The Nibelungenlied Part 136

LII

Of promises and presents strange marvels might be told.

She bade bring bucklers forward heap'd high with ruddy gold; She gave to all who'd take it; none empty went away.

Never were spent such treasures to work a foe's decay.

LIII

The best part of the champions came on in warlike gear.

Then cried the valiant Folker, "We're still to be found here.

Warriors advance to battle ne'er saw I yet so fain, As those, who to destroy us, King Etzel's gold have ta'en."

LIV

Then from within cried many, "Nearer, ye warriors, still!

What's to be done, do quickly, whether for good or ill.

Here's not a man among us but is resolv'd to die."

Darts straight fill'd all their bucklers, so quick the Huns let fly.

LV

What can I tell you further? twelve hundred men or more To force the fatal entrance attempted o'er and o'er.

But with sharp wounds the strangers soon cool'd their fiery mood.

None the stern strife could sever; flow might you see the blood

LVI

From gashes deep and deadly; full many there were slain, Comrade there for comrade wept and wail'd in vain, Till all in death together sank Etzel's valiants low.

Sore mourn'd for them their kinsmen in wild but bootless woe.

THIRTY-SEVENTH ADVENTURE

HOW MARGRAVE RUDEGER WAS SLAIN

I

That morn had fought the strangers as fitted well their fame; Meanwhile fair Gotelind's husband into the courtyard came.

Naught saw he there on all sides but woe and doleful drear.

At the sight wept inly the faithful Rudeger.

II

"Woe's me," began the margrave, "That ever I was born, That none can stay the sorrows of this disastrous morn!

Howe'er I long for concord, the king will ne'er agree; Woes sees he wax around him, and more has yet to see."

III

With that, the faithful margrave to good Sir Dietrich sent, That they might seek together to turn the king's intent.

Thereto sent answer Dietrich, "The mischief who can stay?

To none will now King Etzel give leave to part the fray."

IV

Just then a Hunnish warrior observ'd the margrave true With tearful eyes there standing, as he was wont to do.

The same thus said to Kriemhild, "See how he stands to-day, Whom Etzel o'er his fellows hath rais'd to power and sway,

V

"He who from all has service, from liegemen and from land!

O'er what a crowd of castles has Rudeger command!

How much the royal Etzel has giv'n him, well we know, Yet ne'er in all this battle has he struck one knightly blow.

VI

"Methinks, of what befalls us he takes but little care, While of broad fiefs at pleasure he holds an ample share.

'Tis said, in skill and courage the margrave stands alone, But ill, I'm sure, have either here in our need been shown.

VII

In angry mood this slander the faithful warrior took; He turn'd and on the murmurer cast a withering look.

Thought he, "Thou sure shalt pay for it; thou say'st that I am cow'd; I'll show how much I fear thee: thy tale was told too loud."

VIII

At once his fist he doubled, and fiercely on him ran.

Such a fearful buffet he dealt the Hunnish man, As needed not a second; dead at his feet he lay.

This wrung the heart of Etzel and heighten'd his dismay.

IX

"Away with thee, base babbler!" (thus the good margrave spake) "Here have I pain and trouble enough my heart to break, And thou, too, must revile me, as here I would not fight!

These guests I should with reason have held in high despite,