The Nibelungenlied Part 71

I

While thus the mourning Kriemhild remain'd in widow'd state, Count Eckewart upon her did ever constant wait With all his men about him; he serv'd her without fail, And help'd his weeping lady his murdered lord to wail.

II

At Worms fast by the minster was fram'd for her to dwell A building high and s.p.a.cious, and thereto furnish'd well, Where sat she joyless ever among her joyless train.

To church she oft betook her, and there would linger fain.

III

How oft, weigh'd with sorrow (she seldom miss'd a day), Thither would she go faintly where her beloved lay, And G.o.d for grace and mercy upon his soul implore, And with true love unfailing beweep him evermore!

IV

Queen Uta and her ladies to sooth the mourner sought, But still take could she never the comfort that they brought; The sting of deadly sorrow had pierc'd her heart too deep; Nor love had she, nor longing, but for her lord to weep.

V

Such grief as Kriemhild's never wife for her husband knew; Thence might be seen how faithful her heart was, and how true.

E'en to her day of dying her life in woe she pa.s.s'd.

She took for her slain Siegfried a dread revenge at last.

VI

So after her bereavement she sat, for three long years And half another, ever in sorrow and in tears, Nor once spoke word to Gunther, albeit in blood so nigh, Nor on her foeman Hagan ever once set eye.

VII

Then said the Knight of Trony, "Your best attention bend, How you may hereafter your sister make your friend.

So might the wondrous treasure come to this land, I ween.

'Twould much be to your profit, could we appease the queen."

VIII

"We'll try," replied King Gunther, "my brothers with her bide Perhaps by their persuasion she may be pacified, And e'en in our possession the h.o.a.rd contented see."

"I can't believe," said Hagan, "that that can ever be."

IX

Then to the Margrave Gary in haste King Gunther sent; Ortwine to court was summon'd to further their intent, And Gernot and young Giselher were both together brought.

The boon from Lady Kriemhild with friendly prayer they sought.

X

Then first the good Burgundian the valiant Gernot spake.

"Lady, too long you're wailing for your lost husband's sake.

Sure proof the king will give you, he ne'er the warrior slew; Why then with such deep pa.s.sion his death forever rue?"

XI

Said she, "Who charges Gunther? 'twas Hagan struck the blow.

He gain'd from me the secret, where steel could lay him low.

Could I suspect, that treason lurk'd such fair words among?

Else, be sure, had silence sat ever on my tongue.

XII

"Ah! had I ne'er betrayed him, but still his secret kept, I had not now, poor widow! thus lamentably wept.

But ne'er will I forgive them, who this foul deed have done."

Then the stout knight, young Giselher, to intercede begun.

XIII

"Ay," said she, "I must greet him, you press and urge me so; The more your fault and folly; such bitterness of woe Hath the king brought upon me with no guilt on my part; My mouth it may forgive him, but never will my heart."

XIV

"Matters may mend hereafter," her kin said with one voice, "What if his future kindness should make her yet rejoice?"

"Needs must he," said good Gernot, "make up for former ill."

"See!" said the sorrow-laden, "I'll do what'er you will.

XV

"Yes! I will greet King Gunther." She scarce had given consent When with his best friends Gunther unto his sister went.

Yet durst not stern Hagan before the mourner go.

He knew himself blood-guilty, he had wrought her mortal woe.

XVI

When she had pardon'd Gunther all that had pa.s.s'd amiss, He thought it fitting kindness the gentle dame to kiss.

Had he the deed not counselled which all that ill had wrought, With freedom oft and boldness her presence he had sought.