The Nibelungenlied Part 123

"I know not, and I care not, if this be false or true.

'Twas done by your base kinsmen, Gunther and Hagan too.

So ward ye well, ye strangers! 'tis all in vain to fly; Your lives are pledg'd to Kriemhild, and take them now will I."

VI

"So you are fix'd," said Dankwart, "for murder all prepar'd!

Would I had ne'er besought you! that had been better spar'd."

Upstarted from the table the warrior swift and strong; Out he drew a broadsword heavy and sharp and long.

VII

Straight at luckless Bldel he struck a blow so fleet, That his head in an instant lay before his feet.

"Take that, thou thriving wooer!" victorious Dankwart cried, "For a marriage-morning's present to Nudung's mincing bride.

VIII

"Another mate to-morrow may wed the widow'd dame; I'll pay him with like measure, should he the dowry claim."

(A faithful Hun that morning had told him underhand, That deadly fraud against them the vengeful queen had plann'd.)

IX

When Bldel's men their master saw dead upon the floor, Such loss from the fierce strangers they could endure no more.

On squires at once and yeomen with high rais'd swords they flew In deadly wrath; full many that hour had cause to rue.

X

To his train shouted Dankwart, loud o'er the crash and din, "Ye see, bold squires and yeomen, what danger hems us in.

Fight for your lives, ye friendless! in sooth we're foully shent, For all the loving greetings that fraudful Kriemhild sent."

XI

They, who had not their broadswords, benches asunder tore, Or many a chair and footstool s.n.a.t.c.h'd up from the floor.

The bold Burgundians stay'd not, but all for weapons used; Heads with heavy settles were pummel'd sore and bruis'd.

XII

How fiercely the lorn strangers themselves defended there!

Out they drove their foemen all weapon'd as they were; Yet, within, five hundred were lifeless left or more.

Dankwart's men pursued them dripping red with gore.

XIII

Straight the sorry tidings to every Hunnish chief Were borne by hasty rumor (it gave them mortal grief) That slaughter'd with his warriors was Bldel good at need, That Dankwart and the yeomen had done the b.l.o.o.d.y deed.

XIV

Before King Etzel knew it, inflam'd with deadly hate Two thousand Huns or better donn'd their armor straight.

They march'd against the yeomen to deal them mortal dole, And living of the party let not escape a soul.

XV

Before the house they muster'd, an army deep and dense; Though succorless, the strangers stood well on their defence; Yet what avail'd their valor? Dead perforce they lay.

Thence arose soon after a yet more horrid fray.

XVI

Now you must hear a wonder as never yet was told, Within the hall lay lifeless nine thousands yeomen bold, Thereto of Dankwart's followers twelve hardy knights and good, And now among his foemen alone the warrior stood.

XVII

Hush'd was the din of battle, laid was the wild uproar; He sternly o'er his shoulder survey'd the horrid floor, And spake, "Alas, brave comrades! what? not a dying groan?

Then stand, must Dankwart aidless among his foes alone."

XVIII

Upon his single person fell thund'ring sword-strokes rife, Yet cause gave he for weeping to many a hero's wife.

He rais'd his buckler higher and lower brought the thong.

Blood stream'd beneath his buffets through many a hauberk strong.

XIX

"Woe's me! I'm faint and stifled," the son of Aldrian cried; "Now, ye knights of Hungary! stand a little wide; Let the air refresh me--I'm wearied with the fight."

Then manfully among them stepp'd forth the stately knight.

XX

As faint and exhausted from the house he sprang, What redoubled sword-strokes on his morion rang!

Those, who had not yet witness'd what wonders wrought his hand, Forward leapt upon him, the knight from Gunther's land.

XXI

"Now would to G.o.d," said Dankwart, "a messenger would go To let my brother Hagan my fearful peril know, Among this band of traitors how sore beset am I!