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

/ a prince of noble kind,

       Siegmund hight his father, / his mother Siegelind—

       Within a lordly castle / well known the country o'er,

       By the Rhine far downward: / Xanten was the name it bore.

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      Siegfried they did call him, / this bold knight and good;

       Many a realm he tested, / for brave was he of mood.

       He rode to prove his prowess / in many a land around:

       Heigh-ho! what thanes of mettle / anon in Burgundy he found!

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      In the springtime of his vigor, / when he was young and bold,

       Could tales of mickle wonder / of Siegfried be told,

       How he grew up in honor, / and how fair he was to see:

       Anon he won the favor / of many a debonair lady.

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      As for a prince was fitting, / they fostered him with care:

       Yet how the knightly virtues / to him native were!

       'Twas soon the chiefest glory / of his father's land,

       That he in fullest measure / endowed with princely worth did stand.

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      He soon was grown in stature / that he at court did ride.

       The people saw him gladly, / lady and maid beside

       Did wish that his own liking / might lead him ever there.

       That they did lean unto him / the knight was soon right well aware.

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      In youth they let him never / without safe escort ride;

       Soon bade Siegmund and Siegelind / apparel rich provide;

       Men ripe in wisdom taught him, / who knew whence honor came.

       Thus many lands and people / he won by his wide-honored name.

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      Now was he of such stature / that he could weapons bear:

       Of what thereto he needed / had he an ample share.

       Then to think of loving / fair maids did he begin,

       And well might they be honored / for wooer Siegfried bold to win.

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      Then bade his father Siegmund / make known to one and all

       That he with his good kinsmen / would hold high festival.

       And soon were tidings carried / to all the neighboring kings;

       To friends at home and strangers / steeds gave he and rich furnishin

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      Wherever they found any / who knight was fit to be

       By reason of his kindred, / all such were courteously

       Unto the land invited / to join the festal throng,

       When with the prince so youthful / on them the knightly sword was hung.

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      Of this high time of revelry / might I great wonders tell.

       Siegmund and Siegelind / great honor won full well,

       Such store of goodly presents / they dealt with generous hand,

       That knights were seen full many / from far come pricking to their land.

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      Four hundred lusty squires / were there to be clad

       In knight's full garb with Siegfried. / Full many a beauteous maid

       At work did never tire, / for dear they did him hold,

       And many a stone full precious / those ladies laid within the gold,

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      That they upon the doublets / embroidered cunningly

       Of those soon to be knighted: / 't was thus it had to be,

       Seats bade the host for many / a warrior bold make right

       Against the high midsummer, / when Siegfried won the name of knight.

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      Then went unto the minster / full many a noble knight

       And gallant squires beside them. / The elder there with right

       Did wait upon the younger, / as once for them was done.

       They were all light-hearted, / in hope of pleasure every one.

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      God to praise and honor / they sang the mass' song;

       There, too, were crowds of people, / a great and surging throng,

       When after knightly custom / knighthood received they then,

       In such a stately pageant / as scarce might ever be again.

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      They hastened where they found them / saddled many a steed;

       In the court of Siegmund's castle / they tilted with such speed

       That far the din resounded / through castle and through hall,

       As in the play with clamor / did join the fiery riders all.

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      Well-tried old knights and youthful / met there in frequent clash,

       There was sound of shattered lances / that through the air did crash,

       And along before the castle / were splinters seen to fly

       From hands of knights a many: / each with other there did vie.

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      The king he bade give over: / they led the chargers out:

       There was seen all shattered / many a boss well-wrought,

       And many a stone full costly / lay there upon the sward

       From erstwhile shining shield-bands, / now broken in the jousting hard.

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      The guests all went thereafter / where seats for them were reared;

       They by the choicest viands / from weariness were cheered,

       And wine, of all the rarest, / that then in plenty flowed.

       Upon both friends and strangers / were fitting honors rich bestowed.

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      In such merry manner / all day did last the feast.

       Many a wandering minstrel / knew not any rest,

       But sang to win the presents / dealt out with bounteous hand;

       And with their praise was honored / far and wide King Siegmund's land.

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      The monarch then did order / Siegfried his youthful son

       In fee give lands and castles, / as he erstwhile had done.

       To all his sword-companions / he gave with such full hand,

       That joyed they o'er the journey / they now had made unto that land.

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      The festival yet lasted / until the seventh day.

       Siegelind after old custom / in plenty gave away

      —For so her son she honored—/ rich gifts of shining gold:

       In sooth deserved she richly / that all should him in honor hold.

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      Never a wandering minstrel / was unprovided found:

       Horses there and raiment / so free were dealt around,

       As if to live they had not / beyond it one day more.

       I ween a monarch's