The Nibelungenlied Part 142

XCI

"Alas! my luckless brother who here in death lies low!

How every hour I'm living brings some fresh tale of woe!

And ever must I sorrow for the good margrave too.

On both sides dire destruction and mortal ills we rue."

XCII

Soon as the youthful Giselher beheld his brother dead, Who yet within were lingering by sudden doom were sped.

Death, his pale meiny choosing, dealt each his dreary dole.

Of those of Bechlaren 'scap'd not one living soul.

XCIII

King Gunther and young Giselher, and fearless Hagan, too, Dankwart as well as Folker, the n.o.ble knights and true, Went where they found together out-stretch'd the valiant twain.

There wept th' a.s.sembled warriors in anguish o'er the slain.

XCIV

"Death fearfully despoils us," said youthful Giselher, "But now give over wailing, and haste to th' open air To cool our heated hauberks, faint as we are with strife.

G.o.d, methinks, no longer will here vouchsafe us life."

XCV

This sitting, that reclining, was seen full many a knight; They took repose in quiet; around (a fearful sight!) Lay Rudeger's dead comrades; all was hush'd and still; From that long dreary silence King Etzel augur'd ill.

XCVI

"Alas for this half friendship!" thus Kriemhild frowning spake, "If it were true and steadfast, Sir Rudeger would take Vengeance wide and sweeping on yonder murderous band; Now back he'll bring them safely to their Burgundian land.

XCVII

"What boot our gifts, King Etzel? Was it, my lord, for this We gave him all he ask'd us? The chief has done amiss.

He who should have reveng'd us will now a treaty make."

Thereto in answer Folker, the gallant minstrel, spake.

XCVIII

"Not so the truth is, lady! the more the pity, too!

If one the lie might venture to give a dame like you, Most foully 'gainst the margrave you've lied, right n.o.ble queen!

Sore trick'd in that same treaty he and his men have been.

XCIX

"With such good-will the margrave his king's commands obey'd, That he and all his meiny dead on this floor are laid.

Now look about you, Kriemhild! for servants seek anew; Well were you serv'd by Rudeger; he to the death was true.

C

"The fact, if still you're doubting, before your eyes we'll bring."

'Twas done e'en of set purpose her heart the more to wring.

They brought the mangled margrave, where Etzel saw him well.

Th' a.s.sembled knights of Hungary such utter anguish ne'er befell.

CI

When thus held high before them they saw the margrave dead, Sure by the choicest writer could ne'er be penn'd nor said The woful burst of wailing from woman and eke from man, That from the heart's deep sorrow to strike all ears began.

CII

Above his weeping people King Etzel sorrow'd sore; His deep-voiced wail resounded loud as the lion's roar In the night-shaded desert; the like did Kriemhild too; They mourn'd in heart for Rudeger, the valiant and the true.

THIRTY-EIGHTH ADVENTURE

HOW SIR DIETRICH'S MEN WERE ALL SLAIN

I

The cry of lamentation now spread so far around That tower and hall and palace rang with the rueful sound.

A certain Berner heard it, the n.o.ble Dietrich's man.

To tell the b.l.o.o.d.y tidings, how swift away he ran!

II

Then thus the prince bespake he, "Sir Dietrich, hear my tale; Surely heard I never such wild and woful wail, As in my ears is ringing, through all the life I've past.

The king himself, I doubt not, has join'd the feast at last.

III

"Why else should such loud sorrow through all the people spread?