The Nibelungenlied Part 139

His shield, well prov'd in battle, before his feet he laid, But neither proferr'd service, nor friendly greeting made.

XLII

To those within he shouted, "Look not for succor hence; Ye valiant Nibelungers, now stand on your defence.

I'd fain have been your comrade; your foe I now must be.

We once were friends together; now from that bond I'm free."

XLIII

The hard-beset Burgundians to hear his words were woe.

Was not a man among them, but sorrow'd, high and low, That thus a friend and comrade would 'gainst them mingle blows, When they so much already had suffer'd from their foes.

XLIV

"Now G.o.d forbid," said Gunther, "that such a knight as you To the faith, wherein we trusted, should ever prove untrue, And turn upon his comrades in such an hour as this.

Ne'er can I think that Rudeger can do so much amiss."

XLV

"I can't go back," said Rudeger, "the deadly die is cast; I must with you do battle; to that my word is past.

So each of you defend him as he loves his life.

I must perform my promise, so wills King Etzel's wife,"

XLVI

Said Gunther, "This renouncement comes all too late to-day.

May G.o.d, right n.o.ble Rudeger, you for the favors pay Which you so oft have done us, if e'en unto the end To those, who ever lov'd you, you show yourself a friend.

XLVII

"Ever shall we be your servants for all you've deign'd to give, Both I and my good kinsmen, if by your aid we live.

Your precious gifts, fair tokens of love and friendship dear, Given when you brought us. .h.i.ther, now think of them, good Rudeger!"

XLVIII

"How fain that would I grant you!" the n.o.ble knight replied; "Would that my gifts forever might in your hands abide, I'd fain in all a.s.sist you, that life concerns or fame, But that I fear, so doing, to get reproach and shame."

XLIX

"Think not of that, good Rudeger," said Gernot, "in such need.

Sure host ne'er guests entreated so well in word or deed, As you did us, your comrades, when late with you we stay'd.

If hence alive you bring us, 'twill be in full repaid."

L

"Now would to G.o.d! Sir Gernot," said Rudeger ill bestead, "That you were safe in Rhineland, and I with honor dead!

Now must I fight against you to serve your sister's ends.

Sure never yet were strangers entreated worse by friends."

LI

"Sir Rudeger," answer'd Gernot, "G.o.d's blessing wait on you For all your gorgeous presents! your death I sore should rue, Should that pure virtue perish, which ill the world can spare.

Your sword, which late you gave me, here by my side I wear.

LII

"It never once has failed me in all this b.l.o.o.d.y fray; Lifeless beneath its edges many a good champion lay.

Most perfect is its temper; 'tis sharp and strong as bright; Knight sure a gift so goodly will give no more to knight.

LIII

"Yet, should you not go backward, but turn our foe to-day, If of the friends around me in hostile mood you slay, With your own sword, good Rudeger, I need must take your life, Though you (heaven knows) I pity, and your good and n.o.ble wife."

LIV

"Ah! would to heaven, Sir Gernot, that it might e'en be so!

That e'en as you would wish it this matter all might go, And your good friends 'scape harmless from this abhorred strife!

Then sure should trust in Gernot my daughter and my wife."

LV

With that, the bold Burgundian, fair Uta's youngest, cried, "Why do you thus, Sir Rudeger? my friends here by my side All love you, e'en as I do; why kindle strife so wild?

'Tis ill so soon to widow your late-betrothed child.

LVI

"Should you now and your followers wage war upon me here, How cruel and unfriendly 'twill to the world appear!

For more than on all others on you I still relied, And took, through such affiance, your daughter for my bride."

LVII

"Fair king! thy troth remember," the blameless knight 'gan say, "Should G.o.d be pleas'd in safety to send thee hence away.

Let not the maiden suffer for aught that I do ill.

By your own princely virtue vouchsafe her favor still."