The Nibelungenlied Part 12

Now when back to Denmark were come the envoys bold, And to the stout King Ludegast had the tidings told, How they of Rhine were coming, fierce war themselves to bring, To hear of their high courage troubled sore the king.

x.x.x

Said they, "Yon proud Burgundian has many a man of might, But for the first and foremost we mark'd a matchless knight, One that men call Siegfried, a chief of Netherland."

Ill foreboded Ludegast from such a foe at hand.

x.x.xI

When to them of Denmark were these tidings told, The more their friends they summon'd to muster manifold, Nor press nor hasty message did stout Sir Ludegast slack, Till twenty thousand champions were marching at his back.

x.x.xII

Alike to brave Sir Ludeger did his Saxons throng, Till they in arms had gather'd full forty thousand strong, Ready at his bidding through Burgundy to ride, Nor less at home did Gunther his men at arms provide.

x.x.xIII

His kinsmen and his brethren he begg'd at once to speed, And to the war that dar'd them their muster'd va.s.sals lead, And death-defying Hagan; they gather'd far and nigh.

Full many a chief thereafter that journey brought to die.

x.x.xIV

They one and all were stirring; no loiterer was there; The danger-daring Folker the standard was to bear.

To cross the Rhine they purpos'd and leave their native land.

Hagan the knight of Trony was marshal of the band.

x.x.xV

With them, too, rode Sindolt, and with them Hunolt bold, Both resolv'd by service to earn King Gunther's gold, And Dankwart, Hagan's brother, and the brave Ortwine, Alike would seek for honor in the march beyond the Rhine.

x.x.xVI

"Sir King," said n.o.ble Siegfried, "here sit at home and play, While I and your va.s.sals are fighting far away; Here frolic with the ladies and many a merry mate, And trust to me for guarding your honor and estate.

x.x.xVII

"Those foes of yours, that threaten'd as far as Worms to roam, I will be their surety, that they shall bide at home.

So deep within their country we are resolv'd to ride, To wail shall turn their vaunting, to penitence their pride."

x.x.xVIII

From Rhine through Hesse advancing they rode upon their way, Toward the Saxon country, where after happ'd the fray.

Far and wide they ravag'd, and fiery brands they toss'd, Till both the princes heard it and felt it to their cost.

x.x.xIX

They now were on the borders; then hasten'd every man, When the stalwart Siegfried thus to ask began: "Who shall be appointed to guard our company?

Sure ne'er was raid that threaten'd such ill to Saxony."

XL

They answered, "Let to Dankwart the charge committed be To guard the young and heedless; more nimble none than he.

We thus the less shall suffer from aught our foes design.

To him commit the rearward, and with him too Ortwine."

XLI

"Myself alone," said Siegfried, "will ever forward ride, Till I have found our foemen and all their strength espied.

Keep watch and ward unceasing till I this task have done."

Then donn'd at once his armor fair Siegelind's martial son.

XLII

At parting he his people in charge to Hagan gave, And with him eke to Gernot the prudent and the brave; Then all alone went riding through the wide Saxon realm; And soon that day he shatter'd the band of many a helm.

XLIII

That mighty host next spied he, as wide encamp'd it lay.

It might his single puissance a hundred-fold outweigh.

Better than forty thousand were muster'd there for fight, Sir Siegfried mark'd their numbers, and gladden'd at the sight.

XLIV

Before the camp he noted a knight, that on his ground Strong watch and ward kept heedful, and peer'd on all around.

At once of him was Siegfried, and he of Siegfried ware, And each began on the other angrily to glare.

XLV

Who was this watchful warder, now you shall be told.

At hand by him lay ready a flas.h.i.+ng s.h.i.+eld of gold.

Twas e'en the stout King Ludegast, that watch'd his gather'd might.

Fiercely upon the monarch sprung the stranger knight.