The Nibelungenlied: The Lay of the Nibelungs (Oxford World's Classics) (35 page)

1864

was towards them, if anyone had told Etzel the truth of the matter he would have prevented what was to happen there afterwards. In their great pride none of them told him of it.

1865

A huge crowd then walked away alongside the queen. Volker and Hagen, those two, would not stand an inch further off. That irked the Huns. They had no choice but to jostle with the gallant heroes.

1866

Etzel’s chamberlains thought ill of that. They would have aroused the warriors’ wrath then, but dared not do so in the presence of the proud king. There was a great deal of jostling, but nothing further.

1867

After they had served God and they wanted to leave, great numbers of the Huns quickly went over to their horses. There was many a fair maiden present with Kriemhilt then. Some seven thousand knights rode alongside the queen. Kriemhilt took her seat with her

1868

ladies at the windows, next to mighty Etzel; that gave him great pleasure. They wanted to watch the gallant heroes ride. Ah what foreign warriors rode before them in the courtyard!

1869

By then the marshal, valiant Dancwart, had also arrived with the squires; he had gathered about him his lord’s retinue from Burgundy. The bold Nibelungs found their horses well saddled for them. When

1870

the kings, and also their vassals, came to their horses, mighty Volker advised that they should hold a bohort according to their land’s custom. The heroes then rode in great splendour. What the hero had

1871

advised met with no disapproval. The bohort and the clamour both grew great. Men in great numbers came into the spacious courtyard. Etzel and Kriemhilt were watching this.

1872

Six hundred knights from among Dietrich’s warriors came to the bohort to meet the guests. They wanted to have sport with the Burgundians. If Dietrich had granted them permission, they would gladly have done so. Ah, what worthy warriors rode after them there!

1873

Lord Dietrich was told of this. He forbade them to have any sport with Gunther’s men. He feared for his men, and rightly so.

1874

After those men of Bern had departed, five hundred of Rüedeger’s men from Pöchlarn came riding up to the palace, beneath their shields. The margrave would have liked them to have refrained from this. Then, wisely, he rode through the company to them and said

1875

to his warriors that they must be aware that Gunther’s men were in angry mood—if they were to abandon the bohort, it would meet with his approval.

1876

When those gallant heroes had parted from the Burgundians, the men of Thuringia approached, so we are told, and some thousand bold men of Denmark. Many splinters were seen to fly up into the air as the jousts met. Irnfrit and Hawart rode into the bohort. The men from

1877

the Rhine had been proudly waiting for them. They offered many a joust to the men of Thuringia. Thus great numbers of splendid rims were riddled with holes.

1878

Then Lord Blœdelin arrived with three thousand men. Etzel and Kriemhilt observed him clearly, for these deeds of chivalry were taking place before them both. The queen was glad to see this, hoping that harm would befall the Burgundians. Schrutan and Gibeche
*

1879

rode to the bohort, as did Ramunc and Hornboge,
*
according to Hunnish customs. They halted opposite the heroes of Burgundy. The shafts twirled high over the walls of the king’s hall.

1880

No matter what anyone did there, it was no more than clamour. The palace and the great hall resounded loudly with the clash of the shields of Gunther’s men. His retinue won renown and great honour.

1881

Their sport was so intense and great then that the shining sweat flowed through the caparisons
*
of the good chargers that the heroes rode. They put the Huns to the test, bearing themselves most proudly.

1882

Then Volker the minstrel, that bold warrior, said: ‘I believe these warriors daren’t take us on. I always heard tell that they bore us enmity. No better opportunity could ever present itself than now.

1883

Have our warhorses led to the lodgings,’ Volker went on, ‘and let us ride again towards evening, when the time is ripe. What if the queen gives the prize to the Burgundians?’

1884

Then they saw one who rode so swaggeringly there that none among all the Huns matched him. He might well have had a lady-love at that time. He rode as well-attired as a noble knight’s bride.

1885

At that Volker spoke again: ‘How can I resist? That ladies’ pet must have a thrashing.
*
No one can prevent it—it will cost him his life! I don’t care if it angers King Etzel’s wife.’

1886

‘No, by the love you bear me,’ said the king at once. ‘The people will hold us to blame if we attack them. Let the Huns start things—that would be far more fitting.’

Still King Etzel sat by the queen.

1887

‘I will add to the bohort’s numbers,’ said Hagen then. ‘Let the ladies and the knights see how we can ride—that would be a noble deed. Otherwise, they won’t give any praise to King Gunther’s men.’

1888

Valiant Volker rode back into the bohort. That was to cause many a lady grievous sorrow thereafter. He thrust his lance through the wealthy Hun’s body. Both maidens and women were seen to weep over that in time to come. Hard into the clash rode Hagen and his

1889

men, sixty of his knights, following the fiddler to where that sport had taken place. Etzel and Kriemhilt saw that clearly. The three

1890

kings did not want to leave their minstrel defenceless among their foes then. A thousand heroes rode with great skill there. They did just as they liked, with a most haughty bearing.

1891

When the wealthy Hun had been slain, his kinsmen could be heard calling out and lamenting. All the household then asked: ‘Who has done this?’ ‘It was the fiddler, Volker the bold minstrel!’ At once the

1892

margrave of Hungary’s kinsmen called out for swords and shields there. They would have slain Volker. The host hastened away from the window.

1893

Then clamour arose on all sides amongst the people. The kings and their retinue dismounted in front of the palace. The Burgundians thrust their chargers back.
*
Then King Etzel came up—that lord set

1894

about ending the dispute. He found one of the Hun’s kinsmen standing by him. He tore a mighty sword out of his hand. Then he drove them all back, for he was greatly angered: ‘How should I have forfeited the service I have rendered these heroes if you had slain this

1895

minstrel in my presence!’ said King Etzel. ‘That would be an ill deed. I clearly saw him riding when he thrust his lance through the Hun, and that it was not his fault—it happened because he stumbled. You

1896

must leave my guests in peace!’ He acted as their escort then. They led the chargers off to the lodgings. They had many squires who took pains to serve them in all things.

1897

The host went into the palace with his friends. He allowed no more anger to arise there. Then they set up the tables; they brought the water
*
for them. The men of the Rhine had plenty of fierce foes there. It took a very long time until the lords had sat down.

1898

Kriemhilt’s troubles oppressed her all too sorely. She said: ‘Prince of Bern, I seek your counsel, help, and favour. My affairs are in a parlous state.’

1899

Hildebrant, that renowned warrior, answered her: ‘If anyone is to slay the Nibelungs, I for one shall not be party to it, not for the sake of any treasure. It may cost someone dear. They are as yet unvanquished, those bold, gallant knights.’

1900

Then Sir Dietrich in his courtesy added: ‘Let this request

1901

be, mighty queen. Your kinsmen have done me no such harm that I should wish to take on those bold warriors in battle. This request does you little honour, most noble prince’s wife—that you plot the
death of your kinsmen. They came here into this land in good faith. Sivrit will remain unavenged by Dietrich’s hands.’

1902

When she found no treachery in the man of Bern, she wasted no time in promising to Blœdelin a broad march which Nuodunc had possessed before. (Afterwards Dancwart slew him, so he had no memory of that gift!) She said: ‘You must help me, Lord Blœdelin.

1903

Here in this castle are my foes who slew Sivrit, my dear husband. If anyone helps me avenge that, I shall always be indebted to him.’

1904

Blœdelin answered her as follows: ‘Lady, you must know that I dare not, for fear of Etzel, plot any enmity, for he is very glad, lady, to see your kinsmen. If I were to harm them at all, the king would not forgive me for it.’

1905

‘No, Lord Blœdelin, I shall always hold you dear! I’ll give you silver and gold as a reward, and a fair maiden, Nuodunc’s bride.
*
You will be glad to take your pleasure with that most lovely woman. I will

1906

give you all the land with its castles. Then, noble knight, you may forever live in joy, if you gain the march where Nuodunc resided. What I have vowed to you today, I’ll carry out in good faith.’

1907

When Lord Blœdelin heard of that reward, knowing that the lady well befitted him because of her beauty, he thought to earn the lovely woman in battle. (The warrior was then to lose his life in that cause.) He said to the queen: ‘Go back into the hall. Before anyone

1908

becomes aware of it, I shall cause a disturbance. Hagen must pay for the wrongs he has done you. I shall deliver King Gunther’s vassal to you in bonds.’

1909

‘Now arm yourselves,’ said Blœdelin, ‘all my men! We must go to the foes’ lodgings. Etzel’s wife will not spare me this! We heroes must all risk our lives in this cause!’

1910

After the queen had left Blœdelin bent on battle, she then went to table with Etzel the king, and also his vassals. She had laid grim plots against the guests. Now that the battle could not be brought about in

1911

any other way—Kriemhilt’s old grief was buried deep in her heart—she ordered then that Etzel’s son be brought to the table. How could a woman ever wreak more dreadful vengeance? Four of Etzel’s men

1912

walked up at once; they carried Ortliep, the young king, over to the princes’ table, where Hagen also sat. (The child was fated to die because of his murderous hostility.)

1913

When the mighty king beheld his son, he spoke graciously to his in-laws: ‘See now, my friends, this is my only son, and that of
your sister also. This may bode well for all of you. If he takes after

1914

his kindred, he will be a bold man, wealthy and most noble, strong and well-favoured. If I live long enough, I’ll give him twelve lands. Thus young Ortliep’s hands may serve you well. Therefore, my dear

1915

friends, I would like to ask you, when you ride back to your land by the Rhine, to take your sister’s son
*
with you, and act most kindly by the child. Bring him up honourably until he reaches manhood. If anyone has wronged you in the lands, he will help you avenge it, if he grows to be a man.’

1916

Kriemhilt, King Etzel’s wife, also heard those words.

1917

‘These knights ought to have every confidence in him,’ said Hagen, ‘if he grows to manhood, but the young king has such a doomed look about him—seldom shall I be seen to go to court for Ortliep’s sake.’

1918

The king glanced at Hagen—his words displeased him. Although the gallant prince said no more about it, it troubled his heart and weighed upon his mind. Hagen was not then in any mood for sport.

1919

What Hagen had said about the child hurt all the princes, as well as the king. They were dismayed that they had to tolerate it. (They knew nothing of what would afterwards befall them at the hands of that warrior.)

1920

A
LL
of Blœdelin’s warriors were at the ready. Clad in a thousand hauberks, they headed off to where Dancwart sat with the squires at table. The greatest hostility ever known among heroes arose there.

1921

When Lord Blœdelin went up to the tables, Dancwart the marshal took pains to welcome him: ‘Welcome to this house, my lord Blœdelin. I wonder greatly at this—what is amiss?’

1922

‘There’s no need for you to greet me,’ said Blœdelin, ‘for my coming here must be the death of you, because of Hagen your brother, who slew Sivrit. You will pay for that at the hands of the Huns, as will plenty of other knights.’

1923

‘No, Lord Blœdelin!’ replied Dancwart. ‘In that case we would have good reason to regret this journey to a foreign court. I was a
small child when Sivrit lost his life.
*
I don’t know what cause King Etzel’s wife has to reproach me.’

1924

‘I have nothing more to say to you. It was your kinsmen, Gunther and Hagen, who did the deed. Defend yourselves now, strangers to this land. You cannot survive! You must repay Kriemhilt with your deaths.’

1925

‘You will not relent, then?’ said Dancwart. ‘In that case I regret pleading with you—it would have been better if I had saved my breath.’ The bold, valiant warrior leapt away from the table. He drew a sharp sword, huge and long. Then he dealt Blœdelin such a fierce blow with his sword that his head at once lay at his feet. ‘Let that be

1926

your dowry,’ said Dancwart the warrior, ‘for Nuodunc’s bride, to whom you wanted to make love! They can marry her to another man

1927

tomorrow. If he wants the dowry, he will be dealt with in the same way!’ A most loyal Hun had told him that the queen was plotting such grievous wrongs against them.

1928

When Blœdelin’s men saw that their lord lay slain, they would no longer tolerate such treatment from the strangers. Swinging their swords high, they leapt up to the squires in a grim mood. Great numbers of them rued that in time to come. Loudly Dancwart then