The Song of the Nibelungs (Medieval Literature Classic). Anonymous

heart in secret warns me—/ through Siegfried's doughty hand.

       God give that he may never / again be seen within my land."

      299

      On all sides then 'twas ordered / 'fore Kriemhild and her train

       Of women make free passage. / Full many a valiant thane

       With her unto the minster / in courtly way went on.

       But from her side was parted / the full stately knight anon.

      300

      Then went she to the minster, / and with her many a maid.

       In such rich apparel / Kriemhild was arrayed,

       That hearty wishes many / there were made in vain:

       Her comely form delighted / the eye of many a noble thane.

      301

      Scarce could tarry Siegfried / till mass was sung the while.

       And surely did Dame Fortune / upon him kindly smile,

       To him she was so gracious / whom in his heart he bore.

       Eke did he the maiden, / as she full well deserved, adore.

      302

      As after mass then Kriemhild / came to the minster door,

       The knight his homage offered, / as he had done before.

       Then began to thank him / the full beauteous maid,

       That he her royal brothers / did 'gainst their foes so nobly aid.

      303

      "God speed thee, Sir Siegfried," / spake the maiden fair,

       "For thou hast well deservéd / that all these warriors are,

       As it hath now been told me, / right grateful unto thee."

       Then gan he cast his glances / on the Lady Kriemhild lovingly.

      304

      "True will I ever serve them," /—so spake the noble thane—

       "And my head shall never / be laid to rest again,

       Till I, if life remaineth, / have their good favor won.

       In sooth, my Lady Kriemhild, / for thy fair grace it all is done."

      305

      Ne'er a day passed over / for a twelve of happy days,

       But saw they there beside him / the maiden all did praise,

       As she before her kinsmen / to court would daily go:

       It pleased the thane full highly / that they did him such honor show.

      306

      Delight and great rejoicing, / a mighty jubilee,

       Before King Gunther's castle / daily might ye see,

       Without and eke within it, / 'mongst keen men many a one.

       By Ortwein and by Hagen / great deeds and wondrous there were done.

      307

      Whate'er was done by any, / in all they ready were

       To join in way right lusty, / both the warriors rare:

       Whereby 'mongst all the strangers / they won an honored name,

       And through their deeds so wondrous / of Gunther's land spread far the fame.

      308

      Who erstwhile lay sore wounded / now were whole again,

       And fain would share the pastime, / with all the king's good men;

       With shields join in the combat, / and try the shaft so long.

       Wherein did join them many / of the merry-making throng.

      309

      To all who joined the feasting / the host in plenty bade

       Supply the choicest viands: / so guarded well he had

       'Gainst whate'er reproaches / could rise from spite or spleen.

       Unto his guests right friendly / to go the monarch now was seen.

      310

      He spake: "Ye thanes high-hearted, / ere now ye part from me,

       Accept of these my presents; / for I would willingly

       Repay your noble service. / Despise ye not, I pray,

       What now I will share with you: / 'tis offered in right grateful way."

      311

      Straightway they of Denmark / thus to the king replied:

       "Ere now upon our journey / home again we ride,

       We long for lasting friendship. / Thereof we knights have need,

       For many a well-loved kinsman / at hands of thy good thanes lies dead."

      312

      Luedegast was recovered / from all his wounds so sore,

       And eke the lord of Saxons / from fight was whole once more.

       Some amongst their warriors / left they dead behind.

       Then went forth King Gunther / where he Siegfried might find.

      313

      Unto the thane then spake he: / "Thy counsel give, I pray.

       The foes whom we hold captive / fain would leave straightway,

       And long for lasting friendship / with all my men and me.

       Now tell me, good Sir Siegfried, / what here seemeth good to thee.

      314

      "What the lords bid as ransom, / shall now to thee be told

       Whate'er five hundred horses / might bear of ruddy gold,

       They'd give to me right gladly, / would I but let them free."

       Then spake the noble Siegfried: / "That were to do right foolishly.

      315

      "Thou shalt let them freely / journey hence again;

       And that they both hereafter / shall evermore refrain

       From leading hostile army / against thee and thy land,

       Therefor in pledge of friendship / let each now give to thee the hand."

      316

      "Thy rede I'll gladly follow." / Straightway forth they went.

       To those who offered ransom / the answer then was sent,

       Their gold no one desired / which they would give before.

       The warriors battle-weary / dear friends did yearn to see once more.

      317

      Full many a shield all laden / with treasure forth they bore:

       He dealt it round unmeasured / to friends in goodly store;

       Each one had marks five hundred / and some had more, I ween.

       Therein King Gunther followed / the rede of Gernot, knight full keen.

      318

      Then was a great leave-taking, / as they departed thence.

       The warriors all 'fore Kriemhild / appeared in reverence,

       And eke there where her mother / Queen Ute sat near by.

       Gallant thanes were never / dismissed as these so graciously.

      319

      Bare were the lodging-places, / when away the strangers rode.

       Yet in right lordly manner / there at home abode

       The king with friends around him, / full noble men who were.

       And them now saw they daily / at court before Kriemhild appear.

      320