The Nibelungenlied Part 109

LXVI

With the news the couriers forth gallop'd hastily, That the Nibelungers were now in Hungary.

"Well should'st thou receive them, Kriemhild, lady mine!

They come to do thee honor, these brethren dear of thine."

LXVII

Dame Kriemhild at a window was standing there to view; She look'd out for her kinsmen as friend for friends will do.

From her native country saw she many a man.

The king too heard the tidings and for joy to laugh began.

LXVIII

"Now I at last am happy," exclaim'd th' exulting queen; "Hither are come my kinsmen with many a mailcoat sheen, And many a new-made buckler; who would for gold endeavor, Let him my wrongs remember, and I'll befriend him ever.

LXIX

"Yes! I will so contrive it, to take revenge for all At this same feast of Etzel's (whatever thereafter fall) On his abhorred body, who so the traitor play'd, And all my joy so blasted.--I shall be now repaid."

TWENTY-EIGHTH ADVENTURE

HOW KRIEMHILD RECEIVED HAGAN

I

When now the bold Burgundians had come into the land, He of Bern soon heard it, the aged Hildebrand; He told his lord the tidings; sore griev'd it the good knight; He begged him the stout strangers receive as best they might.

II

Straight to bring up the horses quick Wolfhart order gave; Then forward p.r.i.c.k'd with Dietrich full many a champion brave.

Thence to the field to greet them; as friends to friends they went.

There had they pitch'd all ready full many a gorgeous tent.

III

Them riding thus at distance soon as Sir Hagan spied, Thus he his courteous counsel unto his lords applied.

"Now every one, ye warriors, down instant from his seat, And these, who'd bid you welcome, go forth yourselves to meet.

IV

"Well know I yon bright meiny, whom here we have at hand; They are the choicest warriors; of th' Amelungers' land.

The Lord of Bern rides foremost; high-mettled chiefs are they, So scorn not what fair service they proffer you to-day."

V

Then down from horse alighted, as fitting was and right, With the redoubted Dietrich many a good squire and knight.

All to the n.o.ble strangers went forward hastily, And courteously saluted the lords of Burgundy.

VI

Soon as discern'd Sir Dietrich how they to meet him came, Now you would hear full gladly what words that chief of fame Spoke to the sons of Uta; their journey griev'd him sore; The truth, he thought, Sir Rudeger had known and told before.

VII

"Welcome, ye lords, right welcome, Gunther and Gernot true, And Giselher and Hagan, the like to Folker too, And ever-ready Dankwart. Do you not understand That Kriemhild still mourns deeply the Chief of Niblungland?"

VIII

"Why, she will weep forever," Sir Hagan made reply, "'Tis many a year, Sir Dietrich, since he was done to die.

She now has got King Etzel; of love she cannot lack; Siegfried is dead and buried, and never can come back."

IX

"Just now let us, I prithee, leave Siegfried's wounds alone,"

The Lord of Bern, Sir Dietrich, replied in earnest tone, "As long as lives Dame Kriemhild there's fear of mortal ill.

Trust of the Nibelungers! watch and be wary still."

X

"Why watch, and why be wary?" the lofty king replied.

"Etzel sent us envoys (what should I ask beside?) To say, that with our visit he would be well content; And by them many a message my sister Kriemhild sent."

XI

"To my advice," said Hagan, "I pray you, now give ear.

Entreat our friend Sir Dietrich and his good warriors here, Of their suspicious tidings the utmost scope to show, That we may come more fully Dame Kriemhild's mind to know."

XII

Then the three kings, retiring, to separate converse drew, Gunther and Gernot and good Sir Dietrich, too.

"Now tell us, we beseech thee, right n.o.ble Knight of Bern, How thou hast been able Queen Kriemhild's mind to learn."