The Nibelungenlied Part 35

Proclaim to every liegeman and every anxious friend, That my heart's lingering longing I've brought to happy end.

XI

"And tell my loving nephew, the knight of Metz, Ortwine, That seats he bid in order be rais'd along the Rhine.

And do my other kinsmen to wit, both most and least, That I will hold with Brunhild a gorgeous marriage-feast.

XII

"Fail not to tell my sister, that soon as she shall hear That I, returning homeward, with all my guests are near, She well receive so kindly the lady of my heart, And love and service ever shall be her's on Gunther's part."

XIII

Leave then took Sir Siegfried of Gunther's haughty dame, And of her fair attendants, as him well became, And for the Rhine departed; never could there be In all this world a better messenger than he.

XIV

With four-and-twenty warriors to Worms he hotly sped; King Gunther came not with him, when this abroad was spread, The hearts of all his servants were wrung with mortal pain; They fear'd, the might of Brunhild their n.o.ble king had slain.

XV

Down sprang all from their horses; their thoughts were proud and high; Straight the good young King Giselher ran to them hastily, And Gernot his bold brother, soon spoke he, having eyed The troop, and miss'd King Gunther from n.o.ble Siegfried's side,

XVI

"Welcome to Worms, Sir Siegfried; tell us what news you bring, What have you done with Gunther, our brother and our king?

I fear me, we have lost him, fierce Brunhild was too strong; So has his lofty pa.s.sion brought us but loss and wrong."

XVII

"Away with fear and sorrow! to you and all his kin My comrade sends his greeting; a conqu'ror he has been, And safe and sound I left him; from him despatch'd I come To bring the gladsome tidings to all his friends at home.

XVIII

"You also must contrive it, for your's the task should be, How I may straight your mother and your fair sister see, To carry them the message that I receiv'd so late From Gunther and from Brunhild; both are in best estate."

XIX

Young Giselher then answer'd; "Go straight to them and tell The tale you're charg'd to carry; 'twill please my sister well.

Fear for the fate of Gunther is heavy on her breast.

I'll vouch, that with the maiden you'll prove a welcome guest."

XX

Then spake the n.o.ble Siegfried, "Whatever I can do To serve her, she shall find me a willing friend and true.

Who now will tell the ladies, that I an audience crave?"

Giselher took the message, the high-born youth and brave.

XXI

To the lovely maiden and the stately dame Spoke the youthful warrior, when to their sight he came, "Siegfried is come with tidings for our hearing meant; Him my brother Gunther hither to the Rhine has sent.

XXII

"By him he's charged to tell us, how stands it with the king; Permit him then his message hither to court to bring; Whate'er befell in Issland from him you'll truly know."

E'en thus the n.o.ble ladies still harbor'd fear and woe.

XXIII

Up for their robes they started, and each herself array'd, Then bade Sir Siegfried enter; he willingly obey'd, For much he long'd to see them; then, ere the warrior spoke, Silence the blus.h.i.+ng Kriemhild with friendly accents broke.

XXIV

"Welcome, Sir Siegfried, hither, boldest of the bold!

Where is my brother Gunther? straight be your tidings told.

I fear me, we have lost him, and here are left forlorn.

Woe's me unhappy maiden, that ever I was born!"

XXV

Then spake the warrior, "Give me the guerdon of good news; You weep for sake of weeping; so you fair ladies use.

I left him safe and hearty; of this a.s.sure you well.

He to you both has sent me the joyful tale to tell.

XXVI

"To you, as best beseems him, with gracious kind intent He and his bride their service, right n.o.ble queen, have sent.

And soon will both come hither, so dry your idle tears."

For many a day such gladness had never bless'd her ears.

XXVII

Straight with her snow-white ap.r.o.n she wip'd her tears away, And dried her eyes from weeping; then, once more fresh and gay Began to thank the envoy for his happy tale, That ended her deep sorrow and heart-consuming wail.