The Nibelungenlied Part 94

"Stay here then, I beseech you; rich are your lawns and leas, Here every pledge of pleasure you may redeem with ease, Far better than in Hungary; who knows what there may rise?

Stay here, my lord, and stir not; this is what I advise."

XLIX

"Stay will we not, a.s.sure thee," Prince Gernot answer'd straight; "How can we, when my sister and the great king, her mate, Have bidd'n us by a message so loving and so kind?

Who will not freely with us may safely stay behind."

L

Thereto made Hagan answer, "Be not displeas'd at all With what I now shall counsel, whatever hence befall.

In faith and truth I warn you; would you in safety go, Ride well array'd to Hungary, and arm'd from top to toe.

LI

"Since you still will forward, for all your warriors send, For every valiant stranger and every trusted friend.

From all I'll choose a thousand, each a well-proved knight; Thus you may rest in safety from moody Kriemhild's spite."

LII

"I gladly take thy counsel," the king at once replied; Throughout his lands despatch'd he his messengers far and wide.

Three thousand knights or better came on with proud intent.

Little thought they to purchase such doleful dreariment.

LIII

With jollity and joyance to Gunther's land they rode; On all, that proffer'd service, was horse and weed bestow'd, For soon were they to travel far from Burgundian ground.

Many a good knight to join him the king right willing found.

LIV

Then Hagan told Sir Dankwart, his brother good at need, Eighty of their warriors forth to the Rhine to lead.

Thither they came full knightly; the well-appointed band Harness with them, and raiment, brought into Gunther's land.

LV

Folker, a n.o.ble minstrel, and eke a hardy knight, Came to partake their journey with thirty men of might, All clad in such apparel as well a king might wear; He bade announce to Gunther, to Hungary he'd fare.

LVI Now, who was this same Folker, I'll tell you faithfully.

He was a high-born warrior, and had in Burgundy Many good knights for va.s.sals of honor undefil'd.

For playing on the viol the minstrel he was styl'd.

LVII

Hagan chose out a thousand whom well before he knew In stern a.s.saults and forays for valiant men and true, And in all forms of battle their worth he oft had tried.

Their well-approved prowess by none could be denied.

LVIII

Sore irk'd it Kriemhild's envoys to make so long a stay; They fear'd their lord's displeasure, and fain would speed away.

They daily were entreating for leave at once to part, But Hagan still refus'd it through subtlety of heart.

LIX

To his lords he thus gave warning, "We must well beware Of letting these ride homeward, unless ourselves we fare Within a sennight after straight into Etzel's land.

We shall be thus the safer if any fraud be plann'd.

LX

"With all her thirst for vengeance, Kriemhild will want the time To weave a web of mischief, and muster strength for crime, Or, if she strike too early, she'll be the sufferer then, Since we shall bring to Hungary such a host of chosen men."

LXI

Forthwith for many a champion, who thence would soon away, Prepar'd were shields and saddles and all the proud array That to the land of Etzel each was with him to bring; Meanwhile Queen Kriemhild's envoys were call'd before the king.

LXII

Then thus began Sir Gernot to th' envoys there in place, "The king will do the bidding of royal Etzel's grace.

Fain will we seek his festal, which it were ill to miss, And see once more our sister; she may depend on this."

LXIII

Then spake to them King Gunther, "Could you to us declare The time of this high festal, and when we should be there With all our following present?" then Swemmeline made reply, "For the next midsummer is fix'd the festal high."

LXIV

The king then gave permission, not granted till that hour, If they wish'd to visit Dame Brunhild in her bower, With his free allowance thither at once to go, Then interpos'd Sir Folker (the queen would have it so).

LXV

"Just now my Lady Brunhild is not so well of cheer,"

Said the good knight, "that strangers before her can appear.

Wait until to-morrow; then you the queen may see."