The Nibelungenlied. Anonymous

the legend that the Franks were

       descended from the ancient Trojans. "Troja" was then

       further corrupted to "Tronje" and "Tronege". Hagen was

       therefore originally a Frank and had no connection with the

       Burgundian kings, as the lack of alliteration also goes to

       show. Boer thinks that not Siegfried but Hagen originally

       lived at Xanten (see note 3 to Adventure II), as this was

       often called Troja Francorum. When the Hagen story was

       connected with the Burgundians and Hagen became either their

       brother or their vassal, his home was transferred to Worms

       and Siegfried was located at Xanten, as he had no especial

       localization. Thus Siegfried is never called Siegfried of

       Troneg, as is Hagen. Other attempts to explain Troneg will

       be found in Piper, I, 48.

       (12) "Dankwart" is not an historical character nor one that

       belonged to the early form of the legend. He may have come

       from another saga, where he played the principal role as

       Droege (ZsfdA. 48, 499) thinks. Boer considers him to be

       Hagen's double, invented to play a part that would naturally

       fall to Hagen's share, were he not otherwise engaged at the

       moment. In our poem he is called "Dancwart der snelle", a

       word that has proved a stumbling-block to translators,

       because in modern German it means 'speedy', 'swift'. Its

       original meaning was, however, 'brave', 'warlike', although

       the later meaning is already found in M.H.G. In all such

       doubtful cases the older meaning has been preferred, unless

       the context forbids, and the word 'doughty' has been chosen

       to translate it.

       (13) "Ortwin of Metz" appears also in the "Eckenlied",

       "Waltharius", and in "Biterolf". He is most likely a late

       introduction (but see Piper, I, 44). Rieger thinks that he

       belonged to a wealthy family "De Metis". Though the "i" is

       long in the original, and Simrock uses the form "Ortewein"

       in his translation, the spelling with short "i" has been

       chosen, as the lack of accent tends to shorten the vowel in

       such names.

       (14) "Gere" is likewise a late introduction. He is perhaps the

       historical Margrave Gere (965) of East Saxony, whom Otto the

       Great appointed as a leader against the Slavs. See O. von

       Heinemann, "Markgraf Gero", Braunschweig, 1860, and Piper, L

       43.

       (15) "Eckewart" is also a late accession. He is perhaps the

       historical margrave of Meissen (1002), the first of the

       name. He, too, won fame in battle against the Slavs.

       (16) "Folker of Alzet" (M.H.G. "Volker von Alzeije"), the

       knightly minstrel, is hardly an historical personage, in

       spite of the fact that Alzey is a well-known town in Rhine

       Hesse on the Selz, eighteen miles southwest of Mainz. The

       town has, to be sure, a violin in its coat of arms, as also

       the noble family of the same name. It is most likely,

       however, that this fact caused Folker to be connected with

       Alzei. In the "Thidreksaga" Folker did not play the role of

       minstrel, and it is probable that some minstrel reviser of

       our poem developed the character and made it the

       personification of himself.

       (17) "Rumolt", "Bindolt", and "Hunolt" have no historical basis

       and merely help to swell the retinue of the Burgundians.

       (18) "Worship". This word has been frequently used here in its

       older meaning of 'worth', 'reverence', 'respect', to

       translate the M.H.G. "eren", 'honors'.

ADVENTURE II. Of Siegfried.

       Table of Contents

      In the Netherlands there grew the child of a noble king (his father had for name Siegemund, (1) his mother Siegelind), (2) in a mighty castle, known far and wide, in the lowlands of the Rhine: Xanten, (3) men called it. Of this hero I sing, how fair he grew. Free he was of every blemish. Strong and famous he later became, this valiant man. Ho! What great worship he won in this world! Siegfried hight this good and doughty knight. Full many kingdoms did he put to the test through his warlike mood. Through his strength of body he rode into many lands. Ho! What bold warriors he after found in the Burgundian land! Mickle wonders might one tell of Siegfried in his prime, in youthful days; what honors he received and how fair of body he. The most stately women held him in their love; with the zeal which was his due men trained him. But of himself what virtues he attained! Truly his father's lands were honored, that he was found in all things of such right lordly mind. Now was he become of the age that he might ride to court. Gladly the people saw him, many a maid wished that his desire might ever bear him hither. Enow gazed on him with favor; of this the prince was well aware. Full seldom was the youth allowed to ride without a guard of knights. Siegmund and Siegelind bade deck him out in brave attire. The older knights who were acquaint with courtly custom, had him in their care. Well therefore might he win both folk and land.

      Now he was of the strength that he bare weapons well. Whatever he needed thereto, of this he had enow. With purpose he began to woo fair ladies; these bold Siegfried courted well in proper wise. Then bade Siegmund have cried to all his men, that he would hold a feasting with his loving kindred. The tidings thereof men brought into the lands of other kings. To the strangers and the home-folk he gave steeds and armor. Wheresoever any was found who, because of his birth, should become a knight, these noble youths were summoned to the land for the feasting. Here with the youthful prince they gained the knightly sword. Wonders might one tell of this great feast; Siegmund and Siegelind wist well how to gain great worship with their gifts, of which their hands dealt out great store. Wherefore one beheld many strangers riding to their realm. Four hundred sword-thanes (4) were to put on knightly garb with Siegfried. Many a fair maid was aught but idle with the work, for he was beloved of them all. Many precious stones the ladies inlaid on the gold, which together with the edging they would work upon the dress of the proud young warriors, for this must needs be done.

      The host bade make benches for the many valiant men, for the midsummer festival, (5) at which Siegfried should gain the name of knight. Then full many a noble knight and many a high-born squire did hie them to the minster. Right were the elders in that they served the young, as had been done to them afore. Pastimes they had and hope of much good cheer. To the honor of God a mass was sung; then there rose from the people full great a press, as the youths were made knights in courtly wise, with such great honors as might not ever lightly be again. Then they ran to where they found saddled many a steed. In Siegmund's court the hurtling (6) waxed so fierce that both palace (7) and hall were heard to ring; the high-mettled warriors clashed with mighty sound. From young and old one heard many a shock, so that the splintering of the shafts reechoed to the clouds. Truncheons (8) were seen flying out before the palace from the hand of many a knight. This was done with zeal. At length the host bade cease the tourney and the steeds were led away. Upon the turf one saw