The Nibelungenlied Part 119

For the bold Nibelungers well-saddled steeds were found.

XXIII

Thither the kings came riding and with them many a man, When the good minstrel Folker to counsel this began, That they should joust together each in his country's mode.

Thereafter in the tourney the chiefs full knightly rode.

XXIV

What so the warrior counsell'd gave all who heard content.

A mighty press and clatter uprose incontinent.

Into the court's broad circuit p.r.i.c.k'd many a mighty man.

King Etzel and Queen Kriemhild now to look on began.

XXV

There came into the tourney six hundred warriors fleet, Retainers of Sir Dietrich, the stranger knights to meet.

With the bold Burgundians they long'd a course to run.

Had Dietrich but permitted fain would they so have done.

XXVI

Ah! what good knights among them rein'd the proud battle-steed!

To their good lord Sir Dietrich the news was brought with speed With Gunther's knights forbade he his knights a lance to cross, Naught from such game forboding but grief and deadly loss.

XXVII

When now from out the tilt-yard the men of Bern were gone, Sir Rudeger's retainers before the hall came on, Five hundred from Bechlaren with s.h.i.+elds and armor gay.

Well had it pleas'd the margrave had they been far away.

XXVIII

Then he rode in his wisdom up to the muster'd band, And earnestly bespake them, and gave to understand, That Gunther's men were sullen and all on mischief bent; If they would quit the tourney, 'twould give him much content.

XXIX

When thence were now departed the margrave's warriors bold, Then came the men of Thuringen, as has to us been told, And from the realm of Denmark a thousand proud and high.

Then from the cras.h.i.+ng lances were seen the s.h.i.+vers fly.

x.x.x

Irnfried then and Hawart into the tourney rode.

Proudly the bold Burgundians their st.u.r.dy brunt abode.

The n.o.ble knights of Thuringen they met in many a joust, And many a glittering buckler pierc'd through with many a thrust.

x.x.xI

Sir Bldel with three thousand rode forward frank and free; By Etzel and by Kriemhild full well observ'd was he; Before them both, his tilting perform'd each gallant knight; Through hate to the Burgundians it gave the queen delight.

x.x.xII

She ponder'd thus in secret (as nigh to pa.s.s it came), "Should they by chance hurt any, at once this gentle game Would turn to b.l.o.o.d.y earnest; then I on these my foes Should be reveng'd for ever, and quit of all my woes."

x.x.xIII

Schrutan and stout Gibek into the tourney rode, And Ramung and swift Hornbog after the Hunnish mode.

Against the bold Burgundians they knightly bore them all; High flew the whizzing splinters o'er the king's mighty hall.

x.x.xIV

And yet all their performance was but an empty sound.

Hall might you hear and palace with clas.h.i.+ng s.h.i.+elds resound, Where rode the men of Gunther: by them proud deeds were done.

His train of that fair tourney the highest honors won.

x.x.xV

So great was then the pastime when front to front they met, That through the reeking foot-cloths forth burst the frothy sweat From the high-mettled coursers which the good knights bestrode, As 'gainst the lords of Hungary in haughty wise they rode.

x.x.xVI

Then spake the n.o.ble minstrel Folker with scornful glance, "These knights, methinks, will never confront us lance to lance.

I hear it loudly rumor'd they bear us mortal spite; Surely can they never find better time to fight.

x.x.xVII

"So let us to our quarters," the fearless warrior cried, "Send hence our weary horses; back we can hither ride, If there be time, toward evening; 'twere fitter then than now; What if to us Burgundians the queen should praise allow?"

x.x.xVIII

Just then there rode so proudly into the lists a Hun, That so no knight among them the general gaze had won.

Perchance e'en then in secret for some fair maid he sigh'd.

He wore as rich apparel as any n.o.ble bride.