The Nibelungenlied Part 88

x.x.xI

With gifts she made acquaintance of those she ne'er had seen; "Kriemhild," said many a stranger, "is sure a royal queen; She had lost, we thought, the treasures that she before had won; Yet here with her rich presents what wonders she had done!"

x.x.xII

For seventeen days did Etzel his marriage festal hold; Never to us of monarch, I ween, before was told, Who so proudly feasted, in old or modern lore.

The guests, who there were present, all their new raiment wore.

x.x.xIII

Of old, I ween, in Netherland she ne'er at board had sat With such a host of warriors; well can I vouch for that; For ne'er so many champions had Siegfried at command, With all his wealth, as Kriemhild saw before Etzel stand.

x.x.xIV

Never king before him so many mantles brave, For length and breadth conspicuous, at his own wedding gave, Nor such store of rich vesture, enough for each to take; All this was freely lavish'd for lovely Kriemhild's sake.

x.x.xV

There of a mind together were friends and strangers too; Neither their goods nor chattels kept that free-handed crew.

Whatever was ask'd, was granted; they gave till they were bare.

Many a one, through kindness, not a coat had left to wear.

x.x.xVI

How once by Rhine she tarried, the bride a moment thought, With her first n.o.ble husband; to her eyes the tears it brought; Yet she so well conceal'd it, the feasters mark'd her not; Now, after all her sorrows, what glory was her lot!

x.x.xVII

All was but a trifle, that by the rest was done, To the liberal deeds of Dietrich; whatever Botlung's son In former days had giv'n him, went scatter'd through the land; Marvels too of bounty were wrought by Rudeger's hand.

x.x.xVIII

Prince Bldel, too, of Hungary vied n.o.bly with the best; He bade his comrades empty full many a travelling chest Cramm'd with gold and silver; the whole was giv'n away; The warriors of King Etzel a merry life led they.

x.x.xIX

Werbel as well as Swemmeline, the minstrels of the king, To them no little profit did this fair marriage bring.

They gain'd, I ween, in largess a thousand marks or more, When Kriemhild fair with Etzel the crown imperial wore.

XL

'Twas on the eighteenth morning, they from Vienna rode; Pierc'd was many a buckler in tilting on the road By spears which valiant champions level'd dexterously.

So back return'd King Etzel to the land of Hungary.

XLI

The walls of ancient Haimburg they reach'd by fall of night, So that scarce 'twas easy to estimate by sight How huge a strength of warriors the country round beset; Ah! what fair troops of ladies each, home returning, met!

XLII

At Misenburg the wealthy, on s.h.i.+pboard went the band; From bank to bank the river, as though 'twere firm dry land, With man and horse was cover'd that floated as it flow'd; Rest had the way-worn ladies, borne on their liquid road.

XLIII

Many a good s.h.i.+p together was lash'd and firmly bound, Lest the damp spray should harm them from billows das.h.i.+ng round; Many a good tent above them kept off the sun and breeze, As if they in a meadow were sitting at their ease.

XLIV

When to King Etzel's castle the joyful tidings came, Right merry were to hear it many a knight and many a dame.

The courtly train, accustom'd Queen Helca to obey, In after time with Kriemhild led many a happy day.

XLV

In anxious doubt there waiting stood many a n.o.ble maid, All, since the death of Helca, down by deep sorrow weigh'd Seven, of proud kings the daughters, Kriemhild found there in place, Of all King Etzel's country the ornament and grace.

XLVI

Of this fair train of damsels Dame Herrat had the care, Helca's sister's daughter, renown'd for virtues rare, Wife of good Sir Dietrich, daughter of King Nentwine; Her after honors suited well with her lofty line.

XLVII

That the high guests were coming, it joy'd her much to hear; Straight she bade make ready good store of choicest cheer.

How then King Etzel feasted, no tongue may hope to tell.

E'en in the days of Helca they scarcely far'd so well.

XLVIII

As from the sh.o.r.e with Kriemhild rode on King Etzel bold, Who forward led each damsel, straight to the queen was told, And thus each lord and lady she welcomed as was meet; Ah! with what power thereafter she sat in Helca's seat!

XLIX