The Nibelungenlied, - [best color ebook reader .txt] 📗

upon him her sidelong glances fell!
Yet would she not more frankly her country’s customs own,
Though they to her a long time in Burgundy were known.

1865

Yet though her hate towards him so cruel was and fell,
If anyone to Etzel the truth had dared to tell,
He doubtless had prevented what came to pass ere long:
But none of them would tell it, her mastery was so strong.

1866

Then with the queen advancing there came a mighty band;
But this same pair of warriors deign’d not to take their stand
Two hand-breadths further backward, which made the Hunfolk wroth.
Ay, they must press and jostle with those bold heroes both.

1867

The chamberlains of Etzel were ill-content at this,
And would upon the warriors have somewhat wrought amiss,
If they had dared to do it the king’s High Grace before.
There was a mighty jostling, but so far nothing more.

1868

When service now was ended and they would thence be gone,
All suddenly on horseback appear’d full many a Hun;
And many a beauteous lady was with Kriemhilda seen;
Full seven thousand warriors came riding with the queen.

1869

Kriemhilda with her ladies within the window sat
Along with royal Etzel: well pleased was he thereat.
Fain would they see the jousting those doughty heroes show’d:
Ay! in the lists before them what warriors strange there rode!

1870

And thither had the marshal, the right brave Dankwart, too,
Come with his squires attending: his lords’ own retinue
With him, too, he had taken from the Burgundian land.
The steeds for the bold Niblungs well saddled were at hand.

1871

When they their steeds had mounted⁠— the kings and every man⁠—
Forthwith the stalwart Volker to counsel them began,
That all should tilt together after their country’s mode;
In course of which, thereafter, the chiefs right nobly rode.

1872

For what the hero counsell’d they did not underrate.
The crowding and the shouting were both exceeding great.
Within the wide inclosure was gather’d many a man;
Then Etzel and Kriemhilda to gaze thereon began.

1873

Six hundred knights together upon the field appear’d,
The warriors of Dietrich, coming the guests toward.
They thought with the Burgundians some knightly sport to try,
And would, had he allow’d it, have done it readily.

1874

Ay me! what goodly warriors forthwith towards them made!
But when to the lord Dietrich the news thereof was said,
With Gunther’s men forbade he that any sport should be.
He fear’d for his retainers: and surely need had he.

1875

When they of Bern pass’d onward, and from the place had gone,
The men from Bechelaren, of Rüdeger’s, came on.
Before the hall five hundred with shield on arm rode they:
Well pleased had been the margrave could they have kept away.

1876

Then wisely, as behoved him, he rode the host throughout,
And said unto his warriors, they could no longer doubt
But that the men of Gunther ill will towards them had:
If they would leave the combat he would in truth be glad.

1877

When these now had pass’d onward⁠— high-mettled heroes bold⁠—
Came horsemen from Thuringia, as hath to us been told;
And then the knights of Denmark, a thousand gallant men;
One saw right many a lance-shaft fly in the onset then.

1878

Then Haward came and Irnfried unto the tournament.
The Rhinelanders a challenge to them had proudly sent.
The warriors of Thuringia were offer’d many a joust;
In many a noble buckler were lances deeply thrust.

1879

There, too, the lordly Bloedlin came with his thousands three.
By Etzel and Kriemhilda right closely watch’d was he;
For all the knightly jousting was held within their sight.
The queen rejoiced to see it for Burgundy’s despite.

1880

And Gibecke and Scrutan unto the melee rode,
With Hornboge and Ramung, all in the Hunnish mode.
They held the lists, withstanding the chiefs of Burgundy;
And over the king’s palace the shafts went whirling high.

1881

Whate’er was done by any was nothing else but sound.
Loud was the din that echo’d palace and hall around,
From clash of shields and bucklers, by Gunther’s liegemen made;
Whence praises and great honour unto his folk were paid.

1882

The ardour of their pastime so mighty was and great,
That from the goodly horses whereon the heroes sate
The snow-white foam was soaking through the caparisons.
In every courtly fashion they sought to meet the Huns.

1883

Then up and spake the minstrel, Volker the fiddle-player:
“I trow that to withstand us these warriors will not dare.
I’ve ever heard it said that they hate us verily;
Now is the time to show it; a better ne’er will be.

1884

“Straightway unto the stables,” so Volker loudly cried,
“We’ll have the horses taken; till towards the eventide
We’ll ride some further courses, if there be time enow.
What if to us Burgundians the queen some praise allow!”

1885

Then saw they some one coming; with stately mien rode he,
Such that no other Hunsman with him compared could be.
Belike in some high lattice a sweetheart there he had;
No knightly bride was ever than he more fairly clad.

1886

Then Volker said: “How can I pass over such a chance?
Yon darling of the ladies must feel a thrust of lance⁠—
There’s not a man could help it! ’twill stand him in his life:
I care not though I anger thereby King Etzel’s wife.”

1887

“For love of me, forbear ye!” King Gunther quickly spake;
“These people will upbraid us if we the onset make;
Let ye the Huns begin it, more seemly ’twere, I ween.”
Now all this time King Etzel was sitting by the queen.

1888

“I’ll make the hubbub greater,” quoth Hagen, in his turn;
“We needs must let the ladies and these same champions learn
How we can sit our horses: ’twill be good sport withal,
Though little praise to any of Gunther’s men befall.”

1889

Then rode the ready Volker into the fray again:
Whereby had many a woman, ere long, right grievous pain.
The noble Hunsman’s body transfix’d he with his spear;
Which soon both wife and maiden bewail’d with many a tear.

1890

With hurtling speed did Hagen rush forward with his men,
His sixty chosen warriors; and quickly rode he then
Upon the fiddler’s footsteps, to where the joust was held.
Both Etzel and Kriemhilda plainly the whole beheld.

1891

The kings were all unwilling their minstrel brave to leave
Amid the foemen fighting, and succour none to give;
A thousand heroes therefore towards him deftly rode⁠—
In high-accomplish’d fashion they did whate’er they would.

1892

When that the noble Hunsman in death was stricken low,
One heard among his kinsmen complaints and cries of woe.
And all the folk were asking: “Who can this deed have done?”
“Volker, the fearless minstrel, yon fiddler is the one!”

1893

For swords and bucklers called they, and held them soon in hand,
The kinsmen of this margrave of the Hungarian land.
They would have set on Volker, and slain him where he stood;
The host ran from his window with all the haste he could.

1894

Then rose a mighty tumult among the people all.
The kings and their attendants dismounted at the hall;
Behind the throng his charger sent each Burgundian;
King Etzel came: to sever the nobles he began.

1895

From one of the Hun’s kinsmen, who chanced by