THE NIBELUNGENLIED

Online Medieval and Classical Library Release #31

Originally written in Middle High German (M.H.G.), sometime around 1200 A.D., although this dating is by no means ertain. Author un!nown. "ranslation by Daniel #ussier $humway, 1%0%. "he te&t o' this edition is based on that (ublished as )"he *ibelungenlied), translated by Daniel #. $humway (Houghton+ Mi''lin ,o., *ew -or!, 1%0%). "his edition is in the ./#01, DOMA1* in the /nited $tates. "his ele troni edition was edited, (roo'ed, and (re(ared by Douglas #. 2illings (De"royes34nterA t.,OM), $e(tember 1%%5.
htt(677oma l.org7*ibelungenlied7

CONTENTS .re'a e 1ntrodu tory $!et h Ad8enture 1 Ad8enture 116 O' $ieg'ried Ad8enture 1116 How $ieg'ried ,ame to 9orms Ad8enture 1:6 How He ;ought with the $a&ons Ad8enture :6 How $ieg'ried ;irst $aw 2riemhild Ad8enture :16 How Gunther ;ared "o 1senland 'or #runhild Ad8enture :116 How Gunther 9on #runhild Ad8enture :1116 How $ieg'ried ;ared "o His Men+At+ Arms, the *ibelungs Ad8enture 1<6 How $ieg'ried 9as $ent "o 9orms Ad8enture <6 How #runhild 9as =e ei8ed At 9orms Ad8enture <16 How $ieg'ried >ourneyed Homeward 9ith His 9i'e Ad8enture <116 How Gunther #ade $ieg'ried "o "he ;easting Ad8enture <1116 How "hey >ourneyed "o "he ;easting Ad8enture <1:6 How "he ?ueens =e8iled 4a h Other Ad8enture <:6 How $ieg'ried 9as #etrayed Ad8enture <:16 How $ieg'ried 9as $lain Ad8enture <:116 How 2riemhild Mourned Her Husband And How He 9as #uried Ad8enture <:1116 How $iegmund >ourneyed Home Again Ad8enture <1<6 How "he *ibelung Hoard 9as #rought to 9orms Ad8enture <<6 How 2ing 4t@el $ent "o #urgundy ;or 2riemhild Ad8enture <<16 How 2riemhild >ourneyed "o "he Huns Ad8enture <<116 How 4t@el Made 2riemhild His #ride Ad8enture <<1116 How 2riemhild "hought "o A8enge Her 9rongs Ad8enture <<1:6 How 9erbel And $wemmel #rought "he Message

Ad8enture <<:6 How "he 0ords All >ourneyed "o "he Huns Ad8enture <<:16 How Gel'rat 9as $lain #y Dan!wart Ad8enture <<:116 How "hey ,ame "o #e helaren Ad8enture <<:1116 How "he #urgundians ,ame "o 4t@elAs ,astle Ad8enture <<1<6 How Hagen 9ould *ot =ise ;or 2riemhild Ad8enture <<<6 How "hey 2e(t "he 9at h Ad8enture <<<16 How "hey 9ent "o ,hur h Ad8enture <<<116 How #loedel 9as $lain Ad8enture <<<1116 How "he #urgundians ;ought "he Huns Ad8enture <<<1:6 How "hey ,ast Out "he Dead Ad8enture <<<:6 How 1ring 9as $lain Ad8enture <<<:16 How "he ?ueen Ga8e Orders "o #urn the Hall Ad8enture <<<:116 How Margra8e =udeger 9as $lain Ad8enture <<<:1116 How All $ir Dietri hAs 9arriors 9ere $lain Ad8enture <<<1<6 How Gunther And Hagen And 2riemhild 9ere $lain

RE !RER"S NOTE# 1n order to ma!e this ele troni edition easier to use, the (re(arer has 'ound it ne essary to re+arrange the endnotes o' Mr. $humwayAs edition, ollating them with the ha(ters themsel8es and substituting (age re'eren es with 'ootnote re'eren es. "he (re(arer ta!es 'ull res(onsibility 'or these hanges. ++ D#2. SELECTED BIBLIOGR! H$# O"H4= "=A*$0A"1O*$ ++ Hatto, A.". ("rans.)6 )*ibelungenlied) (.enguin ,lassi s, 0ondon, 1%B2). .rose translation. =yder, ;ran! G. ("rans.)6 )"he $ong o' the *ibelungs) (9ayne $tate /ni8ersity .ress, Detroit, 1%B2). :erse translation.

=4,OMM4*D4D =4AD1*G ++ Anonymous6 )2udrun), "ranslated by Marion 4. Gibbs D $idney >ohnson (Garland .ub., *ew -or!, 1%%2). Anonymous6 ):olsungasaga), "ranslated by 9illiam Morris and 4iri!r Magnusson (9alter $ ott .ress, 0ondon, 1EEEF =eissued by the Online Medie8al and ,lassi al 0ibrary as 4+"e&t 2%, 1%%5). $a&o Grammati us6 )"he ;irst *ine #oo!s o' the Danish History), "ranslated by Oli8er 4lton (0ondon, 1E%GF =eissued by the Online Medie8al and ,lassi al 0ibrary as 4+"e&t OMA,0 2E, 1%%5).

RE%!CE
"his wor! has been underta!en in the belie' that a literal translation o' as 'amous an e(i as the )*ibelungenlied) would be a e(table to the general reading (ubli whose interest in the story o' $ieg'ried has been stimulated by 9agnerAs o(eras and by the reading o' su h (oems as 9illiam MorrisA )$igurd the :olsung). .rose has been sele ted as the medium o' translation, sin e it is hardly (ossible to gi8e an a urate rendering and at the same time to meet the demands im(osed by rhyme and metreF at least, none o' the 8erse translations made thus 'ar ha8e su eeded in doing this. "he (rose translations, on the other hand, mostly err in being too ontinuous and in ondensing too mu h, so that they retell the story instead o' translating it. "he (resent translator has tried to a8oid these two e&tremes. He has endea8ored to translate literally and a urately, and to re(rodu e the s(irit o' the original, as 'ar as a (rose translation will (ermit. "o this end the language has been made as sim(le and as $a&on in hara ter as (ossible. An e& e(tion has been made, howe8er, in the ase o' su h =oman e words as were in use in 4ngland during the age o' the roman es o' hi8alry, and whi h would hel( to land a =oman e oloringF these ha8e been 'reHuently em(loyed. :ery 'ew obsolete words ha8e been used, and these are e&(lained in the notes, but the language has been made to some e&tent ar hai , es(e ially in dialogue, in order to gi8e the im(ression o' age. At the reHuest o' the (ublishers the 1ntrodu tion $!et h has been shorn o' the a((aratus o' s holarshi( and made as (o(ular as a study o' the (oem and its sour es would allow. "he ad8an ed student who may be interested in onsulting authorities will 'ind them gi8en in the introdu tion to the (arallel edition in the =i8erside 0iterature $eries. A short list o' 4nglish wor!s on the subIe t had, howe8er, been added. 1n on lusion the translator would li!e to than! his olleagues, ,.G. ,hild and ,ornelius 9eygandt, 'or their hel('ul suggestions in starting the wor!, and also to a !nowledge his indebtedness to the German edition o' .aul .i(er, es(e ially in (re(aring the notes. ++ DA*140 #/$$14= $H/M9A-, .hiladel(hia, ;ebruary 1J, 1%0%.

INTRODUCTOR$ S&ETCH
"here is (robably no (oem o' German literature that has e& ited su h uni8ersal interest, or that has been so mu h studied and dis ussed, as the )*ibelungenlied). 1n its (resent 'orm it is a (rodu t o' the age o' hi8alry, but it rea hes ba ! to the earliest e(o hs o' German antiHuity, and embra es not only the (ageantry o' ourtly hi8alry, but also traits o' an ient Germani 'ol!lore and (robably o' "eutoni mythology. One o' its earliest riti s 'itly alled it a German )1liad), 'or, li!e this great Gree! e(i , it goes ba ! to the remotest times and unites the monumental 'ragments o' hal'+ 'orgotten myths and histori al (ersonages into a (oem that is essentially national in hara ter, and the embodiment o' all that is great in the antiHuity o' the ra e. "hough la !ing to some e&tent the dignity o' the )1liad), the )*ibelungenlied) sur(asses the 'ormer in the dee( tragedy whi h (er8ades it, the tragedy o' 'ate, the ine8itable retribution 'or rime, the ne8er+dying struggle between the (owers o' good and e8il, between light and dar!ness. "hat the (oem must ha8e been e& eedingly (o(ular during the Middle Ages is e8in ed by the great number o' Manus ri(ts that ha8e ome down to us. 9e (ossess in all twenty+eight more or less om(lete M$$., (reser8ed in thirty+one 'ragments, 'i'teen o' whi h date 'rom the thirteenth and 'ourteenth enturies. O' all these M$$., but nine are so well (reser8ed that, in s(ite o' some minor brea!s, they an be onsidered om(lete. O' this number three, designated res(e ti8ely as A, #, ,, are loo!ed u(on as the most im(ortant 'or (ur(oses o' te&tual riti ism, and around them a 'ier e battle has been waged, whi h is not e8en yet settled. (1) 1t is now generally on eded that the longest M$., ,, is a later reda tion with many additional stro(hes, but o(inions are di8ided as to whether the (riority should be gi8en to A or #, the (robabilities being that # is the more original, A merely a areless o(y o' #. 1n s(ite o' the great (o(ularity o' the )*ibelungenlied), the (oem was soon 'orgotten by the mass o' the (eo(le. 9ith the de ay o' ourtly hi8alry and the rise o' the (ros(erous iti@en lass, whose ideals and testes lay in a di''erent dire tion, this e(i shared the 'ate o' many others o' its !ind, and was relegated to the dusty shel8es o' monastery or du al libraries, there to wait till a more ultured age, urious as to the literature o' its an estors, should bring it 'orth 'rom

its hiding (la es. Howe8er, the 'igures o' the old legend were not 'orgotten, but li8ed on among the (eo(le, and were 'inally embodied in a (o(ular ballad, )Das 0ied 8om Hurnen $eg'rid), whi h has been (reser8ed in a (rint o' the si&teenth entury, although the (oem itsel' is thought to go ba ! at least to the thirteenth. "he legend was also dramati@ed by Hans $a hs, the shoema!er (oet o' *uremberg, and related in (rose 'orm in a ha( boo! whi h still e&ists in (rints o' the eighteenth entury. "he story and the hara ters gradually be ame so 8ague and distorted, that only a trained eye ould dete t in the burlesHue 'igures o' the (o(ular a ount the heroes o' the an ient Germani 0egend. "he honor o' redis o8ering the )*ibelungenlied) and o' restoring it to the world o' literature belongs to a young (hysi ian by the name o' >.H. Obereit, who 'ound the manus ri(t , at the astle o' Hohenems in the "irol on >une 2%, 15JJF but the s ienti'i study o' the (oem begins with 2arl 0a hmann, one o' the !eenest (hilologi al riti s that Germany has e8er (rodu ed. 1n 1E1B he read be'ore the /ni8ersity o' #erlin his e(o h+ma!ing essay u(on the original 'orm o' the )*ibelungenlied). #elie8ing that the (oem was made u( o' a number o' distin t ballads or lays, he sought by means o' ertain riteria to eliminate all (arts whi h were, as he thought, later inter(olations or emendations. As a result o' this si'ting and dis arding (ro ess, he redu ed the (oem to what he onsidered to ha8e been its original 'orm, namely, twenty se(arate lays, whi h he thought had ome down to us in (ra ti ally the same 'orm in whi h they had been sung by 8arious minstrels. "his 8iew is no longer held in its original 'orm. "hough we ha8e e8ery reason to belie8e that ballads o' $ieg'ried the dragon !iller, o' $ieg'ried and 2riemhild, and o' the destru tion o' the *ibelungs e&isted in Germany, yet these ballads are no longer to be seen in our (oem. "hey 'ormed merely the basis or sour e 'or some (oet who thought to re8i8e the old heroi legends o' the German (ast whi h were 'amiliar to his hearers and to ada(t them to the tastes o' his time. 1n all (robability we must assume two, three, or e8en more ste(s in the genesis o' the (oem. "here a((ear to ha8e been two di''erent sour es, one a 0ow German a ount, Huite sim(le and brie', the other a tradition o' the 0ower =hine. "he legend was (erha(s de8elo(ed by minstrels along the =hine, until it was ta!en and wor!ed u( into its (resent 'orm by some Austrian (oet. 9ho this (oet was we do not !now, but we do !now that he was (er'e tly 'amiliar with all the details o' ourtly etiHuette. He seems also to

ha8e been a Huainted with the ourtly e(i s o' Heinri h 8on :elde!e and Hartman 8on Ouwe, but his (oem is 'ree 'rom the tedious and o'ten e&aggerated des ri(tions o' (om(, dress, and ourt eremonies, that mar the beauty o' e8en the best o' the ourtly e(i s. Many (ainsta!ing attem(ts ha8e been made to dis o8er the identity o' the writer o' our (oem, but e8en the most (lausible o' all these theories whi h onsiders 2urenberg, one o' the earliest o' the )Minnesingers), to be the author, be ause o' the similarity o' the stro(hi 'orm o' our (oem to that used by him, is not a(able o' absolute (roo', and re ent in8estigations go to show that 2urenberg was indebted to the )*ibelungen) stro(he 'or the 'orm o' his lyri , and not the )*ibelungenlied) to him. "he )*ibelungen) stro(he is (resumably mu h older, and, ha8ing be ome (o(ular in Austria through the (oem, was ado(ted by 2urenberg 'or his (ur(oses. As to the date o' the (oem, in its (resent 'orm it annot go ba ! 'urther than about 11%0, be ause o' the e&a tness o' the rhymes, nor ould it ha8e been written later than 120G, be ause o' ertain allusions to it in the si&th boo! o' ).ar@i8al), whi h we !now to ha8e been written at this date. "he two 0ow German (oems whi h (robably 'orm the basis o' our e(i may ha8e been united about 11J0. 1t was re8ised and translated into High German and ir ulated at $outh German ourts about 1150, and then re ei8ed its (resent ourtly 'orm about 11%0, this last 8ersion being the immediate sour e o' our manus ri(ts. "he story o' $ieg'ried, his tragi death, and the dire 8engean e 8isited u(on his slayers, whi h lies at the basis o' our (oem, antedates the latter by many enturies, and was !nown to all nations whose languages (ro8e by their resemblan e to the German tongue their original identity with the German (eo(le. *ot only along the ban!s o' the =hine and the Danube and u(on the u(land (lains o' $outhern Germany, but also along the ro !y 'Iords o' *orway, among the Angles and $a&ons in their new home a ross the hannel, e8en in the distant $hetland 1slands and on the snow+ o8ered wastes o' 1 eland, this story was told around the 'ires at night and sung to the har( in the banHueting halls o' !ings and nobles, ea h (eo(le and ea h generation telling it in its own 'ashion and adding new elements o' its own in8ention. "his great geogra(hi al distribution o' the legend, and the 8ariety o' 'orms in whi h it a((ears, ma!e it di''i ult to !now where we must see! its origin. "he northern 8ersion is in many res(e ts older and sim(ler in 'orm than the German, but still it is (robable that *orway was not the home o' the saga, but that it too! its rise in Germany along the ban!s o' the =hine among the

an ient tribe o' the ;ran!s, as is shown by the many geogra(hi al names that are reminis ent o' the hara ters o' the story, su h as a $ieg'ried )s(ring) in the Odenwald, a Hagen )well) at 0ors h, a #runhild )bed) near ;ran!'ort, and the well+!nown )Dra hen'els), or DragonAs =o !, on the =hine. 1t is to *orway, howe8er, that we must go 'or our !nowledge o' the story, 'or, singularly enough, with the e& e(tion o' the )*ibelungenlied) and the (o(ular ballad, German literature has (reser8ed almost no tra e o' the legend, and su h as e&ist are too late and too orru(t to be o' mu h use in determining the original 'eatures o' the story. >ust when the legend emigrated to $!andina8ia we do not !now, but ertainly at an early date, (erha(s during the o(ening years o' the si&th entury. 1t may ha8e been introdu ed by German traders, by sla8es a(tured by the *orthmen on their 'reHuent marauding e&(editions, or, as Mog! belie8es, may ha8e been ta!en by the Heruli on their return to *orway a'ter their de'eat by the 0angobardi. #y whate8er hannel, howe8er, the story rea hed the *orth, it be ame (art and (ar el o' $!andina8ian 'ol!lore, only ertain names still (ointing to the original home o' the legend. 1n the ninth entury, when Harald Har'agr hanged the an ient 'ree onstitution o' the land, many *orwegians emigrated to 1 eland, ta!ing with them these a Huired legends, whi h were better (reser8ed in this remote island be ause o' the (ea e'ul introdu tion o' ,hristianity, than on the ,ontinent, where the ,hur h was more antagonisti to the ustoms and legends o' the heathen (eriod. "he $!andina8ian 8ersion o' the $ieg'ried legend has been handed down to us in 'i8e di''erent 'orms. "he 'irst o' these is the (oeti or older )4dda), also alled $aemundAs )4dda), as it was assigned to the elebrated 1 elandi s holar $aemundr $ig'usson. "he ),ode& =egius), in whi h it is (reser8ed, dates 'rom the middle o' the thirteenth entury, but is (robably a o(y o' an older manus ri(t. "he songs it ontains were written at 8arious times, the oldest (robably in the 'irst hal' o' the ninth entury, the latest not mu h be'ore the date o' the earliest manus ri(t. Most o' them, howe8er, belong to the :i!ing (eriod, when ,hristianity was already beginning to in'luen e the *orwegians, that is, between the years E00 and 1000. "hey are (artly heroi , (artly mythologi al in hara ter, and are written in alliterati8e stro(hes inters(ersed with (rose, and ha8e the 'orm o' dialogues. "hough the legends on whi h these songs are based were brought 'rom *orway, most o' them were (robably om(osed in 1 eland. Among these songs, now, we

'ind a number whi h deal with the ad8entures o' $ieg'ried and his tragi end. "he se ond sour e o' the $ieg'ried story is the so+ alled ):olsungasaga), a (rose (ara(hrase o' the )4dda) songs. "he M$. dates 'rom the beginning o' the thirteenth entury, but the a ount was (robably written a entury earlier. "he ad8entures o' $ieg'ried and his an estors are here related in great detail and his an estry tra ed ba ! to 9odan. Although a se ondary sour e, as it is based on the )4dda), the ):olsungasaga) is ne8ertheless o' great im(ortan e, sin e it su((lies a (ortion o' the ),ode& =egius) whi h has been lost, and thus 'urnishes us with the ontents o' the missing songs. "he third sour e is the (rose )4dda), sometimes alled the )$norra 4dda), a'ter the 'amous 1 elander $norri $turluson (115E+12G1),to whom it was as ribed. "he author was a Huainted with both the (oeti )4dda) and the ):olsungasaga), and 'ollows these a ounts losely. "he younger )4dda) is not really a tale, but a boo! o' (oeti sF it relates, howe8er, the $ieg'ried saga brie'ly. 1t is onsidered an original sour e, sin e it e8idently made use o' songs that ha8e not ome down to us, es(e ially in the a ount o' the origin o' the treasure, whi h is here told more in detail and with onsiderable di''eren es. "he )*ornagestsaga) or )*ornageststhattr), the story o' )*ornagest), 'orms the 'ourth sour e o' the $ieg'ried story. 1t is really a (art o' the Ola' saga, but ontains the story o' $igurd and Gunnar (the *orse 'orms o' $ieg'ried and Gunther), whi h an old man *ornagest relates to 2ing Ola' "rygg8ason, who on8erted the *orwegians to ,hristianity. "he story was written about 12J0 to illustrate the transition 'rom heathendom to the ,hristian 'aith. 1t is based on the )4dda) and the ):olsungasaga), and is there'ore o' minor im(ortan e as a sour e. "hese 'our sour es re(resent the early introdu tion o' the $ieg'ried legend into $!andina8ia. A se ond introdu tion too! (la e about the middle o' the thirteenth entury, at the time o' the 'lourishing o' the Hanseati 0eague, when the story was introdu ed together with other (o(ular German e(i s. "hese (oems are (rodu ts o' the age o' hi8alry, and are hara teri@ed by the romanti and ourtly 'eatures o' this mo8ement. "he one whi h on erns us here, as the 'i'th sour e o' the $ieg'ried story, is the so+ alled )"hidre!saga), whi h elebrates the ad8entures o' the 'amous legendary hero, Dietri h o' #erne, the histori al "heodori h o' =a8enna. 1n as 'ar as it ontains

10

the ad8entures o' the *ibelungs, it is also alled the )*i'lungasaga). "he )"hidre!saga) was written about 12J0 by a *orwegian who, as he himsel' tells us, heard the story 'rom Germans in the neighborhood o' #remen and Munster. $in e it is thus based on $a&on traditions, it an be onsidered an inde(endent sour e o' the legend, and, in 'a t, di''ers 'rom the earlier *orse 8ersions in many im(ortant details. "he author was a Huainted, howe8er, with the older 8ersions, and sought to om(romise between them, but mostly 'ollowed his German authorities. "he story, as gi8en in the older *orse 8ersions, is in most res(e ts more original than in the )*ibelungenlied). 1t relates the history o' the treasure o' the *ibelungs, tra ing it ba ! to a giant by the name o' )Hreithmar), who re ei8ed it 'rom the god )0o!i) as a om(ensation 'or the !illing o' the 'ormerAs son )Otur), whom 0o!i had slain in the 'orm o' an otter. 0o!i obtained the ransom 'rom a dwar' named )Andwari), who in turn had stolen it 'rom the ri8er gods o' the =hine. Andwari (ronoun es a terrible urse u(on the treasure and its (ossessors, and this urse (asses 'rom 0o!i to the Giant Hreithmar, who is murdered when aslee( by his two sons );a'nir) and )=egin). "he latter, howe8er, is heated out o' the o8eted (ri@e by ;a'nir, who arries it away to the )Gnita) heath, where he guards it in the 'orm o' a dragon. "his treasure, with its a om(anying urse, ne&t (asses into the hands o' a human being named $igurd (the *orse 'orm o' $ieg'ried, as we ha8e seen), a des endant o' the ra e o' the :olsungs, who tra e their history ba ! to 9odan and are es(e ially 'a8ored by him. "he 'ull story o' $ieg'riedAs an estry is 'ar too long to relate here, and does not es(e ially on ern us, as it has little or no in'luen e on the later de8elo(ment o' the story. 1t is su''i ient 'or our (ur(ose to !now that $ieg'ried was the son o' $iegmund, who was slain in battle be'ore the birth o' his son. $igurd was are'ully reared by his mother )HIordis) and the wise dwar' =egin, who taught him the !nowledge o' runes and o' many languages. (2) At the suggestion o' =egin, $igurd as!s 'or and re ei8es the steed )Grani) 'rom the !ing, and is then urged by his tutor to hel( him obtain the treasure guarded by the latterAs brother ;a'nir. $igurd (romises, but 'irst demands a sword. "wo, that ar gi8en him by =egin, (ro8e worthless, and he 'orges a new one 'rom the (ie es o' his 'atherAs sword, whi h his mother had (reser8ed. 9ith this he easily s(lits the an8il and uts in two a 'la!e o' wool, 'loating down the =hine. He 'irst a8enges the death o' his 'ather, and then sets o'' with =egin to atta ! the dragon

11

;a'nir. At the ad8i e o' the 'ormer $igurd digs a dit h a ross the dragonAs (eth and (ier es him 'rom below with his sword, as the latter omes down to drin!. 1n dying the dragon warns $igurd against the treasure and its urse, and against =egin, who, he says, is (lanning $igurdAs death, intending to obtain the treasure 'or himsel'. 9hen =egin sees the dragon sa'ely dead, he ree(s 'rom his (la e o' on ealment, drin!s o' the blood, and, utting out the heart, begs $igurd to roast it 'or him. 9hile doing so, $igurd burns his 'ingers, and, (utting them in his mouth, understands at on e the language o' the birds and hears them say that $igurd himsel' should eat the heart and then he would be wiser than all other men. "hey also betray =eginAs e8il designs, and ounsel the lad to !ill his tutor. "his $igurd then does, utting o'' =eginAs head, drin!ing the blood o' both brothers, and eating ;a'nirAs heart. (C) On the 'urther ad8i e o' the birds $igurd 'irst 'et hes the treasure 'rom the a8e, and then Iourneys to the mountain )Hindar'Iall), where he res ues the slee(ing :al!yrie, )$igrdri'u) ()#rynhild), )#runhild)), who, stung by the slee( thorn o' 9odan, and lad in 'ull armor, lies aslee( within a astle that is surrounded by a wall o' 'lame. 9ith the hel( o' his steed Grani, $igurd su eeds in (enetrating through the 'ire to the astle. "he slee(ing maiden awa!es when he uts the armor 'rom her with his sword, 'or it was as tight as i' grown 'ast to the 'lesh. $he hails her deli8erer with great Ioy, 'or she had 8owed ne8er to marry a man who !new 'ear. At $igurdAs reHuest she tea hes him many wise (re e(ts, and 'inally (ledges her troth to him. He then de(arts, a'ter (romising to be 'aith'ul to her and to remember her tea hings. On his Iourneyings $igurd soon arri8es at the ourt o' )Giu!i) (the *orse 'orm o' the German )Gibi ho), )Gibi h)), a !ing whose ourt lay on the lower =hine. Giu!i has three sons, )Gunnar), )Hogni), and )Guthorm), and a daughter )Gudrun), endowed with great beauty. "he Hueen bears the name o' Grimhild, and is 8ersed in magi , but (ossessed o' an e8il heart. (G) $igurd is re ei8ed with great honor, 'or his oming had been announ ed to Gudrun in dreams, whi h had in (art been inter(reted to her by #rynhild. "he mother, !nowing o' $igurdAs relations to the latter, gi8es him a (otion whi h (rodu es 'orget'ulness, so that he no longer remembers his betrothed, and a e(ts the hand o' Gudrun, whi h the !ing o''ers him at the HueenAs reHuest. "he marriage is elebrated with great (om(, and $igurd remains (ermanently atta hed to Giu!iAs ourt, (er'orming with the others many deeds o' 8alor.

12

Meanwhile Grimhild urges her son Gunnar to sue 'or the hand o' #rynhild. "a!ing with him $igurd and a 'ew others, Gunnar 8isits 'irst #rynhildAs 'ather )#udli), and then her brother+in+law )Heimir), 'rom both o' whom he learns that she is 'ree to hoose whom she will, but that she will marry no one who has not ridden through the wall o' 'lame. 9ith this answer they (ro eed to #rynhildAs astle, where Gunnar is unable to (ier e the 'lames, e8en when seated on $igurdAs steed. ;inally $igurd and Gunnar hange 'orms, and $igurd, disguised as Gunnar, rides through the wall o' 'ire, announ es himsel' to #rynhild as Gunnar, the son o' Giu!i, and reminds her o' her (romise to marry the one who (enetrated the 'ire. #rynhild onsents with great relu tan e, 'or she is busy arrying on a war with a neighboring !ing. $igurd then (asses three nights at her side, (la ing, howe8er, his sword Gram between them, as a bar o' se(aration. At (arting he draws 'rom her 'inger the ring, with whi h he had originally (ledged his troth to her, and re(la es it with another, ta!en 'rom ;a'nirAs hoard. $oon a'ter this the marriage o' Gunnar and #rynhild is elebrated with great s(lendor, and all return to Giu!iAs ourt, where they li8e ha((ily 'or some time. One day, howe8er, when the ladies go down to the ri8er to ta!e a bath, #rynhild will not bathe 'urther down stream than Gudrun, that is, in the water whi h 'lows 'rom Gudrun to her, (J) gi8ing as the reason, that her 'ather was mightier and her husband bra8er, sin e he had ridden through the 'ire, while $igurd had been a menial. $tung at this, Gudrun retorts that not Gunnar but $igurd had (enetrated the 'lames and had ta!en 'rom her the 'ate'ul ring )And8aranaut), whi h she then shows to her ri8al in (roo' o' her assertion. #rynhild turns deathly (ale, but answers not a word. A'ter a se ond on8ersation on the subIe t had in reased the hatred o' the Hueens, #rynhild (lans 8engean e. .retending to be ill, she ta!es to her bed, and when Gunnar inHuires what ails her, she as!s him i' he remembers the ir umstan es o' the wooing and that not he but $igurd had (enetrated the 'lames. $he attem(ts to ta!e GunnarAs li'e, as she had (ledged her troth to $igurd, and is thereu(on (la ed in hains by Hogni. $e8en days she slee(s, and no one dares to wa!e her. ;inally $igurd su eeds in ma!ing her tal!, and she tells him how ruelly she has been de ei8ed, that the better man had been destined 'or her, but that she had re ei8ed the (oorer one. "his $igurd denies, 'or Giu!iAs son had !illed the !ing o' the Danes and also #udliAs brother, a great warrior. Moreo8er, although he, $igurd, had ridden through the 'lames, he had not be ome her husband. He begs her there'ore not to harbor a grudge against Gunnar.

1C

#rynhild remains un on8in ed, and (lans $igurdAs death, and threatens Gunnar with the loss o' dominion and li'e, i' he will not !ill $igurd. A'ter some hesitation, Gunnar onsents, and, alling Hogni, in'orms him that he must !ill $igurd, in order to obtain the treasure o' the =hinegold. Hogni warns him against brea!ing his oath to $igurd, when it o urs to Gunnar, that his brother Gutthorm had sworn no oath and might do the deed. #oth now (ro eed to e& ite the latterAs greed, and gi8e him wol'As and sna!e meat to eat to ma!e him sa8age. "wi e Gutthorm ma!es the attem(t, as $igurd lies in bed, but is deterred by the latterAs (enetrating glan e. "he third time he 'inds $igurd aslee(, and (ier es him with his sword. $igurd, awa!ening at the (ain, hurls his own sword a'ter his murderer, 'airly utting him in two. He then dies, (rotesting his inno en e and designating #rynhild as the instigator o' his murder. #rynhild at 'irst laughs aloud at GudrunAs 'ranti grie', but later her Ioy turns into sorrow, and she determines to share $igurdAs death. 1n 8ain they try to dissuade herF donning her gold orselet, she (ier es hersel' with a sword and begs to be burned on $igurdAs 'uneral (yre. 1n dying she (ro(hesies the 'uture, telling o' GudrunAs marriage to )Atli) and o' the death o' the many men whi h will be aused thereby. A'ter #rynhildAs death Gudrun in her sorrow 'lees to the ourt o' 2ing )Hal') o' Denmar!, where she remains se8en years. ;inally Grimhild learns o' the (la e o' her daughterAs on ealment, and tries to bring about a re on iliation with Gunnar and Hogni. "hey o''er her mu h treasure, i' she will marry Atli. At 'irst she re'uses and thin!s only o' re8enge, but 'inally she onsents and the marriage is elebrated in AtliAs land. A'ter a time Atli, who is en8ious o' GunnarAs ri hes, 'or the latter had ta!en (ossession o' $igurdAs hoard, in8ites him to his ourt. A man named ):ingi), who was sent with the in8itation, hanges the runes o' warning, whi h Gudrun had gi8en him, so that they, too, read as an in8itation. "he brothers determine to a e(t the in8itation, and, though warned by many dreams, they set out 'or AtliAs ourt, whi h they rea h in due time. :ingi now brea!s 'orth into e&ultations, that he has lured them into a snare, and is slain by Hogni with a battle a&e. As they ride to the !ingAs hall, Atli and his sons arm themsel8es 'or battle, and demand $igurdAs treasure, whi h belongs by right to Gudrun. Gunnar re'uses to surrender it, and the 'ight begins, a'ter some e& hange o' taunting words. Gudrun tries at 'irst to re on ile the ombatants, but, 'ailing, arms hersel' and 'ights on the side o' her brothers. "he battle rages 'uriously with great loss on both sides,

1G

until nearly all o' the *ibelungs are !illed, when Gunnar and Hogni are 'or ed to yield to the (ower o' numbers and are a(tured and bound. Gunnar is as!ed, i' he will (ur hase his li'e with the treasure. He re(lies that he 'irst wishes to see HogniAs bleeding heart. At 'irst the heart o' a sla8e is ut out and brought to him, but Gunnar re ogni@es it at on e as that o' a oward. "hen they ut out HogniAs heart, who laughs at the (ain. "his Gunnar sees is the right one, and is Iubilant, 'or now Atli shall ne8er obtain the treasure, as Gunnar alone !nows where it is hid. 1n a rage Atli orders Gunnar to be thrown to the sna!es. "hough his hands are bound, Gunnar (lays so sweetly with his toes on the har(, whi h Gudrun has sent him, that all the sna!es are lulled to slee(, with the e& e(tion o' an adder, whi h stings him to the heart, so that he dies. Atli now wal!s trium(hantly o8er the dead bodies, and remar!s to Gudrun that she alone is to blame 'or what has ha((ened. $he re'uses his o''ers o' (ea e and re on iliation, and towards e8ening !ills her two sons )4r() and )4itil), and ser8es them at the banHuet, whi h the !ing gi8es 'or his retainers. 9hen Atli as!s 'or his sons, he is told that he had drun! their blood mi&ed with wine and had eaten their hearts. "hat night when Atli is aslee(, Gudrun ta!es HogniAs son )Hni'lung), who desires to a8enge his 'ather, and together they enter AtliAs room and thrust a sword through his breast. Atli awa!es 'rom the (ain, only to be told by Gudrun that she is his murderess. 9hen he re(roa hes her with thus !illing her husband, she answers that she ared only 'or $igurd. Atli now as!s 'or a 'itting burial, and on re ei8ing the (romise o' this, e&(ires. Gudrun arries out her (romise, and burns the astle with Atli and all his dead retainers. Other 4dda songs relate the 'urther ad8entures o' Gudrun, but they do not on ern us here, as the )*ibelungenlied) sto(s with the death o' the *ibelungs. "his in brie' is the story o' $ieg'ried, as it has been handed down to us in the $!andina8ian sour es. 1t is uni8ersally a !nowledged that this 8ersion, though more original than the Gorman tradition, does not re(resent the sim(lest and most original 'orm o' the taleF but what the original 'orm was, has long been and still is a matter o' dis(ute. "wo distin tly o((osite 8iews are held, the one seeing in the story the (ersoni'i ation o' the 'or es o' nature, the other, s outing the (ossibility o' a mythologi al inter(retation, see!s a (urely human origin 'or the tale, namely, a Huarrel among relati8es 'or the (ossession o' treasure. "he 'ormer 8iew is the older, and obtained almost e& lusi8ely at one time. "he latter has been gaining ground o'

1J

re ent years, and is held by many o' the younger students o' the legend. A ording to the mythologi al 8iew, the maiden slumbering u(on the lonely heights is the sun, the wall o' 'lames surrounding her the morning red ()Morgenrote)). $ieg'ried is the youth'ul day who is destined to rouse the sun 'rom her slumber. At the a((ointed time he as ends, and be'ore his s(lendor the morning red disa((ears. He awa!ens the maidenF radiantly the sun rises 'rom its ou h and Ioyously greets the world o' nature. #ut light and shade are indissolubly onne tedF day hanges o' itsel' into night. 9hen at e8ening the sun sin!s to rest and surrounds hersel' on e more with a wall o' 'lames, the day again a((roa hes, but no longer in the youth'ul 'orm o' the morning to arouse her 'rom her slumber, but in the sombre sha(e o' Gunther, to rest at her side. Day has turned into nightF this is the meaning o' the hange o' 'orms. "he wall o' 'lame 8anishes, day and sun des end into the realm o' dar!ness. /nder this as(e t the $ieg'ried story is a day mythF but under another it is a myth o' the year. "he dragon is the symbol o' winter, the dwar's o' dar!ness. $ieg'ried denotes the bright summer, his sword the sunbeams. "he youth'ul year grows u( in the dar! days o' winder. 9hen its time has ome, it goes 'orth trium(hantly and destroys the dar!ness and the old o' winter. "hrough the symboli@ation the abstra tions gain 'orm and be ome (ersonsF the saga is thus not a mere allegory, but a (ersoni'i ation o' natureAs 'or es. "he treasure may ha8e entered the saga through the wides(read idea o' the dragon as the guardian o' treasure, or it may re(resent the beauty o' nature whi h un'olds when the season has onHuered. 1n the last a t o' the saga, $ieg'riedAs death, 9ilmanns, the best e&(onent o' this 8iew, sees again a symboli re(resentation o' a (ro ess o' nature. A ording to him it signi'ies the death o' the god o' the year in winter. 1n the s(ring he !ills the dragon, in the winter he goes weary to his rest and is 'oully slain by the hostile (owers o' dar!ness. 0ater, when this a t was onne ted with the story o' GuntherAs wooing #runhild, the real meaning was 'orgotten, and $ieg'riedAs death was attributed to the grie' and Iealousy o' the insulted Hueen. O((osed now to the mythologi al inter(retation is the other 8iew already s(o!en o', whi h denies the (ossibility o' mythologi al 'eatures, and does not see! to tra e the legend beyond the heroi stage. "he best e&(onent o' this 8iew is =. ,. #oer, who has made a remar!able attem(t to resol8e the story into its sim(lest onstituents. A ording to him the nu leus o' the legend is an old story o' the murder o' relati8es ():erwandienmord)), the original 'orm being (erha(s as 'ollows. Attila (i.e., the enemy o' Hagen under any

1B

name)is married to HagenAs sister Grimhild or Gudrun. He in8ites his brother+in+law to his house, atta !s him in the ho(e o' obtaining his treasure, and !ills him. A ording to this 8iew Hagen was originally the !ing, but later sin!s to a subordinate (osition through the subseHuent onne tion o' the story with the #urgundians. 1t is o' ourse useless to hunt 'or the date o' su h an e(isode in history. $u h a murder ould ha8e 'reHuently o urred, and an be lo ali@ed anywhere. :ery early we 'ind this Hagen story united with the $ieg'ried legend. 1' the latter is mythologi al, then we ha8e a heterogeneous ombination, a mythi al legend gra'ted on a (urely human one. "his #oer thin!s unli!ely, and (resents a number o' arguments to dis(ro8e the mythi al hara ter o' the $ieg'ried story, into whi h we annot enter here. He omes, howe8er, to the on lusion, that the $ieg'ried tale is li!ewise (urely human, and onsisted originally o' the murder o' relati8es, that is, a re(etition o' the Hagen title. $ieg'ried is married to HagenAs sister, and is !illed by his brother+in+law be ause o' his treasure. "he !ernel o' the legend is, there'ore, the enmity between relati8es, whi h e&ists in two 'orms, the one in whi h the son+in+law !ills his 'ather+in+law, as in the )Helgi) saga, the other in whi h Hagen !ills his son+in+law and is !illed by him, too, as in the )Hilde) saga. "he German tradition tries to ombine the two by introdu ing the new 'eature, that 2riemhild auses the death o' her relati8es, in order to a8enge her 'irst husband. #oer is o' the o(inion that both the *orse and the German 8ersions ha8e 'orgotten the original onne tion between the two stories, and that this onne tion was nothing more nor less than the ommon moti8e o' the treasure. "he same treasure, whi h auses Hagen to murder $ieg'ried, auses his own death in turn through the greed o' Attila. "here was originally, a ording to #oer, no Huestion o' re8enge, e& e(t the re8enge o' 'ate, the retribution whi h o8erta!es the riminal. "his 'eeling 'or the irony o' 'ate was lost when the moti8e, that Hagen !ills $ieg'ried be ause o' his treasure, was re(la ed by the one that he does it at the reHuest o' #runhild. "his leads #oer to the on lusion, that #runhild did not originally belong to the $ieg'ried story, but to the well+!nown 'airy tale o' $lee(ing #eauty ()4rlosungsmur hen)), whi h o urs in a 8ariety o' 'orms. "he ty(e is that o' a hero who res ues a maiden 'rom a magi harm, whi h may ta!e the 'orm o' a dee( slee(, as in the ase o' $lee(ing #eauty, or o' being sewed into a garment, as in *o. 111 o' GrimmAs 'airy tales. #y the union o' the two stories, i.e., the Hagen+ $ieg'ried saga with the $lee(ing #eauty tale, $ieg'ried stands in relation to two womenF on the one hand his relation to $igrdri'a+ #rynhild, the maiden whom he res ues on the ro !, on the other his

15

marriage with Grimhild+Gudrun and his onseHuent death. "his two'old relation had to be dis(osed o', and sin e his onne tion with Grimhild was de isi8e 'or his 'ate, his relation to #runhild had to be hanged. 1t ould not be entirely ignored, 'or it was too well !nown, there'ore it was gi8en a di''erent inter(retation. $ieg'ried still res ues a maiden 'rom the ro !, not 'or himsel', howe8er, but 'or another. "he e& hange o' 'orms on the (art o' $ieg'ried and Gunther is a reminis en e o' the older 'orm. 1t gi8es the im(ression, that $ieg'ried, and yet not $ieg'ried, won the bride. "his alteration (robably too! (la e when the #urgundians were introdu ed into the legend. 9ith this introdu tion an unlo ali@ed saga o' un!nown heroes o' an ient times be ame one o' e8ents o' world+wide im(ortan eF the 'all o' a mighty ra e was de(i ted as the result o' $ieg'riedAs death. "o render this (lausible, it was ne essary on the one hand to ideali@e the hero, so that his death should a((ear as a deed o' horror demanding 'ear'ul 8engean e, and on the other, to ma!e the !ing o' the #urgundians an a ti8e (arti i(ator in $ieg'riedAs death, 'or otherwise it would not seem natural, that the whole ra e should be e&terminated 'or a rime ommitted by the !ingAs brother or 8assal. As the role o' #runhildAs husband had be ome 8a ant, and as Gunther had no s(e ial role, it was natural that it should be gi8en to him. #oer tra es 8ery ingeniously the gradual de8elo(ment o' this e& hange o' roles through the 8arious sour es. Another method o' e&(laining away $ieg'riedAs relation to two women is to identi'y them, and this has been done by the $ey'rid ballad. Here the hero res ues 2riemhild 'rom the (ower o' the dragon, marries her, and then is later !illed by her brothers through en8y and hatred. As #runhild and 2riemhild are here united in one (erson, there is no need o' a wooing 'or the !ing, nor o' 8engean e on the (art o' #runhild, a ordingly the old moti8e o' greed (here en8y) rea((ears. As to the 'ight with the dragon, #oer belie8es that it did not originally belong to the saga, 'or in none o' the sour es e& e(t the (o(ular ballad is the 'ight with the dragon onne ted with the release o' #runhild. 1' the $ieg'ried+Hagen story is (urely human, then the dragon annot ha8e originally belonged to it, but was later introdu ed, be ause o' the wides(read belie' in the dragon as the guardian o' treasure, and in order to answer the Huestion as to the (ro8enien e o' the hoard. "his is, howe8er, only one answer to the Huestion. Another, wides(read in German legends, is that the

1E

treasure omes 'rom the *ibelungs, that is, 'rom the dwar's. Many identi'y the dwar's and the dragon, but this 'inds no su((ort in the sour es, 'or here the dwar's and ;a'nir are ne8er on'used. "he )*ibelungenlied) des ribes an ad8enture with ea h, but the treasure is only onne ted with the dwar's. "he )"hidre!saga) !nows only the dragon 'ight but not the dwar's, as is li!ewise the ase with the $ey'rid ballad. Only in the *orse sour es do we 'ind a ontamination. "he story o' Hreithmar and his sons, who Huarrel about the treasure, resembles that o' $ hilbung and *ibelung in the )*ibelungenlied), and (robably has the same sour e. One o' the sons, be ause o' his guarding the treasure, is identi'ied with the dragon, and so we read that ;a'nir be omes a dragon, a'ter gaining the treasure. Originally, howe8er, he was not a dragon, but a dwar'. "hese two inde(endent 'orms an be geogra(hi ally lo ali@ed. "he dwar' legend is the more southernF it is told in detail in the )*ibelungenlied). "he dragon legend (robably originated in the ,imbrian (eninsula, where the )#eowul') saga, in whi h the dragon 'ight (lays su h an im(ortant (art, li!ewise arose. "here thus stand shar(ly o((osed to ea h other two theories, one seeing in the $ieg'ried saga a (ersoni'i ation o' natural 'or es, the other tra ing it ba ! to a (urely human story o' murder through greed. 1t may be, that the true 'orm o' the original saga lies hal' way between these two 8iews. "he story o' the 'all o' the *ibelungs, that is, their !illing at 4t@elAs ourt, may go ba ! to the tale o' the murder o' relati8es 'or money. On the other hand it is hard to belie8e that the $ieg'ried saga is nothing but a re(etition o' the Attila moti8e, 'or this is too brie' a 'ormula to whi h to redu e the long legend o' $ieg'ried, with its many deeds. 48en i' we dis ard the mythologi al inter(retation, it is the tale o' a daring hero, who is brought u( in the woods by a unning dwar'. He !ills a dragon and ta!es (ossession o' his hoard, then res ues a maiden, im(risoned u(on a mountain, as in the older *orse 8ersion and the (o(ular ballad, or in a tower, as in the )"hidre!saga), and surrounded either by a wall o' 'ire, as in the *orse, or by a large body o' water, as in the )*ibelungenlied). A'ter betrothing himsel' to the maiden, he sets 'orth in sear h o' 'urther ad8entures, and 'alls into the (ower o' an e8il ra e, who by their magi arts lure him to them, ause his destru tion, and then obtain his treasure and the maiden 'or themsel8es. #y her 8ery name $igrdri'a belongs to $ieg'ried, Iust as Gunther and Gudrun+Grimhild belong together, and it seems hardly (ossible that she should ha8e entered the story later, as #oer would ha8e us belie8e. A'ter all, it is

1%

largely a matter o' belie', 'or it is im(ossible to (ro8e (ositi8ely that mythi al elements did or did not e&ist in the original. "o the ombined $ieg'ried+*ibelung story 8arious histori al elements were added during the 'i'th entury. At the beginning o' this (eriod the ;ran!s were lo ated on the le't ban! o' the =hine 'rom ,oblen@ downward. ;urther u( the ri8er, that is, to the south, the #urgundians had established a !ingdom in what is now the =henish .alatinate, their a(ital being 9orms and their !ing )Gundahar), or )Gundi arius), as the =omans alled him. ;or twenty years the #urgundians li8ed on good terms with the surrounding nations. "hen, growing bolder, they suddenly rose against the =omans in the year GCB, but the rebellion was Huietly su((ressed by the =oman general Aetius. "hough de'eated, the #urgundians were not subdued, and the 8ery ne&t year they bro!e their oaths and again sought to throw o'' the =oman yo!e. "his time the =omans alled to their aid the hordes o' Huns, who had been growing ra(idly in (ower and were already (ressing hard u(on the German nations 'rom the east. Only too glad 'or an e& use, the Huns (oured into the land in great numbers and (ra ti ally swe(t the #urgundian (eo(le 'rom the 'a e o' the earth. A ording to the =oman historians, twenty thousand #urgundians were slain in this great battle o' the ,atalaunian ;ields. *aturally this atastro(he, in whi h a whole German nation 'ell be'ore the hordes o' in8ading barbarians, (rodu ed a (ro'ound im(ression u(on the "eutoni world. "he 2ing Gundahar, the Gunther o' the )*ibelungenlied), who also 'ell in the battle, be ame the entral 'igure o' a new legend, namely, the story o' the 'all o' the #urgundians. Attila is not thought to ha8e ta!en (art in the in8asion, still, a'ter his death in GJG, his name gradually ame to be asso iated with the slaughter o' the #urgundians, 'or a legend o(erates mainly with ty(es, and as Attila was a Hun and throughout the Middle Ages was loo!ed u(on as the ty(e o' a ruel tyrant, greedy 'or onHuest, it was but natural 'or him to (lay the role assigned to him in the legend. ?uite (lausible is #oerAs e&(lanation o' the entran e o' Attila into the legend. "he )"hidre!saga) lo ates him in $eest in 9est(halia. *ow this (ro8in e on e bore the haute o' )Hunaland), and by a natural on'usion, be ause o' the similarity o' the names, )Huna) and )Huns), Attila, who is the hie' re(resentati8e o' Hunnish (ower, was onne ted with the legend and lo ated at $eest. "his would show that the original e&tension o' the legend was slight, as <anten, the home o' Hagen, is but se8enty miles 'rom $eest. "he

20

original 'orm would then be that Hagen was slain by a !ing o' )Hunaland), then be ause history relates that the #urgundians were slain by the Huns, the similarity o' the names led to the introdu tion o' Attila and the identi'i ation o' the *ibelungs with the #urgundians. "he 'a t, too, that the ;ran!s ra(idly too! (ossession o' the distri t de(o(ulated by the rushing de'eat o' the #urgundians li!ewise aided the on'usion, and thus the ;ran!s be ame the natural heirs o' the legend on erning the death o' Gunther, and so we read o' the 'all o' the *ibelungs, a name that is wholly ;ran!ish in hara ter. "his identi'i ation led also to AttilaAs being onsidered the a8enger o' $ieg'riedAs death. .oeti Iusti e, howe8er, demands that the slaughter o' the #urgundians at the hands o' Attila be also a8enged. "he rumor, that AttilaAs death was not natural, but that he had been murdered by his wi'e 1ldi o ()Hildi!o)), ga8e the ne essary 'eatures to round out the story. As 2riemhild was the sister o' the #urgundian !ings, it was but natural to e&(lain her !illing o' Attila, as des ribed in the *orse 8ersions, by her desire to a8enge her brothers. 1n our )*ibelungenlied), howe8er, it is no longer Attila, but 2riemhild, who is the entral 'igure o' the tragedy. 4t@el, as he is alled here, has sun! to the insigni'i ant role o' a stage !ing, a (er'e tly (assi8e obser8er o' the 'ight raging around him. "his hange was brought about (erha(s by the introdu tion o' Dietri h o' #erne, the most im(osing 'igure o' all Germani heroi lore. "he ne essity o' (ro8iding him with a role orres(onding to his im(ortan e, ou(led with a growing re(ugnan e on the (art o' the (roud ;ran!s to a !nowledge de'eat at the hands o' the Huns, aused the (erson o' Attila to dwindle in im(ortan e. Gradually, too, the role (layed by 2riemhild was totally hanged. 1nstead o' being the a8enger o' her brothers, as de(i ted in the *orse 8ersions, she hersel' be omes the ause o' their destru tion. 4t@el is not only inno ent o' any desire to harm the *ibelungs, but is e8en ignorant o' the re8enge (lanned by his wi'e. "his hange in her role was (robably due to the 'eeling that it was in umbent u(on her to a8enge the murder o' $ieg'ried. Our )*ibelungenlied) !nows but little o' the ad8entures o' $ieg'riedAs youth as de(i ted in the *orse 8ersions. "he theme o' the (oem is no longer the lo8e o' $igurd, the homeless wanderer, 'or the maIesti :al!yrie #runhild, but the lo8e idyll o' $ieg'ried, the son o' the !ing o' the *etherlands, and the dainty #urgundian (rin ess 2riemhild. "he (oem has 'orgotten $ieg'riedAs onne tion with

21

#runhildF it !nows nothing o' his (enetrating the wall o' 'lames to awa!e and res ue her, nothing o' the betrothal o' the two. 1n our (oem $ieg'ried is are'ully reared at his 'atherAs ourt in the *etherlands, and sets out with great (om( 'or the ourt o' the #urgundians. 1n the *orse 8ersion he naturally remains at GuntherAs ourt a'ter his marriage, but in our (oem he returns to the *etherlands with his bride. "his ne essitates the introdu tion o' se8eral new s enes to de(i t his arri8al home, the in8itation to the 'east at 9orms, and the re e(tion o' the guests on the (art o' the #urgundians. 1n the )*ibelungenlied) the athleti s(orts, as an obsta le to the winning o' #runhild, ta!e the (la e o' the wall o' 'lames o' the older *orse 8ersions. $ieg'ried and Gunther no longer hange 'orms, but $ieg'ried dons the )"arn!a((e), whi h renders him in8isible, so that while Gunther ma!es the motions, $ieg'ried really does the wor!, a thing whi h is rather di''i ult to imagine. "he Huarrel o' the two Hueens is li!ewise 8ery di''erently de(i ted in the )*ibelungenlied) 'rom what it is in the *orse 8ersion. 1n the latter it ta!es (la e while the ladies are bathing in the ri8er, and is brought on by the arrogan e o' #runhild, who re'uses to stand lower down the stream and bathe in the water 'lowing 'rom Gudrun to her. 1n the )"hidre!saga) it o urs in the se lusion o' the ladiesA a(artments, but in our (oem it ulminates in 'ront o' the athedral be'ore the assembled ourt, and reHuires as its ba !ground all the (om( and s(lendor o' medie8al hi8alry. 9ith a master hand and a wonder'ul !nowledge o' 'emale hara ter, the author de(i ts the gradual (rogress o' the Huarrel until it terminates in a magni'i ent s ene o' wounded (ride and malignant hatred. 2riemhild, as usual, (lays the more im(ortant (art, and, while standing u( 'or her rights, tries in e8ery way to on iliate #runhild and not to hurt her 'eelings. At last, howe8er, stung by the taunts o' the latter, she in turn loses her (atien e, bursts out with the whole story o' the two'old de e(tion to whi h #runhild has been subIe ted, and then trium(hantly swee(s into the hur h, lea8ing her ri8al stunned and humiliated by the news she has heard. 1n the *orse tradition the s ene ser8es merely to enlighten #runhild as to the de e(tion (layed u(on her. 1n the )*ibelungenlied) it be omes the real ause o' $ieg'riedAs death, 'or #runhild (lans to !ill $ieg'ried to a8enge the (ubli slight done to her. $he has no other reason, as $ieg'ried swears that there had been no de e(tion. #runhild a((eals to us mu h less in the )*ibelungenlied) than in the *orse 8ersion. 1n the latter she 'eels hersel' dee(ly wronged by $ieg'riedAs 'aithlessness, and resol8es on his death be ause she will not be the

22

wi'e o' two men. 1n our (oem she has no reason 'or wishing his death e& e(t her wounded (ride. 1n the )*ibelungenlied), too, she disa((ears 'rom 8iew a'ter $ieg'riedAs death, whereas in the *orse tradition she as ends his 'uneral (yre and dies at his side. "he ir umstan es o' $ieg'riedAs death are li!ewise totally di''erent in the two 8ersions. 1n the *orse, as we ha8e seen, he is murdered while aslee( in bed, by GunnarAs younger brother Gutthorm. 1n our (oem he is !illed by Hagen, while bending o8er a s(ring to drin!. "his is (re eded by a s ene in whi h Hagen trea herously indu es 2riemhild to mar! the one 8ulnerable s(ot on $ieg'riedAs body, on the (lea o' (rote ting him. "his dee(ens the tragedy, and renders 2riemhildAs misery and sel'+re(roa hes the greater. A'ter $ieg'riedAs burial his 'ather, who had also ome to 9orms with his son, 8ainly endea8ors to (ersuade 2riemhild to return with him to the *etherlands. Her re'usal is unnatural in the e&treme, 'or she had reigned there ten years or more with $ieg'ried, and had le't her little son behind, and yet she relinHuishes all this and remains with her brothers, whom she !nows to be the murderers o' her husband. "his is e8idently a reminis en e o' an earlier 'orm in whi h $ieg'ried was a homeless ad8enturer, as in the )"hidre!saga). "he se ond hal' o' the tale, the destru tion o' the *ibelungs, is treated o' 8ery brie'ly in the early *orse 8ersions, but the )*ibelungenlied), whi h !nows so little o' $ieg'riedAs youth, has de8elo(ed and enlarged u(on the story, until it o8ershadows the 'irst (art in length and im(ortan e and gi8es the name to the whole (oem. "he main di''eren e between the two 8ersions is that in the older *orse tradition it is Attila who in8ites the *ibelungs to his ourt and atta !s them in order to gain (ossession o' the treasure, while Gudrun (2riemhild) 'irst tries to re on ile the warring (arties, and, not su eeding in this, snat hes u( a sword and 'ights on the side o' her brothers and later !ills her husband as an a t o' re8enge. 1n the )"hidre!saga) and the )*ibelungenlied), howe8er, she is the instigator o' the 'ight and the ause o' her brothersA death, and 'inally su''ers death hersel' at the hands o' Master Hildebrand, who is 'urious that su h noble heroes should 'all at a womanAs hand. "he se ond (art o' the (oem is grewsome reading at best, with its weltering or(ses and torrents o' blood. "he horror is relie8ed only by the grim humor o' Hagen and by the harming s ene at =udegerAs ourt, where the young (rin e Giselher is betrothed to =udegerAs daughter. =udeger is without doubt the most tragi 'igure o' this (art. He is bound on the one hand by his oath o' allegian e to

2C

2riemhild and on the other by ties o' 'riendshi( to the #urgundians. His agony o' mind at the dilemma in whi h 2riemhildAs ommand to atta ! the #urgundians (la es him is (iti'ul. Di8ided between lo8e and duty, the on8i tion that he must 'ul'ill his 8ow, ost what it may, gradually 'or es itsel' u(on him and he rushes to his death in ombat with his dearest 'riends. "owering abo8e all others in its gloomy grandeur stands the 'igure o' Hagen, the real hero o' the se ond hal' o' the (oem. ;ully aware that he is going to his death, he ne8ertheless s orns to desert his om(anions+in+arms, and awaits the 'ate in store 'or him with a stoi ism that would do honor to a $(artan. He almly a e(ts the onseHuen es o' his rime, and to the last mo !s and s o''s at 2riemhild, until her 'ury !nows no bounds. *o hara ter shows so little the re'ining in'luen es o' ,hristianity as does his. 1n all essential res(e ts he is still the same old giganti "euton, who meets us in the earliest 'orms o' the legend. As to the 8arious minor hara ters, many o' whi h a((ear only in the )*ibelungenlied), s(a e will not (ermit o' their dis ussion here, although they will be treated o' brie'ly in the notes. $u''i e it to say, that the )*ibelungenlied) has introdu ed a number o' e''e ti8e s enes 'or the (ur(ose o' bringing some o' them, es(e ially ;ol!er and Dan!wart, into (rominen e. Among the best o' these are, 'irst, the night wat h, when ;ol!er 'irst (lays the #urgundians to slee( with his 8iolin, and then stands guard with Hagen, thus (re8enting the sur(rise (lanned by 2riemhildF 'urther, the 8isit to the hur h on the 'ollowing morning, when the men o' both (arties lashF and lastly the tournament between the Huns and the #urgundians, whi h gi8es the author an e& ellent han e to show the (rowess o' the 8arious heroes. 0et us (ass now to the onsideration o' the stro(hi 'orm o' the )*ibelungenlied). "he two Danish ballads o' )GrimhildAs =e8enge) ()GrimhildAs Hae8n)), whi h are based u(on the 'irst ombination o' the 0ow German, i.e., $a&on, and the =henish traditions, (ro8e that the stro(he is onsiderably older than the (reser8ed reda tions o' our (oem, and that it was (robably o' $a&on origin. "he metri al 'orm goes ba ! most (robably to the 'our+a ented 8erse o' the (oet Ot'rid o' the ninth entury, although some ha8e thought that 0atin hymns, others that the ;ren h e(i 8erse, may ha8e been o' in'luen e. "he dire t deri8ation 'rom Ot'rid seems, howe8er, the

2G

most (lausible, as it a ounts 'or the im(ortan e o' the aesura, whi h generally mar!s a (ause in the sense, as well as in the 8erse, and also 'or its mas uline ending. "he )*ibelungen) stro(he onsists o' 'our long lines se(arated by a aesura into two distin t hal8es. "he 'irst hal' o' ea h line ontains 'our a ents, the 'ourth 'alling u(on the last syllable. "his last stress, howe8er, is not, as a rule as strong as the others, the e''e t being somewhat li!e that o' a 'eminine ending. On this a ount some s(ea! o' three a ents in the 'irst hal' line, with a 'eminine ending. "he 'ourth stress is, howe8er, too strong to be thus disregarded, but be ause o' its lighter hara ter is best mar!ed with a gra8e a ent. "he se ond hal' o' ea h line ends in a mas uline rhyme. "he 'irst three lines ha8e ea h three stresses in the se ond hal', while the se ond hal' o' the 'ourth line has 'our a ents to mar! the end o' the stro(he. "his longer 'ourth line is one o' the most mar!ed hara teristi s o' the )*ibelungen) stro(he. "he rhymes are arranged in the order o' )a), )a), )b), )b), though in a 'ew isolated ases near the end o' the (oem but one rhyme is used throughout the stro(he. "he o(ening lines o' the (oem may ser8e to illustrate the stro(hi 'orm and s ansion, and at the same time will gi8e the reader an idea o' the Middle High German language in whi h the (oem is written6 /ns ist in alten maeren wunders 8il geseit 8on heleden lobebaeron, 8on gro@er arebeit, 8on 'roude und ho hge@iten, 8on weinen und 8on !lagen, 8on !uener re !en striten muget ir nu wunder hoeren sagen. 4@ wuo hs in #urgonden ein edel magedin, da@ in allen landen niht s hoeners mohte sin, 2riemhild gehei@enF si wart ein s oene wi(, darambe muosen degene 8il 8erliesen den li(. Der minne li hen meide triuten wol ge@am, ir muotten !uene re !en, niemen was ir gram, ane ma @en s hoene so was ir edel li(F der iune8rouwen tugende @ierten anderiu wi(. 1r (ilagen drie !ilnege edel unde ri h, Ganther ande Geruot, die re !en lobelieh, und Giselher der iunge, ein u@ erwelter degen, diu 'rouwe was ir swester, die 'uArsten hetens in ir ('legen.

2J

Die herren waren milte, 8on arde hohe erborn, mit !ra't unma@en !uene, die re !en u@ er!orn, da@en #urgonden so was ir lant genant, si 'ramden star!iu wunder sit in 4t@elen lant. Ke 9orm@e bidem =ine si wenden mit ir !ra't, in diende 8on ir landen stol@iu ritters a't mit lobeli hen eren un@ an ir endes @it, sit sturben si inemerli he 8on @weier edelen 'rouwen nit. $ome o' the 'inal rhymes with (ro(er names, su h as )Hagene) 6 )degene) (str. EG) or )Hagene) 6 )tragene) (str. C00) a((ear to be 'eminine, but it is really the 'inal )e) that rhymes, and a s ansion o' the line in Huestion shows that the three a ents are not om(lete without this 'inal )e). 1n this res(e t our (oem di''ers 'rom most o' the Middle High German (oems, as this (ra ti e o' using the 'inal )e) in rhyme began to die out in the twel'th entury, though o asionally 'ound throughout the (eriod. "he rhymes are, as a rule, Huite e&a t, the 'ew ases o' im(ure rhymes being mainly those in whi h short and long 8owels are rhymed together, e.g. )mi h) 6 )ri h) or )man) 6 )han). ,aesural rhymes are 'reHuently met with, and were onsidered by 0a hmann to be the mar!s o' inter(olated stro(hes, a 8iew no longer held. A 'urther (e uliarity o' the )*ibelungen) stro(he is the 'reHuent omission o' the una ented syllable in the se ond hal' o' the last line o' the stro(he between the se ond and third stresses. 4&am(les o' this will be 'ound in the se ond, third, and 'i'th stro(hes o' the (assage gi8en abo8e. "he language o' the )*ibelungenlied) is the so+ alled Middle High German, that is, the High German written and s(o!en in the (eriod between 1100 and 1J00, the language o' the great roman es o' hi8alry and o' the )Minnesingers). More e&a tly, the (oem is written in the Austrian diale t o' the lose o' the twel'th entury, but ontains many ar haisms, whi h (oint to the 'a t o' its ha8ing undergone a number o' re8isions. 1n losing this brie' study o' the )*ibelungenlied), Iust a word or two 'urther with re'eren e to the (oem, its hara ter, and its (la e in German literature. 1ts theme is the an ient "eutoni ideal o' )"reue) ('aith'ulness or 'idelity), whi h has 'ound here its most magni'i ent (ortrayalF 'aith'ulness unto death, the loyalty o' the 8assal 'or his lord, as de(i ted in Hagen, the 'idelity o' the wi'e 'or her husband,

2B

as shown by 2riemhild, arried out with unhesitating onsisten y to the bitter end. "his is not the gallantry o' medie8al hi8alry, whi h olors so largely the o(ening s enes o' the (oem, but the heroi 8alor, the death+des(ising stoi ism o' the an ient Germans, be'ore whi h the masters o' the world, the all+ onHuering =omans, were om(elled to bow. 1n so 'ar as the )*ibelungenlied) has 'orgotten most o' the history o' the youth'ul $ieg'ried, and !nows nothing o' his lo8e 'or #runhild, it is a torso, but so grand withal, that one hardly regrets the loss o' these integral elements o' the old saga. As it is a wor!ing o8er o' originally se(arate lays, it is not entirely homogeneous, and ontains not a 'ew ontradi tions. 1n s(ite o' these 'aults, howe8er, whi h a lose study re8eals, it is ne8ertheless the grandest (rodu t o' Middle High German e(i (oetry, and deser8edly the most (o(ular (oem o' older German literature. 1t la !s, to be sure, the gra e o' di tion 'ound in Gott'ried 8on $trassburgAs )"ristan und 1solde), the detailed and o'ten magni'i ent des ri(tions o' armor and dress to be met with in the e(i s o' Hartman 8on OuweF it is wanting in the lo'ty (hiloso(hy o' 9ol'ram 8on 4s henba hAs ).ar@i8al), and does not, as this latter, lead the reader into the realms o' religious doubts and struggles. 1t is im(osing through its 8ery sim(li ity, through the grandeur o' the story, whi h it does not see! to adorn and de orate. 1t nowhere (auses to analy@e moti8es nor to gi8e us a (i ture o' inner on'li t as modern authors are 'ond o' doing. 1ts hara ters are im(ulsi8e and (rom(t in a tion, and when they ha8e on e a ted, waste no time in useless regret or remorse. 1t resembles the older )$(ielmannsdi htung), or minstrel (oetry, in the terseness and 8igor o' its language and in the la ! o' (oeti imagery, but it is 'ree 'rom the oarseness and 8ulgar and grotesHue humor o' the latter. 1t a((roa hes the ourtly e(i in its introdu tion o' the (om( o' ourtly eremonial, but this 8eneer o' hi8alry is 8ery thin, and beneath the outward (olish o' 'orm the heart beats as (assionately and wildly as in the days o' Herman, the ,herus an hie'. "here are (erha(s greater (oems in literature than the )*ibelungenlied), but 'ew so maIesti in on e(tion, so sublime in their tragedy, so sim(le in their e&e ution, and so national in their hara ter, as this great (o(ular e(i o' German literature.

25

ENDNOTES# (1) A is a (ar hment M$. o' the se ond hal' o' the thirteenth entury, now 'ound in Muni h. 1t 'orms the basis o' 0a hmannAs edition. 1t is a (ar hment M$. o' the middle o' the thirteenth entury, belonging to the monastery o' $t. Gall. 1t has been edited by #arts h, )Deuts he 2lassi!er des Mittelalters), 8ol. C, and by .i(er, )Deuts he *ational+ 0iteratur), 8ol. B. , is a (ar hment M$., o' the thirteenth entury, now in the du al library o' Donauesehingen. 1t is the best written o' all the M$$., and has been edited by Karn !e. (2) "he )"hidre!saga) di''ers 'rom the other *orse 8ersions in ha8ing )$ig'rod), as he is alled here, brought u( in ignoran e o' his (arents, a trait whi h was (robably borrowed 'rom the wides(read )Geno8e8a) story, although thought by some to ha8e been an original 'eature o' our legend. (C) "he )"hidre!saga), whi h has 'orgotten the enmity o' the brothers, and alls $igurdAs tutor )Mimr), tells the e(isode in somewhat di''erent 'ashion. "he brothers (lan to !ill $igurd, and the latter is atta !ed by the dragon, while burning har oal in the 'orest. A'ter !illing the monster with a 'irebrand, $igurd bathes himsel' in the blood and thus be ome o8ered with a horny s!in, whi h renders him in8ulnerable, sa8e in one (la e between the shoulder blades, whi h he ould not rea h. "his bathing in the blood is also related in the $ey'rid ballad and in the )*ibelungenlied), with the di''eren e, that the 8ulnerable s(ot is aused by a linden lea' 'alling u(on him. (G) "he 'a t that all but one o' these names alliterate, shows that the *orse 8ersion is here more original. Gunnar is the same as Gunther (Gundaharius), Hogni as HagenF Gutthorm (Godomar) a((ears in the German 8ersion as Gernot. 1n this latter the 'ather is alled Danerat, the mother /ote, and the name Grimhild is trans'erred 'rom the mother to the daughter. (J) 1n the (rose )4dda), in the water whi h dri(s 'rom GudrunAs hair.

2E

!D'ENTURE I O( Sie)(ried*
;ull many a wonder is told us in stories old, o' heroes worthy o' (raise, o' hardshi(s dire, o' Ioy and 'easting, o' the 'ighting o' bold warriors, o' wee(ing and o' wailingF now ye may hear wonders told. 1n #urgundy there grew so noble a maid that in all the lands none 'airer might there be. 2riemhild (C) was she alledF a omely woman she be ame, 'or whose sa!e many a !night must needs lose his li'e. 9ell worth the lo8ing was this winsome maid. #old !nights stro8e 'or her, none bare her hate. Her (eerless body was beauti'ul beyond degreeF the ourtly 8irtues o' this maid o' noble birth would ha8e adorned many another woman too. "hree !ings, noble and (uissant, did nurture her, Gunther (G) and Gernot, (J) warriors worthy o' (raise, and Giselher, (B) the youth, a hosen !night. "his lady was their sister, the (rin es had her in their are. "he lordings were 'ree in gi8ing, o' ra e high+born, (assing bold o' strength were they, these hosen !nights. "heir realm hight #urgundy. Great mar8els they wrought herea'ter in 4t@elAs (5) land. At 9orms (E) u(on the =hine they dwelt with all their (ower. .roud !nights 'rom out their lands ser8ed them with honor, until their end was ome. "herea'ter they died grie8ously, through the hate o' two noble dames. "heir mother, a mighty Hueen, was alled the 0ady /ta, (%) their 'ather, Dan!rat, (10) who le't them the heritage a'ter his li'e was o8erF a mighty man o' 8alor that he was, who won thereto in youth worshi( 'ull great. "hese !ings, as 1 ha8e said, were o' high (rowess. "o them owed allegian e the best o' warriors, o' whom tales were e8er told, strong and bra8e, 'earless in the shar( stri'e. Hagen (11) there was o' "roneg, thereto his brother Dan!wart, (12) the doughtyF Ortwin o' Met@ (1C)F Gere (1G) and 4 !ewart, (1J) the margra8es twainF ;ol!er o' Al@ei, (1B) endued with 'ullness o' strength. =umolt (15) was master o' the !it hen, a hosen !nightF the lords $indolt and Hunolt, liegemen o' these three !ings, had rule o' the ourt and o' its honors. "hereto had they many a warrior whose name 1 annot tell. Dan!wart was marshalF his ne(hew, Ortwin, senes hal unto the !ingF $indolt was u(bearer, a hosen !nightF Hunolt ser8ed as

2%

hamberlainF well they wot how to 'ill these lo'ty stations. O' the 'or es o' the ourt and its 'ar+rea hing might, o' the high worshi( (1E) and o' the hi8alry these lords did (ly with Ioy throughout their li'e, o' this 'orsooth none might relate to you the end. 1n the midst o' these high honors 2riemhild dreamed a dream, o' how she trained a 'al on, strong, 'air, and wild, whi h, be'ore her 8ery eyes, two eagles rent to (ie es. *o greater sorrow might han e to her in all this world. "his dream then she told to /ta her mother, who ould not un'old it to the duti'ul maid in better wise than this6 )"he 'al on whi h thou trainest, that is a noble man, but thou must needs lose him soon, unless so be that God (reser8e him.) )9hy s(ea!est thou to me o' men, dear brother mineL 1 would 'ain e8er be without a warriorAs lo8e. $o 'air will 1 remain until my death, that 1 shall ne8er gain woe 'rom lo8e o' man.) )*ow 'orswear this not too roundly,) s(a!e the mother in re(ly. )1' e8er thou shalt wa& glad o' heart in this world, that will han e through the lo8e o' man. .assing 'air wilt thou be ome, i' God grant thee a right worthy !night.) )1 (ray you lea8e this s(ee h,) s(a!e she, )my lady. ;ull o't hath it been seen in many a wi'e, how Ioy may at last end in sorrow. 1 shall a8oid them both, then an it neAer go ill with me.) "hus in her heart 2riemhild 'orsware all lo8e. Many a ha((y day therea'ter the maiden li8ed without that she wist any whom she would are to lo8e. 1n a'ter days she be ame with worshi( a 8aliant hereAs bride. He was the sel'same 'al on whi h she beheld in her dream that her mother un'olded to her. How sorely did she a8enge this u(on her nearest !in, who slew him a'terM "hrough his dying alone there 'ell 'ull many a motherAs son.

ENDNOTES# (1) )*ibelungenlied), the lay o' the *ibelungs. "he ordinary etymology o' this name is A hildren o' the mistA ()*ebel!inder), O.*. )*i'lungar)), and it is thought to ha8e belonged originally to the dwar's. .i(er, 1, J0, inter(rets it as Athe sons o' *ibulAF #oer, 11, 1%E, onsiders

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)Hni'lungar) to be the orre t *orse 'orm and inter(rets it as Athe des endants o' Hnae'A (O.4. )Hnae'), O.H.G. )Hnabi)), whose death is related in the );innsaga). (2) )Ad8enture) (M.H.G. )a8entiure), 'rom O.;. )a8enture), 0at. )ad8entura)). "he word meant originally a ha((ening, es(e ially some great e8ent, then the re(ort o' su h an e8ent. Here it is used in the sense o' the di''erent antos or )'itts) o' the (oem, as in the )Gudrun) and other M.H.G. e(i s. Among the ourtly (oets it also 'reHuently denotes the sour e, or is the (ersoni'i ation o' the muse o' (oetry. (C) )2riemhild) is the /((er German 'orm o' the ;ran!ish )Grimhild). 1n the M$$., the name generally a((ears with a 'urther shi'ting as ),hriemhilt), as i' the initial onsonant were Germani )!). On the 8arious 'orms o' the name, whi h ha8e ne8er yet been satis'a torily e&(lained, see Mullenho'', Ks'dA. &ii, 2%%, G1CF &8, C1CF and #ohnenberger, .#. #eit. &&i8, 221+2C1. (G) )Gunther) is the histori al )Gundahari), !ing o' the #urgundians in the 'i'th entury. (J) )Gernot) was (robably introdu ed by some minstrel in (la e o' the histori al )Godomar), who a((ears in the *orse 8ersion as )Gutthormr), though the names are not etymologi ally the same, as )Godomar) would be )Guthmarr) in Old *orse. (B) )Giselher) is the histori al )Gislaharius). Although mentioned by the )0e& #urgundionum) as one o' the #urgundian !ings, he does not a((ear in the early *orse 8ersion, or in other (oems dealing with these (ersons, su h as the )9altharius), the )=abens hla ht), the )=osengarten), et ., and was (robably introdu ed at a late date into the saga. Originally no role was as ribed to him, and not e8en his death is told. He (robably ame 'rom some inde(endent sour e. (5) )4t@el) is the German 'orm 'or the histori al )Attila) (*orse )Atli)). A dis ussion o' his onne tion with the saga will be 'ound in the introdu tion.

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(E) )9orms) is the an ient )#orbetomagus), whi h in the 'irst entury #.,. was the hie' ity o' the German tribe o' the ):angioni). 1n the 'i'th entury it was the a(ital o' the #urgundian !ingdom, but was destroyed by the Huns. "he Mero8ingians rebuilt it, and in the se8enth entury it be ame a bisho(ri where ,harlemagne at times held his ourt. 1t was later noted as the meeting+(la e o' many im(erial diets. 1t remained a 'ree ity till 1E01. 1n the )"hidre!saga) the name is orru(ted into )9erni@e). (%) )/ta) (M.H.G. )/ote)). "he name means an estress, and is 'reHuently used 'or the mother o' heroes. "he modern German 'orm is )/te), but in order to insure its being (ronoun ed with two syllables, the 'orm )/ta) was hosen. (10) )Dan!rat) (M.H.G. )Dan rat)) a((ears as the 'ather only in the )*ibelungenlied) and (oems de(endent on it, e.g., the )2lage) and )#iterol'), elsewhere as )Gibi he) (*orse )Giu!i)). (11) )Hagen o' "roneg). "roneg is (robably a orru(tion o' the name o' the 0atin olony, ) olonia "raIana), on the 0ower =hine, whi h as early as the 'i'th entury was written as )"roIa), gi8ing rise to the legend that the ;ran!s were des ended 'rom the an ient "roIans. )"roIa) was then 'urther orru(ted to )"ronIe) and )"ronege). Hagen was there'ore originally a ;ran! and had no onne tion with the #urgundian !ings, as the la ! o' alliteration also goes to show. #oer thin!s that not $ieg'ried but Hagen originally li8ed at <anten (see note C to Ad8enture 11), as this was o'ten alled "roIa ;ran orum. 9hen the Hagen story was onne ted with the #urgundians and Hagen be ame either their brother or their 8assal, his home was trans'erred to 9orms and $ieg'ried was lo ated at <anten, as he had no es(e ial lo ali@ation. "hus $ieg'ried is ne8er alled $ieg'ried o' "roneg, as is Hagen. Other attem(ts to e&(lain "roneg will be 'ound in .i(er, 1, GE. (12) )Dan!wart) is not an histori al hara ter nor one that belonged to the early 'orm o' the legend. He may ha8e ome 'rom another saga, where he (layed the (rin i(al role as Droege (Ks'dA. GE, G%%) thin!s. #oer onsiders him to be HagenAs double, in8ented to (lay a (art that would naturally

C2

'all to HagenAs share, were he not otherwise engaged at the moment. 1n our (oem he is alled )Dan wart der snelle), a word that has (ro8ed a stumbling+blo ! to translators, be ause in modern German it means As(eedyA, Aswi'tA. 1ts original meaning was, howe8er, Abra8eA, Awarli!eA, although the later meaning is already 'ound in M.H.G. 1n all su h doubt'ul ases the older meaning has been (re'erred, unless the onte&t 'orbids, and the word AdoughtyA has been hosen to translate it. (1C) )Ortwin o' Met@) a((ears also in the )4 !enlied), )9altharius), and in )#iterol'). He is most li!ely a late introdu tion (but see .i(er, 1, GG). =ieger thin!s that he belonged to a wealthy 'amily )De Metis). "hough the )i) is long in the original, and $imro ! uses the 'orm )Ortewein) in his translation, the s(elling with short )i) has been hosen, as the la ! o' a ent tends to shorten the 8owel in su h names. (1G) )Gere) is li!ewise a late introdu tion. He is (erha(s the histori al Margra8e Gere (%BJ) o' 4ast $a&ony, whom Otto the Great a((ointed as a leader against the $la8s. $ee O. 8on Heinemann, )Mar!gra' Gero), #rauns hweig, 1EB0, and .i(er, 0 GC. (1J) )4 !ewart) is also a late a ession. He is (erha(s the histori al margra8e o' Meissen (1002), the 'irst o' the name. He, too, won 'ame in battle against the $la8s. (1B) );ol!er o' Al@et) (M.H.G. ):ol!er 8on Al@eiIe)), the !nightly minstrel, is hardly an histori al (ersonage, in s(ite o' the 'a t that Al@ey is a well+!nown town in =hine Hesse on the $el@, eighteen miles southwest o' Main@. "he town has, to be sure, a 8iolin in its oat o' arms, as also the noble 'amily o' the same name. 1t is most li!ely, howe8er, that this 'a t aused ;ol!er to be onne ted with Al@ei. 1n the )"hidre!saga) ;ol!er did not (lay the role o' minstrel, and it is (robable that some minstrel re8iser o' our (oem de8elo(ed the hara ter and made it the (ersoni'i ation o' himsel'. (15) )=umolt), )#indolt), and )Hunolt) ha8e no histori al basis and merely hel( to swell the retinue o' the #urgundians.

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(1E) )9orshi(). "his word has been 'reHuently used here in its older meaning o' AworthA, Are8eren eA, Ares(e tA, to translate the M.H.G. )eren), AhonorsA.

!D'ENTURE II O( Sie)(ried*
1n the *etherlands there grew the hild o' a noble !ing (his 'ather had 'or name $iegemund, (1) his mother $iegelind), (2) in a mighty astle, !nown 'ar and wide, in the lowlands o' the =hine6 <anten, (C) men alled it. O' this hero 1 sing, how 'air he grew. ;ree he was o' e8ery blemish. $trong and 'amous he later be ame, this 8aliant man. HoM 9hat great worshi( he won in this worldM $ieg'ried hight this good and doughty !night. ;ull many !ingdoms did he (ut to the test through his warli!e mood. "hrough his strength o' body he rode into many lands. HoM 9hat bold warriors he a'ter 'ound in the #urgundian landM Mi !le wonders might one tell o' $ieg'ried in his (rime, in youth'ul daysF what honors he re ei8ed and how 'air o' body he. "he most stately women held him in their lo8eF with the @eal whi h was his due men trained him. #ut o' himsel' what 8irtues he attainedM "ruly his 'atherAs lands were honored, that he was 'ound in all things o' su h right lordly mind. *ow was he be ome o' the age that he might ride to ourt. Gladly the (eo(le saw him, many a maid wished that his desire might e8er bear him hither. 4now ga@ed on him with 'a8orF o' this the (rin e was well aware. ;ull seldom was the youth allowed to ride without a guard o' !nights. $iegmund and $iegelind bade de ! him out in bra8e attire. "he older !nights who were a Huaint with ourtly ustom, had him in their are. 9ell there'ore might he win both 'ol! and land. *ow he was o' the strength that he bare wea(ons well. 9hate8er he needed thereto, o' this he had enow. 9ith (ur(ose he began to woo 'air ladiesF these bold $ieg'ried ourted well in (ro(er wise. "hen bade $iegmund ha8e ried to all his men, that he would hold a 'easting with his lo8ing !indred. "he tidings thereo' men brought into the lands o' other !ings. "o the strangers and the home+'ol! he ga8e steeds and armor. 9heresoe8er any was 'ound who, be ause o' his birth, should be ome a !night, these noble youths were summoned to the land 'or the 'easting. Here with the youth'ul (rin e they gained the !nightly sword. 9onders might one tell o' this great

CG

'eastF $iegmund and $iegelind wist well how to gain great worshi( with their gi'ts, o' whi h their hands dealt out great store. 9here'ore one beheld many strangers riding to their realm. ;our hundred sword+thanes (G) were to (ut on !nightly garb with $ieg'ried. Many a 'air maid was aught but idle with the wor!, 'or he was belo8ed o' them all. Many (re ious stones the ladies inlaid on the gold, whi h together with the edging they would wor! u(on the dress o' the (roud young warriors, 'or this must needs be done. "he host bade ma!e ben hes 'or the many 8aliant men, 'or the midsummer 'esti8al, (J) at whi h $ieg'ried should gain the name o' !night. "hen 'ull many a noble !night and many a high+born sHuire did hie them to the minster. =ight were the elders in that they ser8ed the young, as had been done to them a'ore. .astimes they had and ho(e o' mu h good heer. "o the honor o' God a mass was sungF then there rose 'rom the (eo(le 'ull great a (ress, as the youths were made !nights in ourtly wise, with su h great honors as might not e8er lightly be again. "hen they ran to where they 'ound saddled many a steed. 1n $iegmundAs ourt the hurtling (B) wa&ed so 'ier e that both (ala e (5) and hall were heard to ringF the high+mettled warriors lashed with mighty sound. ;rom young and old one heard many a sho !, so that the s(lintering o' the sha'ts ree hoed to the louds. "run heons (E) were seen 'lying out be'ore the (ala e 'rom the hand o' many a !night. "his was done with @eal. At length the host bade ease the tourney and the steeds were led away. /(on the tur' one saw all to+shi8ered (%) many a mighty bu !ler and great store o' (re ious stones 'rom the bright s(angles (10) o' the shields. "hrough the hurtling this did ha(. "hen the guests o' the host betoo! them to where men bade them sit. 9ith good heer they re'reshed them and with the 8ery best o' wine, o' whi h one bare 'rill (lenty. "o the strangers and the home+'ol! was shown worshi( enow. "hough mu h (astime they had throughout the day, many o' the strolling 'ol! 'orsware all rest. "hey ser8ed 'or the largess, whi h men 'ound there ri hly, whereby $iegmundAs whole land was de !ed with (raise. "hen bade the !ing en'eo'' $ieg'ried, the youth, with land and astles, as he himsel' had done. Mu h his hand bestowed u(on the sword+ om(anions. "he Iourney li!ed them well, that to this land they were ome. "he 'easting lasted until the se8enth day. $iegelind, the noble Hueen, 'or the lo8e o' her son, dealt out ruddy gold in time+honored wise. ;ull well she wot how to ma!e him belo8ed o' the 'ol!. $ ar e ould a (oor man be 'ound among the strolling mimes. $teeds and raiment

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were s attered by their hand, as i' they were to li8e not one more day. 1 trow that ne8er did ser8ing 'ol! use su h great bounty. 9ith worshi('ul honors the om(any de(arted hen e. O' the mighty barons the tale doth tell that they desired the youth unto their lord, but o' this the stately !night, $ir $ieg'ried, listed naught. ;orasmu h as both $iegmund and $iegelind were still ali8e, the dear hild o' them twain wished not to wear a rown, but 'ain would he be ome a lord against all the deeds o' 'or e within his lands, whereo' the bold and daring !night was sore adread. ENDNOTES# (1) )$iegmund) (M.H.G. )$igemunt)) was originally the hero o' an inde(endent saga. $ee ):olsungasaga), ha(s. C+E. (2) )$iegelind) (M.H.G. )$igelint)) is the orre t name o' $ieg'riedAs mother, as the alliteration shows. "he 4arly *orse 8ersion has )HIordis), whi h has ome 'rom the )Helgi saga). (C) )<anten) (M.H.G. )$anten) 'rom the 0atin )ad san tos)) is at (resent a town in the =henish .russian distri t o' Dusseldor'. 1t does not now lie on the =hine, but did in the Middle Ages. (G) )$word+thanes) (M.H.G. )swertdegene)) were the young sHuires who were to be made !nights. 1t was the ustom 'or a youth'ul (rin e to re ei8e the a olade with a number o' others. (J) )Midsummer 'esti8al). "he M.H.G. )sunewende) means literally the AsunAs turningA, i.e., the summer solsti e. "his was one o' the great Germani 'esti8als, whi h the hur h later turned into $t. >ohnAs 48e. "he bon'ires still burnt in Germany on this day are sur8i8als o' the old heathen ustom. (B) )Hurtling) translates here M.H.G. )buhurt), a word borrowed 'rom the ;ren h to denote a !nightly s(ort in whi h many !nights lashed together. Hurtling was used in older 4nglish in the same signi'i an e. (5) ).ala e) (M.H.G. )(alas), 0at. )(alatium)) is a large building standing alone and largely used as a re e(tion

CB

hall. (E) )"run heons) (M.H.G. )trun@une), O.;. )tron on), Alan e s(lintersA, A'ragments o' s(earsA. (%) )"o+shi8ered), Abro!en to (ie esA, in imitation o' the older 4nglish to+beat, to+brea!, et . (10) )$(angles) (M.H.G. )s(angen)), stri(s o' metal radiating 'rom the raised entre o' the shield and o'ten set, as here, with (re ious stones.

!D'ENTURE III H+, Sie)(ried Ca-e .+ /+r-s*

1t was seldom that sorrow o' heart (erturbed the (rin e. He heard tales told o' how there li8ed in #urgundy a omely maid, 'ashioned wondrous 'air, 'rom whom he therea'ter gained mu h o' Ioy, but su''ering, too. Her beauty out o' measure was !nown 'ar and wide. $o many a here heard o' her noble mind, that it alone brought many a guest (1) to GuntherAs land. #ut howe8er many were seen wooing 'or her lo8e, 2riemhild ne8er on'essed within her heart that she listed any 'or a lo8er. He was still a stranger to her, whose rule she later owned. "hen did the son o' $iegelind as(ire to lo'ty lo8eF the wooing o' all others was to his but as the wind, 'or well he wot how to gain a lady 'air. 1n later days the noble 2riemhild be ame bold $ieg'riedAs bride. 2insmen and liegemen enow ad8ised him, sin e he would ha8e ho(e o' onstant lo8e, that he woo one who was his (eer. At this bold $ieg'ried s(a!e6 )"hen will 1 hoose 2riemhild, the 'air maid o' #urgundy, 'or her beauty beyond measure. "his 1 !now 'ull well, ne8er was em(eror so mighty, and he would ha8e a wi'e, that it would not beseem him to lo8e this noble Hueen.) "idings o' this rea hed $iegmundAs earF through the tal! o' the ourtiers he was made ware o' the wish o' his son. ;ull loth it was to the !ing, that his hild would woo the glorious maid. $iegelind heard it too, the wi'e o' the noble !ing. Greatly she 'eared 'or her hild, 'or 'ull well she !new Gunther and his men. "here'ore they sought to turn the hero 'rom this 8enture. /( s(a!e then the daring $ieg'ried6 )Dear 'ather mine, 1 would 'ain e8er be without the lo8e o' noble

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dames, i' 1 may not woo her in whom my heart hath great delightF whatsoe8er any may a8er, it will a8ail but naught.) )And thou wilt not turn ba !,) s(a!e the !ing, )then am 1 in sooth glad o' thy will and will hel( thee bring it to (ass, as best 1 may. -et hath this 2ing Gunther 'ull many a haughty man. 1' there were none else but Hagen, the doughty !night, he an use su h arrogan e that 1 'ear me it will re(ent us sore, i' we woo this high+born maid.) "hen $ieg'ried made re(ly6 )9here'ore need that hinder usL 9hat 1 may not obtain 'rom them in 'riendly wise, that my hand and its strength an gain. 1 trow that 1 an wrest 'rom him both 'ol! and land.) "o this .rin e $iegmund re(lied6 )"hy s(ee h li!eth me not, 'or i' this tale were told u(on the =hine, then durst thou ne8er ride unto that land. 0ong time ha8e Gunther and Gernot been !nown to me. #y 'or e may none win the maid, o' this ha8e 1 been well assuredF but wilt thou ride with warriors unto this land, and we still ha8e aught o' 'riends, they shall be summoned soon.) )1t is not to my mind,) s(a!e again $ieg'ried, )that warriors should 'ollow me to the =hine, as i' 'or battle, that 1 onstrain thereby the noble maid. My single hand an win her well ++ with ele8en (2) omrades 1 will 'are to GuntherAs landF thereto shalt thou hel( me, ;ather $iegmund.) "hen to his !nights they ga8e 'or garments 'urs both gray and 8air. (C) *ow his mother $iegelind also heard the tale. $he began to ma!e dole 'or her lo8ed hild, whom she 'eared to lose through GuntherAs men. $orely the noble Hueen gan wee(. 0ord $ieg'ried hied him straightway to where he saw herF to his mother he s(a!e in gentle wise6 )0ady, ye must not wee( 'or meF naught ha8e 1 to 'ear 'rom all his 'ighting men. 1 (ray you, s(eed me on my Iourney to the #urgundian land, that 1 and my warriors may ha8e array su h as (roud heroes an wear with honorF 'or this 1 will say you gramer y iA 'aith.) )$in e naught will turn thee,) s(a!e then the 0ady $iegelind, )so will 1 s(eed thee on thy Iourney, mine only hild, with the best o'

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weeds that e8er !night did wear, thee and thy omrades. -e shall ha8e enow.) $ieg'ried, the youth, then made low obeisan e to the Hueen. He s(a!e6 )*one but twel8e warriors will 1 ha8e u(on the way. 0et raiment be made ready 'or them, 1 (ray, 'or 1 would 'ain see how it standeth with 2riemhild.) "hen sate 'air ladies night and day. ;ew enow o' them, 1 trow, did ease them, till $ieg'riedAs weeds had all been wrought. *or would he desist 'rom 'aring 'orth. His 'ather bade adorn the !nightly garb in whi h his son should ride 'orth 'rom $iegmundAs land. "he shining breast(lates, too, were (ut in trim, also the stan h helmets and their shields both 'air and broad. *ow their Iourney to the #urgundian land drew nearF man and wi'e began to 'ear lest they ne8er should ome home again. "he heroes bade lade their sum(ters with wea(ons and with harness. "heir steeds were 'air and their tra((ings red with gold. *o need were there to li8e more (roudly than $ieg'ried and his men. "hen he as!ed 'or lea8e to Iourney to the land o' #urgundyF this the !ing and Hueen sorrow'ully 8ou hsa'ed. 0o8ingly he om'orted them twain. );or my sa!e,) s(a!e he, )must ye not wee(, nor ha8e 'ear 'or me or 'or my li'e.) "he warriors, too, were sad and many a maiden we(tF 1 ween, their hearts did tell them rightly that many o' their !insmen would ome to death be ause o' this. >ust ause had they 'or wailingF need enow they had in sooth. /(on the se8enth morning, 'orth u(on the ri8er sand at 9orms the bra8e warriors (ri !ed. "heir armor was o' ruddy gold and their tra((ings 'ashioned 'air. $moothly trotted the steeds o' bold $ieg'riedAs men. "heir shields were newF gleaming and broad and 'air their helmets, as $ieg'ried, the bold, rode to ourt in GuntherAs land. *e8er had su h (rin ely attire been seen on heroesF their sword+(oints hung down to their s(urs. $har( Ia8elins were borne by these hosen !nights. $ieg'ried wielded one 'ull two s(ans broad, whi h u(on its edges ut most dangerously. 1n their hands they held gold+ olored bridlesF their martingales were sil!en6 so they ame into the land. 48erywhere the 'ol! began to ga(e ama@ed and many o' GuntherAs men 'ared 'orth to meet them. High+mettled warriors, both !night and sHuire, betoo! them to the lords (as was but right), and re ei8ed into the land o' their lords these guests and too! 'rom

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their hands the bla ! sum(ters whi h bore the shields. "he steeds, too, they wished to lead away 'or easement. How boldly then bra8e $ieg'ried s(a!e6 )0et stand the mounts o' me and o' my men. 9e will soon hen e again, o' this ha8e 1 great desire. 9hosoe8er !noweth rightly where 1 an 'ind the !ing, Gunther, the mighty, o' #urgundian land, let him not !ee( his (ea e but tell me.) "hen u( s(a!e one to whom it was rightly !nown6 )9ould ye 'ind the !ing, that an ha( 'ull well. 1n yon broad hall with his heroes did 1 but see him. -e must hither hie youF there ye may 'ind with him many a lordly man.) "o the !ing now the word was brought, that 'ull lusty !nights were ome, who wore white breast(lates and (rin ely garb. *one !new them in the #urgundian land. Mu h it wondered the !ing when e ame these lordly warriors in su h shining array, with su h good shields, both new and broad. 0oth was it to Gunther, that none ould tell him this. "hen Ortwin o' Met@ (a bold and mighty man was he) made answer to the !ing6 )$in e we !now them not, ye should send 'or mine un le Hagen, and let him see them. "o him are !nown (G) all !ingdoms and 'oreign lands. 1' so be he !noweth these lords, he will tell us straightway.) "hen bade the !ing that Hagen and his men be brought. One saw him with his warriors striding in lordly wise unto the ourt. )9hat would the !ing o' meL) as!ed Hagen. )"here be ome to my house strange warriors, whelm here none !noweth. 1' ye ha8e e8er seen them, 1 (ray you, Hagen, tell me now the truth.) )"hat will 1,) s(a!e then Hagen. He hied him to a window and o8er the guests he let his glan es roam. 9ell li!ed him their tra((ings and their array, but 'ull strange were they to him in the #urgundian land. He s(a!e6 );rom wheresoe8er these warriors be ome unto the =hine, they may well be (rin es or en8oys o' !ings, 'or their steeds are 'air and their garments (assing good. 9hen esoe8er they bear these, 'orsooth high+mettled warriors be they.)

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)1 dare well say,) so s(a!e Hagen, )though 1 ne8er ha8e seen $ieg'ried, yet an 1 well belie8e, howe8er this may be, that he is the warrior that strideth yonder in su h lordly wise. He bringeth new tidings hither to this land. #y this hereAs hand were slain the bold *ibelungs, $ hilbung and *ibelung, (J) sons o' a mighty !ing. $in e then he hath wrought great mar8els with his huge strength. On e as the hero rode alone without all aid, he 'ound be'ore a mountain, as 1 ha8e in sooth been told, by *ibelungAs hoard 'ull many a daring man. $trangers they were to him, till he gained !nowledge o' them there. )"he hoard o' *ibelung was borne entire 'rom out a hollow hill. *ow hear a wondrous tale, o' how the liegemen o' *ibelung wished to di8ide it there. "his the hero $ieg'ried saw and mu h it gan wonder him. $o near was he now ome to them, that he beheld the heroes, and the !nights es(ied him, too. One among them s(a!e6 NHere ometh the mighty $ieg'ried, the hero o' *etherland.A .assing strange were the tidings that, he 'ound among the *ibelungs. $ hilbung and *ibelung greeted well the !nightF with one a ord these young and noble lordings bade the stately man di8ide the hoard. 4agerly they as!ed it, and the lord in turn gan 8ow it to them. )He beheld su h store o' gems, as we ha8e heard said, that a hundred wains might not bear the leadF still more was there o' ruddy gold 'rom the *ibelung land. All this the hand o' the daring $ieg'ried should di8ide. As a guerdon they ga8e him the sword o' *ibelung, but they were ser8ed 'ull ill by the ser8i e whi h the good !night $ieg'ried should render them. *or ould he end it 'or themF angry o' mood (B) they grew. "wel8e bold men o' their !ith were there, mighty giants these. 9hat might that a8ail themM $ieg'riedAs hand slew them soon in wrath, and se8en hundred warriors 'rom the *ibelung land he 8anHuished with the good sword #almung. (5) #e ause o' the great 'ear that, many a young warrior had o' the sword and o' the 8aliant man, they made the land and its astles subIe t to his hand. 0i!ewise both the mighty !ings he slew, but soon he himsel' was sorely (ressed by Alberi h. (E) "he latter weened to 8enge straightway his masters, till he then dis o8ered $ieg'riedAs mighty strengthF 'or no mat h 'or him was the sturdy dwar'. 0i!e wild lions they ran to the hill, where 'rom Alberi h he won the ,loa! o' Dar!ness. (%) "hus did $ieg'ried, the terrible, be ome master o' the hoardF those who had dared the ombat, all lay there slain. $oon bade he art and bear the treasure to the (la e 'rom when e the men o' *ibelung had borne it 'orth. He made Alberi h,

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the strong, warden o' the hoard and bade him swear an oath to ser8e him as his !na8eF and 'it he was 'or wor! o' e8ery sort.) $o s(a!e Hagen o' "roneg6 )"his he hath done. *e8ermore did warrior win su h mighty strength. 1 wot yet more o' him6 it is !nown to me that the hero slew a dragon and bathed him in the blood, so that his s!in be ame li!e horn. "here'ore no wea(ons will ut him, as hath 'ull o't been seen. All the better must we greet this lord, that we may not earn the youth'ul warriorAs hate. $o bold is he that we should hold him as a 'riend, 'or he hath wrought 'ull many a wonder by his strength.) "hen s(a!e the mighty !ing6 )"hou mayst well ha8e right. #ehold how 8aliantly he with his !nights doth stand in lust o' battle, the daring manM 0et us go down to meet the warrior.) )"hat ye may do with honor,) s(a!e then HagenF )he is o' noble ra e, son o' a mighty !ing. God wot, methin!s, he beareth him in su h wise, that it an be no little matter 'or whi h he hath ridden hither.) )*ow be he wel ome to us,) s(a!e then the !ing o' the land. )He is both noble and bra8e, as 1 ha8e heard 'ull well. "his shall stand him in good stead in the #urgundian land.) "hen went 0ord Gunther to where $ieg'ried stood. "he host and his warriors re ei8ed the guest in su h wise that 'ull little was there la ! o' worshi(. 0ow bowed the stately man, that they had greeted him so 'air. )1t wondereth me,) s(a!e the !ing straightway, )when e ye, noble $ieg'ried, be ome unto this land, or what ye see! at 9orms u(on the =hine.) "hen the stranger made answer to the !ing6 )"his will 1 not on eal 'rom you. "ales were told me in my 'atherAs land, that here with you were the boldest warriors that e8er !ing did gain. "his 1 ha8e o'ten heard, and that 1 might !now it o' a truth, there'ore am 1 ome. 0i!ewise do 1 hear boasting o' your 8alor, that no bolder !ing hath e8er been seen. "his the 'ol! relate mu h through all these lands. "here'ore will 1 not turn ba !, till it be !nown to me. 1 also am a warrior and was to wear a rown. ;ain would 1 bring it to (ass that it may be said o' me6 =ightly doth he rule both 'ol! and land. O' this

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shall my head and honor be a (ledge. *ow be ye so bold, as hath been told me, 1 re ! not be it lie' or loth to any man, 1 will gain 'rom you whatso ye ha8e ++ land and astles shall be subIe t to my hand.) "he !ing had li!ewise his men had mar8el at the tidings they here heard, that he was willed to ta!e 'rom them their land. "he !nights wa&ed wroth, as they heard this word. )How ha8e 1 earned this,) s(a!e Gunther, the !night, )that we should lose by the 'or e o' any man that whi h my 'ather hath rules so long with honorL 9e should let it ill a((ear that we, too, are used in !nightly ways.) )1n no wise will 1 desist,) s(a!e again the 8aliant man. )/nless it be that through thy strength thy land ha8e (ea e, 1 will rule it all. And shouldst thou gain, by thy strength, my an estral lands, they shall be subIe t to thy sway. "hy lands, and mine as well, shall lie ali!eF whether o' us twain an trium(h o8er the other, him shall both land and (eo(le ser8e.) Hagen and Gernot, too, straightway gainsaid this. )9e ha8e no wish,) s(a!e Gernot, )that we should onHuer aught o' lands, or that any man lie dead at heroAs hands. 9e ha8e ri h lands, whi h ser8e us, as is meet, nor hath any a better laim to them than we.) "here stood his !insmen, grim o' moodF among them, too, Ortwin o' Met@. )1t doth ir! me mu h to hear these words o' (ea e,) s(a!e heF )the mighty $ieg'ried hath de'ied you 'or no Iust ause. Had ye and your brothers no meet de'ense, and e8en i' he led a !ingly troo(, 1 trow well so to 'ight that the daring man ha8e good ause to lea8e this haughty mien.) At this the hero o' *etherland grew wonderly wroth. He s(a!e6 )"hy hand shall not (resume against me. 1 am a mighty !ing, a !ingAs 8assal thou. "wel8e o' thy il! durst not mat h me in stri'e.) "hen Ortwin o' Met@ alled loudly 'or swords. 9ell was he 'it to be Hagen o' "ronegAs sisterAs son. 1t rued the !ing that he had held his (ea e so long. "hen Gernot, the bold and lusty !night, ame in between. He s(a!e to Ortwin6 )*ow gi8e o8er thy anger. 0ord $ieg'ried hath done us no su h wrong, but that we may still (art the stri'e in ourteous wise. #e ad8ised o' me and hold him still as 'riendF 'ar better will this beseem us.)

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"hen s(a!e the doughty Hagen6 )1t may well grie8e us and all thy !nights that he e8er rode 'or battle to the =hine. He should ha8e gi8en it o8erF my lordings ne8er would ha8e done su h ill to him.) "o this $ieg'ried, the mighty man, made answer6 )Doth this ir! you, $ir Hagen, whi h 1 s(a!e, then will 1 let you see that my hands shall ha8e dominion here in the #urgundian land.) )1 alone will hinder this,) answered Gernot, and he 'orbade his !nights s(ea! aught with haughtiness that might ause rue. $ieg'ried, too, then bethought him o' the noble maid. )How might it beseem us to 'ight with youL) s(a!e Gernot anew. )Howe8er really heroes should lie dead be ause o' this, we should ha8e s ant honor there'rom and ye but little gain.) "o this $ieg'ried, the son o' $iegmund, made re(ly6 )9hy waiteth Hagen, and Ortwin, too, that he hasteth not to 'ight with his !in, o' whom he hath so many here in #urgundyL) At this all held their (ea eF su h was GernotAs ounsel. "hen s(a!e ?ueen /taAs son6 )-e shall be wel ome to us with all your war+ mates, who are ome with you. 9e shall gladly ser8e you, 1 and all my !in.) "hen 'or the guests they bade (our out 2ing GuntherAs wine. "he master o' the land then s(a!e6 )All that we ha8e, i' ye desire it in honorable wise, shall owe 'ealty to youF with you shall both li'e and goods be shared.) At this 0ord $ieg'ried grew o' somewhat gentler mood. "hen they bade that are be ta!en o' the armor o' the guests. "he best o' hostels that men might 'ind were sought 'or $ieg'riedAs sHuiresF great easement they ga8e them. "herea'ter they gladly saw the guest in #urgundy. Many a day they o''ered him great worshi(, a thousand 'old more than 1 an tell you. "his his (rowess wroughtF ye may well belie8e, 'ull s ant a one he saw who was his 'oe. 9hene8er the lordings and their liegemen did (lay at !nightly games, $ieg'ried was aye the best, whate8er they began. Herein

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ould no one mat h him, so mighty was his strength, whether they threw the stone or hurled the sha't. 9hen through ourtesie the 'ull lusty !nights made merry with the ladies, there were they glad to see the hero o' *etherland, 'or u(on high lo8e his heart was bent. He was aye ready 'or whatso they undertoo!, but in his heart he bare a lo8ely maid, whom he had ne8er seen. $he too, who in se ret s(a!e 'ull well o' him, herished him alone. 9hene8er the (ages, sHuires, and !nights would (lay their games within the ourt, 2riemhild, the noble Hueen, wat hed them 'rom the windows, 'or no other (astime she needed on su h days. Had he !nown that she ga@ed on him thus, whom he bare within his heart, then had he had (astime enough, 1 trow, 'or well 1 wot that no greater Ioy in all this world ould han e to him. 9hene8er he stood by the heroes in the ourt, as men still are wont to do, 'or (astimeAs sa!e, so winsome was the (osture o' $iegelindAs son, that many a lady lo8ed him 'or 8ery Ioy o' heart. #ut he bethought him many a day6 )How shall that ha(, that 1 with mine own eyes may see the noble maid, whom 1 do lo8e with all my heart and so ha8e done long time. $adly must 1 stand, sith she be still a stranger to me.) 9hene8er the mighty !ings 'ared 'orth into their land, the warriors all must needs a om(any them at hand, and $ieg'ried, too. "his the lady rued, and he, too, su''ered many (angs 'or lo8e o' her. "hus he dwelt with the lordings, o' a truth, 'ull a year in GuntherAs land, and in all this time he saw not on e the lo8ely maid, 'rom whom in later days there ha((ed to him mu h Ioy and e!e mu h woe. ENDNOTES# (1) )Guest) translates here the M.H.G. )gest), a word whi h may mean either AguestA or Astranger,A and it is o'ten di''i ult, as here, to tell to whi h meaning the (re'eren e should be gi8en. (2) )4le8en) translates the M.H.G. )selbe @wel'te), whi h means one o' twel8e. "he a ounts are, howe8er, ontradi tory, as a 'ew lines below mention is made o' twel8e om(anions o' $ieg'ried. (C) ):air) (O.;. )8air), 0at. )8arius)), A8ariegatedA, li!e the 'ur o' the sHuirrel.

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(G) )2nown). 1t was a mar! o' the e&(erien ed warrior, that he was a Huainted with the ustoms and dress o' 8arious ountries and with the names and lineage o' all im(ortant (ersonages. "hus in the )Hildebrandslied) Hildebrand as!s Hadubrand to tell him his 'atherAs name, and adds6 )1' thou tellest me the one, 1 shall !now the other.) (J) )$ hilbung) and )*ibelung), here s(o!en o' as the sons o' a mighty !ing, were originally dwar's, and, a ording to some authorities, the original owners o' the treasure. #oer, i&, 1%%, thin!s, howe8er, that the name *ibelungs was trans'erred 'rom Hagen to these dwar's at a late stage in the 'ormation o' the saga. (B) )Angry o' mood). "he reason o' this anger is a((arent 'rom the more detailed a ount in )#iterol'), 5E01. "he Huarrel arose 'rom the 'a t that, a ording to an ient law, $ieg'ried a Huired with the sword the rights o' the 'irst born, whi h the brothers, howe8er, re'used to a ord to him. (5) )#almung). 1n the older *orse 8ersion and in the )"hidre!saga) $ieg'riedAs sword bore the name o' Gram. (E) )Alberi h) is a dwar' !ing who a((ears in a number o' legends, e.g., in the )Ortnit saga) and in )#iterol'). /nder the =oman e 'orm o' his name, )Oberon), he (lays an im(ortant role in modern literature. (%) ),loa! o' Dar!ness). "his translates the M.H.G. )tarn!a((e), a word o'ten retained by translators. 1t is 'ormed 'rom O.H.G. tarni, Ase retA ( '. O.4. )dyrne)), and )!a((e) 'rom late 0atin ) a((a), A loa!A. 1t rendered the wearer in8isible and ga8e him the strength o' twel8e men.

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!D'ENTURE I' H+, He %+0)1. ,i.1 .1e Sa2+ns* 314

*ow there ame strange tales to GuntherAs land, though messengers sent them 'rom a'ar ++ tales o' un!nown warriors, who bare them hate. 9hen they heard this word, in sooth it (leased them not. "hese warriors will 1 name to you6 there was 0iudeger o' $a&on land, a great and lordly (rin e, and then 'rom Denmar! 0indegast, the !ing. ;or their Iourney they had gathered many a lordly stranger. "o GuntherAs land were ome the messengers his 'oes had sent. Men as!ed the strangers 'or their tidings and bade them hie them soon to ourt unto 2ing Gunther. "he !ing ga8e them greeting 'airF he s(a!e6 )#e ye wel ome . 1 ha8e not heard who sent you hither, but let that now be told.) $o s(a!e the right good !ing. #ut they 'eared 'ull sore 2ing GuntherAs warli!e mood. )9ill ye, O 2ing, (ermit that we tell the tales we bring, then we shall not hold our tongue, but name to you the lordings who ha8e sent us hither6 0iudegast and 0iudegerF they would mar h u(on this land. -e ha8e earned their wrath, indeed we heard that both lords bear you mortal hate. "hey would harry at 9orms u(on the =hine and ha8e the aid o' many a !nightF that may ye !now u(on our 'aith. 9ithin twel8e wee!s the Iourney must be'all. And ye ha8e aught o' good 'riends, who will hel( guard your astles and your lands, let this soon be seen. Here shall be ar8ed by them many a helm and shield. Or would ye (arley with them, let messengers be sent. "hen the numerous bands o' your mighty 'oes will not ride so near you, to gi8e you (ain o' heart, 'rom whi h 'ull many a lusty !night and a good must die.) )*ow bide a time,) s(a!e the good !ing, )till 1 bethin! me betterF then ye shall !now my mind. Ha8e 1 aught o' trusty men, 1 will not withhold 'rom them these startling tales, but will ma!e om(laint thereo' unto my 'riends.) "o Gunther, the mighty !ing, it was loth enow, but in his heart he bare the s(ee h in se ret wise. He bade Hagen be 'et hed and others o' his men, and sent e'tsoon to ourt 'or Gernot. "hen ame the 8ery best o' men that ould he 'ound. "he !ing s(a!e6 )Men would see!

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us here in this our land with mighty armies, now ma!e ye wail 'or that.) "o this Gernot, a bra8e and lusty !night, made answer6 )"hat will we 'end indeed with swords. Only the 'ey (2) will 'all. $o let them dieF 'or their sa!e 1 will not 'orget my honor. 0et these 'oes o' ours be wel ome to us.) "hen s(a!e Hagen o' "roneg6 )"his thin!eth me not good. 0iudegast and 0iudeger bear great arrogan eF nor an we summon all our men in su h short time. 9hy tell ye not $ieg'ried o' the thingL) $o s(a!e the 8aliant !night. "o the messengers they bade gi8e lodging in the town. 9hate8er hate they bore them, yet Gunther, the mighty, bade (ur8ey them well, as was but right, till he dis o8ered o' his 'riends who there was who would lend him aid. -et in his 'ears the !ing was ill at ease. >ust then 'ull blithe a !night, who wot not what had ha((ed, saw him thus sad and (rayed 2ing Gunther to tell him o' the matter. )Mu h it wondereth me,) s(a!e $ieg'ried, 'or he it was, )that ye thus ha8e hanged your merry wont, whi h ye ha8e used thus 'ar with us.) "o this Gunther, the stately !night, re(lied6 )1t li!eth me not to tell all 'ol! the grie8an e whi h 1 must bear within my heart in se ret wise. Only to trusty 'riends should one on'ide his woe o' heart.) At this $ieg'riedAs olor wa&ed both (ale and red. "o the !ing he s(a!e6 )1 ha8e denied you naught and will gladly hel( you turn aside your woes. And ye see! 'riends, 1 will be one o' them and trow well to de(ort mysel' with honor until mine end.) )*ow God reward you, $ir $ieg'ried, your s(ee h thin!eth me good, and though your (rowess hel( me not, yet do 1 reIoi e to hear that ye are 'riend to me, and li8e 1 yet a while, 1 shall re(ay you well. 1 will let you hear why 1 stand thus sadF 'rom the messengers o' my 'oes 1 ha8e heard that they would 8isit me with war, a thing whi h !nights ha8e ne8er done to us in all these lands.) )=egard this lightly,) s(a!e then $ieg'ried, )and alm your mood. Do as 1 (ray you. 0et me gain 'or you both worshi( and ad8antage and do ye ommand your !nights, that they gather to your aid.

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$hould your mighty 'oes be hel(ed by thirty thousand (C) men, yet ould 1 withstand them, had 1 but a thousandF 'or that rely on me.) "hen s(a!e 2ing Gunther6 );or this 1All ser8e you e8er.) )$o bid me all a thousand o' your men, sin e o' mine own 1 ha8e but twel8e, and 1 will guard your land. ;aith'ully shall the hand o' $ieg'ried ser8e you. Hagen shall hel( us and also Ortwin, Dan!wart, and $indolt, your trusty men. ;ol!er, the 8aliant man, shall also ride alongF he shall bear the banner, 'or to none would 1 lie'er grant it. 0et now the en8oys ride home to their mastersA lands. Gi8e them to understand they soon shall see us, that our astles may rest in (ea e.) "hen the !ing bade summon both his !insmen and his men. "he messengers o' 0iudeger betoo! them to the ourt. ;ain they were that they should Iourney home again. Gunther, the good !ing, made o''ran e o' ri h gi'ts and ga8e them sa'e+ on8oy. At this their s(irits mounted high. )*ow say unto my 'oes,) s(a!e then Gunther, )that they may well gi8e o8er their Iourney and stay at homeF but i' they will see! me here within my lands, hardshi(s shall they !now, and my 'riends (lay me not 'alse.) =i h gi'ts men bare then 'or the en8oysF enow o' these had Gunther to bestow, nor durst the men o' 0iudeger re'use them. 9hen at last they too! their lea8e, they (arted hen e in merry mood. *ow when the messengers were ome to Denmar! and 2ing 0iudegast had heard how they (arted 'rom the =hine, as was told him, mu h he rued, in sooth, their (G) (roud de'ian e. "he en8oys said that Gunther had 'ull many a 8aliant man+at+arms and among them they saw a warrior stand, whose name was $ieg'ried, a hero 'rom *etherland. 0ittle li!ed it 0iudegast when he heard aright this tale. 9hen the men o' Denmar! had heard these tidings told, they hasted all the more to all their 'riendsF till $ir 0iudegast had gathered 'or his Iourney 'ull twenty thousand !nights 'rom among his 8aliant men. "hen 2ing 0iudeger, also, o' $a&on land, sent 'orth his summons, till they had 'orty thousand men and more, with whom they thought to ride to the #urgundian land. 0i!ewise at home 2ing Gunther got him men+at+arms among his !in and the liegemen o' his brothers, and among HagenAs men whom

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they wished to lead then e 'or battle. Mu h need o' this the heroes had, but warriors soon must su''er death 'rom this. "hus they made them ready 'or the Iourney. 9hen they would hen e, ;ol!er, the daring, must bear the 'lag. 1n su h wise they thought to ride 'rom 9orms a ross the =hine. Hagen o' "roneg was master o' the troo(F with them rode $indolt and Hunolt, too, who wist well how to merit GuntherAs gold. Dan!wart, HagenAs brother, and Ortwin, too, well ould they ser8e with honor in this war. )$ir 2ing,) s(a!e then $ieg'ried, )stay ye at homeF sin e that your warriors are willed to 'ollow me, remain ye with the ladies and !ee( your s(irits high. 1 trow well to guard 'or you both honor and estate. 9ell will 1 bring it to (ass that those who thought to see! you out at 9orms u(on the =hine, had better 'ar ha8e stayed at home. 9e shall ride so nigh unto their land that their (roud de'ian e shall be turned to 'ear.) ;rom the =hine they rode through Hesse with their warriors towards $a&on land, where they later 'ought. 9ith 'ire and (illage, too, they harried all the ountryside, so that the two !ings did learn o' it in dire distress. "hen ame they to the borderF the warriors mar hed along. $ieg'ried, the strong, gan as!6 )9ho shall now guard here the troo(L) ;orsooth ne8er did men ride more s ath'ully to the $a&ons. "hey s(a!e6 )0et the 8aliant Dan!wart guard the young u(on the way, he is a doughty !night. "hus shall we lose the less through 0iudegerAs men. 0et him and Ortwin guard the rear.) )"hen 1 mysel' will ride,) s(a!e $ieg'ried, the !night, )and (lay the outloo! toward the 'oe, until 1 dis o8er aright where these warriors be.) ?ui !ly the son o' 'air $iegelind donned his harness. "he troo( he ga8e in harge to Hagen, when he would de(art, and to Gernot, the 8aliant man. "hus he rode hen e into the $a&on land alone and many a helmet band he ut to (ie es on that day. $oon he s(ied the mighty host that lay en am(ed u(on the (lain and 'ar outweighed the 'or es o' his men. ;orty thousand or better still there were. ;ull blithely $ieg'ried saw this in lo'ty mood. Meantime a warrior 'ull well arrayed had mounted to the outloo! Against the 'oe. Him $ir $ieg'ried s(ied, and the bold man saw him, too. 4a h began to wat h the other in hostile wise. 9ho it was, who stood on guard, 1All tell you nowF a gleaming shield o' gold lay by his hand. 1t was the good 2ing 0iudegast, who was guarding here his band. "he noble stranger (ri !ed along in lordly wise.

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*ow had $ir 0iudegast es(ied him with hostile eye. 1nto the 'lan!s o' their horses they (lunged the s(ursF with all their might they ou hed the s(ears against the shields. At this great 'ear be'ell the mighty !ing. A'ter the thrust the horses arried (ast ea h other the royal !nights, as though borne u(on the wind. 9ith the bridles they wheeled in !nightly wise and the two 'ier e ham(ions en ountered with their swords. "hen smote $ir $ieg'ried, so that the whole 'ield did ring. "hrough the heroAs hand 'rom out the helmets, as 'rom 'irebrands, 'lew the bright red s(ar!s. 4a h in the other 'ound his mat h. $ir 0iudegast, too, stru ! many a sa8age blowF the might o' ea h bro!e 'ull u(on the shields. "hirty o' 0iudegastAs men stood there on guard, but ere they ould ome to his aid, $ieg'ried had won the 'ight, with three groat wounds whi h he dealt the !ing through his gleaming breast(late, the whi h was (assing good. "he blood 'rom the wounds gushed 'orth along the edges o' the sword, whereat 2ing 0iudegast stood in sorry mood. He begged 'or li'e and made o''ran e o' his lands and said that his name was 0iudegast. "hen ame his warriorAs, who had witnessed what there had ha((ed u(on the loo!out. As $ieg'ried would lead his a(ti8e then e, he was set u(on by thirty o' these men. 9ith mighty blows the heroAs hand guarded his noble (ri@e. "he stately !night then wrought worse s athe. 1n sel'+de'ense he did thirty unto deathF only one he le't ali8e, who rode 'ull 'ast to tell the tale o' what here had han ed. #y his reddened helmet one might see the truth. 1t sorely grie8ed the men o' Denmar!, when the tale was told them that their !ing was ta!en a(ti8e. Men told it to his brother, who at the news began to rage with monstrous wrath, 'or great woe it brought him. 0iudegast, the warrior, then was led away by $ieg'riedAs might to GuntherAs men and gi8en to Hagen in harge. 9hen that they heard it was the !ing, 'ull moderate was their dole. "he #urgundians now were bidden raise their banner. )/(, men,) ried $ieg'ried, )here shall more be done, ere the day end, and 1 lose not my li'e. ;ull many a stately dame in $a&on land shall rue this 'ight. -e heroes 'rom the =hine, gi8e heed to me, 'or 1 an guide you well to 0iudegerAs band. $o shall ye see helmets ar8ed by the hands o' goodly !nightsF ere we turn again, they shall be ome a Huaint with 'ear.) "o their horses Gernot and all his men now hasted, and soon the stalwart minstrel, $ir ;ol!er, gras(ed the battle+'lag and rode be'ore the band. "hen were all the omrades arrayed in lordly wise 'or stri'eF nor had they more than a thousand men, and thereto

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$ieg'riedAs twel8e men+at+arms. *ow 'rom the road gan rise the dust, as a ross the land they rodeF many a lordly shield was seen to gleam 'rom out their midst. "here, too, were ome the $a&ons with their troo(s and well+shar(ened swords, as 1 sin e ha8e heard. $ore ut these wea(ons in the heroesA hands, 'or they would 'ain guard both their astles and their land against the strangers. "he lordingsA marshals led on the troo(. $ieg'ried, too, was ome with his men+at+ arms, whom he had brought 'rom *etherland. 1n the storm o' battle many a hand this day grew red with blood. $indolt and Hunolt and Gernot, too, slew many a !night in the stri'e, ere these rightly !new the boldness o' their 'oes. "his many a stately dame must needs bewail. ;ol!er and Hagen and Ortwin, too, dimmed in the battle the gleam o' many a helm with 'lowing blood, these storm+bold men. #y Dan!wart, too, great deeds were done. "he men o' Denmar! (ro8ed well their handsF one heard many a shield resounding 'rom the hurtling and 'rom the shar( swords as well, many o' whi h were wielded there. "he battle+bold $a&ons did s athe enow, but when the men o' #urgundy (ressed to the 'ight, by them was really a wide wound ar8ed. "hen down a ross the saddles the blood was seen to 'low. "hus they 'ought 'or honors, these !nights both bold and good. 0oud rang the shar( wea(ons in the heroesA hands, as those o' *etherland 'ollowed their lording through the sturdy host. :aliantly they 'or ed their way in $ieg'riedAs wa!e, but not a !night 'rom the =hine was seen to 'ollow. "hrough the shining helmets one ould see 'low the bloody stream, drawn 'orth by $ieg'riedAs hand, till at last he 'ound 0iudeger be'ore his men+at+ arms. "hri e had he (ier ed the host 'rom end to end. *ow was Hagen ome, who hel(ed him a hie8e in the battle all his mind. #e'ore them many a good !night must needs die this day. 9hen the mighty 0iudeger es(ied $ieg'ried and saw that he bore high in hand the good sword #almung and did slay so many a man, then wa&ed the lording wroth and 'ier e enow. A mighty surging and a mighty lang o' swords arose, as their omrades (ressed against ea h other. "he two ham(ions tried their (rowess all the more. "he troo(s began to yieldF 'ier e grew the hate. "o the ruler o' the $a&ons the tale was told that his brother had been a(turedF great dole this ga8e him. 9ell he !new it was the son o' $iegelind who had done the deed. Men blamed $ir Gernot, but later he learned the truth.

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$o mighty were the blows o' 0iudeger that $ieg'riedAs harger reeled beneath the saddle. 9hen the steed re o8ered, bold $ieg'ried too! on a 'right'ul usan e in the 'ray. 1n this Hagen hel(ed him well, li!ewise Gernot, Dan!wart, and ;ol!er, too. "hrough them lay many dead. 0i!ewise $indolt and Hunolt and Ortwin, the !night, laid many low in stri'eF side by side in the 'ray the noble (rin es stood. One saw abo8e the helmets many a s(ear, thrown by hereAs hand, hurtling through the gleaming shields. #lood+red was olored many a lordly bu !lerF many a man in the 'ier e on'li t was unhorsed. At ea h other ran $ieg'ried, the bra8e, and 0iudegerF sha'ts were seen to 'ly and many a !een+edged s(ear. "hen o'' 'lew the shield+(lates, stru ! by $ieg'riedAs handF the hero o' *etherland thought to win the battle 'rom the 8aliant $a&ons, wondrous many o' whom one saw. HoM How many shining armor+rings the daring Dan!wart bro!eM "hen $ir 0iudegor es(ied a rown (ainted on the shield in $ieg'riedAs hand. 9ell he !new that it was $ieg'ried, the mighty man. "o his 'riends the hero loudly alled6 )Desist ye 'rom the stri'e, my men, here 1 ha8e seen the son o' $iegmund, $ieg'ried, the strong, and re ogni@ed him well. "he 'oul 'iend himsel' hath sent him hither to the $a&on land.) "he banners bade he lower in the 'ight. .ea e he ra8ed, and this was later granted him, but he must needs go as hostage to GuntherAs land. "his was wrung 'rom him by 8aliant $ieg'riedAs hand. 9ith one a ord they then ga8e o8er the stri'e and laid aside the many riddled helmets and the broad, battered bu !lers. 9hate8er o' these was 'ound, bore the hue o' blood 'rom the #urgundiansA hand. "hey a(tured whom they would, 'or this lay in their (ower. Gernot and Hagen, the 'ull bold warriors, bade bear away the woundedF 'i8e hundred stately men they led 'orth a(ti8e to the =hine. "he worsted !nights rode ba ! to Denmar!, nor had the $a&ons 'ought so well that one ould gi8e them aught o' (raise, and this the heroes rued 'ull sore. "he 'allen, too, were greatly mourned by 'riends. "hen they bade (la e the wea(ons on sum(ters 'or the =hine. $ieg'ried, the warrior, and his heroes had wrought 'ull well, as GuntherAs men must needs on'ess. $ir Gernot now sent messengers homeward to 9orms in his nati8e land, and bade tell his !in what great su ess had ha((ed to him and to his men, and how these daring !nights had stri8en well 'or honor. "he sHuirelings ran and told the tale. "hen those who a'ore had sorrowed, were blithe 'or Ioy at the (leasing tidings that were ome. Mu h Huestioning was heard 'rom noble dames, how it had 'ared with the liegemen o' the mighty

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!ing. One o' the messengers they bade go to 2riemhildF this ha((ed 'ull se retly (o(enly she durst not), 'or she, too, had amongst them her own true lo8e. 9hen she saw the messenger oming to her bower, 'air 2riemhild s(a!e in !indly wise6 )*ow tell me glad news, 1 (ray. And thou dost so without de eit, 1 will gi8e thee o' my gold and will e8er be thy 'riend. How 'ared 'orth 'rom the battle my brother Gernot and others o' my !inL Are many o' them dead (er han eL Or who wrought there the bestL "his thou must tell me.) ?ui !ly then the en8oy s(a!e6 )*eAer a oward did we ha8e, but, to tell the truth, O noble Hueen, none rode so well to the stri'e and 'ray, as did the noble stranger 'rom *etherland. Mi !le wonders the hand o' 8aliant $ieg'ried wrought. 9hateAer the !nights ha8e done in stri'e, Dan!wart and Hagen and other men o' the !ing, howe8er mu h they stro8e 'or honor, Atis but as the wind om(ared with $ieg'ried, the son o' $iegmund, the !ing. "hey slew 'ull many a hero in the 'ray, but none might tell you o' the wonders whi h $ieg'ried wrought, whene8er he rode into the 'ight. Great woe he did the ladies through their !inF u(on the 'ield the lo8e o' many a dame lay dead. His blows were heard to ring so loud u(on the helmets, that 'rom the wounds they drew 'orth the blood in streams. 1n e8ery !nightly art he is a worthy !night and a bra8e. 9hate8er Ortwin o' Met@ a hie8ed (and he whom he ould rea h with his good sword, 'ell sorely wounded, but mostly dead), yet your brother wrought the direst woe that ould e8er han e in battle. One must say o' the hosen !nights in truth, that these (roud #urgundians a Huitted them so well that they an well (reser8e their honor 'rom e8ery taint o' shame. "hrough their hands we saw many a saddle bare, while the 'ield resounded with the 'lashing swords. $o well rode the warriors 'rom the =hine, that it were better 'or their 'oes had it been a8oided. "he 8aliant men o' "roneg, also, wrought dire woe, when in great numbers the armies met. #old HagenAs hand did many a one to deathF o' this 'ull many stories might be told here in the #urgundian land. $indolt and Hunolt, GernotAs men, =umolt the bra8e, ha8e done su h deeds that it may well e8er rue 0iudeger that he made war u(on thy !insmen by the =hine. "he 8ery best 'ight that ha((ed 'rom 'irst to last, that one has e8er seen, was made 'ull lustily by $ieg'riedAs hand. =i h hostages he bringeth to GuntherAs land. He won them by his (rowess, this stately man. O' this 2ing 0iudegast must bear the loss and e!e his brother 0iudeger o' $a&on land. *ow listen to my tale, most noble Hueen6 by the hand o' $ieg'ried the twain were aught. *e8er ha8e men brought so many hostages to this land, as now are oming to the =hine through him. Men are bringing to our

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land 'i8e hundred or more unharmed a(ti8esF and o' the deadly wounded, my lady, !now, not less than eighty blood+red biers. "hese men were mostly wounded by bold $ieg'riedAs hand. "hose who in haughty (ride sent a hallenge to the =hine, must now needs be the a(ti8es o' Gunther, the !ing, and men are bringing them with Ioy unto this land.) $till higher rose 2riemhildAs olor when she heard this tale. Her 'air 'a e blushed a rosy red, that $ieg'ried, the youth, the stately !night, had 'ared 'orth so Ioy'ully 'rom the dangerous stri'e. "hese tidings ould not ha8e (leased her better. ;or her !insmen, too, she reIoi ed in duty bound. "hen s(a!e the lo8ely maid6 )A 'air tale thou hast told meF there'ore shalt thou ha8e as guerdon ri h attire. 0i!ewise 1All ha8e thee brought ten mar!s o' gold.) (J) $mall wonder that su h tales are gladly told to noble dames. "hey ga8e him then his guerdon, the garments and the gold. "hen many a 'air maid hied her to the asement and ga@ed u(on the street, where many high+mettled warriors were seen riding into the #urgundian land. "here ame the ham(ions, the wounded and the sound. 9ithout shame they heard the greetings o' their 'riends. Merrily the host rode 'orth to meet his guests, 'or his great sorrow had been turned to Ioy. 9ell greeted he his 8assals and the strangers, tooF 'or it was only meet that the mighty !ing in ourtly wise should than! those who were ome ba ! to him, be ause in the storm o' battle they had won the 'ight with honor. Gunther bade his !insmen tell who had been slain u(on the mar hF but si&ty had been lost, whom one must mourn, as is the wont with heroes. Many a ri8en shield and battered helm the unharmed warriors brought to GuntherAs land. "he men alighted 'rom their steeds be'ore the (ala e o' the !ing. 0oud was heard the Ioyous sound o' the merry wel omeF then order was gi8en to lodge the warriors in the town. "he !ing bade minister well unto his guests, attend the wounded and gi8e them good easement. His ourtesie was le8erly seen u(on his 'oes. He s(a!e to 0iudegast6 )*ow be ye wel ome. Mu h damage ha8e 1 taAen be ause o' youF 'or this 1 shall now be re(aid, i' 'ortune 'a8or. God reward my !insmen, 'or they ha8e gi8en me Ioy.) )9ell may ye than! them,) answered 0iudegerF )su h noble hostages hath !ing ne8er gained a'ore. ;or 'air treatment we o''er great store o' wealth, that ye may a t with mer y towards your 'oes.)

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)1 will let you both go 'ree,) s(a!e Gunther, )but 1 must ha8e surety that my 'oes remain here with me, that they do not lea8e the land against my will.) "o that 0iudeger (ledged his hand. Men brought them to their lodgings and ga8e them easement. "he wounded were bedded well, and 'or the sound were (oured out good mead and wine. *e8er ould the omrades ha8e been more merry. "heir battered shields were borne away 'or !ee(ing, and enow there was o' bloody saddles whi h one bade hide away, that the ladies might not wee(. Many a good !night returned aweary 'rom the 'ray. "he !ing did ma!e his guests great heer. His lands were 'ull o' strangers and o' home+'ol!. He bade ease the sorely wounded in !indly wiseF their haughty (ride was now laid low. Men o''ered to the lee hes ri h rewards, sil8er without weight and thereto shining gold, i' they would heal the heroes 'rom the stress o' war. "o his guests the !ing li!ewise ga8e great gi'ts. "hose that were minded to set out 'or home, were as!ed to stay, as one doth to 'riends. "he !ing bethought him how he might reHuite his men, 'or they had brought to (ass his wish 'or 'ame and honor. "hen s(a!e 0ord Gernot6 )0et them ride away, but be it made !nown to them that in si& wee!s they must ome again 'or a mighty 'east. #y then will many a one be healed who now lieth sorely wounded.) "hen $ieg'ried o' *etherland also as!ed 'or lea8e, but when 2ing Gunther learned his wish, lo8ingly he bade him stay erstwhile. 9ere it not 'or the !ingAs sister, this were ne8er done. He was too ri h to ta!e reward, though he well deser8ed it and the !ing li!ed him well, as also did the !insmen, who had seen what ha((ed in battle through his strength. ;or the sa!e o' one 'air lady he thought to stay, i' (er han e he might es(y her. 0ater it was done, and a ording to his wish he met the maid. He rode therea'ter Ioy'ully to $iegmundAs land. At all times the host bade (ra ti e !nighthood, and many a youth'ul !night did this right gladly. Meanwhile he ordered seats (re(ared u(on the sand be'ore the town o' 9orms 'or those who were to 8isit him in the #urgundian land. At the time when they should ome, 'air 2riemhild heard it said that the !ing would hold a 'easting 'or the sa!e o' his dear 'riends. "hen omely women hasted a(a e with robes and headgear whi h they were to don. "he noble /ta heard tales told o' the (roud warriors who were to ome. "hen many ri h

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dresses were ta!en 'rom the (ress. "o (lease her hildren she bade ma!e garments ready, that many ladies and many maids might therewith be de !ed and many youth'ul !nights o' the #urgundian land. Also 'or many o' the strangers she bade 'ashion lordly robes. ENDNOTES# (1) )$a&ons). "his war with the $a&ons does not a((ear in the (oeti )4dda), but was (robably introdu ed into the story later to (ro8ide the heroes with a suitable a ti8ity in the (eriod ela(sing between $ieg'riedAs marriage and the Iourney to #runhildAs land. (1n our (oem it is (la ed be'ore the marriage.) 1t re'le ts the an ient 'euds between the ;ran!s on the one hand and the $a&ons and Danes on the other. Originally $ieg'ried (robably did not ta!e (art in it, but was later introdu ed and made the leader o' the e&(edition in (la e o' the !ing, in a ordan e with the tenden y to ideali@e him and to gi8e him e8erywhere the most im(ortant role. "he two o((osing leaders are )0iudeger), lord o' the $a&ons, and )0iudegast), !ing o' Denmar!. 1n )#iterol') 0iudeger rules o8er both $a&ons and Danes, and 0iudegast is his brother. (2) );ey). "his $ ot h and older 4nglish word has been hosen to translate the M.H.G. )8eige), A'atedA, AdoomedA, as it is etymologi ally the same word. "he an ient Germans were 'atalists and belie8ed only those would die in battle whom 'ate had so (redestined. (C) )"hirty thousand). "he M.H.G. e(i s are 'ond o' round numbers and es(e ially o' thirty and its multi(les. "hey will he 'ound to o ur 8ery 'reHuently in our (oem. $ee 0a hmann, )Anmer!ungen @u den *ibelungen), G5G 1. (G) )"heir). "he original is obs ure hereF the meaning is, Awhen he heard with what message they were ome, he rued the haughtiness o' the #urgundiansA. (J) )Mar!s o' gold). A mar! (0at. )mares)) was hal' a (ound o' gold or sil8er.

J5

!D'ENTURE ' H+, Sie)(ried %irs. Sa, &rie-1ild*

One saw daily riding to the =hine those who would 'ain be at the 'easting. ;ull many o' these who 'or the !ingAs sa!e were ome into the land, were gi8en steeds and lordly harness. $eats were (re(ared 'or all, 'or the highest and the best, as we are told, 'or two and thirty (rin es at the 'east. ;or this, too, the 'air ladies 8ied in their attire. Giselher, the youth, was aught but idleF he and Gernot and all their men re ei8ed the 'riends and strangers. 1n truth, they ga8e the !nights right ourtly greetings. "hese brought into the land many a saddle o' golden red, dainty shields and lordly armor to the 'easting on the =hine. Many a wounded man was seen 'ull merry sin e. 48en those who lay abed in stress o' wounds, must needs 'orget the bitterness o' death. Men eased to mourn 'or the wea! and si ! and Ioyed in (ros(e t o' the 'estal day, and how well they would 'are at the 'easting o' the !ing. .leasure without stint and o8erabundan e o' Ioy (er8aded all the 'ol! whi h there were seen. "here'ore great reIoi ing arose throughout the whole o' GuntherAs land. /(on a 9hitsun morning 'i8e thousand or more bra8e men, lad in glad attire, were seen going 'orth to the high 'estal tide. On all sides they 8ied with ea h other in !nightly s(orts. "he host mar!ed well, what he already wet, how 'rom his 8ery heart the hero o' *etherland did lo8e his sister, albeit he had ne8er seen her, whose omeliness men (raised abo8e all maids. "hen s(a!e the !night Ortwin to the !ing6 )9ould ye ha8e 'ull honor at your 'east, so should ye let be seen the harming maids, who li8e in su h high honors here in #urgundy. 9hat were the Ioy o' man, what else ould gi8e him (leasure, but (retty maids and noble damesL .ray let your sister go 'orth be'ore the guests.) "o the Ioy o' many a hero was this ounsel gi8en. )"his will 1 gladly do,) s(a!e then the !ing, and all who heard it were merry at the thought. "hen bade he say to the 0ady /ta and her omely daughter, that with their maidens they should ome to ourt. ;rom the (resses they too! 'air raiment and whatso o' ri h attire was laid away. O' rings and ribbons, too, enow they had. "hus ea h stately maiden de !ed hersel' with @eal. ;ull many a youth'ul !night u(on that day was o' the mind that he was so 'air to loo! u(on 'or ladies, that he would not e& hange this han e 'or the lands o' any

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mighty !ing. Gladly they ga@ed on those whom till now they had not !nown. "hen bade the mighty !ing 'ull a hundred o' his men, who were his !in and hers, es ort his sister and ser8e her thus. "hese were the ourt retainers o' the #urgundian land and arried swords in hand. $oon one saw the noble /ta oming with her hild. ;ull hundred or more 'air ladies had she ta!en 'or her train, who wore ri h robes. 0i!ewise there 'ollowed her daughter many a stately maid. 9hen 'rom out a bower men saw them ome, there rose a mighty (ress o' !nights who had the ho(e, i' that might be, to ga@e with Ioy u(on the noble maid. *ow ame she 'orth, the lo8ely 'air, as doth the red o' dawn 'rom out the lowering louds. He then was re't o' many woes who bore her in his heart so long a time, when he saw the lo8ely maid stand 'orth so glorious. How shone 'ull many a (re ious stone u(on her robesM 1n lo8ely wise her rose+red hue a((eared. 9hate8er one might wish, he ould not but on'ess that ne8er in the world had he beheld a 'airer maid. As the radiant moon, whose sheen is thrown so brightly on the louds, doth stand be'ore the stars, so stood she now be'ore 'ull many a stately dame. "here'ore higher rose the s(irits o' the omely !nights. =i hly a((areled hamberlains mar hed on in 'ront, while the high+mettled warriors 'orsooth must (ress where they might see the lo8ely maid. At this 0ord $ieg'ried 'elt both Ioy and dole. "o himsel' he thought6 )How ould that han e, that 1 should lo8e theeL "hat is a 'oolish dream. #ut i' 1 now must lose thee, then were 1 better dead.) At thought o' this his olor ame and went. "here stood the son o' $iegmund in su h dainty gra e, as he were limned on (ar hment by s!ill'ul masterAs art. 1ndeed Atwas said o' him that ne8er had so 'air a !night been seen. "he es ort o' the ladies now bade e8erywhere gi8e way and many a man obeyed. "hese high+born hearts reIoi ed 'ull many a wight, as thus so many a noble dame a((eared in ourtly bearing. "hen s(a!e 0ord Gernot o' #urgundy6 )Dear brother Gunther, him who o''ered ser8i e in su h !indly wise, ye should in li!e manner reHuite be'ore these !nightsF nor shall 1 e8er rue this ounsel. #id $ieg'ried now a((roa h my sister, that the maid may greet himF this will e8er be our gain. $he who ne8er greeted warrior shall greet him 'air, that by this means we now may win the stately !night.) "hen went the !insmen o' the host to 'et h the hero. "o the ham(ion 'rom *etherland they s(a!e6 )-ou hath the !ing (ermitted to go to ourtF his sister is to greet you. "his hath he de reed to do you honor.)

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At this the lord grew blithe o' mood, 'or in his heart he bare Ioy without alloy, that he thus should see 'air /taAs hild. 9ith lo8ely gra e she greeted $ieg'ried then, but when she saw the haughty !night stand thus be'ore her, her hee!s 'lamed bright. )#e wel ome, $ir $ieg'ried, most good and noble !night,) the 'air maid s(a!e, and at this greeting his s(irits mounted high. ,ourteously he made obeisan eF she too! him by the hand. How gallantly he wal!ed by the ladyAs sideM /(on ea h other this lord and lady ga@ed with !indling eyes. ;ull se retly this ha((ed. 9as (er han e a white hand there 'er8ently (ressed by heart+'elt lo8eL "hat !now 1 notF yet 1 annot belie8e that this was le't undone, 'or soon had she betrayed to him her lo8e. *e8ermore in summertide nor in the days o' May bare he within his heart su h lo'ty Ioy as now he gained, when hand in hand he wal!ed with her whom he 'ain would all his lo8e. "hen thought 'ull many a !night6 )Had that but ha((ed to me, to wal! thus with her hand in hand, as now 1 see him do, or to lie beside her, 1Ad bear it willingly.) *e8er has warrior better ser8ed to gain a Hueen. ;rom whate8er land the guests were ome, all ga@ed ali!e u(on this (air alone. $he then was bidden !iss the stately man, to whom no su h delight had e8er ha((ened in this world. "hen s(a!e the !ing o' Denmar!6 )#e ause o' this high greeting many a warrior lieth wounded (this wot 1 well), through $ieg'riedAs hand. God grant that he may ne8er ome again to my !ingly lands.) On all sides they bade ma!e way 'or 2riemhild, as thus to hur h one saw her go with many a 8aliant !night in ourtly wise. "hen soon the stately !night was (arted 'rom her side. "hus went she to the minster, 'ollowed by many a dame. $o 'ull o' gra es was this Hueenly maid that many a daring wish must needs be lost. #orn she was to be the eyesA delight o' many a !night. $ieg'ried s ar e ould wait till mass was sung. 9ell might he thin! his 'ortune that she did 'a8or him, whom thus he bare in heart. ,ause enow he had to lo8e the 'air. 9hen she ame 'orth 'rom out the minster, they begged the gallant !night again to bear her om(any, as he had done a'ore. "hen 'irst the lo8ely maid began to than! him that he had 'ought so gloriously be'ore so many !nights. )*ow God reHuite you, $ir $ieg'ried,)

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s(a!e the omely maid, )that ye ha8e brought to (ass with your ser8i e, that the warriors do lo8e you with su h 'ealty as 1 hear them say.) "hen u(on Dame 2riemhild he began to ga@e in lo8ing wise. )1 will ser8e them e8er,) s(a!e then the !night, )and while li'e shall last, ne8er will 1 lay my head to rest till 1 ha8e done their willF and this 1 do, my 0ady 2riemhild, to win your lo8e.) A twel'th+night long, on ea h and e8ery day, one saw the winsome maid beside the !night, when she should go to ourt to meet her !in. "his ser8i e was done 'rom sheer delight. A great rout o' Ioy and (leasure was daily seen in 'ront o' GuntherAs hall, without and e!e within, 'rom many a daring man. Ortwin and Hagen began to do great mar8els. 9hate8er any wished to (lay, these lusty !nights were 'ully readyF thus they be ame well !nown to all the guests and so the whole o' GuntherAs land was de !ed with honor. "hose who had lain wounded were now seen oming 'orthF they, too, would 'ain ha8e (astime with the troo( and guard themsel8es with bu !lers and hurl the sha't. 4now there were to hel( them, 'or there was great store o' men. At the 'easting the host bade (ur8ey them with the best o' heer. He !e(t him 'ree 'rom e8ery 'orm o' blame that might be'all a !ingF men saw him mo8e in 'riendly wise among his guests. He s(a!e6 )-e worthy !nights, ere ye go hen e, (ray ta!e my gi'ts. 1 am minded to deser8e it o' you e8er. Do not disdain my goods, the whi h 1All share with you, as 1 ha8e great desire.) "hen u( s(a!e they o' Denmar!6 )4re we ride homeward to our land, we ra8e a lasting (ea eF we !nights ha8e need thereo', 'or many a one o' our !insmen lieth dead at the hands o' your men+at+ arms.) 0iudegast, the $a&on hie', was now ured o' his wounds and had re o8ered 'rom the 'ray, though many dead they le't within this land. "hen 2ing Gunther went to 'ind $ir $ieg'riedF to the !night he s(a!e6 )*ow tell me what to do. Our 'oes would 'ain ride early and beg 'or lasting (ea e o' me and o' my men. Ad8ise me now, 2night $ieg'ried, what thin!eth thee good to doL 9hat the lordings o''er me will 1 tell theeF what o' gold 'i8e hundred steeds an bear, that would they gladly gi8e me, and 1 set them 'ree again.)

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"hen s(a!e the mighty $ieg'ried6 )"hat were done but ill. 0et them ride hen e unhindered, but ma!e ea h o' the lordings gi8e surety with his hand, that their noble !nights hen e'orth 'orbear all hostile riding hither to your land.) )"his ounsel will 1 'ollow.) Herewith they (arted, and to the !ingAs 'oes was told that no one ra8ed the gold they (ro''ered. ;or their lo8ed 'riends at home the battle+weary warriors longed. Many a shield 'ull o' treasure was then brought 'orth whi h the !ing dealt out unweighed to his many 'riends, to ea h 'i8e hundred mar!s o' gold, and to a 'ew, still more. Gernot, the bra8e, had ounseled Gunther this. "hen they all too! lea8e, sith they would hen e. One saw the guests draw nigh to 2riemhild and also to where Dame /ta sate. *e8er yet were !nights dismissed in better wise. 0odgings grew em(ty as they rode away, but still there stayed at home the !ing and all his !in and many a noble liegeman. Daily they were seen as they went to 0ady 2riemhild. "he good !night $ieg'ried now would li!ewise ta!e his lea8eF he weened not to win that on whi h his mind was set. "he !ing heard said that he would hen e, but Giselher, the youth, Huite won him 'rom the Iourney. )9hither would ye ride now, noble $ieg'riedL .ray tarry with the !nights, 1 beg you, with Gunther the !ing and with his men. Here, too, are many omely dames whom we shall gladly let you see.) "hen s(a!e the mighty $ieg'ried6 )0et stand the steeds. 1 listed to ride hen e, but now will 1 desist. "he shields, too, bear away. "o my land 1 ra8ed to go, in truth, but Giselher with his great lo8e hath turned me 'rom it.) $o the 8aliant !night stayed on to (lease his 'riends, nor ould he ha8e 'ared more gentilly in any land. "his ha((ed be ause he daily saw 2riemhild, the 'airF 'or the sa!e o' her unmeasured beauty the lording stayed. 9ith many a (astime they whiled the hours away, but still her lo8e onstrained him and o'ten ga8e him dole. #e ause o' this same lo8e in later days the 8aliant !night lay (iti'ul in death.

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!D'ENTURE 'I H+, G0n.1er %ared T+ Isenland 314 (+r Br0n1ild*

*ew tidings ame a ross the =hine. A"was said that yonder many a 'air maid dwelt. "he good !ing Gunther thought to win him one o' theseF high there'ore rose the warriorAs s(irits. "here li8ed a Hueen beyond the sea, whose li!e men !new not anywhere. .eerless was her beauty and great her strength. 9ith doughty !nights she shot the sha't 'or lo8e. "he stone she hurled a'ar and s(rang 'ar a'ter it. He who ra8ed her lo8e must win without 'ail three games 'rom this high+born dame. 9hen the noble maid had done this (assing o't, a stately !night did hear it by the =hine. He turned his thoughts u(on this omely dame, and so heroes must needs later lose their li8es. One day when the !ing and his 8assals sate and (ondered to and 'ro in many a wise, whom their lord might ta!e to wi'e, who would be 'it to be their lady and beseem the land, u( s(a!e the lord o' the =hinelands6 )1 will go down to the sea and hen e to #runhlld, howe8er it may go with me. ;or her lo8e 1All ris! my li'e. 1 will gladly lose it and she be ome not my wi'e.) )Against that do 1 ounsel you,) s(a!e then $ieg'ried, )i', as ye say, the Hueen doth ha8e so 'ier e a wont, he who wooeth 'or her lo8e will (ay 'ull dear. "here'ore should ye gi8e o8er the Iourney.) "hen s(a!e 2ing Gunther6 )*e8er was woman born so strong and bold that 1 might not 8anHuish her with mine own hand.) )#e still,) s(a!e $ieg'ried, )ye little !now her strength.) )$o will 1 ad8ise you,) s(a!e Hagen then, )that ye beg $ieg'ried to share with you this hea8y tas!. "his is my rede, sith he doth !now so well how matters stand with #runhild.) "he !ing s(a!e6 )9ilt thou hel( me, noble $ieg'ried, to woo this lo8ely maidL And thou doest what 1 (ray thee and this omely dame be ome my lo8e, 'or thy sa!e will 1 ris! both li'e and honor.)

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"o this $ieg'ried, the son o' $iegmund, answered6 )1 will do it, and thou gi8e me thy sister 2riemhild, the noble Hueen. ;or my (ains 1 as! no other meed.) )1All (ledge that, $ieg'ried, in thy hand,) s(a!e then Gunther, )and i' 'air #runhild ome hither to this land, 1All gi8e thee my sister unto wi'e. "hen anst thou li8e e8er merrily with the 'air.) "his the noble warriors swore oaths to do, and so the greater grew their hardshi(s, till they brought the lady to the =hine. On this a ount these bra8e men must later be in (assing danger. $ieg'ried had to ta!e with him hen e the loa! whi h he, the bold hero, had won Amid dangers 'rom a dwar', Alberi h he hight. "hese bold and mighty !nights now made them ready 'or the Iourney. 9hen $ieg'ried wore the ,loa! o' Dar!ness he had strength enow6 the 'or e o' 'ull twel8e men beside his own. 9ith unning arts he won the royal maid. "his loa! was 'ashioned so, that whatsoe8er any wrought within it, none saw him. "hus he won #runhild, whi h brought him dole. )*ow tell me, good 2night $ieg'ried, be'ore our tri( begin, shall we not ta!e warriors with us into #runhildAs land, that we may ome with (assing honors to the seaL "hirty thousand men+at+arms an soon be alled.) )Howe8er many men we ta!e,) Huoth $ieg'ried, )the Hueen doth use so 'ier e a wont that they must (erish through her haughty (ride. 1All gi8e thee better ounsel, O bra8e and worthy !ing. 0et us 'are as wandering !nights adown the =hine, and 1 will tell thee those that shall be o' the band. 1n all 'our !nights, weAll Iourney to the sea and thus weAll woo the lady, whate8er be our 'ate therea'ter. 1 shall be one o' the 'our omrades, the se ond thou shalt be. 0et Hagen be the third (then ha8e we ho(e o' li'e), Dan!wart then the 'ourth, the 8aliant man. A thousand others durst not mat h us in the 'ight.) )Gladly would 1 !now,) s(a!e then the !ing, )ere we go hen e (At would (lease me mu h), what garments we should wear be'ore #runhild, whi h would beseem us there. .ray tell this now to Gunther.)

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)9eeds o' the 8ery best whi h an be 'ound are worn all times in #runhildAs land. 9e must wear ri h lothes be'ore the lady, that we 'eel no shame when men shall hear the tidings told.) "he good !night s(a!e6 )"hen will 1 go mysel' to my dear mother, i' (er han e 1 an bring it to (ass that her 'air maids (ur8ey us garments whi h we may wear with honor be'ore the high+born maid.) Hagen o' "roneg s(a!e then in lordly wise6 )9here'ore will ye (ray your mother o' su h ser8i eL 0et your sister hear what ye ha8e in mind, and sheAll (ur8ey you well 'or your Iourney to #runhildAs ourt.) "hen sent he word to his sister, that he would 'ain see her, and 2night $ieg'ried, too, sent word. 4re this ha((ed the 'air had lad her (assing well. "hat these bra8e men were oming, ga8e her little grie'. *ow were her attendants, too, arrayed in seemly wise. "he lordings ame, and when she heard the tale, 'rom her seat she rose and wal!ed in ourtly wise to greet the noble stranger and her brother, too. )9el ome be my brother and his omrade. 1Ad gladly !now,) so s(a!e the maid, )what ye lords desire, sith ye be thus ome to ourt. .ray let me hear how it standeth with you noble !nights.) "hen s(a!e !ing Gunther6 )My lady, 1All tell you now. Maugre our lo'ty mood, yet ha8e we mi !le are. 9e would ride a+wooing 'ar into 'oreign lands, and 'or this Iourney we ha8e need o' ostly robes.) )*ow sit you down, dear brother,) s(a!e the royal maid, )and let me hear aright who these ladies be whom ye 'ain would woo in the lands o' other !ings.) #y the hand the lady too! the hosen !nights and with the twain she wal!ed to where she sate a'ore u(on a ou h, wor!ed, as well 1 wot, with dainty 'igures embossed in gold. "here might they ha8e 'air (astime with the ladies. ;riendly glan es and !indly loo!s (assed now 'ull o't between the twain. 1n his heart he bare her, she was dear

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to him as li'e. 1n a'ter days 'air 2riemhild be ame strong $ieg'riedAs wi'e. "hen s(a!e the mighty !ing6 )Dear sister mine, without thy hel( it may not be. 9e would go 'or !nightly (astime to #runhildAs land, and ha8e need o' (rin ely garb to wear be'ore the dames.) "hen the noble maiden answered6 )Dear brother mine, 1 do you now to wit, that whate8er need ye ha8e o' hel( o' mine, that stand 1 ready to gi8e. $hould any deny you aught, At would (lease 2riemhild but ill. Most noble !nights, besee h me not with su h on ern, but order me with lordly air to do whatso ye list. 1 stand at your bidding and will do it with a will.) $o s(a!e the winsome maid. )9e would 'ain, dear sister, wear good attire, and this your noble hand shall hel( to hoose . -our maidens then must ma!e it 'it us, 'or there be no hel( against this Iourney.) "hen s(a!e the (rin ess6 )*ow mar! ye what 1 say. $il!s 1 ha8e mysel'F see ye that men do bring us Iewels u(on the shields and thus weAll wor! the lothes. Gunther and $ieg'ried, too, ga8e glad assent. )9ho are the omrades,) s(a!e the Hueen, )who shall 'are with you thus lad to ourtL) He s(a!e6 )1 shall be one o' 'our. My liegemen twain, Dan!wart and Hagen, shall go with me to ourt. *ow mar! ye well, my lady, what 1 say. 4a h o' us 'our must ha8e to wear 'or 'our whole days three hanges o' a((arel and su h goodly tra((ings that without shame we may Huit #runhildAs land.) 1n 'itting wise the lords too! lea8e and (arted hen e. 2riemhild, the Hueen, bade thirty o' her maidens who were s!ill'ul in su h wor!, ome 'orth 'rom out their bowers. $il!s o' Araby, white as snow, and the 'air sil! o' Ka@aman , (2) green as is the lo8er, they o8erlaid with (re ious stonesF that ga8e garments (assing 'air. 2riemhild hersel', the high+born maiden, ut them out. 9hatso they had at hand o' well+wrought linings 'rom the s!in o' 'oreign 'ish, but rarely seen o' 'ol!, they o8ered now with sil!, as was the wont to wear. (C) *ow hear great mar8els o' these shining weeds. ;rom the !ingdom o' Moro o and 'rom 0ibya, too, they had great store o' the 'airest sil!s whi h the !ith o' any !ing did e8er win. 2riemhild made

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it well a((ear what lo8e she bore the twain. $ith u(on the (roud Iourney they had set their minds, they deemed ermine to be well 'it. (G) /(on this lay 'ine sil! as bla ! as oal. "his would still beseem all doughty !nights at high 'estal tides. ;rom out a setting o' Arabian gold there shone 'orth many a stone. "he ladiesA @eal, it was not small, 'orsoothF in se8en wee!s they wrought the robes. =eady, too, were the wea(ons 'or the right good !nights. 9hen now they all stood dight, (J) there was built 'or them in haste u(on the =hine a sturdy little s!i'', that should bear them downward to the sea. 9eary were the noble maids 'rom all their ares. "hen the warriors were told that the bra8e 8estures they should wear were now (re(aredF as they had ra8ed it, so it now was done. "hen no longer would they tarry on the =hineF they sent a message to their war+ om(anions, i' (er han e they should are to 8iew their new attire, to see i' it be too long or short. All was 'ound in 'itting measure, and 'or this they ga8e the ladies than!s. All who saw them ould not but a8er that ne8er in the world had they seen attire more 'air. "here'ore they wore it gladly at the ourt. *one wist how to tell o' better !nightly weeds. *or did they 'ail to gi8e great than!s. "hen the lusty !nights ra8ed lea8e to go, and this the lordings did in ourtly wise. #right eyes grew dim and moist thereat 'rom wee(ing. 2riemhild s(a!e6 )Dear brother, ye might better tarry here a while and (ay ourt to other dames, where ye would not so ris! your li'eF then would 1 say well done. -e might 'ind nearer home a wi'e o' as high a birth.) 1 ween their hearts did tell them what would ha(. All we(t ali!e, no matter what men said. "he gold u(on their breasts was tarnished by their tears, whi h thi ! and 'ast oursed downward 'rom their eyes. $he s(a!e6 )$ir $ieg'ried, let this dear brother o' mine be ommended to your 'ealty and troth, that naught may harm him in #runhildAs land.) "his the 'ull bra8e !night 8owed in 0ady 2riemhildAs hand. "he mighty warrior s(a!e6 )1' 1 lose not my li'e, ye may be 'ree 'rom e8ery are, my lady. 1All bring him to you sound again hither to the =hineF that !now o' a surety.) "he 'air maid bowed her than!s.

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Men bare their gold+hued shields out to them u(on the sands and brought them all their harness. One bade lead u( the steeds, 'or they would ride away. Mu h wee(ing then was done by omely dames. "he winsome maids stood at the easements. A high wind stirred the shi( and sailsF the (roud war 'ellowshi( embar!ed u(on the =hine. "hen s(a!e 2ing Gunther6 )9ho shall be the a(tain o' the shi(L) )"hat will 1,) Huoth $ieg'ried, )1 wot well how to steer you on the 'lood. "hat !now, good !nights, the right water ways be well !nown to me.) $o they (arted merrily 'rom out the #urgundian land. $ieg'ried Hui !ly gras(ed an oar and 'rom the shore the stalwart man gan (ush. #old Gunther too! the helm himsel', and thus the worshi('ul and s(eedy !nights set 'orth 'rom land. 9ith them they too! ri h 'ood and e!e good wine, the best that ould be 'ound along the =hine. "heir steeds stood 'airF they had good easement. "heir shi( rode wellF s ant harm did ha( them. "heir stout sheet+ro(e was tightened by the bree@e. "wenty leagues they sailed, or e8er ame the night, with a good wind, downward toward the sea. "hese hard toils later brought the high+mettled warriors (ain. /(on the twel'th+day morning, as we hear say, the winds had borne them 'ar away to 1senstein in #runhildAs land. "o none sa8e $ieg'ried was this !nownF but when 2ing Gunther s(ied so many astles and broad mar hes, too, how soon he s(a!e6 ).ray tell me, 'riend $ieg'ried, is it !nown to you whose are these astles and this lordly landL) $ieg'ried answered6 )1 !now it well. 1t is the land and 'ol! o' #runhild and the 'ortress 1senstein, as ye heard me say. ;air ladies ye may still see there to+day. Methin!eth good to ad8ise you heroes that ye be o' one single mind, and that ye tell the sel'same tale. ;or i' we go to+day be'ore #runhild, in mu h Ieo(ardy must we stand be'ore the Hueen. 9hen we behold the lo8ely maiden with her train, then, ye 'ar+'amed heroes, must ye tell but this single tale6 that Gunther be my master and 1 his manF then what he ra8eth will ome to (ass.) ;ull ready they were 'or whate8er he bade them 8ow, nor be ause o' (ride did any one abstain. "hey (romised what he wouldF where'rom they all 'ared well, when 2ing Gunther saw 'air #runhild. (B)

BE

);orsooth 1 8ow it less 'or thy sa!e than 'or thy sisterAs, the omely maid, who is to me as mine own soul and body. Gladly will 1 bring it to (ass, that she be ome my wi'e.) ENDNOTES# (1) )1senland) translates here M.H.G. )1slant), whi h has, howe8er, no onne tion with 1 eland in s(ite o' the agreement o' the names in German. )1sen lant), the reading o' the M$$. #>h, has been hosen, (artly to a8oid on'usion, and (artly to indi ate its (robable deri8ation 'rom )1senstein), the name o' #runhildAs astle. #oerAs inter(retation o' )1sen) as Ai eA 'inds orroboration in Ot'ridAs 'orm )isine steina) (Ai e stonesA, i.e. rystals) 1, 1. 50. 1senstein would then mean 1 e ,astle. 1n the )"hidre!saga) #runhildAs astle is alled )$aegarthr) (A$ea GardenA), and in a 'airy tale (*o. %C o' Grimm) )$tromberg), re'erring to the 'a t that it was surrounded by the sea. Here, too, in our (oem it stands dire tly on the shore. (2) )Ka@aman ), a 'i titious !ingdom mentioned only here and a 'ew times in .ar@i8al, 9ol'ram (robably ha8ing obtained the name 'rom this (assage. ($ee #arts h, )Germanistis he $tudien), ii, 12%.) (C) )9ont to wear). 1n the Middle Ages ostly 'urs and 'ish+s!ins were used as linings and o8ered, as here des ribed, with sil! or loth. #y 'ish su h am(hibious animals as otter and bea8er were o'ten meant. (G) )9ell 'it). 1n this (assage )wert), the reading o' A and D, has been 'ollowed, instead o' unwert o' # and ,, as it seems more a((ro(riate to the sense. (J) )Dight), AarrayedAF used by Milton. (B) )#runhild). "he 'ollowing words are e8idently a late inter(olation, and wea!en the ending, but ha8e been translated 'or the sa!e o' om(leteness. "hey are s(o!en by $ieg'ried.

B%

!D'ENTURE 'II H+, G0n.1er /+n Br0n1ild*

Meanwhile their bar! had ome so near the astle that the !ing saw many a omely maiden standing at the asements. Mu h it ir!ed 2ing Gunther that he !new them not. He as!ed his omrade $ieg'ried6 )Hast thou no !nowledge o' these maidens, who yonder are ga@ing downward towards us on the 'loodL 9hoe8er be their lord, they are o' lo'ty mood.) At this $ir $ieg'ried s(a!e6 )1 (ray you, s(y se retly among the high+ born maids and tell me then whom ye would hoose, and ye had the (ower.) )"hat will 1,) s(a!e Gunther, the bold and 8aliant !night. )1n yonder window do 1 see one stand in snow+white weeds. $he is 'ashioned so 'air that mine eyes would hoose her 'or her omeliness. Had 1 (ower, she should be ome my wi'e.) )=ight well thine eyes ha8e hosen 'or thee. 1t is the noble #runhild, the omely maid, 'or whom thy heart doth stri8e and e!e thy mind and mood.) All her bearing seemed to Gunther good. 9hen bade the Hueen her high+born maids go 'rom the windows, 'or it behoo8ed them not to be the mar! o' strangersA eyes. 4a h one obeyed. 9hat ne&t the ladies did, hath been told us sin e. "hey de !ed their (ersons out to meet the un!nown !nights, a way 'air maids ha8e e8er had. "o the narrow asements they ame again, where they had seen the !nights. "hrough lo8e o' ga@ing this was done. #ut 'our there were that were ome to land. "hrough the windows the stately women saw how $ieg'ried led a horse out on the sand, whereby 2ing Gunther 'elt himsel' mu h honored. #y the bridle he held the steed, so stately, good and 'air, and large and strong, until 2ing Gunther had sat him in the saddle. "hus $ieg'ried ser8ed him, the whi h he later Huite 'orgot. $u h ser8i e he had seldom done a'ore, that he should stand at any hereAs stirru(. "hen he led his own steed 'rom the shi(. All this the omely dames o' noble birth saw through the asements. "he steeds and garments, too, o' the lusty

50

!nights, o' snow+white hue, were right well mat hed and all ali!eF the bu !lers, 'ashioned well, gleamed in the hands o' the stately men. 1n lordly wise they rode to #runhildAs hall, their saddles set with (re ious stones, with narrow martingales, 'rom whi h hung bells o' bright and ruddy gold. $o they ame to the land, as well be'it their (rowess, with newly shar(ened s(ears, with well+wrought swords, the whi h hung down to the s(urs o' these stately men. "he swords the bold men bore were shar( and broad. All this #runhild, the high+born maid, es(ied. 9ith the !ing ame Dan!wart and Hagen, too. 9e ha8e heard tales told o' how the !nights wore ostly raiment, ra8en bla ! o' hue. ;air were their bu !lers, mi !le, good and broad. >ewels they wore 'rom the land o' 1ndia, the whi h gleamed gloriously u(on their weeds. #y the 'lood they le't their s!i'' without a guard. "hus the bra8e !nights and good rode to the astle. $i& and eighty towers they saw within, three broad (ala es, (1) and one hall well wrought o' ostly marble, green as grass, wherein #runhild hersel' sate with her ourtiers. "he astle was unlo !ed and the gates 'lung wide. "hen ran #runhildAs men to meet them and wel omed the strangers into their mistressA land. One bade relie8e them o' their steeds and shields. "hen s(a!e a hamberlain6 ).ray gi8e us now your swords and your shining breast(lates, too.) )"hat we may not grant you,) said Hagen o' "ronegF )we oursel8es will bear them.) "hen gan $ieg'ried tell aright the tale. )"he usage o' the astle, let me say, is su h that no guests may here bear arms. 0et them now be ta!en hen e, then will all be well.) /nwillingly Hagen, GuntherAs man, obeyed. ;or the strangers men bade (our out wine and ma!e their lodgings ready. Many doughty !nights were seen wal!ing e8erywhere at ourt in lordly weeds. Mi !le and o't were these heroes ga@ed u(on. "hen the tidings were told to 0ady #runhild, that un!nown warriors were ome in lordly raiment, sailing on the 'lood. "he 'air and worthy maid gan as! on erning this. ).ray let me hear,) s(a!e the

51

Hueen, )who be these un!nown !nights, who stand so lordly in my astle, and 'or whose sa!e the heroes ha8e Iourneyed hitherL) "hen s(a!e one o' the ourtiers6 )My lady, 1 an well say that ne8er ha8e 1 set eyes on any o' them, but one li!e $ieg'ried doth stand among them. Him ye should gi8e 'air greetingsF that is my rede, in truth. "he se ond o' their 'ellowshi( is so worthy o' (raise that he were easily a mighty !ing o8er broad and (rin ely lands, and he had the (ower and might (ossess them. One doth see him stand by the rest in su h right lordly wise. "he third o' the 'ellowshi( is so 'ier e and yet withal so 'air o' body, most noble Hueen. #y the 'ier e glan es he so o't doth east, 1 ween he be grim o' thought and mood. "he youngest among them is worshi('ul indeed. 1 see the noble !night stand so harmingly, with ourtly bearing, in almost maiden modesty. 9e might all ha8e ause 'or 'ear, had any done him aught. Howe8er blithely he doth (ra ti e hi8alry, and howso 'air o' body he be, yet might he well ma!e many a omely woman wee(, should he eAer grow angry. He is so 'ashioned that in all !nightly 8irtues he must be a bold !night and a bra8e.) "hen s(a!e the Hueen6 )*ow bring me my attire. 1' the mighty $ieg'ried be ome unto this land through lo8e o' mine, he doth ris! his li'e. 1 'ear him not so sore, that 1 should be ome his wi'e.) #runhild, the 'air, was soon well lad. "hen went there with her many a omely maid, 'ull hundred or more, de !ed out in gay attire. "he stately dames would ga@e u(on the strangers. 9ith them there wal!ed good !nights 'rom 1senland, #runhildAs men+ at+arms, 'i8e hundred or more, who bore swords in hand. "his the strangers rued. ;rom their seats then the bra8e and lusty heroes rose. 9hen that the Hueen s(ied $ieg'ried, now hear what the maid did s(ea!. )#e ye wel ome, $ieg'ried, here in this our landM 9hat doth your Iourney meanL "hat 1 'ain would !now.) )Gramer y, my 0ady #runhild, that ye ha8e deigned to greet me, most generous Hueen, in the (resen e o' this noble !night who standeth here be'ore me, 'or he is my liege lord. "his honor 1 must needs 'orswear. #y birth heAs 'rom the =hineF what more need 1 to sayL ;or thy sa!e are we ome hither. ;ain would he woo thee, howe8er he 'are. Methin! thee now betimes, my lord will not let thee go. He is hight Gunther and is a lordly !ing. AnA he win thy lo8e, he

52

doth ra8e naught more. ;orsooth this !night, so well beseen, did bid me Iourney hither. 1 would 'ain ha8e gi8en it o8er, ould 1 ha8e said him nay.) $he s(a!e6 )1s he thy liege and thou his man, dare he assay the games whi h 1 mete out and gain the mastery, then 1All be ome his wi'eF but should 1 win, At will ost you all your li8es.) "hen u( s(a!e Hagen o' "roneg6 )My lady, let us see your mighty games. 1t must indeed go hard, or e8er Gunther, my lord, gi8e you the (alm. He troweth well to win so 'air a maid.) )He must hurl the stone and a'ter s(ring and ast the s(ear with me. #e ye not too hasty. -e are li!e to lose here your honor and your li'e as well. #ethin! you there'ore rightly,) s(a!e the lo8ely maid. $ieg'ried, the bold, went to the !ing and bade him tell the Hueen all that he had in mind, he should ha8e no 'ear. )1All guard you well against her with my arts.) "hen s(a!e 2ing Gunther6 )Most noble Hueen, now mete out whatso ye list, and were it more, that would 1 all endure 'or your sweet sa!e. 1All gladly lose my head, and ye be ome not my wi'e.) 9hen the Hueen heard this s(ee h, she begged them hasten to the games, as was but meet. $he bade (ur8ey her with good armor 'or the stri'e6 a breast(late o' ruddy gold and a right good shield. A sil!en sur oat, (2) too, the maid (ut on, whi h sword had ne8er ut in any 'ray, o' sil!en loth o' 0ibya. 9ell was it wrought. #right embroidered edging was seen to shine thereon. Meanwhile the !nights were threatened mu h with battle ries. Dan!wart and Hagen stood ill at easeF their minds were troubled at the thought o' how the !ing would s(eed. "hought they6 )Our Iourney will not bring us warriors aught o' good.) Meanwhile $ieg'ried, the stately man, or e8er any mar!ed it, had hied him to the shi(, where he 'ound his magi loa! on ealed. 1nto it he Hui !ly sli((ed and so was seen o' none. He hurried ba ! and there he 'ound a great (ress o' !nights, where the Hueen dealt out her

5C

lo'ty games. "hither he went in se ret wise (by his arts it ha((ed), nor was he seen o' any that were there. "he ring had been mar!ed out, where the games should be, a'ore many 8aliant warriors, who were to 8iew them there. More than se8en hundred were seen bearing arms, who were to say who won the game. "hen was ome #runhild, armed as though she would battle 'or all royal lands. Abo8e her sil!en oat she wore many a bar o' goldF gloriously her lo8ely olor shone beneath the armor. "hen ame her ourtiers, who bare along a shield o' ruddy gold with large broad stri(s as hard as steel, beneath the whi h the lo8ely maid would 'ight. As shield+thong there ser8ed a ostly band u(on whi h lay Iewels green as grass. 1t shone and gleamed against the gold. He must needs be (assing bold, to whom the maid would show her lo8e. "he shield the maid should bear was three s(ans thi ! beneath the studs, as we are told. =i h enow it was, o' steel and e!e o' gold, the whi h 'our hamberlains ould s ar ely arry. 9hen the stalwart Hagen saw the shield borne 'orth, the !night o' "roneg s(a!e 'ull grim o' mood6 )How now, 2ing GuntherL How we shall lose our li8esM $he you would ma!e your lo8e is the de8ilAs bride, in truth.) Hear now about her weedsF enow o' these she hadF she wore a sur oat o' sil! o' A@agoue, (C) noble and ostly. Many a lordly stone shone in ontrast to its olor on the (erson o' the Hueen. "hen was brought 'orth 'or the lady a s(ear, shar(, hea8y, and large, the whi h she ast all time, stout and unwieldy, mi !le and broad, whi h on its edges ut most 'ear'ully. O' the s(earAs great weight hear wonders told. "hree and one hal' weights (G) o' iron were wrought therein, the whi h s ar e three o' #runhildAs men ould bear. "he noble Gunther gan be sore a'raid. 9ithin his heart he thought6 )9hat doth this meanL How ould the de8il 'rom hell himsel' es a(e ali8eL 9ere 1 sa'e and sound in #urgundy, long might she li8e here 'ree o' any lo8e o' mine.) "hen s(a!e HagenAs brother, the 8aliant Dan!wart6 )"he Iourney to this ourt doth rue me sore. 9e who ha8e e8er borne the name o' !nights, how must we lose our li8esM $hall we now (erish at the hands o' women in these landsL 1t doth ir! me mu h, that e8er 1 ame unto this ountry. Had but my brother Hagen his sword in

5G

hand, and 1 mine, too, then should #runhildAs men go so'tly in their o8erweening (ride. "his !now 'or sure, theyAd guard against it well. And had 1 sworn a (ea e with a thousand oaths, be'ore 1Ad see my dear lord die, the omely maid hersel' should lose her li'e.) )9e might lea8e this land uns athed,) s(a!e then his brother Hagen, )had we the harness whi h we sorely need and our good swords as wellF then would the (ride o' this strong dame be ome a deal more so't.) 9hat the warrior s(a!e the noble maid heard well. O8er her shoulders she ga@ed with smiling mouth. )*ow sith he thin!eth himsel' so bra8e, bring them 'orth their oats+o'+mailF (ut in the warriorsA hands their shar(+edged swords.) 9hen they re ei8ed their wea(ons as the maiden bade, bold Dan!wart blushed 'or 8ery Ioy. )*ow let them (lay whatso they list,) s(a!e the doughty man. )Gunther is un onHuered, sin e now we ha8e our arms.) Mightily now did #runhildAs strength a((ear. 1nto the ring men bare a hea8y stone, huge and great, mi !le and round. "wel8e bra8e and 8aliant men+at+arms ould s ar ely bear it. "his she threw at all times, when she had shot the s(ear. "he #urgundiansA 'ear now grew amain. )9oe is me,) ried Hagen. )9hom hath 2ing Gunther hosen 'or a lo8eL ,ertes she should be the 'oul 'iendAs bride in hell.) /(on her 'air white arm the maid turned ba ! her slee8esF with her hands she gras(ed the shield and (oised the s(ear on high. "hus the stri'e began. Gunther and $ieg'ried 'eared #runhildAs hate, and had $ieg'ried not ome to GuntherAs aid, she would ha8e bere't the !ing o' li'e. $e retly $ieg'ried went and tou hed his handF with great 'ear Gunther mar!ed his wiles. )9ho hath tou hed meL) thought the 8aliant man. "hen he ga@ed around on e8ery side, but saw none standing there. )A"is 1, $ieg'ried, the dear 'riend o' thine. "hou must not 'ear the Hueen. Gi8e me the shield 'rom o'' thy hand and let me bear it and

5J

mar! aright what thou dost hear me say. Ma!e thou the motions, 1 will do the deeds.) 9hen Gunther !new that it was $ieg'ried, he was o8erIoyed. ?uoth $ieg'ried6 )*ow hide thou my artsF tell them not to any manF then an the Hueen win 'rom thee little 'ame, albeit she doth desire it. $ee how 'earlessly the lady standeth now be'ore thee.) "hen with might and main the noble maiden hurled the s(ear at a shield, mi !le, new, and broad, whi h the son o' $iegelind bore u(on his arm. "he s(ar!s s(rang 'rom the steel, as i' the wind did blow. "he edge o' the mighty s(ear bro!e 'ully through the shield, so that men saw the 'ire 'lame 'orth 'rom the armor rings. "he stalwart men both staggered at the blowF but 'or the ,loa! o' Dar!ness they had lain there dead. ;rom the mouth o' $ieg'ried, the bra8e, gushed 'orth the blood. ?ui !ly the good !night s(rang ba ! again and snat hed the s(ear that she had dri8en through his shield. $tout $ieg'riedAs hand now sent it ba ! again. He thought6 )1 will not (ier e the omely maid.) $o he re8ersed the (oint and ast it at her armor with the butt, that it rang out loudly 'rom his mighty hand. "he s(ar!s 'lew 'rom the armor rings, as though dri8en by the wind. $iegmundAs son had made the throw with might. 9ith all her strength she ould not stand be'ore the blow. 1n 'aith 2ing Gunther ne8er ould ha8e done the deed. #runhild, the 'air, how Hui !ly u( she s(rangM )Gunther, noble !night, 1 ry you mer y 'or the shot.) $he weened that he had done it with his strength. "o her had re(t a 'ar more (ower'ul man. "hen went she Hui !ly, angry was her mood. "he noble maid and good raised high the stone and hurled it mightily 'ar 'rom her hand. A'ter the ast she s(rang, that all her armor rang, in truth. "he stone had 'allen twel8e 'athoms hen e, but with her lea( the omely maid out+ s(rang the throw. "hen went $ir $ieg'ried to where lay the stone. Gunther (oised it, while the hero made the throw. $ieg'ried was bold, strong, and tallF he threw the stone still 'urther and made a broader Ium(. "hrough his 'air arts he had strength enow to bear 2ing Gunther with him as he s(rang. "he lea( was made, the stone lay on the groundF men saw none other sa8e Gunther, the !night, alone. $ieg'ried had banished the 'ear o' 2ing GuntherAs death. #runhild, the 'air, wa&ed red with wrath. "o her ourtiers she s(a!e a deal too loud, when she s(ied the hero sa'e and sound at the border

5B

o' the ring6 ),ome nearer Hui !ly, ye !insmen and liegemen o' mine, ye must now be subIe t to Gunther, the !ing.) "hen the bra8e !nights laid aside their arms and (aid their homage at the 'eet o' mighty Gunther 'rom the #urgundian land. "hey weened that he had won the games by his own strength alone. He greeted them in lo8ing wiseF in sooth he was most ri h in 8irtues. "hen the lo8ely maiden too! him by the handF 'ull (ower she granted him within the land. At this Hagen, the bold and doughty !night, reIoi ed him. $he bade the noble !night go with her hen e to the s(a ious (ala e. 9hen this was done, they ga8e the warriors with their ser8i e better heer. 9ith good gra e Hagen and Dan!wart now must needs submit. "he doughty $ieg'ried was wise enow and bare away his magi loa!. "hen he re(aired to where the ladies sate. "o the !ing he s(a!e and shrewdly did he this6 )9hy wait ye, good my lordL 9hy begin ye not the games, o' whi h the Hueen doth deal so great a storeL 0et us soon see how they be (layed.) "he ra'ty man did not as though he wist not a whit thereo'. "hen s(a!e the ?ueen6 )How hath it han ed that ye, $ir $ieg'ried, ha8e seen naught o' the games whi h the hand o' Gunther here hath wonL) "o this Hagen o' the #urgundian land made answer. He s(a!e6 )-e ha8e made us sad o' mind, my lady. $ieg'ried, the good !night, was by the shi( when the lord o' the =hineland won 'rom you the games. He !noweth naught thereo'.) )9ell is me o' this tale,) s(a!e $ieg'ried, the !night, )that your (ride hath been brought thus low, and that there doth li8e a wight who hath the (ower to be your master. *ow, O noble maiden, must ye 'ollow us hen e to the =hine.) "hen s(a!e the 'air+'ashioned maid6 )"hat may not be. ;irst must my !ith and liegemen learn o' this. ,ertes, 1 may not so lightly 8oid my landsF my dearest 'riends must 'irst be 'et hed.) "hen bade she messengers ride on e8ery side. $he alled her 'riends, her !insmen, and her men+at+arms and begged them ome without delay to 1senstein, and bade them all be gi8en lordly and ri h

55

a((arel. Daily, early and late, they rode in troo(s to #runhildAs astle. )9elaway,) ried Hagen, )what ha8e we doneM 9e may ill abide the oming o' 'air #runhildAs men. 1' now they ome into this land in 'or e, then hath the noble maid been born to our great rue. "he will o' the Hueen is un!nown to usF what i' she be so wroth that we be lostL) "hen the stalwart $ieg'ried s(a!e6 )O' that 1All ha8e are. 1All not let ha( that whi h ye 'ear. 1All bring you hel( hither to this land, 'rom hosen !nights the whi h till now ye ha8e not !nown. -e must not as! about meF 1 will 'are hen e. Meanwhile may God (reser8e your honor. 1All return e'tsoon and bring you a thousand men, the 8ery best o' !nights that 1 ha8e e8er !nown.) ).ray tarry not too long,) s(a!e then the !ingF )o' your hel( we be Iustly glad.) He answered6 )1n a 'ew short days 1All ome again. "ell ye to #runhild, that yeA8e sent me hen e.) ENDNOTES# (1) ).ala es). $ee Ad8enture 111, note 5. (2) )$ur oat), whi h here translates the M.H.G. )wa'enhemde), is a light garment o' loth or sil! worn abo8e the armor. (C) )A@agou ). $ee Ka@aman , Ad8enture :1, note 2. "his stro(he is e8idently a late inter(olation, as it ontradi ts the des ri(tion gi8en abo8e. (G) 9eights. "he M.H.G. )messe) (0at. )masse)) is Iust as inde'inite as the 4nglish e&(ression. 1t was a mass or lum( o' any metal, (robably determined by the si@e o' the melting+(ot.

5E

!D'ENTURE 'III 314 H+, Sie)(ried %ared T+ His Men5!.5!r-s6 .1e Nibel0n)s*
"hrough the gate $ieg'ried hied him in his ,loa! o' Dar!ness down to the sand, where he 'ound a s!i''. $e retly the son o' $iegmund embar!ed and dro8e it Hui !ly hen e, as though the wind did blow it on. *one saw the steersmanF the bar! 'ared 'ast, im(elled by $ieg'riedAs mighty strength. "hey weened a seldom strong wind did dri8e it on. *ay, it was rowed by $ieg'ried, the son o' $iegelind, the 'air. 1n the time o' a day and night with might and main he rea hed a land 'ull hundred rests (2) away, or more. "he (eo(le hight *ibelungs, where he owned the mighty hoard. "he hero rowed alone to a broad isle, where the lusty !night now bea hed the boat and made it 'ast 'ull soon. "o a hill he hied him, u(on whi h stood a astle, and sought here lodgment, as way+worn tra8elers do. He ame 'irst to a gateway that stood 'ast lo !ed. 1n sooth they guarded well their honor, as men still do. "he stranger now gan !no ! u(on the door, the whi h was losely guarded. "here within he saw a giant standing, who !e(t the astle and at whose side lay at all times his arms. He s(a!e6 )9ho is it who doth !no ! so rudely on the gateL) "hen bold $ieg'ried hanged his 8oi e and s(a!e6 )1 am a !nightF do u( the door, else will 1 enrage many a one outside to+day, who would lie'er lie so't and ta!e his ease.) 9hen $ieg'ried thus s(a!e, it ir!ed the warder. Meanwhile the giant had donned his armor and (la ed his helm u(on his head. ?ui !ly the mighty man snat hed u( his shield and o(ened wide the gate. How 'ier ely he ran at $ieg'ried and as!ed, how he durst wa!e so many 8aliant menL Huge blows were dealt out by his hand. "hen the lordly stranger gan de'end him, but with an iron bar the warder shattered his shield+(lates. "hen was the hero in dire need. $ieg'ried gan 'ear a deal his death, when the warder stru ! su h mighty blows. 4now his master $ieg'ried lo8ed him 'or this ause. "hey stro8e so sore that all the astle rang and the sound was heard in *ibelungAs hall. He o8er ame the warder and bound him, too. "he tale was noised abroad in all the *ibelungsA land. Alberi h, the bold, a sa8age dwar', heard the 'ier e struggle through the mountain.

5%

He armed him Hui ! and ran to where he 'ound the noble stranger, as he bound the mighty giant. ;ull wroth was Alberi h and strong enow. On his body he bare helmet and rings o' mail and in his hand a hea8y s ourge o' gold. $wi't and hard he ran to where $ieg'ried stood. $e8en hea8y !nobs (C) hung down in 'ront, with whi h he smote so 'ier ely the shield u(on the bold manAs arm, that it bra!e in (arts. "he stately stranger ame in danger o' his li'e. ;rom his hand he 'lung the bro!en shield and thrust into the sheath a sword, the whi h was long. He would not stri!e his ser8ant dead, but showed his ourtly breeding as his !nightly 8irtue bade him. He rushed at Alberi h and with his (ower'ul hands he sei@ed the gray+haired man by the beard. $o roughly he (ulled his beard, that he s reamed aloud. "he tugging o' the youth'ul !night hurt Alberi h sore. 0oud ried the 8aliant dwar'6 )*ow s(are my li'e. And might 1 be the 8assal o' any sa8e one !night, to whom 1 swore an oath that 1 would own him as my lord, 1Ad ser8e you till my death.) $o s(a!e the unning (G) man. He then bound Alberi h as he had the giant a'ore. ;ull sore the strength o' $ieg'ried hurt him. "he dwar' gan as!6 )How are ye namedL) )My name is $ieg'ried,) he re(liedF )1 deemed ye !new me well.) )9ell is me o' these tidings,) s(a!e Alberi h, the dwar'. )*ow ha8e 1 noted well the !nightly deeds, through whi h ye be by right the so8ran o' the land. 1All do whatso ye bid, and ye let me li8e.) "hen s(a!e $ir $ieg'ried6 )Go Hui !ly now and bring me the best o' !nights we ha8e, a thousand *ibelungs, that they may see me here.) 9hy he wanted this, none heard him say. He loosed the bonds o' Alberi h and the giant. "hen ran Alberi h swi't to where he 'ound the !nights. 1n 'ear he wa!ed the *ibelung men. He s(a!e6 )/( now, ye heroes, ye must go to $ieg'ried.) ;rom their beds they s(rang and were ready in a tri e. A thousand doughty !nights soon stood well lad. "hey hied them to where they saw $ir $ieg'ried stand. "hen was done a 'air greeting, in (art by deeds. Great store o' ta(ers were now lit u(F they (ro''ered him

E0

mulled wine. (J) He ga8e them than!s that they were ome so soon. He s(a!e6 )-e must away with me a ross the 'lood.) ;ull ready 'or this he 'ound the heroes bra8e and good. 9ell thirty hundred men were ome e'tsoon, 'rom whom he hose a thousand o' the best. Men brought them their helmets and other arms, 'or he would lead them to #runhildAs land. He s(a!e6 )-e good !nights, this will 1 tell you, ye must wear 'ull ostly garments there at ourt, 'or many lo8ely dames shall ga@e u(on us. "here'ore must ye de ! yoursel8es with goodly weeds.) 4arly on a morn they started on their way. 9hat a s(eedy Iourney $ieg'ried wonM "hey too! with them good steeds and lordly harness, and thus they ame in !nightly wise to #runhildAs land. "he 'air maids stood u(on the battlements. "hen s(a!e the Hueen6 )2noweth any, who they be whom 1 see sailing yonder 'ar out u(on the seaL "hey ha8e ri h sails eAen whiter than the snow.) ?uoth the !ing o' the =hineland6 )"heyAre men o' mine, the whi h 1 le't hard by here on the way. 1 had them sent 'or, and now they be ome, my lady.) All eyes were 'i&ed u(on the lordly strangers. "hen one s(ied $ieg'ried standing at his 8esselAs (row in lordly weeds and many other men. "he Hueen s(a!e6 )$ir 2ing, (ray tell me, shall 1 re ei8e the strangers or shall 1 deny them greetingsL) He s(a!e6 )-e must go to meet them out be'ore the (ala e, that they may well (er ei8e how 'ain we be to see them here.) "hen the Hueen did as the !ing ad8ised her. $he mar!ed out $ieg'ried with her greetings 'rom the rest. Men (ur8eyed them lodgings and too! in harge their tra((ings. $o many strangers were now ome to the land, that e8erywhere they Iostled #runhildAs bands. *ow would the 8aliant men 'are home to #urgundy. "hen s(a!e the Hueen6 )My 'a8or would 1 bestow on him who ould deal out to the !ingAs guests and mine my sil8er and gold, o' whi h 1 ha8e su h store.)

E1

"o this Dan!wart, 2ing GiselherAs liegeman, answered6 )Most noble Hueen,) s(a!e the bra8e !night, )let me but wield the !eys. 1 trow to deal it out in 'itting wiseF whatso o' blame 1 gain, let be mine own.) "hat he was bounti'ul, he made a((ear 'ull well. 9hen now $ir HagenAs brother too! the !eys in harge, the heroAs hand did (ro''er many a ostly gi't. He who ra8ed a mar! (B) re ei8ed su h store that all the (oor might lead a merry li'e. ;ull hundred (ounds he ga8e, nor did he sto( to ount. 4now wal!ed be'ore the hall in ri h attire, who ne8er had worn a'ore su h lordly dress. ;ull sore it rued the Hueen when this she heard. $he s(a!e6 )$ir 2ing, 1 'ain would ha8e your aid, lest your hamberlain lea8e naught o' all my store o' dressF he sHuandereth e!e my gold. 1' any would 'or'end this, 1Ad be his 'riend 'or aye. He gi8eth su h royal gi'ts, the !night must ween, 'orsooth, that 1 ha8e sent 'or death. 1 would 'ain use it longer and trow well mysel' to waste that whi h my 'ather le't me.) *o Hueen as yet hath e8er had so bounteous a hamberlain. "hen s(a!e Hagen o' "roneg6 )My lady, be it told you that the !ing o' the =hineland hath su h great store o' gold and robes to gi8e, that we ha8e no need to arry hen e aught o' #runhildAs weeds.) )*ay, and ye lo8e me,) s(a!e the Hueen, )let me 'ill twenty tra8eling hests with gold and sil! as well, the whi h my hand shall gi8e, when we are ome a ross to GuntherAs land.) Men 'illed her hests with (re ious stones, the while her hamberlains stood by. $he would not trust the duty to GiselherAs men. Gunther and Hagen began to laugh thereat. "hen s(a!e the Hueen6 )9ith whom shall 1 lea8e my landsL "his my hand and yours must 'irst de ree.) ?uoth the noble !ing6 )*ow bid draw near whom ye deem 'it and we will ma!e him steward.) "he lady s(ied near by one o' her highest !in (it was her motherAs brother)F to him the maiden s(a!e6 )*ow let be ommended to your are my astles and my lands, till that 2ing GuntherAs hand rule here.)

E2

"hen twenty hundred o' her men she hose, who should 'are with her hen e to #urgundy, together with those thousand warriors 'rom the *ibelung land. "hey dressed their IourneyF one saw them riding 'orth u(on the sand. $i& and eighty dames they too! along and thereto a hundred maids, their bodies (assing 'air. *o longer now they tarried, 'or they were 'ain to get them hen e. Ho, what great wail was made by those they le't at homeM 1n ourtly wise she 8oided thus her land. $he !issed her nearest !insmen who were 'ound at ourt. A'ter a 'air lea8e+ta!ing they Iourneyed to the sea. "o her 'atherland the lady ne8ermore returned. Many !inds o' games were seen u(on the wayF (astimes they had galore. A real sea bree@e did hel( them on their 8oyage. "hus they 'ared 'orth 'rom the land 'ully merrily. $he would not let her husband ourt her on the wayF this (leasure was de'erred until their wedding+tide in the astle, their home, at 9orms, to whi h in good time she ame right Ioy'ully with all her !nights. ENDNOTES# (1) Ad8enture :111. "his whole e(isode, in whi h $ieg'ried 'et hes men to aid Gunther in ase o' attem(ted trea hery on #runhildAs (art, is o' late origin and has no ounter(art in the older 8ersions. 1t is a 'urther de8elo(ment o' $ieg'riedAs 'ight in whi h he slew $ hilbung and *ibelung and be ame the ruler o' the *ibelung land. "he 'ight with Alberi h is sim(ly a re(etition o' the one in the 'ormer e(isode. (2) )=est) (M.H.G. )rast)), originally Are(oseA, then used as a measure o' distan e, as here. (C) )2nobs), round (ie es o' metal 'astened to the s ourge. (G) ),unning) is to be ta!en here in the #ibli al sense o' A!nowingA. "he M.H.G. )listig) whi h it here translates, denotes As!illedA or AlearnedA in 8arious arts and is a standing e(ithet o' dwar's. (J) )Mulled wine) translates M.H.G. )lutertran ), a laret mulled with herbs and s(i e and le't to stand until lear. (B) )Mar!). $ee Ad8enture :, note J.

EC

!D'ENTURE I7 H+, Sie)(ried /as Sen. T+ /+r-s*

9hen they had thus 'ared on their way 'ull nine days, Hagen o' "roneg s(a!e6 )*ow mar! ye what 1 say. 9e wait too long with the tidings 'or 9orms u(on the =hine. Our messengers should be eAen now in #urgundy.) "hen s(a!e 2ing Gunther6 )-e ha8e told me true, and none be more 'itting 'or this tri( than ye, 'riend HagenF now ride ye to my land. *one an a Huaint them better with our Iourney home to ourt.) "o this Hagen made answer6 )1 am no 'it en8oy. 0et me (lay hamberlan, 1All stay with the ladies u(on the 'lood and guard their robes, until we bring them to the #urgundian land. #id $ieg'ried bear the message, he !noweth how to do it well with his mighty strength. 1' he re'use you the Iourney, then must ye in ourtly and gentle wise (ray him o' the boon 'or your sisterAs sa!e.) Gunther sent now 'or the warrior, who ame to where he stood. He s(a!e6 )$ith we be now nearing my lands at home, it behoo8eth me to send a messenger to the dear sister o' mine and to my mother, too, that we draw near the =hine. "his 1 (ray you, $ieg'riedF now do my will, that 1 may reHuite it to you e8er,) s(a!e the good !night. $ieg'ried, the (assing bold man, howe8er said him nay, till Gunther gan besee h him sore. He s(a!e6 )-e must ride 'or my sa!e and 'or 2riemhildAs too, the omely maiden, so that the royal maid reHuite it, as well as 1.) 9hen $ieg'ried heard these words, 'ull ready was the !night. )*ow bid me what ye willF naught shall be withheld. 1 will do it gladly 'or the 'air maidAs sa!e. 9hy should 1 re'use her whom 1 bear in heartL 9hatso ye ommand 'or lo8e o' her, shall all be done.) )"hen tell my mother /ta, the Hueen, that we be o' lo'ty mood u(on this 8oyage. 0et my brothers !now how we ha8e 'ared. "hese tidings must ye let our 'riends hear, too. Hide naught 'rom my 'air sister, gi8e her mine and #runhildAs greetings. Greet the retainers, too, and

EG

all my men. How well 1 ha8e ended that 'or whi h my heart hath e8er stri8enM And tell Ortwin, the dear ne(hew o' mine, that he bid seats be built at 9orms along the =hine. 0et my other !insmen !now that 1 am willed to hold with #runhild a mighty wedding 'east. And tell my sister, when she hath heard that 1 be ome with my guests to the land, that she gi8e 'air greeting to my bride. ;or that 1 will e8er render 2riemhild ser8i e.) "he good 0ord $ieg'ried soon too! lea8e o' 0ady #runhild, as beseemed him well, and o' all her trainF then rode he to the =hine. *e8er might there be a better en8oy in this world. He rode with 'our and twenty men+at+arms to 9ormsF he ame without the !ing. 9hen that was noised about, the ourtiers all were grie8edF they 'eared their master had been slain. "hen they dismounted 'rom their steeds, high stood their mood. Giselher, the good young !ing, ame soon to meet them, and Gernot his brother, too. How Hui !ly then he s(a!e, when he saw not Gunther at $ieg'riedAs side6 )#e wel ome, $ieg'riedF (ray let me !now where ye ha8e le't the !ing my brotherL "he (rowess o' #runhild, 1 ween, hath taAen him 'rom us. Great s athe had her haughty lo8e then brought us.) )0et be this 'ear. My battle+ omrade sendeth greetings to you and to his !in. 1 le't him sa'e and sound. He sent me on ahead, that 1 might be his messenger with tidings hither to this land. .ray ha8e a are, howe8er that may ha(, that 1 may see the Hueen and your sister, too, 'or 1 must let them hear what message Gunther and #runhild ha8e sent them. #oth are in high estate.) "hen s(a!e Giselher, the youth6 )*ow must ye go to her, 'or ye ha8e brought my mu h o' Ioy. $he is mi !le 'ear'ul 'or my brother. 1All answer that the maid will see you gladly.) "hen s(a!e $ir $ieg'ried6 )Howsoe8er 1 may ser8e her, that shall be gladly done, in 'aith. 9ho now will tell the ladies that 1 would hie me thitherL) Giselher then be ame the messenger, the stately man. "he doughty !night s(a!e to his mother and his sister too, when that he saw them both6 )"o us is ome $ieg'ried, the hero 'rom *etherlandF him my

EJ

brother Gunther hath sent hither to the =hine. He bringeth the news o' how it standeth with the !ing. .ray let him there'ore ome to ourt. HeAll tell you the right tidings straight 'rom 1senland.) As yet the noble ladies were a Huaint with 'ear, but now 'or their weeds they s(rang and dressed them and bade $ir $ieg'ried ome to ourt. "his he did 'ull gladly, 'or he was 'ain to see them. 2riemhild, the noble maid, addressed him 'air6 )#e wel ome, $ir $ieg'ried, most worshi('ul !night. 9here is my brother Gunther, the noble and mighty !ingL 9e ween that we ha8e lost him through #runhildAs strength. 9oe is me, (oor maid, that e8er 1 was born.) "hen s(a!e the daring !night6 )*ow gi8e me an en8oyAs guerdon, ye (assing 'air ladies, ye do wee( without a ause. 1 do you to wit, 1 le't him sa'e and sound. "hey ha8e sent me with the tidings to you both. He and his bride do send you !indly greetings and a !insmanAs lo8e, O noble Hueen. *ow lea8e o'' your wee(ing, theyAll ome 'ull soon.) 1n many a day she had not heard a tale so glad. 9ith her snow+ white hem she wi(ed the tears 'rom her (retty eyes and began to than! the messenger 'or the tidings, whi h now were ome. "hus her great sorrow and her wee(ing were ta!en away. $he bade the messenger be seatedF 'ull ready he was 'or this. "hen s(a!e the winsome maid6 )1 should not rue it, should 1 gi8e you as an en8oyAs meed my gold. ;or that ye are too ri h, but 1 will be your 'riend in other ways.) )And had 1 alone,) s(a!e he, )thirty lands, yet would 1 gladly re ei8e gi'ts 'rom your 'air hand.) "hen s(a!e the ourtly maid6 )1t shall be done.) $he bade her hamberlain go 'et h the meed 'or tidings. ;our and twenty arm+ rings, set with goodly gold, she ga8e him as his meed. $o stood the heroAs mood that he would not retain them, but ga8e them straightway to her nearest maidens, he 'ound within the bower. ;ull !indly her mother o''ered him her ser8i e. )1 am to tell you the tale,) then s(a!e the 8aliant man, )o' what the !ing doth (ray you, when he ometh to the =hine. 1' ye (er'orm that, my lady, heAll e8er hold you in his lo8e. 1 heard him ra8e that ye should gi8e 'air greetings to his noble guests and grant him the boon, that ye ride to meet him out in 'ront o' 9orms u(on the strand. "his ye are right truly admonished by the !ing to do.)

EB

"hen s(a!e the winsome maid6 );or this am 1 'ull ready. 1n whatsoe8er wise 1 an ser8e the !ing, that will 1 not re'useF with a !insmanAs lo8e it shall be done.) Her olor heightened 'or 8ery Ioy. *e8er was the messenger o' any (rin e re ei8ed more 'air. "he lady would ha8e !issed him, had she but dared. How lo8ingly he (arted 'rom the damesM "he men o' #urgundy then did as $ieg'ried ounseled. $indolt and Hunolt and =umolt, the !night, must needs be busy with the wor! o' (utting u( the seats outside o' 9orms u(on the strand. "he royal stewards, too, were 'ound at wor!. Ortwin and Gere would not desist, but sent to 'et h their 'riends on e8ery side, and made !nown to them the 'easting that was to be. "he many omely maids arrayed themsel8es against the 'east. 48erywhere the (ala e and the walls were de !ed out 'or the guests. GuntherAs hall was (assing well (ur8eyed 'or the many strangers. "hus began 'ull merrily this s(lendid 'east. ;rom e8ery side along the highways o' the land (ri !ed now the !insmen o' these three !ings, who had been alled that they might wait u(on those who were oming home. "hen 'rom the (resses great store o' ostly weeds was ta!en. $oon tidings were brought that men saw #runhildAs !insmen ride along. Great Iostling then arose 'rom the (ress o' 'ol! in the #urgundian land. Ho, what bold !nights were 'ound on either sideM "hen s(a!e 'air 2riemhild6 )-e maids o' mine, who would be with me at the greeting, see! out 'rom the guests the 8ery best o' robesF then will (raise and honor be gi8en us by the guests.) "hen ame the warriors, too, and bade the lordly saddles o' (ure red gold be arried 'orth, on whi h the ladies should ride 'rom 9orms down to the =hine. #etter tra((ings might there ne8er be. Ho, what bright gold did s(ar!le on the Iet+bla ! (al'reysM ;rom their bridles there gleamed 'orth many a (re ious stone. "he golden ste((ing+blo !s were brought and (la ed on shining ar(ets 'or the ladies, who were gay o' mood. As 1 ha8e said, the (al'reys now stood ready in the ourtyard 'or the noble maids. One saw the steeds wear narrow martingales o' the best o' sil!, o' whi h tale might be told. $i& and eighty ladies who wore 'illets (1) in their hair were seen ome 'orth. "he 'air ones ame to 2riemhild wearing glittering robes. "hen 'ollowed many a omely maid in bra8e attire, 'i'ty and 'our 'rom the #urgundian land. "hey were e!e the best that might anywhere be

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'ound. Men saw them wal!ing with their 'la&en hair and shining ribbons. "hat whi h the !ing desired was done with @eal. "hey wore be'ore the stranger !nights ri h loth o' sil!, the best that ould be 'ound, and so many a goodly robe, whi h well be'it their am(le beauty. One 'ound there many lothes o' sable and ermine 'ur. Many an arm and hand was well adorned with bra elets o8er the sil!en slee8es, whi h they should wear. *one might tell the story o' this tiring to the end. Many a hand (layed with well+wrought girdles, ri h and long, abo8e gay olored robes, o8er ostly 'erran (2) s!irts o' sil!en loth o' Araby. 1n high s(irits were these maids o' noble birth. ,las(s (C) were sewed in lo8ely wise u(on the dress o' many a omely maid. $he had good ause to rue it, whose bright olor did not shine in ontrast to her weeds. *o !ingly ra e hath now su h 'air retainers. 9hen now the lo8ely maids had donned the garments they should wear, there then drew near a mi !le band o' high+mettled ham(ions. "ogether with their shields they arried many an ashen s(ear. ENDNOTES# (1) );illets) were worn only by married women. (2) );erran), a gray olored loth o' sil! and woolF 'rom O.;. )'errandine). (C) ),las(s) or )broo hes) were used to 'asten the dresses in 'ront.

!D'ENTURE 7 H+, Br0n1ild /as Received !. /+r-s*

A ross the =hine men saw the !ing with his guests in many bands (ri !ing to the shore. One saw the horse o' many a maiden, too, led by the bridle. All those who should gi8e them wel ome were ready now. 9hen those o' 1senland and $ieg'riedAs *ibelung men were ome a ross in boats, they hasted to the shore (not idle were their hands), where the !indred o' the !ing were seen u(on the other ban!. *ow hear this tale, too, o' the Hueen, the noble /ta, how she hersel' rode hither with the maidens 'rom the astle. "hen many a !night and maid be ame a Huaint. Du!e Gere led 2riemhildAs (al'roy by

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the bridle till Iust outside the astle gate. $ieg'ried, the 8aliant !night, must needs attend her 'urther. A 'air maid was sheM 0ater the noble dame reHuited well this deed. Ortwin, the bold, rode by 0ady /taAs side, and many !nights and maidens rode in (airs. 9ell may we a8er that so many dames were ne8er seen together at su h stately greeting. Many a s(lendid Ioust was ridden by worshi('ul !nights (not well might it be le't undone) a'ore 2riemhild, the 'air, down to the shi(s. "hen the 'air+'ashioned ladies were li'ted 'rom the (al'reys. "he !ing was ome a ross and many a worthy guest. Ho, what stout lan es bra!e be'ore the ladiesA eyesM One heard the lash o' many hurtling shields. Ho, what ostly bu !lers rang loudly as they losedM "he lo8ely 'air stood by the shore as Gunther and his guests alighted 'rom the boatsF he himsel' led #runhild by the hand. #right gems and gleaming armor shone 'orth in ri8alry. 0ady 2riemhild wal!ed with ourtly breeding to meet Dame #runhild and her train. 9hite hands remo8ed the ha(lets, (1) as these twain !issed ea h otherF through de'eren e this was done. "hen in ourteous wise the maiden 2riemhild s(a!e6 )#e ye wel ome in these lands o' ours, to me and to my mother and to all the loyal !in we ha8e.) 0ow bows were made and the ladies now embra ed 'ull o't. $u h lo8ing greeting hath one ne8er heard, as the two ladies, Dame /ta and her daughter, ga8e the brideF u(on her sweet mouth they !issed her o't. 9hen now #runhildAs ladies all were ome to land, stately !nights too! many a omely woman by the hand in lo8ing wise. "he 'air+'ashioned maids were seen to stand be'ore the lady #runhild. 0ong time elas(ed or e8er the greetings all were doneF many a rose+ red mouth was !issed, in sooth. $till side by side the noble (rin esses stood, whi h li!ed 'ull well the doughty warriors 'or to see. "hey who had heard men boast a'ore that su h beauty had neAer been seen as these two dames (ossessed, s(ied now with all their eyes and must on'ess the truth. *or did one see u(on their (ersons heats o' any !ind. "hose who wot how to Iudge o' women and lo8ely harms, (raised GuntherAs bride 'or beautyF but the wise had seen more lear and s(a!e, that one must gi8e 2riemhild the (alm be'ore #runhild. Maids and ladies now drew near ea h other. Many a omely dame was seen arrayed 'ull well. $il!en tents and many ri h (a8ilions stood hard by, the whi h Huite 'illed the (lain o' 9orms. "he

E%

!insmen o' the !ing ame rowding around, when #runhild and 2riemhild and with them all the dames were bidden go to where shade was 'ound. "hither the !nights 'rom the #urgundian land es orted them. *ow were the strangers ome to horse, and shields were (ier ed in many royal Iousts. ;rom the (lain the dust gan rise, as though the whole land had burst 'orth into 'lames. "here many a !night be ame well !nown as ham(ion. Many a maiden saw what there the warriors (lied. Methin!s, $ir $ieg'ried and his !nights rode many a turn a'ore the tents. He led a thousand stately *ibelungs. "hen Hagen o' "roneg ame, as the !ing had ounseled, and (arted in gentle wise the Iousting, that the 'air maids be not o8ered with the dust, the whi h the strangers willingly obeyed. "hen s(a!e $ir Gernot6 )0et stand the steeds till the air grow ooler, 'or ye must be 'ull ready when that the !ing will ride. Meanwhile let us ser8e the omely dames be'ore the s(a ious hall.) 9hen now o8er all the (lain the Iousts had eased, the !nights, on (astime bent, hied them to the ladies under many a high (a8ilion in the ho(e o' lo'ty Ioys. "here they (assed the hours until they were minded to ride away. >ust at e8entide, when the sun was setting and the air grew hill, no longer they delayed, but man and woman hasted toward the astle. Many a omely maiden was aressed with lo8ing glan es. 1n Iousting great store o' lothes were torn by good !nights, by the high+mettled warriors, a'ter the ustom o' the land, until the !ing dismounted by the hall. :aliant heroes hel(ed the ladies, as is their wont. "he noble Hueens then (artedF 0ady /ta and her daughter went with their train to a s(a ious hall, where great noise o' merriment was heard on e8ery side. "he seats were now made ready, 'or the !ing would go to table with his guests. At his side men saw 'air #runhild stand, wearing the rown in the !ingAs domain. =oyal enow she was in sooth. Good broad tables, with 'ull many ben hes 'or the men, were set with 8itaille, as we are told. 0ittle they la !ed that they should ha8eM At the !ingAs table many a lordly guest was seen. "he hamberlains o' the host bare water 'orth in basins o' ruddy gold. 1t were but in 8ain,

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i' any told you that men were e8er better ser8ed at (rin esA 'easts6 1 would not belie8e you that. #e'ore the lord o' the =hineland too! the water to wash his hands, $ieg'ried did as was but meet, he minded him by his troth o' what he had (romised, or e8er he had seen #runhild at home in 1senland. He s(a!e6 )-e must remember how ye swore me by your hand, that when 0ady #runhild ame to this land, ye would gi8e me your sister to wi'e. 9here be now these oathsL 1 ha8e su''ered mi !le hardshi( on our tri(.) "hen s(a!e the !ing to his guest6 )=ightly ha8e ye minded me. ,ertes my hand shall not be (erIured. 1All bring it to (ass as best 1 an.) "hen they bade 2riemhild go to ourt be'ore the !ing. $he ame with her 'air maidens to the entran e o' the hall. At this $ir Giselher s(rang down the ste(s. )*ow bid these maidens turn again. *one sa8e my sister alone shall be here by the !ing.) "hen they brought 2riemhild to where the !ing was 'ound. "here stood noble !nights 'rom many (rin esA landsF throughout the broad hall one bade them stand Huite still. #y this time 0ady #runhild had ste((ed to the table, too. "hen s(a!e 2ing Gunther6 )$weet sister mine, by thy ourtesie redeem my oath. 1 swore to gi8e thee to a !night, and i' he be ome thy husband, then hast thou done my will most loyally.) ?uoth the noble maid6 )Dear brother mine, ye must not thus entreat me. ,ertes 1All be e8er so, that whate8er ye ommand, that shall be done. 1All gladly (ledge my troth to him whom ye, my lord, do gi8e me to husband.) $ieg'ried here grew red at the glan e o' 'riendly eyes. "he !night then (ro''ered his ser8i e to 0ady 2riemhild. Men bade them ta!e their stand at ea h otherAs side within the ring and as!ed i' she would ta!e the stately man. 1n maidenly modesty she was a deal abashed, yet su h was $ieg'riedAs lu ! and 'ortune, that she would not re'use him out o' hand. "he noble !ing o' *etherland 8owed to ta!e her,

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too, to wi'e. 9hen he and the maid had (ledged their troths, $ieg'riedAs arm embra ed e'tsoon the winsome maid. "hen the 'air Hueen was !issed be'ore the !nights. "he ourtiers (arted, when that had ha((edF on the ben h o8er against the !ing $ieg'ried was seen to ta!e his s at with 2riemhild. "hither many a man a om(anied him as ser8itorF men saw the *ibelungs wal! at $ieg'riedAs side. "he !ing had seated him with #runhild, the maid, when she es(ied 2riemhild (naught had e8er ir!ed her so) sitting at $ieg'riedAs side. $he began to wee( and hot tears oursed down 'air hee!s. ?uoth the lord o' the land6 )9hat aileth you, my lady, that ye let bright eyes grow dimL -e may well reIoi eF my astles and my land and many a stately 8assal own your sway.) )1 ha8e good ause to wee(,) s(a!e the omely maidF )my heart is sore be ause o' thy sister, whom 1 see sitting so near thy 8assalAs side. 1 must e8er wee( that she be so demeaned.) "hen s(a!e the 2ing Gunther6 )-e would do well to hold your (ea e. At another time 1 will tell you the tale o' why 1 ga8e $ieg'ried my sister unto wi'e. ,ertes she may well li8e e8er ha((ily with the !night.) $he s(a!e6 )1 sorrow e8er 'or her beauty and her ourtesie. 1 'ain would 'lee, and 1 wist whither 1 mightF go, 'or ne8er will 1 lie lose by your side, unless ye tell me through what ause 2riemhild be $ieg'riedAs bride.) "hen s(a!e the noble !ing6 )1All do it you to witF he hath astles and broad domains, as well as 1. 2now o' a truth, he is a mighty !ing, there'ore did 1 gi8e him the (eerless maid to lo8e.) #ut whatsoe8er the !ing might say, she remained 'ull sad o' mood. *ow many a good !night hastened 'rom the board. "heir hurtling wa&ed so (assing hard, that the whole astle rang. #ut the host was weary o' his guests. Him+thought that he might lie more so't at his 'air ladyAs side. As yet he had not lost at all the ho(e that mu h o' Ioy might ha( to him through her. 0o8ingly he began to ga@e on 0ady #runhild. Men bade the guests lea8e o'' their !nightly games, 'or the !ing and his wi'e would go to bed. #runhild and 2riemhild then met

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be'ore the stairway o' the hall, as yet without the hate o' either. "hen ame their retinue. *oble hamberlains delayed not, but brought them lights. "he warriors, the liegemen o' the two !ings, then (arted on either side and many o' the !nights were seen to wal! with $ieg'ried. "he lords were now ome to the rooms where they should lie. 4a h o' the twain thought to onHuer by lo8e his winsome dame. "his made them blithe o' mood. $ieg'riedAs (leasure on that night was (assing great. 9hen 0ord $ieg'ried lay at 2riemhildAs side and with his noble lo8e aressed the high+born maid so tenderly, she grew as dear to him as li'e, so that not 'or a thousand other women would he ha8e gi8en her alone. *o more 1All tell how $ieg'ried wooed his wi'eF hear now the tale o' how 2ing Gunther lay by 0ady #runhildAs side. "he stately !night had o'ten lain more so't by other dames. "he ourtiers now had le't, both maid and man. "he hamber soon was lo !edF he thought to aress the lo8ely maid. ;orsooth the time was still 'ar o'', ere she be ame his wi'e. 1n a smo ! o' snowy linen she went to bed. "hen thought the noble !night6 )*ow ha8e 1 here all that 1 ha8e e8er ra8ed in all my days.) #y rights she must needs (lease him through her omeliness. "he noble !ing gan shroud the lights and then the bold !night hied him to where the lady lay. He laid him at her side, and great was his Ioy when in his arms he las(ed the lo8ely 'air. Many lo8ing aresses he might ha8e gi8en, had but the noble dame allowed it. $he wa&ed so wroth that he was sore a+troubledF he weened that they were lo8ers, but he 'ound here hostile hate. $he s(a!e6 )$ir 2night, (ray gi8e this o8er, whi h now ye ho(e. ;orsooth this may not ha(, 'or 1 will still remain a maid, until 1 hear the taleF now mar! ye that.) "hen Gunther grew wrothF he struggled 'or her lo8e and rum(led all her lothes. "he high+born maid then sei@ed her girdle, the whi h was a stout band she wore around her waist, and with it she wrought the !ing great wrong enow. $he bound him hand and 'oot and bare him to a nail and hung him on the wall. $he 'orbade him lo8e, sith he disturbed her slee(. O' a truth he ame 'ull nigh to death through her great strength. "hen he who had weened to be the master, began to (lead. )*ow loose my bands, most noble Hueen. 1 no longer trow to onHuer you, 'air lady, and 'ull seldom will 1 lie so near your side.)

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$he ree!ed not how he 'elt, 'or she lay 'ull so't. "here he had to hang all night till brea! o' day, until the bright morn shone through the asements. Had he e8er had great strength, it was little seen u(on him now. )*ow tell me, $ir Gunther, would that ir! you aught,) the 'air maid s(a!e, )and your ser8ants 'ound you bound by a womanAs handL) "hen s(a!e the noble !night6 )"hat would ser8e you illF nor would it gain me honor,) s(a!e the doughty man. )#y your ourtesie, (ray let me lie now by your side. $ith that my lo8e misli!e you so, 1 will not tou h your garment with my hands.) "hen she loosed him soon and let him rise. "o the bed again, to the lady he went and laid him down so 'ar away, that therea'ter he 'ull seldom tou hed her omely weeds. *or would she ha8e allowed it. "hen their ser8ants ame and brought them new attire, o' whi h great store was ready 'or them against the morn. Howe8er merry men made, the lord o' the land was sad enow, albeit he wore a rown that day. As was the usage whi h they had and whi h they !e(t by right, Gunther and #runhild no longer tarried, but hied them to the minster, where mass was sung. "hither, too, $ir $ieg'ried ame and a great (ress arose among the rowd. 1n !ee(ing with their royal ran!, there was ready 'or them all that they did need, their rowns and robes as well. "hen they were onse rated. 9hen this was done, all 'our were seen to stand Ioy'ul Aneath their rowns. Many young sHuires, si& hundred or better, were now girt with sword in honor o' the !ings, as ye must !now. Great Ioy rose then in the #urgundian landF one heard s(ear+sha'ts lashing in the hands o' the sworded !nights. "here at the windows the 'air maids satF they saw shining a'ore them the gleam o' many a shield. #ut the !ing had sundered him 'rom his liegemenF whatso others (lied, men saw him stand 'ull sad. /nli!e stood his and $ieg'riedAs mood. "he noble !night and good would 'ain ha8e !nown what ailed the !ing. He hasted to him and gan as!6 ).ray let me !now how ye ha8e 'ared this night, $ir 2ing.) "hen s(a!e the !ing to his guest6 )$hame and disgra e ha8e 1 wonF 1 ha8e brought a 'ell de8il to my house and home. 9hen 1 weened to lo8e her, she bound me soreF she bare me to a nail and hung me high u(on a wall. "here 1 hung a''righted all night until the day, or e8er

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she unbound me. How so'tly she lay bedded thereM 1n ho(e o' thy (ity do 1 ma!e (laint to thee as 'riend to 'riend.) "hen s(a!e stout $ieg'ried6 )"hat rueth me in truth. 1All do you this to witF and ye allow me without distrust, 1All ontri8e that she lie by you so near this night, that sheAll ne8ermore withhold 'rom you her lo8e.) A'ter all his hardshi(s Gunther li!ed well this s(ee h. $ir $ieg'ried s(a!e again6 )"hou mayst well be o' good heer. 1 ween we 'ared unli!e last night. "hy sister 2riemhild is dearer to me than li'eF the 0ady #runhild must be ome thy wi'e to+night. 1All ome to thy hamber this night, so se retly in my ,loud ,loa!, that none may note at all my arts. "hen let the hamberlains beta!e them to their lodgings and 1All (ut out the lights in the (agesA hands, whereby thou mayst !now that 1 be within and that 1All gladly ser8e thee. 1All tame 'or time thy wi'e, that thou mayst ha8e her lo8e to+night, or else 1All lose my li'e.) )/nless be thou embra e my dear lady,) s(a!e then the !ing, )1 shall be glad, i' thou do to her as thou dost list. 1 ould endure it well, anA thou didst ta!e her li'e. 1n sooth she is a 'ear'ul wi'e.) )1 (ledge u(on my troth,) Huoth $ieg'ried, )that 1 will not embra e her. "he 'air sister o' thine, she is to me abo8e all maids that 1 ha8e e8er seen.) Gunther belie8ed 'ull well what $ieg'ried s(a!e. ;rom the !nightly s(orts there ame both Ioy and woeF but men 'orbade the hurtling and the shouting, sin e now the ladies were to hie them to the hall. "he grooms+in+waiting bade the (eo(le stand asideF the ourt was leared o' steeds and 'ol!. A bisho( led ea h o' the ladies, as they should go to table in the (resen e o' the !ings. Many a stately warrior 'ollowed to the seats. 1n 'air ho(e the !ing sate now 'ull merrilyF well he thought on that whi h $ieg'ried had 8owed to do. "his one day thought him as long as thirty days, 'or all his thoughts were bent u(on his ladyAs lo8e. He ould s ar e abide the time to lea8e the board. *ow men let 'air #runhild and 2riemhild, too, both go to their rest. Ho, what doughty !nights were seen to wal! be'ore the HueensM

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"he 0ord $ieg'ried sate in lo8ing wise by his 'air wi'e, in bliss without alloy. 9ith her snow+white hands she 'ondled his, till that he 8anished 'rom be'ore her eyes, she wist not when. 9hen now she no longer s(ied him, as she toyed, the Hueen s(a!e to his 'ollowers6 )Mu h this wondereth me, whither the !ing be gone. 9ho hath ta!en his hands 'rom mineL) $he s(a!e no other word, but he was gone to where he 'ound many grooms o' the hamber stand with lights. "hese he gan snu'' out in the (agesA hands. "hus Gunther !new that it was $ieg'ried. 9ell wist he what he wouldF he bade the maids and ladies now withdraw. 9hen that was done, the mighty !ing himsel' made 'ast the door and nimbly sho8ed in (la e two sturdy bolts. ?ui !ly then he hid the lights behind the hangings o' the bed. $tout $ieg'ried and the maiden now began a (lay ('or this there was no hel() whi h was both lie' and loth to Gunther. $ieg'ried laid him lose by the high+born maid. $he s(a!e6 )*ow, Gunther, let that be, and it be lie' to you, that ye su''er not hardshi( as a'ore.) "hen the lady hurt bold $ieg'ried sore. He held his (ea e and answered not a whit. Gunther heard well, though he ould not see his 'riend a bit, that they (lied not se ret things, 'or little ease they had u(on the bed. $ieg'ried bare him as though he were Gunther, the mighty !ing. 1n his arms he las(ed the lo8ely maid. $he ast him 'rom the bed u(on a ben h near by, so that his head stru ! loudly against the stool. /( s(rang the 8aliant man with all his mightF 'ain would he try again. 9hen he thought now to subdue her, she hurt him sore. $u h de'ense, 1 ween, might ne8ermore be made by any wi'e. 9hen he would not desist, u( s(rang the maid. )-e shall not rum(le thus my shi't so white. -e are a lumsy hurl and it shall rue you sore, 1All ha8e you to !now 'all well,) s(a!e the omely maid. 1n her arms she gras(ed the (eerless !nightF she weened to bind him, as she had done the !ing, that she might ha8e her ase u(on the bed. "he lady a8enged 'ull sore, that he had rum(led thus her lothes. 9hat a8ailed his mi !le 'or e and his giant strengthL $he showed the !night her masterly strength o' limbF she arried him by 'or e (and that must needs be) and (ressed him rudely Atwi&t a lothes+(ress and the wall.

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)Alas,) so thought the !night, )i' now 1 lose my li'e at a maidenAs hands, then may all wi8es herea'ter bear towards their husbands haughty mien, who would ne8er do it else.) "he !ing heard it well and 'eared him 'or his liegemanAs li'e. $ieg'ried was sore ashamedF wrath'ul he wa&ed and with sur(assing strength he set himsel' against her and tried it again with 0ady #runhild in 'ear'ul wise. 1t thought the !ing 'ull long, be'ore he onHuered her. $he (ressed his hands, till 'rom her strength the blood gushed 'orth 'rom out the nails6 this ir!ed the hero. "here'ore he brought the highborn maiden to the (ass that she ga8e o8er her unruly will, whi h she asserted there a'ore. "he !ing heard all, albeit not a word he s(a!e. $ieg'ried (ressed her against the bed, so that she shrie!ed aloud. .assing sore his strength did hurt her. $he gras(ed the girdle around her waist and would 'ain ha8e bound him, but his hand (re8ented it in su h a wise that her limbs and all her body ra !ed. "hus the stri'e was (arted and she be ame 2ing GuntherAs wi'e. $he s(a!e6 )Most noble !ing, (ray s(are my li'e. 1All do thee remedy 'or whatso 1 ha8e done thee. 1All no longer struggle against thy noble lo8e, 'or 1 ha8e learned 'ull well that thou anst ma!e thee master o8er women.) $ieg'ried let the maiden be and ste((ed away, as though he would do o'' his lothes. ;rom her hand he drew a golden 'inger ring, without that she wist it, the noble Hueen. "hereto he too! her girdle, a good stout band. 1 !now not i' he did that 'or 8ery haughtiness. He ga8e it to his wi'e and rued it sore in a'ter time. "hen lay Gunther and the 'air maid side by side. He (layed the lo8er, as beseemed him, and thus she must needs gi8e o8er wrath and shame. ;rom his embra e a little (ale she grew. Ho, how her great strength 'ailed through lo8eM *ow was she no stronger than any other wi'e. He aressed her lo8ely 'orm in lo8erAs wise. Had she tried her strength again, what had that a8ailedL All this had Gunther wrought in her by his lo8e. How right lo8ingly she lay beside him in bridal Ioy until the dawn o' dayM *ow was $ir $ieg'ried gone again to where he was gi8en 'air greetings by a woman 'ashioned 'air. He turned aside the Huestion she had thought to (ut and hid long time 'rom her what he had

%5

brought, until she ruled as Hueen within his land. How little he re'used to gi8e her what he shouldM On the morn the host was 'ar heerier o' mood than he had been a'ore. "hrough this the Ioy o' many a noble man was great in all his lands, whom he had bidden to his ourt, and to whom he (ro''ered mu h o' ser8i e. "he wedding 'east now lasted till the 'ourteenth day, so that in all this while the sound ne8er died away o' the many Ioys whi h there they (lied. "he ost to the !ing was rated high. "he !insmen o' the noble host ga8e gi'ts in his honor to the strolling 'ol!, as the !ing ommanded6 8esture and ruddy gold, steeds and sil8er, too. "hose who there ra8ed gi'ts de(arted hen e 'ull merrily. $ieg'ried, the lord 'rom *etherland, with a thousand o' his men, ga8e Huite away the garments they had brought with them to the =hine and steeds and saddles, too. ;ull well they wot how to li8e in lordly wise. "hose who would home again thought the time too long till the ri h gi'ts had all been made. *e8ermore ha8e guests been better eased. "hus ended the wedding 'eastF Gunther, the !night, would ha8e it so. ENDNOTES# (1) ),ha(let) (O.;. ) ha(let), dim. o' ) ha(el), M.H.G. )s ha(el) or )s ha(elin)) or wreath was the headdress es(e ially o' unmarried girls, the hair being worn 'lowing. 1t was o'ten o' 'lowers or lea8es, but not in'reHuently o' gold and sil8er. ($ee 9einhold, )Deuts he ;rauen im Mittelalter), i, CE5.)

!D'ENTURE 7I H+, Sie)(ried 8+0rneyed H+-e,ard /i.1 His /i(e*

9hen now the strangers had all ridden hen e, $iegmundAs son s(a!e to his 'ellowshi(6 )9e must ma!e us ready, too, to Iourney to my lands.) 0ie' was it to his wi'e, when the lady heard the tale aright. $he s(a!e to her husband6 )9hen shall we rideL 1 (ray thee, ma!e me not haste too sore. ;irst must my brothers share their lands with me.)

%E

1t was loth to $ieg'ried, when he heard this 'rom 2riemhild. "he lordings hied them to him and all three s(a!e6 )*ow may ye !now, $ir $ieg'ried, that our true ser8i e be e8er at your bidding till our death.) "hen he made obeisan e to the !nights, as it was (ro''ered him in su h !indly wise. )9e shall share with you,) s(a!e Giselher, the youth, )both land and astles whi h we do own and whate8er broad realms be subIe t to our (ower. O' these ye and 2riemhild shall ha8e a goodly share.) "he son o' $iegmund s(a!e to the (rin es, as he heard and saw the lordingsA will6 )God grant that ye be e8er ha((y with your heritage and the 'ol! therein. My dear bride an well 'orego in truth the share whi h ye would gi8e. "here where she shall wear a rown, she shall be mightier than any one ali8e, and li8e to see the day. ;or whatsoe8er else ye do ommand, 1 stand ready to your bidding.) "hen s(a!e the 0ady 2riemhild6 )"hough ye 'orego my heritage, yet is it not so light a matter with the #urgundian men+at+arms. A !ing might gladly lead them to his land. ;orsooth my brothersA hands must share them with me.) "hen s(a!e the 0ord Gernot6 )*ow ta!e whomsoe8er thou dost wish. "hou wilt 'ind here really a one whoAll gladly ride with thee. 9e will gi8e thee a thousand o' our thirty hundred warriorsF be they thy ourt retainers.) 2riemhild then gan send 'or Hagen o' "roneg and also 'or Ortwin, to as! i' they and their !ins'ol! would be 2riemhildAs men. At this Hagen wa&ed wonderly wroth. He s(a!e6 ),ertes, Gunther may not gi8e us to any in the world. 0et others 'ollow as your train. -e !now 'ull well the ustom o' the men o' "roneg6 we must in duty bound remain here with the !ings at ourt. 9e must ser8e them longer, whom we till now ha8e 'ollowed.) "hey ga8e that o8er and made them ready to ride away. 0ady 2riemhild gained 'or hersel' two and thirty maids and 'i8e hundred men, a noble train. "he Margra8e 4 !ewart (1) 'ollowed 2riemhild hen e. "hey all too! lea8e, both !nights and sHuires and maids and

%%

ladies, as was mi !le right. Anon they (arted with a !iss and 8oided merrily 2ing GuntherAs land. "heir !insmen bare them om(any 'ar u(on the way and bade them (it h their Huarters 'or the night, whereso they listed, throughout the (rin esA land. "hen messengers were sent e'tsoon to $iegmund, that he might !now, and $iegelind, too, that his son would ome with 0ady /taAs hild, 2riemhild, the 'air, 'rom 9orms beyond the =hine. 0ie'er tidings might they ne8er ha8e. )9ell 'or me,) s(a!e then $iegmund, )that 1 ha8e li8ed to see 'air 2riemhild here as Hueen. My heritage will be thereby enhan ed. My son, the noble $ieg'ried, shall himsel' be !ing.) "hen the 0ady $iegelind ga8e mu h red 8el8et, sil8er, and hea8y goldF this was the en8oyAs meed. "he tale well li!ed her, whi h then she heard. $he lad her and her handmaids with are, as did beseem them. Men told who was to ome with $ieg'ried to the land. Anon they bade seats be raised, where he should wal! rowned be'ore his 'riends. 2ing $iegmundAs liegemen then rode 'orth to meet him. Hath any been e8er better greeted than the 'amous hero in $iegmundAs land, 1 !now not. $iegelind, the 'air, rode 'orth to meet 2riemhild with many a omely dame (lusty !nights did 'ollow on behind), a 'ull dayAs Iourney, till one es(ied the guests. Home+'ol! and the strangers had little easement till they were ome to a s(a ious astle, hight <anten, (2) where they later reigned. $milingly $iegelind and $iegmund !issed 2riemhild many times 'or Ioy and $ieg'ried, tooF their sorrow was ta!en 'rom them. All their 'ellowshi( re ei8ed great wel ome. One bade now bring the guests to $iegmundAs hall, and li'ted the 'air young maids down 'rom the (al'reys. Many a !night gan ser8e the omely dames with @eal. Howe8er great the 'easting at the =hine was !nown to be, here one ga8e the heroes mu h better robes than they had worn in all their days. O' their s(lender great mar8els might be told. 9hen now they sate in lo'ty honors and had enow o' all, what gold+hued lothes their ourtiers wore with (re ious stones well wor!ed thereonM "hus did $iegelind, the noble Hueen, (ur8ey them well. "hen to his 'riends 0ord $iegmund s(a!e6 )1 do all $ieg'riedAs !in to wit, that he shall wear my rown be'ore these !nights.) "hose o' *etherland heard 'ull 'ain the tale. He ga8e his son the rown, the ogni@an e, (C) and lands, so that he then was master o' them all.

100

9hen that men went to law and $ieg'ried uttered Iudgment, that was done in su h a wise that men 'eared sore 'air 2riemhildAs husband. 1n these high honors $ieg'ried li8ed, o' a truth, and Iudged as !ing, till the tenth year was ome, when his 'air lady bare a son. "his was ome to (ass a'ter the wish o' the !insmen o' the !ing. "hey hastened to ba(ti@e and name him Gunther 'or his un leF nor had he need to be ashamed o' this. $hould he grow li!e to his !insman, he would 'are 'ull well. "hey brought him u( with are, as was but due. 1n these same times the 0ady $iegelind died, and men enow made wail when death bere't them o' her. "hen the hild o' the noble /ta held withal the (ower o8er the lands, whi h well beseemed su h high+born dames. (G) *ow also by the =hine, as we hear tell, at mighty GuntherAs ourt, in the #urgundian land, #runhild, the 'air, had born a son. ;or the heroAs sa!e they named him $ieg'ried. 9ith what great are they bade attend himM "he noble Gunther ga8e him masters who well wot how to bring him u( to be a doughty man. Alas, what great loss o' !in he later su''ered through mis'ortuneM Many tales were told all time, o' how right worshi('ully the lusty !nights dwelt alway in $iegmundAs land. Gunther dealt the same with his distinguished !in. "he *ibelung land and $ hilbungAs !nights and the goods o' both ser8ed $ieg'ried here (none o' his !insmen e8er wa&ed mightier than he). $o mu h the higher rose the mood o' the 8aliant man. "he 8ery greatest heard that any hero e8er gained, sa8e those who owned it a'oretime, the bold man had, the whi h he had won by his own hand hard by a hill, and 'or whi h he did many a lusty !night to death. He had honors to his heartAs desire, and had this not been so, yet one must rightly a8er o' the noble ham(ion, that he was one o' the best that e8er mounted horse. Men 'eared his might and Iustly, too. ENDNOTES# (1) )4 !ewart), see Ad8enture 1, note 1J. (2) )<anten), see Ad8enture 11, note C. (C) ),ogni@an e), AIurisdi tion.A (G) )Dames), i.e., $iegelind and 2riemhild.

101

!D'ENTURE 7II H+, G0n.1er Bade Sie)(ried T+ T1e %eas.in)*

*ow GuntherAs wi'e thought alway6 )How haughtily doth 0ady 2riemhild bear herM 1s not her husband $ieg'ried our liegemanL 0ong time now hath he done us little ser8i e.) "his she bare within her heart, but held her (ea e. 1t ir!ed her sore that they did ma!e themsel8es su h strangers and that men 'rom $ieg'riedAs land so seldom ser8ed her. ;ain would she ha8e !nown 'rom when e this ame. $he as!ed the !ing i' it might ha( that she should see 2riemhild again. $e retly she s(a!e what she had in mind. "he s(ee h li!e the !ing but moderately well. )How might we bring them,) Huoth he, )hither to our landL "hat were im(ossible, they li8e too 'ar awayF 1 dare not as! them this.) "o this #runhild re(lied in 'ull ra'ty wise6 )Howe8er high and mighty a !ingAs 8assal be, yet should he not lea8e undone whatsoe8er his lord ommand him.) 2ing Gunther smiled when she s(a!e thus. Howe8er o't he saw $ieg'ried, yet did he not ount it to him as ser8i e. $he s(a!e6 )Dear lord, 'or my sa!e hel( me to ha8e $ieg'ried and thy sister ome to this land, that we may see them here. *aught lie'er might e8er ha( to me in truth. 9henso 1 thin! on thy sisterAs ourtesie and her well+bred mind, how it delighteth meM How we sate together, when 1 'irst be ame thy wi'eM $he may with honor lo8e bold $ieg'ried.) $he besought so long, till the !ing did s(ea!6 )*ow !now that 1 ha8e ne8er seen more wel ome guests. -e need but beg me gently. 1 will send my en8oys 'or the twain, that they may ome to see us to the =hine.) "hen s(a!e the Hueen6 ).ray tell me then, when ye are willed to send 'or them, or in what time our dear !insmen shall ome into the land. Gi8e me also to !now whom ye will send thither.)

102

)"hat will 1,) said the (rin e. )1 will let thirty o' my men ride thither.) He had these ome be'ore him and bade them arry tidings to $ieg'riedAs land. "o their delight #runhild did gi8e them 'ull lordly 8esture. "hen s(a!e the !ing6 )-e !nights must say 'rom me all that 1 bid you to mighty $ieg'ried and the sister o' mineF this must ye not on eal6 that no one in the world doth lo8e them more, and beg them both to ome to us to the =hine. ;or this 1 and my lady will be e8er at your ser8i e. At the ne&t MidsummerAs Day shall he and his men ga@e u(on many here, who would 'ain do them great honor. Gi8e to the !ing $iegmund my greetings, and say that 1 and my !insmen be still his 'riends, and tell my sister, too, that she 'ail not to ride to see her !in. *e8er did 'easting beseem her better.) #runhild and /ta and whate8er ladies were 'ound at ourt all ommended their ser8i e to the lo8ely dames and the many 8aliant men in $ieg'riedAs land. 9ith the onsent o' the !insmen o' the !ing the messengers set 'orth. "hey rode as wandering !nightsF their horses and their tra((ings had now been brought them. "hen they 8oided the land, 'or they had haste o' the Iourney, whither they would 'are. "he !ing bade guard the messengers well with on8oys. 1n three wee!s they ame riding into the land, to *ibelungAs astle, in the mar hes o' *orway, (1) whither they were sent. Here they 'ound the !night. "he mounts o' the messengers were weary 'rom the lengthy way. #oth $ieg'ried and 2riemhild were then told that !nights were ome, who wore su h lothes as men were wont to wear at #urgundy. $he s(rang 'rom a ou h on whi h she lay to rest and bade a maiden hie her to the window. 1n the ourt she saw bold Gere standing, him and the 'ellowshi( that had been sent thither. 9hat Ioy'ul things she there 'ound against her sorrow o' heartM $he s(a!e to the !ing6 )*ow behold where they stand, who wal! in the ourt with the sturdy Gere, whom my brother sendeth us adown the =hine. $(a!e "hen the 8aliant $ieg'ried6 )"hey be wel ome to us.)

10C

All the ourtiers ran to where one saw them. 4a h o' them in turn then s(a!e 'ull !indly, as best he ould to the en8oys. $iegmund, the lord, was right blithe o' their oming. "hen Gere and his men were lodged and men bade ta!e their steeds in harge. "he messengers then went hen e to where 0ord $ieg'ried sate by 2riemhild. "his they did, 'or they had lea8e to go to ourt. "he host and his lady rose 'rom their seats at on e and greeted well Gere o' the #urgundian land with his 'ellowshi(, GuntherAs liegemen. One bade the mighty Gere go and sit him down. ).ermit us 'irst to gi8e our message, a'ore we ta!e our seatsF let us way+worn strangers stand the while. 9e be ome to tell you tidings whi h Gunther and #runhild, with whom all things stand well, ha8e sent you, and also what 0ady /ta, your mother, sendeth. Giselher, the youth, and $ir Gernot, too, and your dearest !in, they ha8e sent us hither and ommend their ser8i e to you 'rom out the #urgundian land.) )*ow God reHuite them,) Huoth $ieg'riedF )1 trow them mu h troth and good, as one should to !ins'ol!F their sister doth the same. -e must tell us more, whether our dear 'riends at home be o' good heerL $in e we ha8e been (arted 'rom them, hath any done amiss to my ladyAs !insmenL "hat ye must let me !now. 1' so, 1All e8er hel( them bear it in duty bound, until their 'oes must rue my ser8i eO) "hen s(a!e the Margra8e Gere, a right good !night6 )"hey are in e8ery 8irtue o' su h right high mood, that they do bid you to a 'easting by the =hine. "hey would 'ain see you, as ye may not doubt, and they do beg my lady that she ome with you, when the winter hath ta!en an end. "hey would see you be'ore the ne&t MidsummerAs Day.) ?uoth the stalwart $ieg'ried6 )"hat might hardly ha(.) "hen answered Gere 'rom the #urgundian land6 )-our mother /ta, Gernot, and Giselher ha8e harged you, that ye re'use them not. 1 hear daily wail, that ye do li8e so 'ar away. My 0ady #runhild and all her maids be 'ain o' the tidings, i' that might be that they should see you againF this would raise their s(irits high.) "hese tidings thought 'air 2riemhild good.

10G

Gere was o' their !inF the host bade him be seated and had wine (oured out 'or the guestsF no longer did they tarry. *ow $iegmund was ome to where he saw the messengers. "he lord said to the #urgundians in 'riendly wise6 )#e wel ome, $ir 2nights, ye men o' Gunther. $ith now $ieg'ried, my son, hath won 2riemhild to wi'e, one should see you more o'ten here in this our land, i' ye would show your !inshi(.) "hey answered that they would gladly ome, when so he would. O' their weariness they were ased with Ioyous (astime. Men bade the messengers be seated and brought them 'ood, o' whi h $ieg'ried had them gi8en great store. "hey must needs stay there 'ull nine days, till at last the doughty !nights made (laint, that they durst not ride again to their land. Meantime !ing $ieg'ried had sent to 'et h his 'riendsF he as!ed them what they ounseled, whether or no they should to the =hine. )My !insman Gunther and his !in ha8e sent to 'et h me 'or a 'easting. *ow 1 would go 'ull gladly, but that his land doth lie too 'ar away. "hey beg 2riemhild, too, that she Iourney with me. *ow ad8ise, dear 'riends, in what manner she shall ride thither. "hough 1 must harry 'or them through thirty lands, yet would $ieg'riedAs arm 'ain ser8e them there.) "hen s(a!e his warriors6 )And ye be minded to Iourney to the 'easting, we will ad8ise what ye must do. -e should ride to the =hine with a thousand !nights, then an ye stand with worshi( there in #urgundy land.) /( s(a!e then 0ord $iegmund o' *etherland6 )9ill ye to the 'easting, why ma!e ye it not !nown to meL 1' ye s orn it not, 1 will ride thither with you and will ta!e a hundred !nights, wherewith to swell your band.) )And will ye ride with us, dear 'ather mine,) Huoth bra8e $ieg'ried, )glad shall 1 be o' that. 9ithin a twel'th night 1 will Huit my lands.) All who ra8ed it were gi8en steeds and 8esture, too. $in e now the noble !ing was minded 'or the Iourney, men bade the good and s(eedy en8oys ride again. He sent word to his wi'eAs

10J

!indred on the =hine, that he would 'ull 'ain be at their 'easting. $ieg'ried and 2riemhild, as the tale doth tell, ga8e the messengers su h store o' gi'ts that their horses ould not bear them to their nati8e land. A wealthy man was he. "hey dro8e their sturdy sum(ters merrily along. $ieg'ried and $iegmund arrayed their men. 4 !ewart, the margra8e, that 8ery hour bade see! out ladiesA robes, the best that were at hand or might be 'ound throughout all $ieg'riedAs land. Men gan (re(are the saddles and the shields. "o !nights and ladies who should go hen e with him was gi8en whatso they would, so that they wanted naught. He brought to his !ins'ol! many a lordly stranger. "he messengers (ri !ed 'ast u(on their homeward way. *ow was Gere, the !night, ome to #urgundy and was greeted 'air. "hen they dismounted 'rom their steeds and 'rom the nags in 'ront o' GuntherAs hall. -oung and old did hie them, as (eo(le do, to as! the tidings. ?uoth the good !night6 )9hen 1 tell them to the !ing, thou be at hand a hear.) 9ith his 'ellowshi( he went to where he 'ound 2ing Gunther. ;or 8ery Ioy the !ing s(rang 'rom his seat. ;air #runhild ried them mer y, that they were ome so Hui !. Gunther s(a!e to the en8oys6 )How 'areth $ieg'ried, 'rom whom so mu h o' gladness hath ha((ed to meL) #ra8e Gere s(a!e6 )He blushed 'or Ioy, he and your sisterF no truer tidings did e8er any man send to 'riends, than the 0ord $ieg'ried and his 'ather, too, ha8e sent to you.) "hen to the margra8e s(a!e the noble Hueen6 )*ow tell me, ometh 2riemhild to usL Hath the 'air still !e(t the gra es whi h she !new how to useL) )$he ometh to you surely,) Huoth Gere, the !night. "hen /ta bade the messenger ome Hui !ly to her. #y her Huestion one might note 'ull well that she was 'ain to hear i' 2riemhild still were well. He told how he had 'ound her and that she would shortly ome. *or were the gi'ts on ealed by them at ourt, whi h $ieg'ried ga8e them, gold and 8estureF these they brought 'or the

10B

8assals o' the three !ings to see. ;or their (assing great bounty men ga8e them than!s. )He may lightly gi8e great gi'ts,) s(a!e then HagenF )he ould not sHuander all his wealth, and he should li8e 'or aye. His hand hath losed u(on the hoard o' the *ibelungs. Ho, let him only ome to the #urgundian landM) All the ourtiers were glad that they should ome. 4arly and late the men o' the three !ings were busy. Many ben hes they gan raise 'or the 'ol!. "he 8aliant Hunolt and the !night $indolt had little rest. All time they had to o8ersee the stewards and the butlers and raise many a ben h. Ortwin hel(ed them, too, at this, and Gunther said them than!s. =umolt, the master oo!, how well he ruled his underlingsM Ho, how many a broad !ettle, (ot, and (an they hadM "hey made ready the 8itaille 'or those who were oming to the land. ENDNOTES# (1) )*orway). "he inter(olated hara ter o' the Ad8entures <1 to <111, whi h are not 'ound in the earlier 8ersions, is shown by the on'usion in the lo ation o' $ieg'riedAs ourt. "he (oet has 'orgotten that <anten is his a(ital, and lo ates it in *orway. *o mention is made, howe8er, o' the messengers rossing the seaF on the ontrary, 2riemhild s(ea!s o' their being sent down the =hine.

!D'ENTURE 7III H+, T1ey 8+0rneyed T+ T1e %eas.in)*

0et us now ta!e lea8e o' all their bustling, and tell how 0ady 2riemhild and her maidens Iourneyed 'rom the *ibelung land down toward the =hine. *e8er did sum(ters bear so mu h lordly raiment. "hey made ready 'or the way 'ull many tra8eling hests. "hen $ieg'ried, the !night, and the Hueen as well, rode 'orth with their 'riends to where they had ho(e o' Ioys. 0ater it s(ed them all to their great harm. "hey le't $ieg'riedAs little hild, 2riemhildAs son, at home. "hat must needs be. Great grie' be'ell him through their Iourney to the ourt. "he bairn ne8er saw his 'ather and his mother

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more. 9ith them, too, there rode 0ord $iegmund. Had he !nown aright how he would 'are at the 'easting, no whit o' it would he ha8e seen. *o greater woe might e8er ha( to him in lo8ing 'riends. Messengers were sent ahead, who told the tale. "hen with a stately band there rode to meet them many o' /taAs !ith and GuntherAs liegemen. "he host gan bestir him 'or his guests. He went to where #runhild sate and as!ed6 )How did my sister greet you when ye ame to our landL 1n li!e manner must ye greet $ieg'riedAs wi'e.) )"hat will 1 gladly,) Huoth she, )'or 1 ha8e good ause to be her 'riend.) "he mighty !ing s(a!e 'urther6 )"hey ome to us early on the morrowF i' ye would greet them, set Hui !ly to wor!, that we abide them not within the astle. At no time ha8e su h wel ome guests e8er ome to see me.) At on e she bade her maids and ladies hunt out goodly raiment, the best they had, the whi h her train should wear be'ore the guests. One may lightly say, they did this gladly. GuntherAs men hasted also 'or to ser8e them, and around him the host did gather all his !nights. "hen the Hueen rode 'orth in (rin ely wise and mi !le greeting o' the wel ome guests was done. 9ith what great Ioy did they re ei8e themM 1t thought them as though 0ady 2riemhild had not greeted 0ady #runhild so 'air in the #urgundian land. "hose who had ne8er seen her be ame a Huaint with lo'ty mood. *ow was $ieg'ried ome with his liegemen. One saw the heroes wending to and 'ro u(on the (lain in unwieldy bands. *one might guard him there against the Iostling and the dust. 9hen that the ruler o' the land s(ied $ieg'ried and $iegmund, how lo8ingly he s(a!e6 )*ow be ye 'ull wel ome to me and all my 'riendsF we shall be o' good heer be ause o' this your Iourney to our ourt.) )*ow God reHuite you,) Huoth $iegmund, the honor+see!ing manF )sith my son $ieg'ried won you to !insman, my heart hath urged that 1 should go to see you.)

10E

At this s(a!e Gunther6 )*ow hath Ioy ha((ed to me thereby.) $ieg'ried was re ei8ed with mu h great worshi( as beseemed himF none bare him hatred there. Giselher and Gernot hel(ed thereby with great ourtesie. 1 ween, ne8er ha8e guests been greeted in su h goodly wise. "hen the wi8es o' the two !ings drew near ea h other. 4m(tied were many saddles, as 'air ladies were li'ted down by !nightly hands u(on the sward. How busy were those who gladly ser8ed the damesM "he lo8ely women now drew near ea h other, and many a !night was blithe, that su h 'air greeting (assed between the twain. "hen one saw great (ress o' warriors standing by the high+born maids. "he lordly meiny (1) gras(ed ea h other by the hand. Mu h ourteous bowing was seen and lo8ing !isses 'rom 'air+'ashioned dames. "his li!ed well GuntherAs and $ieg'riedAs liegemen 'or to see. "hey bided now no longer, but rode to town. "he host bade show his guests 'ull well that all were 'ain to see them in the #urgundian land. Many a royal Ioust too! (la e be'ore the high+born maids. Hagen o' "roneg and Ortwin, too, (ro8ed 'ull well their (rowess. One durst not lea8e undone whatso they would ommand. Mu h ser8i e was rendered by them to the wel ome guests. Many shields were heard resound 'rom thrusts and blows be'ore the astle gate. "he host and his guests tarried long time without, or e8er they ame within. ;orsooth the hours (assed Hui !ly 'or them with their s(orts. Merrily they rode be'ore the royal (ala e. Many unning housings (2) o' good loth and well ut were seen hanging on either side 'rom the saddles o' the 'air+'ashioned dames. "hen ame GuntherAs liegemen. Men bade lead the strangers Hui !ly to their easement. At times one saw #runhild glan e at 0ady 2riemhild, who was (assing 'air enow. Her olor against the gold ga8e ba ! the gleam in lo8ely wise. On e8ery side in 9orms one heard the ourtiers shout. Gunther bade Dan!wart, his marshal, ha8e them in his are, who then gan lodge the retinue in goodly wise. One let them eat within and e!e without. *e8er were stranger guests better ared 'or. Men ga8e them gladly all they ra8edF so ri h was the !ing, that not a wish was there denied. Men ser8ed them in 'riendly wise without all hate. "he host now too! his seat at table with his guests. One bade $ieg'ried be seated where he sate a'ore. "hen many a stately man went with him to the seats. "wel8e hundred warriors in sooth did sit at his round table. #runhild thought

10%

her that a 8assal ould not be mightier than heF yet she was still so 'riendly to him that she did not wish his death. On an e8ening when the !ing was seated at the board, many ostly robes were wet with wine, as the butlers hied them to the tables. ;ull ser8i e was gi8en there with mi !le @eal. As hath long been the wont at 'easts, men bade the ladies and the maids be gi8en 'air lodgment. ;rom where8er they were ome, the host bare them right good will. One ga8e them all enow with goodly honors. 9hen the night had an end and the day a((eared, many a (re ious stone 'rom the sum(ter hests s(ar!led on goodly weeds, as they were tou hed by womanAs hand. Many a lordly robe was ta!en 'orth. Or e8er the day had 'ully dawned, many !nights and sHuires ame out be'ore the hall. "hen rose a merry rout be'ore the early mass, whi h was sung 'or the !ing. "here young heroes rode so well that the !ing did ry them mer y. Many a trum(et rang out (assing loud, and the noise o' drums and 'lutes did grow so great that the broad town o' 9orms ree hoed with the sound. "he high+mettled heroes horsed them e8erywhere. "hen there rose in the land high !nightly (lay 'rom many a doughty ham(ionF one saw a great rout o' them whose youth'ul hearts beat high, and many a da((er !night and a good stood armed with shield. At the easements sate the high+born dames and many omely maids, de !ed out in bra8e attire. "hey wat hed the (astimes o' the many 8aliant men. "he host himsel' gan tilt there with his 'riends. "hus they (assed the time, the whi h seemed aught but long. "hen 'rom the dome was heard the sound o' many bells. "he (al'reys ame, the ladies rode awayF but many a bold man 'ollowed the noble Hueens. "hey alighted on the green be'ore the minsterF #runhild was still 'riendly to her guests. 9earing rowns, they entered the s(a ious hur h. 0ater their lo8e was (arted, whi h aused great hate. 9hen they had heard the mass, they rode away again with many honors and were soon seen going merrily to table. "heir (leasure at the 'easting did not 'lag until the ele8enth day. ENDNOTES# (1) )Meiny) (M.4. )meiny), O.;. )mesnee)), A ourtiersA, Aser8ing 'ol!A. (2) )Housings), Asaddle lothsA.

110

!D'ENTURE 7I' H+, T1e 90eens Reviled Eac1 O.1er*

On a day be'ore the 8es(er tide a great turmoil arose, whi h many !nights made in the ourt, where they (lied their !nightly s(orts 'or (astimeAs sa!e, and a great throng o' men and women hasted there to ga@e. "he royal Hueens had sat them down together and tal!ed o' two worshi('ul !nights. "hen s(a!e the 'air 2riemhild6 )1 ha8e a husband who by right should rule o8er all these !ingdoms.) ?uoth 0ady #runhild6 )How might that beL 1' none other li8ed but he and thou, then might these !ingdoms own his sway, but the while Gunther li8eth, this may ne8er ha(.) 2riemhild re(lied6 )*ow dost thou see, how he standeth, how right royally he wal!eth be'ore the !nights, as the moon doth be'ore the starsL "here'ore must 1 needs be merry o' mood.) $aid 0ady #runhild6 )Howe8er stately be thy husband, howso worthy and 'air, yet must thou grant the (alm to 2night Gunther, the noble brother o' thine. 2now o' a truth, he must be (la ed abo8e all !ings.) "hen 2riemhild s(a!e again6 )$o doughty is my husband, that 1 ha8e not lauded him without good ause. His worshi( is great in many things. Dost thou belie8e it, #runhild, he is easily GuntherAs (eer.) );orsooth thou must not ta!e it amiss o' me, 2riemhild, 'or 1 ha8e not s(o!en thus without good reason. 1 heard them both a8er, when 1 saw them 'irst o' all, and the !ing was 8i tor against me in the games, and when he won my lo8e in su h !nightly wise, that he was liegeman to the !ing, and $ieg'ried himsel' de lared the same. 1 hold him there'ore as my 8assal, sith 1 heard him s(ea! thus himsel'.) "hen s(a!e 'air 2riemhild6 )1ll had 1 then s(ed. How ould my noble brothers ha8e so wrought, that 1 should be a mere 8assalAs brideL

111

"here'ore 1 do besee h thee, #runhild, in 'riendly wise, that 'or my sa!e thou !indly lea8e o'' this s(ee h.) )1All not lea8e it o'',) Huoth the !ingAs wi'e. )9hy should 1 gi8e u( so many a !night, who with the warrior doth owe us ser8i eL) 2riemhild, the (assing 'air, wa&ed wroth out o' wit. )"hou must 'orego that ho e8er do you a 8assalAs ser8i eF he is worthier than my brother Gunther, the 'ull noble man. "hou must retra t what 1 ha8e heard thee say. ,ertes, it wondereth me, sith he be thy 8assal and thou hast so mu h (ower o8er us twain, why he hath rendered thee no tribute so long a time. #y right 1 should be s(ared thy o8erweening (ride.) )"hou bedrest thee too high,) s(a!e the !ingAs wi'e. )1 would 'ain see whether men will hold thee in su h high honor as they do me.) "he ladies both grew wonderly wroth o' mood. "hen s(a!e the 0ady 2riemhild6 )"his must now ha(. $ith thou hast de lared my husband 'or thy liegeman, now must the men o' the two !ings (er ei8e to+day whether 1 durst wal! be'ore the Hueen to hur h. "hou must see to+ day that 1 am noble and 'ree and that my husband is worthier than thineF nor will 1 mysel' be ta&ed therewith. "hou shalt mar! to+day how thy liegewoman goeth to ourt be'ore the !nights o' the #urgundian land. 1 mysel' shall be more worshi('ul than any Hueen was !nown to be, who e8er wore a rown.) Great hate enow rose then betwi&t the ladies. "hen #runhild answered6 )9ilt thou not be a liegewoman o' mine, so must thou sunder thee with thy ladies 'rom my train when that we go to hur h.) "o this 2riemhild re(lied6 )1n 'aith that shall be done.) )*ow array you, my maids,) s(a!e $ieg'riedAs wi'e. )1 must be here without re(roa h. 0et this be seen to+day, and ye do ha8e ri h weeds. #runhild shall 'ain deny what she hath here a8erted.) "hey needed not mu h bidding, but sought ri h robes and many a dame and maid attired her well. "hen the wi'e o' the noble !ing went

112

'orth with her train. ;air 2riemhild, too, was well arrayed and three and 'orty maidens with her, whom she had brought hither to the =hine. "hey wore bright 8esture wrought in Araby, and thus the 'air+ 'ashioned maids betoo! them to the minster. All $ieg'riedAs men awaited them be'ore the house. "he 'ol! had mar8el when e it han ed that the Hueens were seen thus sundered, so that they did not wal! together as a'ore. ;rom this did many a warrior later su''er dire distress. Here be'ore the minster stood GuntherAs wi'e, while many a good !night had (astime with the omely dames whom they there es(ied. "hen ame the 0ady 2riemhild with a large and noble train. 9hate8er !ind o' lothes the daughters o' noble !nights ha8e e8er worn, these were but the wind against her retinue. $he was so ri h in goods, that what the wi8es o' thirty !ings ould not (ur8ey, that 2riemhild did. AnA one would wish to, yet he ould not a8er that men had e8er seen su h ostly dresses as at this time her 'air+ 'ashioned maidens wore. 2riemhild had not done it, sa8e to anger #runhild. "hey met be'ore the s(a ious minster. "hrough her great hate the mistress o' the house in e8il wise bade 2riemhild stand6 );orsooth no 8assaless should e8er wal! be'ore the Hueen.) "hen s(a!e 'air 2riemhild (angry was her mood)6 ),ouldst thou ha8e held thy (ea e, Atwere well 'or thee. "hou hast disgra ed thee and the 'air body o' thine. How might a 8assalAs leman (1) e8er be the wi'e o' any !ingL) )9hom allest thou here lemanL) s(a!e the Hueen. )"hat all 1 thee,) Huoth 2riemhild. )"hy 'air (erson was 'irst aressed by $ieg'ried, my dear husband. ,ertes, it was not my brother who won thy maidhood. 9hither ould thy wits ha8e wanderedL 1t was an e8il tri !. 9here'ore didst thou let him lo8e thee, sith he be thy 8assalL 1 hear thee ma!e (laint without good ause,) Huoth 2riemhild. )1A 'aith,) s(a!e then #runhild, )Gunther shall hear o' this.) )9hat is that to meL) said 2riemhild. )"hy (ride hath bewrayed thee. 9ith words thou hast laimed me 'or thy ser8i e. 2now, by my

11C

troth, it will e8er grie8e me, 'or 1 shall be no more thy 'aith'ul 'riend.) "hen #runhild we(t. 2riemhild delayed no longer, but entered the minster with her train be'ore the Hueen. "hus there rose great hatred, 'rom whi h bright eyes grew dim and moist. 9hatso men did or sang to GodAs ser8i e there, the time seemed 'ar too long 'or #runhild, 'or she was sad o' heart and mood. Many a bra8e !night and a good must later rue this day. #runhild with her ladies now went 'orth and sto((ed be'ore the minster. Her+thought6 )2riemhild must tell me more o' what this word+ shrewd woman hath so loudly harged me. Hath $ieg'ried made boast o' this, Atwill ost his li'e.) *ow the noble 2riemhild ame with many a 8aliant liegeman. 0ady #runhild s(a!e6 )$tand still a while. -e ha8e de lared me 'or a leman, that must ye let be seen. 2now, that through thy s(ee h, 1 ha8e 'ared 'ull ill.) "hen s(a!e the 0ady 2riemhild6 )-e should ha8e let me (ass. 1All (ro8e it by the ring o' gold 1 ha8e u(on my hand, and whi h my lo8er brought me when he 'irst lay at your side.) #runhild had ne8er seen so ill a day. $he s(a!e6 )"his ostly hoo( o' gold was stolen 'rom me, and hath been hid 'ull long a time 'rom me in e8il wise. 1All 'ind out yet who hath taAen it 'rom me.) #oth ladies now had 'allen into grie8ous wrath. 2riemhild re(lied6 )1All not be alled a thie'. "hou hadst done better to ha8e held thy (ea e, anA thou hold thine honor dear. 1All (ro8e it by the girdle whi h 1 wear about my waist, that 1 lie not. ,ertes, my $ieg'ried be ame thy lord.) $he wore the ord o' sil! o' *ine8eh, set with (re ious stonesF in sooth Atwas 'air enow. 9hen #runhild s(ied it, she began to wee(. Gunther and all the #urgundian men must needs now learn o' this.

11G

"hen s(a!e the Hueen6 )#id the (rin e o' the =hineland ome hither. 1 will let him hear how his sister hath mo !ed me. $he saith here o(enly that 1 be $ieg'riedAs wi'e.) "he !ing ame with !nights, and when he saw his lo8e a+wee(ing, how gently he s(a!e6 ).ray tell me, dear lady, who hath done you aughtL) $he answered to the !ing6 )1 must stand unha((yF thy sister would 'ain (art me 'rom all mine honors. 1 ma!e here (laint to thee she doth a8er that $ieg'ried, her husband hath had me as his leman.) ?uoth 2ing Gunther6 )"hen hath she done ill.) )$he weareth here my girdle, whi h 1 ha8e lost, and my ring o' ruddy gold. 1t doth re(ent me sore that 1 was e8er born, unless be thou learest me o' this (assing great shame, 'or that 1All ser8e thee e8er.) 2ing Gunther s(a!e6 )Ha8e him ome hither. He must let us hear i' he hath made boast o' this, or he must ma!e denial, the hero o' *etherland.) One bade 'et h at on e 2riemhildAs lo8e. 9hen $ieg'ried saw the angry dames (he wist not o' the tale), how Hui !ly then he s(a!e6 )1 'ain would !now why these ladies wee(, or 'or what ause the !ing hath had me 'et hed.) "hen 2ing Gunther s(a!e6 )1t doth rue me sore, 'orsooth. My 0ady #runhild hath told me here a tale, that thou hast boasted thou wast the 'irst to las( her lo8ely body in thine armsF this 0ady 2riemhild, thy wi'e, doth say.) "hen s(a!e 0ord $ieg'ried6 )And she hath told this tale, she shall rue it sore, or e8er 1 turn ba !, and 1All lear me with solemn oaths in 'ront o' all thy men, that 1 ha8e not told her this.) ?uoth the !ing o' the =hineland6 )0et that be seen. "he oath thou dost o''er, and let it now be gi8en, shall 'ree thee o' all 'alse harges.)

11J

"hey bade the (roud #urgundians 'orm a ring. $ieg'ried, the bold, stret hed out his hand 'or the oathF then s(a!e the mighty !ing6 )"hy great inno en e is so well !nown to me, that 1 will 'ree thee o' that o' whi h my sister doth a use thee and say, thou hast ne8er done this thing.) $ieg'ried re(lied6 )1' it boot my lady aught to ha8e thus saddened #runhild, that will surely ause me boundless grie'.) "hen the lusty !nights and good ga@ed one u(on the other. )One should so train women,) s(a!e again $ieg'ried, the !night, )that they lea8e haughty words unsaid. ;orbid it to thy wi'e, and 1All do the same to mine. 1n truth, 1 do shame me o' her great dis ourtesie.) Many 'air ladies were (arted by the s(ee h. #runhild mourned so sore, that it mo8ed 2ing GuntherAs men to (ity. "hen ame Hagen o' "roneg to his so8ran lady. He 'ound her wee(ing, and as!ed what grie' she had. $he told him then the tale. On the s(ot he 8owed that 2riemhildAs lord should rue it sore, or he would ne8ermore be glad. Ortwin and Gernot Ioined their (arley and these heroes ounseled $ieg'riedAs death. Giselher, the son o' the noble /ta, ame hither too. 9hen he heard the tal!, he s(a!e 'ull true6 )-e trusty !nights, where'ore do ye thisL $ieg'ried hath not merited 'orsooth su h hate, that he should there'ore lose his li'e. ,ertes, women o't grow angry o8er little things.) )$hall we then raise u !oldsL) answered HagenF )su h good !nights would gain 'rom that but little honor. #e ause he hath boasted o' my liege lady, 1 will rather die, anA it ost him not his li'e.) "hen s(a!e the !ing himsel'6 )He hath shown us naught but lo8e and honor, so let him li8e. 9hat booteth it, i' 1 now should hate the !nightL He was e8er 'aith'ul to us and that right willingly.) 2night Ortwin o' Met@ then s(a!e6 )His great (rowess shall not in sooth a8ail him aught. 1' my lord (ermit, 1All do him e8ery e8il.) $o without ause the heroes had de lared a 'eud against him. 1n this none 'ollowed, sa8e that Hagen ounselled all time 2night Gunther

11B

the that i' $ieg'ried no longer li8ed, then many !ingly lands would own his sway. At this the !ing grew sad, so they let it rest. >ousting was seen on e more. Ho, what stout sha'ts they s(lintered be'ore the minster in the (resen e o' $ieg'riedAs wi'e, e8en down to the hallM 4now o' GuntherAs men were now in wrath. "he !ing s(a!e6 )0et be this murderous rage, he is born to our honor and to our Ioy. "hen, too, the wonderly bold man is so 'ier e o' strength, that none durst mat h him, i' he mar!ed it.) )*o, not he,) s(a!e Hagen then, )-e may well !ee( stillF 1 trow to bring it to (ass in se ret, that he rue #runhildAs tears. ,ertes, Hagen hath bro!en with him 'or all time.) "hen s(a!e 2ing Gunther6 )How might that han eL) "o this Hagen made answer6 )1All let you hear. 9eAll bid messengers, that be not !nown to any here, ride into our land, to de lare war u(on us o(enly. "hen do ye say be'ore your guests that ye and your men will ta!e the 'ield. 9hen that is done, he will 8ow to ser8e you then and 'rom this he shall lose his li'e, anA 1 learn the tale 'rom the bold !nightAs wi'e.) "he !ing 'ollowed his liegeman Hagen in e8il wise. "hese hosen !nights gan (lan great 'aithlessness, or e8er any one was ware. ;rom two womenAs Huarreling 'ull many a hero lost his li'e. ENDNOTES# (1) )0eman) (M.4. )lemman), O.4. )leo' mann), Alie' manA, i.e., Adear oneA), AmistressA in a bad sense.

115

!D'ENTURE 7' H+, Sie)(ried /as Be.rayed*

/(on the 'ourth morning two and thirty men were seen to ride to ourt and the tale was brought to mighty Gunther that war had been de lared. "he 8ery direst woes be'ell 'air women 'rom a lie. "hey gained lea8e to ome be'ore the !ing and say that they were 0iudegerAs men, whom $ieg'riedAs hand had onHuered a'ore and had brought as hostages to GuntherAs land. He greeted then the messengers and bade them go and seat them. One among them s(a!e6 )My lord, (ray let us stand till we ha8e told the message we do bear you. "his !now, ye ha8e o' a truth many a motherAs son as 'oe. 0iudegast and 0iudeger, whom ye one time ga8e grie8ous sores, de lare a 'eud against you and are minded to ride with an army to this land.) "he !ing wa&ed wroth when he heard "his tale. Men bade lead the (erIurers to their lodgings. How might $ieg'ried, or any else against whom they (lotted, ware himsel' against their wilesL "his later brought great sorrow to them all. "he !ing wal!ed whis(ering with his 'riendsF Hagen o' "roneg ne8er let him rest. 4now o' the !ingAs liegemen would 'ain ha8e (arted the stri'e, but Hagen would not gi8e u( his (lan. On a day $ieg'ried 'ound them whis(ering. "he hero o' *etherland gan as!6 )How go the !ing and his men so sadlyL 1All hel( a8enge it, hath any done you aught.) "hen s(a!e 2ing Gunther6 )1 am rightly sad. 0iudegast and 0iudeger ha8e hallenged me to warF they are minded to ride o(enly into my land.) At this the bold !night said6 )$ieg'riedAs hand shall hinder that with @eal, as beseemeth all your honors. 1All do yet to these !nights as 1 did be'oreF 1All lay waste their lands, or e8er 1 turn again. #e my head your (ledge o' this. -e and your warriors shall stay at home and let me ride to meet them with those 1 ha8e. 1All let you see how 'ain 1 ser8e you. "his !now, through me it shall go e8il with your 'oes.) )9ell is me o' these tidings,) s(a!e then the !ing, as though he were glad in earnest o' this aid. 9ith guile the 'aithless man bowed low. ?uoth 0ord $ieg'ried6 )-e shall ha8e small are.)

11E

"hen they made ready 'or the Iourney hen e with the men+at+arms. "his was done 'or $ieg'ried and his men to see. He, too, bade those o' *etherland get them ready. $ieg'riedAs warriors sought out warli!e weeds. "hen the stalwart $ieg'ried s(a!e6 )My 'ather $iegmund, ye must stay here. 9e shall return in short s(a e hither to the =hine, and God gi8e us lu !. -e must here ma!e merry with the !ing.) "hey tied 'ast their banners, as though they would away, and there were enow o' GuntherAs men who wist not where'ore this was done. Great rout o' men was seen at $ieg'riedAs side. "hey bound their helmets and their breast(lates u(on the steeds, and many a stout !night made ready to Huit the land. "hen Hagen o' "roneg went to 'ind 2riemhild and as!ed 'or lea8eF sith they would 8oid the land. )*ow well is me,) s(a!e 2riemhild, )that 1 ha8e won a husband who dare (rote t so well my lo8ing !ins'ol!, as my 0ord $ieg'ried doth here. "here'ore,) s(a!e the Hueen, )will 1 be glad o' heart. Dear 'riend Hagen, thin! on that, that 1 do ser8e you gladly and ne8er yet did bear you hate. =eHuite this now to me in my dear husband. 0et him not su''er, i' 1 ha8e done to #runhild aught. 1 sin e ha8e rued it,) s(a!e the noble wi'e. )Moreo8er, he sin e hath beaten me bla ! and blueF the bra8e hero and a good hath well a8enged that e8er 1 s(a!e what grie8ed her heart.) )-eAll be 'riends on e more a'ter some days. 2riemhild, dear lady, (ray tell me how 1 may ser8e you in your husband $ieg'ried. 0ie'er will 1 do this 'or you than 'or any else.) )1 should be without all 'ear,) Huoth the noble dame, )that any one would ta!e his li'e in the 'ray, i' he would not 'ollow his o8erweening moodF then the bold !night and a good were sa'e.) )0ady,) s(a!e then Hagen, )anA ye do thin! that men might wound him, (ray let me !now with what manner o' arts 1 an (re8ent this. On 'oot, on horse, will 1 e8er be his guard.) $he s(a!e6 )"hou art my !insman and 1 am thine. 1All ommend to thee trustingly the dear lo8er o' mine, that thou mayst guard him well, mine own dear husband.) $he made him a Huaint with tales whi h had been better le't unsaid. $he s(a!e6 )My husband is bra8e

11%

and strong enow. 9hen he slew the dragon on the hill, the lusty warrior bathed him o' a truth in the blood, so that sin e then no wea(on e8er ut him in the 'ray. -et am 1 in 'ear, whene8er he standeth in the 'ight and many Ia8elins are ast by heroesA hands, that 1 may lose this dear husband o' mine. Alas, how o't 1 su''er sore 'or $ieg'riedAs sa!eM Dear !insman, in the ho(e that thou wilt hold thy troth with me, 1All tell thee where men may wound the dear lord o' mine. 1 let thee hear this, Atis done in 'aith. 9hen the hot blood gushed 'rom the dragonAs wounds and the bold hero and a good bathed him therein, a broad linden lea' did 'all betwi&t his shoulder blades. "here'ore am 1 sore a'raid that men may ut him there.) "hen s(a!e Hagen o' "roneg6 )$ew a small mar! u(on his oat, whereby 1 may !now where 1 must guard him, when we stand in battle.) $he weened to sa8e her !night, but Atwas done unto his death. $he s(a!e6 )9ith 'ine sil! 1All sew a se ret ross u(on his 8esture. "here, !night, thy hand must guard my husband, when the stri'e is on and he standeth in the battle be'ore his 'oes.) )"hat will 1 well, dear my lady,) Hagen then re(lied. "he lady weened that it would boot him aught, but 2riemhildAs husband was thereby betrayed. Hagen then too! lea8eF merrily he hied him hen e. "he !ingAs liegeman was blithe o' mood. 1 ween that ne8ermore will warrior gi8e su h 'alse ounsel, as was done by him when 2riemhild trusted in his troth. *e&t morning $ieg'ried with a thousand o' his men rode merrily 'orth. He weened he should a8enge the grie8an e o' his !insmen. Hagen rode so near him that he ould eye his lothes. 9hen he saw the sign, he sent in se ret twain o' his men, who should tell another tale6 that GuntherAs land should still ha8e (ea e and that 0iudeger had sent them to the !ing. How loth $ieg'ried now rode home again, or e8er he had a8enged his !insmenAs wrongsM GuntherAs men ould hardly turn him ba !. He rode then to the !ingF the host gan than! him. )*ow God reHuite you o' your will, 'riend $ieg'ried, that ye do so willingly what 1 bid you. ;or this 1All e8er ser8e you, as 1 rightly should. 1 trust you more than all my 'riends. *ow that we be rid o' this 'oray, 1 am minded to ride a+hunting 'or bears and boars to the :osges 'orest, as 1 ha8e done o't+time.) "hat Hagen, the 'aithless

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!night, had ounseled. )0et it be told to all my guests, that we ride betimes. "hose that would hunt with me must ma!e them ready. 1' any hoose to stay at home to ourt the ladies, that li!eth me as well.) "hen s(a!e $ir $ieg'ried in lordly wise6 )And ye would a+hunting, 1Ad 'ain go with you. .ray lend me a huntsman and some bra h, (1) and 1 will ride to the (ines.) )9ill ye ha8e but oneL) s(a!e the !ing anon. )1All lend you, anA ye will, 'our men to whom both wood and (aths be !nown where the game is wont to go, and who will not let you miss the am(.) "hen rode the 'ull lusty warrior to his wi'e, whilst Hagen Hui !ly told the !ing how he thought to tra( the doughty !night. A man should ne8er use su h 'aithlessness. ENDNOTES# (1) )#ra h), Ahunting dogA, ognate with M.H.G. )brae!e), used here.

!D'ENTURE 7'I H+, Sie)(ried /as Slain*

Gunther and Hagen, the (assing bold !nights, 'aithlessly let ry a+ hunting in the woods, that with shar( s(ears they would hunt boars and bears and bison. 9hat might be bra8erL 9ith them rode $ieg'ried in lordly guiseF many !inds o' 8i tual did they ta!e along. At a ool s(ring he later lost his li'e, the whi h #runhild, 2ing GuntherAs wi'e, had ounseled. "he bold !night then went to where he 'ound 2riemhild. His ostly hunting garb and those o' his 'ellowshi( were already bound u(on the sum(ters, 'or they would ross the =hine. *e8er ould 2riemhild ha8e been more sorrow'ul. He !issed his lo8e u(on her mouth. )God let me see thee, lady, still in health and grant that thine eyes may see me too. "hou shalt ha8e (astime with thy lo8ing !insmen. 1 may not stay at home.) "hen she thought o' the tale she had told to Hagen, though she durst not say a whit. "he noble Hueen began to rue that she was e8er born.

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0ord $ieg'riedAs wi'e we(t out o' measure. $he s(a!e to the !night6 )0et be your hunting. 1 had an e8il dream last night, how two wild boars did hase you a ross the heathF then 'lowers grew red. 1 ha8e in truth great ause to wee( so sore. 1 be mu h adread o' sundry (lans and whether we ha8e not misser8ed some who might bear us hostile hate. "arry here, dear my lord, that 1 ounsel by my troth.) He s(a!e6 )Dear lo8e, 1All ome ba ! in a 'ew short days. 1 wot not here o' (eo(le who bear me aught o' hate. 4a h and all o' thy !insmen be my 'riends, nor ha8e 1 deser8ed it other o' the !nights.) )*o, no, $ir $ieg'ried, in truth 1 'ear thy 'all. 1 had last night an e8il dream, how two mountains 'ell u(on thee. 1 saw thee ne8ermore. 1t doth ut me to the heart, that thou wilt (art 'rom me.) 1n his arms he las(ed his ourteous wi'e and !issed her tenderly. "hen in a short s(a e he too! his lea8e and (arted hen e. Alas, she ne8er saw him in health again. "hen they rode 'rom then e into a dee( wood 'or (astimeAs sa!e. Many bold !nights did 'ollow Gunther and his men, but Gernot and Giselher stayed at home. Many laden sum(ters were sent be'ore them a ross the =hine, the whi h bare 'or the hunting 'ellowshi( bread and wine, meat and 'ish, and great store o' other things, whi h so mighty a !ing might rightly ha8e. "hey bade the (roud huntsmen and bold halt be'ore a green wood o8er against the ourses o' the game, u(on a (assing broad glade where they should hunt. "he !ing was told that $ieg'ried, too, was ome. "he hunting 'ellowshi( now too! their stand on e8ery side. "hen the bold !night, the sturdy $ieg'ried, as!ed6 )-e heroes bold and bra8e, who shall lead us to the game within the woodL) )0et us (art,) s(a!e Hagen, )ere we begin the hase. "hereby my lords and 1 may !now who be the best hunter on this woodland Iourney. 0et us di8ide the 'ol! and hounds and let ea h turn whithersoe8er he list. He who doth hunt the best shall ha8e our than!s.) $hort time the huntsmen bided by another a'ter that. "hen s(a!e 0ord $ieg'ried6 )1 need no dogs sa8e one bra h that hath been trained that he an tell the tra ! o' the beasts through the (ine woods.) ?uoth 2riemhildAs husband6 )9eAll 'ind the game.)

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"hen an old huntsman too! a good sleuth+hound and in a short s(a e brought the lord to where many beasts were 'ound. 9hatso rose 'rom its lair the omrades hunted as good hunters still are wont to do. 9hate8er the bra h started, bold $ieg'ried, the hero o' *etherland, slew with his hand. His horse did run so hard that none es a(ed him. 1n the hase he gained the (ri@e abo8e them all. Doughty enow he was in all things. "he beast whi h he slew with his hands was the 'irst, a mighty boarF a'ter whi h he 'ound 'ull soon a monstrous lion. (1) 9hen the bra h started this 'rom its lair, he shot it with his bow, in whi h he had (la ed a 'ull shar( arrow. A'ter the shot the lion ran the s(a e o' but three bounds. "he hunting 'ellowshi( ga8e $ieg'ried than!s. "herea'ter he s(eedily slew a bison and an el!, 'our strong ure+o&en, (2) and a sa8age shel!. (C) His horse bare him so swi'tly that naught es a(ed him, nor ould hart or hind a8oid him. "hen the sleuth+hound 'ound a mighty boarF when he began to 'lee, at on e there ame the master oP the hunt and en ountered him u(on his (ath. 9rath'ully the boar did run against the 8aliant hero, but 2riemhildAs husband slew him with his sword. Another huntsman might not ha8e done this deed so lightly. 9hen he had 'elled him, they leashed the sleuth+houndF his ri h booty was soon well !nown to the #urgundian men. "hen s(a!e his huntsman6 )$ir $ieg'ried, i' might so be, let us lea8e a deal o' the beasts ali8e. -eAll em(ty both our hill and woods to+ day.) At this the bra8e !night and a bold gan smile. "hen the alls o' men and the baying o' hounds were heard on e8ery sideF so great was the noise that both hill and (ine woods e hoed with the sound. "he huntsmen had let loose 'ull 'our and twenty (a !s. "hen (assing many beasts must needs lose their li8es. 4a h man weened to bring it to (ass that men should gi8e him the (ri@e o' the huntF that might not be, 'or the stalwart $ieg'ried was already standing by the 'ire. "he hase was o8er, and yet not Huite. "hose who would to the am(+'ire brought with them thither hides o' many beasts and game in (lenty. Ho, how mu h the !ingAs meiny bare then to the !it henM "hen bade the !ing announ e to the huntsman that he would dismount. A horn was blown 'ull loud Iust on e, that all might !now that one might 'ind the noble (rin e in am(. $(a!e then one o' $ieg'riedAs huntsmen6 )My lord, 1 heard by the blast o' a horn that we must now hie us to the HuartersF 1All now gi8e answer.)

12C

"hus by many blasts o' horns they as!ed about the hunters. "hen s(a!e $ir $ieg'ried6 )*ow let us lea8e the (ine woodM) His steed bare him smoothly and with him they hasted hen e. 9ith their rout they started u( a sa8age beastF a wild bear it was. ?uoth then the !night to those behind6 )1All gi8e our 'ellowshi( a little (astime. 0et loose the bra h. ;orsooth 1 s(y a bear whi h shall Iourney with us to the am(. ;lee he ne8er so 'ast, he shall not es a(e us,) "he bra h was loosed, the bear s(rang hen eF 2riemhildAs husband would 'ain o8erta!e him. He rea hed a thi !et, where none ould 'ollow. "he mighty beast weened now to es a(e 'rom the hunter with his li'e, but the (roud !night and a good lea(ed 'rom his steed and began to hase him. "he bear was hel(less and ould not 'lee away. At on e the hero aught it and bound it Hui !ly with not a wound, so that it might neither s rat h nor bite the men. "he doughty !night then tied it to his saddle and horsed him Hui !ly. "hrough his o8erweening mood the bold warrior and a good brought it to the am(+'ire as a (astime. 1n what lordly wise he rode to the HuartersM Mi !le was his boar+s(ear, strong and broad. A dainty sword hung downward to his s(urs. "he lord bare also a 'air horn o' ruddy gold. *e8er heard 1 tale o' better hunting weeds. One saw him wear a oat o' bla ! and sil!y loth and a hat o' sable6 ri h enow it was. Ho, what ostly bands he wore u(on his Hui8erM A (antherAs s!in was drawn o8er it 'or its sweet 'ragran eA (G) sa!e. He bare a bow, whi h any but the hero must needs draw ba ! with a windlass, and he would bend it. His 8esture was be'urred with otter s!in (J) 'rom head to toe. ;rom the bright 'ur shone out on both sides o' the bold master o' the hunt many a bar o' gold. #almung (B) he also bare, a good broad sword, that was so shar( that it ne8er 'ailed when Atwas wielded Against a helmetF its edge was good. 1n high s(irits was the lordly huntsman. $ith 1 must tell you all the tale, his ostly Hui8er was 'ull o' goodly darts, the heads a 'ull handAs breadth, on golden sha'ts. 9hat he (ier ed therewith must needs die soon. "hus the noble !night rode hen e in hunterAs garb. GuntherAs men es(ied him oming and ran out to meet him and too! his horse in harge. On his saddle he arried a large bear and a strong. 9hen he had dismounted, he loosed the bonds 'rom 'eet and snout. "hose o' the (a ! bayed loudly, that s(ied the bear. "he beast would to the woodsF the ser8ing 'ol! had 'ear. Da@ed by the din, the bear made 'or the !it hen. Ho, how he dro8e the s ullions 'rom the 'ireM Many a !ettle was u(set and many a 'irebrand s attered. Ho, what good 8i tual men 'ound lying in the ashesM "hen the lordings and their

12G

liegemen s(rang 'rom their s ats. "he bear grew 'urious and the !ing bade loose the (a ! that lay enleashed. Had all s(ed well, they would ha8e had a merry day. *o longer the doughty men delayed, but ran 'or the bear with bows and (i!es. "here was su h (ress o' dogs that none might shoot, but 'rom the (eo(leAs shouts the whole hill rang. "he bear began to 'lee be'ore the dogsF none ould 'ollow him but 2riemhildAs husband, who aught and slew him with his sword. "hen they bore the bear again to the 'ire. "hose that saw it, a8erred he was a mighty man. Men bade now the (roud hunting 'ellowshi( seat them at the tables. /(on a 'air mead there sate a goodly om(any. Ho, what ri h 8iands they bare there to the noble huntsmenM "he butlers who should bring the wine delayedF else might ne8er heroes ha8e been better ser8ed. Had they not been so 'alsely minded, then had the !nights been 'ree o' e8ery blame. *ow the 0ord $ieg'ried s(a!e6 )Me+wondereth, sin e men do gi8e us su h great store 'rom the !it hen, why the butlers bring us not the wine. /nless men (ur8ey the hunters better, 1All be no more your hunting+'ellow. 1 ha8e well deser8ed that they regard me, too.) "he !ing addressed him 'rom his seat with guile6 )9e 'ain would do you remedy o' what we la !. 1t is HagenAs 'ault, who is willed to let us die o' thirst.) "hen s(a!e Hagen6 )Dear my lord, 1 weened that the hunt should be in the $(essart (5) wood, there'ore sent 1 thither the wine. "hough we may not drin! today, how well will 1 a8oid this in the 'utureM) At this 0ord $ieg'ried s(a!e6 )$mall than!s yeAll get 'or that. One should ha8e brought me hither se8en sum(ter loads o' mead and mulled wine. (E) 1' that might not be, then men should ha8e (la ed our ben hes nearer to the =hine.) "hen s(a!e Hagen o' "roneg6 )-e noble !nights and bold, 1 wot near by a good old s(ring. 0et us go thither, that ye wa& not wroth.) "o the danger o' many a !night was this ounsel gi8en. "he (angs o' thirst now (lagued the warrior $ieg'ried. He bade the tables be borne away the sooner, 'or he would go to the s(ring in the mountains.

12J

9ith 'alse intent the ounsel was then gi8en by the !nights. "hey bade the game whi h $ieg'riedAs hand had slain, be arried home on wains. 9hoe8er saw it ga8e him great laud. Hagen o' "roneg now 'oully bro!e his troth to $ieg'ried. 9hen they would hen e to the broad linden, he s(a!e6 )1t hath o't been told me, that none an !ee( (a e with 2riemhildAs husband when he be minded 'or to ra e. Ho, i' he would only let us see it hereM) #old $ieg'ried 'rom *etherland then answered6 )-e an well test that, and ye will run a ra e with me to the s(ring. 9hen that is done, we all gi8e the (ri@e to him who winneth.) )$o let us try it then,) Huoth Hagen, the !night. $(a!e the sturdy $ieg'ried6 )"hen will 1 lay me down on the green sward at your 'eet.) (%) How lie' it was to Gunther, when he heard these wordsM "hen the bold !night s(a!e again6 )1All tell you more. 1All ta!e with me all my tra((ings, my s(ear and shield and all my hunting garb.) Around him he Hui !ly girded his Hui8er and his sword. "hen they drew the lothes 'rom o'' their limbsF men saw them stand in two white shi'ts. 0i!e two wild (anthers through the lo8er they ran, but men s(ied bold $ieg'ried 'irst at the s(ring. 1n all things he bare away the (ri@e 'rom many a man. ?ui !ly he ungirt his sword and laid aside his Hui8er and leaned the stout s(ear against a linden bough. "he lordly stranger stood now by the 'lowing s(ring. .assing great was $ieg'riedAs ourtesie. He laid down his shield where the s(ring gushed 'orth, but the hero dran! not, albeit he thirsted sore until the !ing had drun!, who ga8e him e8il than!s. ,ool, lear, and good was the s(ring. Gunther stoo(ed down then to the 'lowing stream, and when he had drun!en straightened u( again. #old $ieg'ried would 'ain also ha8e done the same, but now he (aid 'or his ourtesie. Hagen bare Huite away 'rom him both bow and sword and bounded then to where he 'ound the s(earF then he loo!ed 'or the mar! on bold $ieg'riedAs oat. As 0ord $ieg'ried dran! abo8e the s(ring, he (ier ed him through the ross, so that his heartAs blood s(urted 'rom the wounds almost on HagenAs lothes. *e8ermore will hero do so 'oul a deed. Hagen le't the s(ear a+sti !ing in his heart and 'led more madly than he e8er in the world had run 'rom any man.

12B

9hen 0ord $ieg'ried 'elt the mighty wound, u( 'rom the s(ring he started in a rage. ;rom betwi&t his shoulder blades a long s(ear+sha't towered. He weened to 'ind his bow or his sword, and then had Hagen been re(aid as he deser8ed. #ut when the sorely wounded hero 'ound no tra e o' his sword, then had he naught else but his shield. "his he snat hed 'rom the s(ring and ran at HagenF nor ould 2ing GuntherAs man es a(e him. Albeit he was wounded unto death, yet he smote so mightily that a (lenty o' (re ious stones were sha!en 'rom the shield. "he shield itsel' burst Huite a(art. ;ain would the lordly stranger ha8e a8enged him. *ow was Hagen 'allen to the ground at his hands, and 'rom the 'or e o' the blow the glade rang loudly. Had he had a sword in hand, then had it been HagenAs death, so sore enraged was the wounded man. ;orsooth he had good ause thereo'. His hue grew (ale, he ould not standF his strength o' body melted Huite away, 'or in bright olors he bore the signs o' death. "herea'ter he was bewailed by 'air dames enow. 2riemhildAs husband 'ell now among the 'lowers. ;ast 'rom his wounds his blood was seen to gush. He began to rail, as indeed he had great ause, at those who had (lanned this trea herous death. "he deadly wounded s(a!e6 );orsooth, ye e8il owards, what a8ail my ser8i es now that ye ha8e slain meL "his is my reward that 1 was always 'aith'ul to you. Alas, ye ha8e a ted ill against your !insmen. "hose o' them who are born in a'ter days will be disgra ed. -e ha8e a8enged your wrath too sore u(on me. 9ith shame shall ye be (arted 'rom all good warriors.) "he !nights all ran to where he lay slain. ;or enow o' them it was a ha(less day. He was bewailed by those who had aught o' loyalty, and this the bra8e and lusty !night had well deser8ed. "he !ing o' the #urgundians bemoaned his death. ?uoth the deadly wounded6 )"here is no need that he should wee( who hath done the damageF he doth merit mi !le blame. 1t had been better le't undone.) "hen s(a!e the 'ier e Hagen6 );orsooth 1 wot not what ye now bewail. All our 'ear and all our woe ha8e now an end. 9e shall 'ind s ant 'ew who dare withstand us now. 9ell is me, that to his rule 1 ha8e (ut an end.) )-e may lightly boast you,) $ieg'ried then re(lied. )Had 1 wist your murderous bent, 1 had well guarded my li'e against you. *one doth rue me so sore as 0ady 2riemhild, my wi'e. *ow may God ha8e (ity

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that 1 e8er had a son to whom the re(roa h will be made in a'ter days, that his !indred ha8e slain a man with murderous intent. 1' 1 might,) so s(a!e $ieg'ried, )1 should rightly ma!e om(laint o' this.) .iteously the deadly wounded s(a!e again6 )*oble !ing, i' ye will !ee( your troth to any in the world, then let my dear lo8e be ommended to your gra e and let it a8ail her that she be your sister. ;or the sa!e o' your (rin ely ourtesie (rote t her 'aith'ully. My 'ather and my men must wait long time 'or me. *e8er was woman sorer wounded in a lo8ing 'riend.) "he 'lowers on e8ery side were wot with blood. 9ith death he struggled, but not 'or long, sith the sword o' death had ut him all too sorely. "hen the lusty warrior and a bra8e ould s(ea! no more. 9hen the lordlings saw that the !night was dead, they laid him on a shield o' ruddy gold and too! ounsel how they might on eal that Hagen had done the deed. 4now o' them s(a!e6 )1ll hath it gone with us. -e must all hide it and a8er ali!e that robbers slew 2riemhildAs husband as he rode alone a+hunting through the (ine wood.) "hen Hagen o' "roneg s(a!e6 )1All bring him homeF 1 are not i' it be !nown to her, 'or she hath saddened #runhildAs heart. 0ittle doth it trouble me howe8er mu h she wee(.) ENDNOTES# (1) )0ion.) 1t is hardly ne essary to state that lions did not roam at large in the 'orests o' Germany. "hey were, howe8er, 'reHuently e&hibited in the Middle Ages, and the (oet introdu ed one here to enhan e $ieg'riedAs 'ame as a hunter. (2) )/re+o&en), the auero hs, or 4uro(ean bison, now (ra ti ally e&tin t. (C) )$hel!) (M.H.G. )s hel h)), (robably a s(e ies o' giant deer. (G) );ragran e). 1t was belie8ed that the odor o' the (anther attra ted the game. ,om(are the des ri(tion o' the (anther in the older ).hysiologus), where the odor is said to sur(ass that o' all ointments.

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(J) )Otter) translates here M.H.G. )ludem), whose e&a t onnotation is not !nown. $ome inter(ret it to meau the 'ish otter, others the )9alds hrat), a !ind o' 'aun. (B) )#almung), see Ad8enture 111, note 5. (5) )$(essart wood) lies 'orty to 'i'ty miles east o' 9orms and is there'ore too distant 'or a dayAs hunt, but su h tri'les did not disturb the (oet. (E) )Mulled wine), see Ad8enture :111, note J. (%) );eet). "his was (robably done as a handi a(. "he time onsumed in rising to his 'eet would gi8e his o((onent Huite a start.

!D'ENTURE 7'II H+, &rie-1ild M+0rned Her H0sband !nd H+, He /as B0ried*
"hen they waited 'or the night and rossed the =hine. *e8er had heroes hunted worse. *oble maids bewe(t the game they slew. ;orsooth many good warriors must needs atone 'or this in a'ter days. *ow ye may hear a tale o' great o8erweening and dire re8enge. Hagen bade arry $ieg'ried o' the *ibelung land, thus dead, be'ore the bower where 2riemhild lodged. He bade (la e him stealthily against the door, that she might 'ind him when she went 'orth be'ore the brea! o' day to matins, whi h 0ady 2riemhild 'ull seldom missed through slee(. Men rang the minster bells a ording to their ustom. 0ady 2riemhild, the 'air, now wa!ed her many maids and bade them bring a light and her 8esture, too. "hen ame a hamberlain and 'ound $ieg'ried there. He saw him red with blood, his lothes all wet. He wist not it was his lord, but with the light in his hand he hasted to the bower and through this 0ady 2riemhild learned the bane'ul tale. As she would set out with her ladies 'or the minster, the hamberlain s(a!e6 ).ray stay your 'eet, there doth lie be'ore the hamber a !night, slain unto death.)

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2riemhild gan ma!e (assing sore wail, or e8er she heard aright that it was her husband. $he began to thin! o' HagenAs Huestion, o' how he might (rote t him. "hen 'irst she su''ered doleF she renoun ed all (leasure at his death. "o the earth she san!, not a word she s(a!e, and here they 'ound lying the ha(less 'air. .assing great grew 2riemhildAs woe. A'ter her 'aint, she shrie!ed, that all the hamber rang. "hen her meiny said6 ).er han e it is a stranger !night.) "he blood gushed 'rom her mouth, 'rom dole o' heartF she s(a!e6 )A"is $ieg'ried, mine own dear husband. #runhild hath ounseled this and Hagen hath done the deed.) "he lady bade them lead her to where the hero lay. 9ith her white hand she raised his head, and though it was red with blood, she !new him soon. "here lay the hero o' the *ibelung land in (iteous guise. "he gra ious Hueen ried sadly6 )Oh, woe is me o' my sorrowM "hy shield is not ar8ed with swords, thou liest murdered here. 9ist 1 who hath done the deed, 1Ad e8er (lot his death.) All her maids made mourn and wailed with their dear lady, 'or they grie8ed 'ull sore 'or their noble lord whom they had lost. Hagen had ruelly a8enged the wrath o' #runhild. "hen s(a!e the grie'+stri !en dame6 )Go now and wa!e with haste all $ieg'riedAs men. "ell $iegmund also o' my grie', mayha( heAll hel( me bewail bra8e $ieg'ried.) A messenger ran Hui !ly to where lay $ieg'riedAs warriors 'rom the *ibelung land, and with his bale'ul tidings stole their Ioy. "hey ould s ar e belie8e it, till they heard the wee(ing. =ight soon the messenger ame to where the !ing did lie. $iegmund, the lord, was not aslee(. 1 trow his heart did tell him what had ha((ed. *e8er again might he see his dear son ali8e. )Awa!e, $ir $iegmundF 2riemhild, my lady, bade me go to 'et h you. A wrong hath been done her that doth ut her to the heart, more than all other ills. -e must hel( her mourn, 'or mu h it doth on ern you.) $iegmund sat u(F he s(a!e6 )9hat are 'air 2riemhildAs ills, o' whi h thou tellest meL)

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9ee(ing the messenger s(a!e6 )1 annot hide them 'rom youF alas, bold $ieg'ried o' *etherland is slain.) ?uoth $iegmund6 );or my sa!e let be this Iesting and su h e8il tales, that thou shouldst tell any that he be dead, 'or 1 might ne8er bewail him 'ully be'ore my death.) )1' ye will belie8e naught o' what ye hear me say, then you may hear yoursel' 2riemhild and all her maids bewailing $ieg'riedAs death.) $iegmund then was sore a''righted, as indeed he had great need, He and a hundred o' his men s(rang 'rom their beds and gras(ed with their hands their long shar( swords. 1n sorrow they ran toward the sound o' wail. "hen ame a thousand men+at+arms, bold $ieg'riedAs men. 9hen they heard the ladies wail so (iti'ully, some 'irst grew ware that they should dress them. ;orsooth they lost their wits 'or 8ery sorrow. Great hea8iness was buried in their hearts. "hen 2ing $iegmund ame to where he 'ound 2riemhild. He s(a!e6 )Alas 'or the Iourney hither to this landM 9ho hath so 'oully bere't me o' my hild and you o' your husband among su h good 'riendsL) )Oh, i' 1 !new him,) s(a!e the noble wi'e, )neither my heart nor soul would e8er wish him well. 1 would (lan su h ill against him that his !in must e8er wee( be ause o' me.) Around the (rin e 0ord $iegmund threw his arms. $o great grew the sorrow o' his !in, that the (ala e, the hall, and the town o' 9orms resounded 'rom the mighty wail and wee(ing. *one might now om'ort $ieg'riedAs wi'e. "hey stri((ed o'' the lothes 'rom his 'air bodyF they washed his wounds and laid him on the bier. 9oe were his (eo(le 'rom their mighty grie'. "hen s(a!e his warriors 'rom the *ibelung land6 )Our hands be e8er ready to a8enge himF he li8eth in this astle who hath done the deed.) All o' $ieg'riedAs men hasted then to arms. "hese hosen !nights ame with their shields, ele8en hundred men+at+arms, whom 0ord $iegmund had in his troo(. He would 'ain a8enge the death o' his son, as indeed he had great need. "hey wist not to whom they should address their stri'e, unless it be to Gunther and his men, with whom 0ord $ieg'ried had ridden to the hunt.

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2riemhild saw them armed, whi h rued her sore. Howe8er great her grie' and how dire her need, yet she did so mightily 'ear the death o' the *ibelungs at the hands o' her brothersA liegemen, that she tried to hinder it. 1n !indly wise she warned them, as !insmen do to lo8ing !in. "he grie'+stri !en woman s(a!e6 )My 0ord $iegmund, what will ye doL -e wot naught arightF 'orsooth 2ing Gunther hath so many 8aliant men, ye will all be lost, and ye would en ounter these !nights.) 9ith their shields un o8ered, the men stood eager 'or the 'ight. "he noble Hueen both begged and bade that the lusty !nights a8oid it. 9hen they would not gi8e it o8er, sorely it grie8ed her. $he s(a!e6 )0ord $iegmund, ye must let it be until more 'itting time, then 1All a8enge my husband with you. AnA 1 re ei8e (roo' who hath bere't me o' him, 1All do him s athe. "here be too many haughty warriors by the =hine, where'ore 1 will not ounsel you to 'ight. "hey ha8e 'ull well thirty men to ea h o' ours. *ow God s(eed them, as they deser8e o' us. $tay ye here and bear with me my dole. 9hen it beginneth to dawn, hel( me, ye lusty !nights, to o''in the dear husband o' mine.) ?uoth the !nights6 )"hat shall be done.) *one might tell you all the mar8el o' !nights and ladies, how they were heard to wail, so that e8en in the town men mar!ed the sound o' wee(ing. "he noble burghers hasted hither. 9ith the guests they we(t, 'or they, too, were sore aggrie8ed. *one had told them o' any guilt o' $ieg'ried, or 'or what ause the noble warrior lost his li'e. "he wi8es o' the worthy burghers we(t with the ladies o' the ourt. Men bade smiths haste to wor! a o''in o' sil8er and o' gold, mi !le and strong, and ma!e it 'irm with stri(s o' good hard steel. $ad o' heart were all the 'ol!. "he night was gone, men said the day was dawning. "hen the noble lady bade them bear 0ord $ieg'ried, her lo8ed husband, to the minster. 9hate8er 'riends he had there were seen wee(ing as they went. Many bells were ringing as they brought him to the hur h. On e8ery side one heard the hant o' many (riests. "hen ame 2ing Gunther with his men and grim Hagen also toward the sound o' wail. He s(a!e6 )Alas 'or thy wrongs, lear sister, that we may not be 'ree 'rom this great s athe. 9e must e8er lament 'or $ieg'riedAs death.)

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)"hat ye do without ause,) s(a!e the sorrow+laden wi'e. )9ere this loth to you, it ne8er would ha8e ha((ed. 1 may well a8er, ye thought not on me, when 1 thus was (arted 'rom my dear husband. 9ould to God,) Huoth 2riemhild, )that it had ha((ed to me.) ;irmly they made denial. 2riemhild gan s(ea!6 )9hoso de lareth him guiltless, let him show that now. He must wal! to the bier be'ore all the 'ol!F thereby one may !now the truth e'tsoon.) "his is a great mar8el, whi h o't doth ha(F whene8er the blood+ stained murderer is seen to stand by the dead, the latterAs wounds do bleed, (1) as indeed ha((ed here, whereby one saw the guilt was HagenAs. "he wounds bled sore, as they had done at 'irst. Mu h greater grew the wee(ing o' those who wailed a'ore. "hen s(a!e 2ing Gunther6 )1Ad ha8e you !now that robbers slew himF Hagen did not do the deed.) )1 !now these robbers well,) Huoth she. )*ow may God yet let his 'riends a8enge it. ,ertes, Gunther and Hagen, Atwas done by you.) $ieg'riedAs !nights were now bent on stri'e. "hen 2riemhild s(a!e again6 )*ow share with me this grie'.) Gernot, her brother, and young Giselher, these twain now ame to where they 'ound him dead. "hey mourned him truly with the othersF 2riemhildAs men we(t inly. *ow should mass be sung, so on e8ery side, men, wi8es, and hildren did hie them to the minster. 48en those who might lightly bear his loss, we(t then 'or $ieg'ried. Gernot and Giselher s(a!e6 )$ister mine, now om'ort thee a'ter this death, as needs must be. 9eAll try to ma!e it u( to thee, the while we li8e.) -et none in the world might gi8e her om'ort. His o''in was ready well towards midday. ;rom the bier whereon he lay they raised him. "he lady would not ha8e that he be buried, so that all the 'ol! had mi !le trouble. 1n a ri h loth o' sil! they wound the dead. 1 ween, men 'ound none there that did not wee(. /ta, the noble dame, and all her meiny mourned bitterly the stately man. 9hen it was noised abroad that men sang in the minster and had en o''ined him, then rose a great (ress o' 'ol!. 9hat o''erings they made 'or his soulAs

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sa!eM He had good 'riends enow among these 'oes. .oor 2riemhild s(a!e to her hamberlains6 )-e must now be (ut to trouble 'or my sa!e, ye who wished him well and be my 'riends. ;or $ieg'riedAs soul shall ye deal out his gold.) *o hild, howe8er small, that had its wits, but must go to ser8i e, or e8er he was buried. #etter than a hundred masses were sung that day. Great throng was there o' $ieg'riedAs 'riends. 9hen that mass was sung, the 'ol! went hen e. "hen 0ady 2riemhild s(a!e6 ).ray let me not hold 8igil o8er the hosen !night this night alone. 9ith him all my Ioys ha8e ome to 'all. 1 will let him lie in state three days and nights, until 1 sate me with my dear lord. 9hat i' God doth bid that death should ta!e me too. "hen had ended well the grie' o' me, (oor 2riemhild.) "he (eo(le o' the town returned now to their lodgeings. $he begged the (riests and mon!s and all his retinue, that ser8ed the !night, to stay. "hey s(ent 'ull e8il nights and toilsome daysF many a man remained without all 'ood and drin!. ;or those who would (arta!e, it was made !nown that men would gi8e them to the 'ull. "his $ir $iegmund (ur8eyed. "hen were the *ibelungs made a Huaint with mi !le toil. During the three days, as we hear tell, those who !new how to sing, were made to bear a deal o' wor!. 9hat o''erings men brought themM "hose who were 8ery (oor, grew ri h enow. 9hate8er o' (oor men there were, the whi h had naught, these were bid go to mass with gold 'rom $ieg'riedAs treasure hamber. $in e he might not li8e, many thousand mar!s o' gold were gi8en 'or his soul. $he dealt out well+tilled lands, where8er loisters and (ious 'ol! were 'ound. 4now o' gold and sil8er was gi8en to the (oor. #y her deeds she showed that she did lo8e him 'ondly. /(on the third morning at time o' mass, the broad hur hyard by the minster was 'ull o' wee(ing ountry 'ol!. "hey ser8ed him a'ter death, as one should do to lo8ing !in. 1n the 'our days, as hath been told, 'ull thirty thousand mar!s or better still were gi8en to the (oor 'or his soulAs sa!e. -et his great beauty and his li'e lay low. 9hen God had been ser8ed and the hants were ended, mu h (eo(le 'ought Against monstrous grie'. Men bade bear him 'rom the minster to the gra8e. "hose were seen to wee( and wail who missed him most. 9ith loud laments the (eo(le 'ollowed hen eF none was merry, neither wi'e nor man. "hey sang and read a ser8i e be'ore they

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buried him. Ho, what good (riests were (resent at his burialM 4re $ieg'riedAs wi'e was ome to the gra8e, her 'aith'ul heart was rung with grie', so that they must needs o't s(rin!le her with water 'rom the s(ring. Her (ain was (assing greatF a mi !le wonder it was that she e8er li8ed. Many a lady hel(ed her in her (laint. "hen s(a!e the Hueen6 )-e men o' $ieg'ried, by your loyalty must ye (ro8e your lo8e to me. 0et me re ei8e this little 'a8or a'ter all my woe, that 1 may see on e more his omely head.) $he begged so long, with grie's strong will, that they must needs brea! o(en the lordly as!et. "hen men brought the lady to where he lay. 9ith her white hand she raised his 'air head and !issed the noble !night and good, thus dead. "ears o' blood her bright eyes we(t 'rom grie'. "hen there ha((ed a (iteous (arting. Men bare her hen e, she ould not wal!, and soon they 'ound the high+ born lady lying senseless. ;ain would the lo8ely 'air ha8e died o' grie'. 9hen they had now buried the noble lord, those who were ome with him 'rom the *ibelung land were seen to su''er 'rom unmeasured grie'. Men 'ound $iegmund 'ull seldom merry then. "here were those that 'or three days would neither eat nor drin! 'or (assing grie'. -et might they not so waste away their bodies, but that they re o8ered 'rom their sorrows, as still ha((eneth o't enow. ENDNOTES# (1) )#leed). "his was not only a (o(ular su(erstition, but also a legal (ra ti e in ase o' a murder when the riminal had not been dis o8ered, or i' any one was sus(e ted. "he sus(e ted (erson was reHuested to a((roa h the bier and tou h the body, in the belie' that the blood would 'low a'resh i' the one tou hing the body were guilty. Our (assage is the 'irst instan e o' its mention in German literature. A similar one o urs in )1wein), 1CJJ+1CBG. "he usage was also !nown in ;ran e and 4ngland. $ee the instan es Huoted by >a ob Grimm in his )=e htsaltertumer), %C0.

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!D'ENTURE 7'III H+, Sie)-0nd 8+0rneyed H+-e !)ain*

2riemhildAs husbandAs 'ather went to where he 'ound her. /nto the Hueen he s(a!e6 )9e must unto our landF by the =hine, 1 ween, we be unwel ome guests. 2riemhild, dear lady, now Iourney with me to my lands. Albeit trea hery here in these lands hath bere't us o' your noble husband, yet should ye not reHuite this. 1 will be 'riendly to you 'or my dear sonAs sa!e, o' this shall ye ha8e no doubt. -e shall ha8e, my lady, all the (ower whi h $ieg'ried, the bold !night, ga8e you a'oretime. "he land and also the rown shall be subIe t to you. All $ieg'riedAs men shall ser8e you gladly.) "hen the sHuires were told that they must ride away. A mi !le hurrying 'or steeds was seen, 'or they were loth to stay with their deadly 'oes. Men bade dames and maidens see! their robes. 9hen that 2ing $iegmund would 'ain ha8e ridden 'orth, 2riemhildAs mother gan beg her that she stay there with her !indred. "he royal lady answered6 )"hat might hardly ha(. How ould 1 bear the sight o' him 'rom whom su h great wrong hath ha((ed to me, (oor wi'eL) "hen s(a!e young Giselher6 )Dear sister mine, by thy troth thou shouldst stay here with thy mother. "hou dost need no ser8i e o' them that ha8e grie8ed thee and saddened thy mood. 0i8e 'rom my goods alone.) "o the warrior she s(a!e6 ),ertes, it may not ha(, 'or 1 should die o' dole whene8er 1 should ga@e on Hagen.) )1All gi8e thee rede 'or that, dear sister mine. "hou shalt li8e with thy brother Giselher, and o' a truth 1All om'ort thee o' thy husbandAs death.) "hen answered the ha(less wi'e6 )O' that hath 2riemhild need.)

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9hen the youth had made her su h !indly o''er, then gan /ta and Gernot and her 'aith'ul !in entreat. "hey begged her to tarry there, 'or but little !ith she had among $ieg'riedAs men. )"hey be all strangers to you,) s(a!e GernotF )none that li8eth is so strong but that he must ome to die. ,onsider that, dear sister, and onsole your mind. $tay with your !ins'ol!F ye shall 'are well in truth.) "hen she made 8ow to Giselher that she would stay. "he steeds were brought 'or $ieg'riedAs men, sith they would ride to the *ibelung land. Also all the tra((ings o' the !nights were (a !ed u(on the sum(ters. "hen the 0ord $iegmund hied him to 2riemhildAs side. "o the lady he s(a!e6 )$ieg'riedAs men are waiting by the steeds. *ow must we ride away, 'or 1 be ill ontent in #urgundy.) "he 0ady 2riemhild then re(lied6 )All that 1 ha8e o' 'aith'ul !in ad8ise me that 1 stay here with themF 1 ha8e no !ith in the *ibelung land.) 0oth it was to $iegmund, when that he 'ound 2riemhild o' this mind. He s(a!e6 )0et no one tell you that. #e'ore all my !insmen ye shall wear the rown with su h so8ran (ower as ye did a'oretime. -e shall not su''er, be ause we ha8e lost the !night. =ide also with us home again, 'or the sa!e o' your little hild. 0ady, ye should not lea8e him or(haned. 9hen your son groweth u(, he will om'ort your heart. Meanwhile many bold heroes and good shall ser8e you.) )$ir $iegmund,) Huoth she, )'orsooth 1 li!e not 'or to ride. 9hate8er 'ortune, here must 1 tarry with my !indred, who hel( me mourn.) "hese tales gan now dis(lease the doughty warriors. All s(a!e ali!e6 )9e might well a8er that now 'irst hath ill be'allen us. 1' ye would stay here with our 'oes, then ha8e heroes ne8er ridden to ourt more sorrow'ully.) )-e shall Iourney 'ree o' are, ommended unto GodF ye shall be gi8en sa'e+ ondu t to $iegmundAs land, 1All bid them guard you well. "o the are o' you !nights shall my dear hild be gi8en.)

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9hen they mar!ed that she would not go hen e, then we(t all o' $iegmundAs men ali!e. How right sorrow'ully $iegmund (arted then 'rom 0ady 2riemhildM He be ame a Huaint with grie'. )9oe worth this ourtly 'easting,) s(a!e the noble !ing. )"hrough (astime will ne8ermore ha( to !ing or to his !insmen, what here hath ha((ed to us. Men shall see us ne8ermore in #urgundy.) "hen $ieg'riedAs men s(a!e o(enly6 )A Iourney to this land might still ta!e (la e, i' we dis o8ered aright him who slew our lord. 4now o' his !insmen be their deadly 'oes.) He !issed 2riemhildF how sorrow'ully he s(a!e, when he (er ei8ed aright that she would stay6 )*ow let us ride Ioyless home unto our land, now 'irst do 1 'eel all my sorrow.) Down to the =hine 'rom 9orms they rode without an es ort. "hey were surely o' the mind that they, the bold *ibelungs, ould well de'end them, should they be en ountered in hostile wise. 0ea8e they as!ed o' none, but Gernot and Giselher were seen to go to $iegmund in lo8ing wise. "hese bra8e and lusty !nights on8in ed him that they mourned his loss. ,ourteously .rin e Gernot s(a!e6 )God in hea8en !noweth well that 1 be not to blame 'or $ieg'riedAs death, nor heard 1 e8er that any was his 'oe. 1 mourn him Iustly.) Giselher, the youth, ga8e them then sa'e+ ondu t. $orrowly he led them 'rom the land home to *etherland. How 'ew !insman were 'ound Ioyous thenM How they now 'ared at 9orms 1 annot tell. All time men heard 2riemhild mourn, so that none might om'ort her heart nor mind, sa8e Giselher aloneF loyal he was and good. #runhild, the 'air, sate in o8erweening (ride. How 2riemhild we(t, she re !ed not, nor did she e8er show her lo8e or troth. 0ady 2riemhild wrought her in a'ter days the bitterest woe o' heart.

!D'ENTURE 7I7 H+, T1e Nibel0n) H+ard /as Br+0)1. .+ /+r-s*

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9hen the noble 2riemhild thus was widowed, the Margra8e 4 !ewart with his 8assals stayed with her in the land, and ser8ed her alway. He also o'ten hel(ed his mistress mourn his lord. At 9orms, hard by the minster, they built 'or her a dwelling, broad and (assing large, ostly and great, where, with her maids, she sin e dwelt Ioyless. $he li!ed 'or to go to hur h and did this willingly. 9here her lo8e lay buried, thither she went all time in mourn'ul mood (how seldom she ga8e that o8er). $he (rayed the good God to ha8e mer y on her soul. 9ith great 'idelity she bewe(t the !night 'ull o't. /ta and her meiny om'orted her all time, but so sorely wounded was her heart, that it booted naught, whate8er om'ort men did o''er her. $he had the greatest longing 'or her dear lo8e, that e8er wi'e did ha8e 'or lo8ing husband. One might see thereby her (assing 8irtueF until her end she mourned, the while li'e lasted. 1n a'ter days bra8e $ieg'riedAs wi'e a8enged hersel' with might. "hus she dwelt a'ter her sorrow, a'ter her husbandAs death, and this is true, well three and one hal' years, that she s(a!e no word to Gunther, nor did she see her 'oeman Hagen in all this time. "hen s(a!e Hagen o' "roneg6 )1' ye ould om(ass it to ma!e your sister 'riendly, then might ome to these lands the gold o' *ibelung. O' this might ye win great store, anA the Hueen would be our 'riend.) "he !ing made answer6 )0et us try. My brothers bide with herF we will beg them to bring it to (ass that she be our 'riend, i' (er han e she might gladly see us win the hoard.) )1 trow not,) s(a!e Hagen, )that it will e8er ha(.) "hen he bade Ortwin and the Margra8e Gere go to ourt. 9hen that was done, Gernot and Giselher, the youth, were also brought. "hey tried it with the 0ady 2riemhild in 'riendly wise. #ra8e Gernot o' #urgundy s(a!e6 )0ady, ye mourn too long 'or $ieg'riedAs death. "he !ing will gi8e you (roo' that he hath not slain him. 9e hear you mourn all time so greatly.) $he s(a!e6 )*one hargeth him with this. A"was HagenAs hand that stru ! him, where he ould be wounded. 9hen he learned this o' me, how ould 1 thin! that he did bear him hateL 4lse had 1 guarded against this 'ull well,) s(a!e the Hueen, )so that 1 had not betrayed

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his li'eF then would 1, (oor wi'e, lea8e o'' my wee(ing. 1All ne8er be a 'riend o' him that did the deed.) "hen Giselher, the 'ull stately man, began im(lore. 9hen at last she s(a!e6 )1 will greet the !ing,) men saw him stand be'ore her with his nearest !in, but Hagen durst not ome be'ore her. 9ell he wot his guiltF Atwas he had aused her dole. 9hen now she would 'orego her hate o' Gunther, so that he might !iss her, it had be'itted him better had she not been wronged by his ad8i eF then might he ha8e gone boldly unto 2riemhild. *e8ermore was (ea e between !indred brought to (ass with so many tearsF her loss still ga8e her woe. All, sa8e the one man alone, she (ardoned. *one had slain him, had not Hagen done the deed. *ot long therea'ter they brought it to (ass that 0ady 2riemhild gained the hoard 'rom the *ibelung land and brought it to the =hine. 1t was her marriage morning gi't (1) and was hers by right. Giselher and Gernot rode to 'et h it. 2riemhild ordered eighty hundred men, that they should bring it 'rom where it lay hid, where it was guarded by the !night Alberi h (2) and his nearest !in. 9hen they saw those 'rom the =hine oming 'or the hoard, Alberi h, the bold, s(a!e to his 'riends6 )*aught o' the treasure dare we withhold 'rom her, sith the noble Hueen a8erreth it to be her marriage morning gi't. -et should this ne8er be done,) Huoth Alberi h, )but that with $ieg'ried we ha8e 'oully lost the good ,loud ,loa!, 'or 'air 2riemhildAs lo8e did wear it alway. *ow, alas, it hath 'ared ill with $ieg'ried, that the hero bere't us o' the ,loud ,loa! and that all this land did ha8e to ser8e him.) "hen went the warder to where he 'ound the !eys. #e'ore the astle stood 2riemhildAs liegemen and a deal o' her !ins'ol!. Men bade arry the treasure hen e to the sea, down to the boatsF one bare it then u(on the wa8es to the mountains on the =hine. *ow may ye hear mar8els o' the hoard, the whi h twel8e huge wains, (a !ed 'ull, were Iust able to bear away 'rom the hill in 'our days and nights and ea h must ma!e the tri( three times a day. "here was naught else but gems and gold, and had men (aid therewith the wage o' all the world, not a mar! less had it been in worth. ;orsooth Hagen did not ra8e it so without good ause. "he greatest (ri@e o' all was a wishing+rod (C) o' gold. He who !new its nature, might well be master o8er any man in all the world.

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Many o' Alberi hAs !insmen Iourneyed with Gernot hen e. 9hen they stored away the hoard in GuntherAs land and the Hueen too! harge o' e8erything, hambers and towers were 'illed therewith. *e8er did men hear tales told o' su h wondrous store o' goods. And had it been a thousand times as mu h, i' the 0ord $ieg'ried were but ali8e again, 2riemhild would 'ain ha8e stood em(ty+ handed at his side. *o more 'aith'ul wi'e did hero e8er win. *ow that she had the hoard, she brought many un!nown warriors to the land. 1n truth the ladyAs hand ga8e in su h wise that men ha8e ne8er seen su h bounty more. $he used great ourtesieF men owned this o' the Hueen. "o the ri h and the (oor she began to gi8e so greatly that Hagen said, should she li8e yet a while, she would gain so many a man 'or her ser8i e that they would 'are 'ull ill. "hen s(a!e 2ing Gunther6 )Her li'e and her goods be hers. How shall 1 hinder that she do with them as she willL ;orsooth 1 hardly om(assed it, that she be ame thus mu h my 'riend. 0et us not re ! to whom she deal out her sil8er and her gold.) $(a!e Hagen to the !ing6 )*o doughty man should lea8e to any wi'e aught o' the heard. 9ith her gi'ts sheAll bring about the day when it well may rue the bra8e #urgundians sore.) "hen s(a!e 2ing Gunther6 )1 swore an oath, that ne8ermore would 1 do her harm, and will !ee( it 'urther, 'or she is my sister.) $(a!e then Hagen6 )0et me be the guilty one.) ;ew o' their oaths were !e(t. ;rom the widow they too! the mighty store and Hagen made him master o' all the !eys. "his 8e&ed her brother Gernot, when he heard the tale aright. 0ord Giselher s(a!e6 )Hagen hath done my sister mu h o' harmF 1 should (re8ent it. 1t would ost him his li'e, were he not my !in.) $ieg'riedAs wi'e shed tears anew. "hen s(a!e the 0ord Gernot6 )Or e8er we be im(eriled by the gold, we should ha8e it sun! entirely in the =hine, that it belong to none.) ;ull (iti'ully she went be'ore her brother Giselher. $he s(a!e6 )Dear brother, thou shouldst thin! o' me and be the guardian o' both my li'e and goods.)

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?uoth he then to the lady6 )"hat shall be done when we return again, 'or now we thin! to ride.) "he !ing and his !indred 8oided then the land, the 8ery best among them that one might 'ind. Only Hagen alone remained at home, through the hatred he bare to 2riemhild, and did so willingly. #e'ore the !ing was ome again, Hagen had ta!en the treasure Huite and sun! it all at 0o he, (G) in the =hine. He weened to use it, but that might not be. "he lordings ame again and with them many men. 9ith her maids and ladies 2riemhild gan bewail her (assing loss, 'or sore it grie8ed them. Gladly would Giselher ha8e hel(ed in all good 'aith. All s(a!e ali!e6 )He hath done wrong.) Hagen a8oided the (rin esA wrath, until he gained their 'a8or. "hey did him naught, but 2riemhild might ne8er ha8e borne him greater hate. #e'ore Hagen o' "roneg thus hid the treasure, they had sworn with mighty oaths that it should lie on ealed as long as any one o' them might li8e. 0ater they ould not gi8e it to themsel8es or any other. 2riemhildAs mind was hea8y with 'resh sorrow o8er her husbandAs end, and be ause they had ta!en 'rom her all her wealth. Her (laints eased not in all her li'e, down to her latest day. A'ter $ieg'riedAs death, and this is true, she dwelt with many a grie' 'ull thirteen years, that she ould not 'orget the warriorAs death. $he was true to him, as most 'ol! owned. ENDNOTES# (1) )Marriage morning gi't) was the gi't whi h it was ustomary 'or the bridegroom to gi8e the bride on the morning a'ter the bridal night. On this ustom see 9einhold, )Deuts he ;rauen im Mittelalter), i, (. G02. (2) )A1beri h), see Ad8enture 111, note E. 1t is hara teristi o' the (oem that e8en this dwar' is turned into a !night. (C) )9ishing+rod), a magi de8i e 'or dis o8ering buried treasure. ,'. Grimm, )Deuts he Mythologie, ii, E1C. (G) )0o he), a ording to .i(er, is the modern )0o heim) in the =hine (ro8in e.

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!D'ENTURE 77 H+, &in) E.:el 314 Sen. T+ B0r)0ndy %+r &rie-1ild*

"hat was in a time when 0ady Hel a (2) died and the !ing 4t@el sought another wi'e, that his 'riends ad8ised his marriage to a (roud widow in the #urgundian land, hight 0ady 2riemhild. $in e 'air Hel a was dead, they s(a!e6 )9ould ye gain a noble wi'e, the highest and the best !ing e8er won, then ta!e this same ladyF the stalwart $ieg'ried was her husband.) "hen s(a!e the mighty !ing6 )How might that han e, sith 1 am heathen and be hristened not a whit, whereas the lady is a ,hristian and there'ore would not (light her trothL 1t would be a mar8el, and that e8er ha((ed.) "he doughty warriors answered6 )9hat i' she do it, (er han e, 'or the sa!e o' your high name and your mi !le goodsL One should at least ma!e a trial 'or the noble dame. 9ell may ye lo8e the stately 'air.) "he noble !ing then s(a!e6 )9hi h o' you be a Huaint with the (eo(le and the land by the =hineL) /( s(a!e then the good !night =udeger o' #e helaren6 (C) )1 ha8e !nown 'rom a hild the three noble and lordly !ings, Gunther and Gernot, the noble !nights and goodF the third hight Giselher. 4a h o' them doth use the highest honors and ourtesie, as their 'orebears, too, ha8e always done.) "hen answered 4t@el6 );riend, 1 (rithee, tell me whether she should wear the rown in this my land. AnA she be so 'air, as hath been told me, it shall ne8er rue my dearest !in.) )$he om(areth well in beauty with my 0ady Hel a, the royal Hueen. ,ertes, there might not be in all this world a !ingAs bride more 'air. He may well be o' good heer to whom she (light her troth.)

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He s(a!e6 )$o bring it to (ass, =udeger, as 1 be dear to theeF and i' e8er 1 do lie at 2riemhildAs side, 1 will reHuite thee 'or it as best 1 may. "hen hast thou done my will in 'ullest wise. ;rom my treasure hambers 1 will bid thee be gi8en su h store o' horses, o' lothes and all thou wilt, that thou and thy 'ellowshi( may li8e 'ull merrily. 1All bid 'ull (lenty o' these things be made ready against thine errand.) "o this the lordly margra8e =udeger re(lied6 ),ra8ed 1 thy goods, that were not worthy o' (raise. 9ith mine own goods, whi h 1 ha8e 'rom thy hands, will 1 gladly be thy en8oy to the =hine.) "hen s(a!e the mighty !ing6 )*ow when wilt thou ride 'or the 'airL May God !ee( thee and my lady in all worshi( on the Iourney. May 'ortune hel( me, that she loo! with 'a8or on my suit.) =udeger made answer6 )4re we 8oid the land, we must 'irst ma!e ready arms and tra((ings, that we may stand with honor be'ore (rin es. 1 will lead to the =hine 'i8e hundred stately men, that where8er in #urgundy 1 and mine be seen, all may say o' thee6 N*e8er did any !ing send a'ar so many men in better wise than thou hast done to the =hine.A 1' thou, O mighty !ing, wilt not turn ba ! on this a ount, 1All tell thee that her noble lo8e was subIe t unto $ieg'ried, $iegmundAs son. Him thou hast seen here. (G) Men ould in right truth as ribe to him great worshi(.) "hen s(a!e 2ing 4t@el6 )"hoA she was the warriorAs wi'e, yet was the noble (rin e so (eerless that 1 should not disdain the Hueen. $he li!eth me well 'or her (assing beauty.) "he margra8e answered6 )"hen 1 will tell thee that we will start hen e in 'our and twenty days. 1All send word to Gotelind, my dear lady, that 1 mysel' will be the messenger to 2riemhild.) =udeger sent word to #e helaren, at whi h the margra8ine grew both sorrow'ul and (roud. He told her he should woo 'or the !ing a wi'e. 0o8ingly she thought on Hel a, the 'air. 9hen the margra8ine heard the message, a deal she rued itF wee(ing beseemed her at the thought whether she should gain a lady as a'ore. 9hen she thought on Hel a, it grie8ed her heart 'ull sore.

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=udeger should ride in se8en days 'rom HungaryF lusty and merry 2ing 4t@el was at this. "here in the town o' :ienna men (re(ared their weeds. "hen might he no longer delay his Iourney. At #e helaren Gotelind awaited himF the young margra8ine, too, =udegerAs hild, gladly saw her 'ather and his men. Many 'air maids awaited them with Ioy. 4re the noble =udeger rode 'rom the ity o' :ienna to #e helaren, all their lothes were (la ed u(on the sum(ters. "hey Iourneyed in su h wise that not a whit was ta!en 'rom them. 9hen they were ome to tho town o' #e helaren, the host 'ull lo8ingly bade lodge his 'ellowshi( and ease them well. "he noble Gotelind saw the host ome gladly, as li!ewise his dear daughter did, the young margra8ine. "o her his oming ould not be lie'er. How 'ain she was to see the heroes 'rom the Hunnish landM 9ith smiling mien the noble maiden s(a!e6 )*ow be my 'ather and his men 'ull wel ome here.) "hen great than!s were gi8en to the young margra8ine by many a doughty !night in ourteous wise. 9ell wot Gotelind $ir =udegerAs mood. 9hen at night she lay lose by his side, what !indly Huestions the margra8ine (ut, whither the !ing o' the Huns had sent him. He s(a!e6 )My 0ady Gotelind, 1All gladly ma!e this !nown to thee. 1 must woo another lady 'or my lord, sith that the 'air Hel a hath died. 1 will ride 'or 2riemhild to the =hineF she shall be ome a mighty Hueen here among the Huns.) )9ould to God,) s(a!e Gotelind, )anA that might ha(, sith we do hear su h s(ee h o' her many honors, that she might (er han e re(la e our lady 'or us in our old age, and that we might be 'ain to let her wear the rown in Hungary.) "hen s(a!e the margra8e6 )My lo8e, ye must o''er to those who are to ride with me to the =hine, your goods in lo8ing wise. 9hen heroes tra8el ri hly, then are they o' lo'ty mood.) $he s(a!e6 )"here be none that ta!eth gladly 'rom my hand, to whom 1 would not gi8e what well beseemeth him, or e8er ye and your men (art hen e.) ?uoth the margra8e6 )"hat doth li!e me well.)

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Ho, what ri h loths o' sil! were borne 'rom their treasure hambersM 9ith enow o' this the lothing o' the noble warriors was busily lined 'rom the ne ! down to their s(urs. =udeger had hosen only men that (leased him well. On the se8enth morning the host and his warriors rode 'orth 'rom #e helaren. 9ea(ons and lothes a (lenty they too! with them through the #a8arian land. $eldom did men assail them on the highways 'or robberyAs sa!e, and within twel8e days they rea hed the =hine. "hen might the tidings not be hidF men told it to the !ing and to his liegemen, that stranger guests were ome. "he host gan say, i' any !new them, he should tell him so. One saw their sum(ters bear right hea8y loads. A"was seen that they were (assing ri h. Anon in the broad town men (ur8eyed them Huarters. 9hen that the many strangers had been lodged, these same lords were ga@ed u(on 'ull o't. "he (eo(le wondered 'rom when e these warriors were ome to the =hine. "he host now sent 'or Hagen, i' (er han e they might be !nown to him. "hen s(a!e the !night o' "roneg6 )*one o' them ha8e 1 e8er seen, but when we now ga@e u(on them, 1 an tell you well 'rom when e they ride hither to this land. "hey must indeed be strangers, anA 1 !now them not 'ull soon.) (J) 0odgings were now ta!en 'or the guests. "he en8oy and his 'ellowshi( were ome in (assing ostly 8esture. "o the ourt they rode wearing good garments, ut in 'ull unning wise. "hen s(a!e the doughty Hagen6 )As well as 1 an tell, 'or 1 ha8e not seen the lord long time, they ride as i' Atwere =udeger 'rom the Hunnish land, a lordly !night and a bra8e.) )How an 1 belie8e,) s(a!e at on e the !ing, )that the lord o' #e helaren be ome to this landL) 9hen 2ing Gunther had ended his s(ee h, Hagen, the bra8e, es(ied the good !night =udeger. He and his 'riends all ran to meet them. "hen 'i8e hundred !nights were seen dismounting 'rom their steeds. ;air were the men 'rom Hungary greetedF messengers had ne8er worn su h lordly lothes. "hen Hagen o' "roneg s(a!e 'ull loudly6 )*ow be these !nights, the lord o' #e helaren and all his men, wel ome in GodAs name.)

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9ith worshi( the s(eedy !nights were greeted. "he ne&t o' !in to the !ing went to where they stood. Ortwin o' Met@ s(a!e to =udeger6 )*e8er ha8e we seen guests so gladly here at any time. "his 1 an truly say.) On all sides they than!ed the warriors 'or their greeting. 9ith all their 'ellowshi( they hied them to the hall, where they 'ound the !ing and with him many a 8aliant man. "he lords rose 'rom their seatsF through their great hi8alry this was done. How right ourteously he met the messengersM Gunther and Gernot greeted the stranger and his 8assals warmly, as was his due. He too! the good !night =udeger by the hand and led him to the seat where he sat himsel'. Men bade (our out 'or the guests ('ull gladly this was done) (assing good mead and the best o' wine that one might 'ind in the land along the =hine. Giselher and Gere both were omeF Dan!wart and ;ol!er, too, had heard about the strangers. Merry they were o' mood and greeted be'ore the !ing the noble !nights and good. "hen s(a!e Hagen o' "roneg to his lord6 )"hese thy !nights should e8er reHuite what the margra8e 'or our sa!e hath doneF 'or this should the husband o' 'air Gotelind re ei8e reward.) 2ing Gunther s(a!e6 )1 annot hold my (ea eF ye must tell me how 'are 4t@el and Hel a o' the Hunnish land.) "o this the margra8e now made answer6 )1All gladly let you !now.) He rose 'rom his seat with all his men and s(a!e to the !ing6 )AnA may that be that ye (ermit me, O (rin e, so will 1 not on eal the tidings that 1 bring, but will tell them willingly.) ?uoth the !ing6 )"he tidings that ha8e been sent us through you, these 1All let you tell without the rede o' 'riends. .ray let me and my 8assals hear them, 'or 1 begrudge you no honor that ye here may gain.) "hen s(a!e the worthy en8oy6 )My great master doth ommend to you u(on the =hine his 'aith'ul ser8i e and to all the !insmen ye may ha8e. "his message is sent in all good 'aith. "he noble !ing bade om(lain to you his need. His 'ol! is IoylessF my lady, the royal Hel a, my masterAs wi'e, is dead. "hrough her hath many a high+ born maid been or(haned, daughters o' noble (rin es, whom she

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hath trained. "here'ore it standeth 'ull (iteously in his landF they ha8e alas none that might be'riend them 'aith'ully. "he !ingAs grie', 1 ween, will abate but slowly.) )*ow God reward him,) s(a!e Gunther, )that he so willingly ommendeth his ser8i e to me and to my !in. ;ull gladly ha8e 1 here heard his greeting, and this both my !indred and my men shall 'ain reHuite.) "hen s(a!e the warrior Gernot o' #urgundy6 )"he world must e8er rue 'air Hel aAs death, 'or her many ourtesies, whi h she well !new how to use.) 9ith this s(ee h Hagen, the (assing stately !night, agreed. "hen answered =udeger, the noble and lordly en8oy6 )$ith ye (ermit me, O !ing, 1 shall tell you more, the whi h my dear lord hath hither sent you, sith he doth li8e so right sorrow'ully in longing a'ter Hel a. Men told my lord that 2riemhild be without a husband, that $ir $ieg'ried be dead. 1' this be so, then shall she wear a rown be'ore 4t@elAs !nights, would ye but (ermit her. "his my so8ran bade me say.) "hen s(a!e the mighty !ing, 'ull ourteous was his mood6 )And she are to do this, she shall hear my (leasure. "his will 1 ma!e !nown to you in these three days. 9hy should 1 re'use 2ing 4t@el be'ore 1A8e learned her wishL) Meanwhile men bade (ur8ey good easement 'or the guests. "hey were ser8ed so well that =udeger owned he had good 'riends there among Gunthers men. Hagen ser8ed him gladly, as =udeger had done to him o' yore. "ill the third day =udeger thus remained. "he !ing sent 'or his ounsel ('ull wisely he a ted) to see whether his !insmen would thin! it well that 2riemhild ta!e 2ing 4t@el to husband. All together they ad8ised it, sa8e Hagen alone. He s(a!e to Gunther, the !night6 )Ha8e ye but the right wit, ye will ta!e good are that ye ne8er do this, thoA she were 'ain to 'ollow.) )9hy,) s(a!e then Gunther, )should 1 not onsentL 9hate8er (leasure ha((en to the Hueen, 1 should surely grant her thisF she is

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my sister. 9e oursel8es should bring it to (ass, i' (er han e it might bring her honor.) "hen answered Hagen6 )Gi8e o8er this s(ee h. Had ye !nowledge o' 4t@el as ha8e 1, and should she harry him, as 1 hear you say, then 'irst hath danger ha((ed to you by right.) )9hyL) Huoth Gunther. )1All ta!e good are that 1 ome not so near him that 1 must su''er aught o' hatred on his (art, anA she be ome his wi'e.) $aid Hagen6 )*e8er will 1 gi8e you this ad8i e.) ;or Gernot and Giselher men bade send to learn whether the two lords would thin! it well that 2riemhild should ta!e the mighty and noble !ing. Hagen still gainsaid, but no one other. "hen s(a!e the !night Giselher o' #urgundy6 );riend Hagen, ye may still show your 'ealty. Ma!e her to 'orget the wrongs that ye ha8e done her. 9hate8er good 'ortune she may ha8e, this ye should not o((ose. -e ha8e in truth done my sister so many an ill,) ontinued Giselher, the 'ull lusty !night, )that she hath good ause, i' she be angry with you. *e8er hath one bere't a lady o' greater Ioys.) ?uoth Hagen6 )1All do you to wit what well 1 !now. 1' she ta!e 4t@el and li8e long enow, sheAll do us still mu h harm in whate8er way she an. ;orsooth 'ull many a stately 8assal will own her ser8i e.) "o this bra8e Gernot answered6 )1t may not ha((en, that we e8er ride to 4t@elAs land be'ore they both be dead. 0et us ser8e her 'aith'ully, that ma!eth 'or our honor.) Again Hagen s(a!e6 )*one an gainsay me, anA the noble 2riemhild wear the rown o' Hel a, she will do us harm as best she may. -e should gi8e it o8er, Atwould beseem you !nights 'ar better.) 9rath'ully then s(a!e Giselher, 'air /taAs son6 )0et us not all a t as traitors. 9e should be glad o' whate8er honors may be done her. 9hate8er ye may say, Hagen, 1 shall ser8e her by my troth.)

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Gloomy o' mood grew Hagen when he heard these words. Gernot and Giselher, the (roud !nights and good, and Gunther, the mighty, s(a!e at last, i' 2riemhild wished it, they would let it ha( without all hate. "hen s(a!e .rin e Gere6 )1 will tell the lady that she loo! with 'a8or u(on 2ing 4t@el, to whom so many !nights owe dread obedien e. He an well reHuite her o' all the wrongs that ha8e been done her.) "hen the doughty warrior hied him to where he saw 2riemhild. 2indly she re ei8ed him. how Hui !ly then he s(a!e6 )-e may well greet me gladly and gi8e me a messengerAs meed. ;ortune is about to (art you 'rom all your woes. ;or the sa!e o' your lo8e, my lady, one o' the 8ery best that e8er gained a !ingdom with great honors, or should wear a rown, hath sent en8oys hither. *oble !nights be wooingF this my brother bade me tell you.) "hen s(a!e the sorrow+laden dame6 )God should 'orbid you and all my !insmen that ye ma!e a mo ! o' me, (oor woman. 9hat ould 1 be to a man who had e8er gained heart'elt lo8e 'rom a 'aith'ul wi'eL) $orely she gainsaid it, but then ame Gernot, her brother, and Giselher, the youth, and lo8ingly bade her ease her heart. 1t would do her good in truth, ould she but ta!e the !ing. *one might (ersuade the lady that she should marry any man. "hen the !nights begged6 )1' ye do naught else, (ray let it ha( that ye deign to see the messengers.) )1All not deny,) s(a!e the noble dame, )but that 1 should gladly see the Margra8e =udeger 'or his (assing ourtesie. 9ere he not sent hither, whoe8er else might be the messenger, ne8er should he be ome a Huainted with me. .ray bid him ome to+morrow to my bower. 1All let him hear my will in 'ull and tell it him mysel'.) At this her great laments bra!e 'orth anew. "he noble =udeger now ra8ed naught else but that he might see the high+born Hueen. He wist himsel' to be so wise that she ould not but let the !night (ersuade her, i' it should e8er be. 4arly on the morrow when mass was sung, the noble en8oys ame. A great (ress aroseF o' those who should go to ourt with =udeger, many a lordly man was

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seen arrayed. ;ull sad o' mood, the high+ born 2riemhild bided the noble en8oy and good. He 'ound her in the weeds she wore ea h day, whereas her handmaids wore ri h lothes enow. $he went to meet him to the door and greeted 'ull !indly 4t@elAs liegeman. Only as one o' twel8e he went to meet her. Men o''ered him great worshi(, 'or ne8er were ome more lo'ty en8oys. "hey bade the lording and his 8assals seat them. #e'ore her were seen to stand the two Margra8es 4 !ewart and Gere, the noble !nights and good. *one they saw merry o' mood, 'or the sa!e o' the lady o' the house. Many 'air women were seen to sit be'ore her, but 2riemhild only nursed her grie'F her dress u(on her breast was wot with s alding tears. "his the noble margra8e noted well on 2riemhild. "hen s(a!e the high+born messenger6 )Most noble (rin ess, 1 (ray you, (ermit me and my omrades that are ome with me, to stand be'ore you and tell you the tidings 'or the sa!e o' whi h we ha8e ridden hither.) )*ow may ye s(ea! whatso ye list,) s(a!e the Hueen. )1 am minded to hear it gladlyF ye be a worthy messenger.) "he others noted well her unwilling mood. "hen s(a!e .rin e =udeger o' #e helaren6 )4t@el, a high+born !ing, hath in good 'aith sent you a 'riendly greeting, my lady, by messengers hither to this land. Many good !nights hath he sent hither 'or your lo8e. Great Ioy without grie' he doth o''er you most truly. He is ready to gi8e you onstant 'riendshi(, as he did a'ore to 0ady Hel a, who lay within his heart. ,ertes, through longing 'or her 8irtues he hath 'ull o'ten Ioyless days.) "hen s(a!e the Hueen6 )Margra8e =udeger, were there any who !new my bitter sorrow, he would not bid me marry any man. O' a truth 1 lost the best o' husbands that e8er lady won.) )9hat may om'ort grie',) the bold !night re(lied, )but married Ioy. 9hen that any gan gain this and hooseth one who doth beseem him, naught a8aileth so greatly 'or woe o' heart. And ye are to lo8e my noble master, ye shall ha8e (ower o8er twel8e mighty rowns. "hereto my lord will gi8e you the lands o' thirty (rin es, all o' whi h his doughty hand hath o8er ome. -e shall be ome the

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mistress o8er many worthy liegemen, who were subIe t to my 0ady Hel a, and o8er many dames o' high and (rin ely ra e, who owned her sway.) "hus s(a!e the bra8e !night and bold. )"hereto my lord will gi8e you (this he bade me say), i' ye would deign to wear with him the rown, the 8ery highest (ower whi h Hel a e8er wonF this shall ye rule be'ore all 4t@elAs men.) "hen s(a!e the Hueen6 )How might it e8er list me to be ome a heroAs brideL Death hath gi8en me in the one su h dole that 1 must e8er li8e Ioyless unto mine end.) "o this the Huns re(lied6 )O mighty Hueen, your li'e at 4t@elAs ourt will be so worshi('ul that it will e8er gi8e you Ioy, anA it ome to (ass, 'or the mighty !ing hath many a stately !night. Hel aAs damosels and your maids shall together 'orm one retinue, at sight o' whi h warriors may well be blithe o' mood. #e ad8ised, my lady, ye will 'are well in truth.) 9ith ourtesie she s(a!e6 )*ow let be this s(ee h until the morrow early, when ye shall ome here again. "hen will 1 gi8e you answer to what ye ha8e in mind.) "he bold !nights and good must needs obey. 9hen all were now ome to their lodgings, the noble dame bade send 'or Giselher and 'or her mother, too. "o the twain she said, that wee(ing did beseem her and naught else better. "hen s(a!e her brother Giselher6 )$ister, it hath been told me, and 1 an well belie8e it, that 2ing 4t@el would ma!e all thy sorrows 8anish, and thou ta!est him to be thy husband. 9hate8er others may ad8ise, this thin!eth me well done. He is well able to turn thy grie' to Ioy,) s(a!e Giselher againF )'rom the =hone to the =hine, 'rom the 4lbe down to the sea, there be no other !ing as mighty as he. "hou mayst well reIoi e, anA he ma!e thee his wi'e.) $he s(a!e6 )My dear brother, why dost thou ad8ise me thisL 9ee(ing and wailing beseem me better 'ar. How should 1 go to ourt be'ore his !nightsL Had 1 e8er beauty, o' this 1 am now bere't.)

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"o her dear daughter the 0ady /ta s(a!e6 )9hate8er thy brothers ounsel thee, dear hild, that do. Obey thy !indred and it will go well with thee. 1 ha8e seen thee now too long in thy great grie'.) "hen she (rayed God 'ull o't to grant her su h store o' goods that she might ha8e gold, sil8er, and lothes to gi8e, as at her husbandAs side o' yore, when that he was still ali8e and well. 4lse would she ne8er ha8e again su h ha((y hours. $he thought within her mind6 )And shall 1 gi8e my body to a (aynim (B) (1 am a ,hristian wi'e), 'ore8er in the world must 1 bear shame. AnA he ga8e me all the !ingdoms in the world still 1 would not do it.) "hus she let the matter rest. All night until the brea! o' day the lady lay u(on her bed in thought. Her bright eyes ne8er grew dry, till on the morn she went to matins. >ust at the time 'or mass the !ings were ome and too! their sister again in hand. 1n truth they urged her to wed the !ing o' the Hunnish landF little did any o' them 'ind the lady merry. "hen they bade 'et h hither 4t@elAs men, who now would 'ain ha8e ta!en their lea8e, whate8er the end might be, whether they gained or lost their suit. =udeger ame now to ourtF his heroes urged him to learn aright the noble (rin eAs mind. "o all it seemed well that this be done betimes, 'or long was the way ba ! into their land. Men brought =udeger to where 2riemhild was 'ound. 9inningly the !night gan beg the noble Hueen to let him hear what message she would send to 4t@elAs land. 1 ween, he heard 'rom her naught else than no, that she ne8ermore would wed a man. "he margra8e s(a!e6 )"hat were ill done. 9hy would ye let su h beauty witherL $till with honor may ye be ome the bride o' a worthy man.) *aught booted that they urged, till =udeger told the noble Hueen in se ret that he would ma!e amends 'or all that e8er ha((ed to her. At this her great sorrow grew a deal more mild. "o the Hueen he s(a!e6 )0et be your wee(ing. 1' ye had none among the Huns but me and my 'aith'ul !in and liegemen, sore must he re(ent it who had e8er done you aught.) At this the ladyAs mood grew gentler. $he s(a!e6 )"hen swear me an oath, that whate8er any do to me that ye will be the 'irst to amend my wrongs.) ?uoth the margra8e6 );or this, my lady, 1 am ready.)

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=udeger with all his 8assals swore that he would e8er ser8e her 'aith'ully and (ledged his hand, that the noble !nights 'rom 4t@elAs land would neAer re'use her aught. "hen the 'aith'ul lady thought6 )$ith 1, wret hed wi'e, ha8e won so many 'riends, 1All let the (eo(le say whatso they hoose. 9hat i' my dear husbandAs death might still be a8engedL) $he thought6 )$ith 4t@el hath so many men+at+arms, 1 an do whatso 1 will, anA 1 ommand them. He is li!ewise so ri h that 1 shall ha8e wherewith to gi8eF the bale'ul Hagen hath bere't me o' my goods.) "o =udeger she s(a!e6 )Had 1 not heard that he were a (aynim, gladly would 1 go whithersoe8er he listed and would ta!e him to my husband.) "hen s(a!e the margra8e6 )0ady, gi8e o8er this s(ee h. He hath so many !nights o' ,hristian 'aith, that yeAll e8er be Ioy'ul at his ourt. 9hat i' ye bring it to (ass, that he should let himsel' be hristenedL "here'ore may ye 'ain be ome 2ing 4t@elAs wi'e.) "hen her brothers s(a!e again6 )*ow (ledge your troth, dear sister. -e should now gi8e o8er your sadness.) "hey begged her till she sadly 8owed be'ore the heroes to be ome 2ing 4t@elAs bride. $he s(a!e6 )1 will obey you, 1 (oor Hueen, and 'are to the Huns as soon as e8er that may be, whene8er 1 ha8e 'riends who will ta!e me to his land.) O' this 'air 2riemhild (ledged her hand be'ore the !nights. "hen s(a!e the margra8e6 )1' ye ha8e two liegemen, 1 ha8e still more. A"will be the best, that with worshi( we es ort you a ross the =hine. *o longer, lady, shall ye tarry here in #urgundy. 1 ha8e 'i8e hundred 8assals and !insmen, tooF they shall ser8e you, lady, and do whatso ye bid, both here and there at home. 1All do by you the same whene8er ye do mind me o' the tale and ne8er 'eel ashamed. *ow bid the housings 'or your horses be made ready (=udegerAs ounsel will ne8er ir! you) and tell it to your maids, whom ye would ta!e along, 'or many a hosen !night will meet us on the road.)

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$he still had harness with whi h they rode a'ore in $ieg'riedAs time, so that she might ta!e with her many maidens now with worshi(, whene8er she would hen e. Ho, what good saddles they 'et hed 'or the omely damesM Albeit they had aye worn ostly robes, many more were now made ready, 'or mu h had been told them o' the !ing. "hey o(ened u( the hests, whi h stood a'ore well lo !ed. ;or 'our and one hal' days they were aught but idleF 'rom the (resses they brought 'orth the stores that lay therein. 2riemhild now began to o(en u( her treasure rooms, she 'ain would ma!e all =udegerAs liegemen ri h. O' the gold 'rom the *ibelung land she still had su h store that a hundred horses might not bear itF she weened her hand should deal it out among the Huns. "his tale Hagen heard told o' 2riemhild. He s(a!e6 )$ith 2riemhild will not be ome my 'riend, so $ieg'riedAs gold must stay behind. ;or why should 1 gi8e to my 'oes su h great store o' goodsL 9ell 1 wot what 2riemhild will do with this hoard. 1 an well belie8e, anA she ta!e it with her, that it will be doled out to all 'orth hate against me. *or ha8e they steeds enow to bear it hen e. Hagen doth intend to !ee( it, (ray tell 2riemhild that.) 9hen that she heard this tale, it ir!ed her sore. 1t was li!ewise told to all three !ings. ;ain would they ha8e hanged it, but as this did not ha(, the noble =udeger s(a!e 'ull blithely6 )Mighty Hueen, why mourn ye 'or the goldL 2ing 4t@el doth bear you su h great lo8e, that when his eyes do light u(on you, su h store heAll gi8e you that ye an ne8er s(end it allF this will 1 swear to you, my lady.) "hen s(a!e the Hueen6 )Most noble =udeger, ne8er hath !ingAs daughter gained su h wealth as that, o' whi h Hagen hath bere't me.) "hen ame her brother Gernot to the treasure hamber. #y lea8e o' the !ing in the door he thrust the !ey. 2riemhildAs gold was handed 'orth, a thousand mar!s or more. He bade the strangers ta!e itF mu h this (leased 2ing Gunther. "hen s(a!e GotelindAs !night 'rom #e helaren6 )And had my 0ady 2riemhild all the hoard that was brought 'rom the *ibelung land, little o' it would mine or the HueenAs hand tou h. *ow bid them !ee( it, 'or 1 will none o' it. ;orsooth 1 brought 'rom home su h store o'

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mine that we an lightly do without this on the road, 'or we be 'urnished 'or the Iourney in 'ull lordly wise.) A'orr this her maids had 'illed twel8e hests at leisure with the 8ery best o' gold that anywhere might be. "his they too! with them and great store o' womenAs trin!ets, whi h they should wear u(on the road. Her thought too great the might o' Hagen. O' her gold 'or o''erings (5) she had still a thousand mar!s. ;or her dear husbandAs soul she dealt it out. "his =udeger thought was done in 'aith'ul lo8e. "hen s(a!e the mourn'ul lady6 )9here be now my 'riends who 'or my sa!e would li8e in e&ileL 0et those who would ride with me to the Hunnish land, ta!e now my treasure and (ur hase horses and tra((ings.) "hen s(a!e the margra8e 4 !ewart to the Hueen6 )$in e the day 1 'irst be ame your 8assal, 1 ha8e ser8ed you 'aith'ully,) s(a!e the !night, )and aye will do the same by you until mine end. 1 will ta!e with me also 'i8e hundred o' my men and (la e them in your ser8i e right loyally. *aught shall e8er (art us, sa8e death alone.) ;or this s(ee h 2riemhild bowed her than!sF 'orsooth she had 'ull need. Men now led 'orth the (al'reysF 'or they would ride away. "hen many tears were shed by !ins'ol!. =oyal /ta and many a omely maiden showed that they were sad at 2riemhildAs loss. A hundred high+born maids she too! with her hen e, who were arrayed as well be'it them. "hen 'rom bright eyes the tears 'ell down, but soon at 4t@elAs ourt they li8ed to see mu h Ioy. "hen ame 0ord Giselher and Gernot, too, with their 'ellowshi(, as their ourtesie demanded. ;ain would they es ort their dear sister hen eF o' their !nights they too! with them 'ull a thousand stately men. "hen ame Or(win and the doughty GereF =umolt, the master o' the !it hen, must needs be with them, too. "hey (ur8eyed them night Huarters as 'ar as the DanubeAs shore, but Gunther rode no 'urther than a little 'rom the town. 4re they 'ared hen e 'rom the =hine, they had sent their messengers swi'tly on ahead to the Hunnish land, who should tell the !ing that =udeger had gained 'or him to wi'e the noble high+born Hueen. ENDNOTES#

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(1) )4t@el), see Ad8enture 1, note 5. (2) )Hel a) (M.H.G. )Hel he)) or )Her!a), 4t@elAs wi'e, is the daughter o' !ing )Oseri h) or )Osantri&), as the )"hidre!saga) alls him. 1n the latter wor! ( ha(. 5C+E0) we read how =udeger (=odingeir) too! her by 'or e 'rom her 'ather and brought her to 4t@el to be the latterAs bride. On her identity with the histori al )2er!a) o' .ris us, see #leyer, .#. )#eit.) &&&i, JG2. (C) )=udeger o' #e helaren), or, as the name reads in the )"hidre!saga), )=odingeir o' #a!alar), is (robably not an histori al (ersonage, but the hero o' a se(arate legend. 48iden e o' this is seen in the 'a t that he alls himsel' an e&ile, though he is 4t@elAs mightiest 8assal, with astles and lands in 'ie'. He may ha8e been introdu ed, as 9ilmanns ()An@.) &8iii 101) thin!s, to (lay a role originally assigned to Dietri h, who is also an e&ile. Mullenho'' onsidered him to ha8e been a mythi al (erson. #e helaren, or .e hlarn, lies at the Iun tion o' the 4rla h with the Danube. (G) )hast seen here). )#iterol'), %G51, relates that Dietri h had arried $ieg'ried, when young, by 'or e to 4t@elAs ourt. (J) )'ull soon). $ee Ad8enture 111, note G. (B) ).aynim) (O ;. )(aienime), late 0atin )(aganismus)), AheathenA. (5) )gold 'or o''erings). "his was the gold to be used as o''ering when masses were sung 'or $ieg'riedAs soul.

!D'ENTURE 77I H+, &rie-1ild 8+0rneyed T+ T1e H0ns*

0et now the messengers ride. 9e will do you to wit, how the Hueen Iourneyed through the lands and where Giselher and Gernot (arted 'rom her. "hey had ser8ed her as their 'ealty bade them. Down to

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:ergen (1) on the Danube they rodeF here they gan ra8e lea8e o' the Hueen, 'or they would ride again to the =hine. 9ithout tears these 'aith'ul !insmen might not (art. Doughty Giselher s(a!e then to his sister6 )9hene8er, lady, thou shouldst need me, when aught doth trouble thee, let me but !now, and 1 will ride in thy ser8i e to 4t@elAs land.) "hose who were her !in she !issed u(on the mouth. 0o8ingly they too! their lea8e o' Margra8e =udegerAs men. "he Hueen had with her many a 'air+'ashioned maid, 'ull a hundred and 'our, that wore ostly robes o' ri h, gay+ olored sil!s. Many broad shields were borne lose by the ladies on the road, but many a lordly warrior turned then 'rom her. "hey Iourneyed soon 'rom then e down through #a8arian land. Here the tale was told that many un!nown strangers had gathered there, where still a loister standeth and where the 1nn 'loweth into the Danube. 1n the town o' .assau, where li8ed a bisho(, lodgings were soon em(tied and the (rin eAs ourt as well, as they hurried 'orth to meet the strangers in the #a8arian land, where the #isho( .ilgrim (2) 'ound 'air 2riemhild. "he !nights o' the land were little loth, when in her train they saw so many omely maidsF with their eyes they ourted the daughters o' noble !nights. 0ater good lodgings were gi8en the noble guests. 9ith his nie e the bisho( rode toward .assau. 9hen it was told the burghers o' the town that 2riemhild was ome, their (rin eAs sisterAs hild, well was she greeted by the mer hants. "he bisho( had the ho(e that they would stay. "hen s(a!e $ir 4 !ewart6 )"hat may not be. 9e must 'are 'urther down to =udegerAs land. Many !nights await us, 'or all wot well the news.) 9ell wist 'air Gotelind the tale. $he tired her and her noble hild with are. =udeger had sent her word that it thought him good that she should heer the mind o' the Hueen by riding 'orth, with his 8assals to the 4nns (C) 'or to meet her. 9hen this message had been gi8en, one saw on e8ery side the roads ali8eF on 'oot and horse they hastened to meet their guests. *ow was the Hueen ome to 4''erding. (G) 4now there were 'rom the #a8arian land who might (er han e ha8e done the guests mu h harm, had they robbed u(on the roads, as was their wont. "hat had been 'orestalled by the lordly margra8e6 he led a thousand !nights or more.

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*ow Gotelind, the wi'e o' =udeger, was omeF with her there rode many a noble !night in lordly F8ise. 9hen they were ome a ross the "raun, (J) u(on the (lain by 4nns, one saw ere ted huts and tents, where the guests should ha8e their lodgings 'or the night. =udeger ga8e the 8itaille to his guests. ;air Gotelind le't her lodgings 'ar behind herF along the road there trotted many a sha(ely (al'rey with Iingling bridle. ;air was the wel omeF right well was =udeger (leased. Among those who rode to meet them on the way, on either side, in (raiseworthy wise, was many a !night. "hey (ra tised hi8alry, the whi h 'ull many a maiden saw. *or did the ser8i e o' the !nights misli!e the Hueen. 9hen that =udegerAs liegemen met the guests, many trun heons (B) were seen to 'ly on high 'rom the warriorsA hands in !nightly ustom. As though 'or a (ri@e they rode be'ore the ladies there. "his they soon ga8e o8er and many warriors greeted ea h other in 'riendly wise. "hen they es orted 'air Gotelind 'rom then e to where she saw 2riemhild. $ ant leisure had they who wot how to ser8e the ladies. "he lord o' #e helaren rode now to his wi'e. 0ittle it ir!ed the noble margra8ine that he was ome so well and sound 'rom the =hine. 1n (art her ares had gi8en way to .Ioy. 9hen she had wel omed him, he bade her dismount with the ladies o' her train u(on the sward. Many a noble !night bestirred him and ser8ed the ladies with eager @eal. "hen 2riemhild s(ied the margra8ine standing with her meiny. *o nearer she drew, but he !ed the (al'rey with the bridle and bade them li't her Hui !ly 'rom the saddle. Men saw the bisho( with 4 !ewart lead his sisterAs hild to Gotelind. All stood aside at on e. "hen the e&iled Hueen !issed Gotelind u(on the mouth. ;ull lo8ingly s(a!e =udegerAs wi'e6 )*ow well is me, dear lady, that 1 ha8e e8er seen with mine own eyes your harming sel' in these our lands. *aught lie'er might ha( to me in all these times.) )*ow God reHuite you,) Huoth 2riemhild, )most noble Gotelind. $hall 1 and #otelungAs (5) son remain ali8e and well, it may be lie' to you that ye ha8e seen me here.) *either !new what must needs later ha(. Many maidens went to meet ea h other in ourtly wise. "he warriors, too, were 'ull ready with their ser8i e. A'ter the greeting they sat them down u(on the lo8er. 9ith many they be ame a Huaint, who were 'ull strange to them a'oretime. As it was now high noon, men bade (our out wine 'or the ladies. "he noble meiny no longer tarried, but rode to where

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they 'ound many broad (a8ilionsF there am(le ser8i e stood ready 'or the guests. "hat night they had re(ose till early on the morn. "hose 'rom #e helaren made ready 'or to lodge the worthy guests. $o well had =udeger (lanned, that little enow they la !ed. "he embrasures in the walls stood o(en, the astle at #e helaren was o(ened wide. 1n rode the guests whom men were 'ain to seeF the noble host bade (ur8ey them (ro(er easement. Most lo8ingly =udegerAs daughter with her meiny went to wel ome the Hueen. "here, too, stood her mother, the margra8eAs wi'eF many a high+ born maid was greeted with delight. "hey too! ea h other by the hand and hied them hen e to a broad hall, 'ashioned 'ull 'air, under whi h the Danube 'lowed along. "owards the bree@e they sate and held great (astime. 9hat more they did 1 annot tell, sa8e that 2riemhildAs men+at+arms were heard to grumble that they 'ared so slowly on their way, 'or mu h it ir!ed them. Ho, what good !nights rode with them hen e 'rom #e helarenM =udeger o''ered them mu h lo8ing ser8i e. "he Hueen ga8e GotelindAs daughter twel8e ruddy armlets, and raiment too, as good as any that she brought to 4t@elAs land. Although the *ibelung gold was ta!en 'rom her, yet she did win the hearts o' all that saw her with the little she still might ha8e. Great gi'ts were gi8en to the ourtiers o' the host. 1n turn the 0ady Gotelind o''ered the guests 'rom the =hine worshi( in su h 'riendly wise, that men 'ound (assing 'ew o' the strangers that did not wear her Iewels or her lordly robes. 9hen they had eaten and should de(art, 'aith'ul ser8i e was (ro''ered by the lady o' the house to 4t@elAs bride. "he 'air young margra8ine, too, was mu h aressed. "o the Hueen she s(a!e6 )9henso it thin!eth you good, 1 !now well that my dear 'ather will gladly send me to you to the Hunnish land.) How well 2riemhild mar!ed that the maiden lo8ed her truly. "he steeds were harnessed and led be'ore the astle o' #e helaren and the noble Hueen too! lea8e o' =udegerAs wi'e and daughter. 9ith a greeting many a 'air maid (arted too. ;ull seldom did they see ea h other sin e these days. ;rom Medeli ! (E) the 'ol! bare in their hands many a ri h u( o' gold, in whi h they o''ered wine to the strangers on the highway. "hus they made them wel ome. A host

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dwelt there, hight Astolt, (%) who showed them the road to the Austrian land, towards Mautern (10) down the Danube. "here the noble Hueen was later ser8ed 'ull well. ;rom his nie e the bisho( (arted lo8ingly. How he ounseled her that she should bear her well and that she should (ur hase honor 'or hersel', as Hel a, too, had doneM Ho, what great worshi( she later gained among the HunsM "o the "raisem (11) they es orted hen e the guests. =udegerAs men (ur8eyed them @ealously, until the Huns ame riding a ross the land. "hen the Hueen be ame a Huaint with mi !le honor. *ear the "raisem the !ing o' the Hunnish land did ha8e a mighty astle, hight Keisenmauer, (12) !nown 'ar and wide. 0ady Hel a dwelt there a'oretime and used su h great 8irtues that it might not lightly e8er ha( again, unless it be through 2riemhild. $he wist so how to gi8e, that a'ter all her sorrow she had the Ioy that 4t@elAs liegemen ga8e her great worshi(, o' whi h she later won great store among the heroes. 4t@elAs rule was !nown 'ar and wide, so that all time one 'ound at his ourt the boldest warriors o' whom men e8er heard, among ,hristian or among (aynim. "hey were all ome with him. All time there were at his ourt, what may not so lightly ha( again, ,hristian ustoms and also heathen 'aith. 1n whatsoe8er wise ea h li8ed, the bounty o' the !ing bestowed on all enow. ENDNOTES# (1) ):ergen) is the modern .'oring, below 1ngolstadt. A 'erry a ross the ri8er e&isted here 'rom an ient times. (2) ).ilgrim), or ).ilgerin), as he is 8ariously alled, is an histori al (ersonage. He was bisho( o' .assau 'rom %51 to %%1. 9ithout doubt he is a late introdu tion, a ording to #oer between 11E1 and 11EJ. $ee #oer, ii, 20G, and 4.0. Dummler, ).ilgrim 8on .assau), 0ei(@ig, 1EJG. (C) )4nns) (M.H.G. )4ns)) is one o' the tributaries o' the Danube, 'lowing into it about ele8en miles southeast o' 0in@. (G) )4''erding) (M.H.G. )48erdingen)) is a town on the Danube, about thirteen miles west o' 0in@. (J) )"raun) (M.H.G. )"rune)) is a ri8er o' /((er Austria, 'orty+'our miles southeast o' 0in@.

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(B) )"run heons), see Ad8enture 11, note E. (5) )#otelungAs son) is Attila, who is so alled in our (oem, in the )2lage), and in )#iterol'). 1n the earlier *orse 8ersion )Atli) is the son o' )#udli). (On this (oint see Mullenho'', )Kur Ges hi hte der *ibelungensage), (. 10B, and Ks'd A., &, 1B1, and #leyer, .#. #eit. &&&i, GJ%, where the names are shown to be identi al. (E) )Medeli !) is the modern Mol!, or Mel!, a town on the Danube near the in'lu& o' the #ila h. 1t lies at the 'oot o' a granite li'' on whi h stands a 'amous #enedi tine abbey. (%) )Astolt) a((ears only in this (assageF nothing else is !nown o' him. (10) )Mautern) is situated at the in'lu& o' the ;lanit@, o((osite $tein in 0ower Austria. (11) )"raisem), "raisen, is a tributary o' the Danube in 0ower Austria, em(tying near "raismauer. (12) )Keisenmauer) (M.H.G. )Kei@enmure)). All the M$$. but , and D ha8e this reading. "he latter ha8e )"reysenmoure) and )treisem moure), whi h orres(onds better to the modern name, as Keiselmauer lies between "ulln and :ienna. 1t is (ossible, howe8er, that the town on the "raisem was originally alled Keiselmauer, as the road leading 'rom "raismauer to "ulln still bears the name o' Keiselstrasse. $ee 0aehmann, )Anmer!ungen), 1252, C, and .i(er, ii, 2E%, note to str. 1CCC.

!D'ENTURE 77II H+, E.:el Made &rie-1ild His Bride*

/ntil the 'ourth day she stayed at Keisenmauer. "he while the dust u(on the highway ne8er ame to rest, but rose on e8ery side, as i' it were burning, where 2ing 4t@elAs liegemen rode through Austria. "hen the !ing was told aright how royally 2riemhild 'ared through the landsF at thought o' this his sorrows 8anished. He hasted to

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where he 'ound the lo8ely 2riemhild. Men saw ride be'ore 2ing 4t@el on the road many bold !nights o' many tongues and many mighty troo(s o' ,hristians and o' (aynims. 9hen they met the lady, they rode along in lordly wise. O' the =ussians and the Gree!s there rode there many a man. "he right good steeds o' the .oles and 9alla hians were seen to gallo( swi'tly, as they rode with might and main. 4a h did show the ustoms o' his land. ;rom the land o' 2ie8 (1) there rode many a warrior and the sa8age .ets henegers. (2) 9ith the bow they o'ten shot at the birds whi h 'lew thereF to the 8ery head they drew the arrows on the bows. #y the Danube there lieth in the Austrian land a town that men all "ulna. (C) "here she be ame a Huaint with many a 'oreign ustom, the whi h si@e had ne8er seen a'ore. $he greeted there enow who later ame through her to grie'. #e'ore 4t@el there rode a retinue, merry and noble, ourtly and lusty, 'ull 'our and twenty (rin es, mighty and o' lo'ty birth. "hey would 'ain behold their lady and ra8ed naught more. Du!e =amung (G) o' 9alla hia, with se8en hundred 8assals, gallo(ed u( be'ore herF li!e 'lying birds men saw them ride. "hen ame .rin e Gibee! with lordly bands. "he doughty Hornbog, (J) with 'ull a thousand men, wheeled 'rom the !ing away towards the Hueen. 0oudly they shouted a'ter the ustom o' their land. Madly too rode the !insmen o' the Huns. "hen ame bra8e Hawart (B) o' Denmar! and the doughty 1ring, (5) 'ree o' guile was he, and 1rn'ried (E) o' "huringia, a stately man. 9ith twel8e hundred 8assals, whom they had in their band, they greeted 2riemhild, so that she had there'rom great worshi(. "hen ame $ir #loedel, (%) 2ing 4t@elAs brother, 'rom the Hunnish land, with three thousand men. 1n lordly wise he rode to where he 'ound the Hueen. "hen 2ing 4t@el ame and $ir Dietri h, too, with all his 'ellowshi(. "here stood many worshi('ul !nights, noble, worthy, and good. At this Dame 2riemhildAs s(irits rose. "hen $ir =udeger s(a!e to the Hueen6 )0ady, here will 1 re ei8e the high+born !ingF whomso 1 bid you !iss, that must ye do. ;orsooth ye may not greet ali!e 2ing 4t@elAs men.) ;rom the (al'rey they hel(ed the royal Hueen alight. 4t@el, the mighty, bode no more, but dismounted 'rom his steed with many a 8aliant man. >oy'ully men saw them go towards 2riemhild. "wo mighty (rin es, as we are told, wal!ed by the lady and bore her train, when 2ing 4t@el went to meet her, where she greeted the noble

1BC

lording with a !iss in gra ious wise. $he raised her 8eil and 'rom out the gold beamed 'orth her rosy hue. Many a man stood there who 8owed that 0ady Hel a ould not ha8e been more 'air than she. ,lose by stood also #loedel, the brother o' the !ing. Him =udeger, the mighty margra8e, bade her !iss and 2ing Gibee!, too. "here also stood $ir Dietri h. "wel8e o' the warriors the !ingAs bride !issed. $he greeted many !nights in other ways. All the while that 4t@el stood at 2riemhildAs side, the youth'ul warriors did as (eo(le still are wont to do. One saw them riding many a royal Ioust. "his ,hristian ham(ions did and (aynim, too, a ording to their ustom. 1n what right !nightly wise the men o' Dietri h made trun heons 'rom the sha'ts 'ly through the air, high abo8e the shields, 'rom the hands o' doughty !nightsM Many a bu !lerAs edge was (ier ed through and through by the German strangers. Great rashing o' brea!ing sha'ts was heard. All the warriors 'rom the land were ome and the !ingAs guests, too, many a noble man. "hen the mighty !ing betoo! him hen e with 0ady 2riemhild. Hard by them a royal tent was seen to standF around about the (lain was 'illed with booths, where they should rest them a'ter their toils. Many a omely maid was shown to her (la e thereunder by the !nights, where she then sate with the Hueen on ri hly o8ered hairs. "he margra8e had so well (ur8eyed the seats 'or 2riemhild, that all 'ound them (assing goodF at this 2ing 4t@el grew blithe o' mood. 9hat the !ing there s(a!e, 1 !now not. 1n his right lay her snow+ white handF thus they sate in lo8erAs wise, sin e =udeger would not let the !ing ma!e lo8e to 2riemhild se retly. "hen one bade the tourney ease on e8ery sideF in ourtly wise the great rout ended. 4t@elAs men betoo! them to the boothsF men ga8e them lodgings stret hing 'ar away on e8ery side. "he day had now an endF they lay at ease, till the bright morn was seen to dawn again, then many a man betoo! him to the steeds. Ho, what (astimes they gan (ly in honor o' the !ingM 4t@el bade the Huns (ur8ey all with 'itting honors. "hen they rode 'rom "ulna to the town o' :ienna, where they 'ound many a dame adorned. 9ith great worshi( these greeted 2ing 4t@elAs bride. "here was ready 'or them in great (lenty whate8er they should ha8e. Many a lusty hero reIoi ed at (ros(e t o' the rout.

1BG

"he !ingAs wedding 'east ommen ed in merry wise. "hey began to lodge the guests, but Huarters ould not be 'ound 'or all within the town. =udeger there'ore begged those that were not guests to ta!e lodgings in the ountry round about. 1 ween men 'ound all time by 0ady 2riemhild, $ir Dietri h and many another !night. "heir rest they had gi8en o8er 'or toil, that they might (ur8ey the guests good heer. =udeger and his 'riends had (astime good. "he wedding 'east 'ell on a 9hitsuntide, when 2ing 4t@el lay by 2riemhild in the town o' :ienna. 9ith her 'irst husband, 1 trow, she did not win so many men 'or ser8i e. "hrough (resents she made her !nown to those who had ne8er seen her. ;ull many among them s(a!e to the guests6 )9e weened that 0ady 2riemhild had naught o' goods, now hath she wrought many wonders with her gi'ts.) "he 'easting lasted se8enteen days. 1 trow men an no longer tell o' any !ing whose wedding 'east was greater. 1' so be, Atis hidden 'rom us. All that were (resent wore brand+new garments. 1 ween, she ne8er dwelt be'ore in *etherland with su h retinue o' !nights. "hough $ieg'ried was ri h in goods, 1 trow, he ne8er won so many noble men+at+arms, as she saw stand A'ore 4t@el. *or hath any e8er gi8en at his own wedding 'east so many ostly mantles, long and wide, nor su h good lothes, o' whi h all had here great store, gi8en 'or 2riemhildAs sa!e. Her 'riends and the strangers, too, were minded to s(are no !ind o' goods. 9hate8er any ra8ed, this they willingly ga8e, so that many o' the !nights through bounty stood bere't o' lothes. 2riemhild thought o' how she dwelt with her noble husband by the =hineF her eyes grew moist, but she hid it 'ull well, that none might see it. Great worshi( had been done her a'ter many a grie'. 9hate8er bounty any used, Atwas but a wind to that o' Dietri h,. 9hat #otelungAs son had gi8en him, was sHuandered Huite. =udegerAs la8ish hand did also many wonders. .rin e #leedel o' Hungary bade em(ty many tra8eling hests o' their sil8er and their goldF all this was gi8en away. "he !ingAs ham(ions were seen to li8e right merrily. 9erbel and $wemmel, (10) the minstrels o' the !ing, ea h gained at the wedding 'east, 1 ween, 'ull thousand mar!s, or e8en better, when 'air 2riemhild sate rowned at 4t@elAs side. On the eighteenth morning they rode 'orth 'rom :ienna. Many shields were (ier ed in tilting by s(ears, whi h the warriors bare in hand. "hus 2ing 4t@el ame down to the Hunnish land. "hey s(ent the night at an ient Heimburg. (11) *o one might !now the (ress o' 'ol!, or with what 'or e they rode a ross the land. Ho, what 'air women they 'ound in 4t@elAs nati8e landM At mighty Misenburg (12)

1BJ

they boarded shi(. "he water whi h men saw 'lowing there was o8ered with steeds and men, as i' it were solid earth. "he wayworn ladies had their ease and rest. Many good shi(s were lashed together, that neither wa8es nor 'lood might do them harm. /(on them many a goodly tent was s(read, as i' they still had both land and (lain. ;rom then e tidings ame to 4t@elburg, (1C) at whi h both men and wi8es therein were glad. Hel aAs meiny, that a'oretime waited on their mistress, (assed many a ha((y day therea'ter at 2riemhildAs side. "here many a noble maid stood waiting, who had great grie' through Hel aAs death. 2riemhild 'ound still se8en royal (rin esses there, through whom all 4t@elAs land was gra ed. ;or the meiny the high+born maiden Herrat (1G) ared, the daughter o' Hel aAs sister, beseen with many ourtly 8irtues, the betrothed o' Dietri h, a royal hild, 2ing *entwinAs (1J) daughterF mu h worshi( she later had. #lithe o' heart she was at the oming o' the guestsF 'or this, too, mighty treasures were (re(ared. 9ho might tell the tale o' how the !ing held ourtL *e8er had men li8ed better among the Huns with any Hueen. 9hen that the !ing with his wi'e rode 'rom the shore, the noble 2riemhild was told 'ull well who ea h one wasF she greeted them the better. Ho, how royally she ruled in Hel aAs steadM $he be ame a Huaint with mu h loyal ser8i e. "hen the Hueen dealt out gold and 8esture, sil! and (re ious stones. 9hate8er she brought with her a ross the =hine to Hungary must needs be gi8en all away. All the !ingAs !insmen and all his liegemen then owned her ser8i e, so that 0ady Hel a ne8er ruled so mightily as she, whom they now must ser8e till 2riemhildAs death. "he ourt and all the land li8ed in su h high honors, that all time men 'ound the (astimes whi h ea h heart desired, through the 'a8or o' the !ing and his good Hueen.

ENDNOTES# (1) )2ie8) (M.H.G. )2iew)) is now a go8ernment in the southwestern (art o' =ussia. 1ts a(ital o' the same name, situated on the Dnie(er, is the oldest o' the better !nown ities o' =ussia, and in the latter Middle Ages was an im(ortant station o' the Hanseati league. (2) ).ets henegers), a "ur!ish tribe originally dwelling to the north o' the ,as(ian. #y onHuest they a Huired a !ingdom

1BB

e&tending 'rom the Don to "ransyl8ania. "hey were 'eared 'or their 'ero iousness and be ause they ontinually in8aded the surrounding ountries, es(e ially 2ie8. (C) )"ulna (M.H.G. )"ulne)) is the modern "ulln, a walled town o' 0ower Austria, se8enteen milos northwest o' :ienna on the Danube. (G) )=amung and Gibe !) (M.H.G. )Gibe he)) a((ear only in our (oem, nothing else is !nown o' them. (J) )Hornbog) is 'reHuently mentioned in the )"hidre!saga), but nothing otherwise is !nown o' him. (B) )Hawart) is (erha(s identi al with the $a&on du!e Hadugot, who is re(uted to ha8e (layed an im(ortant (art in the onHuest o' "huringia. He e8idently omes 'rom the 0ow German 8ersion. (5) )1ring) is onsidered by 9ilmanns to ha8e been originally an an ient deity, as the Mil!y 9ay is alled )1ringe stra@e) or )1ringi). He o urs in a legend o' the 'all o' the "huringian !ingdom, where he (layed su h a (rominent role that the Mil!y 9ay was named a'ter him. $ee 9. Grimm, )Heldensage), (. C%G, who thin!s, howe8er, that the onne tion o' 1ring with the Mil!y 9ay is the result o' a on'usion. (E) )1rn'ried) is onsidered to be Herman'rid o' "huringia, who was o8erthrown and !illed in A.D. JCJ by "heuderi h with the aid o' the $a&ons. $ee ;eli& Dahn, )/rges hi hte), iii, 5C+5%. He, too, omes 'rom the 0ow German tradition. (%) )#loedel) is #leda, the brother o' Attila, with whom he reigned onIointly 'rom A.D. GCC to GGJ. 1n our (oem the name a((ears 'reHuently with the diminuti8e ending, as )#loedelin). (10) )9erbel and $wemmel), who doubtless owe their introdu tion to some minstrel, enIoy s(e ial 'a8or and are intrusted with the im(ortant mission o' in8iting the #urgundians to 4t@elAs ourt, an honor that would hardly be a orded to (ersons o' their ran!. $wemmel a((ears mostly in the diminuti8e 'orm

1B5

)$wemmelin). (11) )Heimburg) lies on the Danube near the Hungarian border. (12) )Misenburg) is the modern 9ieselburg on the Danube, twenty+one miles southeast o' .ressburg. (1C) )4t@elburg) was later identi'ied with the old (art o' #uda(est, alled in German )O'en), through the in'luen e o' Hungarish legends, but, as G. Heinri h has shown, had no de'inite lo ali@ation in the older M.H.G. e(i s. $ee #leyer, .#. #elt. &&&i GCC and J0B. "he name o urs in do uments as late as the 'i'teenth entury. (1G) )Herrat), the daughter o' 2ing )*entwin) is 'reHuently mentioned in the )"hidre!saga) as Dietri hAs betrothed. $he is s(o!en o' as the e&iled maid. (1J) )*entwin) is not 'ound in any other saga, and nothing else is !nown o' him. $ee 9. Grimm, )Heldensage), 10C.

!D'ENTURE 77III H+, &rie-1ild T1+0)1. T+ !ven)e Her /r+n)s*

9ith great worshi( o' a truth they li8ed together until the se8enth year. 1n this time the Hueen was deli8ered o' a son, at whi h 2ing 4t@el ould not ha8e been more Ioy'ul. $he would not turn ba !, until she brought it to (ass that 4t@elAs hild was hristened a'ter the ,hristian rite. Men named it OrtliebF (1) at this great Ioy arose o8er all o' 4t@elAs lands. 9hate8er ourtly breeding 0ady Hel a had (ossessed, Dame 2riemhild (ra ti ed this 'ull many a day. Herrat, the e&iled maid, who in se ret grie8ed 'ull sore 'or Hel a, taught her the ustoms. 9ell was she !nown to the strangers and the home+ 'ol!. "hey 8owed that ne8er had a !ingdom had a better or more bounteous Hueen. "his they held 'or true. $he bare this (raise among the Huns until the thirteenth year. *ow wot she well, that none would thwart her, as royal men+at+arms still do to a (rin eAs wi'e, and that all time she saw twel8e !ings stand be'ore her. O8er many a wrong she brooded, that had ha((ed to her at home. $he thought li!ewise on the many honors in the *ibelung land, whi h she had

1BE

there enIoyed and o' whi h HagenAs hand had Huite bere't her at $ieg'riedAs death, and i' (er han e she might not ma!e him su''er 'or his deed. )"hat would ha(, i' 1 might but bring him to this land.) $he dreamed that Giselher, her brother, wal!ed o'ten with her hand in hand. Alway she !issed him in her gentle slumberF later su''ering ame to both. 1 ween, the 'oul 'iend did ounsel 2riemhild this, that she withdrew her 'riendshi( 'rom Giselher, whom 'or 'orgi8enessA sa!e she had !issed in the #urgundian land. At this hot tears again gan soil her robe. 4arly and late it lay within her heart, how without 'ault o' hers they had made her wed a heathen man. Hagen and Gunther had brought her to this (ass. "his wish she seldom ga8e o8er in her heart. $he thought6 )1 am so mighty and ha8e su h great wealth, that 1 an do my 'oes an inIury yet. ;ull ready would 1 be 'or this towards Hagen o' "roneg. My heart doth o'ten yearn 'or my 'aith'ul !in. Might 1 be with those who did me wrong, my lo8erAs death would be well a8enged. $ ar e an 1 abide this,) s(a!e 4t@elAs wi'e. All the !ingAs men, 2riemhildAs warriors, bare her lo8e in duty bound. O' the hamber 4 !ewart had harge, whi h won him 'riends. *one might gainsay Dame 2riemhildAs will. All time she thought6 )1 will beg the !ing, that he in !indly wise may grant me to bring my !insmen to the Hunnish land.) *one mar!ed the e8il (ur(ose o' the Hueen. One night when she lay by the !ing, and he did hold her in his arms, as he was wont to lo8e the noble dame, who was dear to him as li'e, the high+born lady thought her o' her 'oes. "o the !ing she s(a!e6 )Dear my lord, 1 would 'ain besee h you, by your gra e, that ye would show me that ye did lo8e my !ins'ol!, i' 1 ha8e earned the 'a8or.) "hen s(a!e the !ing (true was his heart)6 )1All gi8e you to !now howe8er well the !nights may 'are, 1 may well ha8e Ioy o' this, 'or ne8er ha8e 1 won better !in through womanAs lo8e.) Again the Hueen s(a!e6 )1t hath been well told you, that 1 ha8e high+ born !inF there'ore do 1 grie8e that they so seldom re ! to see me here. 1 hear the 'ol! a8er that 1 be banished.) "hen s(a!e !ing 4t@el6 )Dear lady mine, and it thin! you not too 'ar, 1All bid hither to my lands, 'rom a ross the =hine, whomso ye be 'ain to see.)

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"he lady Ioyed her when she heard his will. $he s(a!e6 )9ould ye show me your 'aith, my lord, then send en8oys to 9orms a ross the =hine, through whom 1 may tell my !ins'ol! what 1 ha8e in mind. "hus there will ome hither to our land many a noble !night and a good.) He answered6 )1t shall ha( whenso ye bid. -e might not be more glad to see your !in than 1 to see the sons o' the noble /ta. 1t doth ir! me sore, that they ha8e been strangers to us so long a time. 1' it (lease you, dear lady mine, 1 would 'ain send my minstrels 'or your !insmen to the #urgundian land.) He bade the good minstrels be 'et hed straightway. ?ui !ly they hasted to where the !ing sate by the Hueen. He told the twain they should be en8oys to the #urgundian land and bade 'ull lordly weeds be made ready 'or them. ,lothing was (re(ared 'or 'our and twenty warriors, and the message was told them by the !ing, how they should bid Gunther and his liegemen hither. 2riemhild, the Hueen, tal!ed with them a(art. "hen s(a!e the mighty !ing6 )1All tell you what to say. 1 o''er to my !in my lo8e and ser8i e, that it may (lease them to ride hither to my land. #ut 'ew su h wel ome guests ha8e 1 !nown, and i' they (er han e will 'ul'ill my wish, tell 2riemhildAs !insmen that they must not 'all to ome this summer to my 'east, 'or mu h o' my Ioy doth lie u(on the !insmen o' my wi'e.) "hen s(a!e the minstrel, the (roud $wemmel6 )9hen shall your 'easting be in these lands, that 1 may tell it yonder to your !inL) 2ing 4t@el answered6 )On ne&t midsummerAs day.) )9eAll do as ye ommand,) s(a!e then 9erbel. "he Hueen bade them be brought se retly unto her bower, where she then tal!ed with the en8oys. ;rom this but little Ioy ha((ed to many a !night. "o the two messengers she s(a!e6 )*ow earn ye mi !le goods, in that ye do my (leasure 'ull willingly and gi8e the message whi h 1 send to my nati8e land. 1All ma!e you ri h in goods and gi8e you the lordly robes. And i' ye see any o' my !in at 9orms u(on the =hine, ye must not tell them that ye e8er saw me sad o' heart. "ender my ser8i e to the heroes bra8e and good. #eg that they do as the !ing doth bid and thus (art me 'rom all my grie'. "he Huns

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ween, 1 be without !ith and !in. 9ere 1 a !night, 1Ad 8isit them mysel' at times. And say to Gernot, too, the noble brother o' mine, that none in the world doth lo8e him more. #eg him to bring with him to this land our best o' 'riends, that it may be to our honor. $ay also to Giselher, that he remember well, 1 ne8er gained grie' through 'ault o' his. "here'ore would mine eyes 'ain sue him. ;or his great loyalty 1 would gladly ha8e him here. "ell my mother also o' the honors whi h 1 ha8e, and i' Hagen o' "roneg be minded to stay at home, who then should lead them through the landsL ;rom a hild he !noweth the roads to Hungary.) (2) "he en8oys wist not, why it was done, that they should not let Hagen o' "roneg stay u(on the =hine. 0ater it re(ented them 'ull sore. 9ith him many a !night was doomed to a sa8age death. 0etters and messages had now been gi8en them. "hey rode 'orth ri h in goods, and well ould lead a sum(tuous li'e. O' 4t@el and his 'air wi'e they too! their lea8e, their (ersons adorned 'ull well with goodly weeds. ENDNOTES# (1) )Ortlieb) is not histori al, and in the )"hidre!saga) 4t@elAs son is alled Aldrian. #leyer, )Die germanis hen 4lemente der ungaris hen, Hunnensage), .#. #eit. &&&i, J50, attem(t to (ro8e the identity o' the names by means o' a 'orm )QArda), gi8ing on the one hand Hungarian )Aladar), )Aldrian), on the other German )Arte), )Orte). (2) )Hungary). A ording to the a ount in )9altharius), Hagen s(ent his youth as a hostage at 4t@elAs ourt.

!D'ENTURE 77I' H+, /erbel !nd S,e--el Br+0)1. T1e Messa)e*

9hen that 4t@el had sent his en8oys to the =hine, these tidings 'lew 'rom land to land. "hrough 'ull s(eedy messengers he begged and bade to his high 'easting. ;rom this many a one met there his death. "he en8oys rode away 'rom the Hunnish land to #urgundy. "hey

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were sent thither 'or three noble !ings and 'or their men, that these should ome to 4t@elF there'ore all gan haste. "o #e helaren they ame a+riding, where ser8ed them gladly. =udeger and Gotelind and the hild o' them twain delayed not to send their ser8i e through the en8oys to the =hine. *or did they let them (art hen e without gi'ts, that 4t@elAs men might 'are the better. "o /ta and her sons =udeger sent word that they had no more loyal margra8e than he. "o #runhild, also, they tendered ser8i e and good wishes, onstant 'ealty and a lo8ing mind. 9hen they heard the s(ee h that the en8oys would ride, the margra8ine begged God in hea8en to !ee( them well. #e'ore the messengers were Huite ome through #a8arian land, the doughty 9erbel sought out the good #isho( .ilgrim. 9hat word he sent to his !in u(on the =hine, that 1 !now not, but naught but ruddy gold he ga8e the messengers 'or lo8e and let them ride. "hen s(a!e the bisho(6 )And might 1 see them here, my sisterAs sons, 1 should be blithe o' mood, 'or 'ull seldom an 1 ome to them u(on the =hine.) 9hat roads they tra8eled to the =hine, 1 annot tell. *one robbed them o' their sil8er and their weedsF men 'eared their masterAs wrath. ,ertes the noble high+born !ing was a mighty lord. 9ithin a twel'th night 9erbel and $wemmel ame to the =hine, to the land o' 9orms. "o the !ings and their liegemen tidings were told that there ame strange messengers. Gunther, the lord o' the =hineland, gan as!6 )9ho will do us to wit, 'rom when e these strangers ride into our landL) "his none wist, till Hagen o' "roneg saw them, who then s(a!e to Gunther6 )*ew tidings be ome to us, as 1 will 8ou h, 'or 1 ha8e seen 2ing 4t@elAs minstrels here. "hem your sister hath sent to the =hineF 'or their masterAs sa!e we must gi8e them a !indly wel ome.) Already they were riding u( be'ore the (ala eF ne8er did a (rin eAs minstrels Iourney in more lordly wise. $traightway the !ingAs meiny bade them wel ome. Men ga8e them lodgings and bade ta!e in harge their tra((ings. "heir tra8eling lothes were ri h and so well 'ashioned that with honor they might ome be'ore the !ing, but they

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would not wear them longer there at ourt, and as!ed i' there were any that desired them. At the sel'same moment 'ol! were 'ound who 'ain would ta!e them, and to these they were sent. "hen the strangers donned 'ar better weeds, su h as well be'itted !ingAs messengers 'or to wear. "hen 4t@elAs retainers went by lea8e to where the !ing was sittingF men saw this gladly. Hagen s(rang ourteously towards the messengers and greeted them in lo8ing wise. ;or this the sHuires did say him than!s. "hat he might !now their tidings, he gan as! how 4t@el 'ared and all his men. "hen s(a!e the minstrel6 )*e8er did the land stand better, nor were the 'ol! more merryF now !now that o' a truth.) "o the host they wentF the hall was 'ull. "here men re ei8ed the guests, as one must do by right, when !indly greetings be sent to the lands o' other !ings. 9erbel 'ound 'ull many warriors there at GuntherAs side. 1n ourteous wise the !ing gan greet them6 )-e minstrels o' the Huns and all your 'ellowshi(, be ye wel ome. Hath the mighty 4t@el sent you hither to the #urgundian landL) "o the !ing they bowedF then s(a!e 9erbel6 )My dear lord, and also 2riemhild, your sister, do send you loyal ser8i e to this land. "hey ha8e sent us to you !nights in all good 'aith.) $(a!e the mighty (rin e6 )Merry am 1 at this tale. How 'areth 4t@el,) so as!ed the !night, )and 2riemhild, my sister, o' the Hunnish landL) ?uoth the minstrel6 )"his tale 1All tell youF ye should !now that ne8er ha8e 'ol! 'ared better than the twain and all their 'ollowers, their !insmen and their 8assals. "hey Ioyed them o' the Iourney, as we de(arted hen e.) )Gramer y 'or his greetings whi h he hath sent me, and 'or those o' my sister, sith it standeth so that the !ing and his men li8e thus in ha((iness, 'or 1 did as! the news in 'ear and trembling.) "he two young (rin es were now also ome, 'or they had but Iust heard the tale. ;or the sa!e o' his sister Giselher, the youth, was 'ain to see the en8oys. He s(a!e to them in lo8ing wise6 )-e messengers,

15C

be 8ery wel ome to us. AnA ye would ride more o'ten hither to the =hine, ye would 'ind 'riends here whom ye would be glad to see. 0ittle o' harm shall ha( you in this land.) )9e trust you in all honor,) s(a!e then $wemmel. )1 ould not on8ey to you with all my wits, how lo8ingly !ing 4t@el and your noble sister, who li8e in su h great worshi(, ha8e sent their greetings. "he Hueen doth mind you o' your lo8e and 'ealty, and that your heart and mind did e8er hold her dear. #ut 'irst and 'oremost we be sent to the !ing, that ye may deign to ride to 4t@elAs land. "he mighty 4t@el enIoined us stri tly to beg you this and sent the message to you all, that i' ye would not let your sister see you, he 'ain would !now what he had done you that ye be so strange to him and to his lands,. AnA ye had ne8er !nown the Hueen, yet would he 'ain bring it to (ass that onsent to ome and see him. 1t would (lease him well i' that might ha(.) "hen s(a!e 2ing Gunther6 )1n a sennight 1 will tell you the tale o' what 1 ha8e bethought me with my 'riends. Meanwhile hie you to your lodgings and rest you well.) ?uoth 9erbel again6 )And ould that be that we might see my lady, the royal /ta, a'ore we ta!e our easementL) "he noble Giselher s(a!e then 'ull ourteously6 )*one shall hinder that. AnA ye would go be'ore her, ye will do in 'ull my motherAs wish, 'or she will gladly see you 'or my sisterAs sa!e, the 0ady 2riemhildF she will ma!e you wel ome.) Giselher led them to where they 'ound the Hueen. Gladly she ga@ed u(on the en8oys 'rom the Hunnish land. "hrough her ourtesie she ga8e them gentle greeting. "he good and ourtly messengers then told their tale. )My lady o''ereth you o' a truth,) so s(a!e $wemmel, )her lo8e and duty. Might that be that she ould see you o't, ye may well belie8e she had no better Ioy in all the world.) "hen s(a!e the Hueen6 )"hat may not be. Howe8er gladly 1 would o'ten see the dear daughter o' mine, yet doth the wi'e o' the noble !ing li8e, alas, too 'ar 'rom me. May she and 4t@el be e8er blessed. .ray let me !now be'ore ye lea8e, when ye would hen e againF not

15G

in a long time ha8e 1 seen messengers so gladly as 1 ha8e you.) "he sHuires 8owed that this should ha(. "hose 'rom the Hunnish land now rode to their lodgings. Meanwhile the mighty !ing had sent to 'et h his 'riends. "he noble Gunther as!ed his liegemen how they li!ed the s(ee h. Many a one gan say that the !ing well might ride to 4t@elAs land. "he 8ery best among them ad8ised him this, sa8e Hagen aloneF him misli!ed it sore. .ri8ily he s(a!e to the !ing6 )-e 'ight against yoursel'F ye !now 'ull well what we ha8e done. 9e may well be e8er on our guard with 2riemhild, 'or with mine own hand 1 slew her husband to death. How durst we ride to 4t@elAs landL) "hen s(a!e the mighty !ing6 )My sister ga8e o8er her wrathF with a !iss she lo8ingly 'orga8e what we had done her, or e8er she rode away. /nless be that the 'eud doth stand against you alone.) ?uoth Hagen6 )*ow let the messengers 'rom the Huns beguile you not, whatsoe8er they say. 9ould ye 8isit 2riemhild, easily may ye lose there both li'e and honor. ;ull long o' 8engean e is 2ing 4t@elAs wi'e.) "hen s(a!e .rin e Gernot to the oun il6 )9hy should we gi8e it o8er, be ause ye rightly 'ear death in the Hunnish landsL 1t were an ill deed not to go to see our sister.) "hen s(a!e .rin e Giselher to the !night6 )$ith ye !now you to be guilty, 'riend Hagen, ye should stay at home and guard you well, and let those who dare ride with us to my sister.) At this the !night o' "roneg grew wroth o' mood. )1 will not that ye ta!e any with you on the way, who durst better ride to ourt than 1. $ith ye will not turn you, 1 will well show you that.) "hen s(a!e the master o' the !it hen, =umolt, the !night6 )-e an well ha8e the strangers and the home+'ol! ared 'or here, a'ter your own desire, 'or ye ha8e 'ull store o' goods. 1 ween, Hagen hath ne8er gi8en you 'or a hostageF (1) but i' ye will not 'ollow him, =umolt ad8iseth you, 'or 1 be bound to you in 'ealty and duty, that 'or my sa!e ye abide here and lea8e 2ing 4t@el there with 2riemhild. How might it 'are more gently with you in all the worldL -e be well able

15J

to stand be'ore your 'oesF so de ! your body out with bra8e attire, drin! the best o' wine, and (ay ourt to stately ladies. "hereto ye be ser8ed with the best o' 'ood that e8er !ing did gain in the world. And were this not so, yet should ye tarry here 'or your 'air wi'eAs sa!e, be'ore ye ris! your li'e so hildishly. 9here'ore 1 do ounsel you to stay at home. -our lands be ri h, and one an redeem his (ledges better at home than among the Huns. 9ho !noweth how it standeth thereL -e should stay at home, $ire, that is =umoltAs ounsel.) )9e will not stay,) Huoth Gernot. )$ith my sister and the mighty 4t@el ha8e bidden us in su h 'riendly wise, why should we not a e(tL He that li!eth not to go may stay at home.) "o "his Hagen answered6 )"a!e not my s(ee h amiss, howe8er ye may 'are. 1n all truth 1 ounsel you, would ye guard your li8es, then ride to the Huns well armed. $ith ye will not turn you, send 'or your men+at+arms, the best ye ha8e or an 'ind in any (artF 'rom among them all 1All hoose a thousand doughty !nights. "hen 2riemhildAs e8il mood an bring you naught o' harm.) )"his rede 1All gladly 'ollow,) s(a!e straightway the !ing. He then bade messengers ride 'ar and wide throughout his lands. "hree thousand ham(ions or more they 'et hed. 0ittle they weened to gain su h grie8ous woe. ;ull merrily they rode to GuntherAs ourt. Men bade gi8e all that were to ride 'orth 'rom #urgundy both steeds and tra((ings. "he !ing gained 'ull many a one with willing mood. "hen Hagen o' "roneg bade his brother Dan!wart lead eighty o' their warriors to the =hine. 1n !nightly guise they ameF these doughty men too! with them harness and tra((ings into GuntherAs land. "hen ame bold ;ol!er, a noble minstrel he, with thirty o' his men 'or the Iourney to 2riemhildAs ourt. "hey had lothing su h as a !ing might wear. Gunther bade ma!e !nown, he would to the Hunnish land. 1All do you now to wit who ;ol!er was. He was a noble lord, the liege o' many doughty !nights in #urgundy. A minstrel he was alled, 'or that he wist how to 'iddle. Hagen hose a thousand whom he well !newF o't had he seen what their hands had wrought in (ress o' battle, or in whate8er else they did. *one might a8er aught else o' them than doughtiness. "he tarrying ir!ed 2riemhildAs en8oys sore, 'or great was their 'ear o' their lord. Daily they ra8ed lea8e to goF this Hagen would not grant through ra'tiness. "o his master he s(a!e6 )9e should well

15B

guard against letting them ride away, until we oursel8es 'are 'orth a sennight later to 4t@elAs land. 1' any beareth us ill will, the better shall we wot it. *or may 0ady 2riemhild then ma!e ready that through any (lan o' hers, men do us harm. AnA this be her will, sheAll 'are 'ull ill, 'or many a hosen liegeman had we hen e.) $hields and saddles, and all the garments that they would ta!e with them to 4t@elAs land, were now 'ull ready 'or many a bra8e man+at+ arms. *ow men bade 2riemhildAs messengers go be'ore 2ing Gunther. 9hen they were ome, Gernot s(a!e6 )"he !ing will do as 4t@el as!ed us, we will gladly ome to his high 'east to see our sisterF be no more in doubt o' that.) "hen 2ing Gunther s(a!e6 )9ist ye how to tell us, when this 'east shall be, or in what time we should go thitherL) $wemmel re(lied6 )O' a truth it shall be on ne&t midsummerAs day.) "he !ing ga8e them lea8e (this had not ha((ed as yet), i' they would 'ain see 0ady #runhild, to go be'ore her with his 'ree will. "his ;ol!er hindered, whi h (leased her mu h. );orsooth, my 0ady #runhild is not so well o' mood, that ye may see her,) s(a!e the good !night. )#ide the morrow, and men will let you see her.) 9hen they weened to ga@e u(on her, it might not ha(. "hen the mighty (rin e, who li!ed the en8oys well, through his own ourtesie, bade his gold be arried 'orth on the broad shields o' whi h he had great store. =i h gi'ts were also gi8en them by his !insmen Giselher and Gernot, Gere and Ortwin. 9ell they showed, that they were generous, too. "hey o''ered the messengers su h ri h gi'ts, that 'or 'ear o' their lord they durst not ta!e them. *ow s(a!e the en8oy 9erbel to the !ing6 )$ir 2ing, let your gi'ts stay here at home. 9e may arry none awayF our lord 'orbade that we ta!e aught o' gi'ts. "hen too, there is but little need.) "hen the ruler o' the =hine wa&ed wroth, that they should thus re'use the gi'ts o' so mighty a !ing. At last they were 'or ed to ta!e his gold and weeds, the whi h they later bare to 4t@elAs land. "hey would 'ain see the 0ady /ta, or e8er they de(arted hen e, so the doughty Giselher brought the minstrels be'ore his mother /ta. "he

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lady sent the message, that whate8er honors her daughter had, this ga8e her Ioy. "hen the Hueen bade gi8e the minstrels o' her edgings and her gold, 'or the sa!e o' 2ing 4t@el and 2riemhild whom she lo8ed. Gladly they too! the gi'tsF in good 'aith Atwas done. "he messengers had now ta!en their lea8e 'rom then e, 'rom wi8es and men. Merrily they rode away to $wabia. "hither Gernot bade his !nights es ort them, that none might do them harm. 9hen they (arted 'rom those who should ha8e them in their are, 4t@elAs (ower did guard them on all their ways, so that none bere't them o' either horse or tra((ings. 9ith great s(eed they hasted towards 4t@elAs land. "o all the 'riends they wot o', they made !nown that in a short time the #urgundians would ome hither 'rom the =hine to the Hunnish land. "o the #isho( .ilgrim too, the tale was told. As they rode adown the highway be'ore #e helaren, men delayed not to tell =udeger and Gotelind, the margra8eAs wi'e. Merry she grew that she should see them. Men saw the minstrels hasting with the tidings. "hey 'ound 2ing 4t@el in the town o' Gran. (2) Greeting a'ter greeting they ga8e the !ing, o' whi h 'ull many had been sent him. He blushed 'or 8ery Ioy. Ha((y o' mood was the Hueen, when she heard the tale aright that her brothers should ome into the land. $he ga8e the minstrels great gi'ts as meed. "his was done 'or honorAs sa!e. $he s(a!e6 )*ow tell me, both o' you, 9erbel and $wemmel, whi h o' my !in are minded to be at the 'eastL 9ill the best o' those we bade ome hither to this landL .ray tell me what Hagen said when he heard the tale.) "he minstrel answered6 )He ame on a morning early to the oun il, and but little o' 'air s(ee h he s(a!e thereby. 9hen they (ledged the Iourney hither to the Hunnish lands, that was as words o' death to the wrath'ul Hagen. -our brothers, the three !ings, will ome in lordly mood. 9hoe8er else may ome, this tale 1 !now not o' a surety. "he bra8e minstrel ;ol!er 8owed to ride along.) )0ittle do 1 re !,) s(a!e the Hueen, )whether 1 e8er see ;ol!er here. O' Hagen 1 be 'ond, he is a doughty hero. My s(irits stand high that we may see him here.) "hen the Hueen went to where she saw the !ing. how lo8ingly Dame 2riemhild s(a!e6 )How li!e you these tales, dear my lordL 9hat 1 ha8e e8er ra8ed, shall now be brought to (ass.)

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)"hy wish is my Ioy,) s(a!e then the !ing. )*e8er ha8e 1 been so blithe o' mine own !in, when they should ome hither to my lands. "hrough the !indness o' thy !insmen my are hath 'led away.) 2ing 4t@elAs o''i ers bade e8erywhere (ala e and hall be (ur8eyed with ben hes 'or the guests whi h were to ome. "herea'ter the !ing heard 'rom them mi !le wee(ing. ENDNOTES# (1) )Hostage), i.e., he has ne8er betrayed you to your enemies. (2) )Gran), royal 'ree ity o' Hungary, on the right ban! o' the Danube o((osite the in'lu& o' the Gran, twenty+'our miles northwest o' #uda(est.

!D'ENTURE 77' H+, T1e L+rds !ll 8+0rneyed T+ T1e H0ns*

*ow let us lea8e the tale o' how they li8ed at 4t@elAs ourt. More high+mettled warriors ne8er rode in su h lordly wise to the land o' any !ingF they had whate8er they listed, both o' wea(ons and o' weeds. "he ruler o' the =hineland lad his men, a thousand and si&ty !nights, (1) as 1 ha8e heard, and nine thousand 'ootmen, 'or the ourtly 'east. "hose they le't at home bewailed it in a'ter time. "he tra((ings were now borne a ross the ourt at 9ormsF then s(a!e an aged bisho( 'rom $(eyer to 'air /ta6 )Our 'riends would Iourney to the 'easting. May God (reser8e their honor there.) "he noble 0ady /ta then s(a!e to her sons6 ).ray tarry here, good !nights. Me+dreamed last night o' direst woe, how all the 'owls in this land lay dead.) )9ho re !eth aught o' dreams,) Huoth Hagen, )he wotteth not how to say the (ro(er words, when Atwould bring him great store o' honors. 1 wish that my lord go to ourt to ta!e his lea8e. 9e must gladly ride to 4t@elAs land. "he arms o' doughty heroes may ser8e !ings there 'ull well, where we shall behold 2riemhildAs 'east.)

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Hagen ounseled the Iourney, but later it rued him sore. He would ha8e ad8ised against it, but that Gernot en ountered him with su h rude words. O' $ieg'ried, 0ady 2riemhildAs husband, he minded himF he s(a!e6 )#e ause o' him Hagen will not ma!e the Iourney to the ourt.) At this Hagen o' "roneg s(a!e6 )1 do it not 'rom 'ear. Heroes, when it (lease you, begin the wor!. ,ertes 1 will gladly ride with you to 4t@elAs land.) 0ater he ar8ed to (ie es many a helm and shield. "he s!i''s were now made readyF many a !night stood there. "hither men bare whate8er lothes they had. #usy they were until the e8en tide, then 'ull merrily they set 'orth 'rom home. "ents and (a8ilions were raised u(on the green beyond the =hine. 9hen this had ha((ed, the !ing bade his 'air wi'e tarry with him. "hat night she still embra ed her stately !night. "rum(eting and 'luting rose early on the morn, as sign that they should ride. "hen to the wor! they went. 9hoso held in his arms his lo8e aressed the 'air. 0ater 2ing 4t@elAs wi'e (arted them with woe. ;air /taAs sons, they had a liegeman, bra8e and true. 9hen they would hen e, he s(a!e to the !ing in se ret wise his mind. ?uoth he6 )1 must bewail that ye ma!e this Iourney to the ourt.) He was hight =umolt and was a hero o' his hands. He s(a!e6 )"o whom will ye lea8e your 'ol! and landsL O that none an turn you warriors 'rom your mindM "hese tidings 'rom 2riemhild ha8e ne8er thought me good.) )#e the land and my little hild, too, ommended to thy areF ser8e well the ladies, that is my wish. ,om'ort any thou dost see in tears. ,ertes 2ing 4t@elAs bride will ne8er do us harm.) "he steeds were now ready 'or the !ings and their men. Many a one who li8ed there high o' s(irit, (arted then e with lo8ing !isses. "his many a stately dame must later needs bewail. 9hen the doughty !nights were seen go toward the steeds, men s(ied 'ull many ladies standing sadly there. "heir hearts did tell them that this long (arting boded them great harm. "his doth ne8er ease the heart. "he doughty #urgundians started on their way. "hen in the land a mighty turmoil roseF on either side o' the mountains there we(t both

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men and wi8es. #ut howe8er the 'ol! might bear them, the !nights Iogged merrily along. 9ith them rode the men o' *ibelung, a thousand hauber!s strong, who had le't many omely dames at home whom they ne8er saw again. $ieg'riedAs wounds ga8e 2riemhild (ain. GuntherAs liegemen now wended their way towards the ri8er Main, u( through 4astern ;ran!land. (2) "hither Hagen led them, 'or well he wot the way. Dan!wart was their marshal, the hero 'rom #urgundian land. As they rode away 'rom the 4astern ;ran!land towards $wan'ield, (C) men ould tell the (rin es and their !in, the worshi('ul !nights, by their lordly bearing. On the twel'th morning the !ing ame to the Danube. Hagen o' "roneg rode 'oremost o' them all, gi8ing to the *ibelungs hel('ul heer. On the sandy shore the bold !night dismounted and bound his steed 'ull soon to a tree. "he ri8er was swollen, the s!i''s hidden away. Great 'ear the *ibelungs had, as to how they might ome a ross, 'or the stream was mu h too broad. ;ull many a lusty !night alighted on the ground. )1ll may it lightly ha( with thee here,) Huoth Hagen, )O ruler o' the =hine. *ow mayst thou thysel' see the ri8er is swollen, its 'lood is mighty. ,ertes, 1 ween, we shall lose here many a worthy !night to+ day.) )9hy dost thou rebu!e me, HagenL) s(a!e the lordly !ing. );or thine own (rowessA sa!e dis om'it me no more, but see! us the 'ord a ross to the other ban!, that we may ta!e hen e both steeds and tra((ings.) );orsooth,) Huoth Hagen, )1 be not so weary o' li'e, that 1 would drown me in these broad wa8es. $ooner shall men die by my hands in 4t@elAs lands. "hat will 1 well. $tay by the waterAs side, ye (roud !nights and good, and 1 will see! the 'erryman mysel' along the stream, who shall 'erry us a ross to Gel'ratAs (G) land.) "hen the stalwart Hagen sei@ed his good shield. 9ell was he armed. "he shield he bare along, his helmet bound u(on his head, bright enow it was. Abo8e his breast(late he bare a sword so broad that most 'ier ely it ut on either edge. "o and 'ro he sought the 'erryman. He heard the s(lash o' water and began to listen. 1n a 'air s(ring wise women (J) were bathing 'or to ool them o''. *ow Hagen s(ied them and re(t toward them stealthily. 9hen they grew

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ware o' this, they hurried 'ast to es a(e himF glad enow they were o' this. "he hero too! their lothes, but did them naught else o' harm. "hen s(a!e one o' the mermaids (Hadburg she was alled)6 )$ir 2night Hagen, weAll do you here to wit, anA ye gi8e us our weeds again, bold !night, how ye will 'are u(on this Iourney to the Hunnish ourt.) 0i!e birds they 'loated be'ore him on the 'lood. "here'ore him+ thought their senses strong and goodF he belie8ed the more what they would tell him. 9ell they answered what he ra8ed o' them. Hadburg s(a!e again6 )-e may sa'ely ride to 4t@elAs land. 1All sta!e my troth at on e as (ledge, that heroes ne8er rode better to any realm 'or su h great honors. *ow belie8e that in truth.) 1n his heart Hagen was Ioyous at this rede. He ga8e them ba ! their lothes and no longer tarried. As they donned their strange attire, they told him rightly o' the Iourney to 4t@elAs land. "he other mermaid s(a!e ($iegelind she hight)6 )1 will warn thee, Hagen, son o' Aldrian. (B) ;or the sa!e o' her weeds mine aunt hath lied to thee. AnA thou omest to the Huns, thou wilt be sore de ei8ed. "ime is, that thou shouldst turn again, 'or ye heroes be bidden, that ye may die in 4t@elAs land. 9hose rideth hither, hath ta!en death by the hand.) Answered Hagen6 )-e de ei8e us needlessly. how might it ome to (ass that we should all die there, through anybodyAs hateL) "hen gan they tell him the tale still more !nowingly. "he same one s(a!e again6 )1t must needs be that none o' you shall li8e, sa8e the !ingAs ha(lainF this we !now 'ull well. He will ome again sa'e and sound to GuntherAs land.) "hen s(a!e bold Hagen, 'ier e o' mood6 )1t were not well to tell my lords that we should all lose our li8es among the Huns. *ow show us o8er the stream, thou wisest o' all wi8es.) $he answered6 )$ith ye will not turn you 'rom the Iourney, u( yonder where an inn doth stand, by the waterside, there is a 'erryman and elsewhere none.)

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At on e he eased to as! 'or 'urther tidings. A'ter the angry warrior she alled6 ).ray bide a time, $ir HagenM ;orsooth ye are too mu h in haste. 0ist 'urther to the tale o' how ye may ross to the other ban!. "he lord o' these mar hes beareth the name o' 4lse. (5) His brother is hight 2night Gel'rat, a lord in the #a8arian land. A"will go hard with you, anA ye will ross his land. -e must guard you well and deal 'ull wisely with the 'erryman. $o grim o' mood is he that heAll not let you li8e, unless be that ye ha8e your wits about you with the !night. AnA ye will that he guide you, then gi8e him his meed. He guardeth this land and is liegeman unto Gel'rat. And ometh he not betimes, so all a ross the 'lood and say, ye hight Amelri h. (E) He was a doughty here thatF be ause o' a 'eud did 8oid this land. "he 'erryman will ome when he heareth this name.) Haughty Hagen bowed then to the damesF he s(a!e no more, but held his (ea e. "hen by the ri8er he hied him higher u( u(on the sandy shore, to where he 'ound an inn u(on the other ban!. 0oudly he began to all a ross the 'lood6 )*ow ome and 'et h me, 'erryman,) Huoth the good !night, )and 1 will gi8e thee as meed an arm ring o' ruddy gold. 2now, that o' this (assage 1 ha8e great need in truth.) $o noble was the 'erryman that it behoo8ed him not to ser8e, there'ore he 'ull seldom too! wage o' any wight. His sHuires, too, were 'ull lo'ty o' mood. All this time Hagen still stood alone, this side o' the 'lood. He alled with might and main, that all the water rang, 'or mi !le and great was the heroAs strength. )*ow 'et h me. 1 am Amelri h, 4lseAs liegeman, that be ause o' a great 'eud did 8oid these lands.) High u(on his s(ear (%) he o''ered him an arm band, bright and 'air it was, o' ruddy gold, that one should 'erry him o8er to Gel'ratAs land. "he haughty 'erryman, the whi h was newly wed himsel', did ta!e the oar in hand. As he would earn HagenAs gold so red, there'ore he died the sword+grim death at the hands o' the !night. "he greed 'or great goods (10) doth gi8e an e8il end. $(eedily the boatman rowed a ross to the sandy ban!. 9hen he 'ound no tra e o' him whose name he heard, wroth he grew in earnest. 9hen he s(ied Hagen, with 'ier e rage he s(a!e to the hero6 )-e may (er han e hight Amelri h, but ye are not li!e him whom 1 weened here. #y 'ather and by mother he was my brother. $ith ye ha8e bewrayed me, ye may stay on this hither shore.)

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)*o, by the mighty God,) s(a!e then Hagen, )1 am a stranger !night and ha8e warriors in my are. *ow ta!e ye !indly my meed to+day and 'erry me o8er. 1 am in truth your 'riend.) "he 'erryman re(lied6 )"his may not be. My dear lords ha8e 'oes, where'ore 1 ne8er 'erry strangers to this land. 1' ye lo8e your li'e, ste( out Hui !ly on the sand.) )*ow do it not,) s(a!e HagenF )sad is my mind. "a!e this good gold 'rom me as a to!en o' my lo8e and 'erry us a ross6 a thousand horse and Iust as many men.) "he grim boatman answered6 )A"will neAer be done.) He raised a mighty rudder oar, mi !le and broad, and stru ! at Hagen ('ull wroth he grew at this), so that he 'ell u(on his !nees in the boat. "he lord o' "roneg had ne8er met so 'ier e a 'erryman. $till more the boatman would 8e& the haughty stranger. He smote with an oar, so that it Huite to+bro!e (11) o8er HagenAs head (a man o' might was he)F 'rom this the 'erryman o' 4lse too! great harm. Hagen, 'ier e o' mood, sei@ed straightway his sheath, wherein he 'ound his sword. His head he stru ! o'' and ast it on the ground. 4'tsoon these tidings were made !nown to the (roud #urgundians. At the 8ery moment that he slew the boatman, the s!i'' gan dri'ting down the stream. 4now that ir!ed him. 9eary he grew be'ore he brought it ba !. 2ing GuntherAs liegeman (ulled with might and main. 9ith (assing swi't stro!es the stranger turned it, until the sturdy oar sna((ed in his hand. He would hen e to the !nights out u(on the shore. *one other oar he had. Ho, how Hui !ly he bound it with a shield stra(, a narrow bandM "owards a wood he 'loated down the stream, where he 'ound his so8ran standing by the shore. Many a stately man went down to meet him. "he doughty !nights and good re ei8ed him with a !indly greeting. 9hen they beheld in the s!i'' the blood ree!ing 'rom a ga(ing wound whi h he had dealt the 'erryman, Hagen was (lied enow with Huestions by the !nights. 9hen that 2ing Gunther s(ied the hot blood swirling in the s!i'', how Hui !ly he s(a!e6 )9here'ore tell ye me not, Hagen, whither the 'erryman be omeL 1 ween your (rowess hath bere't him o' his li'e.)

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At this he answered ra'tily6 )9hen 1 'ound the s!i'' hard by a willow tree, 1 loosed it with my hand. 1 ha8e seen no 'erryman here to+day, nor hath harm ha((ed to any one through 'ault o' mine.) "hen s(a!e $ir Gernot o' #urgundy6 )1 must needs 'ear the death o' dear 'riends to+day. $ith we ha8e no boatmen here at hand, how shall we ome o8erL "here'ore 1 must (er'or e stand sad.) 0oudly then alled Hagen6 )-e 'ootmen, lay the tra((ings down u(on the grass. 1 bethin! me that on e 1 was the 8ery best o' boatmen that one might 'ind along the =hine. 1 trow to bring you all sa'e a ross to Gel'ratAs land.) "hey stru ! the horses, that these might the sooner ome a ross the 'loodF (assing well they swam, 'or the mighty wa8es bere't them o' not a one. $ome 'ew dri'ted 'ar adown the stream, as did be'it their weariness. "hen the !nights bare to the s!i'' their gold and weeds, sith there was no hel( 'or the rossing. Hagen (layed the steersman, and so he 'erried 'ull many mighty warriors o8er to the sandy shore, into the un!nown land. ;irst he too! a ross a thousand noble !nights, then his own men+at+arms. $till there were more to ome. *ine thousand 'ootmen he 'erried o8er to the land. Aught but idle was HagenAs hand that day. 9hen he had arried them all sa'e a ross the 'lood, the doughty !night and good bethought him o' the strange tales whi h the wild mermaids had told him a'ore. ;or this ause the !ingAs ha(lain near lost his li'e. He 'ound the (riest lose by the ha(el luggage, leaning with his hand u(on the reli s. 0ittle might that boot him. 9hen Hagen s(ied him, ill 'ared it with the ha(less (riestF he threw him 'rom the s!i'' in haste. 4now o' them alled out6 )Hold on, $ir Hagen, holdM) Giselher, the youth, gan rage, but Hagen let none ome between. "hen s(a!e $ir Gernot o' #urgundy6 )9hat a8aileth you now, Hagen, the ha(lainAs deathL Had another done the deed, Atwould ha8e ir!ed you sore. ;or what ause ha8e ye sworn enmity to the (riestL) "he ler! (12) now tried to swim with might and main, 'or he would 'ain sa8e his li'e, i' (er han e any there would hel( him. "hat might not be, 'or the stalwart Hagen was wroth o' mood. He thrust him to the bottom, the whi h thought no one good. 9hen the (oor (riest saw naught o' hel(, he turned him ba ! again. $ore was he

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dis om'ited, but though he ould not swim, yet did GodAs hand hel( him, so that he ame sa'e and sound to the6 land again. "here the (oor ler! stood and shoo! his robe. Hagen mar!ed thereby that naught might a8ail against the tidings whi h the wild mermaids told him. Him+thought6 )"hese !nights must lose their li8es.) 9hen the liegemen o' the three !ings unloaded the s!i'' and had borne all away whi h they had u(on it, Hagen bra!e it to (ie es and threw it in the 'lood, at whi h the bold !nights and good did mar8el mu h. )9here'ore do ye that, brother,) Huoth Dan!wart, )how shall we ome o8er, when we ride homeward 'rom the Huns, ba ! to the =hineL) 0ater Hagen told him that might not be. "he hero o' "roneg s(a!e6 )1 do it in the ho(e that i' we ha8e a oward on this Iourney, who through 'aint+heartedness would run away, that in this stream he may die a shame'ul death.) "hey had with them 'rom #urgundy land a hero o' his hands, the whi h was named ;ol!er. 9isely he s(a!e all his mind. 9hate8er Hagen did, it thought the 'iddler good. "heir steeds were now ready, the sum(ters laden well. On the Iourney they had ta!en no harm that ir!ed them, sa8e the !ingAs ha(lain alone. He must needs wander ba ! on 'oot to the =hine again. ENDNOTES# (1) )a thousand and si&ty). "his does not agree with the a ount in Ad8enture <<1:, witere we read o' a thousand o' HagenAs men, eighty o' Dan!wartAs, and thirty o' ;ol!erAs. "he nine thousand 'oot soldiers mentioned here are a later inter(olation, as the )"hidre!saga) s(ea!s o' only a thousand all told. (2) )4astern ;ran!land), or 4ast ;ran onia, is the an ient (ro8in e o' );ran onia Orientalis), the region to the east o' the $(essart 'orest, in luding the towns o' ;ulda, 9ur@burg and #arnberg. 1n )#iterol') Dietli h Iourneys through 4astern ;ran!land to the Danube.

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(C) )$wan'ield) (M.H.G. )$wane8elde)) is the an ient (ro8in e o' )$uala'eld) between the =e@at and the Danube. (G) )Gel'rat) is a #a8arian lord and the brother o' )4lse), mentioned below. "heir 'atherAs name was also 4lse. (J) )9ise women), a generi name 'or all su(ernatural women o' German mythology. 9hile it is not s(e i'i ally mentioned, it is (robable that the wise women, or mermaids, as they are also alled here, were Aswan maidensA, whi h (lay an im(ortant role in many legends and are endowed with the gi't o' (ro(he y. "hey a((ear in the 'orm o' swans, and the strange attire o' the wise women mentioned here re'ers to the so+ alled swan lothes whi h they wore and whi h enabled Hagen to re ogni@e them as su(ernatural beings. On bathing they lay aside this garment, and he who obtains (ossession o' it has them in his (ower. "his e&(lains their eagerness to gi8e Hagen in'ormation, i' he will return their garments to them. ;or an a ount o' them see GrimmAs )Mythologie), CJJ. (B) )Aldrian) is not an histori al (ersonageF the name is merely a deri8ati8e o' )aldiro), Athe elderA, and signi'ies Aan estorA, Iust as /ta means Aan estressA. 1n the )"hidre!saga) Aldrian is the !ing o' the *ibelung land and the 'ather o' Gunther, Giselher, and Gernot, whereas Hagen is the son o' an el' by the same mother. (5) 4lse a((ears also in )#iterol')F in the )"hidre!saga) he is alled )4lsung), the younger, as his 'ather bore the same name. $ee Ad8enture <<:, note G. (E) )Amelri h) is the 'errymanAs brother. (%) )$(ear). 1t was the ustom to o''er (resents on a s(ear (oint, (erha(s to (re8ent the re i(ient 'rom trea herously using his sword. ,om(are the similar des ri(tion in the )Hildebrandslied), C5, where we are told that gi'ts should be re ei8ed with the s(ear. (10) )Goods). 1n the )"hidre!saga) the 'erryman desires the ring 'or his young wi'e, whi h e&(lains better the allusion to marriage and the desire 'or wealth.

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(11) )"o+bro!e), see Ad8enture 11, note %. (12) ),ler!), A(riestA.

!D'ENTURE 77'I 314 H+, Gel(ra. /as Slain By Dan;,ar.*

*ow when all were ome u(on the shore, the !ing gan as!6 )9ho will show us the right roads through this land, that we go not astrayL) "hen the sturdy ;ol!er s(a!e6 );or this 1 alone will ha8e a are.) )*ow hold,) Huoth Hagen, )both !night and sHuire. ,ertes, me+ thin!eth right that we should heed our 'riends. 9ith 'ull monstrous tales 1All ma!e you a Huaint6 we shall ne8er ome again to the #urgundian land. "wo mermaids told me early in the morning that we should not ome ba ! again. 1 will now ounsel you what ye do6 ye must arm you, ye heroes, 'or we ha8e mighty 'oes. -e must guard you well and ride in warli!e guise. 1 thought to at h these mermaids in a lie. "hey swore that none o' us would ome home sa'e and sound, sa8e the ha(lain alone. "here'ore would 1 'ain ha8e drowned him to+day.) "hese tidings 'lew 'rom band to band and 8aliant heroes grew (ale 'rom woe, as they began to 'ear a grewsome death on this Iourney to 4t@elAs ourt. ;orsooth they had great need. 9hen they had rossed at Moering, (2) where 4lseAs 'erryman had lost his li'e, Hagen s(a!e again6 )$ith 1 ha8e gained me 'oes u(on the way, we shall surely be en ountered. 1 slew this same 'erryman early on the morn to+day. 9ell they wot the tale. *ow lay on boldly, so that it may go hard with Gel'rat and 4lse, should they mat h our 'ellowshi( here to+day. 1 !now them to be so bold that Atwill not be le't undone. 0et the steeds Iog on more gently, that none ween we be a+'leeing on the road.) )"his ounsel 1 will gladly 'ollow,) Huoth Giselher, the !nightF )but who shall guide the 'ellowshi( a ross the landL)

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"hey answered6 )"his let ;el!er doF the 8aliant minstrel !noweth both road and (ath.) 4re the wish was 'ully s(o!en, men saw the doughty 'iddler standing there well armed. On his head he bound his helmet, o' lordly olor was his 'ighting gear. On his s(ear sha't he tied a to!en, the whi h was red. 0ater with the !ings he 'ell into direst need. "rustworthy tidings o' the 'errymanAs death were now ome to Gel'ratAs ears. "he mighty 4lse had also heard the tale. 0oth it was to bothF they sent to 'et h their heroes, who soon stood ready. 1n a (assing short time, as 1All let you hear, one saw riding towards them those who had wrought s athe and monstrous wounds in mighty battles. ;ull se8en hundred or more were ome to Gel'ret. 9hen they began to ride a'ter their sa8age 'oes, their lords did lead them, o' a truth. A deal too strong they hasted a'ter the 8aliant strangersF they would a8enge their wrath. "here'ore many o' the lordingsA 'riends were later lost. Hagen o' "roneg had well (lanned it (how might a hero e8er guard his !insmen better), that he had in harge the rear guard, with his liegemen and his brother Dan!wart. "his was wisely done. "he day had (assed awayF the night was ome. ;or his 'riends he 'eared both harm and woe, as beneath their shields they rode through the #a8arian land. A short time therea'ter the heroes were assailed. On either side o' the highway and in the rear hard by they heard the beat o' hoo's. "heir 'oes (ressed on too hard. "hen s(a!e hold Dan!wart6 )"hey (ur(ose to atta ! us here, so hind on your helmets, 'or that be well to do.) "hey stayed their Iourney, as though it must needs heF in the gloom they s(ied the gleam o' shining shields. Hagen would no longer !ee( his (ea eF he alled6 )9ho haseth us u(on the highwayL) "o this Gel'rat must needs gi8e answer. ?uoth the margra8e o' #a8aria6 )9e see! our 'oes and ha8e gallo(ed on behind you. 1 !now not who slew my 'erryman to+day, but it doth rue me enow, 'or he was a hero o' his hands.)

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"hen s(a!e Hagen o' "roneg6 )And was then the 'erryman thineL "he 'ault was mine, he would not 'erry us o8er, so 1 slew the !night. ;orsooth 1 had great need, 'or 1 had sheer gained at his hands my death. As meed 1 o''ered him gold and tra((ings, that he 'erry me a ross to thy land, $ir 2night. "his angered him so greatly that he smote me with a mighty oar. At this 1 wa&ed grim enow. 1 sei@ed my sword and 'ended him his anger with a grie8ous wound. "hus the hero met his death. 1All ma!e amends, as doth thin! thee best.) )9ell 1 wist,) s(a!e Gel'rat, )when Gunther and his 'ellowshi( rode hither, that Hagen o' "roneg would do us harm. *ow he shall not li8eF the !night must stand 'or the 'errymanAs li'e.) O8er the bu !lers Gel'rat and Hagen ou hed their s(ears 'or the thrustF ea h would harge the other. 4lse and Dan!wart rode 'ull gloriouslyF they tested who they were, 'ier e was the 'ight. How might heroes e8er (ro8e ea h other betterL ;rom a mighty thrust Hagen was unhorsed by Gel'ratAs hand. His martingale sna((ed, he learnt what it was to 'all. "he rash o' sha'ts resounded 'rom their 'ellowshi(. Hagen, who 'rom the thrust a'ore had ome to earth, down on the grass, s(rang u( again. 1 trow, he was not gentle o' mood towards Gel'rat then. 9ho held their steeds, 1 !now notF both Hagen and Gel'rat had alighted on the sand and rushed together. "heir 'ellowshi( hel(ed thereby and be ame a Huaint with stri'e. Albeit Hagen s(rang at Gel'rat 'ier ely, the noble margra8e smote 'rom his shield a mi !le (ie e, so that the s(ar!s 'lew wide. ;ull nigh did GuntherAs liegeman die there'rom. He began to all to Dan!wart6 )O hel(, dear brotherM ,ertes, a hero o' his hands hath mat hed me, he will not s(are my li'e.) At this hold Dan!wart s(a!e6 )1All (lay the um(ire here.) "he hero then s(rang nearer and with a shar( sword smote Gel'rat su h a blow that he 'ell down dead. 4lse then would 'ain a8enge the !night, but he and his 'ellowshi( (arted 'rom the 'ray with s athe. His brother had been slain, he himsel' was woundedF 'ull eighty o' his !nights remained with grim death behind u(on the 'ield. "heir lord must needs turn in 'light 'rom GuntherAs men. 9hen those 'rom the #a8arian land ga8e way and 'led, one heard the sa8age blows resound behind them. "hose o' "roneg hased their 'oesF they were in (assing haste, who had not weened to ma!e

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amends. "hen s(a!e Dan!wart, the !night, in their (ursuit6 )0et us turn soon on this road and let them ride, 'or they be wot with blood. Haste we to our 'riends, this 1 ad8ise you o' a truth.) 9hen they were ome again, where the s athe had ha((ed, Hagen o' "roneg s(a!e6 )Heroes, (ro8e now what doth 'ail us here, or whom we ha8e lost in the stri'e through Gel'ratAs wrath.) ;our they had lost whom they must needs bewail. #ut they had been (aid 'or dearlyF 'or them a hundred or better 'rom the #a8arian land were slain. ;rom their blood the shields o' the men o' "roneg were dimmed and wet. "hrough the louds there (artly bro!e the gleam o' the shining moon, as Hagen s(a!e again6 )0et none ma!e !nown to my dear lords what we ha8e wrought here to+day. 0et them rest without are until the morn.) 9hen those who Iust had 'ought were now ome again, the 'ellowshi( was 'ull weary 'rom the way. )How long must we still rideL) as!ed many a man. "hen s(a!e the bold Dan!wart6 )9e may not 'ind lodgings here, ye must all ride until the day be ome.) "he doughty ;ol!er, who had harge o' the 'ellowshi(, bade as! the marshal6 )9here may we 'ind a (la e to+night, where our steeds may rest and our dear lords as wellL) #old Dan!wart answered6 )1 annot tell you that, we may not rest till it begin to dawn. 9here8er then we 'ind a han e, weAll lay us down u(on the grass.) How loth it was to some when they heard this taleM "hey remained unmar!ed with their stains o' warm red blood, until the sun shot his gleaming light against the morn a ross the hills. "hen the !ing beheld that they had 'ought. 9rath'ully the hero s(a!e6 )How now, 'riend HagenL 1 ween, ye s orned to ha8e me with you when your rings grew wet with bloodL 9ho hath done thisL) ?uoth he6 )"his 4lse did, who en ountered us by night. 9e were atta !ed be ause o' his 'erryman. "hen my brotherAs hand smote

1%1

Gel'rat down. 4lse soon es a(ed us, onstrained thereto by mi !le need. A hundred o' them and but 'our o' ours lay dead in the stri'e.) 9e annot tell you where they laid them down to rest. All o' the 'ol! o' the land learned soon that the sons o' the noble /ta rode to ourt. 0ater they were well re ei8ed at .assau. "he un le o' the noble !ing, the #isho( .ilgrim, was blithe o' mood, as his ne(hews ame to his land with so many !nights. "hat he bare them good will, they learned 'ull soon. 9ell were they greeted, too, by 'riends along the way, sith men ould not lodge them all at .assau. "hey had to ross the stream to where they 'ound a 'ield on whi h they set u( (a8ilions and ostly tents. All one day they must needs stay there, and a 'ull night too. 9hat good heer men ga8e themM A'ter that they had to ride to =udegerAs land, to whom the tidings were brought 'ull soon. 9hen the way+ worn warriors had rested them and ame nearer to the Hunnish land, they 'ound a man aslee( u(on the border, 'rom whom Hagen o' "roneg won a sturdy sword. "he same good !night hight 4 !ewart (C) in truthF sad o' mood he grew, that he lost his wea(on through the Iourney o' the !nights. "hey 'ound =udegerAs mar hes guarded ill. )9oe is me o' this shame,) s(a!e 4 !ewart. ),ertes this Iourney o' the #urgundians rueth me 'ull sore. My Ioy hath 'led, sith 1 lost 2night $ieg'ried. Alas, $ir =udeger, how 1 ha8e a ted toward theeM) 9hen Hagen heard the noble warriorAs (light, he ga8e him ba ! his sword and si& red arm bands. )"hese !ee(, $ir 2night, as a to!en that thou art my 'riend. A bold !night thou art, though thou standest alone u(on the mar hes.) )God re(ay you 'or your arm bands,) 4 !ewart re(lied. )-et your Iourney to the Huns doth rue me sore. #e ause ye slew $ieg'ried, men hate you here. 1 ounsel you in truth, that ye guard you well.) )*ow may God (rote t us,) answered Hagen. )"hese !nights, the !ings and their liegemen, ha8e 'orsooth no other are, sa8e 'or their lodgement, where we may 'ind Huarters in this land to+night. Our steeds be s(ent by the distant way and our 'ood run out,) Huoth Hagen, the !night. )9e 'ind naught anywhere 'or sale, and ha8e need o' a host, who through his ourtesie would gi8e us o' his bread to+night.)

1%2

"hen 4 !ewart made answer6 )1All show you a host so good that 'ull seldom ha8e ye been lodged so well in any land, as here may ha( you, anA ye will see! out =udeger, ye doughty !nights. He dwelleth by the highway and is the best host that e8er owned a house. His heart gi8eth birth to ourtesie, as the sweet May doth to grass and 'lowers. He is aye merry o' mood, when he an ser8e good !nights.) At this 2ing Gunther s(a!e6 )9ill ye be my messenger and as! whether my dear 'riend =udeger will 'or my sa!e !ee( us, my !insmen and our menL 1 will re(ay thee this, as best 1 e8er an.) )Gladly will 1 be the messenger,) 4 !ewart re(lied. 9ith a right good will he gat him on the road and told =udeger the message he had heard, to whom none su h (leasing news had ome in many a day. At #e helaren men saw a !night (ri !ing 'ast. =udeger himsel' des ried himF he s(a!e6 )/(on the road yonder hasteth 4 !ewart, a liegeman o' 2riemhild.) He weened the 'oes had done him s athe. #e'ore the gate he went to meet the messenger, who ungirt his sword and laid it 'rom his hand. "he tales he brought were not hidden 'rom the host and his 'riends, but were straightway told them. "o the margra8e he s(a!e6 )Gunther, the lord o' the #urgundian land, and Giselher, his brother, and Gernot, too, ha8e sent me hither to you. 4a h o' the warriors tendered you his ser8i e. Hagen and ;ol!er, too, eagerly did the same in truth. $till more 1All tell you, that the !ingAs marshal sendeth you by me the message, that the good !nights ha8e (assing need o' your lodgement.) =udeger answered with a smile6 )*ow well is me o' these tales, that the high+born !ings do re ! o' my ser8i e. 1t shall not be denied them. Merry and blithe will 1 be, anA they ome unto my house.) )Dan!wart, the marshal, bade let you !now whom ye should lodge in your house with them6 si&ty doughty ham(ions, a thousand good !nights, and nine thousand men+at+arms.) Merry o' mood grew =udegerF he s(a!e6 )*ow well is me o' these guests, that these noble warriors be oming to my house, whom 1

1%C

ha8e ser8ed as yet 'ull seldom. *ow ride ye 'orth 'or to meet them, my !insmen and my men.) 2nights and sHuires now hied them to their horsesF it thought them right, whi h their lord did bid. All the more they hasted with their ser8i e. As yet 0ady Gotelind wist it not, who sate within her bower. ENDNOTES# (1) )Ad8enture <<:1). "his ad8enture is a late inter(olation, as it is not 'ound in the )"hidre!saga). Originally the ri8er must be thought o' as se(arating them 'rom 4t@elAs !ingdom. (2) )Moering) (M.H.G. )Moeringen)) lies between .'oring and 1ngolstadt. 1n the )"hidre!saga) we are told that the mermaids were bathing in a body o' water alled )Moere), whereas in our (oem they bathe in a s(ring. "his may be the original 'orm o' the a ount and the 'orm here ontaminated. $ee #oer, i, 1CG. (C) )4 !ewart), see Ad8enture 1, note 1J. 1t will be remembered that he a om(anied 2riemhild 'irst to the *etherlands, then stayed with her at 9orms a'ter $ieg'riedAs death, and 'inally Iourneyed with her to 4t@elAs ourt. Originally he must be thought o' as guarding the boundary o' 4t@elAs land. 9ithout doubt he originally warned the #urgundians, as in the early *orse 8ersions, where 2riemhild 'ights on the side o' her brothers, but sin e this duty was gi8en to Dietri h, he has nothing to do but to announ e their arri8al to =udeger. His slee(ing here may, howe8er, be thought to indi ate that it was too late to warn Gunther and his men.

!D'ENTURE 77'II H+, T1ey Ca-e T+ Bec1elaren*

"hen the margra8e went to where he 'ound the ladies, his wi'e with his daughter, and told them straightway the (leasing tidings he had heard, that the brothers o' their lady were oming thither to their house. )My dearest lo8e,) Huoth =udeger, )ye must re ei8e 'ull well the noble high+born !ings, when they ome here to ourt with their

1%G

'ellowshi(. -e must gi8e 'air greeting, too, to Hagen, GuntherAs man. 9ith them there ometh one also, hight Dan!wartF the other is named ;ol!er, well beseen with ourtesie. -e and my daughter must !iss these and abide by the !nights with gentle breeding.) "his the ladies 8owedF Huite ready they were to do it. ;rom the hests they hunted out the lordly robes in whi h they would go to meet the warriors. ;air dames were (assing busy on that day. Men saw but little o' 'alse olors on the ladiesA hee!sF u(on their heads they wore bright bands o' gold. =i h ha(lets (1) these were, that the winds might not dishe8el their omely hair, and this is true iA 'aith. 0et us now lea8e the ladies with these tas!s. Mu h hasting o8er the (lain was done by =udegerAs 'riends, to where one 'ound the lordings, whom men then re ei8ed well into the margra8eAs land. 9hen the margra8e, the doughty =udeger, saw them oming toward him, how Ioy'ully he s(a!e6 )#e ye wel ome, 'air sirs, and your liegemen, too. 1 be 'ain to see you in my land.) 0ow obeisan e the !nights then made, in good 'aith, without all hate. "hat he bare them all good will, he showed 'ull well. Hagen he ga8e a s(e ial greeting, 'or him had he !nown o' yore. (2) "o ;ol!er 'rom #urgundy land he did the same. Dan!wart he wel omed, too. "he bold !night s(a!e6 )$ith ye will (ur8ey us !nights, who shall ha8e a are 'or our men+ at+arms whom we ha8e broughtL) ?uoth the margra8e6 )A good night shall ye ha8e and all your 'ellowshi(. 1All (ur8ey su h guard 'or whate8er ye ha8e brought with you, o' steeds and tra((ings, that naught shall be lost, that might bring you harm, not e8en a single s(ur. -e 'ootmen (it h the tents u(on the (lain. 9hat ye lose 1All (ay in 'ull. "a!e o'' the bridles, let the horses run.) $eldom had host done this 'or them a'ore. "here'ore the guests made merry. 9hen that was done, the lordlings rode away and the 'ootmen laid them e8erywhere u(on the grass. Good ease they hadF 1 ween, they ne8er 'ared so gently on the way. "he noble margra8ine with her 'air daughter was ome out be'ore the astle. One saw stand by her side the lo8ely ladies and many a omely maid. Great store o' armlets and (rin ely robes they wore. "he (re ious stones gleamed a'ar 'rom out their (assing ostly weeds. ;air indeed were they 'ashioned.

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"hen ame the guests and alighted there straightway. Ho, what great ourtesie one 'ound among the #urgundian menM $i& and thirty maids and many other dames, whose (ersons were wrought as 'air as heart ould wish, went 'orth to meet them with many a 8aliant man. ;air greetings were gi8en there by noble dames. "he young margra8ine !issed all three !ings, as did her mother, too. ,lose at hand stood Hagen. Her 'ather bade her !iss him, but when she ga@ed u(on him, he seemed so 'ear'ul that she had 'ain le't it undone. -et she must needs (er'orm what the host now bade her do. Her olor hanged 'irst (ale then red. Dan!wart, too, she !issed, and then the minstrel. ;or his great (rowess was this greeting gi8en. "he young margra8ine too! by the hand 2night Giselher o' the #urgundian land. "he same her mother did to Gunther, the 8aliant man. ;ull merrily they went hen e with the heroes. "he host wal!ed at GernotAs side into a broad hall, where the !nights and ladies sate them down. $oon they bade (our out 'or the guests good wine. ,ertes, heroes might ne8er be better (ur8eyed than they. =udegerAs daughter was ga@ed u(on with lo8ing glan es, so 'air she was. ;orsooth many a good !night aressed her in his mind. And well did she deser8e this, so high she was o' mood. "he !nights thought what they would, but it might not ome to (ass. #a ! and 'orth shot the glan es at maids and dames. O' them sate there enow. "he noble 'iddler bare the host good will. "hen they (arted a'ter the ustom, !nights and ladies going to di''erent sides. 1n the broad hall they set u( the tables and ser8ed the strangers in lordly wise. ;or the sa!e o' the guests the noble margra8ine went to table, but let her daughter stay with the maidens, where she sate by right. "he guests saw naught o' her, whi h ir!ed them sore, in truth. 9hen they had eaten and drun! on e8ery side, men brought the 'air again into the hallF nor were merry s(ee hes le't unsaid. Many su h s(a!e ;ol!er, this bra8e and lusty !night. #e'ore them all the noble minstrel s(a!e6 )Mighty margra8e, God hath dealt 'ull gra iously with you, 'or he hath gi8en you a (assing omely wi'e and thereto a li'e o' Ioy. AnA 1 were a (rin e,) Huoth the minstrel, )and should wear a rown, 1 would 'ain ha8e to wi'e your omely daughter. "his my heart doth wish. $he is lo8ely 'or to see, thereto noble and good.)

1%B

"hen answered the margra8e6 )How might that be, that !ing should e8er ra8e the dear daughter o' mineL My wi'e and 1 are e&ilesF what booteth in su h ease the maidenAs (assing omelinessL) "o this Gernot, the well+bred man, made answer6 )AnA 1 might ha8e a lo8e a'ter mine own desire, 1 should be e8er glad o' su h a wi'e.) Hagen, too, re(lied in 'ull !indly wise6 )My lord Giselher must ta!e a wi'e. "he margra8ine is o' su h high !in that 1 and all his liegemen would gladly ser8e her, should she wear a rown in #urgundy land.) "his s(ee h thought =udeger (assing good, and Gotelind too, indeed it Ioyed their mood. "hen the heroes brought to (ass that the noble Giselher too! her to wi'e, as did well be'it a !ing. 9ho may (art what shall be Ioined togetherL Men (rayed the margra8ine to go to ourt, and swore to gi8e him the winsome maid. He, too, 8owed to wed the lo8ely 'air. ;or the maiden they set astles and land aside, and this the hand o' the noble !ing did (ledge with an oath, and 0ord Gernot, too, that this should ha(. "hen s(a!e the margra8e6 )$ith 1 ha8e naught o' astles, 1 will e8er ser8e you with my troth. As mu h sil8er and gold will 1 gi8e my daughter, as an hundred sum(ters may barely arry, that it may (lease the heroAs !in in honor.) A'ter the ustom men bade them stand in a ring. O8er against her many a youth stood, blithe o' mood. 1n their minds they harbored thoughts, as young 'ol! still are wont to do. Men then gan as! the winsome maid whether she would ha8e the !night or no. 0oth in (art she was, and yet she thought to ta!e the stately man. $he shamed her o' the Huestion, as many another maid hath done. Her 'ather =udeger ounseled her to answer yes, and gladly ta!e him. 1n a tri e young Giselher was at her side, and las(ed her in his white hands, albeit but little time she might enIoy him. "hen $(a!e the margra8e6 )-e noble and mighty !ings, when ye now ride again (that is the ustom) home to #urgundy, 1 will gi8e you my hild, that ye may ta!e her with you.) "his then they 8owed. *ow men must needs gi8e o8er all the noisy Ioy. "hey bade the maiden hie her to her bower, and bade the guests

1%5

to slee( and rest them against the day. Meanwhile men made ready the 'oodF the host (ur8eyed them well. 9hen now they had eaten, they would ride hen e to the Hunnish lands. )1All guard against that well,) s(a!e the noble host. )-e must tarry still, 'or 'ull seldom ha8e 1 gained su h wel ome guests.) "o this Dan!wart re(lied6 );orsooth this may not be. 9here would ye 'ind the 'ood, the bread and wine, that ye must ha8e 'or so many warriors another nightL) 9hen the host heard this, he s(a!e6 )Gi8e oAer this s(ee h. My dear lords, ye must not say me nay. ;orsooth 1Ad gi8e you 8ittaile 'or a 'ortnight, with all your 'ellowshi( that is ome hither with you. 2ing 4t@el hath ta!en 'rom me as yet 'ull little o' my goods.) Howe8er mu h they demurred, still they must needs tarry there until the 'ourth morning, when su h deeds were done by the bounty o' the host that it was told a'ter. He ga8e his guests both mounts and robes. *o longer might they stay, they must 'are 'orth. "hrough his bounty bold =udeger wot how to sa8e but little. *aught was denied that any ra8ed, it ould not but (lease them all. "heir noble meiny now brought saddled be'ore the gate the many steeds, and to them ame 'orth thee stranger !nights. 1n their hands they bare their shields, 'or they would ride to 4t@elAs land. #e'ore the noble guests ome 'orth 'rom the hall, the host had (ro''ered e8erywhere his gi'ts. He wist how to li8e bounti'ully, in mi !le honors. "o Giselher he had gi8en his omely daughterF to Gunther, the worshi('ul !night, who seldom too! a gi't, he ga8e a oat o' mail, whi h the noble and mighty !ing wore well with honor. Gunther bowed low o8er noble =udegerAs hand. "hen to Gernot he ga8e a wea(on good enow, the whi h he later bare 'ull gloriously in stri'e. 0ittle did the margra8eAs wi'e begrudge him the gi't, but through it good =udeger was 'or ed to lose his li'e. Gotelind o''ered Hagen a lo8ing gi't, as well be'it her. He too! it, sith the !ing had ta!en one, that he should not 'are 'orth 'rom her to the 'easting, without her (resent. 0ater he gainsayed it. )O' all that 1 ha8e e8er seen,) Huoth Hagen, )1 ra8e to bear naught else sa8e that shield on yonder wallF 'ain would 1 ta!e that with me into 4t@elAs land.) 9hen the margra8ine heard HagenAs s(ee h, it minded her o' her grie' ++ tears be ame her well. $he thought 'ull dearly on *udungAs

1%E

(C) death, whom 9itti h had slainF 'rom this she 'elt the stress o' sorrow. "o the !night she s(a!e6 )1All gi8e you the shield. 9ould to God in hea8en, that he still li8ed who bare it on e in hand. He met his death in battleF 'or him must 1 e8er wee(, whi h gi8eth me, (oor wi'e, dire woe.) "he noble margra8ine rose 'rom her seat and with her white hands she sei@ed the shield. "o Hagen the lady bare it, who too! it in his hand. "his gi't was worthily bestowed u(on the !night. A o8er o' shining sil! on ealed its olors, 'or it was set with (re ious stones. 1n sooth the daylight ne8er shone on better shield. Had any wished to buy it at its ost, Atwere well worth a thousand mar!s. (G) Hagen bade the shield be borne away. "hen Dan!wart ame to ourt. "o him the margra8eAs daughter ga8e great store o' ri h a((arel, the whi h he later wore among the Huns in (assing lordly wise. Howe8er many gi'ts were ta!en by them, naught would ha8e ome into the hands o' any, sa8e through the !indness o' the host, who (ro''ered them so 'air. 0ater they be ame su h 'oes that they were 'or ed to stri!e him dead. *ow the doughty ;ol!er went ourteously with his 'iddle and stood be'ore Gotelind. He (layed sweet tunes and sang to her his songs. "hus he too! his lea8e and (arted 'rom #e helaren. "he margra8ine bade 'et h a hest. *ow hear the tale o' 'riendly gi'tsM "wel8e rings she too! out and (la ed them on his hand. )"hese ye must bear hen e to 4t@elAs land and wear them at ourt 'or my sa!e, whithersoe8er ye turn, that men may tell me how ye ha8e ser8ed me yonder at the 'east.) 9hat the lady ra8ed, he later arried out 'ull well. "hen s(a!e the host to his guests6 )-e shall Iourney all the gentlier, 'or 1 mysel' will guide you and bid guard you well, that none may harm you on the road.) "hen his sum(ters were laden soon. "he host was well beseen with 'i8e hundred men with steeds and 8esture. "hese he too! with him 'ull merrily hen e to the 'easting. *ot one o' them later e8er ame ali8e to #e hlaren. 9ith a lo8ing !iss the host (arted hen eF the same did Giselher, as his gentle breeding ounseled him. 1n their arms they las(ed 'air wi8es. "his many a high+ born maid must needs bewail in later times. On e8ery side they o(ened the

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asements, 'or the host with his liegemen would now mount their steeds. 1 ween their hearts did tell them o' the bitter woes to ome. "hen we(t many a dame and many a omely maid. "hey (ined 'or their dear !insmen, whom ne8ermore they saw in #e helaren. -et these rode merrily a ross the sand, down along the Danube to the Hunnish land. "hen noble =udeger, the 'ull lusty !night, s(a!e to the #urgundians6 ),ertes, the tidings that we be oming to the Huns must not be le't unsaid, 'or !ing 4t@el hath ne8er heard aught that (leased him more.) $o down through Austria the en8oy s(ed, and to the 'ol! on e8ery side Atwas told that the heroes were oming 'rom 9orms beyond the =hine. *aught ould ha8e been lie'er to the ourtiers o' the !ing. On be'ore the en8oys hasted with the tidings, that the *ibelungs were already in the Hunnish land. )"hou must greet them well, 2riemhild, lady mine. "hy dear brothers be oming in great state to 8isit thee.) 9ithin a asement window 0ady 2riemhild stood and loo!ed out to see her !in, as 'riend doth 'or 'riend. Many a man she s(ied 'rom her 'atherland. "he !ing, too, learned the tale and laughed 'or 8ery (leasure. )*ow well is me o' my Ioys,) Huoth 2riemhild, )my !insmen bring with them many a brand+new shield and white oat o' mail. He who would ha8e gold, let him bethin! him o' my sorrows, and 1All e8er be his 'riend.) ENDNOTES# (1) ),ha(lets), see Ad8enture 10, note 1. (2) )O' yore), see Ad8enture 2C, note 2. (C) )*udung) was slain, a ording to the )"hidre!saga), ha(. CCJ, by ):idg)a (here 9itti h, M.H.G. )9itege), the son o' 9ielant, the smith, in the battle o' Grons(ort. "here, ha(. CB%, he is GotelindAs brother, but in )#iterol') and the )=osengarten) he is her son. (G) )Mar!s), see Ad8enture :, note J.

200

!D'ENTURE 77'III H+, T1e B0r)0ndians Ca-e T+ E.:el"s Cas.le*

9hen the #urgundians were ome to the land, old Hildebrand (1) o' #erne did hear the tale, and sore it rued him. He told his lord, who bade him wel ome well the lusty !nights and bra8e. "he doughty 9ol'hart (2) bade 'et h the steedsF then many a sturdy warrior rode with Dietri h, to where he thought to meet them on the (lain where they had (it hed 'ull many a lordly tent. 9hen Hagen o' "roneg saw them riding 'rom a'ar, to his lords he s(a!e in ourteous wise6 )*ow must ye doughty warriors rise 'rom your seats and go to meet them, who would greet you here. -onder ometh a 'ellowshi( 1 !now 'ull well, they be 'ull s(eedy !nights 'rom the Amelung land, (C) whom the lord o' #erne doth lead ++ high+mettled warriors they. $ orn not the ser8i e that they (ro''er.) "hen with Dietri h there alighted 'rom the steeds, as was mi !le right, many a !night and sHuire. "owards the strangers they went, to where they 'ound the heroesF in 'riendly wise they greeted those 'rom the #urgundian land. -e may now hear what $ir Dietri h said to the sons o' /ta, as he saw them oming toward him. "heir Iourney rued him soreF he weened that =udeger wist it, and had told them the tale. )#e ye wel ome, 'air sirs, Gunther and Giselher, Gernot and Hagen, li!ewise ;ol!er and the doughty Dan!wart. 2now ye not that 2riemhild still mourneth sorely 'or the hero o' the *ibelung landL) )0et her wee( long time,) Huoth Hagen. )He hath lain these many years, done to death. 0et her lo8e now the Hunnish !ing. $ieg'ried ometh not again, he hath long been buried.) )0et us not tal! o' $ieg'riedAs wounds, but i' 2riemhild still li8e, s athe may ha( again,) so s(a!e $ir Dietri h, the lord o' #erne. )Ho(e o' the *ibelungs, guard thee well against this.) )9hy should 1 guard meL) s(a!e the high+born !ing. )4t@el sent us en8oys (why should 1 Huestion moreL) to say that we should ride to 8isit him, hither to this land. My sister 2riemhild sent us many a message, too.)

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)0et me ounsel you,) Huoth Hagen, )to beg $ir Dietri h and his good !nights to tell you the tidings 'urther, and to let you !now the 0ady 2riemhildAs mood.) "hen the three mighty !ings, Gunther and Gernot and $ir Dietri h, too, went and s(a!e a(art. ).ray tell us, good and noble !night o' #erne, what ye do !now o' the HueenAs moodL) Answered the lord o' #erne6 )9hat more shall 1 tell youL 48ery morning 1 hear 2ing 4t@elAs wi'e wail and wee( with (iteous mind to the mighty God o' hea8en o8er the stalwart $ieg'riedAs death.) )"hat whi h we ha8e heard,) s(a!e bold ;ol!er, the 'iddler, ) annot be turned aside. 9e must ride to ourt and abide what may ha( to us doughty !nights among the Huns.) "he bra8e #urgundians now rode to ourt. 1n lordly wise they ame a'ter the 'ashion o' their land. Many a bra8e man among the Huns wondered what manner o' man Hagen o' "roneg be. 1t was enough that men told tales, that he had slain 2riemhildAs husband the mightiest o' all heroes. ;or that ause alone mu h Huestioning about Hagen was heard at ourt. "he !night was 'air o' stature, that is 'ull trueF broad he was a ross the breastF his hair was mi&ed with grayF his legs were long, and 'ier e his glan eF lordly gait he had. "hen one bade lodge the #urgundian men, but GuntherAs 'ellowshi( was (la ed a(art. "his the Hueen ad8ised, who bare him mu h hate, and there'ore men later slew the 'ootmen in their lodgings. Dan!wart, HagenAs brother, he was marshal. "he !ing earnestly ommended to him his 'ollowers, that he (ur8ey them well and gi8e them enow to eatF "he hero o' #urgundy bare them all good will. 2riemhild, the 'air, went with her maids+in+waiting to where, 'alse o' mood, she greeted the *ibelungs. Giselher alone she !issed and too! by the hand. "hat Hagen o' "roneg saw, and bound his helmet tighter. )A'ter su h a greeting,) Huoth Hagen, )doughty !nights may well bethin! them. One gi8eth !ings a greeting di''erent 'rom their men. 9e ha8e not made a good Iourney to this 'east.) (G) $he s(a!e6 )#e wel ome to him that be 'ain to see youF 1 greet you not 'or your !inshi(. .ray tell me what ye do bring me 'rom 9orms

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beyond the =hine, that ye should be so (assing wel ome to me hereL) )Had 1 !nown,) Huoth Hagen, )that !nights should bring you gi'ts, 1 had bethought me better, 'or 1 be ri h enow to bring you (resents hither to this land.) )*ow let me hear the tale o' where ye ha8e (ut the *ibelung hoardL 1t was mine own, as ye well !now, and ye should ha8e brought me that to 4t@elAs land.) )1A 'aith, my 0ady 2riemhild, it is many a day sith 1 ha8e had the are o' the *ibelung hoard. My lords bade sin! it in the =hine, and there it must 8erily lie till doomsday.) "hen s(a!e the Hueen6 )1 thought as mu h. -e ha8e brought 'ull little o' it hither to this land, albeit it was mine own, and 1 had it whilom in my are. "here'ore ha8e 1 all time so many a mourn'ul day.) )"he de8il 1All bring you,) answered Hagen. )1 ha8e enough to arry with my shield and breast(lateF my helm is bright, the sword is in my hand, there'ore 1 bring yon naught.) "hen the Hueen s(a!e to the !nights on e8ery side6 )One may not bring wea(ons to the hall. $ir 2nights, gi8e them to me, 1All ha8e them ta!en in harge.) )1A 'aith,) Huoth Hagen, )ne8er shall that be done. 1n sooth 1 ra8e not the honor, O bounteous (rin ess, that ye should bear my shield and other arms to the lodgingsF ye be a Hueen. "his my 'ather did not tea h me, 1 mysel' will (lay the hamberlain.) )Ala ! 'or my sorrows,) s(a!e 0ady 2riemhild. )9hy will Hagen and my brother not let their shields be ta!en in hargeL "hey be warned, and wist 1, who hath done this, 1Ad e8er (lan his death.) "o this $ir Dietri h answered in wrath6 )A"is 1, that hath warned the noble and mighty (rin es and the bold Hagen, the #urgundian liegeman. Go to, thou she+de8il, thou durst not ma!e me su''er 'or the deed.)

20C

$ore abashed was 2ing 4t@elAs wi'e, 'or bitterly she 'eared $ir Dietri h. At on e she le't him, not a word she s(a!e, but ga@ed with 'urious glan e u(on her 'oes. "wo warriors then gras(ed ea h other Hui !ly by the hand, the one was $ir Dietri h, the other Hagen. 9ith gentle breeding the lusty hero s(a!e6 );orsooth 1 rue your oming to the Huns, be ause o' what the Hueen hath said.) ?uoth Hagen6 )"here will be hel( 'or that.) "hus the two bra8e men tal!ed together. 2ing 4t@el saw this, and there'ore he began to Huery6 );ain would 1 !now,) s(a!e the mighty !ing, )who yonder warrior be, whom $ir Dietri h greeteth there in su h 'riendly wise. He arrieth high his headF whoe8er be his 'ather, he is sure a doughty !night.) A liegeman o' 2riemhild made answer to the !ing6 )#y birth he is 'rom "roneg, his 'ather hight AldrianF howe8er blithe he bear him here, a grim man is he. 1All let you see 'ull well that 1 ha8e told no lie.) )How shall 1 !now that he be so 'ier eL) re(lied the !ing. As yet he wist not the many e8il tri !s that the Hueen should later (lay u(on her !in, so that she let none es a(e 'rom the Huns ali8e. )9ell !now 1 Aldrian, 'or he was my 8assal (J) and here at my ourt gained mi !le (raise and honor. 1 dubbed him !night and ga8e hint o' my gold. "he 'aith'ul Hel a lo8ed him inly. "here'ore 1 ha8e sin e !nown Hagen e8ery whit. "wo stately youths be ame my hostages, he and 9alther o' $(ain. (B) Here they grew to manhoodF Hagen 1 sent home again, 9alther ran away with Hildegund.) He bethought him o' many tales that had ha((ed o' yore. He had s(ied aright his 'riend o' "roneg, who in his youth had gi8en him yeoman ser8i e. 0ater in his old age he did him many a dear 'riend to death. ENDNOTES# (1) )Hildebrand) is the tea her and armor bearer o' Dietri h. He is the hero o' the 'amous )Hildebrandslied). (2) )9ol'hart) is HildebrandAs ne(hew. 1n the )"hidre!saga) he

20G

'alls in the battle o' Grons(ort. (C) )Amelung land) is the name under whi h Dietri hAs land a((ears. "heodori h, the !ing o' the 4ast Goths, belonged to the ra e o' the Amali. (G) );east). "hat 2riemhild !issed only Giselher, who was inno ent o' $ieg'riedAs death, aroused HagenAs sus(i ions. (J) ):assal). *o other a ount s(ea!s o' Aldrian as being at 4t@elAs ourt. He is (robably on'used here with his son, 'or HagenAs stay with 4t@el in 8arious legends, as also in our (oem a 'ew lines 'urther down. (B) )9alther o' $(ain) is 9alther o' AHuitania, a legendary (ersonage o' whom the O.4. 'ragment )9aldere), the 0atin e(i )9altharius), a M.H.G. e(i , and the )"hidre!saga) tell. He 'lees with Hildegund, the daughter o' the #urgundian 2ing Herri h, 'rom 4t@elAs ourt, as related here, but has to 'ight 'or his li'e against o8er(owering numbers, in the )"hidre!saga) against the (ursuing Huns, in the other sour es against the #urgundians. 1n both ases Hagen is among his 'oes, but ta!es no (art in the 'ight at 'irst, out o' 'riendshi( 'or 9alther.

!D'ENTURE 77I7 H+, Ha)en /+0ld N+. Rise %+r &rie-1ild*

"hen the two worshi('ul warriors (arted, Hagen o' "roneg and $ir Dietri h. O8er his shoulder GuntherAs liegeman ga@ed 'or a omrade+ at+arms, whom he then Hui !ly won. ;ol!er he saw, the unning 'iddler, stand by Giselher, and begged him to Ioin him, 'or well he !new his sa8age mood. He was in all things a bold !night and a good. $till they let the lordings stand in the ourt, only these twain alone men saw wal! hen e 'ar a ross the ourt be'ore a s(a ious (ala e. "hese hosen warriors 'eared the hate o' none. "hey sate them down u(on a ben h be'ore the house o8er against a hall, the whi h belonged to 2riemhild. /(on their bodies shone their lordly weeds. 4now who ga@ed u(on them would than ha8e !nown the !nightsF as wild beasts the haughty heroes were stared u(on by the

20J

Hunnish men. 4t@elAs wi'e, too, ga@ed u(on them through a window, at whi h 'air 2riemhild wa&ed sad again. O' her sorrows it minded her and she began to wee(. Mu h it wondered 4t@elAs men what had so Hui !ly saddened her mood. ?uoth she6 )"hat Hagen hath done, ye heroes bra8e and good.) "o the lady they s(a!e6 )How hath that ha((ed, 'or but newly we did see you Ioy'ulL *one there be so bold, anA he hath done you aught, but it will ost him his li'e, i' ye bid us 8enge you.) )48er would 1 reHuite it, i' any a8enged my wrongs. 1 would gi8e him all he ra8ed. #ehold me at your 'eet,) s(a!e he HueenF )a8enge me on Hagen, that he lose his li'e.) "hen si&ty bold men made them ready e'tsoon 'or 2riemhildAs sa!e. "hey would hen e to slay the bold !night Hagen and the 'iddler, too. 9ith 'orethought this was done. 9hen the Hueen beheld the band so small, grim o' mood she s(a!e to the !nights6 )9hat ye now would do, ye should gi8e o8er. 9ith so 'ew durst ye ne8er en ounter Hagen. And howe8er strong and bold Hagen o' "roneg be, he who sitteth by his side, ;ol!er, the 'iddler, is stronger still by 'ar. He is an e8il man. ,ertes, ye may not so lightly mat h these !nights.) 9hen they heard this, 'our hundred doughty warriors more did ma!e them ready. "he noble Hueen ra8ed sore to do them harm. "hereby the heroes later 'ell in mi !le danger. 9hen she saw her 'ollowers well armed, the Hueen s(a!e to the doughty !nights6 )*ow bide a while, ye must stand Huite still in truth. 9earing my rown, 1 will go to meet my 'oes. 0ist ye to the wrongs that Hagen o' "roneg, GuntherAs man, hath done me. 1 !now him to be so haughty that heAll not deny a whit. 0ittle 1 ree! what ha( to him on this a ount.) "hen the 'iddler, a bold minstrel, s(ied the noble Hueen wal! down the 'light o' ste(s that led downward 'rom a house. 9hen bold ;ol!er saw this, to his omrade+at+arms he s(a!e6 )*ow behold, 'riend Hagen, how she wal!eth yonder, who hath 'aithlessly bidden us to this land. 1 ha8e ne8er seen with a Hueen so many men bearing sword in hand mar h in su h warli!e guise. 2now ye, 'riend Hagen, whether she bear you hateL 1' so be, 1 ounsel you to guard the better your li'e and honor. ,ertes, methin!s this good. "hey be wroth o' mood, as 'ar as 1 an see, and some be so broad o' hest that he who would guard himsel' should do so betimes. 1 ween there be those

20B

among them who wear bright breast(lates. 9hom they would atta !, 1 annot say.) "hen, angry o' mood, the bra8e !night Hagen s(a!e6 )9ell 1 wot that all this be done against me, that they thus bear their gleaming swords in hand. ;or aught o' them, 1 still may ride to the #urgundian land. *ow tell me, 'riend ;ol!er, whether ye will stand by me, i' (er han e 2riemhildAs men would 'ight meL .ray let me hear that, i' so be ye hold me dear. 1All aid you e8ermore with 'aith'ul ser8i e.) )1All hel( you surely,) s(a!e the minstrelF )and should 1 see the !ing with all his warriors draw near us, not one 'oot will 1 yield 'rom 'ear in aiding you, the while 1 li8e.) )*ow may God in hea8en reHuite you, noble ;ol!erF though they stri8e against me, what need 1 moreL $ith ye will hel( me, as 1 hear you say, let these warriors ome on 'ull+armed.) )0et us rise now 'rom our seats,) s(a!e the minstrel. )0et us do her honor as she (asseth by, she is a high+born dame, a Hueen. 9e shall thereby honor oursel8es as well.) );or my sa!e, no,) Huoth Hagen. )$hould 1 go hen e, these !nights would thin! Atwas through 'ear. *ot 'or one o' them will 1 e8er rise 'rom my seat. 1t beseemeth us both better, 'orsooth, to lea8e this undone, 'or why should 1 honor one who doth bear me hatredL *or will 1 do this, the while 1 li8eF 1 re ! not how 2ing 4t@elAs wi'e doth hate me.) Haughty Hagen laid a ross his !nees a gleaming sword 'rom whose (ommel a s(ar!ling Ias(er, greener than grass, did shine. 1ts hilt was golden, its sheath an edging o' red. "hat it was $ieg'riedAs, 2riemhild !new 'ull well. $he must needs grow sad when that she !new the sword, 'or it minded her o' her wrongsF she began to wee(. 1 ween bold Hagen had done it 'or this ause. ;ol!er, the bold, drew nearer to the ben h a 'iddle bow, strong, mi !le, and long, li!e unto a broad, shar( sword, and there the two lusty !nights sate undaunted. "hese two bra8e men did thin! themsel8es so lordly, that they would not lea8e their seats through 'ear o' any man. "he noble Hueen wal!ed there'ore to their 8ery 'eet and ga8e them hostile greeting. $he s(a!e6 )*ow tell me, Hagen, who hath sent 'or you, that ye durst

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ride hither to this land, sith ye !now 'ull well what ye ha8e done meL Had ye good wits, ye should ha8e le't it undone, by rights.) )*o one sent 'or me,) Huoth Hagen. )Men bade to this land three !nights, who hight my lords. 1 am their liegeman, and 'ull seldom ha8e 1 stayed behind when they Iourneyed to any ourt.) ?uoth she6 )*ow tell me 'urther, why ye did this, through the whi h ye ha8e earned my hateL -e slew $ieg'ried, my dear husband, 'or whi h 1 ha8e ause enow to wee( until mine end.) ?uoth he6 )9hat booteth more, enow is already said. 1t is Iust 1, Hagen, who slew $ieg'ried, a hero o' his hands. How sorely did he atone that 0ady 2riemhild railed at omely #runhild. A"is not to be denied, O mighty Hueen, 1 alone am to blame 'or this s ath'ul s athe. (1) 0et him a8enge it who will, be he wi'e or man. /nless be 1 should lie to you, 1 ha8e dons you mu h o' harm.) ?uoth she6 )*ow hear, ye !nights, how he denieth no whit o' my wrongs. Men o' 4t@el, 1 are not what ha( to him 'rom this ause.) "he (roud warriors all ga@ed at one another. Had any began the 'ight, it would ha8e ome about that men must ha8e gi8en the honors to the two omrades, 'or they had o't wrought wonders in the 'ray. 9hat the Huns had weened to do must now needs be le't. undone through 'ear. "hen s(a!e one o' the men+at+arms6 )9hy ga@e ye thus at meL 9hat 1 a'ore 8owed, 1 will now gi8e o8er. 1 will lose my li'e 'or no manAs gi't. ;orsooth 2ing 4t@elAs wi'e would 'ain lead us into wrong.) ?uoth another hard by6 )O' the sel'same mind am 1. AnA any gi8e me towers o' good red gold, 1 would not mat h this 'iddler, 'or his 'ear'ul glan es, the whi h 1 ha8e seen him ast. Hagen, too, 1 ha8e !nown 'rom his youth'ul days, where'ore men an tell me little o' this !night. 1 ha8e seen him 'ight in two and twenty battles, through whi h woe o' heart hath ha((ed to many a dame. He and the !night 'rom $(ain trod many a war (ath, when here at 4t@elAs ourt they waged so many wars in honor o' the !ing. Mu h this ha((ed, where'ore one must Iustly honor Hagen. At that time the warrior was o' his years a lad. How gray are they who then were youngM *ow is

20E

he ome to wit and is a man 'ull grim. #almung, (2) too, he beareth, the whi h he won in e8il wise.) "herewith the stri'e was (arted, so that no one 'ought, whi h mightily rued the Hueen. "he warriors turned them hen eF in sooth they 'eared their death at the 'iddlerAs hands, and surely they had need o' this. "hen s(a!e the 'iddler6 )9e ha8e now well seen that we shall 'ind 'oes here, as we heard tell a'ore. 0et us go to ourt now to the !ings, then dare none mat h our lords in 'ight. how o't a man doth lea8e a thing undone through 'ear, the whi h he would not do, when 'riend standeth by 'riend in 'riendly (C) wise, anA he ha8e good wits. $ athe to many a man is lightly warded o'' by 'orethought.) ?uoth Hagen6 )*ow will 1 'ollow you.) "hey went to where they 'ound the da((er warriors standing in the ourt in a great (ress o' wel oming !nights. #old ;ol!er gan s(ea! loudly to his lords6 )How long will ye stand and let yoursel8es be IostledL -e must go to ourt and hear 'rom the !ing o' what mind he be.) Men then saw the bra8e heroes and good (air o''. "he (rin e o' #erne too! by the hand the mighty Gunther o' #urgundian land. 1rn'ried (G) too! the bra8e !night Gernot, while =udeger was seen to go to ourt with Giselher. #ut howe8er any (aired, ;ol!er and Hagen ne8er (arted, sa8e in one 'ray, when their end was ome, and this noble ladies must needs greatly bewail in a'ter time. 9ith the !ings one saw go to ourt a thousand bra8e men o' their 'ellowshi(, thereto si&ty ham(ions that were ome with them, whom the bold Hagen had ta!en 'rom his land. Hawart and 1ring, (J) two hosen men, were seen to wal! together near the !ings. Men saw Dan!wart and 9ol'hart, a (eerless !night, dis(lay their hi8alry be'ore all eyes. 9hen the lord o' the =hine had entered the hall, the mighty 4t@el delayed no longer, but s(rang 'rom his throne when he saw him ome. *e8er did so 'air a greeting ha( 'rom any !ing. )#e wel ome, $ir ,Gunther, and $ir Gernot, too, and your brother Giselher. 1 sent you truly my 'aith'ul ser8i e to 9orms beyond the =hine. All your 'ellowshi(, too, 1 wel ome. *ow be ye (assing wel ome, ye two

20%

!nights, ;ol!er, the bra8e, and $ir Hagen li!ewise, to me and to my lady, here in this our land. $he sent you many a messenger to the =hine.) "hen s(a!e Hagen o' "roneg6 )1 heard mu h tal! o' that, and were 1 not ome to the Huns 'or the sa!e o' my lords, 1 should ha8e ridden in your honor to this land.) "he noble host then too! his dear guests by the hand and led them to the settle where he sate himsel'. #usily they (oured out 'or the guests in broad bowls o' gold, mead, morat, (B) and wine and bade those 'ar 'rom home be wel ome. "hen s(a!e 2ing 4t@el6 )0et me tell you thisF it might not lie'er ha( to me in all this world, than through you heroes, that ye be ome to see me. "hrough this mu h sadness is also ta!en 'rom the Hueen. Me+wondereth greatly what 1 ha8e done you noble strangers, that ye ne8er re !ed to ome into my land. My sadness is turned to Ioy, sin e now 1 see you here.) "o this =udeger, a high+mettled !night, made answer6 )-e may be glad to see them. Good is the 'ealty whi h the !insmen o' my lady wot how to use so well. "hey bring also to your house many a stately !night.) /(on a midsummerAs e8e the lords were ome to the ourt o' the mighty 4t@el. $eldom hath there been heard su h lo'ty greeting as when he wel omed the heroes. 9hen now the time to eat was ome, the !ing went with them to the board. *e8er did host sit 'airer with his guests. Men ga8e them meat and drin! to the 'ull. All that they ra8ed stood ready 'or them, 'or mi !le wonders had been told about these !nights. ENDNOTES# (1) )$ ath'ul s athe) here imitates the M.H.G. )s aden s edeli h). (2) )#almung), see Ad8enture 111, note 5. (C) )'riend . . . 'riendly). "his re(etition o urs in the original. (G) )1rn'ried), see Ad8enture <<11, note E.

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(J) )Hawart) and )1ring), Ad8enture <<11, notes B and 5. (B) )Morat) (M.H.G. )mora@)) 'rom late 0atin )moratum), mulberry wine, is a be8erage om(osed o' honey 'la8ored with mulberry+Iui e.

!D'ENTURE 777 H+, T1ey &e<. T1e /a.c1*

"he day had now an end, and the night drew nigh. ,are beset the wayworn tra8elers, as to when they should go to bed and rest them. "his Hagen bes(a!e with 4t@el, and it was told them soon. Gunther s(a!e to the host6 )God be with you, we would 'ain go to our slee(, (ray gi8e us lea8e. 9e will ome early on the morrow, whensoe8er ye bid.) 4t@el (arted then 'ull merrily 'rom his guests. Men (ressed the strangers on e8ery side, at whi h bra8e ;ol!er s(a!e to the Huns6 )How dare ye rowd be'ore the warriorsA 'eetL AnA ye will not lea8e this, ye will 'are 'ull ill. 1All smite some man so hea8y a 'iddle blow, that i' he ha8e a 'aith'ul 'riend he may well bewail it. 9hy gi8e ye not way be'ore us !nightsL Methin!s Atwere well. All (ass 'or !nights, but be not o' eHual mettle.) As the 'iddler s(a!e thus in wrath, Hagen, the bra8e, loo!ed behind him. He s(a!e6 )"he bold gleeman doth ad8ise you right, ye men o' 2riemhild, ye should hie you to your lodgings. 1 ween none o' you will do what ye are minded, but would ye begin aught, ome early on the morrow, and let us wanderers ha8e (ea e to+night. ,ertes, 1 ween that it hath ne8er ha((ed with su h good will on the (art o' heroes.) "hen the guests were brought into a s(a ious hall, whi h they 'ound (ur8eyed on e8ery side with ostly beds, long and broad, 'or the warriors. 0ady 2riemhild (lanned the 8ery greatest wrongs against them. One saw there many a unningly wrought Huilt 'rom Arras (1) o' shining sil!en loth and many a o8erlet o' Arabian sil!, the best that might be hadF u(on this ran a border that shone in (rin ely wise.

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Many bed o8ers o' ermine and o' bla ! sable were seen, beneath whi h they should ha8e their ease at night, until the dawn o' day. *e8er hath !ing lain so lordly with his meiny. )Alas 'or these night Huarters,) s(a!e Giselher, the youth, )and alas 'or my 'riends, who be ome with us. Howe8er !indly my sister greeted us, yet 1 do 'ear me that through her 'ault we must soon lie dead.) )*ow gi8e o8er your are,) Huoth Hagen, the !night. )1All stand wat h mysel' to+night. 1 trow to guard us well, until the day doth ome. "here'ore ha8e no 'earF a'ter that, let him sur8i8e who may.) All bowed low and said him gramer y. "hen went they to their beds. A short while a'ter the stately men had laid them down, bold Hagen, the hero, began to arm him. "hen the 'iddler, 2night ;ol!er, s(a!e6 )1' it s orn you not, Hagen, 1 would 'ain hold the wat h with you to+ night, until the early morn.) "he hero then than!ed ;ol!er in lo8ing wise6 )*ow God o' hea8en reHuite you, dear ;ol!er. 1n all my ares, 1 would ra8e none other than you alone, whene8er 1 had need. 1 shall re(ay you well, and death hinder me not.) #oth then donned their shining armor and either too! his shield in hand, wal!ed out o' the house and stood be'ore the door. "hus they ared 'or the guests in 'aith'ul wise. "he doughty ;ol!er leaned his good shield against the side o' the hall, then turned him ba ! and 'et hed his 'iddle and ser8ed his 'riends as well be'it the hero. #eneath the door o' the house he sate him down u(on a stoneF bolder 'iddler was there ne8er. 9hen the tones o' the strings rang 'orth so sweetly, the (roud wanderers ga8e ;ol!er than!s. At 'irst the strings twanged so that the whole house resoundedF his strength and his s!ill were both (assing great. "hen sweeter and so'ter he began to (lay, and thus many a are+worn man he lulled to slee(. 9hen he mar!ed that all had 'allen aslee(, the !night too! again his shield and le't the room and too! his stand be'ore the tower, and there he guarded the wanderers against 2riemhildAs men. A"was about the middle o' the night (1 !now not but what it ha((ed a little earlier), that bold ;ol!er s(ied the glint o' a helmet a'ar in the

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dar!ness. 2riemhildAs men would 'ain ha8e harmed the guests. "hen the 'iddler s(a!e6 )$ir Hagen, my 'riend, it behoo8eth us to bear these ares together. #e'ore the house 1 see armed men stand, and err 1 not, 1 ween, they would en ounter usM) )#e silent,) Huoth Hagen, )let them draw nearer be'ore they be ware o' us. "hen will helmets be dislodged by the swords in the hands o' us twain. "hey will be sent ba ! to 2riemhild in e8il (light.) One o' the Hunnish warriors ('ull soon that ha((ed) mar!ed that the door was guarded. How Hui !ly then he s(a!e6 )"hat whi h we ha8e in mind may not now ome to (ass. 1 see the 'iddler stand on guard. On his head he weareth a glittering helmet, shining and hard, strong and whole. His armor rings 'lash out li!e 'ire. #y him standeth HagenF in sooth the guests be guarded well.) $traightway they turned again. 9hen ;ol!er saw this, wrath'ully he s(a!e to his omrade+at+arms6 )*ow let me go 'rom the house to the warriors. 1 would 'ain (ut some Huestions to 0ady 2riemhildAs men.) );or my sa!e, no,) Huoth Hagen. )1' ye lea8e the house, the doughty !nights are li!e to bring you in su h stress with their swords, that 1 must aid you e8en should it be the death o' all my !in. As soon as we be ome into the 'ray, twain o' them, or 'our, would in a short time run into the house and would bring su h s athe u(on the slee(ers, that we might ne8er ease to mourn.) "hen ;ol!er answered6 )0et us bring it to (ass that they note that 1 ha8e seen them, so that 2riemhildAs men may not deny that they would 'ain ha8e a ted 'aithlessly.) $traightway ;ol!er then alled out to them6 )How go ye thus armed, ye doughty !nightsL 9ould ye ride to rob, ye men o' 2riemhildL "hen must ye ha8e the hel( o' me and my omrade+at+ arms.) "o this none made re(ly. Angry grew his mood. );yM -e e8il owards,) s(a!e the good !night, )would ye ha8e murdered us aslee(L "hat hath been done 'ull seldom to su h good heroes.)

21C

"hen the Hueen was told that her messengers had om(assed naught. =ightly it did 8e& her, and with wrath'ul mood she made another (lan. "hrough this bra8e heroes and good must needs therea'ter (erish. ENDNOTES# (1) )Arras), the a(ital o' Artois in the ;ren h *etherlands. 1n older 4nglish )arras) is used also 'or ta(estry.

!D'ENTURE 777I 314 H+, T1ey /en. T+ C10rc1*

)My oat o' mail groweth old,) said ;ol!er. )1 ween the night hath run its ourse. #y the air 1 mar! that day is near.) "hen they wa!ed the many !nights who still lay slee(ing. "he light o' dawn shone into the hall u(on the strangers. On all sides Hagen gan wa!e the warriors, i' (er han e they would 'ain go to the minster 'or mass. Men now loudly rang the bells in ,hristian 'ashion. Heathens and ,hristians did not sing ali!e, so that it was seen 'ull well that they were not as one. GuntherAs liegemen now would go to hur h, and all ali!e had risen 'rom their beds. "he ham(ions la ed them into su h goodly garments, that ne8er did hero bring better lothes to the land o' any !ing. "his 8e&ed Hagen. He s(a!e6 )Heroes, ye should wear here other lothes. ,ertes, ye !now 'ull well the tales. 1nstead o' roses, bear wea(ons in your handsF instead o' Ieweled ha(lets, your bright helms and good, sith ye !now 'ull well the wi !ed 2riemhildAs mood. 0et me tell you, we must 'ight to+day, so instead o' sil!en shirts, wear hauber!s, and instead o' ri h loa!s, good shields and broad, so that i' any grow angry with you, ye be 'ull armed. Dear my lords, and all my !in and liegemen, go willingly to hur h and ma!e (laint to the mighty God o' your 'ears and need, 'or !now 'ull sure that death draweth nigh us. *or must ye 'orget to on'ess aught that ye ha8e done and stand 'ull @ealously be'ore your God. O' this 1 warn you, noble !nights, unless God in hea8en so will, yeAll ne8er more hear mass.) $o the (rin es and their liegemen went to the minster. 1n the holy hur hyard bold Hagen bade them halt, that they might not be (arted. He s(a!e6 )O' a truth none !noweth what will ha( to us 'rom

21G

the Huns. .la e, my 'riends, your shields be'ore your 'eet, and i' any (ro''er you old greeting, re(ay it with dee( and mortal wounds. "hat is HagenAs ounsel, that ye may so be 'ound as doth be'it your honor.) ;ol!er and Hagen, the twain, then hied them to the s(a ious minster. "his was done that the Hueen might (ress u(on them in the rowd. ,ertes, she was (assing grim. "hen ame the lord o' the land and his 'air wi'e, her body adorned with ri h a((arelF Doughty warriors, too, were seen to wal! beside her. One saw the dust rise high 'rom 2riemhildAs band. 9hen mighty 4t@el s(ied the !ings and their 'ellowshi( thus armed, how Hui ! he s(a!e6 )9hy do 1 see my 'riends thus go with helmetsL /(on my troth, it grie8eth me, and hath any done them aught, 1 shall gladly ma!e amends, as doth thin! them good. Hath any made hea8y their hearts or mood, 1All show them well, that it doth ir! me mu h. 1 am ready 'or whate8er they ommand me.) "o this Hagen answered6 )*one hath done us aughtF it is the ustom o' my lordings that they go armed at all high 'easts 'or 'ull three days. 9e should tell 4t@el, had aught been done us.) 2riemhild heard 'ull well what Hagen s(a!e. How right hostilely she ga@ed into his eyesM $he would not tell the ustom o' their land, albeit she had !nown it long in #urgundy. Howe8er grim and strong the hate she bare them, yet had any told 4t@el the truth, he would ha8e surely hindered what later ha((ed. #e ause o' their great haughtiness they s orned to tell him. 9hen the great rowd went (ast with the Hueen, these twain, Hagen and ;ol!er, would not ste( ba ! more than two hand+breadths, the whi h ir!ed the Huns. ;orsooth they had to Iostle with the lusty heroes. "his thought 2ing 4t@elAs hamberlains not good. ,ertes, they would ha8e 'ain angered the ham(ions, but that they durst not be'ore the noble !ing. $o there was mu h Iostling, but nothing more. 9hen they had worshi(ed God and would hen e again, many a Hunnish warrior horsed him (assing soon, At 2riemhildAs side stood many a omely maid, and well se8en thousand !nights rode with the Hueen. 2riemhild with her ladies sate her down at the easements by the side o' the mighty 4t@el, whi h was him lie', 'or they would wat h the lusty heroes Ioust. Ho, what stranger !nights rode be'ore them in the ourtM "hen was ome the marshal with the sHuires. #old

21J

Dan!wart had ta!en to him his lordAs retainers 'rom the #urgundian landF the steeds o' the *ibelungs they 'ound well saddled. 9hen now the !ings and their men were ome to horse, stalwart ;ol!er gan ad8ise that they should ride a Ioust a'ter the 'ashion o' their land. At this the heroes rode in lordly wiseF none it ir!ed what the !night had ounseled. "he hurtling and the noise wa&ed loud, as the many men rode into the broad ourt. 4t@el and 2riemhild themsel8es beheld the s ene. "o the Iousts were ome si& hundred !nights o' Dietri hAs men to mat h the strangers, 'or they would ha8e (astime with the #urgundians. ;ain would they ha8e done it, had he gi8en them lea8e. Ho, what good ham(ions rode in their trainM "he tale was told to $ir Dietri h and he 'orbade the game with GuntherAs menF he 'eared 'or his liegemen, and well he might. 9hen those o' #erne had de(arted then e, there ame the men o' =udeger 'rom #e helaren, 'i8e hundred strong, with shields, riding out be'ore the hall. 1t would ha8e been lie' to the margra8e, had they le't it undone. 9isely he rode then to them through the (ress and said to his !nights, that they were ware that GuntherAs men were e8il+ minded toward them. 1' they would lea8e o'' the Iousting, it would (lease him mu h. 9hen now these lusty heroes (arted 'rom them, then ame those o' "huringia, as we are told, and well a thousand bra8e men 'rom Denmar!. ;rom the tilting one saw many trun heons (2) 'lying hen e. 1rn'ried and Hawart now rode into the tourney. .roudly those 'rom the =hine awaited them and o''ered the men o' "huringia many a Ioust. Many a lordly shield was riddled by the thrusts. "hither ame then $ir #loedel with three thousand men. 9ell was he seen o' 4t@el and 2riemhild, 'or the !nightly s(orts ha((ed Iust be'ore the twain. "he Hueen saw it gladly, that the #urgundians might ome to grie'. $ hrutan (C) and Gibe !e, =amung and Hornbog, (G) rode into the tourney in Hunnish wise. "o the heroes 'rom #urgundian land they addressed them. High abo8e the roo' o' the royal hall the s(ear+sha'ts whirled. 9hate8er any there (lied, Atwas but a 'riendly rout. .ala e and hall were heard resounding loud through the lashing o' the shields o' GuntherAs men. 9ith great honor his meiny gained the meed. "heir (astime was so mi !le and so great, that 'rom beneath the housings o' the good steeds, whi h the heroes rode, there 'lowed the 'rothy sweat. 1n haughty wise they en ountered with the Huns. "hen s(a!e the 'iddler, ;ol!er the minstrel6 )1 ween these warriors dare not mat h us. 1A8e aye heard the tale, that they bear us hate, and 'orsooth it might ne8er 'ortune better 'or them than now.) Again

21B

;ol!er s(a!e6 )0et our steeds be now led away to their lodgings and let us Ioust again toward e8entide, and there be time. .er han e the Hueen may a ord to the #urgundians the (ri@e.) "hen one was seen riding hither so (roudly, that none o' all the Huns ould ha8e done the li!e. ,ertes, he must ha8e had a sweetheart on the battlements. As well attired he rode as the bride o' any noble !night. At sight o' him ;ol!er s(a!e again6 )How ould 1 gi8e this o8erL "his ladiesA darling must ha8e a bu''et. *one shall (re8ent me and it shall ost him dear. 1n truth 1 re ! not, i' it 8e& 2ing 4t@elAs wi'e.) );or my sa!e, *o,) s(a!e straightway 2ing Gunther. )"he (eo(le will blame us, i' we en ounter them. A"will be'it us better 'ar, anA we let the Huns begin the stri'e.) 2ing 4t@el was still sitting by the Hueen. )1All Ioin you in the tourney,) Huoth Hagen then. )0et the ladies and the !nights behold how we an ride. "hat will be well, 'or theyAll gi8e no meed to 2ing GuntherAs men.) "he doughty ;ol!er rode into the lists again, whi h soon ga8e many a dame great dole. His s(ear he thrust through the body o' the da((er HunF this both maid and wi'e were seen therea'ter to bewail. ;ull hard and 'ast gan Hagen and his liegemen and si&ty o' his !nights ride towards the 'iddler, where the (lay was on. "his 4t@el and 2riemhild learly saw. "he three !ings would not lea8e their minstrel without guard amidst the 'oe. ,unningly a thousand heroes rodeF with haughty bearing they did whatso they would. 9hen now the wealthy Hun was slain, men heard his !in ry out and wail. All the ourtiers as!ed6 )9ho hath done this deedL) )"hat the 'iddler did, ;ol!er, the 8aliant minstrel.) "he margra8eAs !indred 'rom the Hunnish land alled straightway 'or their swords and shields, and would 'ain ha8e done ;ol!er to death. ;ast the host gan hasten 'rom the windows. Great rout arose 'rom the 'ol! on e8ery side. "he !ings and their 'ellowshi(, the #urgundian men, alighted be'ore the hall and dro8e their horses to the rear. "hen 2ing 4t@el ame to (art the stri'e. ;rom the hand o' a !insman o' the

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Hun he wren hed a sturdy wea(on and dro8e them all ba ! again, 'or 'ull great was his wrath. )9hy should my ourtesie to these !nights go all 'or naughtL Had ye slain this minstrel at my ourt,) s(a!e 2ing 4t@el, )Atwere e8il done. 1 saw 'ull well how he rode, when he thrust through the Hun, that it ha((ed through stumbling, without any 'ault o' his. -e must let my guests ha8e (ea e.) "hus he be ame their sa'e+guard. "o the stalls men led away the steedsF many a 8arlet they had, who ser8ed them well with @eal in e8ery ser8i e. "he host now hied him to his (ala e with his 'riends, nor would he let any man grow wroth again. "hen men set u( the tables and bare 'orth water 'or the guests. ;orsooth the men 'rom the =hine had there enow o' stalwart 'oes. A"was long be'ore the lords were seated. Meanwhile 2riemhildAs 'ears did trouble her (assing sore. $he s(a!e6 )My lord o' #erne, 1 see! thy ounsel, hel(, and 'a8or, 'or mine a''airs do stand in an&ious wise.) "hen Hildebrand, a worshi('ul !night, made answer to her6 )And any slay the *ibelungs 'or the sa!e o' any hoard, he will do it without my aid. 1t may well re(ent him, 'or they be still un onHuered, these doughty and lusty !nights.) "hen $(a!e $ir Dietri h in his ourteous wise6 )0et be this wish, O mighty Hueen. "hy !insmen ha8e done me naught o' wrong, that 1 should ra8e to mat h these 8aliant !nights in stri'e. "hy reHuest honoreth thee little, most noble Hueen, that thou dost (lot against the li'e o' thy !ins'ol!. "hey ame in ho(e o' 'riendshi( to this land. $ieg'ried will not be a8enged by Dietri hAs hand.) 9hen she 'ound no whit o' 'aithlessness in the lord o' #erne, Hui !ly she (romised #loedel a broad estate, that *udung (J) owned a'oretime. 0ater he was slain by Hagen, so that he Huite 'orgot the gi't. $he s(a!e6 )"hou must hel( me, $ir #loedel, 'orsooth my 'oes be in this house, who slew $ieg'ried, my dear husband. 48er will 1 ser8e him, that hel(eth me a8enge this deed.) "o this #loedel re(lied6 )My lady, now may ye !now that be ause o' 4t@el 1 dare not, in sooth, ad8ise to hatred against them, 'or he is 'ain

21E

to see thy !insmen at his ourt. "he !ing would neAer 'orget it o' me, and 1 did them aught o' wrong.) )*ot so, $ir #loedel, 'or 1 shall e8er be thy 'riend. ,ertes, 1All gi8e thee sil8er and gold as guerdon and a omely maid, the wi'e o' *udung, whose lo8ely body thou mayst 'ain aress. 1All gi8e thee his land and all his astles, too, so that thou mayst always li8e in Ioy, $ir !night, i' thou dost now win the lands where *udung dwelt. ;aith'ully will 1 !ee(, whatso 1 8ow to thee to+day.) 9hen $ir #loedel heard the guerdon, and that the lady through her beauty would be'it him well, he weened to ser8e the lo8ely Hueen in stri'e. #e ause o' this the ham(ion must needs lose his li'e. "o the Hueen he s(a!e6 )#eta!e you again to the hall, and be'ore any be aware, 1All begin a 'ray and Hagen must atone 'or what he hath done you. 1All deli8er to you 2ing GuntherAs liegeman bound. *ow arm you, my men,) s(a!e #loedel. )9e must hasten to the lodgings o' the 'oes, 'or 2ing 4t@elAs wi'e doth ra8e o' me this ser8i e, where'ore we heroes must ris! our li8es.) 9hen the Hueen le't #loedel in lust o' battle, she went to table with 2ing 4t@el and his men. 48il ounsels had she held against the guests. $in e the stri'e ould be started in no other wise (2riemhildAs an ient wrong still lay dee( buried in her heart), she bade 2ing 4t@elAs son be brought to table. How might a woman e8er do more ghastly deed 'or 8engean eA sa!eL ;our o' 4t@elAs men went hen e anon and bare Ortlieb, (B) the young (rin e, to the lordingsA table, where Hagen also sat. #e ause o' this the hild must needs die through HagenAs mortal hate. 9hen now the mighty !ing beheld his son, !indly he s(a!e to the !insmen o' his wi'e6 )*ow see, my 'riends, this is the only son o' me and o' your sister. "his may be o' (ro'it to you all, 'or i' he ta!e a'ter his !insmen, heAll be ome a 8aliant man, mighty and noble, strong and 'ashioned 'air. "wel8e lands will 1 gi8e him, and 1 li8e yet a while. "hus may the hand o' young Ortlieb ser8e you well. 1 do there'ore besee h you, dear 'riends o' mine, that when ye ride again to your lands u(on the =hine, ye ta!e with you your sisterAs son and a t 'ull gra iously toward the hild, and bring him u( in honor till he be ome a man. Hath any done you aught in all these lands, heAll hel( you to a8enge it, when he groweth u(.)

21%

"his s(ee h was also heard by 2riemhild, 2ing 4t@elAs wi'e. )"hese !nights might well trust him,) Huoth Hagen, )i' he grew to be a man, but the young (rin e doth seem so 'ey, (5) that 1 shall seldom be seen to ride to OrtliebAs ourt.) "he !ing glan ed at Hagen, 'or mu h the s(ee h did ir! himF and though the gentle (rin e said not a word, it grie8ed his heart and made him hea8y o' his mood. *or was HagenAs mind now bent on (astime. #ut all the lordings and the !ing were hurt by what Hagen had s(o!en o' the hildF it 8e&ed them sore, that they were 'or ed to hear it. "hey wot not the things as yet, whi h should ha((en to them through this warrior. ENDNOTES# (1) )Ad8enture <<<1). "his ad8enture is o' late origin, being 'ound only in our (oem. $ee the introdu tion. (2) )"run heons), see Ad8enture 11, note E. (C) )$ hrutan). "his name does not o ur elsewhere. .i(er suggests, that (erha(s a $ ot hman is meant, as )$!orottan) a((ears in the )"hidre!saga), ha(. 2E, as an an ient name o' $ otland. (G) )Gibe !e), )=amung) and )Hornbog), see Ad8enture <<11, notes G and J. (J) )*udung), see Ad8enture <<:11, note C. (B) )Ortlieb). 1n the )"hidre!saga) 4t@elAs son is alled Aldrian. "here, howe8er, he is !illed be ause he stri!es Hagen in the 'a e, here in re8enge 'or the !illing o' the #urgundian 'ootmen. (5) );ey), see Ad8enture :, note 2.

!D'ENTURE 777II 314 H+, Bl+edel /as Slain*

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;ull ready were now #loedelAs warriors. A thousand hauber!s strong, they hied them to where Dan!wart sate at table with the sHuires. "hen the 8ery greatest hate arose among the heroes. 9hen $ir #loedel drew near the tables, Dan!wart, the marshal, greeted him in ourteous wise. )9el ome, $ir #loedel, in our house. 1n truth me+ wondereth at thy oming. 9hat doth it meanL) );orsooth, thou needst not greet me,) so s(a!e #loedelF )'or this oming o' mine doth mean thine end. #e ause o' Hagen, thy brother, by whom $ieg'ried was slain, thou and many other !nights must su''er here among the Huns.) )*ot so, $ir #loedel,) Huoth Dan!wart, )else this Iourney to your ourt might rue us sore. 1 was but a little hild when $ieg'ried lost his li'e. 1 !now not what blame 2ing 4t@elAs wi'e ould (ut on me.) )O' a truth, 1 wot not how to tell you o' these talesF thy !insmen, Gunther and Hagen, did the deed. *ow ward you, ye wanderers, ye may not li8e. 9ith your death must ye be ome 2riemhildAs (ledge.) )And ye will not turn you,) Huoth Dan!wart, )then do my entreaties rue meF they had better 'ar been s(ared.) "he doughty !night and bra8e s(rang u( 'rom the tableF a shar( wea(on, mi !le and long, he drew and dealt #loedel so 'ier e a sword+stro!e that his head lay straightway at his 'eet. )0et that be thy marriage morning gi't,) (2) s(a!e Dan!wart, the !night, )'or *udungAs bride, whom thou wouldst herish with thy lo8e. "hey all betroth her to another man u(on the morn. $hould he ra8e the dowry, Atwill be gi8en to him e'tsoon.) A 'aith'ul Hun had told him that the Hueen did (lan against them su h grie8ous wrongs. 9hen #loedelAs men beheld their lord lie slain, no longer would they stand this 'rom the guests. 9ith u(li'ted swords they rushed, grim o' mood, u(on the youth'ul sHuires. Many a one did rue this later. 0oudly Dan!wart alled to all the 'ellowshi(6 )-e see well, noble sHuires, how matters stand. *ow ward you, wanderersM ;orsooth we ha8e great need, though 2riemhild as!ed us here in right 'riendly wise.)

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"hose that had no sword rea hed down in 'ront o' the ben hes and li'ted many a long 'ootstool by its legs. "he #urgundian sHuires would now abide no longer, but with the hea8y stools they dealt many bruises through the helmets. How 'ier ely the stranger youths did ward themM Out o' the house they dro8e at last the men+at+arms, but 'i8e hundred o' them, or better, stayed behind there dead. "he 'ellowshi( was red and wot with blood. "hese grie8ous tales were told now to 4t@elAs !nightsF grim was their sorrow, that #loedel and his men were slain. "his HagenAs brother and his sHuires had done. #e'ore the !ing had learned it, 'ull two thousand Huns or more armed them through hatred and hied them to the sHuires (this must needs be), and o' the 'ellowshi( they le't not one ali8e. "he 'aithless Huns brought a mi !le band be'ore the house. 9ell the strangers stood their ground, but what booted their doughty (rowessL Dead they all must lie. "hen in a 'ew short hours there rose a 'ear'ul dole. *ow ye may hear wonders o' a monstrous thing. *ine thousand yeomen lay there slain and thereto twel8e good !nights o' Dan!wartAs men. One saw him stand alone still by the 'oe. "he noise was hushed, the din had died away, when Dan!wart, the hero, ga@ed o8er his shoulders. He s(a!e6 )9oe is me, 'or the 'riends whom 1 ha8e lostM *ow must 1 stand, alas, alone among my 'oes.) /(on his single (erson the sword+stro!es 'ell thi ! and 'ast. "he wi'e o' many a hero must later mourn 'or this. Higher he raised his shield, the thong he loweredF the rings o' many an armor he made to dri( with blood. )9oe is me o' all this sorrow,) Huoth AldrianAs son. (C) )Gi8e way now, Hunnish warriors, and let me out into the bree@e, that the air may ool me, 'ight+weary man.) "hen men saw the warrior wal! 'orth in 'ull lordly wise. As the stri'e+weary man s(rang 'rom the house, how many added swords rang on his helmetM "hose that had not seen what wonders his hand had wrought s(rang towards the hero o' the #urgundian land. )*ow would to God,) Huoth Dan!wart, )that 1 might 'ind a messenger who ould let my brother Hagen !now 1 stand in su h a (light be'ore these !nights. He would hel( me hen e, or lie dead at my side.) "hen s(a!e the Hunnish ham(ions6 )"hou must be the messenger thysel', when we bear thee hen e dead be'ore thy brother. ;or the 'irst time GuntherAs 8assal will then be ome a Huaint with grie'. .assing great s athe hast thou done 2ing 4t@el here.)

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?uoth he6 )*ow gi8e o8er these threats and stand 'urther ba !, or 1All wot the armor rings o' some with blood. 1All tell the tale at ourt mysel' and ma!e (laint to my lords o' my great dole.) $o sorely he dismayed 2ing 4t@elAs men that they durst not withstand him with their swords, so they shot su h great store o' darts into his shield that he must needs lay it 'rom his hand 'or 8ery hea8iness. "hen they weened to o8er(ower him, sith he no longer bare a shield. Ho, what dee( wounds he stru ! them through their helmetsM ;rom this many a bra8e man was 'or ed to reel be'ore him, and bold Dan!wart gained thereby great (raise. ;rom either side they s(rang u(on him, but in truth a many o' them entered the 'ray too soon. #e'ore his 'oes he wal!ed, as doth a boar to the woods be'ore the dogs. How might he be more bra8eL His (ath was e8er wot with re !ingA blood. ,ertes, no single ham(ion might e8er 'ight better with his 'oes than he had done. Men now saw HagenAs brother go to ourt in lordly wise. $ewers (G) and u(bearers heard the ring o' swords, and 'ull many a one ast 'rom his hand the drin! and whate8er 'ood he bare to ourt. 4now strong 'oes met Dan!wart at the stairs. )How now, ye sewers,) s(a!e the weary !night. );orsooth ye should ser8e well the guests and bear to the lords good heer and let me bring the tidings to my dear masters.) "hose that s(rang towards him on the ste(s to show their (rowess, he dealt so hea8y a sword+stro!e, that 'or 'ear they must needs stand 'urther ba !. His mighty strength wrought mi !le wonders. ENDNOTES# (1) Ad8enture <<<11. "he details o' the 'ollowing s enes di''er materially in the 8arious sour es. A om(arati8e study o' them will be 'ound in the wor!s o' 9ilmanns and #oer. (2) )Marriage morning gi't) (M.H.G. )morgengabe)) was gi8en by the bridegroom to the bride on the morning a'ter the wedding. $ee Ad8enture <1<, note 1. (C) )AldrianAs son), i.e., Dan!wart. (G) )$ewers) (O.;. )asseour), M.0. )adsessor) Aone who sets the tableAF '. ;. )asseoir) Ato setA, A(la eA, 0at. )ad

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sedere)), older 4nglish 'or an u((er ser8ant who brought on and remo8ed the dishes 'rom the table.

!D'ENTURE 777III H+, T1e B0r)0ndians %+0)1. T1e H0ns*

9hen bra8e Dan!wart was ome within the door, he bade 2ing 4t@elAs meiny ste( aside. His garments dri((ed with blood and in his hand he bare unsheathed a mighty sword. ;ull loud he alled out to the !night6 )#rother Hagen, ye sit all too long, 'orsooth. "o you and to God in hea8en do 1 ma!e (laint o' our woe. Our !nights and sHuires all lie dead within their lodgements.) He alled in answer6 )9ho hath done this deedL) )"hat $ir #loedel hath done with his liegemen, but he hath (aid 'or it dearly, as 1 an tell you, 'or with mine own hands 1 stru ! o'' his head.) )1t is but little s athe,) Huoth Hagen, )i' one an only say o' a !night that he hath lost his li'e at a warriorAs hands. $tately dames shall mourn him all the less. *ow tell me, brother Dan!wart, how omes it that ye be so red o' hueL -e su''er 'rom wounds great dole, 1 ween. 1' there be any in the land that hath done you this, Atwill ost his li'e, and the 'oul 'iend sa8e him not.) )-e see me sa'e and soundF my weeds alone are wot with blood. "his hath ha((ed 'rom wounds o' other men, o' whom 1 ha8e slain so many a one to+day that, had 1 to swear it, 1 ould not tell the tale.) )#rother Dan!wart,) he s(a!e, )guard us the door and let not a single Hun go 'orth. 1 will hold s(ee h with the warriors, as our need onstraineth us, 'or our meiny lieth dead be'ore them, undeser8ed.) )1' 1 must be hamberlain,) Huoth the 8aliant man, )1 well wet how to ser8e su h mighty !ings and will guard the stairway, as doth be ome mine honors.) *aught ould ha8e been more loth to 2riemhildAs !nights.

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)Mu h it wondereth me,) s(a!e Hagen, )what the Hunnish !nights be whis(ering in here. 1 ween, theyAd gladly do without the one that standeth at the door, and who told the ourtly tale to us #urgundians. 0ong sin e 1 ha8e heard it said o' 2riemhild, that she would not lea8e una8enged her dole o' heart. *ow let us drin! to 'riendshi( (1) and (ay 'or the royal wine. "he young lord o' the Huns shall be the 'irst.) "hen the good !night Hagen smote the hild Ortlieb, so that the blood s(urted u( the sword towards his hand and the head 'ell into the la( o' the Hueen. At this there began a murdering, grim and great, among the !nights. *e&t he dealt the master who taught the hild a 'ier e sword+stro!e with both his hands, so that his head 'ell Hui !ly beneath the table to the ground. A (iteous meed it was, whi h he meted out to the master. Hagen then s(ied a gleeman sitting at 2ing 4t@elAs board. 1n his wrath he hied him thither and stru ! o'' his right hand u(on the 'iddle. )"a!e this as message to the #urgundian land.) )9oe is me o' my hand,) s(a!e the minstrel 9erbel. )$ir Hagen o' "roneg, what had 1 done to youL 1 ame in good 'aith to your mastersA land. How an 1 now thrum the tunes, sith 1 ha8e lost my handL) 0ittle re !ed Hagen, (layed he ne8ermore. 1n the hall he dealt out 'ier e deadly wounds to 4t@elAs warriors, (assing many o' whom he slew. 4now o' 'ol! in the house he did to death. "he doughty ;ol!er now s(rang u( 'rom the boardF loud rang in his hands his 'iddle bow. =udely did GuntherAs minstrel (lay. Ho, what 'oes he made him among the 8aliant HunsM "he three noble !ings, too, s(rang u( 'rom the table. Gladly would they ha8e (arted the 'ray, or e8er greater s athe was done. 9ith all their wit they ould not hinder it, when ;ol!er and Hagen gan rage so sore. 9hen that the lord o' the =hine beheld the 'ray un(arted, the (rin e dealt his 'oes many ga(ing wounds himsel' through the shining armor rings. "hat he was a hero o' his hands, he ga8e great (roo'. "hen the sturdy Gernot Ioined the stri'e. ,ertes, he did many a hero o' the Huns to death with a shar( sword, the whi h =udeger had gi8en him. Mighty wounds he dealt 2ing 4t@elAs warriors. *ow the young son o' 0ady /ta rushed to the 'ray. Gloriously his sword rang on the helmets o' 4t@elAs warriors 'rom the Hunnish land. ;ull mi !le wonders were wrought by bold GiselherAs hand. #ut how so doughty they all were, the !ings and their liegemen, yet ;ol!er was seen to stand be'ore them all against

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the 'oeF a good hero he. Many a one he made to 'all in his blood through wounds. 4t@elAs men did 'end them, too, 'ull well, yet one saw the strangers go hewing with their gleaming swords through the royal hall and on e8ery side was heard great sound o' wail. "hose without would now 'ain be with their 'riends within, but at the entran e towers they 'ound small gain. "hose within had gladly been without the hall, but Dan!wart let none go either u( or down the ste(s. "here'ore there rose be'ore the towers a mighty (ress, and helmets rang loudly 'rom the sword+blows. #old Dan!wart ame into great stress therebyF this his brother 'eared, as his loyalty did bid him. 0oudly then Hagen alled to ;ol!er6 )$ee ye yonder, omrade, my brother stand be'ore the Hunnish warriors amid a rain o' blowsL ;riend, sa8e my brother, or e8er we lose the !night.) )"hat will 1 surely,) Huoth the minstrel, and through the (ala e he went a+'iddling, his stout sword ringing o'ten in his hand. Great than!s were tendered by the warriors 'rom the =hine. #old ;ol!er s(a!e to Dan!wart6 )Great dis om'iture ha8e ye su''ered to+day, there'ore your brother bade me hasten to your aid. 9ill ye stand without, so will 1 stand within.) $turdy Dan!wart stood without the door and guarded the stair ase against whoe8er ame, where'ore men heard the swords resound in the heroesA hands. ;ol!er o' #urgundy land (er'ormed the same within. A ross the (ress the bold 'iddler ried6 );riend Hagen, the hall is lo !edF 'orsooth 2ing 4t@elAs door is bolted well. "he hands o' two heroes guard it, as with a thousand bars.) 9hen Hagen o' "roneg beheld the door so well de'ended, the 'amous hero and good slung his shield u(on his ba ! and gan a8enge the wrongs that had been done him there. His 'oes had now no sort o' ho(e to li8e. 9hen now the lord o' #erne, the !ing o' the Amelungs, (2) beheld aright that the mighty Hagen bro!e so many a helm, u(on a ben h he s(rang and s(a!e6 )Hagen (oureth out the 8ery worst o' drin!s.) "he host, too, was sore adread, as behoo8ed him now, 'or his li'e was hardly sa'e 'rom these his 'oes. O how many dear 'riends were snat hed away be'ore his eyesM He sate 'ull an&iousF what booted it him that he was !ingL Haughty 2riemhild now ried aloud to Dietri h6 ).ray hel( me hen e ali8e, most noble !night, by the

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8irtues o' all the (rin es o' the Amelung land. 1' Hagen rea h me, 1 shall gras( death by the hand.) )How shall 1 hel( you, noble HueenL) s(a!e $ir Dietri h. )1 'ear 'or mysel' in sooth. "hese men o' Gunther be so (assing wroth that at this hour 1 annot guard a soul.) )*ay, not so, $ir Dietri h, noble !night and good. 0et thy hi8alrous mood a((ear to+day and hel( me hen e, or 1 shall die.) .assing great ause had 2riemhild 'or this 'ear. )1All try to see i' 1 may hel( you, 'or it is long sin e that 1 ha8e soon so many good !nights so bitterly enraged. O' a truth 1 see blood s(urting through the helmets 'rom the swords.) 0oudly the hosen !night gan all, so that his 8oi e rang 'orth as 'rom a bisonAs horn, until the broad astle resounded with his 'or e. $ir Dietri hAs strength was (assing great in truth. 9hen Gunther heard this man ry out in the heated stri'e, he began to heed. He s(a!e6 )Dietri hAs 8oi e hath rea hed mine ears, 1 ween our ham(ions ha8e bere't him o' some 'riend to+day. 1 see him on the table, he doth be !on with his hand. -e 'riends and !insmen 'rom #urgundian land, gi8e o8er the stri'e. 0etAs hear and see what here hath 'ortuned to the !night 'rom my men+at+arms.) 9hen Gunther thus begged and bade in the stress o' the 'ray, they sheathed their swords. .assing great was his (ower, so that none stru ! a blow. $oon enow he as!ed the tidings o' the !night o' #erne. He s(a!e6 )Most noble Dietri h, what hath ha((ed to you through these my 'riendsL 1 am minded to do you remedy and to ma!e amends. 1' any had done you aught, Atwould grie8e me sore,) "hen s(a!e $ir Dietri h6 )*aught hath ha((ed to me, but 1 (ray you, let me lea8e this hall and this 'ier e stri'e under your sa'e+guard, with my men. ;or this 'a8or 1 will ser8e you e8er.) )How entreat ye now so soon,) Huoth 9ol'hart (C) then. );orsooth the 'iddler hath not barred the door so strong, but what we may o(en it enow to let us (ass.)

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)Hold your tongue,) s(a!e $ir Dietri hF )the de8il a whit ha8e ye e8er done.) "hen6 s(a!e 2ing Gunther6 )1 will grant your boon. 0ead 'rom the hall as 'ew or as many as ye will, sa8e my 'oes aloneF they must remain within. =ight ill ha8e they treated me in the Hunnish land.) 9hen Dietri h heard these words, he (la ed his arm around the high+born Hueen, whose 'ear was (assing great. On his other side he led 2ing 4t@el with him hen eF with Dietri h there also went si& hundred stately men. "hen s(a!e the noble Margra8e =udeger6 )$hall any other who would gladly ser8e you ome 'rom this hall, let us hear the tale, and lasting (ea e shall well be'it good 'riends.) "o this Giselher o' the #urgundian land re(lied6 ).ea e and 'riendshi( be granted you by us, sith ye are onstant in your 'ealty. -e and all your men, ye may go hen e 'earlessly with these your 'riends.) 9hen $ir =udeger 8oided the hall, there 'ollowed him, all told, 'i8e hundred men or more, !insmen and 8assals o' the lord o' #e helaren, 'rom whom 2ing Gunther later gained great s athe. "hen a Hunnish ham(ion s(ied 4t@el wal!ing lose by Dietri h. He, too, would ta!e this han e, but the 'iddler dealt him su h a blow that his head 'ell soon be'ore 2ing 4t@elAs 'eet. 9hen the lord o' the land was ome outside the house, he turned him about and ga@ed on ;ol!er. )9oe is me o' these guests. "his is a dire'ul need, that all my warriors should lie low in death be'ore them. Alas 'or the 'easting,) Huoth the noble !ing. )0i!e a sa8age boar there 'ighteth one within, hight ;ol!er, who is a gleeman. 1 than! my stars that 1 es a(ed this 'iend. His glees ha8e an e8il sound, the stro!es o' his how draw bloodF 'orsooth his measures 'ell many a hero dead. 1 wot not, with what this minstrel twitteth us, 'or 1 ha8e ne8er had su h bale'ul guest.) "hey had (ermitted whom they would to lea8e the hall. "hen there arose within a mighty u(roarF sorely the guests a8enged what there had ha((ed them. Ho, what helmets bold ;ol!er bro!eM "he noble 2ing Gunther turned him toward the sound. )Hear ye the measures,

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Hagen, whi h ;ol!er yonder 'iddleth with the Huns, when any draweth near the towersL A"is a blood+red stro!e he useth with the bow.) )1t rueth me beyond all measure,) Huoth Hagen, )that in this hall 1 sate me down to rest be'ore the hero did. 1 was his omrade and he was mineF and ome we e8er home again, we shall still be so, in loyal wise. *ow behold, most noble !ing, ;ol!er is thy 'riend, he earneth gladly thy sil8er and thy gold. His 'iddle bow doth ut through the hardest steel, on the helmets he brea!eth the bright and shining gaudsM (G) *e8er ha8e 1 seen 'iddler stand in su h lordly wise as the good !night ;ol!er hath stood to+day. His glees resound through shield and helmet. ,ertes he shall ride good steeds and wear lordly raiment.) O' all the !insmen o' the Huns within the hall, not one o' these remained ali8e. "hus the lash o' arms died out, sin e none stro8e with them longer. "he lusty !nights and bold now laid aside their swords.

ENDNOTES# (1) );riendshi() translates the M.H.G. )minne trin!en) Ato drin! to the memory o' a (ersonA, an old ustom originating with the idea o' (ouring out a libation to the gods. 0ater it assumed the 'orm o' drin!ing to the honor o' God, o' a saint, or o' an absent 'riend. $ee Grimm, )Mythologie), (. GE. (2) )Amelungs), see Ad8enture <<:111, note C. (C) )9ol'hart), see Ad8enture <<:111, note 2. (G) )Gauds), ornaments.

!D'ENTURE 777I' H+, T1ey Cas. O0. T1e Dead*

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"he lordings sate them down 'or weariness. ;ol!er and Hagen ame 'orth 'rom the hallF u(on their shields the haughty warriors leaned. 9ise words were s(o!en by the twain. "hen 2night Giselher o' #urgundy s(a!e6 );orsooth, dear 'riends, ye may not ease you yetF ye must bear the dead 'rom out the hall. 1All tell you, o' a truth, we shall be atta !ed again. "hey must no longer lie here beneath our 'eet. 4re the Huns 8anHuish us by storm, weAll yet how wounds, whi h shall ease my heart. ;or this,) Huoth Giselher, )1 ha8e a stead'ast mind.) )9ell is me o' su h a lord,) s(a!e then Hagen. )"his rede whi h my young master hath gi8en us to+day would be'it no one but a !night. At this, #urgundians, ye may all stand glad.) "hen they 'ollowed the rede, and to the door they bare se8en thousand dead, the whi h they ast outside. Down they 'ell be'ore the stairway to the hall, and 'rom their !insmen rose a 'ull (iteous wall. $ome there were with su h slight wounds that, had they been more gently treated, they would ha8e wa&ed well againF but 'rom the lo'ty 'all, they must needs lie dead. "heir 'riends bewailed this, and 'orsooth they had good ause. "hen s(a!e ;ol!er, the 'iddler, a lusty !night6 )*ow 1 mar! the truth o' this, as hath been told me. "he Huns be ra8ens, li!e women they wailF they should rather nurse these sorely wounded men.) A margra8e weened, he s(a!e through !indness. $eeing one o' his !insmen lying in the blood, he las(ed him in his arms and would ha8e borne him hen e, when the bold minstrel shot him abo8e the dead to death. "he 'light began as the others saw this deed, and all 'ell to ursing this sel'same minstrel. He snat hed Ia8elin, shar( and hard, the whi h had been hurled at him by a Hun, and ast it with might a ross the ourt, 'ar o8er the 'ol!. "hus he 'or ed 4t@elAs warriors to ta!e lodgement 'urther 'rom the hall. On e8ery side the (eo(le 'eared his mighty (rowess. Many thousand men now stood be'ore the hall. ;ol!er and Hagen gan s(ea! to 4t@el all their mind, where'rom these heroes bold and good ame therea'ter into danger. ?uoth Hagen6 )A"would well beseem the (eo(leAs ho(e, i' the lords would 'ight in the 'oremost ran!s, as doth ea h o' my lordings here. "hey hew through the helmets, so that the blood doth 'ollow the sword.)

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4t@el was bra8eF he sei@ed his shield. )*ow 'are warily,) s(a!e 0ady 2riemhild, )and o''er the warriors gold u(on your shield. 1' Hagen doth but rea h you there, yeAll be hand in hand with death.) "he !ing was so bold he would not turn him ba !, the whi h doth now seldom ha( 'rom so mighty a lord. #y his shield+thong they had to draw him hen e. On e again grim Hagen began to mo ! him. )1t is a distant !inshi(,) Huoth Hagen, the !night, )that bindeth 4t@el and $ieg'ried. He lo8ed 2riemhild, or e8er she laid eyes on thee. Most e8il !ing, why dost thou (lot against meL) 2riemhild, the wi'e o' the noble !ing, heard this s(ee hF angry she grew that he durst thus re8ile her be'ore 2ing 4t@elAs liegemen. "here'ore she again began to (lot against the strangers. $he s(a!e6 );or him that slayeth me Hagen o' "roneg and bringeth me his head, 1 will 'ill 2ing 4t@elAs shield with ruddy gold, thereto will 1 gi8e him as guerdon many goodly lands and astles.) )*ow 1 !now not 'or what they wait,) s(a!e the minstrel. )*e8er ha8e 1 seen heroes stand so mu h li!e owards, when one heard (ro''ered su h goodly wage. ;orsooth 2ing 4t@el should ne8er be their 'riend again. Many o' those who so basely eat the lordingAs bread, and now desert him in the greatest need, do 1 see stand here as ra8ens, and yet would (ass 'or bra8e. May shame e8er be their lotM)

!D'ENTURE 777' H+, Irin) /as Slain*

"hen ried Margra8e 1ring o' Denmar!6 )1 ha8e stri8en 'or honor now long time, and in the storm o' battle ha8e been among the best. *ow bring me my harness, 'or in sooth 1 will en ounter me with Hagen.) )1 would not ounsel that,) s(a!e Hagen, )but bid the Hunnish !nights stand 'urther ba !. 1' twain o' you or three lea( into the hall, 1All send them ba ! sore wounded down the ste(s.) )*ot 'or that will 1 gi8e it o8er,) Huoth 1ring again. )1A8e tried be'ore su h daring thingsF in truth with my good sword 1 will en ounter

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thee alone. 9hat a8aileth all thy boasting, whi h thou hast done in wordsL) "hen were soon arrayed the good 2night 1ring and 1rn'ried o' "huringia, a daring youth, and the stalwart Hawart and 'ull a thousand men. 9hate8er 1ring 8entured, they would all 'ain gi8e him aid. "hen the 'iddler s(ied a mighty troo(, that strode along well armed with 1ring. /(on their heads they bare good helmets. At this bold ;ol!er wa&ed a deal 'ull wroth o' mood. )$ee ye, 'riend Hagen, 1ring striding yonder, who 8owed to mat h you with his sword aloneL How doth lying beseem a heroL Mu h that misli!eth me. "here wal! with him 'ull a thousand !nights or more, well armed.) )$ay not that 1 lie,) s(a!e HawartAs liegeman. )Gladly will 1 (er'orm what 1 ha8e 8owed, nor will 1 desist there'rom through any 'ear. Howe8er 'right'ul Hagen be, 1 will meet him single+ handed.) On his !nees 1ring begged both !insmen and 8assals to let him mat h the !night alone. "his they did unwillingly, 'or well they !new the haughty Hagen 'rom the #urgundian land. #ut 1ring begged so long that at last it ha((ed. 9hen the 'ellowshi( beheld his wish and that he stro8e 'or honor, they let him go. "hen a 'ier e on'li t rose between the twain. 1ring o' Denmar!, the (eerless high+born !night, bare high his s(ear and o8ered him with his shield. $wi'tly he rushed on Hagen be'ore the hall, while a great shout arose 'rom all the !nights around. 9ith might and main they ast the s(ears with their hands through the sturdy shields u(on their shining armor, so that the sha'ts whirled high in air. "hen the two bra8e men and 'ier e rea hed 'or their swords. #old HagenAs strength was mi !le and great, but 1ring smote him, that the whole hall rang. .ala e and towers resounded 'rom their blows, but the !night ould not a hie8e his wish. 1ring now le't Hagen stand unharmed, and hied him to the 'iddler. He weened to 'ell him by his mighty blows, but the stately !night wist how to guard bin, well. "hen the 'iddler stru ! a blow, that the (lates o' mail whirled high abo8e the bu !lerAs rim. An e8il man he was, 'or to en ounter, so 1ring let him stand and rushed at Gunther o' the #urgundian land. Here, too, either was strong enow in stri'e. "he blows that Gunther and 1ring dealt ea h other drew no blood 'rom wounds. "his the harness hindered, the whi h was both strong and good.

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He now let Gunther be, and ran at Gernot, and gan hew s(ar!s o' 'ire 'rom his armor rings. "hen had stalwart Gernot o' #urgundy nigh done bra8e 1ring unto death, but that he s(rang away 'rom the (rin e (nimble enow he was), and slew e'tsoon 'our noble hen hmen o' the #urgundians 'rom 9orms a ross the =hine. At this Giselher might ne8er ha8e wa&ed more wroth. )God wot, $ir 1ring,) s(a!e Giselher, the youth, )ye must (ay me weregild (1) 'or those who ha8e 'allen dead this hour be'ore you.) "hen at him he rushed and smote the Dane, so that he ould not stir a ste(, but san! be'ore his hands down in the blood, so that all did ween the good !night would ne8er deal a blow again in stri'e. #ut 1ring lay unwounded here be'ore $ir Giselher. ;rom the rashing o' the helmet and the ringing o' the sword, his wits had grown so wea! that the bra8e !night no longer thought o' li'e. $talwart Giselher had done this with his might. 9hen now the ringing gan lea8e his head, the whi h he had su''ered 'rom the mighty stro!e, he thought6 )1 am still ali8e and nowhere wounded. *ow 'irst wot 1 o' GiselherAs mighty strength.) On either side he heard his 'oes. 9ist they the tale, still more had ha((ed him. Giselher, too, he mar!ed hard byF he bethought him, how he might es a(e his 'oes. How madly he s(rang u( 'rom the bloodM 9ell might he than! his nimbleness 'or this. Out o' the house he ran to where he again 'ound Hagen, whom he dealt a 'urious blow with his (ower'ul hand. Hagen thought him6 )"hou art doomed. /nless be that the 'oul 'iend (rote t thee, thou anst not es a(e ali8e.) -et 1ring wounded Hagen through his rest. "his the hero wrought with 9as!a, (2) a (assing goodly sword. 9hen $ir Hagen 'elt the wound, wildly he brandished his wea(on in his hand. $oon HawartAs liegeman was 'or ed to yield his ground, and Hagen gan (ursue him down the stairs. #ra8e 1ring swung his shield abo8e his head, but had the stair ase been the length o' three, Hagen would not ha8e let him stri!e a blow the while. Ho, what red s(ar!s did (lay abo8e his helmetM 1ring returned s atheless to his liegemen. "hen the tidings were brought to 2riemhild, o' that whi h he had wrought in stri'e with Hagen o' "roneg. ;or this the Hueen gan than! him highly. )*ow God reHuite thee, 1ring, thou (eerless hero and good. "hou hast om'orted well my heart and mind. 1 see that HagenAs weeds be wot

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with blood.) ;or 8ery Ioy 2riemhild hersel' relie8ed him o' his shield. )#e not too la8ish o' your than!s,) s(a!e Hagen. )A"would well be'it a !night to try again. A 8aliant man were he, i' he then ame ba ! ali8e. 0ittle shall the wound (ro'it you, whi h 1 ha8e at his bandsF 'or that ye ha8e seen the rings wot with blood 'rom my wound doth urge me to the death o' many a man. *ow 'irst am 1 enraged at HawartAs liegeman. $mall s athe hath 2night 1ring done me yet.) Meanwhile 1ring o' Denmar! stood in the bree@eF he ooled his harness and do''ed his asHue. All the 'ol! then (raised his (rowess, at whi h the margra8e was in (assing lo'ty mood. Again $ir 1ring s(a!e6 )My 'riends, this !nowF arm me now Hui !ly, 'or 1 would 'ain try again, i' (er han e 1 may not onHuer this o8erweening man.) His shield was hewn to (ie es, a better one he gainedF 'ull soon the ham(ion was armed again. "hrough hate he sei@ed a (assing hea8y s(ear with whi h he would en ounter Hagen yonder. Meantime the death+grim man awaited him in hostile wise. #ut 2night Hagen would not abide his oming. Hurling the Ia8elin and brandishing his sword, he ran to meet him to the 8ery bottom o' the stairs. ;orsooth his rage was great. 0ittle booted 1ring then his strengthF through the shields they smote, so that the 'lames rose high in 'iery blasts. Hagen sorely wounded HawartAs liegeman with his sword through shield and breast(late. *e8er wa&ed he well again. 9hen now 2night 1ring 'elt the wound, higher abo8e his helmet bands he raised his shield. Great enow he thought the s athe he here re ei8ed, but therea'ter 2ing GuntherAs liegeman did him more o' harm. Hagen 'ound a s(ear lying now be'ore his 'eet. 9ith this he shot 1ring, the Danish hero, so that the sha't stood 'orth 'rom his head. ,ham(ion Hagen had gi8en him a bitter end. 1ring must needs retreat to those o' Denmar!. Or e8er they unbound his helmet and drew the s(ear+sha't 'rom his head, death had already drawn nigh him. At this his !insmen we(t, as 'orsooth they had great need. "hen the Hueen ame and bent abo8e him. $he gan bewail the stalwart 1ring and bewe(t his wounds, indeed her grie' was (assing shar(. At this the bold and lusty warrior s(a!e be'ore his !insmen6 )0et be this wail, most royal Hueen. 9hat a8aileth your wee(ing nowL ,ertes, 1 must lose my li'e 'rom these wounds 1 ha8e re ei8ed. Death will no longer let me ser8e you and 4t@el.) "o the men o'

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"huringia and to those o' Denmar! he s(a!e6 )*one o' you must ta!e 'rom the Hueen her shining ruddy gold as meed, 'or i' ye en ounter Hagen, ye must ga@e on death.) .ale grew his hueF bra8e 1ring bare the mar! o' death. Dole enow it ga8e them, 'or no longer might HawartAs liegeman li8e. "hen the men o' Denmar! must needs renew the 'ray. 1rn'ried and Hawart with well a thousand ham(ions lea(ed toward the hall. On e8ery side one heard a monstrous u(roar, mighty and strong. Ho, what sturdy Ia8elins were ast at the #urgundian menM #old 1rn'ried rushed at the minstrel, but gained great damage at his hands. "hrough his sturdy helmet the noble 'iddler smote the landgra8e. ,ertes, he was grim enowM "hen $ir 1rn'ried dealt the 8aliant gleeman su h a blow that his oat o' mail burst o(en and his breast(late was en8elo(ed with a bright red 'lame. -et the landgra8e 'ell dead at the minstrelAs hands. Hawart and Hagen, too, had ome together. 9onders would he ha8e seen, who beheld the 'ight. "he swords 'ell thi ! and 'ast in the heroesA hands. "hrough the !night 'rom the #urgundian land Hawart needs must die. 9hen the "huringians and the Danes es(ied their lordings dead, there rose be'ore the hall a 'ear'ul stri'e, be'ore they gained the door with mighty hand. Many a helm and shield was ha !ed and ut thereby. )Gi8e way,) s(a!e ;ol!er, )and let them in, 'or else what they ha8e in mind will not be ended. "hey must die in here in 'ull short time. 9ith death theyAll gain what the Hueen would gi8e them.) 9hen these o8erweening men were ome into the hall, the head o' many a one san! down so low that he needs must die 'rom their 'urious stro!es. 9ell 'ought the 8aliant Gernot, and the same did Giselher, the !night . A thousand and 'our were ome into the hall and many a whi@@ing stro!e o' the swords was seen 'lash 'orth, but soon all the warriors lay slain therein. Mi !le wonders might one tell o' the #urgundian men. "he hall grew still, as the u(roar died away. On e8ery side the dead menAs blood (oured through the o(enings down to the drain+(i(es. "his the men 'rom the =hine had wrought with their (assing strength. "hose 'rom the #urgundian land now sate them down to rest and laid aside their swords and shields. #ut still the 8aliant minstrel stood guard be'ore the hall. He waited, i' any would (er han e draw near again in stri'e. $orely the !ing made wail, as did the Hueen. Maids

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and ladies were distraught with grie'. Death, 1 ween, had ons(ired against them, where'ore many o' the warriors (erished through the guests. ENDNOTES# (1) )9eregild) (O.4. )wer), Aa manA, )gild), A(ayment o' moneyA), legal term 'or om(ensation (aid 'or a man !illed. (2) )9as!a). 1n )#iterol') it is the name o' the sword o' 9alther o' 9asgenstein and is onne ted with the old German name, )9asgenwald), 'or the :osges.

!D'ENTURE 777'I H+, T1e 90een Gave Orders T+ B0rn .1e Hall*
)*ow unbind your helmets,) s(a!e the good 2night Hagen. )1 and my omrade will guard you well, and should 4t@elAs men be minded to try again, 1All warn my lords as soon as 1 e8er an.) "hen many a good !night bared his head. "hey sate them down u(on the wounded, who had 'allen in the blood, done to death at their hands. 48il loo!s were ast u(on the noble strangers. #e'ore the e8entide the !ing and the Hueen brought it to (ass that the Hunnish ham(ions tried again. Men saw 'ull twenty thousand warriors stand be'ore them, who must (er'or e mar h to the 'ray. $traightway there rose a mighty storming towards the strangers. Dan!wart, HagenAs brother, the doughty !night, s(rang 'rom his lordingsA side to meet the 'oes without the door. All weened that he were dead, yet 'orth he stood again uns athed. "he 'urious stri'e did last till night'all brought it to a lose. As be'itted good !nights, the strangers warded o'' 2ing 4t@elAs liegemen the li8elong summer day. Ho, how many a bold !night 'ell doomed be'ore themM "his great slaughter ha((ed u(on midsummerAs day, when 0ady 2riemhild a8enged her sorrow

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o' heart u(on her nearest !in and u(on many another man, so that 2ing 4t@el ne8er again gained Ioy. "he day had (assed away, but still they had good ause 'or 'ear. "hey thought, a short and s(eedy death were better 'or them, than to be longer ra !ed with monstrous (ain. A tru e these (roud and lusty !nights now ra8edF they begged that men would bring the !ing to see them. ;orth 'rom the hall ste((ed the heroes, bloody o' hue, and the three noble !ings, stained 'rom their armor. "hey wist not to whom they should ma!e (laint o' their mighty wounds. "hither both 4t@el and 2riemhild wentF the land was theirs and so their band wa&ed large. He s(a!e to the strangers6 ).ray tell me, what ye will o' meL -e ween to gain here (ea e, but that may hardly be. ;or damage as great as ye ha8e done me, in my son and in my many !insmen, whom ye ha8e slain, (ea e and (ardon shall be denied you HuiteF it shall not boot you aught, anA 1 remain ali8e.) "o this 2ing Gunther answered6 )Dire need onstrained usF all my men+at+arms lay dead be'ore thy heroes in the hostel. How did 1 deser8e su h (ayL 1 ame to thee in trust, 1 weened thou wast my 'riend.) -oung Giselher o' #urgundy li!ewise s(a!e6 )-e men o' 4t@el, who still do li8e, what do ye blame me withL 9hat ha8e 1 done to you, 'or 1 rode in 'riendly wise into this land o' yours.) ?uoth they6 );rom thy 'riendliness this astle is 'illed with grie' and the land as well. 9e should not ha8e ta!en it ill, in sooth, i' thou hadst ne8er ome 'rom 9orms beyond the =hine. "hou and thy brothers ha8e 'illed this land with or(hans.) "hen s(a!e 2night Giselher in angry mood6 )And ye will lay aside this bitter hate and ma!e your (ea e with us stranger !nights, Atwere best 'or either side. 9e ha8e not merited at all what 4t@el here doth do us.) "hen s(a!e the host to his guests6 )/nli!e are my wrongs and yours. "he mi !le grie8an e 'rom the loss and then the shame, whi h 1 ha8e ta!en here, are su h that none o' you shall eAer go hen e ali8e.)

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At this mighty Gernot s(a!e to the !ing6 )May God then bid you a t in mer i'ul wise. $lay, i' ye will, us homeless !nights, but let us 'irst des end to you into the o(en ourt. "hat will ma!e to you 'or honor. 0et be done Hui !ly whate8er shall ha( to us. -e ha8e still many men uns athed, who dare well en ounter us and berea8e us storm+ weary men o' li'e. How long must we warriors undergo these toilsL) 2ing 4t@elAs ham(ions had nigh granted this boon and let them lea8e the hall, but 2riemhild heard it and sorely it misli!ed her. "here'ore the wanderers were s(eedily denied the tru e. )*ot so, ye Hunnish men. 1 ounsel you in true 'ealty, that ye do not what ye ha8e in mind, and let these murderers lea8e the hall, else must your !insmen su''er a deadly 'all. Did none o' them still li8e, sa8e /taAs sons, my noble brothers, and they ame 'orth into the bree@e and ooled their armor rings, ye would all be lost. #older heroes were ne8er born into the world.)

"hen s(a!e young Giselher6 );air sister mine, 'ull e8il was my trust, when thou didst in8ite me 'rom a ross the =hine hither to this land, to this dire need. How ha8e 1 merited death here 'rom the HunsL 1 was aye true to theeF ne8er did 1 do thee wrong, and in the ho(e that thou wast still my 'riend, dear sister mine, rode 1 hither to thy ourt. 1t annot be but that thou grant us mer y.) )1 will not grant you mer y, mer iless is my mood. Hagen o' "roneg hath done me su h great wrongs that it may ne8er be amended, the while 1 li8e. -e must all su''er 'or this deed,) so s(a!e 2ing 4t@elAs wi'e. )And ye will gi8e me Hagen alone as hostage, 1 will not deny that 1 will let you li8e, 'or ye be my brothers and hildren o' one mother, and will ounsel (ea e with these heroes that be here.) )*ow God in hea8en 'orbid,) s(a!e GernotF )were there here a thousand o' us, the lansmen o' thy !in, weAd rather all lie dead, than gi8e thee a single man as hostage. *e8er shall this be done.) )9e all must die,) s(a!e then Giselher, )but none shall hinder that we guard us in !nightly wise. 9e be still here, i' any list to 'ight usF 'or ne8er ha8e 1 'ailed a 'riend in 'ealty.)

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"hen s(a!e bold Dan!wart (it had not beseemed him to ha8e held his (ea e)6 );orsooth my brother Hagen standeth not alone. 1t may yet rue those who here re'use the tru e. 1All tell you o' a truth, weAll ma!e you ware o' this.) "hen s(a!e the Hueen6 )-e 'ull lusty heroes, now go nigher to the stairs and a8enge my wrongs. ;or this 1 will e8er ser8e you, as 1 should by right. 1All (ay Hagen well 'or his o8erweening (ride. 0et none at all es a(e 'rom the house, and 1 will bid the hall be set on 'ire at all 'our ends. "hus all my wrongs shall be well a8enged.) $oon were 2ing 4t@elAs ham(ions ready still stood without into the hall with blows and shots. Mi !le wa&ed the din, yet the lordings and their liegemen would not (art. ;or 8ery 'ealty they ould not lea8e ea h other. 4t@elAs Hueen then bade the hall be set on 'ire, and thus they ra !ed the bodies o' the !nights with 'ire and 'lame. ;anned by the bree@e, the whole house burst into 'lames 'ull soon. 1 ween, no 'ol! did e8er gain su h great distress. 4now within ried out6 )Ala ! this (lightM 9e would mu h rather die in stress o' battle. 1t might mo8e God to (ity, how we all are lostM "he Hueen now wrea!eth monstrously on us her wrath.) ?uoth one o' them within6 )9e must all lie dead. 9hat a8ail us now the greetings whi h the !ing did send usL "hirst 'rom this great heat gi8eth me su h dole, that soon, 1 ween, my li'e must ebb away in anguish.) "hen s(a!e Hagen o' "roneg6 )-e noble !nights and good, let him whom (angs o' thirst onstrain, drin! here this blood. 1n su h great heat, Atis better still than wine. 9e an (ur8ey us at this time none better.) One o' the warriors hied him then to where he 'ound a or(se, and !nelt him down beside the woundF then he unbound his helmet and began to drin! the 'lowing blood. Howe8er little wont to su h a drin!, him thought it (assing good6 )$ir Hagen, now God reHuite you,) s(a!e the weary man, )that 1 ha8e drun! so well at your ad8i eF seldom hath better wine been (ro''ered me. And 1 li8e yet a while, 1 shall e8er be your 'riend.)

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9hen now the others heard this, it thought them good, and soon there were many more that dran! the blood. ;rom this the body o' ea h gained mu h o' strengthF but many a stately dame (aid dear 'or this through the loss o' lo8ing !in. 1nto the hall the 'ire 'ell thi ! and 'ast u(on them, but with their shields they turned it 'rom them to the ground. #oth the heat and the smo!e did hurt them soreF in sooth, 1 ween, that ne8ermore will su h anguish ha( to heroes. Again Hagen o' "roneg s(a!e6 )$tand by the sides o' the hall. 0et not the 'irebrands 'all u(on your helmet bands, but stam( them with your 'eet down dee(er in the blood. ;orsooth it is an e8il 'east whi h the Hueen doth gi8e us here.) 1n su h dire woes the night did wear away at last, and still the bra8e minstrel and his omrade Hagen stood be'ore the hall, a+leaning on their shields. More s athe they awaited 'rom those o' 4t@elAs band. "hen s(a!e the 'iddler6 )*ow go we into the hall. "hen the Huns will ween, that we all be dead 'rom the torture that hath been done us here. "heyAll yet see us go to meet them in the stri'e.) *ow s(a!e Giselher o' #urgundy, the youth6 )1 trow the day dawneth, a ooling wind doth blow. May God in hea8en let us li8e to see a lie'er time, 'or my sister 2riemhild hath gi8en us here an e8il 'east.) Again one s(a!e6 )1 see the day . $ith we annot ho(e 'or better things, so arm you, heroes, thin! on your li'e. ,ertes, 2ing 4t@elAs wi'e will ome to meet us soon again.) "he host weened well, that his guests were dead 'rom their toil and the (angs o' 'ireF but yet within the hall si& hundred bra8e men, as good as any !night that !ing e8er gained, were still ali8e. "hose set to guard the strangers had well seen that the guests still li8ed, des(ite the damage and the dole that had been done both to the lordings and their men. 1n the hall one saw them stand 'ull sa'e and sound. "hey then told 2riemhild that many were still ali8e, but the Hueen re(lied6 )1t ould ne8er be, that any should ha8e li8ed through su h stress o' 'ire. =ather will 1 belie8e that all lie dead.) "he lordings and their men would still 'ain ha8e li8ed, had any listed to do them mer y, but they ould 'ind none among those o' the

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Hunnish land. $o with 'ull willing hand they a8enged their dying. On this same day, towards morning, men (ro''ered them a 'ier e atta ! as greeting, whi h brought the ham(ions in stress again. Many a stout s(ear was hurled u(on them, but the bold and lordly warriors warded them in !nightly wise. High rose the mood o' 4t@elAs men at the thought that they should earn ?ueen 2riemhildAs gold. "hereto they were minded to (er'orm whatso the 2ing did bid them. Many o' them be ause o' this must soon needs ga@e on death. O' (ledges and o' gi'ts one might tell wonders. $he bade the ruddy gold be arried 'orth on shields and ga8e it to whomsoe8er ra8ed it and would ta!e it. ,ertes, greater wage was ne8ermore gi8en against 'oes. "o the hall a mi !le 'or e o' well+armed warriors mar hed. "hen ried bold ;ol!er6 )9eAre here again, ye see. *e8er saw 1 heroes more gladly ome to 'ight than these that ha8e ta!en the !ingAs gold to do us s athe.) "hen enow did all6 )*earer, heroes, nearer, that we may do betimes what we must bring to an end. Here dieth none that is not doomed to die.) $oon their shields were seen sti !ing 'ull o' darts that had been thrown. 9hat more an 1 sayL ;ull twel8e hundred men tried hard to mat h them, surging ba ! and 'orth. "he strangers ooled well their mood with wounds. *one might (art the stri'e, and so blood was seen to 'low 'rom mortal wounds, many o' whi h were dealt. 4a h one was heard to wail 'or 'riends. All the great !ingAs doughty warriors died, and lo8ing !insmen mourned them (assing sore.

!D'ENTURE 777'II H+, Mar)rave R0de)er /as Slain*

"he strangers had done 'ull well at dawn. Meanwhile GotelindAs husband ame to ourt. #itterly 'aith'ul =udeger we(t when he saw the grie8ous wounds on either side. )9oe is me,) Huoth the ham(ion, )that 1 was e8er born, sith none may stay this mi !le grie'M Howe8er 'ain 1 would ma!e 'or (ea e, the !ing will not onsent, 'or he seeth e8er more and more the su''erings o' his men.)

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"hen the good 2night =udeger sent to Dietri h, i' (er han e they might turn the 'ate o' the high+born !ings. "he !ing o' #erne sent answer6 )9ho might now 'or'endL 2ing 4t@el will let none (art the stri'e.) "hen a Hunnish warrior, that saw =udeger stand with wee(ing eyes, and many tears had he shed, s(a!e to the Hueen6 )*ow behold how he doth stand, that hath the greatest (ower at 4t@elAs ourt and whom both lands and (eo(le ser8e. 9hy ha8e so many astles been gi8en to =udeger, o' whi h he doth hold su h store 'rom the !ing in 'ie'L *ot one sturdy stro!e hath he dealt in all this stri'e. Methin!s, he re !eth not how it 'are here at ourt, sith he hath his will in 'ull. Men say o' him, he be bolder than any other wight. 0ittle hath that been seen in these (arlous (1) days.) $ad in heart the 'aith'ul 8assal ga@ed at him whom he heard thus s(ea!. Him+thought6 )"hou shalt (ay 'or this. "hou sayest, 1 be a ra8en, and hast told thy tale too loud at ourt.) His 'ist he len hed, then ran he at him and smote the Hunnish man so mightily that he lay dead at his 'eet 'ull soon. "hrough this 2ing 4t@elAs woe grew greater. )Away, thou arrant oward,) ried =udeger, )'orsooth 1 ha8e enow o' grie' and (ain, How dost thou taunt me, that 1 'ight not hereL ,ertes, 1 ha8e good ause to hate the strangers, and would ha8e done all in my (ower against them, had 1 not led the warriors hither. O' a truth 1 was their sa'eguard to my masterAs land. "here'ore the hand o' me, wret hed man, may not stri8e against them.) "hen s(a!e 4t@el, the noble !ing, to the margra8e6 )How ha8e ye hel(ed us, most noble =udegerM 9e ha8e so many 'ey (2) in the land, that we ha8e no need o' more. ;ull e8il ha8e ye done.) At this the noble !night made answer6 );orsooth he grie8ed my mood and twitted me with the honors and the goods, su h store o' whi h 1 ha8e re ei8ed 'rom thy hand. "his hath ost the liar dear.) "he Hueen, too, was ome and had seen what 'ortuned to the Huns through the heroAs wrath. .assing sore she bewailed itF her eyes grew moist as she s(a!e to =udeger6 )How ha8e we deser8ed that ye

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should in rease the sorrows o' the !ing and meL Hitherto ye ha8e told us, that 'or our sa!e ye would ris! both li'e and honor. 1 heard 'ull many warriors a ord to you the (alm. 0et me mind you o' your 'ealty and that ye swore, when that ye ounseled me to 4t@el, good !night and true, that ye would ser8e me till one o' us should die. *e8er ha8e 1, (oor woman, had su h great need o' this.) )"hereAs no denying that 1 swore to you, my lady, 'or your sa!e 1Ad ris! both li'e and honor, but 1 did not swear that 1 would lose my soul. A"was 1 that bade the high+born lordings to this 'east.) ?uoth she6 )#ethin! thee, =udeger, o' thy great 'ealty, o' thy onstan y, and o' thine oaths, that thou wouldst e8er a8enge mine inIuries and all my woes.) $aid the margra8e6 )$eldom ha8e 1 denied you aught.) Mighty 4t@el, too, began im(loreF u(on their !nees they san! be'ore the !night. Men saw the noble margra8e stand 'ull sad. .iti'ully the 'aith'ul warrior s(a!e6 )9oe is me, most wret hed man, that 1 ha8e li8ed to see this day. 1 must gi8e o8er all my honors, my 'ealty, and my ourtesie, that God did bid me use. Alas, great God o' hea8en, that death will not turn this 'rom meM 1 shall a t basely and 'ull e8il, whate8er 1 do or lea8e undone. #ut i' 1 gi8e o8er both, then will all (eo(le blame me. *ow may he ad8ise me, who hath gi8en me li'e.) $till the !ing and the Hueen, too, begged un easingly. "hrough this warriors must needs therea'ter lose their li8es at =udegerAs hands, when the hero also died. -e may well hear it now, that he de(orted him 'ull (iti'ully. He wist that it would bring him s athe and monstrous woe. Gladly would he ha8e re'used the !ing and Hueen. He 'eared 'ull sore that i' he slew but one o' the strangers, the world would bear him hate. "hen the bra8e man addressed him to the !ing6 )$ir 2ing, ta!e ba ! again all that 1 ha8e 'rom you, my land with its astles, let not a whit remain to me. On 'oot will 1 wander into other lands.) At this 2ing 4t@el s(a!e6 )9ho else should hel( me thenL 1All gi8e thee the land and all its astles, as thine own, that thou mayst a8enge me on my 'oes. "hou shalt be a mighty !ing at 4t@elAs side.)

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"hen answered =udeger6 )How shall 1 do this deedL 1 bade them to my house and homeF in 'riendly wise 1 o''ered them both 'ood and drin! and ga8e them gi'ts. How may 1 ounsel their deathL .eo(le will lightly ween, that 1 be ra8en. *o ser8i e o' mine ha8e 1 re'used these noble lordings and their men. *ow 1 rue the !inshi( 1 ha8e gained with them. 1 ga8e my daughter to Giselher, the !nightF to none in all the world ould she ha8e been better gi8en, 'or ourtesie and honor, 'or 'ealty and wealth. *e8er ha8e 1 seen so young a (rin e o' su h right ourteous mind.) "hen 2riemhild s(a!e again6 )Most noble =udeger, ta!e (ity on our grie's, on mine and on the !ingAs. #ethin! thee well, that !ing did ne8er gain su h bane'ul guests.) "o the noble dame the margra8e s(a!e6 )=udegerAs li'e must (ay to+ day 'or whatsoe8er 'a8ors ye and my lord ha8e shown me. "here'ore must 1 dieF no longer may it be de'erred. 1 !now 'ull well, that my astles and my lands will be 8oided 'or you to+day through the hand o' one o' these men. "o your mer y 1 ommend my wi'e and hildren and the strangers (C) who be at #e helaren.) )*ow God reHuite thee, =udeger,) s(a!e the !ing, and both he and the Hueen grew glad. )"hy (eo(le shall be well ommended to our are. ;or mine own weal 1 trust thou too shalt go uns athed.) 4t@elAs bride began to wee(. "hen body and soul he sta!ed u(on the 8enture. He s(a!e6 )1 must (er'orm what 1 ha8e 8owed. Alas 'or my 'riends, whom 1 am loth to 'ight.) Men saw him go sadly 'rom the (resen e o' the !ing. ,lose at hand he 'ound his warriors standing. He s(a!e6 )-e must arm you all, my men, 'or, alas, 1 must needs en ounter the bold #urgundians.) "hey bade the sHuires run nimbly to where lay their arms. 9hether it were helm or bu !ler, Atwas all brought 'orth to them by their meiny. 0ater the (roud strangers heard told bale'ul tales. =udeger was now armed, and with him 'i8e hundred menF thereto he gained twel8e ham(ions, who would 'ain win renown in the stress o' battle. "hey wist not that death drew nigh them. "hen =udeger was seen to mar h with helmet donned. "he margra8eAs men bare !een+edged swords, and their bright shields and broad u(on their arms. "his the 'iddler

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sawF greatly he rued the sight. 9hen young Giselher beheld his ladyAs 'ather wal! with his helm u(on his head, how might he !now what he meant thereby, sa8e that it (ortended goodL "here'ore the noble (rin e wa&ed (assing merry o' mood. )*ow well is me o' su h !insmen,) s(a!e 2night Giselher, )whom we ha8e won u(on this IourneyF 'rom my wi'e we shall rea( mu h (ro'it here. 0ie' it is to me, that this betrothal hath ta!en (la e.) )1 !now not when e ye ta!e your om'ort,) s(a!e then the minstrelF )when ha8e ye seen so many heroes wal! with helmets donned and swords in hand, 'or the sa!e o' (ea eL =udeger doth thin! to win his astles and his lands in 'ight with us.) Or e8er the 'iddler had ended his s(ee h, men saw the noble =udeger be'ore the house. At his 'eet he (la ed his trusty shield, and now both ser8i e and greeting he must needs re'use his 'riends. 1nto the hall the noble margra8e alled6 )-e doughty *ibelungs, now guard you well on e8ery side. -e were to (ro'it by me, now 1 shall bring you s athe. A'oretime we were 'riends, but o' this troth 1 now would 'ain be rid.) "he hard+(ressed men were startled at this tale, 'or none gained aught o' Ioy, that he whom they did lo8e would now 'ain 'ight them. ;rom their 'oes they had already su''ered mi !le stress o' war. )*ow God o' hea8en 'orbid,) s(a!e Gunther, the !night, )that ye should gi8e o8er your lo8e o' us and your great 'ealty, on whi h we ounted o' a truth. #etter things 1 trow o' you, than that ye should e8er do this deed.) )Alas, 1 annot gi8e it o8er, but must 'ight you, 'or 1 ha8e 8owed it. *ow ward you, bra8e heroes, and ye lo8e your li'e. 2ing 4t@elAs wi'e would not release me 'rom mine oath.) )-e de lare this 'eud too late,) s(a!e the highborn !ing. )*ow may God reHuite you, most noble =udeger, 'or all the lo8e and 'ealty that ye ha8e shown us, i' ye would only a t more !indly at the end. 1 and my !insmen, we ought e8er to ser8e you 'or the noble gi'ts ye ga8e us, when ye brought us hither 'aith'ully to 4t@elAs land. *ow, noble =udeger, thin! on this.)

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)How gladly would 1 grant you,) s(a!e 2night =udeger, )that 1 might weigh out my gi'ts 'or you with 'ull measure, as willingly as 1 had ho(ed, i' 1 ne8er should be blamed on that a ount.) )"urn ba !, noble =udeger,) s(a!e then Gernot, )'or host did ne8er gi8e his guests su h lo8ing heer as ye did us. "his shall (ro'it you well, and we remain ali8e.) )9ould to God,) s(a!e =udeger, )most noble Gernot, that ye were on the =hine and 1 were dead with (assing honor, sith 1 must now en ounter youM *e8er did 'riends a t worse to heroes.) )*ow God reHuite you, $ir =udeger,) answered Gernot, )'or your (assing ri h gi'ts. -our death doth rue me, i' su h !nightly 8irtues shall be lost with you. Here 1 bear your sword that ye ga8e me, good !night and true. 1t hath ne8er 'ailed me in all this need. Many a !night 'ell dead beneath its edges. 1t is bright and steady, glorious and goodF ne8ermore, 1 ween, will warrior gi8e so ri h a gi't. And will ye not turn ba !, but ome to meet us, and slay aught o' the 'riends 1 still ha8e here, with your own sword will 1 ta!e your li'e. "hen will ye rue me, =udeger, ye and your high+born wi'e.) )9ould to God, $ir Gernot, that this might ome to (ass, that all your will might here be done, and that your !insmen es a(ed uns athedM "hen both my daughter and my wi'e may trust you well, 'orsooth.) "hen o' the #urgundians there s(a!e 'air /taAs son6 )9hy do ye so, $ir =udegerL "hose that be ome with us, do all li!e you well. -e en ounter us in e8il wiseF ye wish to ma!e your 'air daughter a widow 'ar too soon. 1' ye and your warriors mat h me now with stri'e, how right un!indly do ye let it a((ear, that 1 trust you well abo8e all other men and there'ore won me your daughter to wi'e.) )"hin! on your 'ealty, most noble and high+born !ing. And God let you es a(e,) so s(a!e =udeger, )let the maiden su''er not 'or me. ;or your own 8irtueAs sa!e, 8ou hsa'e her mer y.) )"hat 1 should do by right,) s(a!e the youth'ul Giselher, )but i' my noble !insmen here within must die through you, then my stead'ast 'riendshi( 'or you and 'or your daughter must be (arted.)

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)*ow may God ha8e mer y on us,) answered the 8aliant man. "hen they raised their shields, as though they would hen e to 'ight the guests in 2riemhildAs hall, but Hagen ried 'ull loud adown the ste(s. ).ray tarry awhile, most noble =udeger,) so s(a!e HagenF )1 and my lords would 'ain ha8e 'urther (arley, as doth be'it our need. 9hat an the death o' us wanderers a8ail 2ing 4t@elL 1 stand here in a 'ear'ul (lightF the shield that 0ady Gotelind ga8e me to bear hath been ut to (ie es by the Huns. 1 brought it with 'riendly (ur(ose into 4t@elAs land. O that God in hea8en would grant, that 1 might bear so good a shield as that thou hast in thy hand, most noble =udegerM "hen 1 should no longer need a hauber! in the 'ray.) )Gladly would 1 ser8e thee with my shield, durst 1 o''er it be'ore 2riemhild. -et ta!e it, Hagen, and bear it on thine arm. Ho, i' thou ouldst only wield it in the #urgundian landM) 9hen he so willingly o''ered to gi8e the shield, enow o' eyes grew red with s alding tears. A" was the last gi't that e8er =udeger o' #e helaren ga8e to any !night. Howe8er 'ier e Hagen, and howe8er stern o' mood, the gi't did tou h him, whi h the good hero, so near to death, had gi8en. Many a noble !night gan mourn with him. )*ow God in hea8en reHuite you, most noble =udeger. -our li!e will ne8ermore be 'ound, who gi8eth homeless warriors su h lordly gi'ts. God grant that your ourtesie may e8er li8e.) Again Hagen s(a!e6 )9oe is me o' these tales, we had so many other grie's to bear. 0et om(laint be made to hea8en, i' we must 'ight with 'riends.) ?uoth the margra8e6 )1nly doth this grie8e me.) )*ow God reHuite you, 'or the gi't, most noble =udeger. Howso these high+born warriors de(ort them toward you, my hand shall ne8er tou h you in the 'ight, and ye slew them all 'rom the #urgundian land.) ,ourteously the good $ir =udeger bowed him low. On e8ery side they we(t, that none might soothe this (ain o' heart. "hat was a mighty grie'. 1n =udeger would die the 'ather o' all !nightly 8irtues.

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"hen ;ol!er, the minstrel, s(a!e 'rom out the hall6 )$ith my omrade Hagen hath made his (ea e with you, ye shall ha8e it Iust as stead'astly 'rom my hand, 'or well ye earned it, when we ame into this land. Most noble margra8e, ye shall be mine en8oy, too. "he margra8ine ga8e me these ruddy arm rings, that 1 should wear them here at the 'easting. "hese ye may yoursel' behold, that ye may later be my witness.) )*ow God o' hea8en grant,) s(a!e =udeger, )that the margra8ine may gi8e you moreM 1All gladly tell these tales to my dear lo8e, i' 1 see her in health again. O' this ye shall not doubt.) 9hen he had 8owed him this, =udeger raised high his shield. *o longer he bided, but with raging mood, li!e a berser!er, he rushed u(on the guests. Many a 'urious blow the noble margra8e stru !. "he twain, ;ol!er and Hagen, ste((ed 'urther ba !, as they had 8owed to him a'ore. $till he 'ound standing by the tower su h 8aliant men, that =udeger began the 'ight with an&ious doubts. 9ith murderous intent Gunther and Gernot let him in, good heroes theyM Giselher stood 'urther ba !, whi h ir!ed him sore, in truth. He 8oided =udeger, 'or still he had ho(e o' li'e. "hen the margra8eAs men rushed at their 'oesF in !nightly wise one saw them 'ollow their lord. 1n their hands they bare their !een+edged swords, the whi h le't there many a helm and lordly shield. "he tired warriors dealt the men o' #e helaren many a mighty blow, that ut smooth and dee( through the shining mail, down to the 8ery Hui !. =udegerAs noble 'ellowshi( was now ome Huite within. 1nto the 'ight ;ol!er and Hagen s(rang anon. "hey ga8e no Huarter, sa8e to one man alone. "hrough the hands o' the twain the blood streamed down 'rom the helmets. How grimly rang the many swords withinM "he shield (lates s(rang 'rom their 'astenings, and the (re ious stones, ut 'rom the shields, 'ell down into the gore. $o grimly they 'ought, that men will ne8er do the li!e again. "he lord o' #e helaren raged to and 'ro, as one who wotteth how to use great (rowess in the 'ray. .assing li!e to a worshi('ul ham(ion and a bold did =udeger bear him on that day. Here stood the warriors, Gunther and Gernot, and smote many a hero dead in the 'ray. Giselher and Dan!wart, the twain, re !ed so little, that they brought 'ull many a !night to his last day o' li'e. ;ull well did =udeger ma!e a((ear that he was strong enow, bra8e and well+armed. Ho, what !nights he slewM "his a

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#urgundian es(iedF (er'or e it angered him, and thus $ir =udegerAs death drew near. "he stalwart Gernot a osted the heroF to the margra8e he s(a!e6 )1t a((eareth, ye will not lea8e my men ali8e, most noble =udeger. "hat ir!eth me beyond all measure, no longer an 1 bear the sight. $o may your (resent wor! you harm, sith ye ha8e ta!en 'rom me su h store o' 'riends. .ray address you unto me, most noble man and bra8e, your gi't shall be (aid 'or as best 1 an.) Or e8er the margra8e ould rea h his 'oe, bright armor rings must needs grow dull with blood. "hen at ea h other s(rang these honor+ see!ing men. 4ither gan guard him against mighty wounds. $o shar( were their swords, that naught might a8ail against them. "hen =udeger, the !night, smote Gernot a bu''et through his helmet, the whi h was as hard as 'lint, so that the blood gushed 'orth. #ut this the bold !night and good re(aid e'tsoon. High in his hand he now (oised =udegerAs gi't, and though wounded unto death, he smote him a stro!e through his good and trusty shield down to his helmet band. And so 'air GotelindAs husband was done to death. ,ertes, so ri h a gi't was ne8er worse re(aid. $o 'ell ali!e both Gernot and =udeger, slain in the 'ray, through ea h otherAs hand. "hen 'irst wa&ed Hagen wroth, when he saw the monstrous s athe. ?uoth the hero o' "roneg6 )48il hath it 'ared with us. 1n these two men we ha8e ta!en a loss so great that neither their land nor (eo(le will eAer re o8er 'rom the blow. =udegerAs ham(ions must answer to us homeless men.) )Alas 'or my brother, who hath here been done to death. 9hat e8il tales 1 hear all timeM *oble =udeger, too, must e8er rue me. "he loss and the grie8ous wounds are 'elt on either side.) 9hen 0ord Giselher saw his betrothedAs 'ather dead, those within the hall were 'or ed to su''er need. ;ier ely death sought his 'ellowshi(F not one o' those o' #e helaren es a(ed with li'e. Gunther and Giselher and Hagen, too, Dan!wart and ;ol!er, the right good !nights, went to where they 'ound the two men lying. "hen by these heroes tears o' grie' were shed.

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)Death doth sorely rob us,) s(a!e Giselher, the youth. )*ow gi8e o8er your wee(ing and go we bite the bree@e, that the mailed armor o' us storm+weary men may ool. ,ertes, 1 ween, that God in hea8en 8ou hsa'eth us no more to li8e.) "his ham(ion was seen to sit and that to lean against the wall, but all again were idle. =udegerAs heroes lay still in death. "he din had died awayF the hush endured so long, it 8e&ed 2ing 4t@el. )Ala ! 'or su h ser8i es,) s(a!e the Hueen. )"hey be not so true, that our 'oes must (ay with their li'e at =udegerAs hands. 1 trow, he doth wish to lead them ba ! to the #urgundian land. 9hat booteth it, 2ing 4t@el, that we ha8e gi8en him whatso he wouldL "he !night hath done amiss, he who should a8enge us, doth ma!e his (ea e.) "o this ;ol!er, the 'ull da((er !night, made answer6 )"his is not true, alas, most noble Hueen. Durst 1 gi8e the lie to su h a high+born dame, then had ye most 'oully lied against =udeger. He and his ham(ions be o@ened in this (ea e. $o eagerly he did what the !ing ommanded, that he and all his 'ellowshi( lie here in death. *ow loo! around you, 2riemhild, to see whom ye may now ommand. "he good 2night =udeger hath ser8ed you to his end. And ye will not belie8e the tale, weAll let you see.) "o their great grie' Atwas doneF they bare the slain hero to where the !ing might see him. *e8er had there ha((ed to 4t@elAs men a grie' so great. 9hen they saw the margra8e borne 'orth dead, no s ribe might write or tell the 'ranti grie' o' men and women, whi h there gan show itsel' 'rom dole o' heart. 2ing 4t@elAs sorrow wa&ed so great that the mighty !ing did 8oi e his woe o' heart, as with a lionAs roar. 0i!ewise did his Hueen. #eyond all measure they bewailed the good 2night =udegerAs death. ENDNOTES# (1) ).arlous), older 4nglish 'or A(erilousA. (2) );ey), Adoomed to deathA, here in the sense o' Aalready slainA. $ee Ad8enture :, note 2. (C) )$trangers), i.e., those who are soIourning there 'ar 'rom home.

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!D'ENTURE 777'III H+, !ll Sir Die.ric1"s /arri+rs /ere Slain*

On e8ery side one heard a grie' so great, that the (ala e and the towers rang with the wailing. "hen a liegeman o' Dietri h heard it, too. how Hui !ly he gan haste him with the 'ear'ul talesM "o the lording he s(a!e6 )Hear, my lord, $ir Dietri h, howe8er mu h 1A8e li8ed to see till now, yet heard 1 ne8er su h a monstrous wail, as now hath rea hed mine ears. 1 ween, 2ing 4t@el himsel' hath ome to grie'. How else might all be so distressedL One o' the twain, the !ing or 2riemhild, hath sorely been laid low by the bra8e strangers in their wrath. ;ull many a da((er warrior wee(eth (assing sore.) "hen s(a!e the 2night o' #orne6 )My 'aith'ul men, now haste ye not too 'ast. 9hate8er the homeless warriors may ha8e done, they be now in mi !le need. 0et it (ro'it them, that 1 did o''er them my (ea e.) At this bra8e 9ol'hart s(a!e6 )1 will hie me hen e and as! 'or tidings o' what they ha8e done, and will tell you then, my most dear lord, Iust as 1 'ind it, what the wail may be.) "hen s(a!e $ir Dietri h6 )9here one awaiteth wrath, and rude Huestions then are (ut, this doth lightly sadden the lo'ty mood o' warriors. 1n truth, 1 will not, 9ol'hart, that ye as! these Huestions o' them.) "hen he told Hel'ri h (1) to hasten thither s(eedily, and bade him 'ind 'rom 4t@elAs men or 'rom the guests themsel8es, what there had 'ortuned, 'or men had ne8er seen 'rom 'ol!s so great a grie'. "he messenger gan as!6 )9hat hath here been doneL) At this one among them s(a!e6 )9hate8er o' Ioy we had in the Hunnish land hath (assed away. Here lieth =udeger, slain by the #urgundiansA handsF and o' those who were ome with him, not one hat h As a(ed ali8e.) $ir Hel'ri h ould ne8er ha8e had a greater dole. $orely wee(ing, the en8oy went to Dietri h. *e8er was he so loth to tell a tale. )9hat

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ha8e ye 'ound 'or usL) Huoth Dietri h. )9hy wee( ye so sore, 2night Hel'ri hL) "hen s(a!e the noble ham(ion6 )1 ha8e good ause 'or wail. "he #urgundians ha8e slain the good $ir =udeger.) At this the hero o' #erne made answer6 )*ow God 'orbid. "hat were a 'ear'ul 8engean e, o8er whi h the 'oul 'iend would gloat. 9herewith hath =udeger deser8ed this at their handsL 1 !now 'ull well, 'orsooth, he is the strangersA 'riend.) "o this 9ol'hart answered6 )And ha8e they done this deed, Atwill ost them all their li8es. A"would be our shame, should we let this (ass, 'or o' a truth the hand o' the good !night =udeger hath ser8ed us mu h and o't.) "he lord o' the Amelungs bade learn it better. 1n bitter grie' he sate him at a window and begged Hildebrand to hie him to the strangers, that he might 'ind 'rom them what had been done. "he storm+bra8e warrior, Master Hildebrand, (2) bare neither shield nor wea(on in his hand. 1n ourtly wise he would hie him to the strangersF 'or this he was hided by his sisterAs son. Grim 9ol'hart s(a!e6 )And ye will go thither so bare, ye will ne8er 'are without u(braidingF ye must return with shame. #ut i' ye go there armed, ea h will guard against that well.) "hen the wise man armed him, through the ounsel o' youth. Or e8er he was ware, all Dietri hAs warriors had donned their war+weeds and held in their hands their swords. 0oth it was to the hero, and he would ha8e gladly turned their mind. He as!ed whither they would go. )9e will hen e with you. .er han e Hagen o' "roneg then will dare the less to address him to you with s orn, whi h 'ull well he !noweth how to use.) 9hen he heard this, the !night 8ou hsa'ed them 'or to go. $oon bra8e ;ol!er saw the ham(ions o' #erne, the liegemen o' Dietri h, mar h along, well armed, begirt with swords, while in their hands they bare their shields. He told it to his lords 'rom out the #urgundian land. "he 'iddler s(a!e6 )-onder 1 see the men o'

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Dietri h mar h along in right hostile wise, armed a(+a+(ie. "hey would en ounter usF 1 ween Atwill go 'ull ill with us strangers.) Meanwhile $ir Hildebrand was ome. #e'ore his 'eet he (la ed his shield, and gan as! GuntherAs men6 )Alas, good heroes, what had =udeger done youL My 0ord Dietri h hath sent me hither to you to say, that i' the hand o' any among you hath slain the noble margra8e, as we are told, we ould ne8er stand su h mighty dole.) "hen s(a!e Hagen o' "roneg6 )"he tale is true. How gladly ould 1 wish, that the messenger had told you 'alse, 'or =udegerAs sa!e, and that he still did li8e, 'or whom both man and wi'e may well e8er wee(.) 9hen they heard aright that he was dead, the warriors made wail 'or him, as their 'ealty bade them. O8er the beards and hins o' Dietri hAs ham(ions the tears were seen to run. Great grie' had ha((ened to them. $iegstab, (C) the Du!e o' #erne, then s(a!e6 )*ow hath ome to an end the heer, that =udeger did gi8e us a'ter our days o' dole. "he Ioy o' all way'aring 'ol! lieth slain by you, sir !nights.) "hen s(a!e the 2night 9ol'win (G) o' the Amelungs6 )And 1 saw mine own 'ather dead to+day, 1 should not ma!e greater dole, than 'or his death. Alas, who shall now om'ort the good margra8eAs wi'eL) Angry o' mood 2night 9ol'hart s(a!e6 )9ho shall now lead the warriors to so many a 'ight, as the margra8e so o't hath doneL Alas, most noble =udeger, that we should lose thee thusM) 9ol'brand (J) and Hel'ri h and Helmnot, too, with all their men bewailed his death. ;or sighing Hildebrand might no longer as! a whit. He s(a!e6 )$ir !nights, now do what my lord hath sent you here to do. Gi8e us the orse o' =udeger 'rom out the hall, in whom our Ioy hath turned to grie', and let us re(ay to him the great 'ealty he hath shown to us and to many another man. 9e, too, be e&iles, Iust as =udeger, the !night. 9hy do ye let us wait thusL 0et us bear him away, that we may yet reHuite the !night in death. More Iustly had we done it, when he was still ali8e.)

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"hen s(a!e 2ing Gunther6 )*e8er was there so good a ser8i e as that, whi h a 'riend doth do to a 'riend a'ter his death. 9hen any doeth that, 1 all it 'aith'ul 'riendshi(. -e re(ay him but rightly, 'or mu h lo8e hath he e8er shown you.) )How long shall we still besee hL) s(a!e 2night 9ol'hart. )$ith our best ho(e hath been laid low in death by you, and we may no longer ha8e him with us, let us bear him hen e to where the warrior may be buried.) "o this ;ol!er made answer6 )*one will gi8e him to you. ;et h ye him 'rom the hall where the warrior lieth, 'allen in the blood, with mortal wounds. A"will then be a (er'e t ser8i e, whi h ye render =udeger.) ?uoth bra8e 9ol'hart6 )God wot, sir minstrel, ye ha8e gi8en us great dole and should not rouse our ire. #ut that 1 durst not 'or 'ear o' my lord, ye should all 'are ill. 9e must (er'or e abstain, sith he 'orbade us stri'e.) "hen s(a!e the 'iddler6 )He hath a deal too mu h 'ear who doth abstain 'rom all that one 'orbiddeth him. "hat 1 all not a real heroAs mood.) "his s(ee h o' his war omrade thought Hagen good. )0ong not 'or that,) answered 9ol'hart, )or 1All (lay su h ha8o with your 'iddle strings, that yeAll ha8e ause to tell the tale, when ye ride homeward to the =hine. 1 annot broo! in honor your o8erweening (ride.) ?uoth the 'iddler6 )1' ye (ut out o' tune my strings, then must the gleam o' your helmet grow dim 'rom this hand o' mine, howe8er 1 ride to the #urgundian land.) "hen would he lea( at him, but his un le Hildebrand gras(ed him 'irmly. )1 ween, thou wouldst rage in thy silly anger. "hen hadst thou lost 'ore8er the 'a8or o' my lord.) )0et go the lion, master, he is so 'ier e o' mood,) Huoth the good !night ;ol!er. )Had he slain the whole world with his one hand, 1All

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smite him, and he ome within my rea h, so that he may ne8er sing the answer to my song.) At this the men o' #erne wa&ed (assing wroth o' mood. 9ol'hart, a doughty !night and a good, snat hed u( his shield. 0i!e a wild lion he ran to meet him, swi'tly 'ollowed by all his 'riends. #ut howsoe8er great the strides he too! towards the hall, yet did old Hildebrand o8erta!e him at the ste(s. He would not let him rea h the 'ray be'ore him. At the hands o' the homeless !nights they later 'ound the stri'e they sought. Master Hildebrand then s(rang at Hagen. 1n the hands o' both one heard the swords ring out. "hat both were angry, might be (lainly seenF 'rom the swords o' the twain streamed 'orth a blast o' 'ire+red s(ar!s. "hen they were (arted in the stress o' battle by the men o' #erne, as their strength did bid them. At on e Hildebrand turned him away 'rom Hagen, but stout 9ol'hart addressed him to ;ol!er the bold. $u h a blow he smote the 'iddler u(on his good helmet, that the swordAs edge (ier ed to the 8ery helmet bands. "his the bold gleeman re(aid with mightF he smote 9ol'hart, so that the s(ar!s 'lew wide. 4now o' 'ire they stru ! 'rom the armor rings, 'or ea h bare hatred to the other. "hen 2night 9ol'win o' #erne did (art them ++ anA he be not a hero, ne8er was there one. 9ith willing hand Gunther, the ham(ion, greeted the heroes o' the Amelung land. 0ord Giselher made many a gleaming helmet red and wot with blood. Dan!wart, HagenAs brother, a 'ier e man was heF whate8er he had done be'ore to 4t@elAs warriors in stri'e was as a wind to the 'ury with whi h bold AldrianAs son now 'ought. =its hart (B) and Gerbart, Hel'ri h and 9i hart had s(ared themsel8es 'ull seldom in many battle stormsF this they now made GuntherAs liegemen note 'ull well. 9ol'brand, too, was seen in the stri'e bearing him in lordly wise. Old Hildebrand 'ought as though he raged. At 9ol'hartAs hands many good !nights, stru ! by the sword, must needs 'all dead down into the blood. "hus the bold ham(ions and good a8enged 2night =udeger. "hen 0ord $iegstab 'ought as his (rowess bade him. Ho, what good helmets o' his 'oes this son o' Dietri hAs sister lo8e in the stri'eM *or might he e8er do better in the 'ray. 9hen sturdy ;ol!er es(ied that bold $iegstab hewed a bloody stream 'rom the hard armor rings, wroth o' mood the hero grew. He s(rang to meet him, and $iegstab lost his li'e 'ull soon at the 'iddlerAs hands, 'or ;ol!er ga8e him su h

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a sam(le o' his art, that he soon lay dead, slain by his sword. "his old Hildebrand a8enged, as his might did bid him. )Alas 'or my dear lord,) s(a!e Master Hildebrand, )who lieth here dead at ;ol!erAs hands. *ow shall the 'iddler no longer li8e.) How might bold Hildebrand e8er be 'ier erL ;ol!er he smote, so that on all sides the las(s 'lew to the walls o' the hall 'rom helmet and shield o' the doughty gleeman. "hus stout ;ol!er was done to death. At this the men o' Dietri h (ressed 'orward to the stri'e. "hey smote so that the armor rings whirled 'ar and wide, and high through the air the sword+(oints wore seen to 'ly. ;rom the helmets they drew the warm gushing stream o' blood. 9hen Hagen o' "roneg saw ;ol!er dead, that was the greatest sorrow, that he had gained at the 'easting in !insman or in liegeman. Alas, how 'ier ely Hagen gan 8enge the !nightM )*ow old Hildebrand shall not (ro'it by this deed. My hel(mate lieth slain by the heroAs hand, the best war omrade that 1 did e8er win.) Higher he raised his helmet, and ran, slashing as he went. $tout Hel'ri h slew Dan!wart. 0oth enow it was to Gunther and Giselher, when they saw him 'all in ruel need, but with his own hands he himsel' had well a8enged his death. Meanwhile 9ol'hart raged ba ! and 'orth, hewing alway 2ing GuntherAs men. ;or the third time he was ome through the hall, and many a warrior 'ell, stru ! by his hands. "hen 0ord Giselher ried out to 9ol'hart6 )Alas, that 1 ha8e e8er gained so grim a 'oeM *oble !night and bra8e, now address you unto me. 1All hel( to ma!e an endF this may be no longer.) At this 9ol'hart turned him in stri'e to Giselher, and ea h smote other many a ga(ing wound. He (ressed so mightily toward the !ing, that the blood beneath his 'eet s(urted high abo8e his head. 9ith grim and 'ear'ul blows the son o' 'air /ta then greeted the bra8e !night 9ol'hart. Howe8er strong the warrior, he might not sa8e his li'e. *e8er ould so young a !ing ha8e been more bra8eF 9ol'hart he smote through his stout hauber!, that his blood streamed down 'rom the wound. /nto death he wounded Dietri hAs liegeman. *one sa8e a ham(ion had done su h deed. 9hen bra8e 9ol'hart 'elt the wound, he let 'all his shield and li'ted higher in his hand his mighty

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sword (shar( enow it was)F through both helmet and armor rings the hero smote Giselher. "hus ea h did other 'ier ely unto death. *ow was none le't o' Dietri hAs men. Old Hildebrand saw 9ol'hart 'allF ne8er be'ore his death, 1 ween, did su h dole ha((en to him. "he men o' Gunther all lay dead, and those o' Dietri h, too. Hildebrand hied him to where 9ol'hart had 'allen in the gore, and las(ed in his arms the bra8e !night and good. He would 'ain bear him 'rom the hall, but he was a deal too hea8y, and so he must needs let him lie. "hen the dying warrior loo!ed u(ward 'rom the blood in whi h he layF well he saw, that his un le would 'ain hel( him hen e. "hough wounded unto death, he s(a!e6 )Dear un le mine, ye may not aid me now. A"is well, methin!s, that ye should guard you against Hagen. A 'ier e mood he beareth in his heart. And i' (er han e my !insmen would mourn me a'ter 1 am deadF (ray tell the nearest and the best, that they wee( not 'or meF there is no need o' that. At the hands o' a !ing 1 ha8e met a glorious death and ha8e also a8enged me, so that the wi8es o' the good !nights may well bewail it. 1' any as! you o' this, ye may boldly say, that 'ull a hundred lie slain by my hand alone.) "hen Hagen, too, bethought him o' the gleeman, whom bold Hildebrand had robbed o' li'e. "o the !night he s(a!e6 )-eAll reHuite me now my sorrows. "hrough your hatred ye ha8e bere't us o' many a lusty !night.) He dealt Hildebrand su h a blow, that men heard #almung ring, the whi h bold Hagen had ta!en 'rom $ieg'ried, when he slew the !night. "hen the old man warded himF in sooth he was bra8e enow. Dietri hAs ham(ion stru ! with a broad sword, that ut 'ull sore, at the hero o' "roneg, but ould not wound 2ing GuntherAs liegeman. Hagen, howe8er, smote him through his well+wrought hauber!. 9hen old Hildebrand 'elt the wound, he 'eared more s athe at HagenAs handF his shield he slung a ross his ba ! and thus $ir Dietri hAs man es a(ed 'rom Hagen, though sorely wounded. *ow o' all the !nights none was ali8e sa8e the twain, Gunther and Hagen alone. Dri((ing with blood old Hildebrand went to where he 'ound Dietri h, and told him the bale'ul tale. He saw him sitting sadly, but mu h more o' dole the (rin e now gained. He s(ied Hildebrand in his blood+red hauber!, and as!ed him tidings, as his 'ears did (rom(t him.

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)*ow tell me, Master Hildebrand, how be ye so wot with your li'ebloodL .ray who hath done you thisL 1 ween, ye ha8e 'ought with the strangers in the hall. 1 'orbade it you so sorely, that ye should Iustly ha8e a8oided it.) "hen said he to his lord6 )A"was Hagen that did it. He dealt me this wound in the hall, when 1 would 'ain ha8e turned me 'rom the !night. 1 s ar e es a(ed the de8il with my li'e.) "hen s(a!e the 0ord o' #erne6 )=ightly hath it ha((ed you, 'or that ye ha8e bro!en the (ea e, whi h 1 had sworn them, sith ye did hear me 8ow 'riendshi( to the !nights. 9ere it not mine e8erlasting shame, ye should lose your li'e.) )My 0ord Dietri h, now be ye not so wrothF the damage to my 'riends and me is all too great. ;ain would we ha8e arried =udegerAs orse away, but 2ing GuntherAs liegemen would not grant it us.) )9oe is me o' these sorrowsM 1' =udeger then be dead, Atwill bring me greater dole, than all my woe. *oble Gotelind is the hild o' my 'atherAs sisterF alas 'or the (oor or(hans, that be now in #e helaren.) =udegerAs death now minded him o' ruth and dole. Mightily the hero gan wee(F in sooth he had good ause. )Alas 'or this 'aith'ul omrade whom 1 ha8e lostM 1n truth 1 shall e8er mourn 'or 2ing 4t@elAs liegeman. ,an ye tell me, Master Hildebrand, true tidings, who be the !night, that hath slain him thereL) ?uoth he6 )"hat stout Gernot did, with might and main, but the hero, too, 'ell dead at =udegerAs hands.) Again he s(a!e to Hildebrand6 ).ray say to my men, that they arm them Hui !ly, 'or 1 will hie me hither, and bid them ma!e ready my shining battle weeds. 1 mysel' will Huestion the heroes o' the #urgundian land.) "hen s(a!e Master Hildebrand6 )9ho then shall Ioin youL 9hatso o' li8ing men ye ha8e, ye see stand by you. A"is 1 aloneF the others, they be dead.)

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He started at this taleF 'orsooth, he had good ause, 'or ne8er in his li'e had he gained so great a grie'. He s(a!e6 )And are my men all dead, then hath God 'orgotten me, (oor Dietri h. On e 1 was a lordly !ing, mighty, high, and ri h.) Again $ir Dietri h s(a!e6 )How ould it ha(, that all the worshi('ul heroes died at the hands o' the battle+ weary, who were themsel8es hard (ressedL 9ere it not 'or mine ill+ lu !, death were still a stranger to them. $ith then mine e8il 'ortune would ha8e it so, (ray tell me, are any o' the strangers still ali8eL) "hen s(a!e Master Hildebrand6 )God wet, none other sa8e only Hagen and Gunther, the high+born !ing.) )Alas, dear 9ol'hart, and 1 ha8e lost thee too, then may it well rue me, that e8er 1 was born. $iegstab and 9ol'win and 9ol'brand, tooM 9ho then shall hel( me to the Amelung landL #old Hel'ri h, hath he, too, been slain, and Gerbart and 9iehartL How shall 1 e8er mourn 'or them in 'itting wiseL "his day doth 'ore8er end my Ioys. Alas, that none may die 'or 8ery grie'M) ENDNOTES# (1) )Hel'ri h) a((ears also in the )"hidre!saga), ha(. CC0, where we are told that he was the bra8est and ourtliest o' all !nights. (2) )Master Hildebrand), see Ad8enture <<:111, note 1. (C) )$iegstab) is Dietri hAs ne(hew. He also a((ears in the )"hidre!saga), but in a di''erent role. (G) )9ol'win) is mentioned in the )2lage), 1JG1, as Dietri hAs ne(hew. (J) )9ol'brand) and )Helmnot) a((ear only here. (B) )=its hart). 9ith the e& e(tion o' Hel'ri h (see Abo8e note 1), these names do not o ur elsewhere, though one o' the sons o' Haimon was alled 9i hart.

!D'ENTURE 777I7 H+, G0n.1er !nd Ha)en !nd &rie-1ild /ere Slain* 2J%

"hen $ir Dietri h 'et hed himsel' his oat o' mail, and Master Hildebrand hel(ed him arm. "he mighty man made wail so sore, that the whole house resounded with his 8oi e. #ut then he gained again a real heroAs mood. "he good !night was now armed and grim o' mindF a stout shield he hung u(on his arm. "hus he and Master Hildebrand went boldly hen e. "hen s(a!e Hagen o' "roneg6 )-onder 1 see $ir Dietri h oming hitherF he would 'ain en ounter us, a'ter the great sorrow, that hath here be'allen him. "o+day we shall see, to whom one must gi8e the (alm. howe8er strong o' body and grim o' mood the lord o' #erne thin!eth him to be, right well dare 1 mat h him,) so s(a!e Hagen, )anA he will a8enge on us that whi h hath been done him.) Dietri h and Hildebrand heard this s(ee h, 'or Hagen ame to where he 'ound the ham(ion stand be'ore the house, leaning against the wall. Dietri h set his good shield u(on the ground, and s(a!e in grie8ous dole6 )Gunther, mighty !ing, why ha8e ye so a ted against me, banished manL 9hat ha8e 1 done to youL 1 stand alone, bere't o' all my om'ort. -e thought it not enow o' bitter need, when ye did !ill 2night =udeger, our 'riend. *ow ye ha8e robbed me o' all my men. ;orsooth 1 ne8er had wrought you heroes sorrow su h as this. "hin! on yoursel8es and on your wrongs. Doth not the death o' your !insmen and all the hardshi( grie8e the minds o' you good !nightsL Alas, what great dole =udegerAs death doth gi8e meM *e8er in all the world hath more o' sorrow ha((ed to any man. -e thought but little on me and on your (ain. 9hatsoe8er Ioy 1 had, that lieth slain by you. ,ertes, 1 ne8er an bewail my !in enow.) );orsooth we be not so guilty,) answered Hagen. )-our warriors ame to this hall in a large band, armed with are. Methin!s the tale hath not been told you rightly.) )9hat else should 1 belie8eL Hildebrand told me, that when my !nights 'rom the Amelung land as!ed that ye should gi8e u( =udegerAs orse 'rom out the hall, ye did naught but mo ! the 8aliant heroes 'rom abo8e the ste(s.) "hen s(a!e the !ing 'rom the =hine6 )"hey said, that they would 'ain bear =udeger hen e, and 1 bade this be denied them to 8e& 2ing 4t@el, and not thy men, until then 9ol'hart began to rail about it.)

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"hen the hero o' #erne made answer6 );ate would ha8e it so. Gunther, most noble !ing, now through thy ourtesie reHuite me o' the wrongs, that ha8e ha((ed to me 'rom thee, and ma!e su h amends, bra8e !night, that 1 may gi8e thee redit 'or the deed. Gi8e thysel' and thy men to me as hostages, and 1 will guard you, as best 1 may, that none here do thee aught among the Huns. "hou shalt 'ind me naught but good and true.) )*ow God 'orbid,) Huoth Hagen, )that two !nights gi8e themsel8es u( to thee, that still do stand o((osed to thee so doughtily and wal! so un'ettered be'ore their 'oes.) )Gunther and Hagen, ye should not deny me this,) s(a!e Dietri h. )-e ha8e grie8ed my heart and mind so sore, that it were but right, and ye would reHuite me. 1 gi8e you my hand and troth as (ledge, that 1 will ride with you, home to your land. 1All lead you in all honor, or else lie dead, and 'or your sa!es 1 will 'orget my grie8ous wrongs.) ),ra8e this no longer,) answered Hagen. )A"were 'itting, that the tale be told o' us, that two men so bra8e had gi8en themsel8es u( to you. 9e see none standing by you, sa8e Hildebrand alone.) "hen u( s(a!e Master Hildebrand6 )God wot, $ir Hagen, the hour will ome, when ye will gladly ta!e the (ea e, i' so be any o''er to !ee( it with you. -e might well ontent you with the tru e my lord doth o''er.) );orsooth 1Ad ta!e the tru e,) Huoth Hagen, )or e8er 1Ad 'lee 'rom out a hall so shame'ully as ye did, Master Hildebrand. 1 weened, ye ould stand better against a 'oe.) "o this Hildebrand made answer6 )9hy twit ye me with thatL 9ho was it sate u(on a shield hard by the 9as!stone, (1) when 9alter o' $(ain slew so many o' his !inL -e, too, ha8e 'aults enow o' your own to show.) "hen s(a!e $ir Dietri h6 )1ll doth it beseem heroes, that they should s old li!e aged beldams. 1 'orbid you, Hildebrand, to s(ea! aught more. Grie8ous wrongs onstrain me, homeless warrior. 0etAs hear, 2night Hagen, what ye twain did s(ea!, ye doughty men, when ye

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saw me oming toward you armedL -e said, that ye alone would 'ain en ounter me in stri'e.) ),ertes, none doth deny,) 2night Hagen s(a!e, )that 1 will essay it here with mighty blows, unless be, that the sword o' *ibelung brea! in my hand. 9roth am 1, that we twain ha8e here been ra8ed as hostages.) 9hen Dietri h noted HagenAs raging mood, Hui !ly the doughty !night and good snat hed u( his shield. How swi'tly Hagen s(rang toward him 'rom the ste(sM 0oudly the good sword o' *ibelung rang on Dietri hAs head. "hen wist Dietri h well, that the bold !night was grim o' mood. "he lord o' #erne gan guard him against the 'ear'ul blows, 'or well he !new Hagen, the stately !night. #almung he also 'eared, a wea(on stout enow. Dietri h returned the blows at times in unning wise, until at last he onHuered Hagen in the stri'e. A wound he dealt him, the whi h was dee( and long. "hen 0ord Dietri h thought him6 )"hou art worn out with stri'eF little honor shall 1 ha8e, and thou liest dead be'ore me. 1 will try, i' (er han e 1 an 'or e thee to be my hostage.) "his he wrought with danger. His shield he let 'all, great was his strength, and las(ed Hagen o' "roneg in his arms. "hus the bra8e !night was o8er ome by Dietri h. *oble Gunther gan wail thereat. Dietri h now bound Hagen and led him to where he 'ound the highborn HueenF into her hand he ga8e the bra8est warrior that e8er bare a sword. "hen merry enow she grew a'ter her great dole. ;or 8ery Ioy 2ing 4t@elAs wi'e bowed low be'ore the !night. )May thy heart and body be e8er blest. "hou hast well reHuited me o' all my woes. ;or this will 1 e8er ser8e thee, unless be, that death doth hinder me there'rom.) "hen s(a!e 0ord Dietri h6 ).ray let him li8e, most noble Hueen. And i' this still may be, how well will 1 reHuite you o' that whi h he hath done youM 0et him not su''er, be ause ye see him stand here bound.) $he bade Hagen then be led away to duress, where he lay lo !ed in and where none did see him. Gunther, the high+born !ing, began to all6 )9hither went the !night o' #erneL He hath done me wrong.)

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At this 0ord Dietri h went to meet him. GuntherAs might was worthy o' (raiseF no more he bided, but ran outside the hall, and 'rom the lashing o' the swords o' the twain a mighty din arose. Howe8er mu h and long 0ord Dietri hAs (rowess had been (raised, yet Gunther was so sorely angered and enraged, 'or be ause o' the grie8ous dole, he was his deadly 'oe, that men still tell it as a wonder, that $ir Dietri h did not 'all. Great were both their (rowess and their strength. "he (ala e and the towers resounded with the blows, when with the swords they hewed at the sturdy helmets. 2ing Gunther was o' lordly mood, but the !night o' #erne o8er ame him, as ha((ed to Hagen a'ore. "he heroAs blood was seen to oo@e through the armor rings, drawn 'orth by a !een+edged sword, the whi h $ir Dietri h bare. "hough weary, $ir Gunther had guarded him most 8aliantly. "he lord was now bound by Dietri hAs hands. "hough !ings should not endure su h bonds, yet Dietri h thought, i' he set 'ree the !ing and his liegeman, that all they met must needs 'all dead at their hands. Dietri h o' #erne now too! him by the hand and led him bound to where he 'ound 2riemhild. At sight o' his sorrow mu h o' her 'ear too! 'light. $he s(a!e6 )9el ome, Gunther, 'rom the #urgundian land.) ?uoth he6 )1 would bow be'ore you, dear sister mine, i' your greetings were but !inder. 1 !now you, Hueen, to be so wroth o' mood that ye do gi8e me and Hagen meagre greetings.) /( s(a!e the !night o' #erne6 )Most noble Hueen, ne8er were su h good !nights made hostages, as 1 ha8e gi8en you in them, e&alted lady. ;or my sa!e, 1 (ray you, s(are these homeless men.) $he 8owed sheAd do it gladly. "hen $ir Dietri h le't the worshi('ul !nights with wee(ing eyes. 0ater 4t@elAs wi'e a8enged her grimlyF she too! the li'e o' both the hosen heroes. "o ma!e their duress worse she let them lie a(art, so that neither saw the other, till she bare her brotherAs head to Hagen. 2riemhildAs 8engean e on both was great enow. "hen the Hueen went to Hagen. 1n what right hostile wise she s(a!e to the !night6 )1' ye will gi8e me ba ! what ye ha8e ta!en 'rom me, then ye may still go home ali8e to #urgundy.)

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Grim Hagen answered6 )"hou dost waste thy words, most noble Hueen. ;orsooth 1 ha8e sworn an oath, that 1 would not show the hoard, the while and any o' my lords still li8eF so 1 shall gi8e it to none.) )1All ma!e an end o' this,) Huoth the high+born wi'e. "hen she bade her brotherAs li'e be ta!en. His head they stru ! o'', and by the hair she bare it to the !night o' "roneg. 0oth enow it was to him. 9hen sad o' mind the warrior ga@ed u(on his masterAs head, he s(a!e to 2riemhild6 )"hou hast brought it to an end a'ter thy will, and it hath ha((ed, as 1 had thought me. "he noble !ing o' #urgundy now lieth dead, and Giselher, the youth, and $ir Gernot, too. *one !noweth o' the treasure now sa8e God and me, and it shall e8er be hid 'rom thee, thou 'iend.) ?uoth she6 )-e ha8e reHuited me 'ull ill, so 1 will !ee( the sword o' $ieg'ried, the whi h my sweetheart bare, when last 1 saw him, in whom dole o' heart hath ha((ed to me through you.) ;rom the sheath she drew it, nor ould he hinder her a whit. $he (lanned to rob the !night o' li'e. 9ith her hands she raised it and stru ! o'' his head. "his 2ing 4t@el saw, and sore enow it rued him. )Ala !M) ried the lording, )how lieth now dead at a womanAs hands the 8ery best o' !nights, that e8er ame to battle or bare a shieldM Howe8er mu h 1 was his 'oe, yet it doth grie8e me sorely.) "hen s(a!e old Hildebrand6 );orsooth it shall not boot her aught, that she durst slay him. 9hatso ha( to me, and howe8er mu h it may bring me to a dangerous (ass, yet will 1 a8enge bold "ronegAs death.) Hildebrand s(rang in wrath towards 2riemhild. ;or 'ear o' him she su''ered (ainF but what might it a8ail her, that she shrie!ed so 'right'ullyL He dealt the Hueen a grie8ous sword+blow, the whi h did ut the high+born dame in twain. *ow all lay low in death whom 'ate had doomed. Dietri h and 4t@el then began to wee(F sorely they mourned both !in and liegemen. "heir mi !le honors lay there low in deathF the ourtiers all had grie' and drearihead. "he !ingAs high 'east had ended now in woe, as Ioy doth e8er end in sorrow at the last. 1 annot tell you, that whi h ha((ed therea'ter, sa8e that !nights and ladies and noble sHuires were seen to wee( 'or the death o' lo8ing !insmen. "he tale hath here an end. "his is the *ibelungsA 'all. (2) (C)

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ENDNOTES# (1) )9as!stone), see Ad8enture <<<:, note 2. (2) );all). "he word )not), translated here )'all), means really AdisasterA, but as this word is not in !ee(ing with the style, )'all) has been hosen as (re'erable to AneedA, used by some translators. "he M$. , has here )liet) instead o' )not) o' A and #. (C) "he )*ibelungenlied) is ontinued by the so+ alled )2lage), a (oem written in short rhyming ou(lets. As the name indi ates, it des ribes the lamentations o' the sur8i8ors o8er the dead. "he (raises o' ea h warrior are sung and a messenger dis(at hed to a Huaint Gorelind, /ta, and #runhild with the sad end o' their !insmen. 1t loses with Dietri hAs de(arture 'rom 4t@elAs ourt and his return home. Although in one sense a ontinuation o' our (oem, the )2lage) is an inde(endent wor! o' no great merit, being e& essi8ely tedious with its onstant re(etitions. A re(rint and a 'ull a ount o' it will be 'ound in .i(erAs edition o' our (oem, 8ol. 1.

End +( =T1e Nibel0n)enlied=

$ite maintained by =oy "ennant on behal' o' the a ademi ommunity.

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