The Nibelungenlied Part 111

XXIX

Then the Queen of Hungary bespake the warriors all; "No weapons may be carried, ye knights, into the hall.

I'll have them kept in safety, so give them up to me."

"In truth," replied Sir Hagan, "that shall never be.

x.x.x

"I long not for the honor that a queen so great and fair My s.h.i.+eld and other armor should to my quarters bear.

Not so my father taught me; ever of old said he, Let none but thou, son Hagan, thy armor-bearer be."

x.x.xI

"Oh! woe is me unhappy," burst Dame Kriemhild out, "My brethren here and Hagan, why should they shrink and doubt?

Not trust me with their bucklers?--they have been warn'd, I see; If I but knew who did it, death should be his fee."

x.x.xII

Thereto, inflam'd with anger, return'd Sir Dietrich brave, "'Twas I that the warning to the n.o.ble princes gave, And to their liegeman Hagan, to whom such hate thou bear'st.

Now up, she-fiend! be doing, and harm me if thou dar'st!"

x.x.xIII

Deep blush'd the wife of Etzel for anger and for shame; Much she fear'd Sir Dietrich, that vengeance-breathing dame; Nor word she spake, but, turning, with many a sharp, quick glance Ever as thence she parted glared on her foes askance.

x.x.xIV

Then two clasp'd hands as frankly as brother does with brother; The one was good Sir Dietrich, Sir Hagan was the other.

Then spoke the lofty Berner with courteous words and true; "In sooth your coming hither right bitterly I rue,

x.x.xV

"Through that which with such malice the vengeful queen let fall."

Straight answered he of Trony, "'Faith, there's a cure for all."

Such words unto his fellow spoke either mighty man.

King Etzel had observ'd them, and thus to ask began.

x.x.xVI

"Fain would I learn," said Etzel, "if any here can tell, Who is that champion yonder, whom Dietrich greets so well.

He is a man of mettle as I can guess by sight; Whoever is his father, sure he's a peerless knight."

x.x.xVII

Then spake a man of Kriemhild's, "I'll tell you all I can.

That knight was born at Trony, his sire was Aldrian.

Though now he plays the courtier, he is a champion stern.

That I've not lied unto you, Sir King, you soon may learn."

x.x.xVIII

"That he's so stern a champion, how can I ever see?"

Of all the craft and cunning nothing yet knew he, Wherewith about her kinsmen the queen her toils had wound, That not a soul among them came back from Hunnish ground.

x.x.xIX

"Well knew I once good Aldrian; my man was he of yore.

With me much praise and honor obtain'd he heretofore; 'Twas I, a knight who dubb'd him, and gave him of my gold.

I could not but befriend him for true was he and bold.

XL

"So all that touches Hagan, I've known for many a year.

Of old two n.o.ble children my hostages were here, He and the Spaniard Walter; here each grew up to man.

At last I sent home Hagan; Walter off with Hildgund ran."

XLI

So thought the king with pleasure on what had happ'd of yore.

His former friend of Trony he gladly saw once more, Who with high deeds of knighthood in youth had serv'd his ends, But in age spread wide destruction among his dearest friends.

TWENTY-NINTH ADVENTURE

HOW HAGAN REFUSED TO RISE TO KRIEMHILD

I

Then parted the bold couple, both hardy knights and stern, Hagan the chief of Trony, and Dietrich lord of Bern.

Then, looking o'er his shoulder, King Gunther's liegeman eyed The crowd to find a comrade, whom in a trice he spied.

II

Folker, the skilful minstrel, he saw by Giselher stand, And pray'd him to come with him apart from all the band, For well he knew his fierceness and danger-daring mood.