The Nibelungenlied Part 5

For all the host of suitors that sought to bend her will, True to her own coy promise remain'd fair Kriemhild still, That she, for all their wooing, would love vouchsafe to none.

He was a distant stranger, who at last her favor won.

IV

Then sought the son of Siegelind to gain the haughty fair; The vows of other suitors to his were light as air.

Such knight deserv'd to vanquish the coyest maiden's pride; Ere long the n.o.ble Kriemhild became bold Siegfried's bride.

V

His kinsmen and his liegemen then gave him counsel true, That now, if he in honor were inclin'd to woo, He should be bound in wedlock to no unequal make: Then said the n.o.ble Siegfried, "Sure will I fair Kriemhild take,

VI

"The bright Burgundian maiden, best gem of Gunther's throne, Whose far-renowned beauty stands unapproach'd, alone; On earth nor king nor kaiser lives there so proud, I ween, But he might deem him happy to win so fair a queen."

VII

Forthwith were the tidings to Siegmund's ear preferr'd; His anxious liegemen told him; from them his father heard The high design of Siegfried; it much to heart he laid, That he aspir'd so boldly to win so fair a maid.

VIII

The news came eke to Siegelind, the n.o.ble monarch's wife; Full sore the mother trembled for her darling's life, For well she knew fierce Gunther and his va.s.sals stern; So strove they both the champion from his high emprise to turn.

IX

Then spake the valiant Siegfried, "Dearest father mine, The love of high-born women forever I'll resign, Rather than play the wooer but where my heart is set."

Howe'er they sought to move him, but small success they met.

X

"Since naught can then dissuade thee," outspake his royal sire, "Glad am I, blood of Siegmund should to such height aspire, And so thy hopes to forward I'll do the best I can; Yet in his court has Gunther many a proud o'erweening man.

XI

"E'en were there none but Hagan, that redoubted knight In pride can match the proudest, the mightiest in might; So that, my son, I fear me, this hour we both may rue, If our minds are settled the stately maid to woo."

XII

"What can ill befall us?" Siegfried made reply; "If that misproud Burgundian my friendly suit deny, Be sure, as much and more, too, I'll seize by strength of hand; In this I trust to strip him of liegemen and of land."

XIII

"Little thy words content me," the h.o.a.ry prince replied, "In the land of King Gunther thou sure durst never ride, If, on the Rhine, young Siegfried, this tale were only told.

Gunther and eke Gernot I know them both of old.

XIV

"By force, fair son, a.s.sure thee, can none the maiden woo,"

Resum'd the princely Siegmund, "this I have heard for true; But if with knights to back thee, thou'lt ride to Gunther's land, We've friends enough, and forthwith I'll summon all the band."

XV

"'Tis not to me well pleasing," the fiery youth replied, "That I the Rhine should visit with warriors by my side, As in array of battle, and 'twould my honor stain, If I should need a.s.sistance the peerless maid to gain.

XVI

"I little care to win her save by my own good hand; With comrades but eleven I'll hence to Gunther's land.

Thus far, father Siegmund, of you help I pray."

Then his friends, to trim their garments, receiv'd striped furs and gray.

XVII

To his mother Siegelind the heavy news they bore; The queen straight for her Siegfried began to sorrow sore.

She shudder'd lest the lov'd one should all untimely die By the fierce knights of Gunther, and wept full bitterly.

XVIII

Then in haste went Siegfried where she her moan did make, And thus his sobbing mother tenderly bespake, "Weep not for me, dear mother, in better hope repose, Count me forever scathless e'en 'midst a thousand foes.

XIX

"So give me all that's needful through Burgundy to ride, That I and mine may journey with such fair weeds supplied As best becomes companions of high degree to wear, And from my heart I'll thank thee for all thy love and care."

XX

"Since naught avails to stay thee," so spake his mother mild, "I'll equip thee for the journey, my dear, my only child, Thee and thy bold companions, and send thee richly dight With weeds the best and fairest that e'er were worn by knight."

XXI

Then to the queen young Siegfried in duty bent him low, And said, "Upon this journey I would not that we go More than twelve together, so these with robes provide.

Full fain am I to witness how stands it with my bride."