Song and Legend from the Middle Ages Part 17

Into the hall upon them the fire-flakes thickly fell; These with their shields they warded warily and well.

With smoke and heat together they were tormented sore.

Never, I ween, good warriors such burning anguish bore.

Through smoke and flame cried Hagan, "stand close against the wall; Let not the burning ashes on your helm-laces fall.

Into the blood yet deeper tread every fiery flake.

In sooth, this feast of Kriemhild's is ghastly merry-make."

One by one the champions fall, until only Hagen and Gunther, exhausted with fighting, are left to contend with Dietrich, the most Valisntof Etzel's va.s.sals. The conclusion of the poem tells of the fate of Hagen, Gunther, and Kriemhild.

THE FALL OF THE NIEBELUNGEN.

Stanza 2428-2459.

Well knew the n.o.ble Dietrich how fierce and fell a knight Was standing now against him; so warily the fight 'Gainst those tempestuous swordstrokes wag'd the good lord of Bern.

The strength and skill of Hagan he had not now to learn.

He fear'd too, mighty Balmung as down it swept amain; Yet at times Sir Dietrich with craft would strike again, Till that to sink before him he brought his foeman strong; A fearful wound, he gave him that was both deep and long.

Sir Dietrich then bethought him, "thou'rt faint and ill bestead I should win little worship, were I to strike thee dead.

I'll make a different trial, if thou can'st now be won By main force for a pris'ner." With wary heed 't was done.

Down he threw his buckler; wondrous was his might; He his arms resistless threw round Trony's knight.

So was by his stronger the main of strength subdued.

Thereat the n.o.ble Gunther remain'd in mournful mood.

His vanquish'd foe Sir Dietrich bound in a mighty band, And led him thence to Kriemhild, and gave into her hand The best and boldest champion that broadsword ever bore.

She after all her anguish felt comfort all the more.

For joy the queen inclin'd her before the welcome guest; "Sir knight I in mind and body heaven keep thee ever blest!

By thee all my long sorrows are shut up in delight.

Even if death prevent not, thy service I'll requite."

"Fair and n.o.ble Kriemhild," thus Sir Dietrich spake, "Spare this captive warrior, who full amends will make For all his past transgressions; him here in bonds you see; Revenge not on the fetter'd th' offences of the free."

With that she had Sir Hagan to durance led away, Where no one could behold him, where under lock he lay.

Meanwhile the fierce king Gunther shouted loud and strong, "Whither is gone the Berner? he hath done me grievous wrong."

Straight, at the call, to meet him Sir Dietrich swiftly went.

Huge was the strength of Gunther, and deadly his intent.

There he no longer dallied; from th' hall he forward ran; Sword clash'd with sword together, as man confronted man.

Howe'er renown'd was Dietrich, and train'd in combat well, Yet Gunther fought against him so furious and so fell, And bore him hate so deadly, now friendless left and lone, It seemed past all conceiving, how Dietrich held his own.

Both were of mighty puissance, and neither yielded ground; Palace and airy turret rung with their strokes around, As their swift swords descending their temper'd helmets hew'd Well there the proud king Gunther display'd his manly mood.

Yet him subdued the Berner, as Hagan erst befell; Seen was the blood of the warrior forth through his mail to well Beneath the fatal weapon that Dietrich bore in fright.

Tir'd as he was, still Gunther had kept him like a knight.

So now at length the champion was bound by Dietrich there, How ill soe'er it fitteth a king such bonds to bear.

Gunther and his fierce liegeman if he had left unbound, He ween'd they'd deal destruction on all, whome'er they found.

Then by the hand Sir Dietrich took the champion good.

And in his bonds thence led him to where fair Kriemhild stood.

She cried, "thou'rt welcome, Gunther, hero of Burgundy."

"Now G.o.d requite you, Kriemhild, if you speak lovingly."

Said he, "I much should thank you, and justly, sister dear, If true affection prompted the greeting which I hear; But, knowing your fierce temper, proud queen, too well I see, Such greeting is a mocking of Hagan and of me."

Then said the n.o.ble Berner, "high-descended dame, Ne'er have been brought to bondage knights of such peerless fame, As those, whom you, fair lady, now from your servant take.

Grant these forlorn and friendless fair treatment for my sake."

She said she fain would do so; then from the captive pair With weeping eyes Sir Dietrich retir'd and left them there.

Straight a b.l.o.o.d.y vengeance wreak'd Etzell's furious wife On those redoubted champions, and both bereft of life.

In dark and dismal durance them kept apart the queen, So that from that hour neither was by the other seen, Till that at last to Hagan her brother's head she bore.

On both she took with vengeance as tongue ne'er told before.

To the cell of Hagan eagerly she went; Thus the knight bespake she, ah! with what fell intent!

"Wilt thou but return me what thou from me hast ta'en, Back thou may'st go living to Burgundy again."

Then spake grim-visag'd Hagan, "you throw away your prayer, High-descended lady; I took an oath whilere, That, while my lords were living, or of them only one, I'd ne'er point out the treasure; thus 't will be given to none."

Well knew the subtle Hagan, she ne'er would let him 'scape.

Ah! when did ever falsehood a.s.sume so foul a shape?

He fear'd, that, soon as ever the queen his life had ta'en, She then would send her brother to Rhineland back again.

"I'll make an end, and quickly," Kriemhild fiercely spake.

Her brother's life straight had she in his dungeon take.

Off his head was smitten; she bore it by the hair To the lord of Trony; such sight he well could spare.

A while in gloomy sorrow he view'd his master's head; Then to remorseless Kriemhild thus the warrior said; "E'en to thy wish this business thou to an end hast brought, To such an end, moreover, as Hagan ever thought.

Now the brave king Gunther of Burgundy is dead Young Giselher and eke Gernot alike with him are sped; So now, where lies the treasure, none knows save G.o.d and me, And told shall it be never, be sure, she-fiend! to thee."

Said she, "ill hast thou quitted a debt so deadly scor'd; At least in my possession I'll keep my Siegfried's sword.

My lord and lover bore it, when last I saw him go.

For him woe wring my bosom, that pa.s.s'd all other woe."

Forth from the sheath she drew it; that could not be prevent; At once to slay the champion was Kriemhild's stern intent.

High with both hands she heav'd it, and off his head did smite.

That was seen of king Etzel; he shudder'd at the sight.

"Ah!" cried the prince impa.s.sion'd, "harrow and welaway!

That the hand of a woman the n.o.blest knight should slay, That e'er struck stroke in battle, or ever buckler bore!

Albeit I was his foeman, needs must I sorrow sore."

Then said the aged Hildebrand, "let not her boast of gain, In that by her contrivance this n.o.ble chief was slain.

Though to sore strait he brought me, let ruin on me light, But I will take full vengeance for Trony's murdered knight."