The Nibelungenlied Part 6

XXII

Fair women at the needle were sitting night and day; Scarcely could a seamstress her head on pillow lay, Till robes were work'd for Siegfried and all his company.

The youth was ever yearning to start for Burgundy.

XXIII

His sire prepar'd his armor, and nothing left undone, That he might leave his country as fitted Siegmund's son; Well temper'd were their breast-plates that flash'd against the light, Of proof were their morions, their bucklers broad and bright.

XXIV

Their way they now were ready to Burgundy to take; Then man and wife were heavy with sorrow for their sake, Lest evil should befall them, and bar their homeward road, With weapons and apparel the heroes bad the sumpters load.

XXV

High-mettled were their chargers, gold-bright their riding weed, None ever rode more proudly (little were there need) Than then did n.o.ble Siegfried, and that fair company That with him leave were taking, all bound for Burgundy.

XXVI

The king and queen, each weeping, gave him leave to part, And he to both gave comfort all with a loving heart.

"Weep not," said he, "dear parents, of better courage be, I'm safe where'er I travel, so take no thought for me."

XXVII

Ah! woe were then the warriors, and wept, too, many a maid, Their hearts, I ween, the future in deepest gloom array'd, And told them from that journey many a dear friend would bleed.

Full cause had they for sorrow, it brought them woe indeed.

XXVIII

On the seventh fair morning by Worms along the strand In knightly guise were p.r.i.c.king the death-defying band.

The ruddy gold fair glitter'd on every riding vest; Their steeds they meetly govern'd, all pacing soft abreast.

XXIX

Their shields were new and ma.s.sy and like flame they glow'd, As bright too shone their helmets, while bold Siegfried rode Straight to the court of Gunther to woo the stately maid; Eye never look'd on champions so gorgeously array'd.

x.x.x

Down to their spurs loud clanging reach'd the swords they wore; Sharp and well temper'd lances the chosen champions bore.

One, two spans broad or better, did Siegfried sternly shake, With keen and cutting edges grim and ghastly wounds to make.

x.x.xI

Their golden-color'd bridles firm they held in hand; Silken were their poitrels; so rode they through the land.

On all sides the people to gaze on them began; Then many of Gunther's liegemen swift to meet them ran.

x.x.xII

Many a haughty warrior, stout squire, and hardy knight, Went to receive the strangers as fitting was and right, And, as to guests high honor'd, did courteous service yield, Their steeds held as they lighted, and took from each his shield.

x.x.xIII

They were in act the chargers to lead away to stall, When the redoubted Siegfried quick to them did call, "Nay, leave us here the horses, we look not long to stay, Anon with my companions I shall wend upon my way.

x.x.xIV

"Affairs of high concernment this squadron hither bring, So, whoso knows, straight tell me where I may find your king, The wide-renowned Gunther, who reigns in Burgundy."

Then one who near was standing thus answer'd courteously,

x.x.xV

"If you would find the monarch, you need not long to wait; In yonder hall at leisure myself I left him late Begirt with all his warriors; there you may feast your sight: In sooth you'll find about him full many a stately knight."

x.x.xVI

Now to great King Gunther were the tidings told, That there had journey'd thither hardy knights and bold, Yclad in flashing armor and glittering vesture gay, But who and whence the strangers, could no Burgundian say.

x.x.xVII

Much wonder'd the monarch, whence came the gallant band, That with so fair equipment had reach'd Burgundian land, And with so ma.s.sy bucklers; that none could tidings bring Of those heroic strangers, but little pleas'd the king.

x.x.xVIII

To Gunther then made answer the knight of Metz, Ortwine, A warrior bold and mighty, and of the loftiest line, "Since none of us can tell you who these same knights may be, Send for my uncle Hagan; let him strangers see.

x.x.xIX

"He knows the proud and puissant of every foreign land; So we, what now we guess not, from him shall understand."

Him and his warlike va.s.sals the impatient king bade call, And soon redoubted Hagan strode tow'ring through the hall.