How she might wreak her vengeance still thought she day by day:-- "Now am I waxen so mighty, I have such far-reaching sway, That I of them that have wronged me could exact the penalty. Gladly with Hagen of Troneg would I deal as he dealt with me! For my belovèd mourneth my spirit within me still. Might I but draw them hither which have worked me all this ill, Then, then might I have vengeance at last for my Siegfried's death. Scarce can I endure this waiting!" she moaned with passionate breath.

Well was she loved of all men of Etzel's vassal-array Which were named the Knights of Kriemhild: good cause in sooth had they. Friends many were won by Eckwart her treasurer's open hand. The will of the Lady Kriemhild might none in the realm withstand. Each day was she thinking, thinking: "I will make my request to the King If so of his grace and his goodness he may haply grant this thing That my friends be bidden to see me here in the Land of the Hun." But the guileful purpose of Kriemhild the while was divined of none.

One night, when the Lady Kriemhild beside King Etzel lay, When he held her in arms enfolding, even as his wont was aye {P. 191} In his love for the noble lady who was dear as his life unto him, Then on her enemies thought she, and her thoughts were guileful and grim. She spake unto King Etzel: "My dearly-belovèd Lord, I would make unto thee my petition, if this thy grace would accord, That thou suffer mine heart to be gladdened, if my love hath deserved this meed, By the proof of mine eyes that my kinsmen be dear unto thee indeed." Then spake the King, and, speaking, was guileless his heart within: "Hereof will I certify thee: whatsoe'er to thine hero-kin Is done for their honour and profit, for mine own joy shall it be done; For never by love of woman nobler kin have I won."

Unto him the Queen made answer: "Well known is this unto thee, That indeed I have high-born kinsmen; but sorely it troubleth me That, since I wedded thee, never their faces have I seen. In sooth, of all thy people am I known for 'the Kinless Queen'!" Made answer and spake King Etzel: "O wife, heart's dearest mine, If not too great be the journey, I will bid them over Rhine Hither to this my kingdom, the friends thou art fain to see." Then for the word that spake him her ally glad was she. "If thou, my lord," she made answer, "thy kindness to me wilt show, Unto Worms, to the city of Rhineland, forth let thy messengers go; So will I send mine heart's wish to the friends in the far-away home; And so knights noble and gentle full many to us shall come." He answered: "If this thou askest, thereto hast thou my consent. Thyself in the sight of thy kinsmen shall be never so well content As I, in beholding the faces of noble Uta's sons. I grieve that these have been strangers so long from the land of the Huns. My wife, my well-belovèd, if this be thy pleasure," he said, "As messengers unto thy kinsmen straightway of me shall be sped Unto Burgundy-land our minstrels, the lords of the viol-string." Into his presence the minstrels he bade them straightway bring.

Then came the King's two servants to the presence of their lord Where he sat by the Queen, and Etzel delivered to them his word {P. 192} That he would they should be his heralds unto far Burgundia-land. And for their arraying in vesture right goodly he gave command. For good knights four-and-twenty were provided mantle and vest; For to these withal with the minstrels was given the King's behest, Even to bear his bidding unto Gunther and his men. But the Lady Kriemhild set her to commune with them privily then. Said the mighty King: "Now hearken, that mine hest ye may so fulfil: I send unto those our kinsmen all love and all good will, And I pray them to ride to my country unto them that love them here. Never in all my life-days guests have I known so dear. And if these peradventure be minded to grant the thing that I pray, Even the kinsmen of Kriemhild, I beseech them not to delay, But to come in the summer season of this year unto my feast: So by these my marriage-kinsmen shall the joy of my life be increased." Made answer the viol-minstrel, and Schwemmel the knightly replied: "When, O my Lord, in the Hunland shall fall thy festal tide, To the end that unto thy kinsmen by Rhine we may certainly say?" Made answer and spake King Etzel, "On next Midsummer Day." "We will do after thy commandment," straight Werbel made reply.

Then Kriemhild caused the heralds to be summoned secretly Unto the closet royal, and there she communed with the twain. Thereof unto many a good knight was begotten ruinous bane. She spake in her guile to the heralds: "Ye shall earn of me rich meed, If ye keep in your hearts my counsel, and perform it with diligent heed, And speak in mine ancient home-land the word of my desire; Then rich in goods will I make you, and give to you royal attire. When at Worms beside Rhine-river your messenger feet shall be brought To the presence of those my kinsfolk, see ye confess this not That here ye have ever beheld me in grief as of widowhood. And bear ye my love-greeting to the heroes valiant and good, And pray them to grant this favour, even my lord's request, And thereby to bring me riddance from the constant grief of my breast, {P. 193} Even this, that I seem 'the Kinless' here in the Hunfolk's sight. For me, full oft to the Rhineland would I come, were I but a knight! Unto Gernot withal my brother, the noble prince, say ye That none unto him more loving than I on earth can be; And pray that he bring with him hither all our noblest kin To greet us here in the Hunland: high honour so shall we win. And to Giselher's remembrance withal be this thing brought, That never through him to Kriemhild hath wrong or despite been wrought: Him therefore here in the Hunland gladly mine eyes would see; Yea, sorely I long to greet him for his love and his faith unto me. What glory here hath crowned me do ye to my mother say. And, if haply Hagen of Troneg would fain hang back from the way, Who then through those strange marches shall be guide to the mighty ones? For hath not he known from childhood the paths to the land of the Huns?"