The Nibelungenlied Part 56

Besides, so stout of body is he, and so strong of hand; That, should he come to know it, none durst his fury stand."

LX

"Nay, my good lord," said Hagan, "take comfort and good cheer.

The weeping of fair Brunhild, be sure, shall cost him dear.

Trust to my secret practice to guide this matter right.

Ever shall he find in Hagan a fatal opposite."

LXI

Thereto replied King Gunther, "But how can this befall?"

To him straight answer'd Hagan, "List, and I'll tell you all.

Let messengers ride hither, whom here no person knows, And bid you open battle as if from foreign foes.

LXII

"Before your guests make public, that you and all your men Must forthwith hence to battle; he will not dally then, But proffer you his service, and thus will lose his life; I'll worm us out his secret from his loquacious wife."

LXIII

The king took to his ruin, th' advice his liegeman gave.

The chiefs their horrid treason 'gainst th' innocent and brave Carried with such close practice, that none the train could spy.

Thus brought two women's quarrel many a good knight to die.

FIFTEENTH ADVENTURE

HOW SIEGFRIED WAS BETRAYED

I

From thence 'twas the fourth morning, when two and thirty men To the court came riding; 'twas told King Gunther then, That him and his Burgundians their task was to defy.

Woe were the fearful women from this foul-framed lie.

II

At once they got permission before the king to go, And told him that from Ludeger they came, his former foe, Of old o'ercome in battle by Siegfried's conquering hand, And brought by him a captive into Gunther's land.

III The messengers he greeted and each bade choose a seat.

Then one among them answer'd "To stand, my lord, is meet, Till we have told our message, and all our duty done.

Know, that you have for foemen many a mother's son.

IV

"Ludegast and Ludeger you to the death defy, The kings whom you entreated so hard in years gone by.

In arms into your country they are resolv'd to ride."

Full of wrath seem'd Gunther to hear himself defied.

V

Then were the false pretenders led to guest-chambers fair.

Ah! how could n.o.ble Siegfried, or any else beware The trains of that vile treason, which, for the guiltless spread, Soon brought down death and ruin on each contriver's head?

VI

The king about went whisp'ring with the friends he loved the best.

Hagan, the knight of Trony, never let him rest.

Many of the king's companions to stop the treason tried, But Hagan from his counsel not once would turn aside.

VII

One day it fell that Siegfried close whisp'ring found the band, When thus began to ask them the Knight of Netherland, "Why creep the king and chieftains so sorrowful along?

I'll help you to revenge it, if you have suffer'd wrong."

VIII

"Good cause have I for sorrow," Gunther straight replied, "Ludegast and Ludeger both have me defied.

With open force they threaten to ravage all my land."

Then spake the dauntless champion, "Their pride shall Siegfried's hand,

IX

"Both to your boot and honor, bring lower, and once more I'll do unto those boasters e'en as I did before.

Ere I end, o'er castles, o'er lands, o'er all I'll spread Wide waste and desolation, or fortfeit else my head.

X

"Do you and your good warriors sit by the chimney side; With my knights here about me thither let me ride.

How willingly I serve you, my acts and deeds shall show, And every one shall feel it who boasts himself your foe."

XI

"Ah! how this promise cheers me!" the king dissembling said, As though rejoic'd in earnest at that free-proffer'd aid.

Low bow'd to him the false one with fawning semblance fair.