The Nibelungenlied Part 69

LXXI

Many were there among them who made unceasing moan, Nor ate nor drank for anguish till three whole days were gone.

Then hard constraint compell'ed them to life against their will, And they from grief recovered, as haps to thousands still.

LXXII

In deadly swoon unconscious the widow'd Kriemhild lay, Both day and night unalter'd e'en to the second day, Nor heard whate'er was spoken, nor mark'd what pa.s.s'd around; In like unheeding sorrow was eke King Siegmund drown'd.

LXXIII

With pain back to his senses return'd the childless chief; Shrunk were his powers, and weaken'd through the strong dint of grief, Nor was there ground for wonder. Then said his liegemen near "My lord, best travel homeward; we must not tarry here."

EIGHTEENTH ADVENTURE

HOW SIEGMUND RETURNED HOME

I

The father-in-law of Kriemhild to the pale mourner went, And kindly thus bespake her, "Our thoughts are homeward bent; Unwelcome guests in Rhineland I ween we needs must be, So, Kriemhild, dearest lady, ride to my land with me.

II

"Thou must not here dwell helpless among thy foemen left, Where both of us of Siegfried foul treason hath bereft.

I'll guard thee with firm friendship and honor undefil'd For love of thy good husband and of his n.o.ble child.

III

"All power, beloved lady, shall be thine again, And, as thy lord intended, royally shalt thou reign.

The land, the crown, thou ownedst, thou both, as erst, shall sway.

To thee shall Siegfried's liegeman a willing service pay."

IV

Forthwith 'twas told his followers that they must hence with speed; Each straight to the stable hurried for his steed.

To dwell with deadly foemen scorn and shame they thought; Matrons and maids were stirring, and out their vesture sought.

V

When now the good King Siegmund ready was to ride, Her mother sued to Kriemhild among her kin to bide, That still her only daughter her aged eyes might see.

The joy-bereft made answer, "Nay, that can hardly be.

VI

"With my eyes could I ever the fawning friend behold, Who wrought me, wretched woman, sorrows so manifold?"

Then spake the youthful Giselher, "Dear sister, why away?

For love's sake and for duty's, here with thy mother stay.

VII

"Who have weigh'd thee down with sorrow and wreak'd on thee their hate, Of them thou need'st no service; live from my sole estate."

She answer'd thus the warior, "No! no! it cannot be.

Die should I straight of horror, if I should Hagan see."

VIII

"From that thou may'st be certain I'll shield thee, sister dear, With me shalt thou dwell ever, thy brother Giselher, Who, if love can bring comfort, will thy sad loss supply."

"Ah!" said the heaven-forsaken, "Of that sore need have I."

IX

Soon as this gentle proffer the youthful knight had made, Next Uta and good Gernot and their true cousins pray'd The joy-deserted mourner among them there to stay.

Her kin 'mong Siegfried's followers were few and far away.

X

"To you they all are strangers," said Gernot, drawing nigh; "No man there lives so mighty but he must some time die; Consider this, fair sister, and comfort to you take; Here with your friends 'twere better your fix'd abode to make."

XI

At last she promised Giselher that she would there abide.

Meanwhile the knights of Siegmund ready were to ride To the Nibelunger's country; their steeds were led from stall, And on the st.u.r.dy sumpters was laid their raiment all.

XII

The venerable Siegmund went up to Kriemhild then, And with these words address'd her: "Lady, Siegfried's men Are waiting with the horses; part must we instantly; It irks me every moment we stay in Burgundy."

XIII

Then answer'd Lady Kriemhild, "Such friends as wish me well And bear me love, advise me among them here to dwell, Since in the land of Nibelung nor kith nor kin have I."