The Nibelungenlied Part 95

Much wish'd they to behold her, yet never could it be.

LXVI

Then in his gracious fashion commanded straight the king Through kindnes to the envoys forth his gold to bring Spread out on ma.s.sy bucklers; good store thereof had he.

Rich gifts his friends too gave them with liberal hand and free.

LXVII

Gernot alike and Giselher and Gary and Ortwine Show'd, they as well could lavish the treasures of the mine.

Such rich gifts on the envoys were shower'd with one accord, That they durst not accept them through terror of their lord.

LXVIII

On this the messenger Swemmeline thus to the king 'gan say, "Sir King, needs must your presents here in your country stay; We cannot take them with us; our king has so decreed, And strictly that forbidden; besides, we've little need."

LXIX

Not little wonder'd Gunther, and felt displeasure more, That they refus'd such presents given from his royal store.

Still he at last constrain'd them his gold and weed to take, And to the land of Etzel to bear them for his sake.

LXX

An audience of Queen Uta, ere they set out, they sought.

Young Giselher the minstrels before his mother brought.

The lady to her daughter by them this message sent, To hear of all her honors, it gave her full content.

LXXI

Girdles and gold she lavish'd, sure more than I can tell, Both for the sake of Kriemhild (for her she lov'd full well) And also of King Etzel, on those same minstrels brave; They willingly accepted what she sincerely gave.

LXXII

Their leave then took the envoys, well-gifted as might be, Of every n.o.ble warrior and every lady free.

Thence on they rode to Swabia; Sir Gernot sent along So far his knights to guard them, that none should do them wrong.

LXXIII

When from the friends they parted, who had a.s.sur'd their way, In peace they went thenceforward, safe under Etzel's sway, That no man dar'd to pilfer their horses or their weed.

So to the land of Etzel they p.r.i.c.k'd with fiery speed.

LXXIV

Whom true they found and friendly, them told they all and some, That the bold Burgundians would shortly thither come From the Rhine into Hungary, as Etzel them had pray'd.

Also to Bishop Pilgrin like tidings were convey'd.

LXXV

As they nigh to Bechlaren came riding down the road, Twas told to good Sir Rudeger, who there in peace abode, And to the Lady Gotelind, the n.o.ble margravine.

To hear she soon would see them, right glad was she, I ween.

LXXVI

On went they with the tidings, fast sped they horse and man; The minstrels found King Etzel in his good town of Gran.

Greetings upon greetings were sent from Rhine, they said, All there were at his service; for joy he glow'd a merry red.

LXXVII

When the queen heard for certain (what she so long had plann'd) That her long absent brethren would come into the land, She swam in joy and rapture; richly for service done The minstrels she requited; high honor thus she won.

LXXVIII

Then thus she spake, "Now tell me, Werbel and Swemmeline, Who to our feast are coming of kin and friends of mine, Into this land invited with many a friendly word; And tell, too, what said Hagan, when he the tidings heard."

LXXIX

"Early upon a morning to the council-board he came; Little there he utter'd but words of gloom and blame; And when the jaunt to Hungary was voted in a breath, He grimly smil'd and mutter'd, 'This jaunt's a jaunt to death.'

Lx.x.x

"There are your brethren coming, the n.o.ble kings all three, In lofty mood and joyous; who there besides may be, We could not learn for certain, else would we nothing hide.

The valiant gleeman Folker agreed with them to ride."

Lx.x.xI

"I could have spar'd full lightly the minstrel's presence here,"

Replied the wife of Etzel; "this gives me little cheer; I'm well inclin'd to Hagan; he is of courage high; To have him here among us right well content am I."

Lx.x.xII

Then in haste went Kriemhild where sat King Etzel near; How kindly she bespake him! "My lord and husband dear, What thinks't thou of these tidings, thou, who this feast hast will'd?

My heart's long lingering wishes shall now be all fulfill'd."