The Nibelungenlied: The Lay of the Nibelungs (Oxford World's Classics) (6 page)

12

Living in such high honour, Kriemhilt dreamt how she reared a falcon, strong, handsome, and wild, which two eagles tore asunder before her eyes. No greater sorrow could ever befall her in this world.

13

She told her dream then to her mother Uote. She could offer the good maiden no better interpretation than this: ‘The falcon you are rearing is a noble man. Unless God deigns to preserve him, you will soon have lost him.’

14

‘What are you saying to me about a man, my dearest mother? I wish to be forever free of a warrior’s love. I desire to remain as fair as this until my death, never earning anguish for love of a man.’

15

‘Now, do not protest too much,’ replied her mother. ‘If you’re ever to feel heartfelt happiness in this world, it will happen because of a man’s love. You will become a beautiful wife, if God grants you some day a truly worthy knight as a husband.’

16

‘Let such words be,’ she said. ‘My lady, so often it has been shown, with regard to many women, how joy in the end may be rewarded by sorrow. I must avoid them both, and then no ill fate can ever befall me.’

17

Kriemhilt, in her own mind, renounced love entirely. After that the most virtuous maiden lived for many a happy day, not knowing anyone who wished to woo her. Yet there came a time when she became, in all honour, wife to a most valiant warrior.

18

It was he who was the very falcon that she saw in her dream, which her mother interpreted to her. How harshly she avenged him upon her closest kinsmen, who were to slay him! Because of that one man’s death, many a mother’s child died.

19

T
HERE
grew up in the Netherlands at that time a noble king’s son, whose father was called Sigmunt, his mother Siglint. This was in a prosperous citadel, well known far and wide, low down by the
Rhine—it was called Xanten. Sivrit was the name of that bold,

20

worthy knight. He put many realms to the test, so great was his courage. Rejoicing in his strength, he rode into many lands. Ah, what bold knights he afterwards found in Burgundy!

21

In his best times, in his young days, many marvels might be told of Sivrit: how his reputation grew, and how handsome he was. Afterwards women of great beauty came to love him. He was brought

22

up with such care as well befitted him. What knightly qualities he acquired, being naturally disposed towards them! His father’s lands came to be adorned by this, everyone finding him so truly noble in all respects.

23

Now he had reached the right age for riding to court. The people were glad to see him. Many a lady and maiden wished that he would always feel disposed to go there. A good many grew fond of him, as the lord well observed.

24

They very rarely let the boy ride without a guard.
*
Sigmunt and Siglint ordered that he be elegantly dressed. The wise men of the court, knowledgeable in matters of reputation, also took care of him. Thus he proved well capable of winning for himself both the people and the land. By now his strength was such that he was well capable

25

of bearing arms. He had ample supply of all he needed for that. He began to woo, astutely, beautiful women. It was a high honour for them to make love to bold Sivrit.

26

Then his father, Sigmunt, proclaimed to his vassals that he wanted to hold a festivity among his dear friends. Those tidings were then taken into other kings’ lands. He gave chargers and good garments to strangers and acquaintances alike. Wherever any were found who

27

might be made knights by virtue of their lineage, those noble children were invited to the land for the festivity. They afterwards took sword
*
together with the young king.

28

Marvels might be told of that festivity. Sigmunt and Siglint were well capable of acquiring much honour by their lavish hospitality; their hands dealt out many gifts. In consequence many strangers were seen to ride into their land.

29

Four hundred squires were to take sword and wear knights’ clothing together with Sivrit. Great numbers of fair maidens were busy at their work, for they held him dear. The ladies laid many precious stones into the gold, which they wanted to work with braids into the

30

garments of the proud young knights—that could not be omitted.
The host then bade seats be set up for bold men in great numbers at the summer solstice, when his son gained a knight’s name in splendour.

31

Then wealthy squires in great numbers and many noble knights went into a minster. The old and wise men did right to serve the young and foolish, as had been done for them before. They took pleasure in this, and also had hopes of great joy to come.

32

Then, to honour God, they sang a mass. A great press of people arose where they became knights, according to knightly law, with such a display of high honour as may in all likelihood never happen again.

33

They ran to where they found many warhorses saddled. At Sigmunt’s court the bohort
*
grew so great that the palace and great hall were heard to echo with the sound. Those high-spirited knights created a mighty clamour. Many a charge was to be heard,

34

undertaken by old and young alike, the splitting of shafts resounding in the air. Splinters were seen to fly far beyond the great hall, the work of many a warrior’s hands—skill was at work there!

35

The host asked that the fighting should cease. Then the warhorses were reared in. A great many sturdy shield-buckles were seen to be shattered there, many precious stones felled onto the grass from the bright shields’ bosses—the charges had brought all that about.

36

Then the host’s guests went to where they had been assigned their seats. Noble food in plenty parted them from their weariness, together with the very best of wine, brought in for them in great quantities. Ample hospitality was offered there to strangers and acquaintances alike. Though the nobles enjoyed their pastimes all the day long,

37

many travelling people
*
took no rest. They served to earn gifts, which were to be found in plenty there. Therefore all Sigmunt’s land was adorned with praise.

38

Lord Sigmunt bade young Sivrit confer lands and castles in fief, as he himself had done before. Sivrit’s hands then gave many gifts to his fellow sword-bearers. They were happy then that they had made their journey into that land. The festivity lasted until the

39

seventh day. Wealthy Siglint, following old custom, gave away red gold for love of her son. She well knew how to earn the people’s favour for him.

40

Very few travelling people were found in poverty there. Chargers and clothing flew from the nobles’ hands, as if it were the last
day of their lives! No household, I believe, ever practised such great generosity. Amid great renown the festivity ended. Afterwards the

41

powerful nobles were heard to say that they wanted to have the young prince for their lord. Sivrit, that most handsome man, wanted nothing of that. Since both Sigmunt and Siglint were still alive, their dear

42

son had no wish to wear a crown. Yet he desired to be lord there and prevail against any attacks that the bold and courageous knight feared might be made in the lands.

43

S
ELDOM
did any heart’s grief trouble that lord. He heard tidings of how there was in Burgundy a beautiful maiden, of perfect loveliness, from whom he was in time to come to gain great joy, but also suffering. Her incomparable beauty was known far and wide, and

44

many a hero discerned the damsel’s high spirits at that time. This attracted many strangers to Gunther’s land. No matter how many

45

wooers were seen to seek her love, Kriemhilt never, in her own mind, admitted to herself that she wanted any of them for a lover. He to whom she afterwards became subject was still very much a stranger to her.

46

Then Siglint’s son’s thoughts turned to noble love.
*
All the others’ wooing was as nothing compared with his. He was well capable of earning a beautiful lady. In time to come noble Kriemhilt became bold Sivrit’s wife.

47

His kinsmen and plenty of his vassals advised him, since his thoughts were bent upon constant love, that he should woo one who might befit him. Then bold Sivrit said: ‘In that case I will take Kriemhilt, the beautiful damsel of Burgundy, because of her

48

incomparable beauty. I know full well that no emperor who wanted a wife ever grew so powerful that it would not become him to love that wealthy queen.’

49

Sigmunt came to hear these tidings. His people talked about it, which is how he came to know of his son’s wishes—it was a great sorrow to him that he wanted to woo that most noble maiden.

50

Siglint, the noble king’s wife, also came to hear it. She was very
concerned for her son, for she was well acquainted with Gunther and his vassals. They tried their hardest to deter the knight from his wooing.

51

Then bold Sivrit said: ‘My beloved father, I would always remain without a noble lady’s love unless I were to woo one for whom my heart holds very great love.
*
No matter what anyone may say, there is nothing else for it.’

52

‘If you will not change your mind,’ the king replied, ‘then I truly rejoice in your wishes, and will help you to carry them out as best as I possibly can. Yet King Gunther has haughty vassals in great numbers. Were there none other but Sir Hagen, he knows how to practise

50

pride in his arrogance, so that I very much fear it may cost us dear if we wish to woo that most noble maiden.’

54

‘How can that hinder us?’ replied Sivrit. ‘What I cannot obtain from them by friendly request, my hands may win there by my valour. I trust I can win both people and land from them by force.’

55

Then Prince Sigmunt said: ‘Your words trouble me, for if these tidings were told by the Rhine, you would never be permitted to ride into that land. I have long been acquainted with Gunther and Gernot. No one can win that maiden by force,’ said King Sigmunt.
*

56

‘I have this on good authority. Yet if you wish to ride with warriors into that land, then such friends as we have will soon be sent for.’

57

‘I do not intend’, Sivrit replied, ‘that warriors should accompany me to the Rhine on any campaign to win that fairest of maidens by force—that would be very much against my wishes. My own

58

hands alone will be well capable of winning her there. I will go with twelve others
*
into Gunther’s land. You must help me in this, father Sigmunt.’

59

Then they gave to his knights grey and coloured garments.
*
His mother Siglint then also came to hear of these tidings. She grew sad, fearing to lose her dear son at the hands of Gunther’s men. The noble queen wept full sorely.

60

Lord Sivrit walked over to her. He spoke kind words to his mother: ‘Lady, you must not weep for my sake. Indeed, I am free of all fear of any fighting man. Help me on my journey into Burgundy, so

61

that I and my warriors may have such garments as proud heroes may honourably wear. I shall be truly grateful to you for that, rest assured.’

62

‘Since you will not change your mind,’ said Lady Siglint, ‘then I will help you on your journey, my only child, with the best garments
a knight ever wore, for you and your companions. You shall have plenty of them to take with you.’

63

Young Sivrit then bowed to the queen. He said: ‘I will have no more than twelve warriors with me on the journey. Have garments prepared for them. I look forward to seeing how things stand with regard to Kriemhilt.’

64

Then fair ladies sat night and day, few of them taking any rest, until Sivrit’s garments had been wrought. He would on no account abandon his journey. His father ordered that the knightly garb with

65

which he wanted to depart from Sigmunt’s land be well adorned, and gleaming breastplates were also made ready for them, together with sturdy helmets and beautiful, broad shields.

66

Then the time for their journey to Burgundy drew near. Both men and women grew anxious about them, worrying whether they would ever return to their homeland. The heroes ordered that both their armour and garments should be loaded onto packhorses. Their

67

horses were handsome, their harness red with gold. If anyone alive had greater pride than Sivrit and his men, then there was no need for it. He then asked for leave to depart for Burgundy. It was with sad

68

feelings that the king and his wife gave their consent. He then consoled them both with affection. He said: ‘You must not weep for my sake. You must always be free of any anxiety for me.’

69

The warriors grieved; many a maiden also wept. I believe that their hearts had rightly told them that so many of their friends would lie dead in consequence. It was only right that they then lamented—they had good reason to do so.

70

On the seventh morning after that the valiant warriors rode to the shore by Worms. All their garments were of red gold, their harness well-favoured. Their chargers walked at an even pace, those of bold Sivrit’s men. Their shields were new, bright, and broad, and their

71

helmets most handsome, when valiant Sivrit rode to court there, into Gunther’s land. Never were heroes seen to wear such splendid garments. The points of their swords reached down to their spurs.

72

Those outstanding knights carried sharp javelins. The one that Sivrit bore was some two spans
*
broad, its blades cutting with a most fearsome edge. They held the gold-coloured bridles in their hands. Their

73

horses’ breast-straps were of silk. Thus they arrived in Burgundy. The people everywhere gaped at the sight. Then many of Gunther’s men ran towards them. Those proud warriors, knights and squires, went to