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The Nibelungenlied

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One of the Hunnish warriors (full soon that happed) marked that
the door was guarded. How quickly then he spake: "That which we
have in mind may not now come to pass. I see the fiddler stand
on guard. On his head he weareth a glittering helmet, shining
and hard, strong and whole. His armor rings flash out like fire.
By him standeth Hagen; in sooth the guests be guarded well."

Straightway they turned again. When Folker saw this, wrathfully
he spake to his comrade-at-arms: "Now let me go from the house to
the warriors. I would fain put some questions to Lady
Kriemhild's men."

"For my sake, no," quoth Hagen. "If ye leave the house, the
doughty knights are like to bring you in such stress with their
swords, that I must aid you even should it be the death of all my
kin. As soon as we be come into the fray, twain of them, or
four, would in a short time run into the house and would bring
such scathe upon the sleepers, that we might never cease to
mourn."

Then Folker answered: "Let us bring it to pass that they note
that I have seen them, so that Kriemhild's men may not deny that
they would fain have acted faithlessly."

Straightway Folker then called out to them: "How go ye thus
armed, ye doughty knights? Would ye ride to rob, ye men of
Kriemhild? Then must ye have the help of me and my comrade-at-
arms."

To this none made reply. Angry grew his mood. "Fy! Ye evil
cowards," spake the good knight, "would ye have murdered us
asleep? That hath been done full seldom to such good heroes."

Then the queen was told that her messengers had compassed naught.
Rightly it did vex her, and with wrathful mood she made another
plan. Through this brave heroes and good must needs thereafter
perish.


ENDNOTES:
(1) "Arras", the capital of Artois in the French Netherlands.
In older English "arras" is used also for tapestry.



ADVENTURE XXXI. (1)
How They Went To Church.

"My coat of mail groweth cold," said Folker. "I ween the night
hath run its course. By the air I mark that day is near."

Then they waked the many knights who still lay sleeping. The
light of dawn shone into the hall upon the strangers. On all
sides Hagen gan wake the warriors, if perchance they would fain
go to the minster for mass. Men now loudly rang the bells in
Christian fashion. Heathens and Christians did not sing alike,
so that it was seen full well that they were not as one.
Gunther's liegemen now would go to church, and all alike had
risen from their beds. The champions laced them into such goodly
garments, that never did hero bring better clothes to the land of
any king. This vexed Hagen. He spake: "Heroes, ye should wear
here other clothes. Certes, ye know full well the tales.
Instead of roses, bear weapons in your hands; instead of jeweled
chaplets, your bright helms and good, sith ye know full well the
wicked Kriemhild's mood. Let me tell you, we must fight to-day,
so instead of silken shirts, wear hauberks, and instead of rich
cloaks, good shields and broad, so that if any grow angry with
you, ye be full armed. Dear my lords, and all my kin and
liegemen, go willingly to church and make plaint to the mighty
God of your fears and need, for know full sure that death draweth
nigh us. Nor must ye forget to confess aught that ye have done
and stand full zealously before your God. Of this I warn you,
noble knights, unless God in heaven so will, ye'll never more
hear mass."

So the princes and their liegemen went to the minster. In the
holy churchyard bold Hagen bade them halt, that they might not
be parted. He spake: "Of a truth none knoweth what will hap to
us from the Huns. Place, my friends, your shields before your
feet, and if any proffer you cold greeting, repay it with deep
and mortal wounds. That is Hagen's counsel, that ye may so be
found as doth befit your honor."

Folker and Hagen, the twain, then hied them to the spacious
minster. This was done that the queen might press upon them in
the crowd. Certes, she was passing grim. Then came the lord of
the land and his fair wife, her body adorned with rich apparel;
Doughty warriors, too, were seen to walk beside her. One saw the
dust rise high from Kriemhild's band. When mighty Etzel spied
the kings and their fellowship thus armed, how quick he spake:
"Why do I see my friends thus go with helmets? Upon my troth, it
grieveth me, and hath any done them aught, I shall gladly make
amends, as doth think them good. Hath any made heavy their
hearts or mood, I'll show them well, that it doth irk me much. I
am ready for whatever they command me."

To this Hagen answered: "None hath done us aught; it is the
custom of my lordings that they go armed at all high feasts for
full three days. We should tell Etzel, had aught been done us."

Kriemhild heard full well what Hagen spake. How right hostilely
she gazed into his eyes! She would not tell the custom of their
land, albeit she had known it long in Burgundy. However grim and
strong the hate she bare them, yet had any told Etzel the truth,
he would have surely hindered what later happed. Because of
their great haughtiness they scorned to tell him. When the great
crowd went past with the queen, these twain, Hagen and Folker,
would not step back more than two hand-breadths, the which irked
the Huns. Forsooth they had to jostle with the lusty heroes.
This thought King Etzel's chamberlains not good. Certes, they
would have fain angered the champions, but that they durst not
before the noble king. So there was much jostling, but nothing
more.

When they had worshiped God and would hence again, many a Hunnish
warrior horsed him passing soon, At Kriemhild's side stood many
a comely maid, and well seven thousand knights rode with the
queen. Kriemhild with her ladies sate her down at the easements
by the side of the mighty Etzel, which was him lief, for they
would watch the lusty heroes joust. Ho, what stranger knights
rode before them in the court! Then was come the marshal with
the squires. Bold Dankwart had taken to him his lord's retainers
from the Burgundian land; the steeds of the Nibelungs they found
well saddled. When now the kings and their men were come to
horse, stalwart Folker gan advise that they should ride a joust
after the fashion of their land. At this the heroes rode in
lordly wise; none it irked what the knight had counseled. The
hurtling and the noise waxed loud, as the many men rode into the
broad court. Etzel and Kriemhild themselves beheld the scene.
To the jousts were come six hundred knights of Dietrich's men to
match the strangers, for they would have pastime with the
Burgundians. Fain would they have done it, had he given them
leave. Ho, what good champions rode in their train! The tale
was told to Sir Dietrich and he forbade the game with Gunther's
men; he feared for his liegemen, and well he might.

When those of Berne had departed thence, there came the men of
Rudeger from Bechelaren, five hundred strong, with shields,
riding out before the hall. It would have been lief to the
margrave, had they left it undone. Wisely he rode then to them
through the press and said to his knights, that they were ware
that Gunther's men were evil-minded toward them. If they would
leave off the jousting, it would please him much. When now these
lusty heroes parted from them, then came those of Thuringia, as
we are told, and well a thousand brave men from Denmark. From
the tilting one saw many truncheons (2) flying hence. Irnfried
and Hawart now rode into the tourney. Proudly those from the
Rhine awaited them and offered the men of Thuringia many a joust.
Many a lordly shield was riddled by the thrusts. Thither came
then Sir Bloedel with three thousand men. Well was he seen of
Etzel and Kriemhild, for the knightly sports happed just before
the twain. The queen saw it gladly, that the Burgundians might
come to grief. Schrutan (3) and Gibecke, Ramung and Hornbog, (4)
rode into the tourney in Hunnish wise. To the heroes from
Burgundian land they addressed them. High above the roof of the
royal hall the spear-shafts whirled. Whatever any there plied,
'twas but a friendly rout. Palace and hall were heard resounding
loud through the clashing of the shields of Gunther's men. With
great honor his meiny gained the meed. Their pastime was so
mickle and so great, that from beneath the housings of the good
steeds, which the heroes rode, there flowed the frothy sweat. In
haughty wise they encountered with the Huns.

Then spake the fiddler, Folker the minstrel: "I ween these
warriors dare not match us. I've aye heard the tale, that they
bear us hate, and forsooth it might never fortune better for them
than now." Again Folker spake: "Let our steeds be now led away
to their lodgings and let us joust again toward eventide, and
there be time. Perchance the queen may accord to the Burgundians
the prize."

Then one was seen riding hither so proudly, that none of all the
Huns could have done the like. Certes, he must have had a
sweetheart on the battlements. As well attired he rode as the
bride of any noble knight. At sight of him Folker spake again:
"How could I give this over? This ladies' darling must have a
buffet. None shall prevent me and it shall cost him dear. In
truth I reck not, if it vex King Etzel's wife."

"For my sake, No," spake straightway King Gunther. "The people
will blame us, if we encounter them. 'Twill befit us better far,
an' we let the Huns begin the strife."

King Etzel was still sitting by the queen.

"I'll join you in the tourney," quoth Hagen then. "Let the
ladies and the knights behold how we can ride. That will be
well, for they'll give no meed to King Gunther's men."

The doughty Folker rode into the lists again, which soon gave
many a dame great dole. His spear he thrust through the body of
the dapper Hun; this both maid and wife were seen thereafter to
bewail. Full hard and fast gan Hagen and his liegemen and sixty
of his knights ride towards the fiddler, where the play was on.
This Etzel and Kriemhild clearly saw. The three kings would not
leave their minstrel without guard amidst the foe. Cunningly a
thousand heroes rode; with haughty bearing they did whatso they
would. When now the wealthy Hun was slain, men heard his kin cry
out and wail. All the courtiers asked: "Who hath done this
deed?"

"That the fiddler did, Folker, the valiant minstrel."

The margrave's kindred from the Hunnish land called straightway
for their swords and shields, and would fain have done Folker to
death. Fast the host gan hasten from the windows. Great rout
arose from the folk on every side. The kings and their
fellowship, the Burgundian men, alighted before the hall and
drove their horses to the rear. Then King Etzel came to part the
strife. From the hand of a kinsman of the Hun he wrenched a
sturdy weapon and drove them all back again, for full great was
his wrath. "Why should my courtesie to these knights go all for
naught? Had ye slain this minstrel at my court," spake King
Etzel, "'twere evil done. I saw full well how he rode, when he
thrust through the Hun, that it happed through stumbling, without
any fault of his. Ye must let my guests have peace."

Thus he became their safe-guard. To the stalls men led away the
steeds; many a varlet they had, who served them well with zeal in
every service. The host now hied him to his palace with his
friends, nor would he let any man grow wroth again. Then men set
up the tables and bare forth water for the guests. Forsooth the
men from the Rhine had there enow of stalwart foes. 'Twas long
before the lords were seated.

Meanwhile Kriemhild's fears did trouble her passing sore. She
spake: "My lord of Berne, I seek thy counsel, help, and favor,
for mine affairs do stand in anxious wise."

Then Hildebrand, a worshipful knight, made answer to her: "And
any slay the Nibelungs for the sake of any hoard, he will do it
without my aid. It may well repent him, for they be still
unconquered, these doughty and lusty knights."

Then Spake Sir Dietrich in his courteous wise: "Let be this wish,
O mighty queen. Thy kinsmen have done me naught of wrong, that I
should crave to match these valiant knights in strife. Thy
request honoreth thee little, most noble queen, that thou dost
plot against the life of thy kinsfolk. They came in hope of
friendship to this land. Siegfried will not be avenged by
Dietrich's hand."

When she found no whit of faithlessness in the lord of Berne,
quickly she promised Bloedel a broad estate, that Nudung (5)
owned aforetime. Later he was slain by Hagen, so that he quite
forgot the gift. She spake: "Thou must help me, Sir Bloedel,
forsooth my foes be in this house, who slew Siegfried, my dear
husband. Ever will I serve him, that helpeth me avenge this
deed."

To this Bloedel replied: "My lady, now may ye know that because
of Etzel I dare not, in sooth, advise to hatred against them, for
he is fain to see thy kinsmen at his court. The king would ne'er
forget it of me, and I did them aught of wrong."

"Not so, Sir Bloedel, for I shall ever be thy friend. Certes,
I'll give thee silver and gold as guerdon and a comely maid, the
wife of Nudung, whose lovely body thou mayst fain caress. I'll
give thee his land and all his castles, too, so that thou mayst
always live in joy, Sir knight, if thou dost now win the lands
where Nudung dwelt. Faithfully will I keep, whatso I vow to thee
to-day."

When Sir Bloedel heard the guerdon, and that the lady through her
beauty would befit him well, he weened to serve the lovely queen
in strife. Because of this the champion must needs lose his
life. To the queen he spake: "Betake you again to the hall, and
before any be aware, I'll begin a fray and Hagen must atone for
what he hath done you. I'll deliver to you King Gunther's
liegeman bound. Now arm you, my men," spake Bloedel. "We must
hasten to the lodgings of the foes, for King Etzel's wife doth
crave of me this service, wherefore we heroes must risk our
lives."

When the queen left Bloedel in lust of battle, she went to table
with King Etzel and his men. Evil counsels had she held against
the guests. Since the strife could be started in no other wise
(Kriemhild's ancient wrong still lay deep buried in her heart),
she bade King Etzel's son be brought to table. How might a woman
ever do more ghastly deed for vengeance' sake? Four of Etzel's
men went hence anon and bare Ortlieb, (6) the young prince, to
the lordings' table, where Hagen also sat. Because of this the
child must needs die through Hagen's mortal hate.

When now the mighty king beheld his son, kindly he spake to the
kinsmen of his wife: "Now see, my friends, this is the only son
of me and of your sister. This may be of profit to you all, for
if he take after his kinsmen, he'll become a valiant man, mighty
and noble, strong and fashioned fair. Twelve lands will I give
him, and I live yet a while. Thus may the hand of young Ortlieb
serve you well. I do therefore beseech you, dear friends of
mine, that when ye ride again to your lands upon the Rhine, ye
take with you your sister's son and act full graciously toward
the child, and bring him up in honor till he become a man. Hath
any done you aught in all these lands, he'll help you to avenge
it, when he groweth up."

This speech was also heard by Kriemhild, King Etzel's wife.

"These knights might well trust him," quoth Hagen, "if he grew to
be a man, but the young prince doth seem so fey, (7) that I shall
seldom be seen to ride to Ortlieb's court."

The king glanced at Hagen, for much the speech did irk him; and
though the gentle prince said not a word, it grieved his heart
and made him heavy of his mood. Nor was Hagen's mind now bent on
pastime. But all the lordings and the king were hurt by what
Hagen had spoken of the child; it vexed them sore, that they
were forced to hear it. They wot not the things as yet, which
should happen to them through this warrior.


ENDNOTES:
(1) "Adventure XXXI". This adventure is of late origin, being
found only in our poem. See the introduction.
(2) "Truncheons", see Adventure II, note 8.
(3) "Schrutan". This name does not occur elsewhere. Piper
suggests, that perhaps a Scotchman is meant, as "Skorottan"
appears in the "Thidreksaga", chap. 28, as an ancient name
of Scotland.
(4) "Gibecke", "Ramung" and "Hornbog", see Adventure XXII, notes
4 and 5.
(5) "Nudung", see Adventure XXVII, note 3.
(6) "Ortlieb". In the "Thidreksaga" Etzel's son is called
Aldrian. There, however, he is killed because he strikes
Hagen in the face, here in revenge for the killing of the
Burgundian footmen.
(7) "Fey", see Adventure V, note 2.



ADVENTURE XXXII (1)
How Bloedel Was Slain.

Full ready were now Bloedel's warriors. A thousand hauberks
strong, they hied them to where Dankwart sate at table with the
squires. Then the very greatest hate arose among the heroes.
When Sir Bloedel drew near the tables, Dankwart, the marshal,
greeted him in courteous wise. "Welcome, Sir Bloedel, in our
house. In truth me-wondereth at thy coming. What doth it mean?"

"Forsooth, thou needst not greet me," so spake Bloedel; "for this
coming of mine doth mean thine end. Because of Hagen, thy
brother, by whom Siegfried was slain, thou and many other knights
must suffer here among the Huns."

"Not so, Sir Bloedel," quoth Dankwart, "else this journey to your
court might rue us sore. I was but a little child when Siegfried
lost his life. I know not what blame King Etzel's wife could put
on me."

"Of a truth, I wot not how to tell you of these tales; thy
kinsmen, Gunther and Hagen, did the deed. Now ward you, ye
wanderers, ye may not live. With your death must ye become
Kriemhild's pledge."

"And ye will not turn you," quoth Dankwart, "then do my
entreaties rue me; they had better far been spared."

The doughty knight and brave sprang up from the table; a sharp
weapon, mickle and long, he drew and dealt Bloedel so fierce a
sword-stroke that his head lay straightway at his feet. "Let
that be thy marriage morning gift," (2) spake Dankwart, the
knight, "for Nudung's bride, whom thou wouldst cherish with thy
love. They call betroth her to another man upon the morn.
Should he crave the dowry, 'twill be given to him eftsoon." A
faithful Hun had told him that the queen did plan against them
such grievous wrongs.

When Bloedel's men beheld their lord lie slain, no longer would
they stand this from the guests. With uplifted swords they
rushed, grim of mood, upon the youthful squires. Many a one did
rue this later. Loudly Dankwart called to all the fellowship:
"Ye see well, noble squires, how matters stand. Now ward you,
wanderers! Forsooth we have great need, though Kriemhild asked
us here in right friendly wise."

Those that had no sword reached down in front of the benches and
lifted many a long footstool by its legs. The Burgundian squires
would now abide no longer, but with the heavy stools they dealt
many bruises through the helmets. How fiercely the stranger
youths did ward them! Out of the house they drove at last the
men-at-arms, but five hundred of them, or better, stayed behind
there dead. The fellowship was red and wot with blood.

These grievous tales were told now to Etzel's knights; grim was
their sorrow, that Bloedel and his men were slain. This Hagen's
brother and his squires had done. Before the king had learned
it, full two thousand Huns or more armed them through hatred and
hied them to the squires (this must needs be), and of the
fellowship they left not one alive. The faithless Huns brought a
mickle band before the house. Well the strangers stood their
ground, but what booted their doughty prowess? Dead they all
must lie. Then in a few short hours there rose a fearful dole.
Now ye may hear wonders of a monstrous thing. Nine thousand
yeomen lay there slain and thereto twelve good knights of
Dankwart's men. One saw him stand alone still by the foe. The
noise was hushed, the din had died away, when Dankwart, the hero,
gazed over his shoulders. He spake: "Woe is me, for the friends
whom I have lost! Now must I stand, alas, alone among my foes."

Upon his single person the sword-strokes fell thick and fast.
The wife of many a hero must later mourn for this. Higher he
raised his shield, the thong he lowered; the rings of many an
armor he made to drip with blood. "Woe is me of all this
sorrow," quoth Aldrian's son. (3) "Give way now, Hunnish
warriors, and let me out into the breeze, that the air may cool
me, fight-weary man."

Then men saw the warrior walk forth in full lordly wise. As the
strife-weary man sprang from the house, how many added swords
rang on his helmet! Those that had not seen what wonders his
hand had wrought sprang towards the hero of the Burgundian land.
"Now would to God," quoth Dankwart, "that I might find a
messenger who could let my brother Hagen know I stand in such a
plight before these knights. He would help me hence, or lie dead
at my side."

Then spake the Hunnish champions: "Thou must be the messenger
thyself, when we bear thee hence dead before thy brother. For
the first time Gunther's vassal will then become acquaint with
grief. Passing great scathe hast thou done King Etzel here."

Quoth he: "Now give over these threats and stand further back, or
I'll wot the armor rings of some with blood. I'll tell the tale
at court myself and make plaint to my lords of my great dole."

So sorely he dismayed King Etzel's men that they durst not
withstand him with their swords, so they shot such great store of
darts into his shield that he must needs lay it from his hand
for very heaviness. Then they weened to overpower him, sith he
no longer bare a shield. Ho, what deep wounds he struck them
through their helmets! From this many a brave man was forced to
reel before him, and bold Dankwart gained thereby great praise.
From either side they sprang upon him, but in truth a many of
them entered the fray too soon. Before his foes he walked, as
doth a boar to the woods before the dogs. How might he be more
brave? His path was ever wot with recking' blood. Certes, no
single champion might ever fight better with his foes than he had
done. Men now saw Hagen's brother go to court in lordly wise.
Sewers (4) and cupbearers heard the ring of swords, and full many
a one cast from his hand the drink and whatever food he bare to
court. Enow strong foes met Dankwart at the stairs.

"How now, ye sewers," spake the weary knight. "Forsooth ye
should serve well the guests and bear to the lords good cheer and
let me bring the tidings to my dear masters."

Those that sprang towards him on the steps to show their prowess,
he dealt so heavy a sword-stroke, that for fear they must needs
stand further back. His mighty strength wrought mickle wonders.


ENDNOTES:
(1) Adventure XXXII. The details of the following scenes differ
materially in the various sources. A comparative study of
them will be found in the works of Wilmanns and Boer.
(2) "Marriage morning gift" (M.H.G. "morgengabe") was given by
the bridegroom to the bride on the morning after the
wedding. See Adventure XIX, note 1.
(3) "Aldrian's son", i.e., Dankwart.
(4) "Sewers" (O.F. "asseour", M.L. "adsessor" 'one who sets the
table'; cf. F. "asseoir" 'to set', 'place', Lat. "ad
sedere"), older English for an upper servant who brought on
and removed the dishes from the table.



ADVENTURE XXXIII
How The Burgundians Fought The Huns.

When brave Dankwart was come within the door, he bade King
Etzel's meiny step aside. His garments dripped with blood and in
his hand he bare unsheathed a mighty sword. Full loud he called
out to the knight: "Brother Hagen, ye sit all too long, forsooth.
To you and to God in heaven do I make plaint of our woe. Our
knights and squires all lie dead within their lodgements."

He called in answer: "Who hath done this deed?"

"That Sir Bloedel hath done with his liegemen, but he hath paid
for it dearly, as I can tell you, for with mine own hands I
struck off his head."

"It is but little scathe," quoth Hagen, "if one can only say of a
knight that he hath lost his life at a warrior's hands. Stately
dames shall mourn him all the less. Now tell me, brother
Dankwart, how comes it that ye be so red of hue? Ye suffer from
wounds great dole, I ween. If there be any in the land that hath
done you this, 'twill cost his life, and the foul fiend save him
not."

"Ye see me safe and sound; my weeds alone are wot with blood.
This hath happed from wounds of other men, of whom I have slain
so many a one to-day that, had I to swear it, I could not tell
the tale."

"Brother Dankwart," he spake, "guard us the door and let not a
single Hun go forth. I will hold speech with the warriors, as
our need constraineth us, for our meiny lieth dead before them,
undeserved."

"If I must be chamberlain," quoth the valiant man, "I well wet
how to serve such mighty kings and will guard the stairway, as
doth become mine honors." Naught could have been more loth to
Kriemhild's knights.

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