The Nibelungenlied Part 83

Full many a tear of sorrow from their bright eyes was shed.

At Etzel's court soon after a joyous life they led.

CXLVI

Then in place young Giselher and Gernot you might view; They came, through love to Kriemhild, with all their followers true.

On her way the brethren to bring their sister sought, And with them well accoutred a thousand warriors brought.

CXLVII

Then came the active Gary, Ortwine was present too, And there the steward Rumold his duty had to do.

These found them fitting quarters e'en to the Danube's sh.o.r.e.

A little from the city rode Gunther, and no more.

CXLVIII

Ere from the Rhine for ever their eastward steps they bent, They to the Huns beforehand swift messengers had sent, To tell the stout King Etzel what Rudeger had done, And how he peerless Kriemhild for his lord had woo'd and won.

CXLIX

The messengers spurr'd hotly; no time had they to lose; They rode at once for honor and the guerdon of good news.

When home they brought the tidings, and all the truth made clear, Word surely never sounded so sweet in Etzel's ear.

CL

For joy of such fair tidings the king was pleas'd to give The messengers such presents, that thenceforth each might live Merrily for ever, e'en to his dying day.

Through love the king's long sorrow vanish'd at once away.

TWENTY-FIRST ADVENTURE

HOW KRIEMHILD DEPARTED

I

Enough now of the messengers; we'll tell you, as we may, How the queen through the country went riding on her way, And where Gernot and Giselher, who forth with her had pa.s.sed, And serv'd her well and truly, took leave of her at last.

II

On rode they to the Danube, and Vergen now was near When leave they took, lamenting of the queen their sister dear, For to the Rhine together they would retrace their road.

As such nigh kindred parted, many a sad tear there flow'd.

III

As leave took Sir Giselher, to his sister thus said he, "Lady, if hereafter thou e'er have need of me, Whatever be thy danger, if thou but let me know, Straight to the land of Etzel to serve thee will I go."

IV

All those, who were her kinsmen, kiss'd on her mouth the queen.

That day a loving farewell 'twixt Kriemhild's friends was seen And the good margrave's va.s.sals; they thence asunder sped.

The high-born queen right onward many a fair maiden led.

V

Fivescore and four together, a richly vested throng In stuffs of divers colors; many a buckler strong Follow'd the lovely lady, while many a knight of pride, At length from her departing, turn'd rein and homeward hied.

VI

Thence down the stream advancing, they rode Bavaria through; Then all around spread tidings, that with hot haste a crew Of strangers on were coming. Where now an abbey stands, And where to reach the Danube the swift Inn scours the lands,

VII

There sat in Pa.s.sau city a bishop of good report.

Straight empty was each chamber, and eke the prince's court.

All were forthwith p.r.i.c.king to Bavarian ground, Where the good Bishop Pilgrin the Lady Kriemhild found.

VIII

The good knights of the country were not ill pleas'd, I ween, To see so many a beauty about the stately queen.

With loving looks they courted the maids of lofty race.

Then led was every stranger to seemly resting-place.

IX

They there at Pledelingen were lodg'd as best might be.

On all sides all came flocking the n.o.ble guests to see.

Whome'er they met, were ready alike to give or do Whate'er was to their honor, both there and elsewhere too.

X

With his niece, the bishop straight to Pa.s.sau sped.

Forthwith the merry tidings among the burghers spread, Kriemhild was thither coming, their prince's sister's child; The merchants well receiv'd her, the queenly lady mild.