Part 7

Then spake that goodly war-king: "Belovèd sister mine, Our desire may be nowise accomplished saving with help of thine. We would fare forth pleasure-questing to the Lady Brunhild's land, And knights need fair arrayal that in presence of ladies stand." Then spake that Daughter of Princes: "Belovèd brother mine, If aught mine help may avail you to compass your design, Hereof have utter assurance, I am ready to bear my part. Yea, if another denied thee, it were pain unto Kriemhild's heart. O noble knight, it needs not that ye ask as in fear and doubt: What best ye bring soever in lordly wise tell out. Whatsoever may do you a pleasure, ready awaiteth mine aid, And with all mine heart I do it." So spake that winsome maid. {P. 49} "Our will is, sister belovèd, to array us in vesture fair, And we pray that thine own white fingers may this our apparel prepare. And let these thy maidens be heedful that each man be arrayed like a king; For no gainsaying shall turn us from this our journeying."

Answered and spake that Fair One: "To this my request give heed: Silks have we beside us in plenty; command that one bring for our need The gemstones that gleam on your bucklers; these on the silk will we lay." Thereunto Gunther and Siegfried glad-hearted answered yea. "Now who be the journeying-fellows," the Princess asked again, "Who shall wend so goodly-apparelled unto where this queen doth reign?" "Myself am the fourth: first Siegfried; two of my liegemen withal, Dankwart and Hagen, shall journey with us to her palace-hall. Heed well, O sister belovèd, what now unto thee we say:-- See to it, that we four comrades three several times a day May through four days change our raiment, and still go gorgeously, So that none, when we pass from her country, may scoff at our bravery." With outpouring of thanks, from her chamber then passed they in knightly wise. Then to seek help of her women did Kriemhild the princess arise, And of all her bower-maidens thirty summoned she Which above all others were cunning in needle-mastery. On white Arabian samite--as the snow was its pearly sheen-- And on far-fetched velvet of Orient, as the springtide clover green, Laid they the flashing gemstones,--O rich was the vesture and rare, For by hands of Kriemhild the lovely were the garments shapen fair. Sea-otter furs and sealskins for lining thereof chose they, A marvel to all beholders--was never such rich array!-- And with silk did they overlay them, and drew the seams with gold. Sooth, many a marvellous story of the splendour thereof hath been told. Out of the land of the Morians came the goodliest silk on earth, And from sun-smitten plains of Libya: on children of royal birth Was ne'er seen costlier vesture; and of these was enough and to spare. And through all the threadwork woven was the love that Kriemhild bare. {P. 50} For the costly raiment craved for by those far-voyagers She lavished with love ungrudging the ermine's argent furs-- Soft whiteness gleaming whiter for its flecks of coal-black hue-- Such as valorous knights wear proudly in a great king's retinue. Out of bezels of gold of Arabia the glorious gemstones gleamed: For those watchful eyes no smallest pearl too tiny seemed. So fashioned they all that raiment ere seven weeks fleeted away: And withal for the good knights ready by this was their war-array.

Now when all at the last lay ready, men saw by the Rhine-river strand A galley of stout oak builded by the cunning craftsman's hand, Wherein down Rhine-flood the heroes on to the sea should be borne. And by this were the noble maidens by their labour of love outworn. Then they sent to the knights the message that ready all things were In the which they would fain go bravely, that raiment passing-fair; Accomplished was all they had prayed for, and the labour of love was done. Now therefore beside Rhine-river no more would they linger on. So then to those gallant comrades was a message from Kriemhild brought To come and behold the apparel that her hands had newly wrought, If perchance for the heroes' wearing it were over short or long: And behold, it was all just measure, and they thanked that maiden-throng. Into whosesoever presence they came, all men must say That never on earth had they looked on more passing-fair array. Blithe-hearted might they wear it in the palace of proudest queen, For of goodlier knights' apparel had none or heard or seen.

So then to these noble maidens all-courteous thanks they gave. And now must the bold knights-errant for leave of parting crave. With courtesy right gentle they spake their last farewell: Ah, then were there bright eyes troubled and dim as the tears fast fell. She spake: "O brother belovèd, 'twere better that here ye stayed-- Yea, wiselier done I account it--and wooed some other maid Where ye should not thus be enforcèd to hazard limb and life: Ye should find in a land near-lying no less a high-born wife." {P. 51} Already their hearts foreboded the trouble darkening near. All needs must weep, whatsoever words were spoken of cheer: The gold on their bosoms gleaming grew dim with the hot tears stained, With the tears that aye fell earthward from sorrowing eyes down-rained. Then spake she: "O Lord Siegfried, to thy love and thy loyalty Hereby do I commit him, this brother belovèd of me, That nothing of peril harm him afar in Brunhild's land." And the hero pledged him, and swore it on the Lady Kriemhild's hand. And he spake, that noble war-thane: "So long as endure my days, No shadow of trouble, Princess, shall fall across thy ways. I will bring him back into Rhineland--I swear it by life and limb!-- By peril unscathed." Low bowed she with soft eyes thanking him.

Their shields with the red gold gleaming down to the shore bare they; And they laid withal in the galley their goodly war-array; And aboard men led their horses: on the decks now stand their feet-- O me, what bitter weeping brake forth from maidens sweet! Now thronged was many a casement with ladies lovely-eyed, And a great wind lifted the galley as they shook the white sails wide. So out on the Rhine they floated, those proud hearts, bound for the sea. Then answered and spake King Gunther: "Our pilot, who shall he be?" "Even that will I," said Siegfried: "from hence on can I steer Your ship on the flood, stout heroes; thereof have ye no fear; For the printless paths of the waters unto me be throughly known." So are these from the land Burgundian with hearts exultant gone.

Then Siegfried set hand to a massy staff such as shipmen wield, And the ship at his mighty thrusting out from the wharf-side reeled. Gunther the dauntless hero on the tiller hath laid his hand: So the glorious war-swift champions swung out clear from the land. Of meats they bare rich plenty, and therewithal good wine, The best that from foaming wine-fats was pressed beside the Rhine; The while their horses rested each tethered safe in stall: The keel slid onward so smoothly, no hurt might to these befall. {P. 52} The wind in the strong-twined sail-ropes drew with unresting might: Twice ten miles onward they fleeted ere sank over earth the night; Down stream so slid they seaward with a breeze that followed fast. --Ah me, but their stalwart labour brought sorrow enow at the last!

And now with the twelfth day's dawning, as singeth the ancient lay, The wind in the white sails straining had borne them far on their way Unto Isenstein the fortress, the hold in Brunhild's land. All strange, save only to Siegfried, it seemed to that warrior-band. When its coronal of towers was beheld of Gunther the King, And the land's wide-sweeping marches, he spake sore marvelling: "Make answer to me, friend Siegfried, dost thou know yonder strand? Unto whom appertain these castles, unto whom that lordly land? Never in all my life-days--this thing I needs must own-- Fortress so goodly-builded mine eyes unto me have shown, No, not in any country, as this that here we see. He which could rear it skyward, a mighty man was he!"

Answered and spake to him Siegfried: "Yea, well do I know all these: The land and its diadem fortress, they be Brunhild's seignories, And Isenstein yon fortress, even that whereof I have told: There many a lovely lady this day shall your eyes behold. Now hearken my counsel, ye heroes: be ye one and all in a tale, And with one accord affirm ye--this only, I trow, shall avail: For if to the presence of Brunhild this day we go, I ween, We must needs be exceeding wary who stand before that queen. When we see that lovely lady amidst her knightly train, One thing, O far-famed heroes, must ye for truth maintain, How that Gunther is my liege-lord, and I his vassal alone: So that which his heart hath longed for shall by this device be won[7]."

{P. 53}

Then the heroes all consented, even as he counselled, to do. Was none so proud of spirit that he dared say nay thereto. So they spake even after his bidding; and for them full well was it done, When Gunther the King beheld her, Brunhild the lovely one. "Thus I abase me," said Siegfried, "not for thy love alone, But to win thy sister, the fairest of maidens, for mine own. She is unto me as mine own soul, she is dear unto me as my life. Blithe am I to render service that shall get her to me for wife."

VII. How the Warrior-maid was won to be Gunther's Bride

Now while thus they communed, their galley fled onward, and drew nigh To that seaward-fronting castle; and now did the King espy High up at the open casements full many a maiden fair, And his spirit within him was troubled that he wist not who they were. Then of his comrade Siegfried straightway questioned he: "Look upon yonder maidens, and say, be they known unto thee, Even they which be downward gazing o'er the sea as we draw anigh? Whosoe'er be their lord, of a surety is their bearing proud and high." Then spake the valiant Siegfried: "Look keenly and closely now On the faces of yonder maidens, and then confess to me thou Which wouldst thou take, were the choosing accorded to thee as of right." "Yea, that will I," answered Gunther, that keen and valiant knight. "I mark, of all those fair ones, at yonder casement one; It is she in the snow-white raiment: like unto her is there none. She of mine eyes is the chosen: so sweet is her beauty's pride, That, an I might have the decision, it is she that should be my bride." "By the sight of the eyes hast thou chosen, and a fair choice have they found! Even she is the noble Brunhild, of the beauty world-renowned, {P. 54} The Star of thine heart's strong yearning, the choice of thy mind and thy will." King Gunther gazed, and he deemed her ever sweeter and fairer still.

Then that Daughter of Kings commanded that her winsome maidens should go From the casements: she would not suffer that there they stand for a show And a feast for the eyes of strangers. Was none dared disobey; Yet that which they did thereafter is told in the ancient lay. They arrayed them in fairest adorning for the stranger knights to see-- As fair maids have done ever, since time began to be;-- Thereafter through half-drawn curtains they peered, those dainty spies, At the heroes, to feed fair woman's immemorial desire of the eyes.

There were four, and none other heroes which came unto that land. Bold Siegfried led a war-steed from the galley's side to the strand. And the lovely ladies peering through the casements saw that thing, And they deemed that exceeding worship was rendered to the King. There in their sight was he holding that gallant steed by the rein, That stately battle-trampler, strong and of noble strain; Yea, he held it till King Gunther firm in the saddle sat. So served him Siegfried--service that thereafter he wholly forgat! Then brought he forth of the galley his own good steed withal. Never ere then had he rendered the service done by a thrall, That he should stand by the stirrup while heroes mounted the selle! And those fair ones from the casements that gazed saw all full well. In the selfsame fashion accoutred were those princely heroes twain; For white as snow were their horses, and their raiment white without stain. As the one was, so was the other; and lovely the shield-rims shone On the arms of the heroes hanging, flashing brightness like to the sun. Gleaming with precious gemstones were saddle and breast-band strait. So rode they in princely fashion before Brunhild's palace-gate; And a chiming of bells all-golden that hung from their trappings was heard As they came into that far country by their princely hearts on-stirred. {P. 55} With spear-head newly-whetted, with goodly-fashioned sword Which hung even down to the spur-tips, on rode each kingly lord. Yea, the glaives of the mighty-hearted were broad of blade and keen. And all was marked of Brunhild, that noble maiden-queen. And with these two princes Dankwart and his brother Hagen came; And these were arrayed, as telleth the tale of olden fame, In raiment of raven blackness, with rich work broidered o'er. New, long and broad and goodly withal were the shields that they bore. From the far land of India came many a precious stone From the which up and down their vesture was a starry splendour thrown. Their galley all unwarded they left, in the surf as it swayed. So they rode to the castle-porchway, those heroes unafraid.

They marked towers six and eighty that crowned that fortress-wall, Three palaces wide-builded, and a goodly feasting-hall: It was wrought of the lordly marble, as the lealand grass it was green; And therein amidst of her people sat a child of kings, the Queen. Bars clanged and bolts shot backward, the gates of the burg swung wide. Forth running to meet the strangers the knights of Brunhild hied, And received them as guests be welcomed, into their Lady's land; And they took in charge the war-steed, and received the shield from the hand. And a chamberlain bespake them: "Yield up your swords unto us, And withal your gleaming hauberks." "We will nowise suffer it thus; Ourselves be minded to bear them!" cried Hagen of Troneg the grim. Then Siegfried turned, and the manner of the kingdom set forth unto him: "In this burg is it ever the custom according to that I say, That the Queen's guests go unweaponed within her courts alway. Hence from our hands let them bear them, so all shall be done aright." Grudging and loth was the yielding of Hagen, Gunther's knight. They poured them the wine of welcome, they led them to chambers fair. Knights many swift in service in the halls of the palace there were That to and fro were hasting clad all in goodly array; Yet, for all their splendour, their glances to those goodlier four would stray.

{P. 56}

Now word is brought unto Brunhild, and the tale to her ears hath come Of those unknown knights-errant which have fared to her island-home Sailing over the sea-flood, and attired each man like a king. Then the Maiden royal and lovely fell to questioning: And thus spake the Maid-queen Brunhild: "Now shall ye tell unto me Who the unknown knights-errant may peradventure be Whom yonder I see in my castle, each man like a kingdom's lord; And for love of whom these heroes have journeyed hitherward."

Then of her train one answered: "I needs must own, O Queen, That of yonder company no man heretofore have I seen; Yet amidst them is one man standing who beareth Siegfried's guise; And in loyal love I counsel, receive him in gracious wise. And the second his comrade appeareth so worship-worthy to me, That if haply he wield power royal, a king may he verily be Over princely domains far-stretching, if he hold such sway indeed; For he stands mid the rest, meseemeth, as one of royal seed. For the third of these faring-fellows, he seemeth stern of mien, Yet none the less of stateliest stature, O mighty Queen. Swift, keen be his glances as lightning, and flash still to and fro: Dour and quick unto anger his spirit shall be, I trow. For the youngest, of all praise worthy he seemeth in mine eyes. A gallant knight we account him, yet withal of such winsome guise That the grace of a maiden shineth through all his mien high-born; Yet verily might all tremble to deal to him scathe or scorn. For all his gentle bearing and his goodlihead withal, Yet many a comely woman should weep for her lover's fall, If his wrath to the battle were kindled: right sinewy-shapen is he, In all manner of knightly virtues a flower of chivalry."

Then spake that Daughter of Princes: "Bring royal raiment to me. Now if yon mighty Siegfried to my country be come oversea To seek my love in his wooing, he imperilleth his life. Nowise I dread him so sorely as to stoop to be his wife!" {P. 57} So Brunhild the passing lovely full soon was splendour-arrayed; And there in her train paced hallward many a winsome maid: Five-score, nay more peradventure, all costly-vestured came: And to look on the guests with Brunhild went many a noble dame. To right and to left went marching strong thanes of Isenland, Vassal-knights of Brunhild, each man with his sword in his hand, Five hundred, yea more, it may be--for the guests an evil sight! Then rose from their seats at her coming the Four, those men of might.

Now when that Daughter of Princes looked upon Siegfried's face-- Would ye know of her greeting?--she bespake him with cold and stately grace: "Now welcome be thou, O Siegfried, in thy coming to this my land. What meaneth this your journey?--prithee, cause me to understand." "Exceeding thank do I render, O Daughter of Princes, to thee, That thou deignest to greet me, Brunhild, Lady of Courtesy, Before this knight hath been greeted, who standeth before me in place, For that he is my liege-lord:--Siegfried could well have foregone such grace! He is the King of Rhineland--what need I say of him more? All for thy love have we voyaged far overseas to thy shore. Fixed is his heart to woo thee, whatsoever thereof betide. While yet there is time, bethink thee:--my lord turns never aside. He hath to name King Gunther; wide is his royal domain. For thy love he comes hitherward wooing; nought else he desireth to gain. Forasmuch as he hath commanded, on this journey have I too come. If so be he were not my liege-lord, sooth, I had forborne therefrom."

She answered: "If thou be his vassal, and he thy suzerain, Then must he abide the trial, the tests that I ever ordain. If he stand at the end the victor, I yield myself his wife; But if I overcome--bethink you, ye all have staked your life." Then out spake Hagen of Troneg: "Suffer us, Queen, to see To what manner of play thou dost challenge. Ere Gunther my lord unto thee Shall yield up the mastery, surely he shall strive with bitter strain. A maiden so passing lovely full well to his wife might he gain." {P. 58} "He shall cast the massy quoit-stone, and far as it flies shall he leap, And shall hurl against me the javelin--hold not this trial cheap! Ye may lose not honour only: your life and limb be at stake. Therefore, I rede you, bethink you!" So that fair woman spake.

Then Siegfried the battle-helper drew the King apart, And he prayed him to speak out boldly all that was in his heart Unto the Queen replying--"Fear not for the end," he said; "By my cunning devices against her full well will I shield thine head." Then answered and spake King Gunther: "O child of a royal line, Lay on me what task thou pleasest: were it harder than this of thine, Yet for the sake of thy beauty I abide all willingly. If thou be not won by my wooing, then smite mine head from me."

So soon as the words had been spoken, straightway that Amazon-maid Commanded, as meet she deemed it, that the trial be not delayed; And she caused them to bring her armour, and array for the contest grim, Even a golden hauberk and a shield of ample rim. A silk-lined battle-tunic about her that maiden drew-- Nor point nor edge of weapon in fight might pierce it through-- Of fine-dressed fells of lions from the land of Libya brought, With broidery round its borders flashing radiant-wrought. Meanwhile her knights were galling those guests with threat and jeer: And there stood Dankwart and Hagen exceeding heavy of cheer; For their souls foreboded the issue that might to their lord betide; And they said in their hearts: "This journey shall we knights dearly abide!"

But Siegfried the while, the resourceful, hath hasted swiftly away, Ere any was ware of his going, unto where the galley lay; And he found the Hood of Darkness in its secret hiding-place there, And with speed he did it upon him, and none thereof was ware. With speed he returned: of her warriors found he a great array In the place by the Queen appointed for the wooer's perilous play: {P. 59} But he passed through the midst of them stealthwise, and still was beheld of none Of the multitude there thronging: by magic thus was it done. For the lists a wide ring drew they where that grim sport should be In the presence of knights of Brunhild, that the trial all might see, Bold warriors full seven hundred; and their weapons of war all bare; And whoso prevailed in the contest, the truth should these declare.

Now in the lists stood Brunhild, in her mail of the adamant rings, As though she would straight do battle for the land of all earth's kings. And all her silken vesture was with gold bands lapped about; But thereunder the lilies and roses of her lovely flesh shone out. Now came to the lists her henchmen, and unto her hands they brought A goodly shield of battle: of the ruddy gold was it wrought With bands of steel hard-welded, a thing for a giant to sway: And under that mighty heart-fence would the fair one play the play. From left unto right within it did a goodly arm-brace pass With emeralds set thereover, green as the lealand grass; And their sight-bewildering sparklings flashed o'er the gold thereof. Sooth, valour he needed and prowess who would win that maiden's love! Stood a boss out in front of the buckler, as the olden bard hath sung; It was three whole spans in thickness, yet lightly its mass she swung. With burnished steel and with gleaming gold full rich was the shield; And scarce could her chamberlain, holpen of three, bear this to the field. Now soon as Hagen the stalwart beheld that Targe of Dread, Muttered the Lord of Troneg sorely disquieted: "How is it with thee, King Gunther?--thou hazardest limb and life! She whom thou fain wouldst be wooing were a very demon-wife!"